Chapter 46: Zhen Mo Si Arrives (Please Follow, Please Follow on Tuesday)

Li Xinhan slowly composed his expression.

Having arrived here only a few days ago, he had already seen the fact that Boyun County had long since stank like a cesspit.

Officials colluding with demons to disturb the common people could not withstand a detailed investigation.

Therefore, he held a few more stereotypical impressions of the constables here.

"Make less noise, capture him first, bring him back for careful interrogation, and be sure to find Lord Lin's whereabouts."

"Understood."

More than ten people quickly scattered, implicitly blocking all escape routes of the entire long street.

Huang Huang Lao Liu, the master of hidden weapons, threw away the sugar figure stick and quietly approached that thatched-roof side room.

The beggar followed closely behind, his palm hidden in the tattered sleeve covered in calluses, his grappling technique reaching perfection.

The two were old friends who had cooperated for many years; first ambushing with poison arrows, then moving out to bind, ordinary martial artists of the same realm could not last even a single exchange.

Suddenly, the beggar noticed Huang Huang Lao Liu had stopped his steps.

"What's wrong?"

He frowned and looked, a hint of surprise and doubt flashing in his eyes.

He saw the door wide open.

A handsome young man, unruffled, held the scabbard at his waist with one hand, standing before the door, silently looking outside, clearly prepared long ago.

"Even this small commotion couldn't escape his ears and eyes?"

The beggar was slightly surprised, but still did not take it to heart; over so many years, what kind of experts had they not seen?

Moreover, Li Xinhan standing in the distance was a solid Jade Liquid Realm powerhouse.

What the beggar did not expect was that Huang Huang Lao Liu actually slowly put away his blowpipe, smiling at that young man: "Young master, we meet again."

That morning on the street they had seen each other once; the other party had clearly noticed something was wrong but had not exposed them.

To discover with just one glance that the street vendor selling sugar had changed people, such a keen sense of smell made it seem somewhat ridiculous to pretend to be humble and obedient again and launch a surprise attack.

"What business do the two of you have?"

Shen Yi nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the two of them.

He did not remember ever dealing with people of the Jianghu; not exposing their identity that day was because he was too lazy to provoke them, not because he feared them in his heart.

"We have urgent matters to ask, please come with us, Young Master Shen."

Huang Huang Lao Liu politely stepped back half a pace; the beggar understood his intent, his figure suddenly darting out, his palms like a long dragon piercing the clouds, his fingers like golden hooks, extremely domineeringly locking onto the other party's shoulders!

In an instant, his palms clamped onto the other's shoulders, ten fingers forcefully embedding, his arms suddenly exerting force, wanting to throw him to the ground.

"Hah!"

The beggar roared loudly, but his face suddenly turned flushed.

The other party stood steadily, his feet as if glued to the ground; the force erupting from his own arms was like a mud ox entering the sea, with not even a half-reaction.

The next moment, Shen Yi suddenly kicked him in the lower abdomen.

The beggar shrieked and flew backward; reacting extremely quickly, he rolled several times in the air but still could not completely deflect that tremendous force, crashing into a pillar on the opposite street with a 'Boom'.

Only the sound of 'Crack' was heard, and the entire restaurant shook heavily twice.

He leaned against the pillar with chaotic breathing, veins exploding on his forehead, unable to stand up again for a long time.

Seeing this state, not only Huang Huang Lao Liu, but everyone else on the street also grew solemn.

Speaking of close-quarters combat skills, excluding Li Xinhan, the beggar was the strongest among them, yet he couldn't last even a single round?

"..."

Huang Huang Lao Liu chuckled awkwardly twice and unconsciously stepped back a few paces.

He reached for the badge at his waist.

This matter was quite a mess; the Zhen Mo Si coming to this border small county to catch someone and having to show their identity was simply a huge embarrassment.

Just then, a hand pressed down on his movement.

Huang Huang Lao Liu turned his head to look and saw Li Xinhan had arrived by his side at some unknown time, his eyebrows tightly furrowed, his nose twitching slightly, obviously having detected some strange scent.

"Did you just see blood?"

Li Xinhan took a long breath, and when he looked at Shen Yi again, coldness surged in his eyes.

Hearing this, the solemnity on the faces of the others turned to tension.

They had rushed urgently to Boyun County, not to patrol; now all clues regarding Lord Lin pointed to the young man before them.

Yet on the county town's main street, they smelled blood on the other party... What could make Li Xinhan so cautious could naturally not be chicken blood or pig blood.

In an instant, everyone gathered around.

"..."

Shen Yi looked at the crowd that had suddenly gathered before him, his gaze falling on Li Xinhan's conspicuous black robe.

He thought it was rats gathering, but it turned out to be an old cat coming to the door.

These people's movements were simply too fast.

Even if the former body had luckily withstood Huang Huang Lao Liu's staff strike, it would likely have reached its end by today.

If you do no guilty deeds, you need not fear ghosts knocking on the door.

Shen Yi slightly relieved lowered his hand and replied calmly: "In reply to my lord, it is demon blood."

Seeing him release the sword hilt, the others inexplicably sighed with relief, then looked at each other.

For the counties and towns below Outside Qingzhou, the people of the Zhen Mo Si did not speak it aloud, but actually hid pride in their hearts.

Today facing an ordinary constable, they had even developed a sense of dread as if facing a great enemy; if this were spoken of, it would make people laugh.

"Why does your family have demons?"

Li Xinhan's voice was harsh, his eyes sharp, carrying a flavor of interrogation.

Shen Yi wasn't used to this way of speaking, but he could understand—people who fought demons day in and day out, with their heads tied to their waistbands, couldn't really be expected to be warm and friendly.

He stepped aside slightly, clearing the way.

Li Xinhan frowned again, about to snap in anger, but Huang Huang Lao Liu beside him bumped him with a shoulder.

"Shut your mouth."

He looked up, and like everyone else, was struck as if by lightning, stunned dumb on the spot.

In the cramped room—

Lin Baiwei was walking out from the back courtyard carrying a wooden basin for washing vegetables, blinked, and looked curiously toward the door.

The oversized, ill-fitting long robe on her clearly belonged to some man.

It was painfully conspicuous.

She said with a slightly puzzled smile: "What brings you here?"

Li Xinhan opened his mouth, wanting to ask but not daring to, could only clench his fist and cup his hands: "Your subordinate Li Xinhan, greets Lord Lin!"

The others followed suit. Huang Huang Lao Liu smacked his lips, first casting an incredulous glance at Shen Yi, then explained: "Qingzhou hasn't received any letter from you for a month, so the family sent us to check on the news."

"Sorry for the trouble, I'm fine." Lin Baiwei shook her head with a touch of guilt.

"We'll escort you back to Qingzhou at once." Li Xinhan sensed something off about her condition.

"I'd like to go home first… and, could you wait until I finish dinner… the lamb soup is just on the stove." Lin Baiwei pressed her lips together, a little embarrassed.

"As you command."

Seeing this, the Zhen Mo Si people couldn't help but smile.

This famed demon-catcher was truly, as rumored, without any airs at all—being around her felt like a spring breeze.

But soon, their smiles faded as Lin Baiwei bustled in and out while the young man stood silently with his hands at his sides.

"…"

Until the steaming hot meat soup was served.

Shen Yi had never imagined a meal could be so hard to eat.

Over a dozen people stood at the door, their cold gazes fixed straight on him, like death's messengers.

"Sorry."

Lin Baiwei also sensed something was off. The two exchanged a glance, chewing tender lamb that tasted like wax.

She sighed, set down her bowl and chopsticks: "Take care."

"You too."

Shen Yi cupped his fists, watching her walk into the crowd, the dozen or so people disappearing into the edge of the night.

He withdrew his gaze, looking at the empty room.

After a moment of silence, he shook his head and laughed at himself.

It hadn't been that long since he'd transmigrated, and already he'd picked up a whole set of bad habits.

Spoiled.

After clearing the food from the table, Shen Yi tidied up the bowls and chopsticks, then washed and hung up the outer robe.

He lay down on the bed and slowly opened the panel.

(End of chapter)