"Demon Slayer Division?"
Wang Xuan raised an eyebrow.
It was his first time hearing that name.
At Chen Feng's words, longing appeared on his face before he began to explain.
"The Demon Slayer Division is an organization of our Great Yuan Dynasty independent of the military. They specialize in handling all matters involving demons, monsters, and Heretical Sects within the dynasty."
"This investigation was ordered by the Demon Slayer Division. We're only assisting with the search—the people who will truly handle it are from the Demon Slayer Division!"
"The Demon Slayer Division holds enormous authority, with the power to execute first and report afterward!"
"And I've heard there are countless martial arts manuals within the Demon Slayer Division, free to study and practice!"
"If one could enter the Demon Slayer Division, that would be true glory!"
Wang Xuan frowned. "Then... it probably isn't easy to get in, is it?"
The Demon Slayer Division dealt with demons and monsters. Their recruitment standards had to be extremely high; ordinary people probably could not get in even if they cracked their heads trying.
Chen Feng nodded. "That's right."
"I heard that the minimum standard for recruitment is the Entangling Serpent Realm!"
"Of course, those blessed with extraordinary talent may also be given the chance to enter early for training. After all, neither sects nor the Demon Slayer Division would pass up a martial arts genius."
"By the way, Little Shi, you don't know how martial artist realms are divided yet, do you?"
Wang Xuan shook his head, pretending not to know.
Chen Feng proceeded to explain further.
The two chatted about many things. Wang Xuan learned quite a bit about the Martial Path, the forces within the county town, the current state of affairs in the dynasty, and more.
"I think it would be best if your archery skills could get you into the military."
"With your abilities, you'll rise straight into the blue clouds sooner or later. And if the two of us are together, we can look out for each other!"
"If you want to go, we'll head to the county town tomorrow. I'll recommend you to the Centurion. Once he sees what you can do, you'll definitely be put to good use!"
After chatting for half the day, Chen Feng spoke solemnly.
Whether because of the friendship between their families or because he and Wang Xuan had grown up together bare-assed since childhood, as close as brothers, he hoped Wang Xuan could enter the military camp.
Wang Xuan pondered briefly, then nodded. "All right. Then thank you, Brother Feng."
Chen Feng slung an arm around Wang Xuan's shoulders and laughed. "Why thank me? Did you forget how the two of us used to fish in the river bare-assed?"
The two looked at each other and burst into laughter.
"By the way, Brother Feng, I hope you won't mention me to anyone regarding what happened today."
Wang Xuan said this solemnly.
"Why?"
"You helped kill a Demon-Human from the Pity Life Sect. That's a tremendous achievement, and an extremely important merit for you!"
Chen Feng did not understand.
With such a great contribution, others would scramble to claim it, yet Wang Xuan did not want it. He truly could not understand why.
Wang Xuan smiled bitterly. "Brother Feng, I was originally just a hunter. I somehow became a martial artist, but in the end, I have no backing."
"You're in the military camp now. You killed someone from the Pity Life Sect, so they wouldn't dare trouble you. But I'm different."
"My strength is still too weak. In the eyes of the Pity Life Sect, I'm nothing more than an ant they can crush to death with a casual pinch!"
"If they learn about what happened today, I'm afraid..."
Hearing this, Chen Feng could not help nodding.
"You're right. I hadn't considered that."
"The Pity Life Sect has recently appeared in White Water County. They likely already have a base here. If this matter gets spread around, it might harm you instead!"
"Don't worry. I'll keep it secret for you!"
Chen Feng then raised his head and said, "Listen up, brothers. As for what happened today, we'll say that we killed the Pity Life Sect Demon-Human ourselves."
"As for this brother of mine, not half a word about him is to be spoken outside. Understood?"
Everyone nodded in reply. "Rest assured, sir."
"We know what to do. We definitely won't say anything."
Chen Feng nodded.
"Sir, this fellow's corpse has been dealt with. The brothers have mostly recovered as well. We can leave now."
One of the men handling Hou Feng's corpse said at this moment.
Having killed a Demon-Human, they naturally would not leave the corpse here. They had to take it back after processing it as evidence.
"Little Shi, it's getting late. Do you want to head down the mountain with me?"
Chen Feng asked.
Wang Xuan shook his head. "No need."
"I still want to stay in the mountains for a while."
"Oh, right, Brother Feng, could you leave me some arrows? All the arrows I had before were destroyed."
At this, Chen Feng smiled. "Sure."
"But I can't give you a bow. These bows belong to the military camp. If I hand one over to you, I won't be able to bear the responsibility when they hold me accountable."
As he spoke, the archer beside him handed all eleven remaining arrows to Wang Xuan.
"Then I'll take the men and leave first."
"I'll come to your home tomorrow."
After giving this instruction, Chen Feng had the men carry Hou Feng's Demonized corpse away from the forest.
Wang Xuan watched Chen Feng leave and let out a long breath.
"What happened today must never happen again!"
"I need to become stronger!"
Wang Xuan clenched his fists tightly, fury surging in his eyes!
If he had not run into Chen Feng today, he probably would have truly died here!
"I'll head home first. After resting for a while, I'll continue practicing my swordsmanship and saber techniques!"
Wang Xuan covered his still-aching chest and quickly headed down the mountain for home. On the way back, he also caught two wild chickens.
Inside the courtyard.
Lu Yao was carefully doing needlework.
Creak!
The courtyard gate was pushed open, and Wang Xuan walked in.
"Sister-in-law, I'm back."
Wang Xuan called out.
"Brother Shi, you're back!"
"You..."
Hearing his voice and seeing Wang Xuan, Lu Yao was instantly overjoyed!
But in the next instant, her gaze fell upon Wang Xuan's chest.
His clothes had been torn apart, and there was still blood on his chest.
Lu Yao's eyes instantly reddened, and tears immediately began to stream down her face.
"You... what happened to you?"
"Why is there blood on your clothes? Are you hurt?"
Lu Yao spoke in a trembling voice, choked with sobs.
Wang Xuan hurriedly comforted her. "It's just a small injury. It's nothing serious. I'll be fine after resting for two days!"
"Oh, right, Sister-in-law, I've gathered enough money to repay Zhou Bapi, and enough for the taxes too."
"Look."
Wang Xuan took out fifteen taels of silver from the money he had gotten from Shi Yong's home and handed it to Lu Yao.
Looking at the silver handed to her, Lu Yao froze. In a daze, she said, "Th-this is so much money. Where did you get it?"
Wang Xuan said, "You don't need to worry about that."
"Don't worry, Sister-in-law. This money is clean. Just accept it without concern."
"Oh, and there are also these two wild chickens."
"I caught them on the way back."
He handed over the wild chickens as well.
Lu Yao's eyes were red as she looked at the silver and the wild chickens. There was not the slightest joy in her eyes. Instead, her small hand kept clutching Wang Xuan's clothes, filled with worry.
"Don't do this again."
"If something happens to you, what am I supposed to do?"
Seeing that Lu Yao was about to cry again, Wang Xuan continued comforting her. "All right, all right, Sister-in-law, don't cry."
"Today was just an accident. It won't happen again. Please hurry and make dinner. I'm starving!"
Lu Yao wiped away her tears and nodded.
Just then.
A sudden commotion came from outside the courtyard.
Immediately afterward, urgent knocking sounded at the door.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Who is it?"
Wang Xuan frowned.
"Wang Xuan, open the door!"
"I'm Liu San. I need to talk to you!"
Liu San's voice came from outside.
Lu Yao immediately grew nervous. "Could Master Zhou have sent people over?"
Wang Xuan comforted her. "It's all right, Sister-in-law."
"Put the things away. I'll open the door."
As he spoke, Wang Xuan handed the silver and wild chickens to Lu Yao, then turned and went to open the gate.
Quite a few people were standing outside the gate.
Farther away, many villagers had come along to watch the excitement.
When Wang Xuan saw those outside, a cold glint flashed through his eyes.
Besides Liu San and the others who had once followed Shi Yong, there was also a man in fitted martial clothing with gloomy eyes.
He was Shi Yong's younger brother.
Shi Qian!
When Liu San saw the gate suddenly open, he immediately wanted to berate Wang Xuan, but he came face-to-face with Wang Xuan's cold gaze.
His words caught in his throat, and a trace of fear welled up in his eyes.
Wang Xuan glanced at them and frowned. "What is it?"
Liu San was intimidated by Wang Xuan's gaze, but then he remembered Shi Qian standing behind him and found some courage again. "Wang Xuan, when you went into the mountains to hunt this morning, did you run into Brother Shi Yong?"
"Shi Yong?"
"No. Why?"
Wang Xuan denied it.
"Quit pretending! Brother Shi Yong was found dead in the mountains today. We've already asked everyone—you're the only person in the whole village who went into the mountains today. How could you possibly not have seen him!"
"What? Shi Yong is dead?"
Wang Xuan pretended to be shocked, his eyes widening. "H-he... how did he die?"
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