Chapter 94: Three-Colored Bells

The room was silent.

After saying this, Fang Heng lowered his arm and stepped half a pace back, visibly wary.

Since their first meeting, every time he tried to speak and keep the other from leaving, his arm would suffer—first the right, then both arms…

Yet he still stared fixedly at the young man in black robes seated by the table.

In Master’s criteria for taking disciples, talent comes after murderous intent; every senior brother and sister—including himself—were among the most ruthless killers of demons, their achievements far surpassing their peers.

This was because Qingzhou was not as calm as it appeared on the surface.

Like a building built of sand, it looked stable, but a single touch could cause it to collapse instantly.

Qingzhou no longer needed geniuses with extraordinary talent, who cultivated diligently, broke through realms swiftly, and then departed like immortals, untouched by the mortal world.

It needed a demon-slaying god! A butcher who could subdue demon kings and make all demons tremble at his feet!

Fang Heng was the only person in the Demon Suppression Office, besides Lin Baiwei, who had witnessed Shen Yi’s astonishing rate of growth: he severed meridians and captured the dragon, entering the sect in just five days, and mastered the Fourfold True Qi in another five.

More importantly, he had never seen fear in the other’s eyes.

Whether it was going to Shuiyun Village or climbing Qingfeng Mountain.

His departing figure was always thin, yet brimming with unshakable confidence.

The River God is dead! The River Dragon is slain!

The sword at his waist remained as black as ever, yet its stench of blood grew heavier.

Such a person should not be sent to temper his spirit, endure decades or even centuries of hardship, and become a general guarding a single commandery.

He should keep killing, until he becomes like Jiang Jie—then challenge her for the position of Regional Commander! With his blade, he should shake the Twelve Commanderies!

Baiwei Jie hasn’t returned yet.

Now, besides himself, no one knows just how extraordinary Shen Yi is—not just his explosive advancement in martial cultivation, but also his astonishing composure, calmness, and unwavering self-reliance.

What does a Regional Commander need most? Isn’t it that confidence bordering on arrogance, that effortless poise?

After all, he is the reliance of countless commoners, yet no one can rely on him.

“I…”

Fang Heng felt the bitterness in his throat and couldn’t help wanting to explain to the other.

At that moment, he saw Shen Yi lift his gaze slightly, holding a water cup, gazing lazily at him.

“Who told you I’m going to Linjiang Commandery?”

At these words, the two figures outside the courtyard gate froze. Bai Ziming rolled his eyes and wiped sweat from his forehead.

Fang Heng fell silent, stunned, taking a long time to react. Eventually, he looked blankly at the fresh yin-yang robe on the bed.

“Then why didn’t you… refuse…?”

“Why refuse?”

Shen Yi took another sip of warm water and asked, puzzled: “Why can’t I have both?”

If he remembered correctly, he hadn’t received any order requiring him to go to Linjiang Commandery. Couldn’t a personal aide to a deputy general remain in Qingzhou City to continue his duties? He didn’t need any captain or deputy general’s help.

Mostly, the performance of the Demon Suppression Office personnel over this long period… had been utterly pathetic.

Shen Yi simply had no interest.

“Both… both?”

Fang Heng’s eyelid twitched; for the first time, he realized things could be done this way.

Leveraging Old Man Chen Qiankun’s reputation… and doing his own thing?

“Yeah.” Shen Yi nodded.

Fang Heng fell silent again, wanting to say something, yet not knowing where to begin.

This sounded utterly absurd, yet there was no rule against it—after all, countless deputy generals spent their entire lives just for this kind of peaceful existence; who would stop just before stepping through the final door?

Seeing the other’s calm expression, Fang Heng grew conflicted: “You also feel… uncomfortable staying too comfortable?”

“Bullshit.”

Shen Yi gave him a look of exasperation—who would complain about living too safely? He wasn’t some masochist.

“Then why?”

Fang Heng finally felt an unerasable spark of curiosity.

“Because I’m sick.”

Shen Yi’s face showed a rare hint of mockery. He picked up chopsticks and reached for the braised pork hock in the food box—first you must peel the skin.

He wasn’t just brushing him off.

He truly had a serious illness.

For example, at the Liu family gate, when he first saw the black-furred dog demon, his hand had reached out involuntarily to block it.

When he saw the limp little brats on the field path, his legs had somehow carried him past them to stand before the weasel.

Shen Yi was trying hard to cure this deadly habit of his.

But so far, he’d seen no results.

So he could only push himself relentlessly, constantly improving his strength, hoping that the next time he involuntarily reached out or took a step, his black blade would be enough to save his life.

At the courtyard gate.

The middle-aged man’s face was grim; the little girl covered her mouth, shaking with suppressed laughter, tears welling in her eyes, her bare feet kicking incessantly against his arm.

“Ha… he wants it all… This isn’t some baby—his ambition is terrifying.”

“I really—” The girl stopped laughing, leapt down from her shoulder, her eyes turning deep: “I love it.”

“Grandma, where are you going?” The middle-aged man frowned sharply—he hadn’t expected Shen Yi to think this way.

“I want to see if he truly dares to want everything.”

The little girl in emerald green bounced up to the door, glanced at Bai Ziming, and said: “Get out.”

“Hey!”

Bai Ziming nodded obediently, ignored his junior, sighed in relief, and quickly walked out of the courtyard.

Thank goodness this fool hadn’t had time to spill the secret… that was too close.

After he left.

The green-clad little girl smiled sweetly again, tiptoed, and tapped on the door, her voice soft and sweet: “Big brother, can Ah Qian come in?”

“...”

Inside, Shen Yi’s eyes narrowed slightly, his grip on the chopsticks tightening.

This was the first time… someone had entered this small courtyard without him sensing it at all. The last time he’d felt this way was back in Baiyun County, with those two demon snakes.

Fang Heng blinked, then suddenly felt as if struck by lightning.

His face turned deathly pale as he turned, gritted his teeth, and forced his numb arm to pull open the wooden door, looking down at the petite figure before him, instinctively saying: “Old…”

Hearing that word, the little girl’s eyes flashed danger. She spoke coldly and softly: “You too. Get out.”

Fang Heng glanced back at Shen Yi, then silently left the room.

Only after his tall figure departed did Shen Yi finally see the tiny girl: dressed in a green little skirt, barefoot, with thick lashes and a plump, delicate, adorable face.

Seeing Ah Qian’s sweet smile, her bright, curious eyes fixed on him.

The handsome young man returned her gaze with a gentle smile.

Immediately afterward, his hand subtly slid to the hilt of his waist blade.

This harmless little creature had given him more pressure than anything he’d felt in a long time!

“Hee, don’t be tense.”

Ah Qian noticed his movement, bounced onto the chair, propped her arms on the table, and leaned her plump little face close to Shen Yi: “I accidentally overheard you talking, so I came in to ask….”

She extended her wrist; a golden bell tinkled.

Between her slender fingers hung another bell of identical design: “Do you want this one?”

Shen Yi stared at the bell, a flicker of confusion passing through his dark eyes.

He had seen bells like this before in Baiyun County—held by the fox demon—but those had been copper. He’d assumed they were treasures given by the fox’s elders. Now one appeared inside the Demon Suppression Office.

Three identical bells.

Swinging together in his mind and before his eyes, ringing with clear, pleasant tones.

(End of Chapter)