https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-625-Shen-Zongzhu-the-Unemployed-Wanderer/12947027/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-627-He-s-Not-Stupid-But-Are-You-Smart-/12947029/
Chapter 626: Returning to the Old Ways
Chapter 626: Returning to the Old Ways
"..."
Not only was Shen Yi taken aback, but even the onlookers were stunned.
He had merely mentioned it casually, after all, in business, it's all about making offers and negotiating.
Having just arrived in the Divine Land, he already had two major troubles on his hands.
First was the matter of assassinating an immortal, which, if discovered by the Immortal Court, would be considered as an act of rebellion, a grave crime punishable by a thousand cuts.
The second issue was Zilin, a woman who, in order to protect her reputation, would not even spare her biological father, let alone the other beings in Hongze.
To resolve these two problems, one needed either sufficient strength or a high enough status.
Tsk, finding even a job was difficult, let alone improving one's status.
As for strength...
After reaching the Unification of Dao realm, cultivators would earn the title of 'Scattered Immortal'.
It sounded impressive, with the word 'immortal' attached to it, but the crucial part was the word 'scattered'.
Without a master or connections, one couldn't enter the Immortal Court to hold office. For a lifetime, they could only be a wandering immortal.
According to the notes left by the Eastern Dragon King,
The most orthodox path was through the Bodhimanda Sect and the Tri-Immortal Sect of the Three Teachings, a direct path to the heavens and a promising future.
The next best option was to have studied the Dharma in these two sects and then forge a new path, creating a small sect. While they might not become the top immortal sect, they could at least remove the 'scattered' label and become true immortals, or even attain the Taiyi Dao Fruit.
Shen Yi had just left Hongze, without any connections. His original plan was to join the Divine Dynasty first, gain an identity, and then learn about and interact with other immortal sect cultivators.
He never expected the Bodhimanda Sect disciple to agree so readily, leaving him a bit unsure.
Was this a trap?
Shen Yi's old habit of suspicion reared its head again.
"Then it's settled." The ascetic monk smiled and clasped his hands together, bowing once more towards Shen Yi, "My name is Zhikong, and I'll be relying on you, benefactor."
As the words fell, Zi Yang, who had been eager to agree on Shen Yi's behalf, now looked even more perplexed. He loosened his sleeve and transmitted a message, "No, are you really going?"
When had the heavens ever dropped a fortune into one's lap?
Shen Yi gave Zi Yang a sidelong glance and replied through a transmission, "Do I have another choice?"
He didn't mind following Zi Yang to visit various immortal sects to seek the Dao, but how long could the heavenly stable hold Zilin? Even if he learned these cooking skills and stayed in the Divine Dynasty, how could he compete with that woman in terms of status improvement?
Thinking of this, Shen Yi turned back to the ascetic monk and nodded slightly, "Please lead the way, Master."
"..."
Zi Yang watched helplessly as the two of them walked away, standing in place for a moment before finally stomping his foot and taking a step forward to follow them.
Although his strength was inferior to Master Shen's, he had a better understanding of the outside world and could at least provide some support.
Just then, Zi Yang felt his right arm being firmly grasped, and no matter how he struggled, he couldn't move an inch.
"Don't bother struggling, I'm an Eighth Rank Immortal."
Hearing the lazy, hoarse voice in his ear, Zi Yang turned to see that it was the short Land God who had grabbed him.
The Land God's rank wasn't particularly dangerous, but it was also difficult to get promoted. Reaching the Eighth Rank was a testament to the Land God's extensive experience.
"That man has wind in his blood, he's not a good person. Stay out of these matters and focus on your duties as the Prayer for Rain Envoy."
The Land God of Jianyang Prefecture had his eyebrows lowered, looking listless as he pulled Zi Yang back to the Land God Temple.
"You know nothing," Zi Yang retorted. He was well aware of how much blood Master Shen had on his hands, but he didn't know the reason behind it.
He would never forget the gentle expression on that youth in a black robe as he stepped into the Eastern Dragon Palace and gently closed his father's eyes.
Angry as he was, Zi Yang immediately realized something was amiss as soon as he spoke, and his face turned awkward.
As a wild dragon from a remote great marsh, he had no right to speak disrespectfully to an Eighth Rank Immortal.
However, the Land God merely glanced at him and raised the wooden cane in his hand, tapping Zi Yang's forehead lightly, "I'll let it go this time, considering your clan's lack of brains."
Hearing this, Zi Yang was taken aback for a moment before finally understanding.
So, this Land God was also an acquaintance of his father?
Zi Yang quickly forced a smile, "This kid speaks without thinking, but he means no harm. Please, Land God, help him find a suitable job in Jianyang Prefecture."
The Land God's expression remained unchanged, and he said calmly, "It's too late."
This simple statement made Zi Yang's heart skip a beat, "What do you mean, Land God?"
The old man lifted his eyes slightly, "There aren't many demons and evildoers in Jianyang Prefecture. This is an internal matter of the Bodhimanda Sect. A brutal gang that dares to steal the sect's cultivation methods is not something a newly descended mountain brat can handle."
"Of course, that monk may lack experience, but his abilities are genuine. As for your brother... it's best if he's truly skilled at subduing demons."
The Earth God didn't say another word and leisurely entered the temple.
Only Zi Yang was left, his face turning pale as he looked back, but there was no trace of Master Meng.
...
In the western part of Jianyang City, a monk stood with a young man in front of a bustling tavern. After a moment, a young couple arrived.
"These two are from the Ziyun Sect, on a mission to hone their skills in the mortal world. They are experts in detecting spiritual energy and have come to assist at my request. This is Shen Yi from the Nanyang Sect, a renowned demon-slayer."
Standing between them, the monk introduced them, "Thank you, patrons."
Nanyang Sect?
The young couple pondered for a moment, then awkwardly and perfunctorily clasped their hands, "We've heard of your great name... It's our honor to help Master Zhikuang, please don't mention it again."
They didn't intend to engage in small talk with Shen Yi, and the woman even glanced at him with apprehension, as if worried about stealing the spotlight from Master Zhikuang.
This was a rare opportunity to befriend members of the Bodhimanda Sect, and they needed to seize it.
If they could establish a good relationship with the Bodhimanda Sect, this trip wouldn't be in vain, and they would have something to boast about when they returned to their sect.
As for the demon-slayer... it seemed that only Master Zhikuang in the Divine Dynasty would believe that a scattered immortal could be a demon-slayer.
"We've already located the person, Master, please follow us."
The man slightly stepped aside, blocking Shen Yi's path. Shen Yi, who already had little presence, simply acted like an invisible man.
His Dao companion had worked hard, and now a newcomer wanted to take advantage of their efforts. It was a bit too much.
Shen Yi silently followed behind, with no intention of competing for attention.
In his opinion, the best outcome would be to do nothing and directly obtain the cultivation technique, that would be truly satisfying.
Led by the Dao couple, the group walked through the long street and entered an increasingly secluded alley, stopping in front of an ordinary-looking door.
"Master Zhikuang, the demonic aura was detected here." The Dao couple tactfully stepped back half a step.
"Thank you, patron."
Master Zhikuang gently knocked on the door a few times, then politely waited outside.
Soon, the sound of creaking wood could be heard.
A woman cautiously opened the door a crack and peered outside. Upon seeing Master Zhikuang's attire, her eyes filled with panic, and she cautiously said, "You've come to the wrong place."
Before he could finish speaking, the door was slammed shut.
"This..."
Master Zhikuang stood at the door, palms pressed together, as if he hadn't had a chance to explain his purpose.
Although he hadn't interacted with many people on his trip down the mountain, he had always been able to receive alms. This was the first time he encountered such a situation.
After a moment of thought, he tried to make his expression more amiable and knocked on the door again, "Patron, I'm not a bad person, I just have a question..."
Before he could finish speaking, the door was flung open.
A ruffian-like man rushed out, without saying a word, he started punching and kicking, pushing Master Zhikuang out while cursing, "I said you're at the wrong place! Go beg elsewhere, there's no leftover food here!"
With Master Zhikuang's cultivation level, even a slight release of his aura would be enough to shatter this man into mincemeat.
But he was filled with shock, continuously retreating while protecting the man, and stammered, "I... I'm not here for alms..."
However, the man didn't give him a chance to finish and pushed him down the steps, slamming the door shut again.
"..."
Master Zhikuang turned to look at the Dao couple.
The Dao couple also exchanged glances, feeling awkward. As cultivators from an immortal sect, they had expected respect during their mortal trial, but they had never experienced such humiliation.
If it were a demonic cultivator, they would have directly slashed them with a sword.
But this was Jianyang City, and the person was just an ordinary mortal, without any demonic aura.
"How about I get some mortal money?"
"I have plenty of immortal jade."
The Dao couple forced a smile, using wealth to open doors was never a bad idea.
The woman took out a jade treasure and handed it to Master Zhikuang.
"I..."
Master Zhikuang reached out to accept the jade, feeling a bit uncomfortable. It was said that immortals and mortals should be separate, and it was taboo for cultivators to casually give wealth to mortals or interfere in mortal affairs.
Just then, he finally noticed the black-robed youth standing not far away.
The young man named Shen Yi stood silently, his fair and handsome face registering a hint of bewilderment. He stared at the three of them with a peculiar gaze, as if... as if he were looking at idiots.
"Senior Shen, do you have a way to deal with this?" Zhike asked, seeking help.
Shen Yi closed his eyes and exhaled. Then, without using his cultivation, he took a step forward and snatched the jade token from Zhike's hand.
In the next moment, to the stunned gazes of the three, he kicked the wooden door open with a swift motion.
Boom!
The couple, who had been eavesdropping behind the door, were caught off guard and flew out.
Before they hit the ground, the woman started screaming like a pig being slaughtered, "Murder! Murder! The monk is killing people! Quick, report to the officials!"
The man rolled on the ground a few times, then charged forward in a frenzy, intending to use the same moves he had used on Zhike on Shen Yi.
But just as he rushed forward, his neck was tightly grasped by five slender fingers.
Looking at the expressionless, handsome face of the black-robed youth, he was engulfed by a surging killing intent. The man suddenly lost his voice, and his pants became wet with fear.
"Madness... Why attack ordinary people in Jianyang Prefecture for no reason?" Zhike and his companion swallowed their saliva. If this matter reached the magistrate, not only would they be in trouble, but even the Ziyun Sect behind them would suffer.
Did they really think that the Heavenly Emperor's jurisdiction over the Divine Land was just a joke?
The reason ordinary people could treat cultivators with such nonchalance was not due to anything else but the court's ruthless methods.
It was a strict rule that cultivators should not interfere in mortal affairs.
Zhike finally regained his senses and stepped forward to stop Shen Yi.
However, Shen Yi had already grabbed the man and walked slowly towards the woman. He slightly bent down, extended his palm, and shook the jade token in front of her eyes.
Without saying a word, the woman stared at the token, struggling to decipher the obscure text on it. Then, she looked at the youth, sensing the familiar aura he carried, and her voice became stuttered.
Without having bullied hundreds of street vendors, one would never develop such an unyielding and fearless demeanor.
"O-Official..."
"Do you want to confess, or should I search you myself?" Shen Yi put away the token and casually threw the man to the ground, his expression calm.
"We really didn't do anything, official! Please investigate!" The couple had already knelt on the ground, banging their heads repeatedly.
Shen Yi glanced at them indifferently and walked into the inner room, leaving behind the indifferent words, "I'll search and find one place, and I'll need your hand."
Hearing this, the couple lifted their heads, their faces filled with fear.
To be honest, using Dao cultivation to deal with two ordinary people was indeed a bit embarrassing.
But with Shen Yi's current strength, even the slightest movement of the couple's facial hair wouldn't escape his perception.
Following the man's change in expression, Shen Yi walked straight to the corner of the bedroom. He gently crushed the wall, revealing the altar and the deity statue covered in red cloth.
Shen Yi lifted the cloth, gazing at the rat deity statue with lowered eyes, and said softly, "One place."
The couple, who had just rushed in, instantly went limp and knelt on the ground, their faces turning deathly pale.
Shen Yi turned and walked towards the bed. He smashed the bedboard with his hand and retrieved a small gilded booklet, casually slapping it on the man's face, "Two places."
This was the valuable experience he had gained from extorting the people in his past life.
These people always hid things in the same places; he could find them without even thinking.
Shen Yi stopped searching; after all, a person only had two hands.
He stepped over the trembling couple and reached for the waists of the three people standing by the door, who were as stiff as if struck by lightning. He drew a fairy sword from the sheath of the couple.
Holding the sword in one hand and pulling the man up with the other, Shen Yi slammed him onto the table.
The entire process was as smooth as flowing water, leaving no doubt that he had done this countless times before.
Under the cold glow of the sword, the room finally echoed with pig-like screams.
The man's hair stood on end, and he almost broke his voice, "I'll talk!"
Shen Yi released the man's neck and threw the fairy sword back to his Dao companion. He calmly sat down in the chair, poured himself a cup of warm water, and took a sip before glancing at the monk by the door, "Ask."
It was truly absurd. If not for leaving Hongze, he would never have believed that there could be a being comparable to a true immortal, blocked by a small wooden door.
He almost laughed at Shen Yi's audacity.
"Huh?"
Zhike, the master, had his mouth wide open, staring blankly at the jade token on the table.
If it weren't for Shen Yi taking it from his hand, even he would have believed that Shen Yi was a genuine official of the Divine Dynasty, given his demeanor and actions.
(End of Chapter)
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