The Demon Suppression Division Arrives

Li Xinhan slowly composed his expression.

Having been here only a few days, he had already seen through the fact that Baiyun County had long since become as foul as a cesspit.

Officials colluding with demons to wreak havoc on the common folk could not withstand even the slightest scrutiny.

Consequently, he had developed a rather stereotypical impression of the local bailiffs.

"Keep the noise down. Take him down first, bring him back for a thorough interrogation, and ensure we find the whereabouts of Lady Lin."

"Understood."

More than ten men scattered rapidly, subtly blocking every escape route along the entire long street.

Old Liu, most skilled with hidden weapons, tossed aside his sugar-figure stick and quietly approached the thatched-roof side room.

The Beggar followed closely behind, his palms, hidden within tattered sleeves, calloused and rough; his grappling techniques were refined to perfection.

The two were old friends who had cooperated for years. They would first strike with poison darts, then move in to bind their target; ordinary martial artists of the same realm could not survive a single exchange against them.

Suddenly, the Beggar noticed Old Liu had come to a halt.

"What is it?"

He frowned as he looked over, a flash of surprise and suspicion crossing his eyes.

The door stood wide open.

The handsome young man looked unruffled, one hand resting on the hilt of the blade at his waist, standing before the door and silently looking out. It was clear he had been prepared all along.

"He could sense even that slight movement?"

The Beggar was slightly taken aback, yet he still didn't take it to heart. After all these years, what kind of experts hadn't they seen?

Moreover, Li Xinhan, standing in the distance, was a genuine expert of the Jade Liquid Realm.

What the Beggar hadn't expected was for Old Liu to slowly put away his blowpipe and smile at the young man: "Sir, we meet again."

They had crossed paths on the street that morning. The other party had clearly sensed something was amiss, yet he hadn't exposed them.

To be able to spot that the candy vendor on the street had been replaced with just a single glance—with such keen senses, if he continued to feign a servile appearance and attempted a sneak attack, he would only be making a laughingstock of himself.

"What business do you two have?"

Shen Yi nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the two men.

He didn't recall ever dealing with people from the martial arts world. Not exposing them that day was simply because he couldn't be bothered to provoke them, not because he felt any fear.

"We have urgent matters to inquire about. Please, Sir Shen, come with us."

Old Liu retreated half a step politely. The Beggar caught the signal, his figure suddenly darting out. His palms were like long dragons piercing the clouds, his fingers like golden hooks, locking onto the other man's shoulders with extreme dominance!

In an instant, his palms clamped onto the other man's shoulders, his ten fingers digging in with force, his arms surging with power as he attempted to throw him to the ground.

"Hah!"

The Beggar let out a violent shout, yet his face suddenly flushed red.

The other party stood firmly, his feet as if glued to the ground. The power erupting from his own arms was like a clay ox entering the sea; there was not the slightest reaction.

The next moment, Shen Yi suddenly kicked him in the lower abdomen.

The Beggar shrieked as he flew backward. Though he reacted quickly, rolling several times in the air, he still couldn't dissipate that immense force, crashing into a pillar across the street with a loud thud.

A cracking sound echoed, and the entire eatery shook heavily twice.

He leaned against the pillar, breathing raggedly, veins bulging on his forehead, unable to stand back up for a long time.

Seeing this, not only Old Liu but everyone else on the street wore a grave expression.

When it came to close-quarters combat, excluding Li Xinhan, the Beggar was the strongest among them. To think he hadn't even lasted a single exchange?

"..."

Old Liu gave a dry laugh and instinctively retreated a few steps.

He reached toward his waist to pull out his token.

What a mess. To come to this remote county to catch someone and have to reveal their identity as the Demon Suppression Division—it was truly embarrassing.

Just then, a hand pressed down on his movement.

Old Liu turned his head to see Li Xinhan had arrived at his side at some point, his brows tightly furrowed, his nose twitching slightly as he clearly caught some unusual scent.

"You... you've seen blood?"

Li Xinhan took a long breath, and when he looked at Shen Yi again, a chill emerged in his eyes.

Hearing this, the gravity on the others' faces turned to tension.

They had rushed to Baiyun County not for an inspection. Now, all clues regarding Lady Lin pointed to the young man before them.

Yet, on the main street of the county, they smelled the scent of blood on him... and for something to make Li Xinhan this cautious, it certainly couldn't be chicken or pig blood.

In an instant, everyone gathered around.

"..."

Shen Yi looked at the crowd that had suddenly converged, his gaze falling on the conspicuous black robes Li Xinhan wore.

He had thought it was just a bunch of rats scurrying about, but it turned out to be the old cats coming to the door.

These people were moving a bit too fast.

Even if his predecessor had luckily survived that blow from Old Man Liu, he probably would have reached his end by today.

Those who do no evil have no fear of ghosts knocking at the door.

Shen Yi lowered his hand with a hint of relief and responded calmly: "Reporting to the official, it is the blood of a demon."

Seeing him release the hilt of his blade, the others inexplicably let out a sigh of relief, then looked at one another.

Regarding the counties under Qing Prefecture, the people of the Demon Suppression Division never spoke of it, but they harbored a sense of pride in their hearts.

To face an ordinary bailiff today and feel such wariness, as if facing a formidable enemy—if word got out, it would be a laughingstock.

"Why is there a demon in your home?"

Li Xinhan's tone was harsh, his gaze sharp, carrying a hint of interrogation.

Shen Yi wasn't used to this way of questioning, but he could understand that these people who fought demons day in and day out, living with their heads on their belts, would find it difficult to be amiable.

He stepped slightly to the side, clearing the way.

Li Xinhan frowned again, just about to shout in anger, when he was bumped by Old Liu's shoulder.

"Shut up already."

He looked up, and soon, like the others, he was struck dumb, standing frozen in place as if hit by lightning.

Inside the cramped room:

Lin Baiwei was walking out from the backyard carrying a wooden basin of washed vegetables, blinking her eyes as she looked toward the doorway with curiosity.

The oversized, ill-fitting long robe she wore clearly belonged to a man.

It was incredibly eye-catching.

She smiled with some surprise: "Why are you all here?"

Li Xinhan opened his mouth, wanting to ask but not daring to, so he could only clench his fists and bow: "Subordinate Li Xinhan, greetings to Lady Lin!"

The others followed suit. Old Liu smacked his lips, first glancing at Shen Yi in disbelief, then explained: "Qing Prefecture hasn't received a letter from you in a month, so the household sent us to check on the situation."

"Thank you for your trouble, I am fine." Lin Baiwei shook her head with a touch of apology.

"We will escort you back to Qing Prefecture immediately." Li Xinhan noticed that something was wrong with her aura.

"I want to go home and see first... also, can you wait until I finish my dinner... I just stewed some mutton soup." Lin Baiwei pursed her lips, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"As you command."

Seeing this, the members of the Demon Suppression Division couldn't help but smile.

This renowned Demon Catcher was truly as unpretentious as the rumors said, treating others like a gentle spring breeze.

But soon, the smiles on their faces gradually faded as they watched Lin Baiwei bustling about while the young man stood silently with his hands hanging at his sides.

"..."

By the time the steaming meat soup was on the table.

Shen Yi had never imagined that eating a meal could be so difficult.

A dozen people stood at the door, their cold gazes fixed directly on him, like death-bringing ghosts.

"Sorry."

Lin Baiwei also sensed that something was wrong. The two exchanged a look, chewing the fragrant, tender mutton, yet it tasted like wax.

She sighed and set down her bowl and chopsticks: "Take care of yourself."

"You too."

Shen Yi cupped his hands, watching her walk into the crowd, and the dozen men disappeared into the end of the night.

He withdrew his gaze and looked at the empty room.

He was silent for a moment, then shook his head and chuckled.

How long had it been since he transmigrated, and he had already developed such bad habits.

Spoiled.

After finishing the food on the table, Shen Yi cleaned up the bowls and chopsticks, then washed and hung up the outer robe.

He lay on the bed and slowly opened his panel.

(End of chapter)