https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-55-Wind-Thunder-Sun-Melt-Scripture/12940924/
Chapter 56: My Expertise in Slaying Demons
Chapter 56: My Expertise in Slaying Demons
The Qingzhou Demon Suppression Command's External Affairs Hall stood tall with its grey tiles and white walls, the red lacquered doors wide open as figures came and went, all with hurried expressions on their faces.
Shen Yi silently observed his surroundings.
Although they all wore midnight silk robes, more than sixty percent of them lacked the cloud motifs on their sleeves.
Their average age seemed to be around forty.
The aura they carried was indeed that of the Initial Realm, but it was slightly unstable, barely crossing that threshold.
Were these the Demon-Slaying Commanders who took 'medicinal baths', as mentioned by Zhang the Butcher?
On the contrary, the few who passed by wearing cloud-patterned robes were younger, and their gazes carried a sharper edge.
"There are three thousand in the inner camp and over eight thousand in the outer camp, totaling over ten thousand brothers-in-arms. They are responsible for the safety of Qingzhou's twelve counties and three hundred forty-two cities."
The beggar walked over, a hint of awe in his voice.
"Excluding the necessary two thousand five hundred inner camp warriors to guard Qingzhou, on average, every twenty of us are responsible for a city. So, our manpower basically matches this number. When a Deputy Commander goes out on a mission, they usually take around twenty Commanders. Even if they encounter an insurmountable crisis and everyone, including themselves, perishes, the loss won't be too significant."
After listening to their conversation for a while, Shen Yi also learned the beggar's name.
Looking at Matao's nonchalant attitude, Shen Yi couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
It seemed that the annihilation of the entire army was a normal occurrence in his eyes.
From the situation, it seemed that to become a Deputy Commander and lead a team independently, one would need to be at least a Jade Dew Realm expert. In Baiyun County, that would make them a local overlord. How could this be considered a minor loss?
"But don't worry, as long as you don't die without a trace, within half a month, someone from home will come to avenge you."
Matao opened his mouth, sighing, "The Demon Suppression General in Yushan Prefecture was ambushed and killed by the three major sects there. They thought they had done it perfectly, but the Commander-in-Chief's second disciple brought a thousand men and, in just six days, collected twenty-three thousand heads. It's said that the heads are still piled up at the city gate."
Shen Yi pursed her lips, taking note of the formidable and ruthless nature of the Demon Suppression Command.
She recalled her current strength and thought that even if she didn't seek official rank, she should at least be able to protect herself. However, the world was more chaotic than she imagined. Not only were the lives of ordinary people at stake, but even those with great reputations could die unexpectedly.
"Hey, what are you good at?"
Li Mujin stepped out of the government office, looking at the group outside. "Tracking and exploring secrets? Long-distance assaults?... Oh, aren't you quite skilled in close combat and capturing demonic beings?"
Remembering how Shen Yi had embarrassed Fang Heng, her last sentence carried a hint of curiosity.
Upon hearing this, Liu Xiuji and Matao stood in place, astonished.
Matao shrugged and awkwardly clenched his fists.
If two people in a team had similar martial arts skills, and one was significantly better than the other, the lesser one would seem redundant.
Noticing Shen Yi's confusion, Matao sighed, quickly composed himself, and explained, "Just make a record. If Li Head encounters an accident and you're lucky enough to survive, it'll be convenient for other Deputy Commanders to choose their team members. Don't worry about anything else; just state which martial art you're most proficient in."
"Is that so?"
Shen Yi pondered, silently searching within himself, and soon, a faint look of hesitation appeared on his face.
Seeing this, the others looked on with slight confusion.
What was there to think about? Shouldn't one know their primary and secondary martial arts, their entry and mastery levels?
After a moment, Shen Yi raised his head, sounding uncertain, "Slaying demons?"
Eight Treasure Mystic Body, Greedy Wolf Evil Slayer, Heavenly Blood Aura Sword Technique, Pulse Severing Dragon Capture...
It seemed difficult to determine which was stronger; they all seemed useful.
Hearing his response, Liu Xiuji and Matao were both stunned.
"Ha!"
Li Mujin stood frozen, then covered her belly as she laughed, her body shaking with mirth. Turning around, she went inside, "Alright, write it down. He says he's good at slaying demons."
After a while, Li Xinhan finished the registration and slowly walked out, casting a somewhat helpless glance at Shen Yi.
Ever since they were in Baiyun County, he knew that Shen Yi's cultivation was too varied, but he never expected that he didn't even have a main focus. Should he invite a Clan Guardian to examine Shen Yi's talent and guide his future path?
"Little Er, go arrange for a carriage. We're heading to Linjiang Prefecture, Shuiyun Township."
Li Xinhan gathered his thoughts and nodded, and the small man, who was as short as a child, bowed and silently left.
Li Xinhan led the group out of the Demon Suppression Bureau.
"Li Tou seems a bit nervous."
Liu Xiuje noticed his uneasiness and spoke softly, "He has a low position, and all the good tasks are taken by other deputy commanders. Rescuing Lord Lin is a meritorious deed, but we couldn't publicize it before he returned."
"If we calculate the merits, and handle one more demon disaster related to the Jade Dew Realm, Li Tou could be promoted to deputy commander... I wonder if we'll have any success this time."
When they mentioned merits, the eyes of these two brothers, who had been working together for many years, lit up.
After all, they were both from prestigious families and joined the Demon Suppression Bureau to make a name for themselves.
It was then that Shen Yi noticed that both of them had two cloud patterns on their cuffs, indicating that Li Xinhan was indeed eager for merits, and even his subordinates had benefited from it.
"Don't be envious. As long as you participate in five Jade Dew Realm demon incidents or achieve the primary merit once, you can add another pattern. By then, receiving an inner cultivation technique will be a natural progression."
As they stepped out of the Demon Suppression Bureau's main gate and onto the long street, the two of them skillfully hid their smiles.
Wherever they passed, pedestrians stopped and made way.
After the group moved away, the pedestrians resumed their tasks.
They walked all the way to the majestic city tower, where Liao Er was already waiting, leading a demonic horse.
"This is our scout. He can travel back and forth between Baiyun County and Qingzhou City in just one day. If you ever need to send a message, he's your man."
Liu Xiuje jumped onto the carriage and joked.
Liao Er glared at him and then politely nodded to Shen Yi, saying concisely, "I can deliver it quickly."
As everyone settled into the carriage, Li Mujin pulled the reins and rode at the front.
Shen Yi sat in the carriage, slightly enlightened.
Even the seating arrangement had its rules.
Only those with the highest cultivation levels could maintain their alertness for extended periods and react promptly in unexpected situations.
"..."
Li Xinhan leaned against the carriage, his hands clasped together, fingertips rapidly tapping on the back of his hand.
He looked deeply troubled.
"It's not that bad." Matao waved his hand in front of Li Xinhan's eyes. "We have fewer people this time, but it's just a matter of finding a few people in Shuiyun Township."
Liu Xiuje took the opportunity to brief Shen Yi on their mission, "Several captains went to Shuiyun Township for supervision. According to the rules, they should send a letter back to their families every 15th day, but we haven't received any news from them... It shouldn't be a big problem. Shuiyun Township has a River God, and if something happened to the River God, the villagers would have rushed to Qingzhou by now."
Li Xinhan remained silent for a long time before taking out a bloodstained identity token from his pocket, "This was delivered by a government official from Linjiang Prefecture and just handed to me by the External Affairs Hall."
Then, he turned to Shen Yi, "I originally wanted to bring you out to get familiar with the situation... You have no experience fighting real demons, so be extra careful."
Upon hearing this, Liu Xiuje and Matao's breaths caught in their throats.
They were both aware of Shen Yi's slaying of the dog demon and ape demon in Baiyun County.
How could he say he had no experience?
So, it was the Jade Dew Realm? Matao recalled his earlier words about death and revenge, which he had said to lighten the mood, and now he looked at Shen Yi with slight apology.
"Pfft! I have a crow's mouth."
Shen Yi slightly leaned to the side, and Liao Er, expressionless, wiped the saliva from his face and silently looked at Matao.
(End of Chapter)
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