Chapter 6: Put Down the Knife

On the road back to the county town.

Chen Ji rode a donkey behind, staring at the tall figure ahead, feeling something was odd.

In normal times, Shen Yi would strip the common folk bare even if he merely passed by their door—silver, wine, meat, even other people’s daughters, he never let go.

Today he personally slew a demon—what a perfect excuse—and yet he just walked away so lightly?

Besides, back at the farmer’s house, though he struck by surprise, how could someone with a body drained by wine and lust—gasping after a few steps—have pierced the dog demon without resistance?

Chen Ji asked himself: had he been sitting beside the dog demon then, he couldn’t have done it so cleanly.

He recalled how Shen Yi had carelessly flipped through the martial manuals.

He hesitated and asked: “Does Senior Shen have an interest in the Town Demon Bureau’s martial arts?”

Hearing this, Shen Yi turned his head, seeing the boy’s troubled expression, and remembered how, in the office, the fellow had handed over the martial manual with obvious reluctance.

“… ”

He was speechless, pulled out the martial manual, and tossed it over: “Just browsing. Here, return it.”

“I didn’t mean it like that…” Chen Ji caught the manual and instinctively explained: “I’ve gained some insight into these three techniques—if Senior Shen is interested, I can assist you…”

His voice cut off abruptly.

Chen Ji frowned sharply—he didn’t understand why he’d said such a thing.

He remembered how he had trained hard in martial arts partly to kill this beast with his own blade—how could he possibly wish to teach this man his insights?

He truly has changed!

Since this morning’s encounter, Shen Yi seemed like a different person—every action defied his expectations.

Had he finally found his conscience? Was he preparing to reform?

“Tie up the donkey. Dispose of the demon’s corpse.”

Back at the county office, Shen Yi stood at the door of the office room, his face showing a touch of fatigue.

Two days straight with blood on his hands—even if it was demon blood—he still wasn’t used to it.

Fortunately, the original owner was a thuggish constable with no real duties; even someone like Shen Yi who sat in the office for a while was praised as diligent.

He stretched his body slightly, then stepped inside.

“Senior Shen, so early today?”

“… ”

Shen Yi glanced at the midday sun overhead, then slowly lowered his gaze to the men before him.

The man speaking nonsense was Zhang Dahu, the original’s favorite, entrusted with all the dirty, exhausting tasks—he was a confidant.

Together with the others behind him, they were Shen Yi’s entire crew.

“Mm.”

Shen Yi nodded and continued walking into the room.

From the original’s behavior, it was clear these lackeys were no good—besides oppressing the innocent, they only cared for drinking, eating, and pleasure.

As for martial skill, they could bully ordinary folk with their official blades, but against demons, they were practically handing over their lives.

Shen Yi had no interest in idle chatter with them.

Just as he passed them, Zhang Dahu scurried after him again, looking eager to boast: “Senior Shen, I’ve done what you asked.”

“What did I ask?” Shen Yi paused slightly.

“About replacing Liu’s girl with that kid’s sister,” Zhang Dahu put on a pitiful face: “You don’t know how things are in our county—every family hides their daughters tight. To meet your quota, the brothers nearly ran their legs off these past days.”

He grinned: “We arranged it all—sent the kid to Liuli Temple Village. Don’t worry, he won’t be back for at least ten or fifteen days.”

As he spoke, Shen Yi’s heart sank—he suddenly remembered something.

At that moment, a thin figure also stopped at the office door.

Chen Ji removed his wide-brimmed hat, his gaze lifeless, silently lifting his eyes to the group.

The next instant, his eyes filled with self-mockery, and his waist sword rang as it drew!

Bullshit about reform. Bullshit about becoming a new man.

A beast is still a beast!

“Shit, how’d he come back? Protect Senior Shen!”

Zhang Dahu shouted in alarm; the other six constables all drew their swords, stumbling and crookedly blocking before Shen Yi.

“Chen! How dare you draw your blade in the office? If you want to live, drop your sword—do you hear me?!”

“Hmph.”

Chen Ji looked at them—alone against eight—and his eyes held only contempt.

After his rigorous training in the Town Demon Bureau’s martial arts, these worthless fools weren’t even a match for one blow.

In an instant, Chen Ji stepped forward three paces.

Though Zhang Dahu feared Chen Ji’s reputation as a martial prodigy, he relied on his numbers and sneered: “I’ve always hated this bastard. You dare defy us? You’re asking for death.”

Though these constables had no real martial skill, seven gleaming steel blades slashing at once still looked terrifying.

Yet Chen Ji didn’t glance aside—he casually swung his sword, effortlessly parrying all their attacks.

Zhang Dahu was in his prime, tall and strong—he’d beaten street vendors like catching chicks—but now, gripping his blade with both hands, sweat beading on his brow, his sword couldn’t press down another inch.

The next instant, Chen Ji swung again.

A flash of silver light, a crisp clang of metal—and all seven blades snapped clean.

The constables staggered back, clutching their wrists in shock—the force transmitted through the hilts far exceeded their imagination.

“Ahh… ah… protect Senior Shen…”

Zhang Dahu knew Chen Ji was tough, but never imagined he’d be this terrifying—his voice now shrill, he screamed and retreated backward.

Chen Ji didn’t pursue—he walked slowly to the last man, expression cold.

Shen Yi stood with hands at his sides, frowning, and said softly: “Put the blade down first.”

“Do it, take responsibility—don’t beg,” Chen Ji shook his head, gripping his sword tighter.

A kingdom may change, but nature is hard to alter.

A dog will always eat shit.

A cruel smile curled his lips, his voice like a death demon’s whisper: “Senior Shen, watch yourself in your next life.”

As his words ended, silver light flashed again.

His long blade rose high, descending with crushing force—everyone nearby gasped, hearts pounding, breath nearly stolen.

“You’ve got a whole set of fancy phrases.”

Shen Yi raised an eyebrow, his hand finally resting on his sword hilt—not drawing it, just holding the scabbard.

Then he casually swung it forward.

The black scabbard slipped with perfect precision around the silver blade, landing lightly on Chen Ji’s shoulder before the strike could fall.

The next instant, Chen Ji’s pupils dilated in shock, his mind went blank—as if confronted with something incomprehensibly strange.

His entire body suddenly sank, knees bending with a creaking sound—

The sword slipped from his grip; he knelt on one knee, breathing ragged, arms pressed hard against the ground, neck veins bulging, unable to move an inch despite all his strength.

And the cause of all this? Merely the scabbard pressing on his shoulder.

Chen Ji stared fixedly at the official boots before him, glancing upward with his peripheral vision.

In his sight, Shen Yi remained calm as ever, voice utterly level: “I said—put the blade down first.”

(End of Chapter)