Chapter 27: Why Have You Only Just Come

Shrouded by Skinny Toutuo's gaze, Chen Ji found his mouth suddenly going dry.

After all, he was a hot-blooded young man who had joined the government office merely to make a living; his heart still yearned for the jianghu.

Now, seeing a renowned jianghu elder, even the hand gripping the saber hilt trembled with excitement.

Beyond the excitement, he could not help feeling a touch of emotion.

Both of them were government office runners, yet even such an elder politely addressed Shen Yi as "little friend"—so-called jianghu fame was indeed earned by one's fists.

Chen Ji shook his head, recalled the scene of Shen Yi sitting lazily in the countryside, his whole body stained with blood, corpses not yet cold before him, and felt everything was as it should be.

"You flatter me, senior."

Shen Yi cupped his fist in reply and continued walking forward, with no mind to keep exchanging pleasantries.

Yet Skinny Toutuo brought his men to block the way: "This is my junior brother from the Vajra Sect, nicknamed Zhang the Butcher. He came from Outside Qingzhou looking for me and also plans to find a post under the magistrate."

Shen Yi gave a nod of acknowledgment; Zhang the Butcher likewise tipped his chin in reply.

"I have official business, so I won't trouble the two of you further."

Once the pleasantries were done, Shen Yi stepped forward again, but Skinny Toutuo shifted slightly, still blocking his path.

"……"

Shen Yi looked over calmly.

So-called each to his own ambition—he did not think there was anything wrong with Skinny Toutuo taking money to do a job. If he hadn't already put on this uniform upon transmigrating, cutting off the path of jianghu sects, he too would have wanted to join a sect like the other man, learn some martial arts, and throw in his lot with a wealthy household to be kept by them.

But if the man had taken money and the job meant specifically causing trouble for him, that would be another matter.

"The three of us are all devoted to the martial path—why not find a place to drink our fill?"

Skinny Toutuo chuckled, reaching out to rest a hand on Shen Yi's shoulder: "I'm old enough to be your father, so I'll brazenly call myself an elder. You're still young, your edge is too sharp—chatting more with an old cove like me won't hurt you."

Even Chen Ji, standing behind, sensed the subtle shift in the air.

Master Lin and the steward kept silent, their eyes dim.

They did not really believe in Shen Yi's abilities.

But comparatively, they trusted Skinny Toutuo's judgment even less—yet as businessmen, how would they dare raise doubts before such an expert.

If the government office people could step in, it would be a good thing after all. They hadn't expected the man to block even this. Shen Yi, a mere government office runner, how would he dare act rashly before the magistrate's favorite.

Under the gaze of all present.

Shen Yi was silent for a moment, then slowly removed the hand resting on his shoulder and gave his own shoulder two light pats: "Many thanks for your kind offer, senior, but I have official duties today—my apologies."

His action made the atmosphere freeze in an instant.

Embarrassment welled up in Skinny Toutuo's eyes, and a thread of vexed anger rose on his old face.

Zhang the Butcher turned his head, and beneath his thick beard, a few mocking smiles crept onto his lips.

"If I remember correctly, Constable Shen has recently been promoted and oversees all demon and monster disturbances in Bai Yun County. I've already said there are no demons here—it's an ordinary murder case. What official business of yours does the Lin family have? Or is it that you don't trust me?"

A touch of coldness entered Skinny Toutuo's voice.

Shen Yi glanced at the steward and said calmly, "Lead the way."

"Ah… yes…"

A mere steward, how would he dare get mixed up in such a dispute. The only thing he found shocking was that a former degenerate gambler could now remain composed before Skinny Toutuo.

The most outrageous part was that Skinny Toutuo seemed utterly unable to do anything about him.

If he'd known this, the master might as well have gone straight to the government office's duty room—what was the point of going to the magistrate's residence… utterly useless.

The steward's thoughts drifted as he trotted toward the side courtyard.

Once the three had vanished from the edge of sight.

Master Lin repeatedly cupped his fists: "Two seniors, please forgive the offense. Constable Shen has official matters on his mind—please, the two of you must not take it to heart."

Skinny Toutuo's face darkened; he flicked his sleeve and followed.

Zhang the Butcher followed close behind and said casually, "You know him well, senior brother?"

"Never met him. Just admired his talent—thought we'd all be working under the magistrate from now on, looking out for each other. Didn't expect him to be a brainless fool."

"I see. I thought you were afraid he'd find out we were bluffed by a demon and we'd lose face for nothing."

Hearing the barb in those words, Skinny Toutuo suddenly turned his head, his face dark. It took him a long while to calm down: "You just came from Outside Qingzhou and think this is some small backwater. I won't blame you for being arrogant, but remember this—the waters here run deeper than you think."

Saying this, he continued walking forward: "You think he's any different? In a moment, won't he be just like us, meekly finding some excuse to come out?"

Zhang the Butcher closed his mouth noncommittally.

As the two conversed.

Shen Yi and the other followed the steward to a side room, watching him slowly lift the Bai Bu to reveal the corpse beneath.

In a single glance, Chen Ji's admiration for Skinny Toutuo grew several degrees more.

What a skill—telling barefaced lies with eyes wide open.

On the bed lay the sturdy frame of a man. Only half of his left arm remained; a great hole had been torn in his abdomen, hollowed out completely.

Both eye sockets were empty, the nose gone, and the entire right side of his face had been licked down to bare bone—not a single shred of flesh left.

"He was fine yesterday—just one night."

The Lin family steward shut his eyes and rubbed his face hard, trying to drive away the chill on his body.

He still remembered how Liu Qi had arrived at the Lin household—how imposing and dashing he had been. Now he looked like this.

"No one knows how he died?" Chen Ji's brows knit tightly.

A dignified martial expert—even if he ran into a demon, how could he have died without a sound?

"The one who found him wasn't from our Lin family."

The Lin family steward sighed, wanting to speak yet not daring to. He glanced back at Shen Yi: "Back then, when you escorted Young Lady Bai Wei home, after her injuries healed, her temperament hadn't changed, but her memory was missing in many places—she couldn't recall many of her relatives."

At this point, the steward pursed his lips: "Half a month ago, she said a good friend she'd met outside was coming to stay at the house—a young man, no less. This really shouldn't be spoken of. The Young Lady is still an unmarried maiden; you two must just let it pass once heard—please, for heaven's sake, don't spread it and ruin her reputation…"

Chen Ji nodded.

The steward continued, "The master was worried about the Young Lady, and also considered that having a familiar face by her side might help her recover her memory, so he kept this person on. The Young Lady was very close with him, and we treated him as an honored guest as well."

"Liu Qi's corpse was discovered in his room… and the Young Lady happened to be away from home these past few days…"

"Senior Skinny Head Tu chatted with him briefly and said it had nothing to do with him…"

Hearing this, Shen Yi finally understood what the other party meant.

The Lin family had long had a suspect in mind; the reason they went looking for Skinny Head Tu was never to hunt a demon, but to destroy one.

"Where is he?" Chen Ji asked instinctively.

"I'm right here."

A lazy voice drifted in from outside the door.

A youth in black leaned against the doorframe, yawning as he stretched. His fair, rosy-lipped face wore a smile; he bared his teeth, and two tiger canines lent the grin a provocative edge.

He raised a brow and said, "So you're Shen Yi? What took you so long?"

His words dripped with an air of lofty superiority, and the way he looked at Shen Yi was as though looking at his own household servant.

(End of chapter)