https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-3-Demon-Subduing-Righteous-Sun-Blade/12553773/
Chapter 4: Mastery of Fundamental Martial Arts
Chapter 4: Mastery of Fundamental Martial Arts
The two old donkeys traveled one in front of the other as they quickly left the county seat.
Chen Ji rode with a solemn expression, his head lowered.
He never expected that Shen Yi would not only agree to leave the city but also, breaking with custom, bring him along.
This should have been good news, but...
Chen Ji turned his head to glance back and saw Official Shen riding his donkey, flipping through a martial arts manual with great interest.
According to past practice, when dealing with demons, the other party would send him and the others to buy some fine wine and meat, considering it a "matter of courtesy."
Chen Ji always felt depressed and displeased about this arrangement.
However, going empty-handed today made him a little worried. If they couldn't pacify those two demonic beasts, it wouldn't be long before the entire village of Liumiao, with its hundreds of farming households, would be devoured.
"Why do you keep looking back? Focus on leading the way, and don't be jealous of this official's handsome face."
Shen Yi flipped through the manual quickly and then slowly closed it.
Two more lines of text had appeared on the panel.
【Paiyun Long-range Fist (Not Yet Initiated)】
"Spirit Snake Eight Steps (Not Yet Initiated)"
One set of fist and palm techniques and one set of light body techniques, in addition to the Demon Subduing Sword Techniques he had learned earlier.
These were all the martial arts passed down by the Colonel of the Demon Suppression Corps.
If one could achieve minor success in all three styles, they would have the ability to deal with some minor demons.
Shen Yi didn't hesitate and poured the remaining demon lifespan into the area where he needed it most—his light body technique.
After all, no matter how sharp a long sword was, it would be useless if one couldn't catch up to their target.
【You already have a deep foundation in martial arts, and your body is strong and robust. In just one year, you have entered the gateway to the Spirit Snake's Eight Steps】
【In three years, your figure became even more elusive, and your light body technique has reached a minor level of success】
【Six years have passed, and the Spirit Snake's Eight Steps have become a part of your instinct, reaching a level of greatness】
【In the eleventh year, your body is like an elusive ghost, your attacks are invisible, and your light body technique is perfect】
【Remaining Demon Lifespan: Twenty-five years】
...
Shen Yi was surprised by the changes in his body.
By infusing the demon lifespan into his martial arts, his progress specifically referred to his current physical condition.
This was a case of gaining insight into related fields; a veteran martial artist obsessed with sword techniques would naturally progress much faster in his cultivation.
He subconsciously adjusted his posture on the donkey and felt much lighter, as if he could rush out three or five feet in one step.
Unfortunately, he didn't have the opportunity to test it out now.
Shen Yi calmed his mind and poured the remaining demon lifespan into the Paiyun Long-range Fist, hoping to gain some insight into the "Initial Realm" again as he interpreted the martial art.
However, the result of this attempt disappointed him.
【Although you are not proficient in fist and foot combat, after eighteen years of polishing, you can still achieve the power of thunderous fists and stone-splitting palms. Your Paiyun Long-range Fist has reached perfection】
【In the twentieth year, you made no progress and fell into confusion, feeling that you were wasting your time】
【In the twenty-third year, you began to doubt yourself. It seemed that this fist technique had reached its limit after perfection】
【In the twenty-fifth year, through years of contemplation, your understanding of fist and palm techniques improved, and your innate talent for fist and palm techniques increased】
After exhausting all the demon lifespan, the gains were revealed on the panel.
【Paiyun Long-range Fist (Perfected)】
"Spirit Snake Eight Steps (Perfected)"
【Fist and Palm Proficiency: Reduces the time required to practice fist and palm martial arts and increases the chance of gaining insights】
In addition to the two perfected martial arts, he also gained something similar to an innate talent, but there was still no information about the "Initial Realm" that Shen Yi desired.
He slightly raised his eyes, "Judging by the time, isn't it about time for the Demon Suppression Corps to come and inspect our county?"
Hearing this, Chen Ji, who had been focusing on leading the way, suddenly trembled, his eyes filled with complex emotions. Without turning his head, he replied, "Reporting to the official, there is still about a month left."
How could he not understand that Official Shen was reminding him?
The entire Boyun County government was in collusion, and the most urgent matter at hand was to get through the inspection by the Demon Suppression Corps and submit a report showing that the county seat was peaceful and harmonious.
If any mistakes were made, at least half of this group of people would lose their heads at Caishikou Market, and the youngest and most handsome one among them would undoubtedly be Official Shen.
If it weren't for the other party's deception, the yamen wouldn't have been able to contain the news, and the Demon Suppression Army would have taken over long ago, sweeping the surrounding demons away!
"One more month?"
Shen Yi rubbed his temples.
According to his memories, he was merely a minor official with no qualifications to communicate directly with the Demon Suppression Corps.
If he wanted to access more profound martial arts, he had no choice but to wait patiently.
If he could completely master the "Initial Realm" within a month, would he have a chance to join the Demon Suppression Corps?
The demon's lifespan wasn't enough!
As his thoughts wandered, the two old donkeys came to a stop in front of the field embankment.
Shen Yi looked towards the dilapidated little temple on the hillside, where the statue of a god lay exposed, covered with straw, and the offering table was half-collapsed and overgrown with weeds.
The farmers couldn't be bothered to even pay their respects to the gods, a clear sign of the resentment in their hearts.
"This way, sir."
Chen Ji tied up the old donkey and pointed in the direction.
The two of them quickly stepped over the embankment, and a group of ragged farmers stood scattered in the distance, their faces gaunt and their gazes vacant as they looked over.
After recognizing the clothing and attire of the two men, they squatted back down, neither crying out for justice nor calling for help. They were all too aware of who had brought this misery upon them.
"..."
Chen Ji, under the gaze of those distant eyes, felt a tinge of shame on his youthful face.
But when he saw Shen Yi's calm and unperturbed demeanor, that shame turned into resentment once more.
He adjusted his bamboo hat, covering half of his face: "It's this household. Their children were attacked by the Yellow-skinned Dog's offspring... Go take a look inside, and you'll understand."
The Yellow-skinned Dog was not a weasel.
Demonic creatures also had their factions, mostly linked by blood, each establishing their own mountain stronghold and declaring themselves kings.
Different factions had different demands of Boyun County; some wanted fresh meat, others wanted beautiful women, and there were those who craved precious treasures.
Among them was a pack of dog demons with whom Shen Yi had the closest relationship.
Their leader was an old yellow-skinned dog who called himself the King of Yellow-skinned Dogs.
"Open the door."
Shen Yi nodded.
Chen Ji pushed open the wooden door, and the narrow room inside presented a nauseating dark red sight.
The room was dim, and on the table lay disassembled body parts stacked neatly, with the excess hung from the rafters using straw.
A dog demon sat on the edge of the bed, holding a thigh in its hands, expressionlessly chewing on rotten flesh.
Its eyes were sharp, like a loyal guard dog.
Upon seeing the visitors, its gaze softened slightly: "Who did I think it was? What brings you here?"
Shen Yi entered the room, inhaling the putrid stench as his eyes scanned the room.
Chen Ji had already witnessed this scene before, but as he stepped into the room for the second time, his face under the hat twisted slightly, and his hand gripping the knife handle shook uncontrollably, involuntarily drawing the blade out a few inches.
He had an extremely high talent; in just three short years, he had cultivated the martial arts passed down by the Demon Suppression Corps to a minor achievement realm, fully qualifying him to fight this dog demon, with a high probability of a bitter victory.
The reason he had endured his killing intent and returned to the yamen to report earlier was, firstly, for his sister at home, and secondly, because he couldn't defeat the Yellow-skinned Dog behind this dog demon, and acting rashly would only invite greater disaster.
"..."
Just then, a strong hand quietly reached out and pushed the long knife back into its sheath.
Chen Ji snapped back to his senses and stared intently at Shen Yi's profile, curious to see how he would respond.
Regardless of how heartless the other party was, seeing one's own kin being devoured should evoke some sort of emotion.
In his line of sight, Shen Yi finally looked towards the old dog, his eyes devoid of joy or sorrow, a slight upward curve to his lips, revealing neat, white teeth as he smiled.
Seeing this, Chen Ji's rapid heartbeat gradually slowed, and he lowered his eyes in disappointment, no longer wanting to listen to their greetings.
(End of Chapter)
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