Solving a Simple Case

Chen Bin's figure flickered, and he had already brandished his blade and agilely leaped back three steps. His posture was light and graceful, skillfully evading the rain of blood.

In contrast, Chen Chong was not so lucky. He was drenched from head to toe in blood, looking utterly disheveled.

Immediately after, the two headless corpses crashed to the ground with a thud.

[Killed two Body Tempering Realm Tiger Demons, gained 17 Merit, remaining Merit: 461]

Fluffy hairs, like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, instantly pierced through their clothes.

The two tiger bodies grew larger, quickly tearing apart their clothes and revealing their true forms. Their massive bodies were easily ten feet long.

For a moment, the two large tigers lay in the courtyard. The Demonic Energy surged like a raging tide, instantly wreaking havoc in the courtyard, enveloping the entire area.

"This..." Chen Chong was so shocked he couldn't speak, his mouth agape, his eyes filled with terror.

Chen Bin calmly sheathed the Demon Suppression Blade, his movements steady and practiced. He then glanced at Chen Chong with a hint of apology in his expression and said, "Sorry, I thought you could dodge."

But Chen Chong wasn't concerned about that. He asked urgently, "How did you find them?"

"I found them long ago. I sensed a trace of Demonic Energy from them. I just didn't know what kind of demons they were or what they were doing here."

Chen Bin sighed softly and continued, "When I entered this courtyard and saw the tiger heads, and then the scattered corpses all over the yard, I understood. So I killed them!"

Chen Chong wiped the blood from his face and forced a smile, saying, "So that's how it is!"

As he spoke, he stepped forward and kicked the tiger demon corpses fiercely. A glint of excitement flashed in his eyes, and he said, "We're in for a treat. Tiger demon meat and blood are rare delicacies in the world. They can increase blood vitality."

"Is that so?" Chen Bin frowned, his eyes full of doubt.

"Of course!" Chen Chong said with certainty. "But they also have malevolent energy, especially demons that eat people. Their malevolent energy is even stronger."

Chen Bin became more curious and pressed, "Since people buy them, there must be someone who can deal with them!"

"Of course. Do you know about Blood Vitality Pills?"

Chen Bin instantly understood and asked, "You mean?"

Chen Chong didn't elaborate, merely nodding slightly. A simple hint was enough.

"Anything else?"

"They can also be sold for money."

"Sold for money?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Bin couldn't help but recall the tiger heads he had handed in yesterday.

"The tiger heads you brought back were from Jade Marrow Realm Perfection Tiger Demons. I heard the Demon Suppression Division sold them for a thousand taels of silver."

Chen Bin's eyes flashed upon hearing this, and he suddenly looked at Chen Chong.

"How many taels did you get?"

Chen Bin's expression instantly dimmed. "I only received a reward of ten taels."

He regretted it inwardly. What a miscalculation!

"That's how the yamen works," Chen Chong said with a helpless smile.

He then waved to the officers in the courtyard and said, "Go, carry the tiger demon corpses out for the frightened citizens to see, to reassure them. Then, take them back to the yamen to close the case."

"Yes!" The officers who were collecting the bodies immediately stepped forward. Eight strong officers who usually practiced martial arts diligently worked together to lift one tiger, walking steadily towards the gate.

Chen Bin narrowed his eyes, took a few steps forward, bent down, and picked up a jade pendant that had fallen after the tiger corpse was moved.

The jade pendant felt slightly warm in his hand. He gently weighed it, feeling a strange power slowly seep into his body from his palm, circulating twice within him.

However, strangely, nothing special seemed to happen to him.

"Judging by their clothes, they're so poor, yet they have such a fine jade pendant. This must be that 'Demon Sealing Ornament'!"

Chen Chong walked over, his face still bloody. He glanced at the jade pendant and confirmed, "It really is a 'Demon Sealing Ornament'."

Chen Bin looked at the 'Demon Sealing Ornament', a look of determination flashing in his eyes. He then tossed it high into the air.

The Demon Suppression Blade was unsheathed again. The two jade pendants in the air were cut in half by the blade, turning into four pieces. With two crisp sounds, they fell to the ground and shattered into countless small fragments.

"This..." Chen Chong's eyes widened in shock, his face full of disbelief. "Chen Bin, this thing is worth a lot of money!"

"Is that so?" Chen Bin's lips curved slightly into a faint smile. He sheathed the Demon Suppression Blade and said calmly, "It's a harmful thing. Selling it would only lead to more harm. What's the point of keeping it?"

If this thing were released, it would be sold to demons, earning ill-gotten gains.

Chen Chong listened thoughtfully. After a moment, he seemed to understand something and nodded heavily. "You're right."

After speaking, Chen Chong changed the subject and brought up other matters. "The tiger demon corpses need to be taken back to close the case, but I won't let you suffer. I will report to the County Magistrate, and a reward will be sent to you immediately."

Chen Bin didn't dwell on the matter. "As you wish. Just remember to give me that Footwork Technique. I'm eager to cultivate it."

"Let's go, why wait? Today's as good as any. Come back with me now," Chen Chong suggested enthusiastically.

Chen Bin nodded, indicating he had no objections.

With their agreement settled, Chen Chong walked towards the well, preparing to draw water to wash his face.

He drew the water and was just about to start washing when he suddenly let out an angry roar, hurling the bucket to the ground. He cursed, "Damn it, there's a head in the water!"

Hearing this, Chen Bin narrowed his eyes, his expression growing solemn as he walked over to look into the bucket.

Inside the bucket, a newly formed head floated on the water's surface. It was only about the size of a fist, and the facial features were not yet fully developed, giving it a very strange appearance.

It was clearly an undeveloped infant.

Chen Bin took a deep breath, feeling an inexplicable rage burning within him.

His limbs and torso felt as if they were being flooded by surging tides, constantly rushing towards his chest.

Chen Bin couldn't stand it, so he had to quell this anger.

After a while, Chen Bin reopened his eyes, a hint of determination flashing within them. He said, "Bury them properly, all of them!"

He paused, then added, "After some time, I'll find some Tiger Demons to offer sacrifices to them."

"Okay!" Chen Chong nodded solemnly.

Although he felt it was a bit unlucky, his nephew made sense.

After speaking, Chen Chong turned and loudly addressed the officers who were still cleaning up the dismembered bodies:

"Search thoroughly, gather them together, and bury them all. I'll escort this official from the Demon Suppression Division back first."

Then, without minding the bloodstains on his head, he returned to the yamen with Chen Bin.

That Footwork Technique wasn't kept at home but in the yamen's office.

It was much safer to keep it at the yamen than at home.

The most important part of the matter was over; the rest could be left to his subordinates.

The two walked and talked, and before they knew it, they had arrived at the yamen.

Chen Chong entered the office and took out a small booklet, handing it to Chen Bin.

Chen Bin took the booklet, didn't even look at it, and stuffed it directly into his pocket.

"Let's go!" Chen Chong enthusiastically slung an arm around Chen Bin's shoulders and said, "Uncle will treat you to meat and drinks."

Chen Bin did not refuse.

In the early stages of martial arts training, without the replenishment of spiritual energy from heaven and earth, the higher the cultivation level, the greater the consumption.

If someone was treating him, he naturally wouldn't be polite.