Chapter 51: The Small Courtyard
Chapter 51: The Small Courtyard
In this world, those who stay away from towns and cities try to avoid attracting attention.
Only the carriages of the Demon Suppressing Bureau have the audacity to travel with empty compartments.
As time passed, numerous merchants followed in groups, even offering their escorts to ride ahead and deliver dried food and meat.
"Their reputation is much better than ours, as law enforcement officers."
Chen Ji held a large pile of food, his youthful face brimming with excitement.
After nearly two days of continuous travel without rest.
The carriage slowly came to a stop beneath the towering city walls. On the arched city gate, the characters 'Qingzhou' were engraved in iron, exuding a majestic aura.
Li Xinhan tossed his waist token to the city guards and then dismounted, leading the horse by the reins.
Seeing this, Old Liu stifled a smile, "Seems like you remember the lesson from the last time."
Noticing their confusion, he explained, "The rules of the Demon Suppressing Bureau are strict. If there's no urgent matter, anyone riding a horse within the city will receive three lashes and a two-month pay deduction."
By now, it was dusk. In Baiyun County, the streets would be nearly empty at this hour.
However, the wide brick road before them, capable of accommodating eight carriages side by side, was bustling with people and filled with noise and chaos.
Shen Yi stepped down from the carriage, feeling as if she had returned to a past life.
Except for the absence of towering skyscrapers, it was even more prosperous.
The group followed Li Xinhan slowly.
They stopped at a rather peculiar location within the city.
A two-zhang-high wall stretched endlessly, reaching as far as the eye could see, as if another small city had been enclosed within this one.
"The governor personally approved the allocation of 2,800 acres of land for the establishment of the Demon Suppressing Bureau's headquarters."
"Follow me."
The beggar led away his family and the six newcomers.
Li Xinhan, however, entered through a side gate.
"There are many rules inside, but none of them concern us from the outer camp. Just remember where to eat, sleep, and collect your salary."
Old Liu led Shen Yi while introducing the various facilities within.
First, they went to the Internal Affairs Office to register.
Li Xinhan personally handled the matter, and within a moment, he presented a set of clothing and a medicine bottle, with a pitch-black waist token placed on top.
He handed the items to Shen Yi, "I see you have an extraordinary sword at your waist, so I didn't provide you with one. If you have any other needs, you can come here to inquire. If there's anything you don't understand, ask Xiu Jie directly."
Liu Xiu Jie smacked his lips, "Where does he live?"
Li Xinhan hesitated for a moment and turned back, "Follow Lord Lin's instructions."
Upon hearing this, Liu Xiu Jie's expression changed slightly, "Why cause unnecessary trouble?"
Shen Yi looked on silently, not quite understanding.
Then, Liu Xiu Jie sighed and led him deeper into the compound.
"According to the usual practice, outer camp captains live in the West Courtyard..."
After about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, Liu Xiu Jie stopped in front of a quiet courtyard and introduced it with a bitter smile, "Be careful."
"What kind of place is this?"
Shen Yi furrowed her brows and looked over.
"This is the courtyard where the commander-in-chief usually resides, along with his five disciples. Among them are two Demon Suppressing Generals, a deputy commander, a demon hunter, and another who just joined five months ago... also a Three Cloud Pattern captain."
"Wow, you might not know much about the Demon Suppressing Bureau. Guess why there are no guards here?"
Liu Xiu Jie took a deep breath, rubbed his temples, and said, "Let me put it another way. Inside, apart from the commander-in-chief, the other rooms belong to two Core Formation Realm cultivators, two Jade Purity Perfection cultivators, and one at the mid-stage of Jade Purity."
"And you, with only a letter as your support, are about to move in.
"I'm not sure if this is a good thing. As the saying goes, a tall tree catches the wind."
Liu Xiuje furrowed his brows, not quite understanding what Lord Lin was thinking.
Compared to the other party, he had a better understanding of the thoughts of ordinary captains.
"Never mind, follow me."
Liu Xiuje rushed inside, as if it were some sort of dangerous place.
Hearing the other party's words and combining it with the rumors Zhang Butcher had once mentioned, Shen Yi's initial guess about Lin Baiwei's identity was now completely confirmed.
He just couldn't understand what the other party was trying to do.
Stepping into the courtyard, he saw a single pagoda tree and an ancient well.
A muscular young man with a bare torso sat on a stone stool, his body as if forged from fine steel, his muscles clearly defined.
He carefully peeled beans in his hands, and across from him, an old woman with white hair used her fingertips to pinch the vegetable seedlings.
It looked extremely peaceful.
"Outer Camp's Liu Xiuje, greetings to Master Fang."
Old Liu forced a smile and pulled Shen Yi over, "Master Fang, this is..."
"I know, I received my senior sister's letter."
Fang Heng continued peeling beans, not even lifting his gaze, but the old woman curiously looked at Shen Yi.
"That's good, that's good."
Liu Xiuje smiled awkwardly, feeling none of the ease he had when facing Li Xinhan, and signaled to Shen Yi, "You haven't met your senior brother Fang Heng yet."
Upon hearing this, Fang Heng replied indifferently, "There's no need for the 'senior brother' title, just call me by my name."
At these words, Liu Xiuje felt slightly embarrassed, but he sighed inwardly.
Indeed, with just one letter, how could one possibly grasp such a great opportunity?
"You brat, can't you look at people when you speak?" The old woman slapped the young man's head.
Fang Heng seemed accustomed to it, raising his head and pointing to the smallest side room, "Stay there first, I'll repay what my senior sister owes you."
This time, it was Liu Xiuje who didn't understand.
Shen Yi silently heaved a sigh of relief, now he understood.
It was impossible to say that he had no expectations at all.
But with such a huge opportunity falling into his lap, he didn't dare to accept it.
Finally understanding the reason, he felt much more at ease.
Lin Baiwei had promised him two Jade Dew Realm martial arts techniques, one of which was Quadruple True Aura. He had thought that after the trouble was resolved, the other party might not remember this matter, or might just casually choose a Zhenmo Si martial art to complete the trade.
He never expected the other party to be so attentive.
Since the person before him was also a Commander-in-Chief's disciple and was being so solemn, the transmitted martial art should not be weaker than Quadruple True Aura.
"Oh."
Seeing that there was nothing else for him to do, Liu Xiuje cupped his hands in farewell, leaving behind a sympathetic look for Shen Yi.
Although he had reminded him earlier, being rejected so bluntly by Fang Heng, he imagined, must have left a big gap in his heart.
"..."
Shen Yi glared at the other party and turned to enter the small room.
The new clothing was made of silk satin, feeling smooth to the touch, and even the belt of an ordinary captain was inlaid with a precious jade, no wonder Zhang Butcher envied the luxury of the Zhenmo Si.
He tried it on, and it fit quite well.
Unfortunately, there wasn't a mirror.
After adjusting his sleeves, Shen Yi reached out and picked up the small medicine bottle.
Liu Xiuje didn't explain clearly before leaving.
Was this the so-called treasure medicine?
Shen Yi hung the badge around his neck, picked up the black blade, and was about to leave.
But he heard the old woman's voice from outside, "Young man, come out for dinner quickly."
(End of Chapter)
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