Master Yin Seven

At his words, the Lin Family steward felt a chill creep over him.

The county magistrate's hired expert knowing Shen Yi was one thing, but why did the outsider the young miss had brought back know him too?

They were all acquaintances. What the hell were they supposed to exterminate demons for? What if they teamed up and devoured the Lin Family alive instead?

Meanwhile, Chen Ji's expression darkened slightly.

If he'd only been seventy or eighty percent certain before, then the black-clad young man's words had convinced him completely: the other party was a demon, merely wearing human skin.

There was no other reason.

That tone... Chen Ji knew it all too well. It even stirred up some unpleasant memories.

Over the past few years, nearly every demon that had entered the city had spoken to Shen Yi this way. After that, they would have him find fresh meat for them, or help them abduct some family's daughter.

At the thought, he instinctively glanced at the man beside him.

Shen Yi's face showed no emotion. He didn't seem offended by the black-clad young man's words.

He stood with his hands at his sides, quietly watching Liu Qi's corpse. After a moment, he said, "Everyone, step outside for now."

At those words, the Lin Family steward wished he could slap himself. Why had he brought this person back? Why! As if the situation wasn't chaotic enough already!

It was one thing for outsiders to believe the rumors, but he'd served as a steward in the Lin Family for years. How could he have let his mind go fuzzy?

Had he even looked at the yamen? Was that the kind of yamen that exterminated demons?

The Fat Steward turned and shuffled out, dispirited. Chen Ji remained silent, glancing once more at Shen Yi to make sure he wasn't deliberately lowering the demon's guard so Chen Ji could land a vicious blow on the black-clad young man as they passed.

He cupped his hands apologetically. "This subordinate will take his leave."

The two stepped out of the side room, where the Thin Ascetic and the others were standing nearby. Seeing the steward's angry expression, the Thin Ascetic's mood finally improved.

"See? What did I tell you? He's still young, and far too full of himself! He got a bit lucky, and now he can't see his own place. He had to make a complete fool of himself before he'd learn to rein it in."

"Which of us hasn't had a lucky break? Which of us isn't a genius? Who else is as ungrateful as him?"

"A fool's a fool. You can't carve rotten wood!"

As his senior brother went on sneering, Butcher Zhang crouched down, bored, and plucked a blade of grass to chew on. He had returned to his gloomy self from before.

The Thin Ascetic's mockery reached Chen Ji's ears. He looked over coldly and suddenly realized that this so-called senior of the martial world was nothing like the figure he'd admired. If anything, the man made him sick.

No matter how incapable Official Shen might be, he had still gone alone to Liuli Temple Village and slain thirteen demons, all for a salary of just two taels and four mace of silver.

This man had been in Baiyun County for so long, yet hadn't lifted a finger even once. He was old, petty, and full of hot air. Was he really worth six hundred taels of silver every month?

"Little runt, what are you looking at?"

As if sensing something, the Thin Ascetic turned his head, his cold, sinister gaze chilling to behold.

He could tolerate Shen Yi because the other man was also an Initial Realm martial artist who had comprehended transcendence. But since when could a mere constable look at him like that?

His ink-black robe stirred without a breeze. A bony hand emerged from his sleeve, its five fingers curling like an eagle's talons.

A surging aura instantly bore down on Chen Ji.

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

Under normal circumstances, he knew how important it was to endure. He would never dare meet the other man's gaze, and a bowed head and apology would have settled the matter.

But now, a nameless fury surged within him.

His hand clamped down on the hilt. The shining blade slipped from its sheath, drawing everyone's eyes.

"This is an official case! Since when does a wandering martial artist like you get to meddle?"

"Constable Shen serves the imperial court. Who do you think you are, running your mouth here? Shut up!"

At those words, the Thin Ascetic froze as if struck by lightning. He stood there, stunned and speechless. Only after a long while did he mutter woodenly, "Fine, fine. Using the imperial court to put pressure on me..."

The Lin Family steward's legs shook so hard that he instinctively squeezed them together.

The most hated thing among people from these sects was being kept in check by the Demon Suppression Division. Though the Thin Ascetic seemed to have lost his temper, there was already a hint of murderous intent in his words.

This little constable would have to take off that uniform someday... Did he really think Shen Yi could protect him?

Only Butcher Zhang remained crouched on the ground. After a brief pause, he spat out the grass and opened his mouth in silent laughter.

At the same time, curiosity crept into his sideways glance toward the room's entrance.

Interesting, interesting. He hadn't drawn his blade even when facing a demon. Yet after the demon said a couple of things about his superior, he couldn't help drawing on an Initial Realm martial artist. What kind of man had earned such loyalty from his subordinate?

Compared to the commotion outside, the side room seemed strangely peaceful.

The black-clad young man lazily shook his wrist, walked over to Liu Qi's corpse, and—with a look of distaste—tore off the remaining half of the arm and began chewing in great mouthfuls.

"I thought I'd have to waste my breath again. Turns out it's you. That saves me the trouble. No need to be polite. I know the rules. From now on, just call me Master Yin Seven."

Shen Yi calmly watched him eat, his eyes devoid of sorrow or joy.

In just a few days, he'd seen far too many scenes like this.

The only thing that stirred him was that Liu Qi had been a martial artist. This was what happened when someone couldn't stand against a demon.

"Not to put words in Master Yin Seven's mouth, but she told me back then that I could come to you if I needed anything. I've waited so long, but you never showed up. So I had to take matters into my own hands."

The black-clad young man sounded a little annoyed. "From now on, come by once every three days. Got that? Don't complain it's too often. I won't be staying for more than a few months."

Shen Yi had sent everyone else outside for one reason: "Where is she?"

"What, Master Yin Seven's word isn't good enough? You need to hear it from her own mouth?" Master Yin Seven swallowed another mouthful of flesh, frowning deeply as he strode toward Shen Yi.

He looked up at Shen Yi and wiped the scraps of meat from the corner of his mouth, then said impatiently, "She's been out playing for a while, so she went back to North Cliff to visit her mother. She'll be back in a couple of days. If you leave Master Yin Seven hungry, I won't need her—I'll take care of you myself."

Just then, Master Yin Seven noticed Shen Yi's brow furrow slightly... as if he were a little disappointed. More specifically, it was like when he'd dug into a rabbit hole as a child, expecting a whole nest, only to come up with a single rabbit.

The next moment, the other man's gaze lowered to him.

A chill gradually rose in those eyes.

For some reason, Master Yin Seven's heart suddenly began pounding. His muscles tensed all over. It was the instinctive fear of a body sensing danger.

Ever since he'd entered the Initial Realm, he hadn't felt anything like this.

"..."

Chen Ji's face had gone numb. He gripped the hilt of his saber tightly.

The Thin Ascetic stood opposite him, expressionless. The Lin Family steward was caught between them, looking ready to cry and wishing he could bolt.

Suddenly, an explosive crash rang through the courtyard!

Crack!

The thick redwood door burst apart in an instant. Amidst a storm of splinters, a black figure flew out, spitting a mouthful of blood.

The force sent him crashing into the flagstones, shattering them. He rolled several times before finally losing momentum.

Butcher Zhang slowly rose to his feet. The Lin Family steward cried out and ducked, covering his head.

The Thin Ascetic turned around, his whole body trembling slightly. Chen Ji stood dumbstruck, holding his saber. All of them stared toward the doorway.

Behind the shattered door,

Shen Yi straightened his sleeves and stepped out with unhurried composure, his expression indifferent.