Subduing Demon Yang-Blade

Shen Yi always felt that this Subduing Demon Blade Technique was far from ordinary.

His predecessor had only needed three to five years to master the Bone-Piercing Grappling Hand, yet when practicing this blade technique—even while maintaining absolute focus—it had taken eight years just to reach a minor level of success.

It took a full thirty-three years to reach perfection and grasp a glimmer of spiritual insight.

If he could truly capture this glimmer, its effects would surely be incomparable to any ordinary martial art.

With a flicker of thought, he poured ten years of demon longevity into the Subduing Demon Blade Technique.

[You continue to temper your already perfected Subduing Demon Blade Technique. Ten years pass in the blink of an eye. That glimmer of insight becomes increasingly clear, yet alas, your aptitude is mediocre, and you truly cannot fathom its depths.]

"..."

"That's it?"

Shen Yi felt a tightness in his chest. This was a full ten years! Ten years where he had abandoned all distractions for the sake of his goal!

Even if he had spent those ten years working a menial job, casting aside all entertainment, he could have earned enough to buy a house in a small county town.

Yet, poured into a martial art, it didn't even cause a ripple.

Having invested so much, he couldn't just give up. Shen Yi simply continued to pour more in.

[In the seventeenth year, you finally grasp that glimmer of insight and begin attempting to record it into a manual.]

[In the twenty-seventh year, you exhaust all your energy to perfect it, naming it Subduing Demon Yang-Blade.]

[Remaining demon longevity: thirty-six years]

"Self-created martial art?"

A sudden realization of a blade technique flooded Shen Yi's mind.

After absorbing it, he realized it wasn't quite what he had imagined.

On the panel, a line of text appeared beneath the Subduing Demon Blade Technique.

[Initial Realm Subduing Demon Yang-Blade]

This was not a brand-new martial art, but rather something akin to a derivative ultimate technique, which meant it lacked a proficiency level.

After a total of sixty years of polishing, he realized with despair that human effort had its limits.

In a mortal body, no matter how skilled one's blade technique or how tirelessly one tempered their physique, one could not contend with those true Great Demons.

Thus, he proposed a method of mobilizing the essence and blood within the body, refining essence into qi, and then using the blade in hand to command that qi.

"Initial Realm?"

Shen Yi looked at the prefix.

The last time he saw this term was in the prompt after slaying the dog demon.

Enlightened dog demon, not yet entered the Initial Realm.

This meant that this single strike of the Yang-Blade already touched upon a certain level of power.

"If I continue to deduce the Subduing Demon Blade Technique, is it possible to directly create a complete Initial Realm martial art, rather than just a single blade strike?"

Shen Yi closed the panel, excitement surging in his eyes.

But soon, he rationally suppressed the urge to pour all his remaining longevity into it.

It was clear that self-creating a martial art was a task with half the result for double the effort; the same amount of demon longevity would certainly be better invested in existing martial arts.

He remembered that the martial arts passed down by the Demon Suppression Division captain were not limited to just one type. Given his status in the yamen, obtaining them would not be difficult.

"Time to rest."

Having experienced so many changes, his mind finally relaxed, and a heavy wave of fatigue washed over Shen Yi.

Just as he moved to lie down, the Liu father and daughter brought in the hot water they had prepared. The young girl soaked Shen Yi's feet in the water, her rough little hands kneading them earnestly.

Shen Yi closed his eyes and let out a long breath.

This was his first time experiencing the feeling of being served by others.

Judging by their timid demeanor, even if he were to act as a wicked, greedy landlord in this house from today on, it would be absolutely no problem.

But Shen Yi opened his eyes and simply said a soft word of thanks: "That's enough, go out. I'll rest for the night and leave."

He did not reveal any other emotions.

After all, given the predecessor's long list of evil deeds, no matter how gentle he acted, it would only leave the father and daughter in unnecessary fear.

Old Man Liu heard this and stood there, stunned, his murky eyes filled with disbelief.

But he quickly reacted, pulling his daughter along and nodding repeatedly: "Master Shen, you are too kind. Stay as long as you like. If you need anything, just call."

The two stumbled away with the washbasin and ducked into another room.

Liu's daughter huddled by the window, unable to sleep all night. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Master Shen's sinister grin; when she opened them, she saw the dog demon's corpse in the yard, eyes wide in death.

By the time the rooster crowed at dawn, she was bleary-eyed, suddenly catching sight of a figure outside.

The young man was dressed in a black constable's uniform, his silhouette tall and slender, a blade hanging at his waist, looking truly spirited.

He left the courtyard quietly, and as he departed, he reached out to prop up the broken door the dog demon had torn down, barely blocking out the morning chill.

"Dad, Master Shen is gone."

"Whew... gone? Good... good riddance..."

Morning dew dampened the air, and a faint mist swirled through the streets.

Shen Yi emerged from the mist and stood before the two stone lions.

Baiyun County Yamen.

He entered through the side door, familiar with the path, and walked into the duty room.

The Baiyun County criminal division had seven or eight teams in total. Shen Yi was just a minor leader among them, commanding eight constables, with his direct superior being the criminal division head, Song Changfeng.

He sat down in his own seat.

Shen Yi flipped through the ledger on the desk a few times, only to find he couldn't understand a word of it.

Besides proving he was uncultured, this also confirmed that his predecessor hadn't cared about official business at all.

The Great Gan Dynasty had been plagued by demons for years. Although the Demon Suppression Division had been established, they were always severely understaffed.

Dealing with demon infestations was usually the responsibility of local yamens; the Demon Suppression Division would only take full control and conduct a sweep once the situation had completely spiraled out of control.

The result of such an outcome was that the entire yamen would lose their positions and their control over the region.

It was under this premise that the clever predecessor had found his opportunity.

Through his ability to negotiate with demons, he not only kept Baiyun County seemingly peaceful and earned the trust of his superiors, but he also spared his subordinates from having to truly fight the demons, reducing casualties and gaining immense prestige.

He handled matters efficiently, and over the years, he had gradually been on track to succeed Song Changfeng.

Of course, not everyone was convinced.

Shen Yi's gaze swept over the empty duty room and the wine jars scattered beneath the desk. He picked one up and fell into silence.

Just then, a lean young man rushed in.

Seeing Shen Yi in the chair, a flash of disdain crossed his eyes, but he quickly adjusted his expression, took off his bamboo hat, and revealed a handsome face: "This subordinate greets Master Shen."

The newcomer was Chen Ji, the least experienced in the duty room, but with a significant reputation.

The reason for this was his exaggerated talent for martial arts, which had even earned praise from a Demon Suppression Division captain.

Unfortunately, he was young and impulsive, suffering many setbacks at the hands of demons. After being severely reprimanded by his superiors, he was tossed to Shen Yi to be disciplined.

His parents had died early, and he was raising his younger sister while making his way in Baiyun County.

Coincidentally, the predecessor was a lecherous ghost.

The two had clashed openly and secretly, eventually settling into an uneasy peace where Chen Ji obeyed orders and Shen Yi promised not to touch his sister.

Hiss, why do I feel like I've already set myself on a path to death?

Shen Yi rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought, until Chen Ji broke the silence.

"Master Shen, this subordinate has just returned from Liuli Temple. Something has happened in the village."

Chen Ji recalled his superior's previous orders, a look of conflict in his eyes, but he explained quickly: "Although you said to ignore matters outside the city for now, this demon is not following the rules; it has actually taken up residence in the village."

He spoke faster and faster, seemingly terrified of being interrupted by Shen Yi, as if he had experienced such situations many times before.

"I hope... Master Shen can go... and negotiate..."

When he said the word "negotiate," a flash of shame crossed Chen Ji's face. Even so, he tried his best to keep his tone respectful, not wanting to anger the other man.

After all, given Shen Yi's personality, he usually brushed off such situations and never cared.

If he wanted the man to step in, he had to be coaxed into a good mood.

"I remember last time, the Demon Suppression Division captain brought three martial arts manuals. I believe you borrowed them?"

Shen Yi stood up and walked to the door of the duty room, stretching his arms wide.

"Ah?"

Chen Ji froze. Had this Master Shen not heard a word he said?

"Bring them for me to see." Shen Yi held out his hand.

Chen Ji took a deep breath, walked to his desk, and pulled out three well-preserved manuals, veins bulging on the back of his hand.

He stood there for a long time before handing them over with great heartache.

According to the man's habits, these precious demon-subduing martial arts would either be used to prop up a wobbly table or given away as trinkets to some lover; he certainly wouldn't bother to look at them.

Shen Yi took the manuals and strolled out the door.

Chen Ji was left standing there, dazed, his hand gripping his blade tighter and tighter.

The man surnamed Shen didn't even ask—do the lives of the people outside the city not count as lives!

Just then, half a body poked back through the door.

It was Shen Yi, returning, his face full of confusion: "Why are you standing there like a fool? Lead the way, won't you?"