Chapter 43: Another Twist

As Zhang the Butcher spoke at length.

The vast world of martial cultivation gradually took shape in Shen Yi’s mind.

The swordsmen of Qingfeng Mountain, with their heroic hearts and tender emotions, rode far across Nine Mountains and Ten Waters, slew the Ox Demon, and reclaimed their beloved concubine; their family of over twenty reunited, locked in fierce battle for three days and nights without stepping outside, their fame echoing throughout Qingzhou.

The flying thief of Pingsha Valley sneaked into the Prince’s mansion at night, drank every last drop of the Prince’s finest wine, fermented it within his body, then urinated it back into the vessel, earning the nickname “Borrow and Return.”

The master of the Golden Body Sect begged for two paintings depicting springtime intimacy between beautiful women, secretly hung them beside the Buddha statue, leaving the visiting Prefect awestruck; the abbot chased him out of Qingzhou with his staff, forcing him to flee to Baiyun County…

Shen Yi’s expression turned peculiar.

Zhang the Butcher clicked his tongue: “Either way, I’ve offended them, and they’ve withheld my martial elixirs—before I leave, I’ll at least annoy them a bit.”

“Makes sense.”

Shen Yi looked toward the courtyard gate.

Not a single outsider had come to the station all morning.

Though he wasn’t afraid of being held accountable, the fact that Liu Dianli’s execution had passed so lightly still felt unnatural to him.

No troubles, no burdens.

Occasionally he chatted with Zhang the Butcher; in his spare time, they sparred.

The man was a martial fanatic; even knowing Shen Yi was far stronger than him, he remained full of fighting spirit.

Shen Yi fought him only with Paiyun Long Fist and Ling She Eight Steps—and Budebushuo , the gains were substantial.

Martial proficiency and combat experience cannot be equated.

One must not only know how to execute one’s own techniques, but also judge the opponent’s reactions.

The improvement, though slower than gaining lifespan by slaying demons, was still meaningful; yet around Baiyun County, the air was thick with fear, no demons dared approach. As far as Shen Yi knew, only two demon dens remained: Qinglin the Old Mother and the Northern Cliff Fox Demon.

Qinglin the Old Mother was a renowned Jade Liquid realm demon; if he went out alone, he might either claim lifespan or deliver his own.

He asked Zhang the Butcher if there were any scattered minor demons.

He received a look of mild confusion in return: “Even street thugs in the city know to form gangs and divide territories, or they won’t get any money. If you were a demon, would you let a stranger roam your territory to feed? Either bring them under your command, or crush them on the spot.”

“Under such conditions, any demon who survives alone wouldn’t be some obscure little creature.”

“...”

Shen Yi temporarily abandoned the thought.

When he had sudden insights, he returned to his room, pretending to get water, and used the interface to simulate martial techniques.

When dismissal came, he took home the vegetables and raw meat Chen Ji had bought for him.

Thus repeated, five days slipped by.

During this time, the station grew so quiet it felt forgotten by everyone, leaving Chen Ji slightly uneasy.

Zhang the Butcher, however, was delighted—no visitors meant no demon attacks; he merely urged the constables to patrol more diligently and occasionally check the countryside to avoid oversights.

“Today’s greens are water chestnuts and lettuce. As you requested, I had the butcher set aside two pounds of lamb ribs—here’s the change.” Chen Ji returned from patrol and placed the items on the table.

“Alright, go home. I’ll lock up today.”

Shen Yi tucked away the copper coins and glanced at the interface’s notification, his mood lifting slightly.

These days’ gains didn’t match the Four-Union True Gang , but the lifespan consumed was minimal.

First, he combined Ling She Eight Steps with the Mind Monkey, creating a new step technique; advancing it to perfection cost only thirty-seven years.

【Initial Realm. White Monkey Play Python (Perfected)】

Compared to Ling She Eight Steps, this new martial art was faster and enhanced short-range combat—perfectly suited to him as an Initial Realm technique.

Yet what Shen Yi truly awaited was the Blood Demon Blade Art, which after over fifty years finally responded.

【Fifty-Fourth Year: You attempted to refine the Blood Demon into Gangsha . This step was extremely perilous, but fortunately, you had fully mastered a True Gang technique, using it as a reference—you faintly touched the threshold.】

If the simulation succeeded, he would have “personally” created a Jade Liquid realm martial art—crafted meticulously over years, tailored precisely to himself.

Unfortunately, his demonic lifespan was running low.

Shen Yi sighed and turned to the Thunder and Wind Subdue Demon True Explanation.

The issue likely lay with the Thunder and Wind Scripture—he had only obtained the upper volume, then used a self-harming, clumsy method to force a wrong path, breaking through the Initial Realm, and then drifted further and further off course.

He had been stupidly, delightfully foolish—over a hundred years of lifespan poured in, yet the result remained: “Seeking from Heaven and Earth.”

He wasn’t even worried about exhausting Heaven and Earth.

【Remaining demonic lifespan: 185 years】

“Try again tonight—keep a hundred years in reserve for emergencies.”

Shen Yi dismissed the interface and left the station with the lamb ribs.

These days, he’d tasted all manner of savory meat dishes; his palate had grown picky, and his evaluation of Lin Baiwei’s cooking had risen steadily—only then did he spend money on good cuts.

Even the salted meat buns Chen Ji brought back at noon failed to excite him.

Against the backdrop of his daily hot soup and rice, the stiff bread tasted barely edible, and the meat was far too salty.

“It’s hard to return to simplicity after luxury.”

Thinking of this, Shen Yi felt a pang of self-reproach, then quickened his pace slightly.

Before his door, he pushed it open casually.

He saw no familiar figure by the back door.

Shen Yi stepped forward, puzzled.

Suddenly, two arms snaked from behind his waist, encircling it, fingers clasped tightly over his lower abdomen.

The familiar white sleeves, delicate wrists, and faint body fragrance curled around him from behind.

“Why are you back so late?”

Her exquisite face, like a lazy kitten, rested against Shen Yi’s arm; her moist eyes held a hint of reproach, her red lips parted, breath sweet as orchid, voice a whisper yet irresistibly alluring: “I missed you.”

Shen Yi fell silent, lowering his gaze slightly, lifting the lamb ribs in his hand.

Lin Baiwei pressed her heavy chest firmly against his rigid back, not glancing at the ribs, only staring intently into his eyes: “Why don’t you speak? What are you thinking?”

Hearing this, Shen Yi casually dropped the lamb ribs—they thudded to the ground—his voice edged with irritation: “I actually wanted to play along, but your acting is terrible. If I pretend not to notice, I’ll look like an idiot.”

“And...”

“And what?”

Lin Baiwei widened her eyes, smiling brightly as she looked up.

Shen Yi’s brow twitched in disdain: “Your fox stench is overwhelming me.”

As he spoke, his five fingers closed on the black hilt at his waist; the obsidian blade flashed out instantly, thick blood-demon energy pouring forth with the blade.

The blade’s hum echoed like the wailing of vengeful spirits, chilling the soul.

The woman’s pupils shrank slightly; she swiftly retracted her arms.

But no matter how fast she reacted, she couldn’t match the black blade—in an instant, the sharp blade-qi tore through her sleeve and split her fair skin.

This powerful, heavy strike was meant to cleave her delicate body clean in two!

Until a clear bell chime rang through the room.

In Shen Yi’s vision appeared two floating copper bells; as the bells chimed softly, the black blade seemed to sink into mud, frozen mid-air.

(End of Chapter)