https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-107-The-Upper-Volume-of-the-Life-and-Death-Zen-Gratitude-to-the-Almighty-Heavenly-Dao-/12553949/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-109-Preparations-Before-Leaving-for-Yong-an-City/12553951/
Chapter 108: Silver Bell, the Demon Catcher, Comes Online
Chapter 108: Silver Bell, the Demon Catcher, Comes Online
In the quiet room, Shen Yi put down his chopsticks and casually raised his cup in response.
Without uttering any polite nonsense, his straightforward and blunt demeanor made it clear that he expected the same from others. For such a straightforward and impetuous man, it was necessary to let him speak his mind to maintain their good relationship.
"Hoo—"
Zhang Tu'hu returned to the table with a smile on his face.
This time, the Konggang Monastery had trampled his dignity into the dust.
To be honest, with their current strength, even if he risked his life, he wouldn't be able to make much of a difference.
Yet, Brother Shen remained as unwavering as ever, just as he had been in Boyun County.
"I plan to take this child and leave Qingzhou City temporarily. We'll stay in a small county for a while, and when we get there, I'll send someone to write to you."
Shen Yi's influence was growing stronger by the day, and by standing up for Zhang Tu'hu in front of so many people, he had effectively opened the floodgates to countless people who would want to curry favor with him to get closer to Shen Yi.
But the burly man saw things more deeply. This wealth and honor were not meant for him, and just as there would be those who wanted to suck up to him to get to Shen Yi, there would also be those who would want to harm Shen Yi through him. With his current strength, he would easily become a target for those seeking to bring down Shen Yi.
"Be careful."
Shen Yi nodded, then glanced at Fang Heng beside him. "Why are you staring at him like he's your father?"
"..."
Fang Heng rolled his eyes and sat down as well. If only his parents had been as insightful, they wouldn't have stubbornly clung to their small shop, eventually meeting their tragic end at the hands of the demons, leaving only his grandmother and himself to rely on each other.
Seeing the relieved expressions on Zhang Tu'hu and the young boy, he couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion.
General Fang was a good master, but it was hard to say if he was a competent elder.
"My grandmother said that I've changed a lot lately, and she wanted me to thank you in person."
Fang Heng sighed. The reason for his change was that ever since he met Shen Yi, his arms hadn't had a moment's rest.
Unable to spar with others, his temper had naturally improved a lot.
"Tomorrow, then."
Shen Yi suddenly realized that ever since he had gotten to know more people, there were actually people in this world who cared about him.
And the feeling wasn't bad at all.
The three of them only drank a little before retiring to their respective rooms for the night. In a world ravaged by demons, getting drunk was a luxury.
...
The next day.
Zhang Tu'hu got up early and left without saying much. Before leaving, he bowed deeply to Shen Yi's room with the child in tow.
In the morning, Fang Heng arrived, carrying two bags of oranges.
Shen Yi stored the set of commander's clothing that he had received from his personal subordinate into the Silver Bell. He then changed into a set of ink-colored robes that he had brought with him from Boyun County and stepped out.
"Are you planning to leave again?" Fang Heng asked, looking at his attire and seeming to realize something.
It seemed that Old Madam Azhen had indeed given the Silver Bell to Shen Yi.
This hurried and restless demeanor reminded Fang Heng of another person.
"I can't just stay in the city forever. I'm just going out for a walk."
Shen Yi strode out of the courtyard.
With half a copy of the Condensing Elixir Body Tempering Technique in his possession, he felt an itch to try it out.
The two of them soon arrived at the General's Mansion.
As he stepped into the mansion for the second time, Shen Yi's mindset was completely different from the first time.
Now, as he stood there, others would only think that he had important matters to attend to, not that he was trying to get close to someone influential.
"Little Yang, wait a moment. I want to introduce you to a young man."
"Oh no... Grandma... I just came to deliver the salary to General Fang. I don't have any plans right now."
"Just take a look at him."
"I'm kind of busy..."
A conversation could be heard from within the courtyard, and the young lady seemed a bit helpless.
As the two of them stepped into the courtyard, she turned to look at them, her gaze quickly passing over Fang Heng and landing on the tall figure in ink-colored robes.
"Uh."
Little Yang subconsciously sat down on a chair. "Suddenly, I don't feel like it anymore."
Fang Heng glanced at her and said indifferently, "Go take care of your business first."
"Actually, I'm not that busy... Hey... Don't pull me... Shen Sir! It's me! I was the one who helped you choose the cultivation technique last time!"
Fang Heng went over and pulled the young lady up, and even after she left the courtyard, her gaze remained fixed on Shen Yi's face.
"You rascal, could you be a bit more polite?"
The old madam smacked him and then smiled at Shen Yi. "You're here.
Shen Yi nodded, not expecting the old woman to be serious when she mentioned introducing him to her granddaughter.
"Please take a seat, I'll cook some food for you."
Older folks tend to ramble, and this one was no exception, asking about mundane family matters rather than his cultivation practices. But Shen Yi didn't mind; he sat in the courtyard, patiently answering her questions.
Perhaps only in scenes like this did he feel a sense of peace, reminiscent of his past life.
Soon, it was noon, and a simple meal of porridge and side dishes was served, with a special addition of braised pork.
"You taught this rascal a lesson last time, and he's been much better behaved. Eat more, and next time, don't hold back." The old woman urged, her eyes shining with kindness.
Shen Yi picked up his chopsticks and, under her attentive gaze, proceeded to take a piece of the tender meat, half fat and half lean.
Suddenly, the Silver Bell at his waist vibrated slightly.
Without changing his expression, he brought the morsel to his lips, savoring the flavor before replying with a slight curl of his lips, "Your cooking skills are indeed remarkable."
"Oh, then have some more." The old woman beamed with delight.
"I will when I have the chance."
Shen Yi quickly finished the porridge in his bowl and stood up, apologetically bidding his farewell with a bow.
Fang Heng, sensing something amiss, looked up and said, "Sir Shen, please take care."
The dangers faced by a Town Demon Colonel were nothing compared to those encountered by demon catchers, who faced ten times the peril.
"It's fine. You young folks have your own business to attend to. Come back and visit when you have time."
After Shen Yi left, the old woman's smile faded, and she returned to her seat at the table, giving Fang Heng a light smack on the back of his head. "I don't know what nonsense you're up to, but a fine young man like him shouldn't have to risk his life so recklessly if he had a wife waiting for him at home."
"But you can't just rush into marriage," Fang Heng retorted softly, a rare tone of defiance in his voice.
"That's true," the old woman conceded, stroking her chin thoughtfully. "But you know, your Senior Martial Sister Lin is quite similar to him."
Fang Heng paused, considering this, and found that it made sense.
"No, not her. I'm talking about the prettier one," the old woman whispered, winking. "They both seem aloof and cold on the outside, but they have warm hearts. Why don't you play matchmaker and help them get together?"
At this suggestion, Fang Heng shuddered involuntarily and waved his hands in refusal. "Now, now, calm down. Sir Shen may seem cold, but he's just not much of a talker. As for Senior Martial Sister Jiang... they're completely different. You must have mistaken her for someone else."
Seeing that his grandmother wasn't convinced, Fang Heng glanced around and lowered his voice. "According to Senior Martial Brother You, Senior Martial Sister Jiang encountered a demon when she was young. She escaped from a pile of corpses, with only a golden silk monkey by her side. They took turns keeping watch and shared a single wheat cake as they fled for their lives. Even after their harrowing escape, she still maintained her optimism."
"It's a pity she met Master."
At this point, Fang Heng sighed. "Master took her and the golden silk monkey to a nearby estate to care for them."
"Isn't that wonderful?" The old woman asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"Is it?" Fang Heng mumbled, his head bowed as he picked at his food. "Master taught them martial arts—the monkey practiced with a blade, and Senior Martial Sister Jiang learned the sword... That monkey had escaped after its entire clan was slaughtered by an ape demon. You could say they were as close as could be."
"In just a few months, the monkey mastered the basics of blade techniques, and Master rewarded it with a precious blade, sending it out to gain experience in the world."
"Not long after the monkey left, Master called Senior Martial Sister Jiang over and told her that the monkey was filled with rage and that its first order of business would be to seek revenge. He predicted that it would take no more than a month for it to return."
"In one month, she had to break through the initial stage and accompany him to save the monkey."
The old woman was stunned. "Did they succeed?"
"Of course not," Fang Heng said, his eyes filled with helplessness. "Senior Martial Sister Jiang only rested for four hours a day, but in the end, she was still a step too slow."
"Of course, none of that matters now."
Fang Heng waved his hand and took a deep breath. "What I'm trying to say is that from that moment on, Senior Martial Sister Jiang never asked about the monkey again, not even where it had gone. She completely let go of everything and devoted herself to becoming the sharpest sword in Qingzhou. It's not that she's cold on the inside and warm on the outside... "
"... but that she truly doesn't care about anything at all."
(End of Chapter)
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