Chapter 45: Sword Slays the Fox Demon

Under the impact of the invisible divine Gang , the bronze bell trembled violently.

In a single breath, countless cracks spread across its surface.

The fox spirit’s eyes filled with terror, yet it could do nothing but watch helplessly as its cherished artifact slowly shattered.

It turned to flee, only to find it couldn’t even move a finger.

The Fourfold True Gang —this is the signature art of the Qingzhou Regional Commander of the Demon Suppression Bureau!

That damned woman actually taught this martial art to him!

No matter how many thoughts raced through its mind, the heavenly Gang suddenly pierced through the fox spirit’s body, like a helpless rag torn through by countless arrows.

Puff! Puff! Puff!

Horrific blood holes covered its entire demonic body, then merged together under continued Gang assault until it became an unrecognizable mass of bloody pulp.

The only thing remaining intact was the beast core Shen Yi deliberately spared.

The fox spirit never saw it coming before death.

Lin Baiwei’s shock was no less than his own; she stood there with her mouth open, as if she’d seen a ghost.

Shen Yi walked over and picked up the beast core.

He turned back toward the bed, his gaze even more peculiar.

“Would you consider covering yourself with something?”

Though the Demon Suppression Bureau fights demons and doesn’t fuss over small matters, couldn’t you at least consider others’ feelings?

I’m still young and full of blood; seeing too much of this scene could easily unsettle my mind.

“Ah…”

Lin Baiwei snapped out of it, draped the blanket over herself—slightly embarrassed, yet not putting on a childish act.

Besides, after what she’d just witnessed, she had no other thoughts left.

If she remembered correctly, she’d only given him the Fourfold True Gang six days ago.

Though limited by his cultivation base, the Gang he used wasn’t complete, yet the fact that he could wield it at all was shocking enough.

“...”

Shen Yi took in her expression.

He offered no further explanation—he’d done it on purpose.

With the fox spirit dead, Lin Baiwei would return to the Lin household and have no further contact with him.

After hearing Zhang the Butcher’s account.

Shen Yi knew well how vastly different one’s treatment would be based on talent.

Compared to that ten-year Jade Liquid cultivator, he, at over twenty, had only just reached the Twelve Meridians of the Initial Stage—aside from the “fake talent” built by his panel, he had nothing impressive to show.

This wasn’t the time to hide his abilities.

Better to reveal them to someone slightly familiar, like Lin Baiwei, and use her connections to secure himself a better start.

Judging by now, his goal must’ve been achieved, right?

Shen Yi wasn’t sure.

After all, no one knew whether she’d mention this episode after returning to the Demon Suppression Bureau.

All he could do was leave it to fate.

Shen Yi rummaged through the cabinet, pulled out the black shirt she’d worn earlier, and tossed it onto the bed: “There’s no medicine here, but your home shouldn’t lack any—should I escort you back?”

“...”

Was he just brushing off the topic like that?

Lin Baiwei gripped the black shirt, her lips twitching twice.

How could someone with Initial Stage cultivation master the deepest martial art of the Jade Liquid realm in six days—and wield it so casually?

If not for his still-unmistakable weakness, she’d suspect he wasn’t even Initial Stage.

And thank goodness he was still Initial Stage…

At least his progress still fell within normal human limits—otherwise, the Qingzhou martial artists who prided themselves on their heavenly talent would be utterly ashamed.

“No, I can return on my own,” Lin Baiwei finally convinced herself.

“Remember to have your father send me the silver I’m owed.” Shen Yi turned away, giving her time to change.

“What silver? How much?”

“Seven hundred and ninety taels for slaying the demon—ten taels were for your meals.”

Shen Yi leaned against the wall, arms crossed; now that the demon was gone, he could claim this money without guilt.

Lin Baiwei quickly dressed, stared at his back, and felt both angry and amused.

He even counted the change precisely.

She wiped the wound on her neck: “I serve in the Demon Suppression Bureau—my rank equals that of a Deputy General.”

At these words, Lin Baiwei noticed Shen Yi had turned around silently.

When she thought he’d ask more, the young man rolled his eyes, slightly exasperated:

“Round it down. Seven hundred taels.”

“That’s not what I meant!”

Lin Baiwei stamped her foot—she’d wanted to reveal the truth, to thank him properly for his care these days; surely her gratitude meant more than a few taels of silver?

“Then there’s nothing else.”

Shen Yi didn’t feel she owed him anything—he’d been paid in full and gained a Jade Level martial art besides.

He’d also offloaded onto her many of the demon-slaying black debts.

For instance, this fox spirit would likely blame the whole affair on her “Master.”

The only regret…

Shen Yi glanced at the lamb ribs on the ground—he simply couldn’t cook. He’d once pretended ignorance, but now asking his future superior to cook for him would be impolite.

“How about I have dinner before leaving?” Lin Baiwei looked over too, swallowing hard.

“Rest for a bit. Watch me.”

Before she could respond, she picked up the ingredients and headed for the kitchen.

Shen Yi paused slightly—this was unexpected.

Moments later, he turned his gaze toward the door, and his panel instantly unfolded.

【Slayed Initial Stage Perfect Fox Spirit. Total lifespan: 602 years. Remaining lifespan: 472. Absorption complete.】

【Remaining demonic lifespan: 657 years.】

This fox spirit was the most talented he’d ever seen, with the highest remaining lifespan.

But he had no time to dwell on it now.

Compared to the Fourfold True Gang he’d deliberately revealed, the method of compensating his Twelve Meridians with lifespan was what he truly needed to hide.

While Lin Baiwei was away, he spent five years of lifespan on the Wind and Thunder Subdue Demon Scripture.

The next instant, though his face remained pale, his empty meridians instantly filled with energy.

If he wished, he could unleash that same Gang 131 more times.

Shen Yi slowly gripped his sword hilt.

…

Night was falling.

On the long street of Baiyun County, only a few scattered pedestrians remained.

As the man in the black long robe stepped onto the street, over a dozen figures in varied attire quietly gathered, their murmurs drifting into his ears.

The beggar’s face was grim: “I went to the Lin household—I confirmed it wasn’t Lord Lin. It was a demon in disguise. I’m not sure if it noticed me.”

The young man holding the sugar figure stick added: “Rumors say Lord Lin went out to subdue demons, returned severely wounded, and was brought home by a scribe named Shen Yi.”

More figures approached: “Shen Yi was born on the outskirts of Baiyun County. He once worked in a guesthouse kitchen, began roaming the streets at fourteen, was later noticed by the Xingfang chief Song Changfeng, joined the government office ’s patrol, and has a record of crimes—addicted to gambling, even colluded with demons.”

Li Xinhan glanced sideways: “A corrupt constable?”

Another shook his head: “Not necessarily. Villagers from Liuli Temple say he once went alone and slew thirteen demons. The county magistrate himself confirmed: on the day we arrived, disciples of the Golden Body Sect and the Dongshan Monkey Demon exchanged messages, ambushing Shen Yi in the wasteland—yet the next day, both the monkey demon and the clerk were dead.”

“I quietly inquired—many townsfolk reported their daughters being abducted by constables, only to be returned by him later, compensated with rice and flour. The timing matches his demon-slaying days.”

All information compiled.

Li Xinhan gazed far ahead, toward the nearby door, and sneered: “Years of concealment, martial arts perfected, cleared of false charges?”

The beggar knew he was joking, yet hesitated: “There’s suspicion of superficial inspection and last-minute repentance… but what you say isn’t impossible. After all, he was shunned by the entire government office —if this were just an act, it’s too extreme.”

(End of Chapter)