Master Yin Seven

Hearing this, the manager of the Lin Family felt his scalp prickle.

If it were only the expert invited by the county magistrate who knew Shen Yi, that would be one thing, but how could the outsider brought back by the young miss know him as well?

If they were all acquaintances, what was the point of exorcising demons? He prayed they wouldn't gang up and devour the Lin Family alive.

On the other side, Chen Ji's expression darkened slightly.

If he had only been seven or eight parts suspicious before, then after the black-clad youth's words, he was entirely certain the man was a demon—merely draped in a layer of human skin.

There was no other reason.

The other man's tone... Chen Ji was far too familiar with it, to the point that it stirred up some unpleasant memories.

In recent years, those demons that entered the city almost all spoke to Shen Yi in this manner, followed by demands for fresh meat or the abduction of some girl.

Thinking of this, he subconsciously looked toward his side.

Shen Yi's face remained calm, showing no signs of being offended by the black-clad youth's words.

He stood with his hands hanging at his sides, quietly watching the corpse of Liu Qi, and after a moment, he said, "Everyone, step outside first."

As soon as these words left his mouth, the Lin Family manager wished he could slap himself. Why did he have to bring people back? As if the situation wasn't chaotic enough!

It was one thing for the idlers outside to believe the rumors, but he had been a manager in the Lin Family for so many years—how could his brain have become so muddled?

Did he not see the yamen? Was that even a place that suppressed demons?

The fat manager turned and walked out, looking wilted. Chen Ji remained silent, casting one more glance at Shen Yi to ensure the man wasn't intentionally lowering the demon's guard so that he could strike a heavy blow when passing by.

He bowed helplessly and said, "This subordinate will take his leave."

The two walked out of the side room just as the Thin Ascetic and his companion stood firm ahead. Seeing the manager's annoyed expression, the Thin Ascetic's face finally improved quite a bit.

"Look at what I said. He's just a young man after all, far too arrogant! He had a bit of good fortune and now he can't see himself clearly. He'll have to lose all face before he's willing to restrain himself."

"Among us, who hasn't had their own strokes of luck? Who isn't a genius? Yet who among us is as ungrateful as he is?"

"A fool is a fool; rotten wood cannot be carved!"

Listening to his senior brother's incessant sneering, Butcher Zhang, feeling little interest, squatted down and plucked a blade of green grass to chew on, returning to his previous gloomy state.

The mocking words drilled into Chen Ji's ears. He looked over coldly, suddenly feeling that these so-called masters of the martial world were entirely different from what he had once admired—they were even nauseating.

No matter how incompetent Magistrate Shen might be, he had gone to Liuli Temple Village alone and brought back thirteen demon corpses, yet his monthly salary was a mere two taels and four qian.

This man had been in Baiyun County for quite some time, yet he hadn't made a single move. At his age, he was still a gossip with a petty heart—was he really worth six hundred taels of silver a month?

"Little thing, what are you looking at?"

As if sensing something, the Thin Ascetic turned his head, his sinister gaze chillingly cold.

He could tolerate Shen Yi because the man was an Initial Realm martial artist who had also achieved transcendence, but since when did a lowly bailiff dare to look at him with such eyes?

His ink-black long gown fluttered without wind, and his skin-and-bone hands reached out from his sleeves, his five fingers curled like eagle talons.

A surging aura instantly enveloped the other man.

Chen Ji's face turned deathly pale, his teeth clenched tight.

In normal times, he knew the importance of forbearance and would never dare to meet the man's eyes, preferring to lower his head and apologize to let the matter pass.

But at this moment, a nameless ghost fire erupted in his heart.

His hand, resting on the hilt of his blade, suddenly exerted force. The silvery blade left its scabbard, flashing before everyone's eyes.

"The yamen is handling a case! Since when is it your turn, a martial arts drifter, to point fingers!"

"Magistrate Shen is working for the imperial court. What kind of thing are you to dare to make such noise here? Shut your mouth!"

As these words fell, the Thin Ascetic was struck as if by lightning. He stood frozen in place for a long time without speaking, and only after a long while did he mutter blankly, "Fine, fine, fine. Using the imperial court to pressure this old man..."

Manager Lin was so terrified his legs trembled, and he couldn't help but squeeze them together.

One had to know that for these sect members, the thing they feared most was being suppressed by the Demon Suppression Division. Don't let the Thin Ascetic's lack of outward rage fool you; in truth, his words already carried a hint of murderous intent.

This little bailiff would eventually have to take off that uniform... did he really think Shen Yi could protect him?

Only Butcher Zhang, squatting on the ground, was slightly startled before spitting out the grass and opening his mouth to laugh silently.

At the same time, the look in his eyes as he glanced toward the room door held a hint of curiosity.

Interesting, truly interesting. He didn't even draw his blade when facing a demon, yet he couldn't help but draw it against an Initial Realm martial artist just because someone badmouthed his superior. Just what kind of person is he to command such loyalty from his subordinates?

Compared to the noise outside, the side room was remarkably peaceful.

The black-clad youth lazily shook his wrists, walked to the side of Liu Qi's corpse, and with a hint of disgust, tore off the remaining half of an arm and began to chew it in large mouthfuls.

"I thought I would have to waste more breath, but it turns out to be you. That saves me some patience. Don't be polite; I know the rules. From now on, just call me Master Yin Seven."

Shen Yi watched the other party eat calmly, his eyes devoid of sorrow or joy.

In just a few short days, he had seen too many similar scenes.

The only ripple in his heart was because Liu Qi was a martial artist, and this scene was the inevitable end for those who could not defeat demons.

"It's not that Master Seven is complaining about you, but she told me back then that if I needed anything, I could find you. I've waited so long, and since you never came to me, I had to do it myself."

The black-clad youth looked slightly irritable. "From now on, come over every three days, hear me? Don't complain that it's too often; I won't be staying for more than a few months."

The only reason Shen Yi had asked the others to leave was for one question: "Where is she?"

"What, is Master Seven's word not good enough? Does she have to tell you herself?" Master Yin Seven swallowed a mouthful of blood and flesh, his brows furrowed tightly as he stepped toward the other man.

He looked up at Shen Yi, wiped the meat scraps from the corner of his mouth, and said impatiently, "She's been out playing for too long and went back to North Cliff to see her mother. She'll be back in two days. If you make Master Seven go hungry, I won't need her; I'll deal with you myself."

Just then, Master Yin Seven suddenly noticed Shen Yi's brows knit slightly... as if he were disappointed. To be more specific, it was much like when he was young and digging into a rabbit hole, expecting a whole nest, only to find a single one.

The next moment, the other man lowered his gaze.

A thread of chill gradually rose in those eyes.

For some reason, Master Yin Seven suddenly felt his heart thumping wildly, his muscles tensing all over. It was the instinctive fear of a body encountering a crisis.

Ever since he had stepped into the Initial Realm, he had never experienced this feeling again.

"..."

Chen Ji's face was numb, his hand gripping the hilt of his blade tightly.

The Thin Ascetic stood expressionless opposite him, with the Lin Family manager caught in the middle, his face a mask of misery, wishing he could just turn and run.

Suddenly, a thunderous sound echoed through the courtyard!

Crack!

The thick red-wood door exploded instantly. Amidst the flying wood splinters, a black figure flew out backward, a spray of crimson blood misting the air.

Carried by a massive force, the figure slammed into the bluestone floor, rolling several times before the momentum was fully spent.

Butcher Zhang stood up leisurely, and Manager Lin let out a cry, covering his head and squatting down.

The Thin Ascetic trembled slightly as he turned his head, and Chen Ji stood frozen, clutching his long blade. The group stared in unison toward the doorway.

Behind the shattered door.

Shen Yi was smoothing his cuffs, his expression indifferent, as he stepped out with calm, unhurried movements.