[{"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-3":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},2317891,4533,"Chapter 3: The Demon Subduing Yang Blade","immortality-begins-with-slaying-demons-chapter-3",3,"\u003Cp>Shen Yi always felt this Demon Subduing Blade Art was anything but ordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His former self had mastered the Bone-Piercing Grasp in just three to five years, yet even with full concentration, this blade art took eight years to reach minor mastery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It took a full thirty-three years to achieve perfection and glimpse a single spark of insight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If one could fully capture this spark, its effect would far surpass any ordinary martial art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He subtly shifted his thoughts, pouring all ten years of demonic lifespan into the Demon Subduing Blade Art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【You continue refining your already perfected Demon Subduing Blade Art; ten years pass in the blink of an eye, and that spark grows clearer—but your talent is mediocre, and you simply cannot fathom it.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Yi’s chest tightened—this was a full ten years! Ten years during which he had abandoned all distractions for this purpose!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he’d just been tightening screws, abandoning all entertainment, ten years would’ve bought him a small apartment in a county town.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet thrown into martial arts, it produced not even a ripple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having invested so much already, he couldn’t abandon it—he simply kept pouring in more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【On the seventeenth year, you finally grasped that spark and began attempting to record it in a manual.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【On the twenty-seventh year, you exhausted all your energy to perfect it and named it The Demon Subduing Yang Blade.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Remaining demonic lifespan: thirty-six years】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Self-created martial art?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a treatise on martial blade insight appeared in Shen Yi’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after absorbing it did he realize it wasn’t what he’d imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the interface, a new line appeared beneath the Demon Subduing Blade Art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Initial Stage. The Demon Subduing Yang Blade】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was not a new martial art, but rather something akin to a derived technique—hence, no proficiency level existed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After sixty years of relentless refinement, he despairingly realized human limits were absolute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how refined the blade art, no matter how relentlessly his body was trained, a mortal frame could never stand against true great demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, he conceived a method: to mobilize one’s internal essence and blood, refine essence into qi, then use the long blade to command that qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Initial Stage?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Yi stared at the prefix.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last time he’d seen this term was on the prompt after slaying the dog demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Intelligent dog demon, not yet entered Initial Stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meaning, this Yang Blade technique had touched upon some realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I continue refining the Demon Subduing Blade Art, could I one day create a complete Initial Stage martial art—not just a single technique?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Yi closed the interface, excitement flashing in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But quickly, reason restrained him from pouring all remaining lifespan into it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, creating martial arts was a low-yield endeavor—the same demonic lifespan invested in existing techniques would yield far better results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He recalled that the last time the Garrison Commander had distributed martial arts, there had been more than one copy; as a man of some standing in the office, acquiring them wouldn’t be difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rest for now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After so many sudden changes, as his mind relaxed, Shen Yi was instantly engulfed by heavy fatigue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had just begun to lie down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Liu father and daughter brought warm water they’d prepared in advance; the girl dipped Shen Yi’s feet into the water and diligently rubbed them with her rough little hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Yi closed his eyes and exhaled deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the first time he’d ever experienced being served by others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given their fearful demeanor, even if he became a wicked landlord from today onward, they’d never dare object.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Shen Yi opened his eyes and softly said, “That’s enough. Leave. I’ll rest tonight and depart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He revealed no further emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, his former self’s countless atrocities stood there—no matter how gentle he acted, he’d only leave the father and daughter with needless fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the old man froze, his cloudy eyes filled with half-suspicion, half-relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he quickly recovered, grabbing his daughter and nodding frantically: “Master Shen, you’re too kind. Stay as long as you like—just call if you need anything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They stumbled out with the basin, slipping into another room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl pressed against the window, unable to sleep all night—close her eyes, and she saw Master Shen’s snarling face; open them, and there lay the dog demon’s lifeless corpse in the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She endured until dawn, when the rooster crowed, her eyes heavy, when suddenly she spotted a figure outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young man in black official robes stood tall, his back slender, a sword at his waist—radiating vigor and dignity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quietly left the courtyard, and as he went, he righted the broken door the dog demon had torn down, barely shielding against the cold wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dad, Master Shen’s gone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Phew... Gone? Good... phew...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morning dew dampened the streets, a faint mist curling through the lanes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Yi stepped from the mist and stood before two stone lions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baiyun County Office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He entered through the side gate with ease, walking into the clerical hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baiyun County’s Criminal Office had seven or eight teams; Shen Yi was merely one minor head, commanding eight constables, with Song Changfeng as his direct superior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat at his assigned desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Yi idly flipped through a few pages of the ledger—completely incomprehensible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This proved not only his lack of education, but also that his former self had cared nothing for official duties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Great Gan Dynasty had long suffered demonic disturbances; though the Demon Suppression Office was established, manpower was always critically insufficient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Handling demonic threats typically fell to local offices, with the Demon Suppression Office only stepping in to conduct full-scale purges once chaos became uncontrollable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The result? The entire office lost its position, utterly forfeiting control of the region.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was precisely under this condition that his clever former self found opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through his skill in negotiating with demons, he kept Baiyun County superficially calm, earning high trust from above, while sparing his subordinates from direct combat with demons—reducing casualties and earning immense prestige.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His competent management over the years had quietly positioned him as Song Changfeng’s likely successor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, not everyone was convinced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Yi’s gaze swept the empty clerical hall and the scattered wine jars beneath the desks; he picked one up, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a thin young man rushed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Shen Yi seated, his eyes flickered with contempt, then quickly adjusted; he removed his hat, revealing a handsome face: “Your humble servant reports to Master Shen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The newcomer was Chen Ji, the newest in the office but with considerable reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason? His extraordinary martial talent—he’d once been praised by the Garrison Commander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, his youthful arrogance led to repeated defeats at demon hands, earning him a stern reprimand and assignment to Shen Yi for “training.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His parents had died early; he and his sister struggled to survive in Baiyun County.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coincidentally, his former self was a lustful beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After open and covert struggles, the outcome was his submission—and Shen Yi’s promise not to touch his sister—barely stabilizing the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn, I must have a death wish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Yi propped his chin, lost in thought, until Chen Ji broke the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Shen, I’ve just returned from Liuli Temple—the village has been struck.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Ji recalled his superior’s prior orders, his eyes flickering with conflict, but he spoke quickly: “You said to ignore matters beyond the city, but this demon broke the rules—it’s taken up residence in the village.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His speech grew faster, as if terrified of being interrupted—he’d clearly endured this many times before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hope... Master Shen will go... negotiate...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he uttered “negotiate,” shame crossed Chen Ji’s face—but still, he forced himself to speak respectfully, unwilling to provoke the man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, given Shen Yi’s nature, he’d typically dismiss such matters entirely, showing no concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To get him to act, one had to flatter him into good humor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I recall the Garrison Commander brought three copies of martial arts manuals last time—weren’t they borrowed by you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Yi rose and walked to the hall’s entrance, stretching with a loud yawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Ji stood frozen—had this Master Shen not heard a word he’d said?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Give them to me.” Shen Yi extended his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Ji took a deep breath, walked to his desk, pulled out three meticulously preserved copies, his knuckles white with tension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood for a long while, then reluctantly handed them over, visibly pained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing his nature, Chen Ji expected these precious Demon Subduing manuals to be used as desk coasters—or gifted to some mistress as a novelty—never once to be read.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Yi took the copies and strolled out slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He left Chen Ji standing there, stunned, his grip on his sword tightening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That bastard didn’t even ask—do the lives of villagers beyond the walls mean nothing?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, half a body suddenly poked through the doorway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Shen Yi, who had returned; his face full of confusion: “What are you standing there dumbfounded for? Lead the way!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1518,"2026-06-20T15:00:36.117Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","6bb94a7c279721e021169328e8c825e7a611ecdcc21d3c905edf69e6c26c09c3","immortality-begins-with-slaying-demons-chapter-4","immortality-begins-with-slaying-demons-chapter-2",840,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fimmortality-begins-with-slaying-demons-cover.jpg"]