https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-26-The-Thin-Monk-and-Zhang-the-Butcher/12553796/
Chapter 25: The Lin Family Incident
Chapter 25: The Lin Family Incident
"Very well, you may go now." Shen Yi merely nodded slightly in response to the man's words.
Ever since the incident on Willow Leaf Street yesterday, when his senses were obscured, he had anticipated this very moment.
Liu Dianli's approach to the situation was calm and collected, befitting his years of experience as an old hand at these matters.
If Shen Yi were to remain shut inside, he would become the laughingstock of the entire county, left with no choice but to acquiesce to their demands. On the other hand, opening the doors to the public would be sheer foolishness.
In this world, who would willingly risk their lives to battle demons and monsters without just cause or reward? It was the proverbial case of the tall poppy getting cut down, and there was no monetary incentive to speak of.
The only thing Liu Dianli hadn't considered was that…
Shen Yi could truly benefit from slaying these demons.
Not only that, but the gains far outweighed any amount of silver or gold – he was gaining actual lifeforce.
Thus, Shen Yi remained unperturbed, and even felt a slight sense of delight at the prospect.
"But, sir…" Chen Ji felt as if the other man hadn't heard a word he'd said. This was a matter of life and death!
A moment later, Chen Ji helplessly dropped his hand to rest on the sheath at his waist.
What has the world come to? Just a few days ago, he had been chastising Shen Yi for his reckless behavior, and now here he was, acting as his mouthpiece.
Recalling Shen Yi's solitary figure standing in front of the village, Chen Ji knew that this man was not one to make idle threats.
With a self-deprecating smile, Chen Ji tightened his grip on his knife… Damn, he needed to hurry up and prepare his sister's dowry.
"How much dowry do you need to marry a wife?"
"What?" Shen Yi turned, puzzled by the question.
"It's nothing, just curious." Chen Ji took a deep breath, shaking off the strange thought that had popped into his head. It was best to keep things separate; while Shen Yi could barely be considered a decent constable, his private life was a mess, and Chen Ji certainly wasn't about to push his sister into that fire pit.
Fortunately, Shen Yi hadn't heard him clearly…
"Actually, I prefer more mature women."
Shen Yi shook his head, slightly nostalgic for the generous bosom of Mrs. Song.
Taking advantage of Chen Ji's momentary confusion, he strolled leisurely into the office.
"Wait, that's it? That's your decision?" Zhang Dahua jumped up in exasperation and shouted at the two burly men squatting by the door, "Are you two mutes? Say something!"
The Niu brothers had long held a grudge against Shen Yi, but now they were as quiet as mute gourds.
"My wife didn't let me into the house last night," Niu Da scratched the back of his head. Following Shen Yi had almost caused a fire in his backyard, as if he had truly taken advantage of some girl.
"And this morning, while I was still sleeping, she suddenly… hehe… hehe…"
As he spoke, Niu Da suddenly broke into a silly grin, vigorously rubbing his crotch.
"..." Zhang Dahua.
"..." Chen Ji.
Shen Yi glanced at them helplessly and said indifferently, "Open the doors."
Ordinarily, common folk would never dare set foot in a government office, especially one as notorious as the one under Shen Yi's command.
However, Shen Yi was in no rush.
He had witnessed the desperate state of the Liu family, father and daughter, and knew that when it came to demons, they would not let go of any straw that could save their lives. In this world, they had no other choice.
As soon as the doors were opened and the notice was posted, this compound became the only "Demon-Subduing Office" in BAI Yun County. Chen Ji and Zhang Dahua were sent out to gather information, while the Niu brothers took shifts every three hours.
Shen Yi, meanwhile, closed his eyes and rested, conserving his energy.
Surprisingly, within just half a day, someone came to the door.
The visitor was a skinny middle-aged man with dark, rough skin, clearly someone who worked a hard labor job.
Talking about slaying demons was one thing, but actually doing it was another. They had been working in Bai Yun County for so many years, and they had never truly encountered such a thing.
"Sir Shen, I have news of an evil spirit."
Led by the Niu brothers, the skinny middle-aged man cautiously stepped into the house, his eyes darting nervously as he swallowed his saliva.
"What kind of demon is it? Speak!" Niu Er urged, his eyes wide.
"No, no... it's not a demon, it's an evil spirit," the skinny middle-aged man quickly waved his hands.
Upon hearing this, Shen Yi slowly straightened up in his chair.
Including his past life memories, this was the first time he had received news about an evil spirit since arriving in this city several days ago.
"Don't rush, take your time," Shen Yi said calmly, his gaze steady.
Seeing Shen Yi's calm demeanor, the middle-aged man's nervousness eased a little. He had thought Shen was drunk yesterday when he heard the oil peddler's ramblings, but now he believed that Shen might actually take this seriously.
"I didn't encounter the evil spirit myself. It was my sister-in-law who did," the man said, carefully choosing his words. "About a month ago, every night when it got dark, I would bathe in the courtyard while my sister-in-law lit a candle and combed her hair in front of the mirror in the room."
"She would comb her hair and laugh as if she were possessed," he continued.
"That's not the worst of it," the middle-aged man said, his face growing more troubled. "One night, I woke up needing to relieve myself. I reached out and felt only empty space. When I got up to look for her, guess what? She was standing at the door in a floral dress, her hair dripping wet and her neck covered in sweat. I plucked up the courage to tap her, and when she saw it was me, she let out a piercing scream, as if she had seen a ghost."
"She said she didn't know how she got there and had no memory of it at all," he added.
"Moreover, since that day, I haven't been feeling well either. No matter how early I rest, I sleep straight through till dawn. This must be the work of an evil spirit possessing her and sucking my yang energy, Sir Shen! My sister-in-law made me a medicinal soup, but it didn't help. The more I drink, the sleepier I get."
As the middle-aged man painted a vivid picture with his words, Shen Yi's expression became increasingly peculiar.
"And she no longer sleeps with me. She just smiles blankly all day, and the more I look at her, the more unnerving it is."
"The scariest part is, yesterday I had a bad day at work and came home early. As I approached the house, I heard her shouting at the top of her lungs, begging for mercy... Have you ever heard a pig being slaughtered? It sounded just like that..."
Just then, the middle-aged man was about to launch into an impromptu imitation.
Shen Yi frowned slightly and glanced at the Niu brothers, then said helplessly, "You two, go on a night shift and take care of that evil spirit for him."
"As you command."
The Niu brothers gave the middle-aged man a sympathetic look and led him out.
Shen Yi leaned back in his rattan chair and gently pressed his brow.
It seemed that even in the city, it wouldn't be easy to find an opportunity to extend his lifespan.
Originally, when demons entered Bai Yun County, his past self would always be there to accompany them. Now that he had slain those dog demons, the news had surely spread among the demon community, and it would be much harder to lure any more into his trap.
Just then, a figure rushed into the room.
Chen Ji stood there, breathless and grave. Despite his attempts to lower his voice, he couldn't hide the shock in his eyes.
"Sir Shen, Liu Qi is dead."
Hearing this, Shen Yi lifted his gaze.
If he remembered correctly, he had heard that name once before.
Liu Qi, the stone carver.
He was the honored guest that the Lin family had invited from Qingzhou.
The very same Lin family that Lin Baiwei belonged to.
(End of Chapter)
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