Matters of the Lin Family

"Understood. Go about your business."

Shen Yi merely gave a slight nod after hearing the man out.

Ever since the incident on Willow Leaf Street yesterday, when his own senses had been obscured, he had anticipated this very scene.

The way Liu the Clerk handled things was methodical; he was truly an old fox who had been playing this game for many years.

If Shen Yi kept his doors shut, he would become the laughingstock of the entire county, forced to bow his head and accept their terms. But if he threw his gates wide open... that would be pure idiocy.

In this world, who would willingly make an enemy of demons for no reason? As the saying goes, the nail that sticks out gets hammered down. Without silver to be earned, why risk one's life?

The only thing Liu the Clerk had failed to consider was...

Shen Yi could truly reap benefits from slaying demons.

Not only were there benefits, but they far surpassed mere gold and silver: they were tangible, hard-earned years of life.

Therefore, there was not a ripple of disturbance in Shen Yi's heart.

If he had any thoughts at all, they were only a sliver of joy.

"You..."

Chen Ji always felt as if the other man hadn't heard a word he was saying. This was a matter of life and death!

A moment later, he sighed, let his hands drop, and rested them on the hilt of his saber.

What had this world come to? Only a few days ago, he had been berating the other man for his reckless behavior, yet in the blink of an eye, he had become the one acting as a lobbyist.

Recalling the sight of Shen Yi standing alone before the village, he knew this man was not one to just pay lip service.

Chen Ji gave a self-deprecating laugh and tightened his grip on his saber... Damn it, he really needed to hurry up and save for a dowry.

"How much of a dowry does your family require for a bride?"

"What?" Shen Yi turned his head in confusion.

"Nothing, just asking." Chen Ji took a deep breath, hurriedly casting the inexplicable thought from his mind. One thing at a time; the man was barely a decent constable, but his messy private life—tsk, he couldn't push his sister into a fire pit.

Fortunately, the other man hadn't heard him clearly...

"Actually, I prefer them a bit more mature."

Shen Yi shook his head, briefly reminiscing about the generous bosom of Sister-in-law Song.

Before Chen Ji could react, he strolled leisurely into the office.

"No, is that it? Is it really settled?"

Zhang Dahu jumped up in agitation, roaring at the two hulking men squatting by the doorway: "Are you two mutes? Say something!"

The Niu Brothers had been dissatisfied with Master Shen for a long time, but right now, they were acting like tight-lipped gourds.

"My wife wouldn't even let me into the room yesterday."

Niu Da scratched the back of his head with a foolish expression. The news that he was following a man surnamed Shen had spread, nearly causing a fire in his own backyard, as if he had actually abducted some girl.

"This morning, while I was still asleep, she suddenly... hehe... hehe..."

As he spoke, Niu Da began to giggle foolishly, rubbing his crotch hard.

"..." Zhang Dahu.

"..." Chen Ji.

Shen Yi glanced over helplessly and said calmly, "Open the courtyard gates."

Under normal circumstances, common folk would never easily come to the Yamen, let alone the office under the command of the notorious Master Shen.

But Shen Yi was not in a hurry.

He had seen the despair of the Liu family father and daughter. As long as it involved demons, they would never let go of any straw of hope; this world had left them no other choice.

Once the gates were opened and the notice posted, this courtyard became the only "Demon-Subduing Yamen" in Baiyun County. He arranged for Chen Ji and Zhang Dahu to go out and gather intelligence, while the Niu Brothers took shifts every three hours.

Shen Yi, meanwhile, closed his eyes to doze, conserving his energy.

What was somewhat unexpected was that, after only half a day, someone came knocking.

The visitor was a thin, small middle-aged man with dark, weathered skin—clearly a man who did rough labor.

He poked his head in cautiously.

The expressions of the Niu Brothers in the courtyard changed instantly, and they stood up straight. Even Niu Da, who had been giggling just moments ago, now had a look of unease in his eyes.

Slaying demons—it was just two words spoken with a flick of the lips, but in all their years of service in Baiyun County, they had never actually done such a thing.

"Master Shen, I have news about an evil spirit."

The thin man swallowed nervously, his eyes darting around as he carefully stepped into the room under the guidance of the Niu Brothers.

"What kind of demon? Speak quickly." Niu Er glared at him nervously.

"No, no... it's not a demon, it's an evil spirit." The thin man hurriedly waved his hands.

Hearing this, Shen Yi slowly sat up straight.

He had been here for several days, and including the memories of his predecessor, this was the first time he had received news regarding an evil spirit.

"No need to rush. Take your time."

Seeing Shen Yi's calm gaze, the man felt much more composed. Yesterday, after listening to the oil seller's wild ramblings, he had assumed the man was drunk—how could Master Shen possibly be so gentle? Seeing him today, he actually believed it a little.

"I didn't run into the evil spirit myself; it was my wife who encountered it."

He struggled to organize his words: "About a month ago, every night when it got dark, I would be washing up in the courtyard, and my wife would light a candle in the room and comb her hair in front of the mirror."

"She would comb her hair and laugh at the same time, just like she was possessed."

"That's not even the worst of it."

The man's face grew increasingly ugly: "One night, I woke up needing to relieve myself and reached out to find her, but the space was empty. I went out to look, and guess what? She was standing at the door wearing her floral dress, her hair soaking wet, sweat all over her neck. I gathered my courage and patted her, but when she saw it was me, she screamed as if she'd seen a ghost."

"She said she didn't even know how she got up; she had no memory of it at all."

"And ever since that day, my own spirit hasn't been right either. No matter how early I go to bed, I sleep until broad daylight. This must be an evil spirit possessing her and sucking my yang energy, Master Shen! My wife brewed me medicinal soup, but it's useless—the more I drink, the sleepier I get."

Listening to the man's vivid description, Shen Yi's expression gradually turned strange.

"And she won't sleep with me anymore, just giggles foolishly all day long. The more I look at her, the more terrifying it gets."

"The most terrifying thing is, yesterday business was bad and I closed up early to go home, and I heard her in the room screaming until her throat tore, shouting things like 'spare me'... Have you ever heard the sound of a pig being slaughtered? It was just like that..."

Seeing that the man was about to improvise a demonstration, Shen Yi frowned slightly, glanced at the Niu Brothers, and said helplessly, "You two go on a night patrol and handle this evil spirit for him."

"Understood."

The Niu Brothers gave the man a sympathetic look and led him away.

Shen Yi leaned back into his rattan chair, gently pressing his brow.

It seemed that picking up scraps in the city wasn't as easy as he thought.

Previously, whenever demons entered Baiyun County, his predecessor had accompanied them. Now that he had slaughtered that pack of dog demons, word had surely spread among the demon kind, making it difficult to fish for more.

Just then, a figure rushed in.

Chen Ji stood there, panting for breath, his expression grave. Even though he deliberately lowered his voice, he could not hide the shock in his heart.

"Master Shen, Liu Qi is dead."

Hearing this, Shen Yi raised his eyes.

If he remembered correctly, the other man had mentioned this name once before.

Monument-Splitting Hand, Liu Qi.

He was a retainer invited by the Lin family from Qing Prefecture.

The very same Lin family to which Lin Baiwei belonged.