Chapter 28: Seventh Master Yin

Upon hearing this, the Lin family steward broke out in gooseflesh at once.

It was one thing for the expert the county magistrate had invited to know Shen Yi, but how did this outsider the Young Lady brought back know him too?

They're all old acquaintances — what demon is there to exorcise? Stop ganging up and devouring the Lin family whole.

On the other side, Chen Ji's expression, however, sank slightly.

If before he had only been seventy or eighty percent suspicious, the moment those words left the black-clad youth's mouth, he could be entirely certain the other party was a demon — merely wrapped in a layer of human skin.

The reason was none other than this.

That tone of voice… Chen Ji was simply far too familiar with it; it even stirred up a few unpleasant memories.

In recent years, nearly every demon that entered the city had spoken to Shen Yi in exactly this manner, and what followed was either hunting fresh meat for them, or snatching some family's Miss.

Thinking of this, he instinctively glanced to the side.

Shen Yi's face betrayed no ripple; he did not seem to feel offended by the black-clad youth's words.

He stood with his hands at his sides, quietly gazing at Liu Qi's corpse, and after a moment said, "Everyone step out first."

The moment those words fell, the Lin family steward wished he could slap himself — what a fool he was, bringing back just anyone! As if the situation weren't messy enough already!

It was one thing for the idlers outside to believe the rumors, but after serving as steward in the Lin family for so many years, how could he still have lost his wits?

Just look at that government office — is that a government office for exorcising demons?

The fat steward shuffled out dejectedly. Chen Ji said nothing in silence, but cast another glance at Shen Yi, making sure the man wasn't deliberately lowering the demon's guard so that he could seize the chance as he passed to land a vicious strike on the black-clad youth.

He cupped his hands helplessly and said, "This humble official takes his leave."

The two walked out of the side room. Just then, the two Skinny Head Monks had also come to stand ahead, taking in the steward's irritated expression; the Skinny Head Monk's complexion finally improved considerably.

"See what I said? In the end he's still a young man — too much fire in his belly! Got a bit of a lucky break and can't see himself clearly anymore; he won't rein it in until he's thoroughly humiliated."

"Which of us here hasn't had a lucky break, which of us isn't a genius, which of us is as ungrateful as him?"

"A fool is a fool — rotten wood cannot be carved!"

Listening to his senior brother's endless snickering, Butcher Zhang squatted down listlessly, plucked a blade of green grass and stuck it in his mouth, reverting to his previous sullen look.

The mocking words wormed into Chen Ji's ears. He looked over coldly, and suddenly felt that these so-called jianghu seniors were nothing like what he had once admired — they were even nauseating.

No matter how poorly Lord Shen had done, he still went alone to Liuli Temple Village and claimed thirteen demon corpses, for a mere two taels and four qian of silver.

This man's been in Bai Yun County all these days and hasn't once made a move — at his age he's still nothing but a gossip with a petty mind, and he earns six hundred taels of silver a month?

"Little thing, what are you looking at?"

As if sensing something, the Skinny Head Monk turned his head, his sinister gaze exceedingly cold.

He could tolerate Shen Yi, because the man was also a martial artist of the initial realm who had comprehended transcendence — but since when did a mere constable dare look at him with eyes like that?

His ink-black long robe stirred without wind; a skin-and-bones hand reached out from his sleeve, five fingers curling into an eagle's claw.

A surging aura instantly swept toward the other man.

Chen Ji's face went deathly pale; he clenched his jaw tight.

Under normal circumstances, he well knew the importance of enduring — he would never dare meet the man's eyes, just lower his head and admit fault to let the matter pass.

But at this moment, a nameless fury surged up in his heart.

The hand resting on the saber hilt suddenly tightened; the gleaming blade slid from its sheath, drawing every gaze.

"When the government office handles a case, when has it ever been the turn of a jianghu martial man to point fingers!"

"Captain Shen works for the imperial court — what do you amount to, daring to blabber here? Shut your mouth!"

The moment those words fell, the Skinny Head Monk stood as if struck by lightning, rooted to the spot and speechless for a long while. Only after a great pause did he mumble woodenly, "Good, good, good — using the imperial court to pressure this old man…"

Steward Lin was so frightened his legs trembled, and he unconsciously clamped them together.

One must know that what this group of sect members most dreaded was being suppressed by the Zhen Mo Si. Though the Skinny Head Monk seemed to have lost his anger, in truth, several shades of killing intent had already crept into his words.

This little constable will eventually have to take off that uniform someday… he can't really think Shen Yi can protect him, can he?

Only Butcher Zhang, squatting on the ground, gave a slight start, spat out the green grass, and opened his mouth in a soundless laugh.

At the same time, a few shades of curiosity crept into the sidelong glance he cast toward the door.

Interesting, interesting — he didn't even draw his blade against a demon, yet after his superior got a mere two words in, he couldn't stop himself from drawing on an initial realm martial artist. What manner of man must one be to command such authority in front of his subordinates?

……

Compared to the clamor outside, the side room seemed so very peaceful.

The black-clad youth lazily flicked his wrist, walked over to Liu Qi's corpse, and with a touch of distaste tore off the remaining half of an arm, chewing it in big bites.

"I'd originally thought I'd have to waste more breath, but turns out it's you — saves my patience. No need for pleasantries, I know the rules. From now on, just call me Seventh Master."

Shen Yi watched the other feed in silence, his eyes neither sorrowful nor joyful.

In just these few days, he had seen far too many scenes like this.

The only ripple in his heart was because Liu Qi had been a martial practitioner, and the scene before him was precisely the fate of those who could not overcome demons.

"It's not that Seventh Master is picking on you, but she told me back then that whatever you needed, you could come find you. I waited so long, but you never showed up, so I had to take matters into my own hands."

The black-clad youth said, slightly irritated: "From now on, come by once every three days, you hear? Don't complain it's too much — I won't be staying more than a few months."

The reason Shen Yi had the others step out was for just one question: "Where is she?"

"What, Seventh Master's words don't carry weight — she has to tell you herself?" Yin Qiye swallowed great mouthfuls of flesh and blood, frowning deeply as he stepped toward the other.

He looked up, fixing his eyes on Shen Yi, wiped the flecks of meat from the corner of his mouth, and said impatiently: "She's been out playing too long, went back to North Cliff to see her old mother — she'll be back in a couple of days. If you're starving Seventh Master's belly, you don't need her — I'll tidy you up while I'm at it."

Just then, Yin Qiye suddenly noticed Shen Yi's brow knit slightly… as if he were a touch disappointed — to be more precise, much like when Yin Qiye was a child digging out a rabbit burrow, expecting a whole litter, only to pull out just one.

The next moment, the other lowered his gaze and looked over.

A wisp of chill gradually rose in those eyes.

For some unknown reason, Yin Qiye suddenly felt his heart pound, every muscle in his body tensing — the instinctive dread of a body facing danger.

Ever since he stepped into the initial realm, he had never felt this sensation again.

"……"

Chen Ji's face went numb, his hand gripping the knife handle tight.

The Skinny Head Monk stood expressionless on the opposite side, with the Lin family's steward caught between them, his face a picture of misery, wishing he could just turn tail and run.

Suddenly, an explosive blast tore through the courtyard!

Crack!

The thick rosewood door burst apart in an instant; amid the flying wood chips, a black figure was sent flying backward, spitting a mouthful of crimson blood.

Borne by tremendous force, he slammed into the bluestone floor with a thunderous crash, tumbling several times before the force was fully spent.

Zhang the Butcher rose leisurely to his feet, and Steward Lin let out an "Aiyo" and crouched down with his hands over his head.

The Skinny Head Monk trembled slightly and turned his head; Chen Ji stood dazed, gripping his long saber. The few of them all looked toward the door at once.

Behind that shattered door—

Shen Yi adjusted his sleeve, his expression indifferent, and stepped out unhurriedly.

(End of chapter)