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Chapter 156: Reacquainting with Freeloading
Chapter 156: Reacquainting with Freeloading
The southern side of the Demon Subjugation Bureau was separated from the outside world by an incredibly high wall.
In this way, the new recruits inside would forget the bustling city of Qingzhou and focus all their attention on cultivation.
For most sect disciples, it was an unattainable dream to advance to the Foundation Realm within ten years.
However, under the abundant resources of the Demon Subjugation Bureau, the Foundation Realm warriors within this walled compound grew like spring bamboo shoots, one batch after another, never ceasing, and many even managed to achieve this within less than ten years.
There was no one guarding the entrance.
The energy of these new recruits was squeezed to the limit every day by the captains.
Led by Chen Jinyu, Shen Yi slowly stepped onto the land filled with the smell of sweat.
If he hadn't broken through to the Foundation Realm, he would be one of them now.
The night sky was pitch-black, and in the distance were cramped and crowded small courtyards, emitting faint and dim lights that formed a continuous line.
"These are all individual courtyards."
Chen Jinyu seemed quite satisfied with the environment, and compared to when they were in Baiyun County, her brother's current living quarters were much more spacious.
Even she, as a family member, was provided with separate accommodations not far from here.
"Not bad," Shen Yi casually nodded.
As strict as they were with the new recruits, they wouldn't go as far as to make them sleep in large dormitories. After all, these people weren't soldiers, and in the future, they would be solitary wanderers clad in cinnabar robes. As long as they achieved some merit and added a cloud pattern to their sleeves, they would enjoy excellent treatment.
The so-called courtyards were actually just two rooms facing each other, with a small open space in between that could barely fit five people shoulder-to-shoulder.
Chen Jinyu's mentioned small stove was set up in this open space, and the sound of bubbling came from the earthenware pot, filling the air with the aroma of meat.
Two men, noticeably bulkier than before, wore sleeveless short gowns and squatted on the ground, staring at the pot with eager eyes.
Niu Da swallowed his saliva, "It's a good thing your sister is here. What kind of food have we been eating every day?"
Chen Ji gently fanned the fire, smiling, "This is the kind of good stuff we never dared to dream of before."
How could the Demon Subjugation Bureau skimp on their food? It was all medicinal ingredients and meat, but they couldn't be bothered to put in any effort, simply throwing everything into a stew without even adding a pinch of salt, making the taste slightly bland.
Just then, a crisp voice called out from behind the two men, "Brother!"
Niu Da instinctively used his body to block the pot and simultaneously raised his arm to protect the back of his head.
Chen Ji turned to look, and the hand holding the fan slowly stopped, as if he was quite surprised.
Then, he excitedly jumped to his feet, "Lord Shen!"
Although it had been less than three months since they last met, coming to the unfamiliar Qingzhou City made him feel like a long time had passed.
He carefully examined the young man's cinnabar robe and exclaimed with delight, "You're already wearing the captain's uniform!"
Although there was no cloud pattern on the sleeves yet, with Lord Shen's strength, it was only a matter of time.
"Move aside." Shen Yi walked to the pot and squatted down, not bothering to explain the difference between a captain and a deputy general to this young man.
"Lord Shen," Niu Da hurriedly moved to the side, still raising his arm to protect his head, clearly having developed a fear of this uniform, but seeing a fellow townsman succeed filled him with pride, and he couldn't help but smile.
The inspector from Baiyun County, even in Qingzhou City, was not someone to be ordered around.
Chen Jinyu carefully took three sets of bowls and chopsticks from the house and distributed them to everyone, "Shh, don't let the captain find out."
"Hehe, I'll go drink in the room." Niu Da skillfully served Shen Yi his chicken soup, just like when they had lunch in the courtyard of the Baiyun County Magistrate's office.
Shen Yi picked up the bowl, gazing at the thick layer of oil floating on the soup's surface, trapping the steam beneath.
It didn't seem like the chicken had been stewed for long, but the tender, juicy meat dripped from the plump chicken leg.
For once, he felt a surge of appetite, unsure if it was for the chicken leg or the sense of reality this world offered.
"Hey! I caught you again!"
A captain, clad in a cloud-patterned cinnabar robe, strode forward, brandishing a whip and half-amused, half-annoyed, said, "I told you family members aren't allowed in here. Do you want to be dragged out again?"
Niu Da slammed the door shut and hid inside, grinning as he gulped down the scalding hot chicken soup.
Chen Ji turned around awkwardly, "Captain Liu... this is the last time..."
"Don't think you can do whatever you want just because you have good talent." Captain Liu rolled his eyes, not truly angry, and scolded, "You've already delayed for so many years. Focus and strive to break through the Foundation Realm in the next two to three years. Why not try to get out sooner?"
"And you, which courtyard are you from..."
He raised his whip and pointed inside, and his entire body shuddered three times.
The fair-skinned youth quietly squatted on the ground, holding a bowl of soup, and although his pitch-black eyes lacked their usual coldness, it still made Captain Liu instantly recall the figure straddling outside the Vajra Sect.
"Y-you, I-I..." He hid his whip behind his back.
"Don't worry about me." Shen Yi nodded slightly.
He was merely here to mooch a meal and didn't want to disturb others.
Captain Liu's peculiar expression obviously made the siblings a bit flustered, but after hearing Shen Yi's words, the captain quickly retreated with lingering fear, "Take your time."
Chen Ji paused, then squatted down again, "..."
Just like what he had told Zhang the Butcher earlier, Shen Yi's abilities were not surprising; a person like him was destined to be revered by all.
However, within a short time, even the Demon-Suppressing Bureau's captain was so cautious around him. It was likely that while he was diligently cultivating, Shen Yi had accomplished many great deeds.
"Sir Shen, is being a captain in the Demon-Suppressing Bureau very dangerous?" Chen Ji asked curiously.
"I'm not sure, I haven't been doing it for long, but it's always good to be cautious." Shen Yi waited for the chicken soup to cool down slightly before gulping it down, savoring the warmth in his stomach, and the previous boredom gradually faded, replaced by a sense of contentment.
Aside from slaying demons and eliminating monsters, he actually preferred the life of an ordinary person.
"Captain Liu said my talent is good, and I'll be able to break through the Foundation Realm soon." Chen Ji excitedly shared his recent experiences.
Which county's runner had broken through the Skin Gate and received a reward from the captain, and which new recruit had secretly slacked off and been whipped.
Shen Yi held the chicken leg, chewing on the meat, occasionally chiming in with a few words.
Chen Jinyu quietly listened by his side until late at night, when she got up to tidy up a room, hugging the savage wolf cloak, and bid farewell to the two.
Chen Ji sent his sister out of the courtyard and turned back, "I overheard a few captains chatting, saying Qingzhou isn't peaceful lately, so Sir Shen should be careful too."
"It's fine, they haven't let me out these days, so I'll just stay here with you." Shen Yi stretched lazily.
"Okay." Chen Ji fetched water and washed the earthenware jar and bowls.
He didn't ask why Shen Yi chose to stay in this place instead of the captain's private courtyard.
Chen Ji had long gotten used to how Shen Yi casually tossed over ten taels of silver but was reluctant to let him take a second glance at the roast goose leg in his hand.
(End of Chapter)
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