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Chapter 26: The Thin Monk and Zhang the Butcher
Chapter 26: The Thin Monk and Zhang the Butcher
The moment the name was mentioned, the Niu brothers, who had just stepped out of the house, hesitated and stiffened.
Then, lowering their heads and ignoring the commotion, they quickly escorted the skinny middle-aged man out of the courtyard.
They had all heard of Liu Qi and his reputation. He was a renowned martial artist from Qingzhou, one of the most prominent experts hired by the Lin family to protect their estate. His iron palms were said to crush gold and split rocks with ease.
Rumors spread that the number of demons and monsters slain by those palms ranged from thirty to fifty.
"Should we go and take a look?" Chen Ji glanced back at the retreating backs of his brothers, not thinking them cowardly but rather understanding their hesitation.
Baiyun County was not a large city, and it lacked any notable martial arts sects. Liu Qi was considered a formidable figure in these parts, and even the constables like them pinned their hopes on his reputation to deter evil spirits and monsters.
If even he had perished, then the culprit was most likely a powerful demon.
According to Liu Dianli's instructions, any demon or monster-related incidents fell under Shen Yi's jurisdiction.
Whether to get involved or not was the question.
Technically, no one had filed a report, and pretending ignorance and sweeping the issue under the rug wouldn't have been a problem. However, when even the street vendors could guess what had happened, trying to cover it up would only cause Shen Yi to lose face on his first day and might even result in him being accused of incompetence in handling demonic affairs.
"What a coincidental death." Chen Ji retracted his gaze, feeling a slight headache. He wondered if he was some kind of jinx, always bringing trouble with the news he delivered.
"Let's go and take a look." Shen Yi gently rubbed his temples, concealing a trace of agitation that flashed in his eyes. He then rose, buckled his sword around his waist, and headed out.
It wasn't out of concern for saving face, as others might assume.
Unlike the rest, he knew what was kept within the Lin residence.
That fox had been placed there by his predecessor.
Every bloody incident it committed added another stroke to the charges against him. If it were to be captured, he feared he would end up in the Demon-Subduing Bureau's prison as well.
"...'
Shen Yi, accompanied by Chen Ji, walked down the street.
The strange gazes from the bystanders continued, much like the ones they had encountered in the morning. However, as the thatched walls along the street gradually gave way to blue-tiled buildings with dark gray roofs, those prying eyes finally disappeared.
In the relatively affluent eastern part of the city, the authority commanded by their constable uniforms began to wane.
It was only when they reached the luxurious mansion, with its grandiose red doors adorned with copper handles and stone lions that loomed even taller than those at the yamen's entrance, that the stares fully ceased.
At that moment, the mansion's gate was open just wide enough for one person to pass through. The Lin family's plump steward, dressed in a silk robe and a small hat, stood there with a worried expression, shooing away the crowd. "Move along, move along. This is not a spectacle for you to gawk at."
"Who's gawking? If there's a demon, you should notify us so we can seek help from the yamen," someone from the crowd retorted.
"There's no demon! I've said it eight hundred times—there's no such thing!" The Lin family steward twisted his plump face, looking dejected.
"You coward! What are you afraid of? Can't you see the notice on the street? Shen Reid can slay the dog demon in the western suburbs, so why can't he deal with your evil spirit?" A few individuals of some standing in the crowd spoke up, refusing to give the steward any face.
"Shen Reid? You lot don't know anything," the steward scoffed, his gaze filled with contempt. He was preoccupied with his own thoughts and couldn't be bothered to pay them any mind.
Speaking of Shen Yi, the steward knew far more about him than these people.
Back then, Shen Yi had rescued the young miss from outside the city, and the master of the house had been grateful, treating Shen Yi with great hospitality.
However, Shen Yi turned out to be a gambler, frequently borrowing money from the Lin family. The borrowed money never returned, and his actions were hardly befitting of a virtuous person.
Only recently had he become less of a nuisance.
After this remarkable figure finished investigating the Lin family, his conclusion was... there was no demonic activity, and Lin's master had nothing to worry about.
As for Liu Qi's death, the monk kept silent.
In summary, there were no demons or monsters.
Given the thin monk's status, his word was final. Even if Shen Yi lacked genuine talent, and the demon-slaying was true, what could he do?
The Lin family's steward snapped back to attention and noticed the noisy crowd gradually making way: "He's here, he's really here! The notice was true!"
They saw the young man with the saber slowly approaching, followed by an officer.
"Oh, Head Catcher Shen... Our young miss is not in the mansion." Lin's steward forced a smile, his heart filled with surprise. He wondered if the young man had heard of Liu Qi's reputation and dared to get involved in such a matter.
Upon hearing this, Shen Yi frowned slightly.
Not here?
"She went out of the city to admire the spring scenery and won't be back for a few days." The steward shook his head and continued, "If you're looking for Miss Baiwei, I'm afraid you'll have to come back another time."
"I'm not looking for her. Please take me to see the body."
Shen Yi took a step forward and ascended the stone steps.
It was strange that the fox demon was gone, yet a martial arts master had perished.
Hearing this, the Lin family's steward hesitated, and if the young man was here to take advantage of the situation, he would have left upon learning that the young miss was not at home. But if he was here to investigate the demon... the thin monk was still in the mansion.
With this in mind, he deliberately raised his voice:
"Head Catcher Shen, the monk from the magistrate's mansion has already taken a look."
Chen Ji was startled at first but then breathed a sigh of relief.
Now that a skilled expert had taken action, the matter would surely be resolved, and they, as constables, need not worry.
The onlookers surrounding them also understood. No wonder the Lin family was so calm. It was a pity that they wouldn't get to see Head Catcher Shen in action today.
After speaking, the steward looked at the young man again, his expression clear.
The steward was giving him an out, a chance to turn away and avoid any responsibility, which would not tarnish his reputation in the slightest.
"... "
Shen Yi lowered his gaze, taking in the steward's carefully concealed anxiety and uncertainty.
He replied calmly, "It won't hurt to take another look."
Hearing these words, the Lin family's steward was finally astonished. Indeed, he seemed like a different person. If it were the old Shen Yi, he would have wanted to get rid of any trouble and focus solely on making money. What had changed today?
After a moment of hesitation, the steward smiled bitterly and stepped aside, "If you really want to take a look, then please follow me."
As the steward turned to push open the door and take a step forward, his expression stiffened.
Accompanied by the old master, two strange men walked out, one in front of the other.
The first was tall and thin, appearing to be in his fifties. His eyebrows were long and drooping, and he wore a black changpao, resembling a bamboo pole.
The man behind him was stout and burly, with a rough face covered in steel-like beard. He had a gloomy expression, a greasy white short jacket, dark skin, and a bulging belly that looked like he was ten months pregnant, a terrifying sight.
The thin monk's smile was calm as he prepared to bid farewell to the old master. But when he raised his head and saw the group at the door, his smile faded, and he bowed instead, "I believe this is Young Friend Shen. Your reputation precedes you. It is a pleasure to finally meet you."
Hearing this, the swarthy, coarse-faced man, who had been looking down gloomily, also glanced over with a light, floating gaze.
(End of Chapter)
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