Chapter 51: The Courtyard
Chapter 51: The Courtyard
In such turbulent times, those who stayed away from towns and cities tried their best to avoid attracting attention.
Only the carriages of the Demon Suppression Division dared to boldly travel the roads with empty carts in plain sight.
As time passed, numerous traveling merchants began to follow in their wake, even going as far as to send their guards riding after them, offering dried rations and meat.
"Their reputation far exceeds ours, a lowly band of constables."
Chen Ji exclaimed with excitement, his youthful face lighting up as he hugged a bundle of food.
For nearly two days, they had rushed without rest.
The carriage slowly came to a halt beneath a towering, majestic wall. On the arched gate, the characters "Qingzhou" were inscribed in bold, powerful strokes, exuding a sense of grandeur.
Li Xinhan flung his waist token to the city guards and then dismounted to lead the horses forward.
Seeing this, Old Liu smothered a laugh and said, "He must have learned his lesson from the last few lashes."
Noticing their confused expressions, he explained, "It's a rule in the Demon Suppression Division that anyone riding a horse within the city for non-urgent matters will receive three lashes and a two-month wage deduction."
By now, it was already dusk. In Baiyun County, the streets would be nearly empty at this hour.
However, the wide avenue paved with cobblestones before them, spacious enough for eight carriages to drive side by side, was bustling with people, creating a lively and chaotic atmosphere.
As Shen Yi stepped down from the carriage, he felt as if he had stepped back in time to a past life.
Aside from the absence of towering skyscrapers, the place was even more prosperous.
The group slowly followed Li Xinhan.
They finally stopped at a rather peculiar location within the city.
A tall wall, two zhangs high, stretched endlessly into the distance, as if enclosing a smaller city within this one.
"This is a plot of 2,800 acres of land specially allocated by the governor himself for the headquarters of the Demon Suppression Division."
"Follow me."
The beggar led away his family and the six newcomers.
Li Xinhan, on the other hand, entered through a side gate.
"There are many rules inside, but they don't concern us outsiders. You just need to remember where to eat, sleep, and collect your wages."
As Old Liu guided Shen Yi, he introduced him to the various facilities within the compound.
First, they went to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to register.
Li Xinhan personally handled the matter, and in a moment, Shen Yi was presented with a set of clothing, a pill bottle, and a jet-black waist token placed on top.
Li Xinhan handed these items to Shen Yi and said, "I noticed your exceptional sword at your waist, so I didn't include another one. If you have any other needs, come here to inquire, and if there's anything you don't understand, look for Liu Xiujie directly."
Liu Xiujie smacked his lips and asked, "Where does he live?"
Li Xinhan hesitated for a moment before replying, "Follow Master Lin's arrangement."
Hearing this, Liu Xiujie's expression changed slightly, and he sighed, "There's no need to cause trouble for others."
Shen Yi remained silent, watching the exchange between the two with a puzzled look.
Liu Xiujie then sighed again and, to Shen Yi's surprise, led him deeper into the compound.
"Usually, outer camp officers reside in the West Courtyard..."
After walking for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Liu Xiujie stopped in front of a quiet courtyard and bitterly introduced the place, "Just be careful from now on."
"What is this place?" Shen Yi asked, knitting his brows.
"This is the courtyard where the commander usually resides, along with his five disciples. Among them are two Demon Suppression Generals, a Partisan Commander, a Demon Catcher, and another who has just entered five months ago... also a Three-Pattern Officer like you."
"Wow," Liu Xiujie continued, "You might not be very familiar with the Demon Suppression Division, so guess why there are no guards stationed here?"
Taking a deep breath, Liu Xiujie rubbed his temples and explained, "Let me put it this way. Aside from the commander, the remaining rooms are occupied by two Golden Core stage cultivators, two at the peak of the Qi Condensation stage, and one at the mid-Qi Condensation stage."
"And now, you, with only a letter of recommendation and nothing else to rely on, are about to join them.
Hearing his words and combining them with the rumors Zhang the Butcher had once mentioned, Shen Yi's speculations about Lin Baiwei's identity were now confirmed. However, he couldn't quite understand what she was trying to achieve.
Stepping into the courtyard, they saw a lone Scholar Tree and an ancient well. A muscular young man sat on a stone stool, his upper body bare and rippling with muscles that resembled poured steel. He was meticulously shelling beans, while an elderly woman with silver hair pinched the tips of some vegetable seedlings across from him. The scene was one of tranquil harmony.
"Outer Camp Officer Liu Xiujie, greetings to Commander Fang." Old Liu forced a smile and pulled Shen Yi forward. "Commander Fang, this is..."
"I know, I received my senior sister's letter." Fang Heng continued shelling beans without looking up, but the old woman looked at Shen Yi with curiosity.
"That's good, that's good." Liu Xiujie managed a smile, feeling none of the ease he had shown with Li Xinhan. He signaled with his eyes to the side, "You haven't met your senior brother Fang Heng yet."
"There's no need for that. Just call me by my name." Fang Heng's reply caused Liu Xiujie to feel slightly embarrassed, and he sighed inwardly.
As expected, a single letter wasn't enough to grasp such a huge opportunity.
"You brat, can't you look at people when you're talking?" The old woman slapped the young man's head.
Fang Heng seemed accustomed to it and pointed to the smallest side yard. "Stay there for now. Whatever my senior sister owes you, I'll repay."
Now it was Liu Xiujie's turn to be confused.
Shen Yi silently breathed a sigh of relief. So that was it.
To say he had no expectations at all would be a lie.
But such a huge opportunity falling into his lap out of the blue made him dare not accept it easily.
Now that he finally understood the reason, he felt much more at ease.
When Lin Baiwei had promised him two Jade Liquid Realm martial arts techniques, he had considered the Four Harmonious True Strikes as one of them. He had thought that after the trouble was resolved, she might not remember the matter anymore or would simply pick another Demon Suppression Division martial art to complete the transaction.
He never expected her to be so considerate.
Since the person before him was also a disciple of the General, and the matter was handled so solemnly, the martial art taught should be no weaker than the Four Harmonious True Strikes.
"Hmm."
Seeing that he had no further part to play, Liu Xiujie bowed and took his leave, shooting Shen Yi a sympathetic look as he departed.
Although he had warned him earlier, being so bluntly rejected by Fang Heng must have left a bitter taste in his mouth.
"..."
Shen Yi rolled his eyes at him and turned to walk into the small house.
The new clothes were made of silk satin, smooth to the touch, and even the ordinary officers' belts were inlaid with gems, no wonder Zhang the Butcher was envious of the Demon Suppression Division's extravagance.
He tried on the clothes, and they fit well.
It was a pity there was no mirror.
After adjusting his sleeves, Shen Yi picked up the small medicine bottle.
Liu Xiujie hadn't explained much about it when he left.
Was this the so-called treasure medicine?
Hanging the waist token around his neck, Shen Yi picked up the Black Blade and was about to step out when he heard the old woman's voice from outside, "Young man, come out for dinner."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
