[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-immortality-begins-with-slaying-demons":3,"chapter-immortality-begins-with-slaying-demons-immortality-begins-with-slaying-demons-chapter-16":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Immortality Begins with Slaying Demons",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2317904,4533,"Chapter 16: Current State of Baiyun","immortality-begins-with-slaying-demons-chapter-16",16,"\u003Cp>“Just keep two of them, preferably the ones with better reputations.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Yi’s current focus is entirely on martial cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had little interest in the petty duties handled by constables or the bribes they extorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Replacing them with cleaner hands would at least reduce some of the sin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Song Changfeng paused, unsure whether the word “reputation” was meant ironically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for reputation, once you’re under Shen Daoren’s command, how could you possibly come out clean?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, he turned and called out two names: “Niu Da, Niu Er, starting today, you’re transferred here to take over those two’s posts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The men called were the two strongest constables, and also the two with the most discontented expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The brothers gathered their courage, arms crossed, faces cold, determined to give Shen no favorable look no matter what he said next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Shen Yi seemed to have no intention of lecturing them; he merely turned back to Song Changfeng: “Anything else?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The constables’ corpses lay in the courtyard, yet the demon’s body had vanished—this was odd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for yesterday.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Changfeng sighed, unsure whether he meant the demon-slaying in the guardhouse or Shen Yi’s excuse to leave his home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He added, his eyes darkening with complexity: “Liu Dianli asked me to pass on a message—he says you need to rein in your actions; you’ve gone too far these past two days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, Shen Yi’s intelligence network was far superior to this sidelined old man’s, but today, the higher-ups had used him to deliver the warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Probably the rumors about the dog demon’s head and the monkey demon’s corpse had finally reached the top.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Yi frowned slightly but said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Demons may be brutal, but they stay outside the county walls. Minor disturbances? Just pretend you didn’t see them... You used to be best at this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Changfeng looked desolate—clearly, the demon’s brazen intrusion into the county office the day before had shaken him deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, go on with your work. I’ll go home and rest some more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Song Changfeng lead the constables out of the courtyard, Shen Yi slowly rose and stepped out the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the Demon Suppression Bureau’s inspection imminent, the county officials were on edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply couldn’t understand: even if they got through this round, what were they planning to do afterward?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was temporarily removing their black caps truly worse than losing their lives?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were demons! They didn’t care whether their victims were common folk or county magistrates when they ate!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shen Daoren.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Ji bowed, then whispered: “Yesterday... you were alright?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d wanted to ask what had happened last night, but the words died on his tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Yi rubbed his temples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Ji seemed to read his thoughts: “Lately, whether it’s the officials in the office or the wealthy gentry, everyone’s scrambling to spend silver in Qingzhou to hire famous martial masters—even if they’re just hired to guard homes, it still deters demons outside the city.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Martial masters?” Shen Yi glanced sideways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re all from established sects with lineage,” Chen Ji said, his eyes filled with envy. “For example, the one the Lin family hired—Master Liu Qi, known as the ‘Stone-Breaking Hands.’ He’s killed over a dozen demons with his iron palms alone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These martial masters grew up soaking in medicinal baths, eating rare meats and divine herbs—they’re far more reliable than our half-trained clerks. The gentry never expected us to protect their families.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aren’t the authorities afraid they’ll break the law with their strength?” Shen Yi asked, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not really—any reputable sect is registered with the imperial court,” Chen Ji said. He usually spoke little, but was oddly well-informed about martial lore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, those hired with silver aren’t as powerful as those brought in through connections... Word is the County Magistrate wrote to his master in Qingzhou and summoned a major figure, who now resides in the magistrate’s residence, rarely showing his face. Even Master Liu Qi, upon arriving in Baiyun County, had to submit a formal letter of introduction first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Yi listened, intrigued, and asked slowly: “Do these martial sects have requirements for accepting disciples?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he could find a proper lineage, it would be far more comfortable than staying in the office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Talent, birth, character—all essential,” Chen Ji said, tugging his sleeve. “And there’s another unspoken rule—the most important one—you can’t wear this uniform.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his helpless expression, Shen Yi instantly understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The so-called martial world should be free and unrestrained, yet now one must first register with the court to gain recognition—as if shackled by iron fetters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once this precedent was set, they naturally feared being absorbed and assimilated by the government; thus, rejecting corrupt officials within the system became perfectly logical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In any case, Baiyun County will remain Baiyun County—it won’t collapse entirely, but the common folk suffer,” Chen Ji said, his eyes darkening with anger. Then he remembered something and added, worried: “All the girls have been sent home. When will the monkey demon come?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, he’d never ask such questions—he’d only curse Shen behind his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now he suddenly realized: cursing wouldn’t solve anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no strategy beyond drawing his blade and charging—only rage in his heart, and now he placed all hope on Shen Yi, who navigated among demons so effortlessly must have a plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Already dealt with.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Yi brushed it off casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Chen Ji froze—he’d barely slept all night, yet Shen had quietly resolved it without a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t the monkey demon say anything?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They said I used to be efficient, that they were pleased with me, and that they wanted to give me Song Tou’s position.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Yi recalled—the Confucian-robed old monkey had indeed said that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You accepted?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No wonder...” Chen Ji rubbed his temple. He’d wondered what had gotten into Song Tou today—now he knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, I just realized—you look strange today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hard to explain... just unusually noticeable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Yi nodded, understanding his meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant, the energy flowing freely through his body slowly retreated into his dantian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This cultivation base was meant to impress the Demon Suppression Bureau, not to scare off demons—if all the lesser demons fled from him, replenishing their life essence would be impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having suppressed his aura, Shen Yi waved his hand: “From now on, when on duty, lead them. Don’t cause trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Chen Ji felt puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after a moment did he grasp Shen Yi’s meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he planning a full overhaul? No more extorting the people?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your servant understands!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One more thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Yi stopped him. Chen Ji turned back, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lend me some silver. I’ll repay you when my salary comes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Ji rolled his eyes. Fine, fine—now you’re stealing from me instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled three taels of silver from his waist and muttered: “I still need to save for Jin Yu’s dowry...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry—if I can’t repay it, I’ll marry her myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Yi took the silver casually and stepped out of the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1177,"2026-06-20T15:00:36.117Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","ca33c1e9d6b824c33cca95793f8449af40d62eab480f1e1a2a266baa22852fee","immortality-begins-with-slaying-demons-chapter-17","immortality-begins-with-slaying-demons-chapter-15",840,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fimmortality-begins-with-slaying-demons-cover.jpg"]