https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-72-A-Fierce-Battle-Against-Fang-Heng/12553907/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-74-A-Figure-at-the-Sword-Viewing-Peak/12553909/
Chapter 73: Returning to Linjiang County
Chapter 73: Returning to Linjiang County
"What's the difference between body-tempering techniques?"
In the courtyard, Shen Yi took a leisurely stroll to aid his digestion, a habitual post-meal ritual.
"There are plenty," Zhang the Butcher replied knowledgeably, "Like the Vajra Sect's Qi-Infused Body Tempering, or the Accumulated Food Tempering, and Essence-Blood Tempering..."
Zhang the Butcher had a deep understanding of these matters and casually elaborated, "However, typically, once you reach the Jade Liquid realm, you won't find many similar martial arts practices, so most are Initial Realm martial arts."
"Why is that?" Shen Yi asked, not fully comprehending.
From his perspective, it felt like a rather excellent method—cultivating both inner qi and physical body, surely it would overwhelm those at the same realm.
"Because of lifespan," Zhang the Butcher shrugged. "Before entering the Jade Liquid realm, one's lifespan is only about a hundred years old. But after breaking through, you can extend your life by another hundred years, and upon perfection, yet another hundred. While body-tempering techniques may grant you strength comparable to the Jade Liquid realm, without the nourishment of the heavens and earth's qi to your organs, it won't extend your lifespan."
"If one cultivates both, these time-consuming and laborious practices become somewhat pointless. It's more practical to learn a few more light-bodied fist and palm techniques."
Shen Yi nodded thoughtfully, enlightened by Zhang's words.
Perhaps it was due to his previous experience in interpreting martial arts.
For him, the amount of demon and monster lifespan required for the Golden Yang Eight Treasures Mystical Body was far less compared to other Jade Liquid realm martial arts.
In reality, it would take him over forty years to perfect it, and regardless of talent, without the aid of medicinal power, others would require the same amount of time.
But that wasn't the case with other martial arts.
He was just slower, that was all; others were much faster.
Just then, as the two chatted leisurely by the tree, a hurried figure entered the courtyard.
Li Mujin approached and sat down at the stone table, taking out a letter. Without paying any mind to the presence of a stranger, she looked directly at Shen Yi and said, "You're in trouble."
Her expression was solemn, leaving no doubt that she was joking.
"Do you know what's been happening at Qingfeng Mountain lately?"
Originally, when Zhang the Butcher saw a charming and coquettish beauty approaching, he had elbowed Shen Yi and winked. But upon hearing Li Mujin's words, his face suddenly changed.
Li Mujin fixed her gaze on Shen Yi's fair face, noticing that he didn't show any unusual emotions.
She sighed softly, "It seems you already know. I received news that the Linjiang County General has ordered the transfer of another 500 external camp members. Aside from the injured Li Xinhan and Ma Tao, the rest of us are on the list."
"My family has always been on good terms with Qingfeng Mountain, and we have quite a history... My father won't let us go."
"Moreover, it's been many years since Qingzhou has had to deal with a surround and suppress operation targeting a Condensation Realm expert. It's extremely dangerous, and no one can guarantee what might happen."
Li Mujin slowly opened the letter in her hand, her eyes shimmering.
"My family has arranged for a transfer order, so we can go and relax for a bit."
On the list were the names of Li Mujin, Liu Xijue, and Li Xiao'er, with only one blank space left.
"You're a smart person, and you've saved our lives. I don't want to beat around the bush—I can't make the decision on this matter... Come with me."
In just a few sentences, Li Mujin revealed the full extent of her family's power and influence.
Even if the Demon Subduing General personally requested people, they still had a way to withdraw beforehand.
For other captains, it was a matter of life and death, and they could only resign themselves to fate, but the Li family's offspring even had the leisure to consider their relationship with Qingfeng Mountain.
"..."
The more Zhang the Butcher listened, the more confused he became.
His expression changed from surprise to bewilderment.
He stared at the letter, his heart filled with questions. It was clearly a transfer order, but why did it sound like a contract of indentured servitude?
Shen Yi lowered his gaze, looking at the table, and didn't seem overly surprised.
He had vaguely anticipated this, but he didn't expect it to come so soon.
Li Mujin appeared calm, but her heart was stirred. In a gentle tone, she said, "The news came too suddenly. At most, we have half an hour before the deputy commander arrives with the handwritten order."
Now that such an opportunity had presented itself, she didn't intend to give him too much time to consider.
The Demon Subduing Division had finally bared its fangs.
They were forcing him into a corner, leaving him with no choice.
Li Xinhan's hand would inevitably gain another capable subordinate.
Shen Yi didn't even have a reason to blame them.
This was a document arranged by the Li family, and as juniors, they could only obey their elders.
The other superiors in the Demon Subduing Division weren't fools either.
During this period of turmoil, being suddenly transferred meant that Shen Yi's identity was no longer a secret.
Just then, she saw a hint of resignation in the young man's eyes.
Shen Yi closed the document and casually pushed it back, saying indifferently, "It's not suitable."
At these words, Li Mujin's heart skipped a beat, and she clenched her teeth, tightly gripping his wrist. As she raised her eyes, her expression showed a rare sign of loss, "Are you not being overly arrogant? People will die!"
Whether it was the huge gap from her imagination or the black blade that occasionally appeared in her mind.
Regardless, gambling with one's life, regardless of the reason, was an extremely foolish act!
This wasn't about slaying demons and eliminating harm for the common folk; it was the slaughter of sect disciples!
"...”
Shen Yi withdrew his hand, about to speak.
But he was interrupted by the faint sound of the door opening.
Fang Heng stepped out, his tone indifferent, "It's just a transfer order. Was it necessary to have your Li family sneak around to get it?"
Li Mujin's gaze swept over him, and her eyes narrowed slightly.
She hadn't expected that there was actually someone else in the courtyard.
If anyone else had said these words, Li Mujin wouldn't have taken them to heart. In all of Qingzhou, there were very few forces that could pull strings with the Demon Subduing General.
But the person before her was Fang Heng.
Among the generals guarding the twelve counties, his senior martial brothers and sisters occupied two positions.
"So that's how it is. I've made a fool of myself."
Li Mujin put away the document and looked back at Shen Yi.
She couldn't quite understand.
Just a few days ago, these two were at each other's throats. How did they end up together now?
So it wasn't a matter of each looking out for themselves.
It seemed that he had quietly attached himself to the most influential person in the Demon Subduing Division.
In comparison, the Li family did seem rather insignificant.
Li Mujin slowly rose to her feet, her gaze turning cold, "Since I'm of no use here, I'll take my leave."
Fang Heng walked to Shen Yi's side, a hint of delight in his eyes.
Shen Yi's casual actions seemed to bring him a step closer to becoming a disciple of the master...
Whether it was his senior martial brothers and sisters or himself, none of them had ever backed out of a battle.
But Fang Heng was willing to break with convention and seek help from his senior martial brother Bai. After all, Shen Yi had already proven his courage, and there was no need to take further risks.
To be honest, Shen Yi had only been in the Demon Subduing Division for a few days and hadn't even received a salary yet. Unlike Fang Heng, who had been groomed since childhood, there was no reason for Shen Yi to risk his life in battle.
The four of them stood under the tree, each with a different expression.
But suddenly, hurried footsteps could be heard from outside the door.
A deputy general, clad in a large cloak, led more than forty officers, their expressions stern as they stood at the doorway. The deputy general's voice carried an air of unquestionable authority, "By order, we are here to transfer Shen Yi, an officer of the Demon Subduing Outer Camp, to accompany me..."
His words trailed off as he frowned, his gaze shifting between Li Mujin and Fang Heng.
He suddenly felt his mouth go dry.
He had only expected to come and collect a minor officer, but he had not anticipated encountering so many familiar faces.
Li Mujin remained silent, and Fang Heng took a deep breath, feeling awkward as he tried to speak up for Shen Yi. It was rare for him to interact with others, and this was the first time he had intervened on someone's behalf.
But before he could finish, Shen Yi slightly sidestepped and used the sheath of his waist knife to push Fang Heng back.
With a calm expression, Shen Yi walked towards the courtyard gate and stood among the many officers, "I obey the order."
Shen Yi's thoughts were much simpler than Fang Heng and Li Mujin had assumed.
Unless he could see Evil Flood Dragon's death with his own eyes, the thought of a Condensation Realm demon lurking in the shadows, biding its time, made him feel uneasy.
Upon seeing this, the deputy general inexplicably relaxed.
However, Shen Yi's actions left the three people in the courtyard stunned.
Zhang the Butcher and Fang Heng looked at each other: "...”
Li Mujin stared at Shen Yi's figure among the crowd, her breath quickening.
Perhaps it was her upbringing, but she felt that everyone needed to rely on something to feel secure. Otherwise, one would always feel uneasy.
Even if there was back and forth, it was only to strive for greater benefits.
However, at this moment, the image of the black-robed figures, the pursuit into the mountains, the blood-soaked figure, and the casual way he had withdrawn the Dark Treasure Blade from Meng Xian's head, all flashed through her mind.
It seemed that from start to finish, neither the Li family nor the general had ever been in Shen Yi's considerations.
She bit her lip hard as she watched the officers walk away, a slight, imperceptible trace of loss appearing in her eyes.
(End of Chapter)
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