[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-immortality-begins-with-slaying-demons":3,"chapter-immortality-begins-with-slaying-demons-immortality-begins-with-slaying-demons-chapter-71":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Immortality Begins with Slaying Demons",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2317959,4533,"Chapter 71: Bai Ziming and Fang Heng","immortality-begins-with-slaying-demons-chapter-71",71,"\u003Cp>The Town-Sealing Office, Medical Ward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About thirty pavilions stood in sequence, and every passing Captain bore wounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A plain bamboo hut nestled among them looked strikingly out of place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Occasionally, figures stepped inside—each draped in a black greatcoat, the symbol of a Deputy General.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The burly youth was an exception; he wore no uniform, only a simple short tunic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hung his right arm, using his left to push open the small door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing the figure in white robes, seated behind a low table, he bowed respectfully: “Brother Bai.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can’t you stop coming to me with that gloomy face every day?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The youth called Brother Bai had a face like polished jade, two strands of hair falling at his temples, and clean hands swiftly counting a tray of fragrant herbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t look up, speaking coolly: “Place your arm on the table.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Heng sat cross-legged obediently and lifted his right arm onto the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brother Bai withdrew several fine cow-hair needles, stabbed them in without glancing, then resumed organizing the precious herbs: “Bear it. By today’s end, it’ll be nearly done.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Heng kept his head lowered, eyes dull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His broad back resembled a grizzly bear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The agony of mending meridians could make even battle-hardened Captains grind their teeth, yet it left him unmoved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need to worry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brother Bai returned the herbs to the cabinet and finally looked up: “Their strike wasn’t severe. No lasting damage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Heng snapped back to himself, his thoughts clearly not on his arm, yet offering no further explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, two men entered the bamboo hut quietly, carrying earthen jars, and bowed respectfully to the white-robed elder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ziming, third disciple of the Regional Commander, served as Deputy General in the Town-Sealing Office, and thirty years ago had already reached the peak of Jade Liquid realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, he was the Town-Sealing Office’s finest physician.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ziming nodded gently, gesturing for the two to enter the inner room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, he noticed his junior’s eyelid twitch, then the sturdy youth rose abruptly, seized one man’s wrist, and his voice turned icy: “Why are you here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the gaze of those sharp, bloodthirsty eyes, it felt as if a ferocious beast had locked onto them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiujie and Li Xiaoer’s hearts pounded, their earthen jars clattering, voices strained as if gasping for air: “F-Fang my lord…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before they could finish, Fang Heng, ignoring the needles still piercing his arm, strode toward the inner room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brother Bai’s clinic only treated Deputy Generals or those with injuries beyond repair elsewhere—among them, only Li Xinhan, as a prospective Deputy General, qualified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had he lifted the curtain than Fang Heng saw Li Xinhan, wrapped like a dumpling on the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His pupils contracted, his jaw clenched, and he strode forward, yanking the man upright with a roar: “Where is he?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xinhan’s face, barely regaining color, turned deathly pale again. Confusion flickered in his eyes, but he spat out coldly: “Are you insane?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I asked you—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Heng’s voice dropped like a thousand-pound weight, his grip tightening, face dark: “Where is he?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a silver needle shot forth, piercing his major acupoint with perfect precision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overwhelmed by sudden weakness, Fang Heng released Li Xinhan, staggered back, and collapsed against the wall, helplessly turning to the youth outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brother Bai tucked away his needle case, waved his hand to signal the furious Liu Xiujie and Li Xiaoer to leave, then cast a casual glance at him: “Come, sit. Slowly tell me—who are you looking for?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Heng stepped closer and sat down, muttering: “Shen Yi. I fear something’s happened to him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who is Shen Yi?” Bai Ziming turned his gaze away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The brute sighed, began from Sister Lin, and recounted everything—from Shen Yi’s arrival at the Regional Commander’s mansion to his departure—detail by detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So your arm was broken by him?” Bai Ziming smiled faintly, intrigued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Too careless,” Fang Heng closed his eyes, unwilling to speak of it further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You didn’t like him anyway. Let him go. Why search for him?” Bai Ziming wasn’t particularly concerned. Qingzhou was vast; talents were countless, wonders endless—even a man born with divine eyes mastering the Meridian Observation Art in a single day wasn’t extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The disciple Sister Lin recommended—whether to keep him or not is Master’s decision. I may dislike him, but he must not overstep.” Fang Heng struggled to control his right arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You didn’t stop him that day. Master wouldn’t have kept him either,” Bai Ziming smiled faintly, glancing thoughtfully toward the inner room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Town-Sealing Office isn’t the Demon-Suppressing Office. Demons are monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet warriors, too, can be called demons—it’s merely a label, placed wherever needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Town-Sealing Office clears its path with blades, then lures Qingzhou youths with precious treasures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here lie the finest martial arts and elixirs, driving them to slay demons and monsters, consuming both sides until a delicate balance is reached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for sects and clans unwilling to send their disciples, the Songhe Sect is the clearest example.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When rogue martial artists run rampant, their deeds rival those of demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None of the Regional Commander’s five disciples came from noble families. The best background among them was merely a silk merchant. The same held true for the Town-Sealing Generals of the twelve districts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With no family backing, they could only rely on the imperial court—willing to risk their lives to slay demons and suppress monsters. That was Master’s foremost criterion for taking disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Talent came second. After all, with enough resources poured in, unless one was a once-in-a-millennium genius—or truly a fool who couldn’t grasp even basic martial arts after decades—everyone else was roughly equal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Regardless, this decision isn’t mine to make. Besides, Sister Lin wants to keep him for reasons beyond mere recommendation. There’s trouble in Baiyun County—he can’t wander freely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Heng stood, pulled out the needles from his arm, and bowed: “I’m a crude man. I beg you, Brother, instruct me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ziming looked up: “Speak plainly. Act properly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Heng blinked: “Could you be more specific?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ziming sighed helplessly: “Bring gifts to his door. Bow low and apologize. Watch yourself. Don’t come back wrecking my precious herbs—you’re not a Deputy General, and the medicine’s expensive. It’ll be deducted from my share.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll remember. Thank you, Brother, for your teaching.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Heng seemed to understand, turned, and walked out of the bamboo hut. He paused, watching the two men squatting outside, lost in thought: “May I ask—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May I ask?” Liu Xiujie rose awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where is Shen Yi?” Fang Heng frowned, uncomfortable with the phrasing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s—” Liu Xiujie instinctively pointed, but Li Xiaoer yanked his arm hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it, he’s being polite—almost forgot this guy’s a martial madman. Last time they fought, he nearly killed Head Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Heng glanced at the two, then walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An hour later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sturdy figure slowly entered the courtyard, standing before the only closed door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hesitated, then raised his hand and knocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knock. Knock. Knock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door opened to reveal a fat, burly man taller than him by a head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang the Butcher rubbed his sleepy eyes, staring at the youth holding an orange in his left hand and dried meat in his right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He blinked in surprise: “Who are you? Is this… visiting relatives?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The youth’s face was expressionless: “Fang Heng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1234,"2026-06-20T15:00:36.117Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","4078ae9e4291c16ce78d1c451012cec1fb8ef418d08a818e854244c1b39daf8f","immortality-begins-with-slaying-demons-chapter-72","immortality-begins-with-slaying-demons-chapter-70",840,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fimmortality-begins-with-slaying-demons-cover.jpg"]