Chapter 50: Heading to Qingzhou

Dawn broke, mist swirling softly.

Outside the quiet county town, more than ten carriages stood in a line.

The black lacquered carriage bodies were carved and painted not with auspicious motifs, but with vivid, ferocious beasts that made one’s heart tremble to look at.

The horses pulling them were robust, with long, powerful limbs, jet-black coats, and stood half a head taller than ordinary warhorses.

Their heads were covered in dark red fur, and when they lifted their heads, vertical pupils stared out as they snorted toward the side.

Niu Da hurriedly clutched his bundle and stepped back: “Who’s ever seen a horse with eyes like that—like a leopard’s!”

The beggar walked over, gently patting the horse’s neck, and smiled: “These are half-demons—fast, steady, can run at night,’ll get us back to Qingzhou in at most two days.”

A half-demon is livestock whose bloodline has been tainted by demons.

Once it gains sentience, it becomes a true demon.

But through specialized breeding over generations, their demonic nature has weakened, and the chance of gaining sentience is nearly gone.

After calming the demon-horse, the beggar returned to Li Xinhan’s side and whispered: “So far, his training is scattered—he’s studied body-refining martial arts similar to the Golden Body Sect, has some skill with the blade, and according to the constables, his strikes even carry clear demonic aura.”

“From my observations yesterday, his steps are light and agile, and I can faintly detect the foundation of Serpent Eight Steps.”

“Hmm… too scattered, too chaotic—doesn’t seem like he has a proper master.”

Body-refining martial arts, demonic aura blade techniques, Town Suppressing Office light-footwork—just what we can see already spans three entirely different paths.

The beggar sighed, slightly exasperated: “With this kind of haphazard training, I’d knock him flat with one move.”

Martial artists most dread scattered, disorganized training.

After all, lifespan is limited.

Haphazardly dabbling in everything, learning a bit of everything, may seem advantageous in combat—but each skill wastes enormous time.

“His talent should be no weaker than yours, and he’s about your age. That’s probably why you’ve pulled ahead of him in realm.”

Hearing this, Li Xinhan’s expression didn’t change: “That’s a good thing.”

Scattered training proves he has no connections, no background.

“Besides, he’s not the same age.”

Li Xinhan gazed into the distance at the approaching figure and said coolly: “I’m one year and six months younger than him. I was already at Jade Fluid realm two years ago. If it had been me, not you, who visited him the day before yesterday, he wouldn’t have lasted one move against me.”

Seeing he clearly harbored emotion but pretended indifference.

The beggar fell silent, muttering under his breath: “If Lin my lord had opened the door, you wouldn’t have lasted one move either… It’s not even settled yet—why are you so jealous?”

Li Xinhan’s lips twitched twice; he snorted, flicked his sleeve, and mounted his horse.

“… ”

Old Liu stretched his body, yawned, and refused to meddle in their argument.

Both were sons of clean families from Qingzhou, selected together into the Town Suppressing Office. Boss Li had better talent and advanced faster, but he never put on airs before his men; poking fun at each other was common, and no one took it to heart.

He rubbed his neck and walked toward the group ahead: “You’re here? The family and servants ride the carriages at the back.”

Chen Ji nodded and helped the uneasy Chen Jinyu onto the carriage filled with women.

“Mm…”

Old Liu turned and stared in shock at the massive butcher Zhang: “Forget it—you ride alone.”

He guided Shen Yi and Chen Ji onto the first carriage.

As Li Xinhan tugged the reins and rode ahead, the other demon-horses, without drivers, automatically fell into step behind.

“Once we reach Qingzhou, train hard—you’re a good prospect. You might even earn a cloud pattern on your sleeve one day.”

Inside the steady carriage, Old Liu gave Chen Ji an encouraging look first.

“Understood, sir.”

Chen Ji bowed in reply, knowing the man was only showing face for Shen my lord.

“I won’t beat around the bush with you.”

Old Liu turned to Shen Yi, rubbing his hands: “How about joining us? Boss Li’s got several pretty girls under him—you’re not married yet, right?”

Shen Yi lifted the curtain and looked outside.

Only Li Xinhan and the beggar were mounted.

“Where are the others?”

Hearing this, Old Liu sighed: “They stayed in Baiyun County—waiting for the Inner Camp patrol to take over.”

“Inner Camp?” Shen Yi was slightly curious.

Old Liu clearly didn’t want to explain, until a snort came from outside—Li Xinhan’s—and he reluctantly said: “The Town Suppressing Office in Qingzhou has three camps. Besides the one where these new recruits stay, there’s also the distinction between Inner and Outer Camps.”

“The Inner Camp? Besides making scheduled patrols of the counties, they just hang around Qingzhou City—patrol the streets, drink wine… masters of garrisoning, rarely leave the city, dreadfully boring.”

“Our Outer Camp is far more prestigious. Whether it’s the Regional Commander or Lin my lord, both started in the Outer Camp. We get far more freedom, often travel with mountains and rivers, enjoy the beauty of the world—how carefree.”

Chen Ji listened, bewildered, and asked softly: “Uh… if we’re always outside the city, won’t we run into a lot of demons?”

“You…”

Old Liu glared at the boy, opened his mouth, then couldn’t finish: “Shen Brother, getting into the Inner Camp isn’t hard—just have Boss Li make a call. His family’s a big Qingzhou clan, never short of silver—they’ve got enough clout for this… Our team’s girls are really pretty. Think again.”

Shen Yi lowered the curtain, feeling the man sounded like a madam.

A lifetime in a safe place, free from demon attacks, with a guaranteed iron rice bowl.

Any normal person would refuse nothing.

Except himself.

Without demonic life force to sustain him, Shen Yi’s so-called “talent” would instantly collapse.

His body’s true level? Even with a lifetime of hard cultivation, he’s barely a decent blade user.

Not even close to these Town Suppressing Office captains—even Chen Ji outclasses him by far.

“The Outer Camp’s fine. I’ll follow the Captain’s orders.”

Shen Yi turned his gaze away, appearing as if he truly believed Old Liu’s nonsense.

Hearing this, Li Xinhan, still riding ahead, kept his expression calm—but his grip on the reins loosened slightly.

“That’s the spirit—you’ve got good taste!”

Old Liu clapped his hands happily, giving a thumbs-up: “You can see our future’s bright.”

In the Town Suppressing Office, merit is taken extremely seriously; competition between them is fierce.

Boss Li wants promotion—he must build his own team.

Compared to squads led by other deputy commanders, he’s young and inexperienced, so he’s naturally at a disadvantage when selecting men.

Someone like Shen Yi—with ability—isn’t much to others, but to them, he’s a treasure found.

“… ”

Chen Ji sat in the corner, feeling a touch of awe.

Both came from Baiyun County, yet his group still fretted over their futures—while Shen my lord had become someone these Town Suppressing captains fought over.

(End of Chapter)