Chapter 55: The Wind-Thunder Melting Sun Scripture

「……」

Shen Yi looked calmly over and extended his index finger: “First, she’s your Lin sister—she has nothing to do with me. I may have gained a slight advantage, but in the end, it was a mutual agreement between both parties.”

At this, Fang Heng widened his eyes.

“Second.” Shen Yi raised another finger, his voice suddenly lower: “You tell your Lin sister to come over—I’d very much like to see if she can draw a line at the courtyard gate.”

After these two sentences, Fang Heng fell into confusion.

Everyone except Li Mujin, however, unconsciously sneered, feeling a strange sense of melancholy.

That shameful memory surged back into his mind.

In that dilapidated side room in Baiyun County, Lin sister wore the other’s clothes, bustling about, while that damned man stood beside the table, waiting.

Judging by that situation, Shen Yi’s words weren’t entirely false.

But he likely relied not on strength, but on some other messy, dubious things.

“Lastly.”

Shen Yi looked toward the elderly woman at the doorway, roused by the commotion; seeing her timidly leaning against the doorframe, he gave a helpless smile, his tone unconsciously softening: “He struck first.”

The old woman nodded, whispering: “I saw it all. Heng’er was foolish. You’re a good boy—you merely gave him a little lesson to teach him a lesson. It’s better than being beaten by strangers outside.”

Hearing this, Li Xinhan and the others couldn’t help but shake their heads internally.

This old woman truly thought martial artists fighting was just children playing—yet neither of them had so much as a scratch, and they hadn’t even started yet.

Still, seeing Fang Heng humiliated was rare indeed.

“Thank you for your care these past days. I take my leave.”

Shen Yi gave a slight bow and turned to leave the small courtyard.

Seeing Fang Heng frozen in place with no intention to stop him, Li Xinhan finally exhaled and led the others forward.

After walking a distance, he still felt puzzled: “What just happened? Why did he suddenly pull back?”

Li Mujin slowly caught up from behind, sheathing her short sword, and said casually: “Who knows? Maybe he pulled a muscle running too fast.”

As she spoke, she glanced curiously at Shen Yi.

Though she hadn’t witnessed it firsthand, she’d heard of the Regional Commander’s five legendary techniques in his youth—among them, the least imposing was the Cut-Meridian Dragon-Grab.

Coupled with Fang Heng’s earlier expression and movements.

She quietly studied the hand resting on his scabbard—yes, pale and slender, truly beautiful.

“Sister, will this affect your relationship with him?”

Li Xinhan rubbed his temples, slightly exasperated: “After all, he’s the husband Father personally chose for you. Sending you to the Demon Suppression Bureau also had the intention of letting you get acquainted early.”

“Bullshit husband.”

Li Mujin turned her gaze away, dismissive: “He just throws up his sister whenever he’s in trouble—just a kid who hasn’t grown up.”

Hearing this, the others exchanged strange glances; Li Xinhan’s expression darkened: “I didn’t ask you to come. If my own men hadn’t been stationed elsewhere, I wouldn’t have called you in.”

As he spoke, he glanced at Shen Yi behind him, feeling a flicker of surprise.

Not to mention anything else—just the calmness he showed facing Fang Heng far surpassed his own.

Such composure, coming from a backwater place like Baiyun County—it’s truly hard to comprehend.

“We’re leaving immediately. Do you have any needs?”

Hearing this, Shen Yi didn’t bother with formalities; he nodded: “I need a Jade Fluid internal cultivation manual.”

“What?…” Liu Xiujie clicked his tongue: “Brother Li’s asking whether you need gear you can use right away—like weapons or armor. What’s your brain thinking? You’re going out to slay demons, and you’re bringing a book? What good is that?”

“If you’re willing to tie yourself to the Li family of Qingzhou, I can give you one right now.”

Li Xinhan stopped walking and uttered words that startled the others: “Become our clan’s protective patron—or if there’s a marriage prospect, either works. A direct daughter is difficult, but any collateral or concubine-born daughter you fancy, I can arrange the match.”

Leaving aside the marriage prospect—for a Demon Suppression Bureau Captain marrying a collateral Li girl isn’t overreaching.

But a protective patron is different.

Unlike those hired with silver, bearing the title “protective patron” means joining the Li family, dedicating your life to guarding them—even closer than collateral relatives.

The problem is, no matter how promising Shen Yi is, no matter how high his martial aptitude, he’s still only at the peak of the Initial Realm.

Even if he breaks through to Jade Fluid tomorrow, as long as he hasn’t, the odds are ninety-nine percent he’s useless.

In martial cultivation, a half-step seems within reach—but many spend their entire lives with that foot still suspended in midair, turning to dust without ever crossing it. That’s entirely normal.

“Why not a direct daughter?”

Li Mujin tilted her head curiously.

Li Xinhan’s eyelid twitched twice: “Because your matter isn’t mine to decide—it requires Father’s approval.”

“Ha.” Li Mujin placed her hand on Shen Yi’s shoulder and laughed: “Just joking, young friend. Don’t be nervous.”

Shen Yi brushed off her hand and looked calmly at Li Xinhan: “What about the Demon Suppression Bureau’s martial arts?”

“…”

Li Xinhan felt disappointed—he hadn’t even flinched at such generous treatment.

But he patiently explained: “Though you wear the Cloud Pattern robe, you’re not yet an official of the Demon Suppression Bureau. Here, it’s different from outside sects and clans. Outside, talented young disciples are treated like treasures.”

“Because once you enter a sect, you become family—the stronger you grow, the stronger the sect becomes. You’re one entity.”

“But is it different in the Demon Suppression Bureau?” Shen Yi had never heard this perspective before.

“Of course it’s different.”

Li Mujin sneered, waving her hand: “The Demon Suppression Bureau answers to the imperial court and doesn’t need to grow powerful—it only seeks stability in Qingzhou. Whether demon or formidable martial artist, both are threats to Qingzhou’s peace.”

“Of course, it still needs sufficient force to deter the surrounding regions.”

“But only if you prove you’re the blade that slays demons—not a parasite that consumes precious elixirs while offering zero benefit to Qingzhou.”

The beggar stepped forward and took over: “Put plainly: work first, eat later. At least let your cloud-patterned sleeve show some merit as proof.”

“As reward, the Demon Suppression Bureau’s compensation will exceed any sect’s upper limit.”

“For example, the Wind-Thunder Melting Sun Scripture for Jade Fluid—seamlessly connects to the Wind-Thunder Scroll. Across Qingzhou, even counting legends, you won’t find three internal arts superior to it.”

The beggar glanced at the Li siblings beside him, choosing his words carefully: “The Li family is one of Qingzhou’s most renowned clans. Their ancestral internal art activates only 126 acupoints. The Demon Suppression Bureau’s internal art can activate 270—more than double the cultivation efficiency.”

“Hey!”

Li Xinhan couldn’t hold back—he kicked the beggar: “You’re the only one who thinks you know everything.”

“…”

Shen Yi lowered his gaze, gripping his blade tighter.

(End of Chapter)