https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-45-Slaying-the-Fox-Demon-with-a-Sword/12553835/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-47-Celestial-Piercing-Blood-Slaughter-Greed-Wolf-Slaying-Evil/12553841/
Chapter 46: Visitors from the Demon Suppression Bureau
Chapter 46: Visitors from the Demon Suppression Bureau
Li Xinhan slowly composed himself. In the few days since his arrival, he had realized that Banyun County was rotten to the core. The local officials colluding with demons to wreak havoc on the common folk would not withstand scrutiny. As such, he had formed a rather negative first impression of the constables here.
"Keep it quiet. Take him down first and bring him back for a thorough interrogation. We must find out where Master Lin is," he instructed.
"Understood."
The group of over ten people quickly dispersed, quietly blocking off all possible escape routes on the entire street.
Lao Liu, the most skilled with hidden weapons, discarded the sugar figurine stick and stealthily approached the thatched-roofed side house, with the beggar close behind. The beggar's palms, concealed within his tattered sleeves, were calloused, indicating a master of capture techniques.
The two were longtime partners, and their usual strategy was to first ambush their target with a poison arrow, then bind and capture them. Most martial artists of the same level didn't stand a chance against them.
Suddenly, the beggar noticed that Lao Liu had stopped in his tracks.
"What is it?" he asked, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion.
He saw that the door to the house was wide open. The handsome young man, with one hand resting on his waist where his sheath was, stood calmly at the doorway, seemingly prepared for what was to come.
"Wasn't he alerted by that little ruckus?" The beggar was slightly taken aback but remained unfazed. After all, they had encountered all sorts of experts over the years.
Moreover, Li Xinhan, standing at a distance, was indisputably a powerful cultivator at the Jade Liquid stage.
What the beggar didn't expect was for Lao Liu to slowly put away his blowgun and smile at the young man, saying, "Sir, we meet again."
On that morning a few days prior, they had crossed paths on the street, and the young man had clearly sensed that something was amiss but chose not to expose them.
With just a glance, he had noticed that the sugar peddler had been switched, indicating an exceptionally keen sense. If they were to continue with their act and try to ambush him, it would be embarrassingly transparent.
"What business do you gentlemen have with me?" Shen Yi asked, his jaw set as his eyes swept over the two intruders.
He didn't recall ever having dealings with any martial artists, and his decision not to expose their identities the other day was not out of fear but simply because he didn't want the trouble.
"We have some important questions for you, Sir Shen. Please come with us," Lao Liu politely replied, taking a half-step back.
The beggar understood the cue and swiftly lunged forward. His palms, like dragons soaring through the clouds, and his fingers, like golden hooks, viciously locked onto Shen Yi's shoulders. In an instant, his fingers dug into Shen Yi's shoulders, and he exerted force with his arms, intending to throw Shen Yi to the ground.
"Yah!" The beggar roared, but his face suddenly reddened.
Shen Yi stood firmly, his feet seemingly glued to the ground. The beggar's force seemed to dissipate into thin air, and despite his best efforts, he couldn't move Shen Yi an inch.
The next moment, Shen Yi abruptly kicked the beggar in the abdomen.
The beggar screamed as he flew backward, tumbling in the air to reduce the impact. Despite his quick reaction, he still crashed into the pillar across the street with a loud bang.
The entire eatery shook from the impact, and the beggar slumped against the pillar, his breath coming in ragged gasps as veins popped out on his forehead. It took him a long time to regain his footing.
Seeing this, not just Lao Liu but everyone else on the street wore grim expressions.
Aside from Li Xinhan, the beggar was the most skilled in close-quarters combat among them. Yet, he couldn't even last a single round?
"..." Lao Liu forced a awkward smile and unconsciously took a few steps back.
He reached for the badge at his waist.
This situation was turning into a fiasco. It was embarrassing enough that officials from the Demon Suppression Bureau had come all the way to this remote county to capture someone, and now they even had to reveal their identities.
Just then, a hand stopped his movement.
Lao Liu turned to see Li Xinhan standing beside him, his eyebrows furrowed and his nostrils flaring slightly as if he had detected something unusual.
"Did you smell blood just now?" Li Xinhan asked, his eyes turning cold as he stared at Shen Yi.
Lao Liu nodded. At that moment, the tense atmosphere turned even more solemn. They had rushed to Banyun County on an urgent matter, and all clues regarding Master Lin now pointed to the young man before them.
"...'
Shen Yi looked at the group that had suddenly converged, his gaze falling on Li Xinhan's conspicuous black shirt.
He had thought it was a group of rats, but he never expected a cat to show up.
This group's movements were indeed too swift.
Even if his previous self had luckily withstood Liu Laodad's club, he probably wouldn't have lived to see this day.
"A guilty conscience needs no accuser."
Shen Yi lowered his hand, feeling somewhat relieved, and calmly replied, "Reporting to sir, it's the blood of a demon."
Seeing him let go of the knife handle, the rest of the group inexplicably relaxed and exchanged glances.
Regarding the counties under Qingzhou, the people of the Demon Suppression Bureau might not say it aloud, but they all carried a sense of pride in their hearts.
Today, facing an ordinary constable, they actually felt a sense of trepidation as if facing a formidable foe. If word of this got out, they would become a laughingstock.
"Why do you have demon blood on you?"
Li Xinhan's tone was harsh, and his eyes sharp, carrying a hint of interrogation.
Shen Yi wasn't used to this questioning tone, but he could understand that this group, who fought demons daily, had their lives on the line. Asking them to be amiable was indeed a difficult request.
He sidestepped slightly, making way for them.
Li Xinhan frowned again and was about to scold him when he was bumped by Old Liu beside him.
"Shut up now."
He looked up and, like the rest, was struck dumb, dumbfounded by what he saw.
In the cramped room,
Lin Baiwei was walking out from the backyard, carrying a wooden basin of washed vegetables. She blinked, curious about the visitors at the door.
The oversized, ill-fitting long robe she wore was obviously a man's.
It was eye-catching.
She smiled in surprise and asked, "Why are you all here?"
Li Xinhan opened his mouth, wanting to ask but not daring to, so he could only clench his fists and bow, "I, Li Xinhan, pay my respects to Master Lin!"
The rest followed suit, and Old Liu smacked his lips, first glancing at Shen Yi in disbelief before explaining, "We haven't received any letters from you in Qingzhou for a month, so the bureau sent us to check on you."
"You've worked hard. I'm fine," Lin Baiwei shook her head slightly guiltily.
"We'll send you back to Qingzhou immediately," said Li Xinhan, sensing something amiss with her aura.
"I want to go home first... Also, can you wait until I finish dinner... I just made mutton soup," Lin Baiwei said, a little embarrassed.
"It's all up to you."
Seeing this, the Demon Suppression Bureau members couldn't help but smile.
This famous demon catcher was indeed as humble and warm as the rumors claimed.
But soon, their smiles faded as Lin Baiwei bustled about, and the youth remained silent, standing with his hands hanging by his sides.
"...'
Until the steaming mutton soup was served.
Shen Yi never thought that eating a meal could be so difficult.
The group of over ten people stood at the door, their cold eyes staring at him like grim reapers.
"Sorry."
Lin Baiwei also sensed something amiss and exchanged a glance with him. They chewed on the tender mutton, but it tasted like wax.
She sighed, put down her bowl and chopsticks, and said, "Take care."
"You too."
Shen Yi bowed and watched as she walked into the crowd, the group of over ten people disappearing into the night.
He retracted his gaze and looked at the empty room.
After a moment of silence, he shook his head and chuckled.
It hadn't been that long since he crossed over, yet he had already developed a bunch of bad habits.
He was used to it now.
Shen Yi finished the food on the table, cleaned up the bowls, and hung up his outer robe to dry.
He lay on the bed and slowly opened the panel.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
