This Was Not Your Fault

This was a distinguished middle-aged man. His gaze fell on Li Yuan, sizing him up from head to toe before he nodded. "Your injuries seem to be no great concern now, and your complexion is good as well. Sit."

"Student Li Yuan pays his respects to Commander Chu."

This would be his immediate superior from now on, so Li Yuan hurriedly bowed.

"No need for such formality. You and Yun He are classmates and close friends. In private, you may call me Uncle Chu."

Chu Jinghong waved a hand, indicating for Li Yuan to sit. His tone was gentle. "That boy Yun He has praised you quite a bit at home."

"At first, I did not believe him, but now that I have met you, I see his words were true. To have slain such a formidable enemy in return at your age—truly, the younger generation inspires awe!"

"You praise me too highly, Uncle Chu. Brother Yun He's cultivation is profound and his swordsmanship exquisite. I admire him greatly as well." Li Yuan cleverly followed suit and changed how he addressed him.

Chu Jinghong smiled, dispensing with further pleasantries as he turned to the matter at hand. "Since His Majesty has made an exception and allowed you into the Demon Suppression Bureau, you are one of our comrades. However, your circumstances are unusual. You are still studying at the academy, and assigning you according to normal practice would hinder your cultivation while only increasing the risks you face."

"Therefore, after discussion, we have made the following arrangements for you. First, you will be listed as a member of the Shadow Office, absent from the regular rolls and not subject to ordinary assignments or transfers."

"Second, we will prepare a false identity for you, making it easier for you to carry out missions and conceal your tracks. Your primary responsibility, however, will remain diligent cultivation at the academy. The Demon Suppression Bureau will arrange certain special missions suited to you."

"What do you think, nephew?"

Chu Jinghong's tone was courteous.

Yet Li Yuan felt greatly reassured upon hearing this, and was deeply grateful. The arrangements were exceedingly thorough, clearly tailored specifically for him.

"Uncle Chu and the senior members have considered everything so carefully. I am endlessly grateful." Li Yuan rose and gave a solemn bow. He did not call himself a subordinate, still referring to himself as a student.

"No need for such ceremony. Sit and speak." Chu Jinghong motioned for him to sit, satisfaction appearing on his face. "Remember, do not force yourself when trouble arises in the future. If you encounter any difficulties, you may come find me at any time, or pass word through Yun He."

"From now on, the Demon Suppression Bureau will be your backing."

This declaration was equivalent to giving Li Yuan another powerful patron.

"This student will remember it well."

Whether Chu Jinghong had other motives or not, this was all benefit and no harm to Li Yuan. Naturally, he was immensely grateful.

"Alright, the official business is done." Chu Jinghong smiled. "Your friend Aji is recuperating in the Bureau's infirmary. Would you like to visit him?"

Li Yuan's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Uncle Chu. I was just about to go see him."

Chu Jinghong nodded, then reminded him once more as they parted. "Cultivate diligently from now on. Do not disappoint His Majesty's expectations."

"Yes, this student takes his leave."

The Demon Suppression Bureau's infirmary lay deep within its headquarters. The surroundings were tranquil, and the air was suffused with the fragrance of medicinal herbs.

In a quiet room facing the sun, Li Yuan found Aji.

The young man wore a clean set of coarse cloth clothes and rested against the headboard. Some color had already returned to his face.

The moment he saw Li Yuan, he sprang up in delight, only to lower his head in utter shame the next instant.

"Big Brother..."

Aji's lips moved. He had always been honest and simple by nature, and now he did not know what to do.

"Lie down. Don't move."

Li Yuan strode over, gently pressed him back, and sat down beside the bed. He looked him over from top to bottom. "How do you feel?"

"Much better."

Aji kept his head down, not daring to meet Li Yuan's eyes. "Big Brother, I'm sorry. It was all my fault... I nearly got you killed..."

As he spoke, his eyes reddened. Clearly, the memory of being controlled and nearly killing Li Yuan with his own hands still clung to him like a nightmare.

Li Yuan sighed inwardly and patted his shoulder. "Aji, look at me."

Aji trembled and slowly raised his head, his eyes rimmed red.

"This was not your fault." Li Yuan looked into his eyes and spoke word by word. "Those demon fiends used evil arts to control you. They harmed you. Like me, you were a victim."

"The fact that you survived is already a blessing beyond measure. The one who should apologize is me. I dragged you into these dangerous matters. I failed to protect you."

"No, it wasn't!"

Aji shook his head fiercely, tears rolling down his face. "I'm the one who was useless..."

"Enough. Let the past stay in the past." Li Yuan cut him off. "We are both safe. That is enough. What matters is what comes next."

Aji wiped away his tears with force, choking up as he asked, "Big Brother, how are your injuries?"

"Just superficial wounds. They healed long ago." Li Yuan smiled. "What about you? What did the physician say?"

"The physician said I have nearly recovered after being treated." Aji answered honestly. "Oh, he also said that when I was forcibly stimulated by demonic arts, for some reason my muscles and bones were opened through, and I became much stronger."

"He said I am actually suited to cultivating certain special body-tempering techniques."

"Oh?"

Li Yuan's heart stirred. This was an unexpected blessing. Aji had possessed no talent and could not cultivate. If he could gain the means to protect himself from now on, then it would truly be a blessing in disguise.

Lieutenant Lu, standing nearby, also said, "Young Master Li, I was just about to discuss something with young brother Aji."

"Please speak, Lieutenant Lu."

"The Bureau wishes to recruit Aji as an informant. Since you happen to be here, we might as well ask him in person and see whether he is willing."

Li Yuan's thoughts shifted. This was surely the Demon Suppression Bureau looking after him. Knowing that he worried about Aji, they were simply bringing him under their protection openly and legitimately, so that Li Yuan could rest easy.

"An informant?"

Aji looked somewhat lost.

"That's right." Lieutenant Lu explained patiently. "You will continue operating your general store as cover. In your daily life, you will only need to provide the Bureau with some intelligence and assist with surveillance and the like."

"Someone from the Bureau will contact you through a single line, provide appropriate compensation, and protect you in secret. What do you think?"

Aji froze, instinctively looking toward Li Yuan. He had been an orphan since childhood, but he was not so naive as to know nothing of the world. He immediately realized that all of this was because of his big brother.

Li Yuan smiled and said warmly, "Aji, this concerns your own future. The choice is yours to make."

"No matter what you choose, Big Brother will support you."

Aji's eyes reddened again. Joining the Demon Suppression Bureau, even as the lowest-ranking informant, meant he would no longer be at the mercy of others. More importantly, he could do something with his own strength instead of constantly dragging Big Brother down and becoming a weakness others could use against him.

He gritted his teeth and nodded firmly at Lieutenant Lu. "I'm willing."

"Good."

Lieutenant Lu smiled. "I will report it immediately. Someone will naturally come to contact you and make arrangements. For now, focus on recovering."

Then he said to Li Yuan, "Rest assured, Young Master Li. Since Aji has joined our Bureau, the Bureau will naturally look after him in secret and ensure his safety."

"Thank you for your trouble, Lieutenant Lu." Li Yuan cupped his hands in thanks. Such an arrangement was indeed a good home for Aji.

Lieutenant Lu tactfully withdrew outside, leaving the space to the two of them.

Aji seemed to recall something. Somewhat embarrassed, he said to Li Yuan, "Big Brother, there is one more thing. Sister A Hua's matter was true."

"I have already asked someone trustworthy to ransom her out and settle her temporarily at the shop."

"Don't worry, Big Brother. I'll work hard and slowly pay back that money. Sister A Hua also said she can help out at the shop without wages, as long as she has food and a place to stay..."