Attaining Immortality, Starting From Slaying Demons

This title was mentioned casually by a beggar.

Chen Ji and the others hadn't reacted yet.

Zhang the Butcher, however, had snapped out of his surprise and then pinched his big belly hard.

It wasn't a hallucination!

But why?!

Zhang the Butcher was not envious of his friends, he simply couldn't understand.

Although he wasn't particularly interested in court affairs.

The General of Qingzhou was on the same level as the leaders of the major sects, and with the Demon-suppression Bureau's exceptionally independent status in the martial world, they could be unchallenged in Qingzhou.

To ordinary martial practitioners, they seemed more like characters in the rumors and stories told by storytellers during leisure time to lighten the mood.

How could they suddenly have something to do with someone close to him.

"Don't talk nonsense!"

Old Liu furrowed his brows and glared at the beggar.

Spreading rumors about unfounded matters, really, begging for so long seems to have left him with no filter.

He shook his head, looking back at Shen Yi with a wry smile, "Indeed, there was such a mention in the message to the General, but Officer Shen has been away all year, and no one knows when he will return, even if he does... Anyway, you'd best not get your hopes up too high."

Old Liu was an honest man, he didn't want Shen Yi to face a huge gap in expectations and end up emotionally troubled, wasting a potential martial talent.

He glanced casually to the side, and Zhang the Butcher, picking up the hint, scratched his head and entered the main hall, idly chatting with Chen Ji and the others.

"Officer Lin has been afflicted by demon magic and has been escorted out of Baiyun County by specialized personnel to seek the General and will not return to Qingzhou for the time being."

Old Liu lowered his voice, "Once you're in the Demon-suppression Bureau, we're all sworn brothers... These brothers are not afraid to take a blade for you, but they're also reluctant to see you skyrocket in status overnight, especially the newcomers. It's only human, please be understanding."

His words were simple but expressive.

It was less a warning than a reminder.

After a moment's contemplation, Shen Yi understood the meaning behind his words.
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The "talent" he had deliberately shown in front of Lin Baiwei had indeed made an impact.

But for every gain, there's a loss.

Despite the smiles on the faces in front of him... in reality, they probably weren't as happy as they appeared.

They were all individuals who exchanged their lives for achievements.

If he really put on airs as if he had made connections with high-ranking officials, it would be fine if his background was strong enough, but it would be asking for trouble if it wasn't.

"According to Li Xinhan's intention, you'll be sent back first. Everything else will proceed as usual. Don't let any word slip out. We'll make arrangements once both officers are back," said Old Liu, and then he fell silent.

Although Li Xinhan indeed could be dogmatic, he wasn't unkind. If Shen Yi had plans of his own, or felt that Li and the others were suppressing him, then that was all there was to say, and he could do as he pleased.

"I have no objections," Shen Yi shook his head.

He joined the Demon-suppression Bureau for two reasons: to have support when killing demons, and for martial arts and Precious Medicines.

The former would give him access to more information when facing demons, instead of being in the dark about anything beyond the county town as he was now.

With sufficient life force from the demons to sustain him.

And with the support of martial arts and Precious Medicines, he would improve much faster than fighting alone.

Compared to these tangible benefits, Shen Yi did not place much value on an empty reputation that for now, only seemed to attract troubles.

Just as the other party said, even if there were benefits, they could only be obtained upon the return of those in power.

Old Liu quietly observed the changes in his expression.

Seeing that Shen Yi had clear eyes and genuinely expressed no objection or concern, Old Liu noted his sincere indifference.

This reaction did surprise him.

Everybody understands that empty promises won't fill the belly, but when such a huge opportunity falls into one's lap, even if 99% of it is fake, how many can completely ignore it?

Of course, there was another possibility: the other party had already got the cake and was eating it too.

"Damn, you didn't really score with Officer Lin, did you!"

Recalling Lin Baiwei's oversized clothes from the day before, Old Liu gnashed his teeth in frustration, his unwavering belief suddenly starting to waver.

The few men behind him hastily knocked him to the ground: "Have you lost your damn mind!"

Spreading rumors about a demon-catching person, if those ascetics who linger around the demon lairs every day heard this, they would skin the boy alive.

"We are out on official business, just making a quick trip to Baiyun County, and we're in a hurry, so you should go home and pack up; you can then come with us."

The beggar pinned Old Liu's face to the ground, and helplessly smiled at Shen Yi.

...

Outside the yamen.

A few chosen young and robust fellows clenched their fists with excitement.

In a world plagued by demons, mastering some martial skills is undoubtedly the fastest way to improve one's status.

Today, they may be just ordinary laborers and soldiers, but if they can pass the Demon-suppression Bureau's training, when they return to Baiyun County, even the county magistrate would have to greet them with politeness.

With that thought, they couldn't help but look towards the young man in front.

Nobody was blind or deaf; although they couldn't hear clearly what those Colonels were saying to him, the attitude spoke volumes.

Officer Shen was clearly not like them, going for training.

It was a pity that they had no close relationship with him in ordinary times, and it felt a bit awkward to establish ties now... but at the very least, they shared the identity of being from the same hometown, which meant that in the Demon-suppression Bureau they could count on slightly more favor.

"Officer Shen, I still need to go home to spend some more time with my mother and to comfort my wife," said one man.

It was Niu Da, who had a relatively closer relationship with Shen Yi, and didn't harbor many other concerns, who was in a hurry to return home. After scratching his groin, he said his piece and was ready to bolt.

Chen Ji had long felt that Shen Yi was not an ordinary person and even believed that if the General really took him as a disciple, it wouldn't be surprising.

Whether it was the trials or just going in to work, it was just a matter of time.

"Officer Shen..." he gave a cupped fist salute.

"That's enough." Shen Yi collected his thoughts and waved his hand.

He was finally able to shed these official robes, putting an end to all the nonsense his predecessor had done.

There was no need to continue being called 'Officer' since he would no longer serve at the yamen.

However, he felt a twinge of emotion watching Niu Da's retreating back.

Leaving one's hometown was indeed a matter of many worries and sorrows.

Shen Yi also tried hard to muster some sorrow but, after a careful thought, he realized he had no family to bid farewell to, no home to remember, and even the side-house he lived in belonged to the yamen.

He had only two friends he could talk to, one was traveling with him, and the other...

Shen Yi turned around to glance at Zhang the Butcher who followed behind with a sly grin, recalling his previous words about going back to Qingzhou to visit his old flame.

Well, the other was most likely traveling with him too.

He certainly couldn't bid farewell to Xin Han's old mother.

"Let's go, to the tavern." Shen Yi flicked the banknote in his hand.

"I'm in, I'm in. I've been craving something tasty for days, let's find three to play the flute and sing songs," Zhang the Butcher enthusiastically slapped his belly.

"..."

Who brings banknotes to a tavern?

Chen Ji took out the silver ingot from his waist and sighed, "Two will do, I don't need any."

"No worries, I'll take two," Zhang the Butcher said heartily, patting his shoulder.