https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-47-Celestial-Piercing-Blood-Slaughter-Greed-Wolf-Slaying-Evil/12553841/
Chapter 48: The Qingzhou General
Chapter 48: The Qingzhou General
Shen Yi took measured steps as he approached the courtyard outside the classroom.
There, Zhang the Butcher squatted on the stone steps, yawning incessantly, looking utterly dispirited.
Noticing someone approaching, he looked up and teased, "What took you so long? Don't tell me you deliberately waited until the last moment to astonish those squad leaders?"
At these words, Shen Yi paused momentarily.
Noting his expression, Zhang the Butcher casually stood up and consoled him, "Hey, I had the same thought when I first joined the Vajra Sect. But the people from the Demon Suppression Bureau of Zhenmo have traveled far and wide, and they've seen it all. They won't be easily impressed by someone's skills, so don't be too disappointed."
If someone truly possessed an exceptionally strong talent, they wouldn't have left him to come here alone.
"What are you talking about?" Shen Yi halted in his tracks.
"..." Zhang the Butcher fell silent for a moment before turning serious. "Just after two gongs were struck last night, all the military personnel and runners were summoned to the west of the city. They've finished picking the people now, and they're being lectured in the yamen... Don't tell me they forgot about you?"
"Those good-for-nothings! They're so narrow-minded. I was counting on following you back to Qingzhou to visit some old friends!"
Zhang the Butcher cursed and pulled on Shen Yi's arm, rushing towards the yamen.
The Demon Suppression Bureau was known for its meticulousness, so it was unlikely that they would have overlooked someone by mistake. It was more likely that they had done so intentionally.
While Shen Yi's martial prowess might not be considered extraordinary if he had grown up in Qingzhou, it was extremely rare and valuable in Boyun County. If it weren't for the protection of the imperial court, no sect would have rejected him, and there was no reason for them to treat him so unfairly!
Although Shen Yi's expression remained unchanged, he was indeed puzzled.
He had considered many possibilities, but he never expected this outcome.
At this moment, the yamen was deserted, with only the military personnel on guard.
Zhang the Butcher barged in without hesitation, his transverse training in martial arts making it impossible for the ordinary men to stop him.
Until they reached the main hall.
Two young men in black shirts with jade belts stood with their arms crossed, a golden thread outlining a fierce wolf on their shoulders, exuding a hint of murderous intent. They indifferently said, "Stop."
Zhang the Butcher obediently stood still and forced a smile, "Squad leader, there's... there's one more here."
Even if the Demon Suppression Bureau was notorious, they wouldn't attack someone without reason.
But seeing their black uniforms, Zhang the Butcher's heart skipped a beat, despite having done nothing wrong.
Mustering his courage, he nudged Shen Yi with his shoulder and said, "Why are you standing there dumbfounded? Let's go in first."
"Tsk, I don't know why you're so interested in watching people get lectured."
As the squad leader's gaze shifted from Zhang the Butcher, the indifference on his face gradually faded, and he rolled his eyes at Shen Yi, exasperated. "Instead of catching up on sleep at home, you come here to join the crowd. We're exhausted and have to stand guard at the door. You're really something."
Old Liu didn't have his sugar figurine stick today, and he had also changed out of his patched-up clothes.
He sidestepped to make way and muttered, "Go ahead and watch, but don't get too close."
The squad leader's words clearly left Zhang the Butcher bewildered for a moment.
He subconsciously glanced to the side.
Shen Yi appeared to be standing as obediently as he was, but his eyes didn't reveal anything unusual.
Do these two know each other?
Inside the main hall, Li Xinhan sat upright in the main seat, his eyes half-closed, exuding an air of cold arrogance.
Six young men with excellent physiques stood in a row, their hands behind their backs, their bodies taut. They were dressed as military personnel and runners from the yamen.
The beggar, now wearing the same uniform, looked completely different from his previous appearance. Although his facial features were ordinary, his eyebrows and eyes exuded a hint of spirit and energy.
He strode slowly in front of the others, his gaze falling on Chen Ji, whose mind seemed to be wandering. Suddenly, he kicked out.
The reprimand was on the tip of his tongue.
But as he raised his head, he saw the familiar figure at the door, and his mouth hung open as he inexplicably lost the will to continue.
With a lack of enthusiasm, he said, "Stand properly, don't space out."
Seeing this, Old Liu could only smile helplessly.
"Eight hundred soldiers and over a hundred runners, and in the end, only six are chosen. I estimate that half of them will be sent back."
Butcher Zhang sighed.
Though it was just under a thousand people, in reality, this group had already been filtered through, as they were on the imperial court's payroll and had decent physiques at the very least.
It was like picking six people from all of Boyun County.
And those who went to the Demon Suppression Bureau could only become henchmen who had been trained with medicine baths, rarely standing out.
Take, for example, the group with cloud patterns on their cuffs; they were chosen from a young age and cultivated according to their strengths, far surpassing ordinary martial artists of the same level.
Other sects in the martial arts world didn't have this kind of foundation.
Li Xinhan finally opened his eyes, his voice devoid of emotion: "Go back and pack your things. We set off for Qingzhou tomorrow. You may bring one family member or attendant. Submit a list of names, and someone will make the necessary arrangements. Personal belongings must not exceed eighty catties."
With these words, the tension in the six men's bodies finally eased.
Two of them were familiar faces.
Bull, discreetly scratching his thigh, looked conflicted. "If I can only bring one person, should I bring my brother to broaden his horizons... or my wife... There's also no one to take care of my mother."
Chen Ji, who had trained hard for three years, finally had his moment to shine. Not only had he achieved minor successes in both knife and fist techniques, but he had also perfected the Spirit Serpent's Eight Steps and showed signs of breaking through the first barrier of the Wind and Thunder Treasure Scroll.
Even the Demon Suppression Bureau captains gave him a few more glances.
Unlike Bull, Chen Ji didn't have such dilemmas, as he had no family aside from his sister.
But Chen Ji still frowned deeply.
Ever since the military had shouted him out of his house, he hadn't seen Shen Yi. Could it be that he overslept as usual?
Just then, Li Xinhan slowly got up.
He strode to the door.
Every move he made exuded a thick aura.
Butcher Zhang involuntarily took half a step back, and the fake smile he had forced out in front of Old Liu now contained a bit more sincerity.
Those who had three cloud patterns on their cuffs were almost always Jade Liquid Realm experts.
Each cloud pattern represented countless demon corpses.
Moreover, the youth before them was exceptionally young, and given time, he would surely become a general defending a region.
Just a glance from him made Butcher Zhang break out in a cold sweat.
Li Xinhan's hand reached for his waist.
He stared fixedly at Shen Yi, his indifferent expression twisting with a mix of envy, jealousy, and a hint of confusion.
It was hard to imagine a face that could simultaneously convey so many emotions.
After a moment, Li Xinhan withdrew his gaze and slapped a silver ticket and a stamped letter into Shen Yi's hand. "With this seal, you can exchange it for silver at any money house in Qingzhou."
Leaving those words behind, he turned and walked out the door without another glance.
Only the few people from Boyun County and Butcher Zhang were left standing there dumbfounded.
It was somewhat understandable, though risky, for the yamen to give silver to the Demon Suppression Bureau. But for the Demon Suppression Bureau to give silver to the yamen runners, that was unheard of.
Only the captains who knew the situation smiled and walked over, seeming to enjoy seeing Li Xinhan's discomfiture.
Old Liu patted Shen Yi's shoulder. "Don't mind him. That's just his temper. He doesn't mean anything by it. Go back and pack your things, and we'll escort you back to Qingzhou."
"Escort?" Shen Yi stared at the silver ticket worth a thousand liang and felt something was amiss.
The beggar smacked his lips, not mentioning the kicking incident from yesterday.
He just looked a little dejected as he said, "You're about to join the general's camp. How could we possibly let you walk back by yourself?"
(End of Chapter)
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