Chapter 26: The Thin Fat Monk and the Butcher Zhang

At the mention of that name, the Niu brothers, who had just stepped out of the room, froze slightly.

Immediately, both lowered their heads, pretending not to hear, and hurried the thin middle-aged man away from the courtyard.

What kind of figure was Liu Qi? These constables had long heard of him.

He came from Outside Qingzhou, a martial artist with a master, and among the high-level guardians hired by the Lin family for a great sum of silver, he was one of the most famous.

His iron palms could shatter gold and crack stone, no harder than cutting tofu.

Rumor had it that the demons and monsters who died under those palms numbered at least thirty, if not fifty.

"Should we go take a look?"

Chen Ji glanced back at the two brothers' retreating figures; he did not think they were cowardly, but rather understood them quite well.

Boyun County was no great city, lacking even a proper sect; in the eyes of the locals, Liu Qi was already a mighty dragon crossing the river, and even this group of constables hoped to rely on his reputation to intimidate demons.

If even he was dead, the thing that struck him was nine times out of ten a great demon.

According to Liu Dianli's meaning, demons fell under Shen Yi's jurisdiction.

Whether to manage it or not was the question.

By all rights, since no one had filed a report, pretending not to know and brushing it aside would have been fine, but a fact even street vendors could guess meant that such an act of covering one's ears to steal a bell would only make Shen Yi lose all face on the very first day, and might even lead to a charge of failing to control demons.

"This death is far too convenient."

Chen Ji withdrew his gaze with a slight headache; why was he like a calamity-bringer, bringing trouble with every piece of news?

"Let's go, take a look."

Shen Yi lightly rubbed his brow, concealing a flicker of restlessness in his eyes, then rose, took his sword, and walked outside.

It was not, as others might think, about not being able to save face.

Compared to others, he knew what thing was hidden inside the Lin residence.

That fox was personally sent in by his predecessor.

One could say that for every bloody case it committed, a charge would be recorded against Shen Yi; if it were carelessly captured, he would likely have to go to the Zhen Mo Si prison himself.

"..."

Shen Yi led Chen Ji onto the main street.

The strange glances cast from the roadside were still the same as in the early morning; only as the roadside buildings gradually changed from thatched roofs and mud walls to green bricks and dark tiles did such stares slowly vanish.

In the relatively wealthy eastern part of the city, the intimidating power of the constables' clothing was also rapidly declining.

Until that grand and luxurious mansion came into view, with vermilion doors and copper handles, and two stone lions half a head taller than those at the government office entrance.

At this moment, the main gate was open only a person's width; the Lin family's chubby steward, wearing a silk jacket and a small hat, stood before the door with a worried expression, waving to drive away the crowd: "Go, go, go! Is this a place for you to watch the spectacle?"

"What spectacle? If there is a demon, you old sir should inform us so we can go to the government office to beg for help."

A group of idlers reluctantly retreated.

"Where is the demon? There is no demon!" The Lin steward twisted his chubby face, dejectedly saying, "I have already said it eight hundred times; there is no such thing."

"You coward, what are you afraid of! Didn't you see the notice on the street? My lord Shen can slay the dog demon in the western suburbs; can't he slay the evil spirit in your house?"

Several people of some status stood in the crowd, but they gave the steward no respect and shouted directly.

"Still talking about My Lord Shen... what do you lot know?"

The Lin steward glanced over disdainfully, his heart weighed down, and was too lazy to bother with them.

As for that Shen Yi, he knew far more about him than this group.

Originally, when the other party rescued the Young Lady from outside the city, the Master felt grateful and treated this person with great courtesy.

Who would have thought the man surnamed Shen was a gambler, coming to borrow silver every three days or two, the silver lent out like a meat bun thrown at a dog, never to return; how could he be considered a good person?

Only recently had he been a bit quieter.

How could the Master trust such a person? After discovering Liu Qi's trouble, he went to the Magistrate's residence overnight and invited that Thin Fat Monk.

Do not look at how that one was strangely thin, as if a gust of wind could knock him down; but when he was in Outside Qingzhou, he could often stay by the side of the Magistrate, his master, gaining deep trust; Liu Qi, while alive, would address him as "Senior" with every word, daring not to neglect him in the slightest.

Such a figure came to the Lin family to investigate.

The final conclusion was... no demons were causing trouble, so the Lin Master need not worry.

As for Liu Qi's death, the other party remained silent.

In short, one sentence: no demons.

Given the Thin Fat Monk's status, once he opened his golden mouth, the matter was settled; let alone the man surnamed Shen having no real skill, even if slaying demons were true, what could be done?

The Lin steward withdrew his thoughts and suddenly noticed the noisy crowd gradually making way: "He's here, he's really here! The notice is true!"

There he saw a sword-carrying youth slowly approaching, with a constable following behind.

"Yo, Constable Shen... our Young Lady is not in the residence." The Lin steward forced a smile, feeling somewhat surprised in his heart; perhaps the other party had not heard of Liu Qi's reputation, daring to get involved in such matters.

Hearing this, Shen Yi frowned slightly.

Not here?

"She went out of the city for a spring outing and will need a few more days to return." The Lin steward shook his head, then added, "If you are looking for Young Lady Bai Wei, please return."

"I am not looking for her; trouble you to take me to see the corpse."

Shen Yi stepped up the stone stairs.

The fox demon was not here, yet a martial arts expert had died; this was indeed strange.

Hearing this, the Lin steward showed hesitation; if the other party had come to seek a handout, hearing the Young Lady was not home, he should have turned and left; if he truly came to investigate demons... the Thin Fat Monk was still in the residence.

Thinking of this, he deliberately raised his voice:

"Constable Shen, the one from the Magistrate's residence has already come to look."

Hearing this, Chen Ji was first startled, then breathed a sigh of relief.

Since a master had taken action, the matter would naturally be resolved, and there was no need for this group of constables to worry.

The idlers gathered in the distance also suddenly understood; no wonder the Lin family was so calm; sigh, what a pity, today they would not get to see Constable Shen in action.

Having said that, Steward Lin looked back at the young man, the meaning on his face quite obvious.

The step had been given to him, so no matter what, the responsibility could not be shifted onto him; turning around and leaving directly would not affect his reputation in the slightest.

"..."

Shen Yi lowered his gaze, taking in the anxiety and helplessness the steward was trying so hard to conceal.

He said lightly, "It wouldn't hurt to take another look."

Hearing these words, Steward Lin was finally surprised. Now that he thought about it, this really was like a different person. In the past, the other party would have wished to cast the trouble away completely, devoting himself wholeheartedly to hugging silver; what had come over him today?

After a moment of inner struggle, he forced a bitter smile and stepped aside: "If you truly wish to take a look, then follow me."

The steward turned and pushed open the door, just about to step forward, but the expression on his face stiffened considerably.

There, accompanied by the old master, two extraordinary figures walked out one behind the other.

The one in front was tall and thin, looking about fifty years old, his brows drooping like a dragon's whiskers, dressed in a long black jacket, resembling a bamboo pole.

The one behind was a middle-aged man stout as a small hill, his rough cheeks covered in a beard like steel needles, his expression sullen, draped in a greasy white short jacket, his skin dark, his bulging belly as terrifying as a ten-month pregnancy.

The thin-headed monk wore a calm smile, just about to bid farewell to Old Master Lin, when he raised his head and saw the few people at the door.

At the instant the steward's heart was pounding and he wished to open his mouth to explain, the monk's smile faintly faded, and instead he cupped his hands in a salute: "This must be Young Friend Shen. I have long heard of your great name; fortunate to meet you at last."

Hearing this, the swarthy, rough man, who had originally been hanging his head in low spirits, now cast a light glance in this direction.

(End of chapter)