Chapter 20: Agents of the Demon‑Slaying Department Arrive

The book—I've finished it.

Lin Yangyang couldn't regain her composure for a long time.

"So, does that mean I'm a super‑genius cultivator?"

The book said that ordinary cultivators need more than half a month to sense spiritual energy, plus drawing Qi into the body, bodily adaptation, and circulating the heavenly cycle; the whole process takes at least three months.

Only then does one reach the threshold of the Nurturing Qi realm.

She, however, took only half a month to reach the Opening Vessels realm and opened six cultivation spirit veins.

And she has already missed the optimal age for beginning cultivation.

If she had started earlier, she might already be a great cultivator by now.

"Why overthink? Having what we have now is already good enough," Lin Yangyang suppressed the thought; she is not a greedy person.

What I gain is my fortune; what I lose is my fate.

She is very satisfied with the current outcome.

"Sister, why don't we abandon the business? The two of us can focus on cultivation; wealth and worldly things will matter less and less to us."

Since we are cultivators, progress is this rapid.

Lin Chuan wanted to give up the business and devote himself to cultivation with his sister, to avoid attracting more trouble.

"We can't abandon the business."

Lin Yangyang shook her head. "The book says cultivation depends not only on talent; methods, land, wealth, and partner are all indispensable."

"Lately my appetite has been increasing day by day, cultivation consumption has surged, and it will definitely explode in growth in the future."

"If we just bury ourselves in cultivation, where will the resources for training come from?"

As a merchant, Lin Yangyang was incisive and saw the most acute problem.

"That does sound reasonable."

Lin Chuan's thinking was much simpler.

Because of the system's existence, he felt everything could be resolved within the Reincarnation dream cycle, lacking careful thought.

Normally, the thinking should be like sister Lin Yangyang's.

Lin Yangyang smiled, "The business must continue, but it will change—we'll do business for cultivators, not for mortals."

Although contact with cultivators is currently scarce, Lin Yangyang is confident that as her realm rises, everything will fall into place.

At its core it's all trade; she is confident she can handle it.

"You don't need to worry about the business; leave it to your sister."

Lin Yangyang lifted her head and chest, "When you were young, I could pull you up and raise you; in the future I can also ensure your cultivation path has no resource worries."

"Hehe, then I'll cling tightly to my sister's thigh."

Lin Chuan was accustomed to this.

From childhood to now, he and his sister have relied on each other and supported one another.

Even if his sister cannot keep today's promise, he will help her fulfill it.

In the void outside Lin Fu.

The Four Great Demon Kings of Yunmeng Ancient Forest watched this scene, their eyes flickering.

"The master said that if we can restore Senior Lin Chuan's memory, we will be taught the method to step into the Supreme realm."

"We've been trapped in the Saint Realm for many years; perhaps this is our only opportunity."

The Jinchihu King stared fiercely.

"Tiger King, what do you think we should do?" the seductive Three-Headed Snake King asked.

"To help Senior Lin Chuan regain his memory, we must find a suitable reason to approach him, but he's either playing with the Young Master or sleeping."

"There is simply no suitable opportunity."

"In my view, we should act through Senior Lin Chuan's sister; she wants to do business in the cultivation world and needs a guide, so we can seize this chance to cooperate."

The Jinchihu King outlined his plan.

The Black Flame Sparrow King laughed, "Lin Yangyang's talent seems stronger than Senior Lin Chuan's; perhaps she was a supreme being in a past life."

The Jinchihu King nodded, "So, currying favor with this brother‑sister pair is never a bad thing; the future that awaits us is a broad, smooth road."

The Four Great Demon Kings reached consensus on this.

Dong—dong—dong!

Just then, the main gate of Lin Fu was knocked.

"Miss, young master, there's a group of oddly dressed people outside claiming to be secret guards of the government; they wish to see you both," the servant reported hurriedly.

The servant rushed to inform.

"Let them in."

Lin Yangyang was not surprised; since the news that her brother was a cultivator had spread, officials were bound to come.

She even thought they arrived a bit late.

Soon, three people entered the courtyard, all wearing black brocade robes with fish‑like patterns embroidered on their belts.

The fish bore two wings; its meaning was unknown.

The distinction was that the leader's belt had three fish motifs, while each attendant's belt had only one.

"Demon‑Slaying Department Three‑Mark Demon‑Slaying Envoy Wu Feifan, by order of the Director, has come to investigate the matter of Lin Chuan, a cultivator of the Lin Family in Youshui County, and the Bi Yin demon."

"Demon‑Slaying Department?"

The Lin siblings heard the name of this organization for the first time.

It was straightforward.

It must be the cultivator department directly under imperial authority.

「I am willing to cooperate with the investigation. 」

Lin Chuan clasped his hands and had the maid pour a cup of hot tea for the three Demon Slayer Office officials.

Demon Slayer Envoy Wu Feifan's gaze, however, fell on Lin Yangyang.

「According to Exorcist Zhao Zhiming's testimony, the Lin family has only one cultivator, Lin Chuan, and he is at the Nurturing Qi stage. 」

「Why do I sense cultivator aura on both of you siblings, and it is Opening Vessels stage, not Nurturing Qi? 」

「On the night you exterminated the Bi Yin demon, did you conceal your cultivation? 」

Demon Slayer Envoy Wu Feifan's gaze was sharp, exuding authority without anger.

「Yes. 」

Lin Chuan took over the conversation, smiling, "Concealing one's cultivation shouldn't violate the laws of the Great Yan Dynasty, should it?"

「Certainly. 」

Wu Feifan's expression remained unchanged, "However, to prevent demons from entering the border, those who disguise themselves as human cultivators to cause trouble still need to cooperate with my routine inspection."

Saying this, he took out a mirror.

「This is a Spirit-Seeing Mirror; it can discern demonic aura. If you both channel a strand of spiritual power into the mirror, you can prove your innocence. 」

「Alright. 」

The Lin siblings, with a clear conscience, naturally complied.

As spiritual energy entered, the Spirit-Seeing Mirror showed no reaction for a long time, proving that the Lin siblings were not demons and were likely not demon cultivators.

Wu Feifan clasped his fists: "Since you are cultivators, you may register at the Demon Slayer Office to become a civilian exorcist, accept missions, and earn remuneration."

「There are many things to watch out for on the path of cultivation; sometimes hiding too deeply is not a good thing. 」

「Ultimately, what to do is up to your own hearts; I take my leave. 」

After the matter was settled, the three Demon Slayer Office officials turned and left without any delay.

「Being watched by the Demon Slayer Office, I don't know whether it's a blessing or a curse. 」

Lin Chuan let out a light sigh.

He worried that after exposing their cultivation talent, it would attract some people's covetousness, which would become considerable trouble.

This matter cannot be concealed for long.

Lin Yangyang laughed freely and took it in stride,

「In my view, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks; the Great Yan Dynasty needs strong cultivators, and by revealing our talent we can gain official support and more resources. 」

「As for the covetousness of those with ill intentions, whatever is destined to come will come. 」

From six or seven years old she learned to do business from her parents; at twelve she took over the Lin family firm, while also looking after her younger brother who was only three at the time.

Lin Yangyang has endured too much hardship.

Along the way, haven't there been few who tried to topple the Lin family? In the end, they were all swept away!

Is the cultivation world even more dangerous?

Hasn't she herself become stronger?

Moreover, she had gotten through those times alone; now her brother has grown up and is by her side—what is there to fear?

Void Space.

The Four Great Demon Kings were still discussing; the more they looked, the more something felt off.

Jin Chi Hu Wang furrowed his brows, "How come I feel that this sister's aura far surpasses that of the great Lin Chuan?"

In front of Lin Yangyang, Lin Chuan the great really seems just like a younger brother.