Chapter 51: The Small Courtyard

In such times, those far from towns avoid drawing attention at all costs.

Only the Demon Suppression Bureau’s carriage dares to race down the road with an empty cart.

As time passed, many merchants began traveling in groups behind it, even sending guards on horseback to catch up and offer dried rations and meat.

“This reputation is far better than ours, the constables.”

Chen Ji hugged a pile of food, his youthful face glowing with excitement.

They had traveled nonstop for nearly two days.

The carriage slowed to a stop beneath towering, majestic city walls; above the arched gate, the characters “Qingzhou” were etched in iron and silver, radiating grandeur.

Li Xinhan tossed his official token to the city guards, then dismounted and walked forward, leading the horse by its reins.

Seeing this, Old Liu stifled a chuckle: “Those few whippings last time really stuck.”

Seeing their confusion, he explained: “The Demon Suppression Bureau’s rule: anyone riding a horse within the city without urgent business receives three lashes and two months’ pay deducted.”

It was already dusk; in Baiyun County, the streets would have been nearly empty by now.

Yet this broad avenue, paved with blue bricks wide enough for eight carriages to pass side by side, was packed with people, noisy and bustling.

Shen Yi stepped down from the carriage, feeling a strange illusion of returning to his past life.

Aside from the lack of towering skyscrapers, it was even more prosperous.

The group followed slowly behind Li Xinhan.

Until they halted at a peculiar spot within the city.

A high wall, two zhang tall, stretched endlessly, encircling an entire smaller city within the city.

“The Prefect himself approved twenty-eight hundred mu of land for the Demon Suppression Bureau’s headquarters.”

“Follow me.”

The beggar took his family and six new recruits with him.

Li Xinhan entered through a side gate.

“There are many rules inside, but none of them concern our outer camp. Just remember where to eat, where to sleep, and where to collect your pay.”

Old Liu led Shen Yi while introducing the facilities within.

First, they went to the Internal Affairs Office to register his name.

Li Xinhan personally appeared and soon returned holding a set of uniforms and a small medicine bottle, with a jet-black waist token placed on top.

He handed the items to Shen Yi: “I noticed your waist blade is exceptional, so I didn’t issue you a sword. If you need anything else, come here and ask. If you have questions, find Xiujie directly.”

Liu Xiujie clicked his tongue: “Where does he live?”

Li Xinhan hesitated, then turned back: “Do as Master Lin instructed.”

Hearing this, Liu Xiujie’s expression changed slightly: “Why make things harder for him?”

Shen Yi watched the two in silence, not quite understanding.

Then Liu Xiujie sighed and led him deeper inside.

“By standard practice, outer camp Captains reside in the West Courtyard…”

After about a stick of incense time, Liu Xiujie stopped before a quiet courtyard and smiled wryly: “Watch yourself.”

“What is this place?”

Shen Yi frowned, looking closer.

“The Regional Commander’s residence, and his five disciples: two Demon Suppression Generals, one Deputy General, one demon hunter, and one who just joined five months ago… also a Three-Stripe Captain.”

“Whoa, you probably don’t know much about the Demon Suppression Bureau—guess why there are no guards here?”

Liu Xiujie took a deep breath, rubbed his temples, and rephrased: “Let me put it this way: besides the Regional Commander, the other rooms here are occupied by two Golden Core cultivators, two Jade Fluid peak, and one Jade Fluid mid-stage.”

“And you—armed with nothing but a letter—must move in here too.”

“I’m not sure if this is a good thing. As the saying goes: tall trees attract wind.”

Liu Xiujie frowned, unable to fathom what Master Lin was thinking.

Compared to him, he understood the minds of ordinary Captains better.

“Forget it. Come with me.”

Liu Xiujie plunged inside as if entering a den of dragons and tigers.

Hearing his words, and recalling the rumors Zhang the Butcher had mentioned,

Shen Yi’s earlier suspicions about Lin Baiwei’s identity were now fully confirmed.

He simply couldn’t understand what she intended to do.

Entering the courtyard, he saw one locust tree and one ancient well.

A bare-chested, muscular youth sat on a stone bench, his body like cast steel, muscles sharply defined.

He carefully peeled beans in his hand; across from him, an elderly woman with silver hair pinched vegetable sprouts between her fingers.

The scene looked peaceful and serene.

“Outer camp Liu Xiujie, greetings to Master Fang.”

Old Liu forced a smile and pulled Shen Yi aside: “Master Fang, this is…”

“I know. I received my sister’s letter.”

Fang Heng continued peeling beans without looking up, but the old woman glanced curiously at Shen Yi.

“Good, good.”

Liu Xiujie smiled nervously, far from the ease he showed with Li Xinhan, and gestured sideways: “Come, pay your respects to your Master Fang.”

Fang Heng spoke coolly: “No need for ‘Master.’ Just call me by name.”

At this, Liu Xiujie looked awkward, sighing inwardly.

Of course—just a letter couldn’t possibly justify such a great opportunity.

“Kid, when you speak, look at the person.” The old woman slapped the youth on the head.

Fang Heng, used to it, looked up and pointed to the smallest side courtyard: “Move in there. My sister owes you—I’ll repay it.”

This time, it was Liu Xiujie who didn’t understand.

Shen Yi silently exhaled. So that’s how it was.

Of course he’d had some expectations.

But such a massive gift falling from nowhere made him hesitant to accept it.

Now that he finally understood the reason, he felt much more at ease.

Lin Baiwei had promised him two Jade Fluid martial arts manuals; Four-Union True Gang was one. He assumed that after the trouble was settled, she might forget—or simply pick any other Demon Suppression Bureau technique to fulfill the deal.

He hadn’t expected her to actually remember.

Since this man was also the Regional Commander’s disciple, and treated this so seriously, the martial art passed down wouldn’t be weaker than Four-Union True Gang .

“Uh.”

Seeing there was nothing left for him, Liu Xiujie bowed and took his leave, casting Shen Yi a sympathetic glance.

He’d warned him earlier, but being so bluntly rejected must have hurt.

“….”

Shen Yi shot him a look and walked into the small room.

The new uniform was made of silk, smooth to the touch; even the ordinary Captain’s belt was inlaid with jade—no wonder Zhang the Butcher envied the Demon Suppression Bureau’s luxury.

He tried it on briefly; it fit well.

Too bad there was no mirror.

He adjusted his sleeves, then picked up the small medicine bottle.

Liu Xiujie hadn’t explained anything clearly.

Is this the so-called divine medicine?

He hung the waist token on his belt, picked up his black blade, and prepared to leave.

Then he heard the old woman’s voice outside: “Boy, come out and eat.”

(End of Chapter)