Chapter 48: Regional Commander of Qingzhou

Shen Yi walked slowly to the courtyard outside the office.

There he saw Butcher Zhang squatting on the stone steps, yawning repeatedly, looking utterly drained.

Seeing someone approach, he looked up and teased, “How’d you take so long? Didn’t you plan to wait till the last minute to shock those captains?”

At this, Shen Yi paused slightly.

Observing his expression, Butcher Zhang rose casually and comforted him: “Hey, I had that same thought when I first joined the Golden Body Sect. But these Devil Suppression Corps men have traveled far and wide—what haven’t they seen? They won’t be awestruck by just any capable person. Don’t be disappointed.”

If someone were truly gifted to that extreme, they wouldn’t be left to come alone.

“What are you talking about?” Shen Yi stopped walking.

“...” Butcher Zhang fell silent, then grew serious: “Just after the second drumbeat last night, every soldier and constable was summoned to the west city. Everyone’s already been selected—they’re being lectured inside the government office now... Could they have missed you?”

“Those bastards look down on people too much. I was counting on tagging along with you to Qingzhou to visit your old flame!”

Butcher Zhang cursed a few times, then grabbed Shen Yi’s arm and rushed toward the government office.

The Devil Suppression Corps always operates with precision—how could they possibly overlook someone? It’s almost certainly intentional.

Shen Yi’s martial strength might be ordinary if he’d grown up in Qingzhou, but in Baiyun County it’s extremely rare and valuable. If not for your imperial skin, no sect would ever turn him away—why treat him like this?

Shen Yi’s expression remained calm, but inside he was genuinely puzzled.

He’d imagined many scenarios, but never this one.

The government office was empty, guarded only by soldiers.

Butcher Zhang barged in without hesitation; his hardened body made it impossible for ordinary men to stop him.

Until they stood before the main hall.

Two young men in black robes with jade belts stood with arms crossed, golden-threaded wolves embroidered on their shoulders radiating menace. They said coldly, “Stop.”

Butcher Zhang halted obediently, forcing a smile: “Captain, there’s still one more here.”

Even the Devil Suppression Corps wouldn’t attack him without cause.

But seeing those black uniforms, Butcher Zhang—though guilty of nothing—still felt a chill.

He gathered courage and nudged Shen Yi with his shoulder: “What’re you standing there for? Go inside first.”

“Tch. Don’t see what’s so interesting about lecturing people.”

The Devil Suppression captain’s cold expression faded as he shifted his gaze from Butcher Zhang to Shen Yi, rolling his eyes in exasperation: “Why aren’t you sleeping at home? What are you doing here? We’re exhausted and stuck standing guard—what a waste of time.”

Old Liu wasn’t holding his candy stick today and had changed out of his patched old clothes.

He stepped aside to make a path, muttering, “Fine, watch if you want—but don’t get too close.”

The captain’s words clearly stunned Butcher Zhang.

He instinctively glanced sideways.

Shen Yi stood as meekly as he did, but his eyes showed no unusual reaction.

Do these two know each other?

Inside the hall, Li Xinhan sat upright on the main seat, eyes half-closed, expression cold and haughty.

Six physically impressive young men stood in a line, hands behind their backs, bodies taut—all dressed as government soldiers or constables.

The beggar, now clad in official attire, looked utterly different from yesterday; though his features were ordinary, a sharp vitality radiated from his eyes.

He walked slowly before them, his gaze landing on Chen Ji, whose mind was wandering, then suddenly kicked him.

The reprimand was already on his lips.

Then he looked up and saw the familiar figure outside the door. He opened his mouth—but suddenly lost the will to continue.

He muttered listlessly, “Stand straight. Don’t zone out.”

Seeing this, Old Liu could only sigh helplessly.

The usual ritual for selecting new recruits was to first instill the Devil Suppression Corps’ mysterious authority in their minds, crushing their arrogance.

But the beggar had been kicked just yesterday—and now that he saw the boss, how could he muster any spirit?

“Eight hundred soldiers, over a hundred constables—only six will be chosen, and half of them will probably be sent back.”

Butcher Zhang sighed.

Though only a thousand people, these men already passed one filter—they’re on imperial payroll, so at least their physiques are decent.

It’s like picking six out of the entire Baiyun County.

And even if they join the Devil Suppression Corps, they’ll only be hired as muscle soaked in medicinal baths—hardly anyone rises above.

Those with cloud patterns on their sleeves? They’ve been selected since childhood, trained according to their talents, and far surpass ordinary martial artists in the same realm.

No other martial sect has such depth.

Li Xinhan finally opened his eyes, voice flat: “Go back and pack. Depart for Qingzhou tomorrow. You may bring at most one family member or attendant. Register your names—someone will arrange it. Personal belongings must not exceed eighty catties.”

At these words, the six men’s tense postures relaxed slightly.

Two of them were familiar faces.

Niu Da nervously scratched his thigh, torn: “Only one person can come... Should I bring my brother to see the world? Or my wife? My mom’s got no one to care for her...”

Chen Ji, who trained hard for three years, finally showed his mettle today: his swordplay and fist techniques had reached minor mastery, his Serpent Eight Steps were fully perfected, and the Thunder and Wind Scripture was showing signs of breaking through its first barrier.

Even several Devil Suppression captains gave him a second look.

He had none of Niu Da’s troubles—he had no relatives except his sister.

Yet Chen Ji still frowned tightly.

From the moment soldiers came to call him out until now, he hadn’t seen Master Shen’s figure. Surely he hadn’t overslept again?

At that moment, Li Xinhan rose slowly.

He walked to the door.

Every movement radiated profound energy.

Butcher Zhang involuntarily stepped back half a pace; the false smile he’d worn for Old Liu now held genuine respect.

Those who bore three cloud patterns on their sleeves were nearly all Jade Fluid realm experts.

Each cloud pattern represented countless demon corpses.

And the man was so young—he’d surely become a regional commander in time.

Merely being glanced at by him made Butcher Zhang’s back break into sweat.

Li Xinhan’s hand reached toward his waist.

He stared silently at Shen Yi before him. His cold expression twisted—contorted with hesitation, tinged with envy, and laced with confusion.

It was hard to imagine one face could express so many emotions at once.

After a moment, Li Xinhan looked away and slapped a silver note and a stamped letter into Shen Yi’s hand: “With this seal, you may cash this at any bank in Qingzhou.”

Saying this, he turned and walked out without looking back.

Only the Baiyun County men and Butcher Zhang remained frozen in place.

The government office giving silver to the Devil Suppression Corps—though reckless, it was understandable.

But the Devil Suppression Corps giving silver to government constables? That was unheard of.

Only a few captains who knew the truth smirked and drifted closer, clearly enjoying Li Xinhan’s humiliation.

Old Liu patted Shen Yi’s shoulder: “Ignore him. He’s just got a rotten temper—no malice. Go pack your things. We’ll escort you back to Qingzhou.”

“Escort?” Shen Yi stared at the thousand-tael silver note, feeling strangely off.

The beggar clicked his tongue but didn’t mention yesterday’s beating.

He merely said, a little sadly, “Someone about to join the Regional Commander’s ranks—do you think they’d let you walk back yourself?”

(End of Chapter)