Chapter 69: Old Friends Come Calling

Shen Yi paused in thought, then retracted his gaze.

The method of body tempering is indeed important.

But before speculation, one could first learn several similar martial arts to accumulate relevant experience.

Such martial arts should be plentiful within the Demon Suppression Bureau; a modest accumulation of merit would suffice to exchange for them, and learning more would save considerable time during speculation.

Just as the Burning Sun Furnace is classified into upper, middle, and lower grades based on the number of acupoints it connects.

Other martial arts likely have similar classifications.

The Blood-Blocking Dragon Grasp and the Fourfold True Gang , passed down by Regional Commanders, require mastery of only one to grant a demon hunter like Lin Baiwei great renown in Qingzhou.

Even among Jade Fluid martial arts, they are among the deepest and highest.

Within the same realm, no higher-grade martial arts should exist.

Even if they did, they are beyond the reach of one’s current status.

Shen Yi declined Li Mujin’s goodwill partly out of fear of trouble, and partly because he did not wish to entrust his life and fortune to a stranger’s noble family.

Don’t be fooled by her sweet words now.

Once you truly commit, you may receive some resources and martial arts, but when the family faces peril, you must fight to the death to protect them.

The Li family is not the County Magistrate of Baiyun; they certainly have mechanisms to control their clan guardians.

For the same price of one’s life for advancement, Shen Yi prefers the Demon Suppression Bureau.

At present, the only way to rise in rank within the Demon Suppression Bureau is to slay demons and accumulate merit.

It’s straightforward, which suits his temperament.

As long as one dares to fight and earns sufficient merit, everything is won through strength, and one can use it with a clear conscience.

As for the second reason.

What Shen Yi seeks, the Li family may not possess—or may not be willing to give.

Even the Fourfold True Gang , in his hands, transformed into a more terrifying demonic martial art; the Demon Subduing Blade Art evolved from mortal techniques into a Jade Fluid art rivaling the Five Ultimate Techniques.

Gathering the strengths of many schools, combining demonic talents, and speculating even deeper demonic martial arts—that is what Shen Yi truly desires.

And who better than the Demon Suppression Bureau, this “good man,” to offer the strengths of many schools?

Once Qingzhou’s top sect, the Songhe Gate, was exterminated for colluding with demons; their secret treasure, the Jingyi Zhuanxue Pill, became the Meridian-Opening Pill.

When the Regional Commander’s disciple led troops to annihilate three sects in Yushan Prefecture, their martial arts naturally changed names and were absorbed into the Demon Suppression Bureau.

In other words.

Unless it concerns Golden Core cultivation, ordinary martial arts offer little benefit to Shen Yi.

Even if the Li family possesses a Golden Core method, will they be willing to give it to him… and at what cost?

What Shen Yi must do now is simply serve faithfully in the Demon Suppression Bureau, and until he accumulates enough merit to exchange for a Golden Core method, he must not let demons sever his head.

If he has sufficient demonic lifespan, he might consider exchanging for some Treasure Crystals to aid speculation.

【Remaining Demonic Lifespan: 891 years】

He is merely one yellow weasel’s lifespan short.

“Has that butcher Zhang still not had his fill?”

Shen Yi remembered that when he first arrived in Qingzhou, the man leapt from the carriage to seek his old lover—nearly half a month has passed, and he hasn’t sent a single message.

He’s not afraid the abbot of the Golden Body Temple will catch him, drag him before the Buddha statue, take down the courtesan painting, and hang him in its place.

If he were here, he could explain various body tempering methods to me.

Shen Yi shook his head and stepped outside.

Under the dim moonlight, he stood in the courtyard and began familiarizing himself with this body—so utterly different from his former one—using the most basic Cloud-Pushing Long Fist.

With his Jade Fluid peak cultivation as a foundation, mastering the Jiao demon’s power might take only two or three days.

Until the sun rose high.

He slowly ended his fist set, still full of vigor.

Entering the Perfect Mortal Body reduced his craving for ordinary food; surpassing Jade Fluid peak even diminished his sleepiness.

Shen Yi felt he could now preliminarily control his strength, so he returned indoors, retrieved his old clothes, and washed them clean with water.

Thinking better of it, he channeled the aura from the Burning Sun Furnace into his palm and quickly dried the robe.

He folded the clothes and headed toward the External Affairs Hall.

As he stepped out of the courtyard, he encountered two grim-faced Single-Stripe Captains; one seemed to recognize Shen Yi and forced a smile: “Congratulations on your promotion, my lord. I was at the External Affairs Hall yesterday.”

Hearing this, the other raised his head, eyes filled with envy but not resentment.

All merit is earned through battle with demons; the imperial court grants it, but one must live to claim it.

“You’re serving under Lord Li, right? I heard Lord Li was wounded and needs rest—you’re lucky… uh, that’s not what I meant.”

The shorter captain chuckled bitterly and waved his hand: “We fellows rarely get a chance to rest.”

“Rest?”

Shen Yi held his old clothes and merely nodded, though a flicker of confusion crossed his eyes.

“I heard Lord Li is still lying in the clinic; without him leading, the External Affairs Hall won’t assign you tasks—perfect time to recuperate.” The shorter captain mumbled, then added in a whisper: “Other deputy generals rarely pull men from Lord Li’s unit. Just relax.”

Hearing this, Shen Yi began to understand.

For other deputy generals, the External Affairs Hall “assigns” tasks; but Li Xinhan could personally select his men—even now, wounded, his subordinates need not fear being transferred to unfamiliar commanders to serve as cannon fodder.

This was good, yet Shen Yi felt a bit exasperated; it seemed the matter of demonic Treasure Crystals would have to wait.

“We have duties to attend to. Farewell.”

The two captains took their leave; after walking some distance, they muttered in barely audible voices: “Those bastards in the Inner Camp didn’t lift a finger when we were out risking our lives, yet when we return to submit reports, we have to bow to their faces—and now when they’re short-handed, they pull men from us! Why?”

“Save your breath. Who’s to blame if your father doesn’t bear the Li surname, just some temple functionary… even if you’re not that lucky, if you had the strength of that man just now, you could’ve joined the Li clan too.”

The two slowly entered another courtyard.

Unaware that Shen Yi’s hearing was now extraordinary—he heard every word clearly.

Yet Shen Yi’s hearing had become extraordinary, and he heard every word of their idle chatter clearly.

He hadn’t even done anything yet, and labels were already stuck to him.

Of course, Shen Yi didn’t care. As long as he knew his limits—didn’t take what he shouldn’t, didn’t harbor improper thoughts.

With sufficient strength, even the muddiest waters had nothing to do with him.

He calmed his mind, left the courtyard, and returned the old clothes to the External Affairs Hall.

“Store the martial arts for now; return them once you’ve memorized them.” Shen Yi knew this wasn’t Baiyun County—some things needed subtle concealment; drawing too much attention risked attracting the wrong eyes.

“No problem, just don’t lose them.” The two unfamiliar Inner Camp captains nodded, coldly.

Leaving the External Affairs Hall, Shen Yi headed for the Demon Suppression Bureau’s dining hall.

All tables and benches were plain wood; the dishes offered no choice.

As soon as Shen Yi sat down, a servant brought six large plates.

Steamed perch, soy-braised pork, boiled pork knuckle with dipping sauce, plus three fresh vegetables, glistening with oil.

“Captain, please enjoy. Call me if you need more.”

The servant also brought a bucket of white rice.

Shen Yi looked at the full table and made no pretense of disdain for wartime luxury.

These were warriors who risked their lives to protect the realm; their meals must satisfy.

He quickly finished every dish.

He exhaled deeply and strolled slowly back to the courtyard.

At the courtyard gate.

A tall, burly figure was sneaking around, glancing furtively.

(End of Chapter)

(End of Chapter)