Attaining Immortality, Starting From Slaying Demons

Li Xinhan slowly reined in his expression.

Since his arrival in Baiyun County just a few days ago, he had recognized the putrid truth that the county was as foul as a cesspit.

The officials were in league with demons, causing chaos among the people, and certainly could not withstand close scrutiny.

Thus, he had formed quite a stereotypical impression of the local constables.

"Keep the noise down, first take him down, bring him back for a thorough interrogation, and be sure to find out the whereabouts of Lord Lin."

"Understood."

More than ten people quickly dispersed, subtly sealing off all the escape routes on the long street.

The old Liu, who was best at using hidden weapons, tossed away his sugar figurine stick and quietly approached the thatched side house.

The beggar followed closely behind, his palms hidden in his ripped sleeves, calloused and skilled in the art of grappling.

The two men, old partners in their craft, would normally use poisoned darts to ambush, then move in to bind their target. Most martial artists of the same level wouldn't last a single exchange against them.

Suddenly, the beggar noticed Old Liu had stopped in his tracks.

"What's wrong?"

He frowned and looked ahead, a glint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

He saw the house door wide open.

The handsome young man stood unperturbed at the door, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword, silently looking outside, clearly prepared for their arrival.

"All this commotion didn't escape his notice?"

The beggar was slightly surprised but didn't take it to heart—over the years, they had seen all manner of experts.

What's more, Li Xinhan, who stood not far off, was a true Jade Liquid Boundary expert.

What the beggar hadn't expected was for Old Liu to slowly retract his blow dart and say to the young man with a smile, "Sir, we meet again."

They had encountered each other once on the street that morning. The other party had clearly sensed something amiss but did not expose him.

Just one look had been enough to notice the change in the street vendor selling the sugar figurines. With such sharp instincts, it would be rather ridiculous to pretend to be submissive and attempt a sneak attack.

"What brings you two here?"

Shen Yi nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the two men.

He did not remember ever dealing with people from the jianghu, and his decision not to expose them that day was due to his reluctance to provoke them, not out of fear.

"We have important matters to discuss and would kindly ask Lord Shen to accompany us."

Old Liu politely took half a step back as the beggar understood the cue and suddenly darted forward. His palms were like a dragon piercing the clouds, his fingers like golden hooks, and he viciously aimed at his opponent's shoulders!

In an instant, his palms latched onto the other's shoulders, and his fingers forcefully dug in. With a fierce burst of strength from his arms, he attempted to throw his opponent to the ground.

"Ha!"

The beggar let out a shout, but his face unexpectedly flushed with color.

The other man stood firm, his feet as if glued to the ground. The force unleashed by the beggar's arms seemed to vanish into nothingness, eliciting no reaction at all.

The next moment, Shen Yi kicked the beggar in the abdomen.

The beggar screamed as he was thrown backward, turning several rolls in mid-air in a swift reaction, but still unable to fully dissipate the immense force, and ended up crashing into a pillar across the street.

A crack sounded, and the entire eatery shook violently twice.

Leaning against the pillar, his breathing erratic and veins on his forehead popping, he couldn't stand up again for a long time.

Seeing this, not only Old Liu but also everyone on the street became visibly tense.

When it came to close-quarter fighting, excluding Li Xinhan, the beggar was the strongest among them and he couldn't even withstand a single round?

"..."

Old Liu let out an awkward laugh and unconsciously took a few steps back.

He reached for his badge at his waist.

This was embarrassing; the Demon-suppression Bureau had come to this remote little county to make an arrest and now had to reveal their identity. It was a massive loss of face.

Just then, a hand stopped his motion.

Old Liu turned his head to see Li Xinhan had, at some point, come to his side. His brow was furrowed, and he seemed to be sniffing the air for an unusual scent.

"Did you see blood just now?"

Li Xinhan took a deep breath and, when he looked at Shen Yi again, his eyes filled with coldness.

At those words, the tense looks on everyone's faces turned into one of nervousness.

They had rushed to Baiyun County not for a routine inspection, but now all clues regarding Lord Lin pointed to the young man before them.

And to detect the scent of blood on the streets of the county town... It must have been serious for Li Xinhan to be so alert, certainly not mere chicken or pig blood.

All at once, everyone gathered around.

"..."

Shen Yi looked at the sudden crowd before him, his gaze landing on the conspicuous black shirt worn by Li Xinhan.

He had thought it was just a rat stirring trouble, but, unexpectedly, it turned out to be an old cat at the door.

These people had moved a bit too hastily.

Even if his predecessor had miraculously withstood Old Liu's blow, he would probably have been at his wits' end today.

"If you don't do anything wrong, you don't fear the knock at the door."

Somewhat relieved, Shen Yi lowered his hand and calmly responded, "Reporting to your excellency, it's demon blood."

Seeing him release the knife handle, the rest somehow breathed a sigh of relief and then exchanged glances.

The agents of the Demon-suppression Bureau held an unspoken pride towards the towns under Qingzhou, though they would never admit it.

Today, facing an ordinary bailiff, they actually felt a sense of dread, as if facing a formidable enemy, which would be laughable if spoken aloud.

"Why is there demon blood in your house?"

Li Xinhan's tone was forceful, his eyes sharp, with a hint of interrogation.

Shen Yi was unaccustomed to this manner of questioning, but he understood these people who daily fought with demons, risking their lives by strapping their heads to their belt, so expecting them to be amiable was indeed asking too much.

He stepped aside slightly, giving way.

Li Xinhan frowned again, about to shout in anger, but Old Liu nudged him with his shoulder. Read the latest on empire

"Shut your mouth, will you?"

He raised his eyes to look and quickly became like the others, struck by lightning, dumbfounded and rooted to the spot.

In the cramped room,

Lin Baiwei was seen walking out from the backyard, carrying a wooden basin for washing vegetables, blinking curiously towards the door.

The oversized and ill-fitting long robe on her was clearly that of a man.

It was glaringly obvious.

She smiled in slight surprise, "Why have you all come?"

Li Xinhan opened his mouth to speak but didn't dare to ask, clenching his fists he bowed and said, "This humble official, Li Xinhan, pays respect to Madam Lin!"

The others followed suit, and Old Liu smacked his lips, first incredulously glancing at Shen Yi before explaining, "Qingzhou hasn't received your correspondence for a month, so the family dispatched us to check on you."

"I appreciate your hard work, but I'm fine," Lin Baiwei replied, shaking her head with a trace of guilt.

"We shall escort you back to Qingzhou immediately," Li Xinhan said as he noticed something off about her energy.

"I want to visit home first… and, if possible, could I wait to eat dinner... Just put the lamb soup on the stove," Lin Baiwei said, biting her lip with a bit of embarrassment.

"At your command."

Seeing this, the people from the Demon-suppression Bureau couldn't help but smile.

This famous demon catcher was indeed as unpretentious as the rumors suggested, warm and approachable to everyone.

But soon, the smiles on their faces faded as they watched Lin Baiwei bustling in and out and the young man standing silently with his hands hanging down.

"..."

Not until the steaming meat soup was on the table did Shen Yi realize how difficult eating a meal could be.

More than a dozen people stood at the door, their cold gazes fixed on him, like demanding ghosts.

"I'm sorry."

Staring at each other, Lin Baiwei picked up on the awkwardness; they chewed the tender mutton that tasted as flavorless as wax.

She sighed and put down her chopsticks, "Take care of yourself."

"And you as well."

Shen Yi gave a fist salute, watching her merge into the crowd, as more than ten people disappeared at the end of the night.

He withdrew his gaze and looked at the empty room.

After a moment of silence, he shook his head with a chuckle.

How long had he been in this world to have already fostered such bad habits?

Indulgent.

Having finished the meal on the table, Shen Yi tidied up the bowls and chopsticks, then washed and hung up his outer garment.

He lay down in bed and slowly opened the panel.