Qing Prefecture Commander

Shen Yi walked slowly toward the courtyard of the duty room.

Butcher Zhang was squatting on the stone steps, yawning incessantly, looking completely listless.

Seeing someone approach, he looked up and teased, "Why did you take so long? Don't tell me you waited until the very last moment on purpose, hoping to shock those lieutenants?"

Hearing this, Shen Yi was slightly taken aback.

Observing his expression, Butcher Zhang stood up casually and comforted him, "Hey, I had the same thought when I first joined the Vajra Sect. It's a pity that these Demon Suppression Division officers have traveled far and wide and seen everything; they wouldn't be awestruck just because they bumped into someone with a bit of skill. Nothing to be disappointed about."

If one's natural talent were truly formidable to a certain degree, they wouldn't have left the other party to come over alone.

"What are you talking about?" Shen Yi stopped in his tracks.

"..." Butcher Zhang fell silent, finally turning serious. "The clappers were struck twice last night, and all the military personnel and yamen runners were summoned to the west of the city. The selections are already finished, and they are currently giving instructions inside the yamen... Could it be that they left you out?"

"Those bastards, they really look down on people! I was counting on following you back to Qing Prefecture to visit an old flame!"

Butcher Zhang cursed a couple of times, grabbed Shen Yi by the arm, and rushed toward the yamen.

The Demon Suppression Division always handled matters with meticulous care; it was impossible for them to accidentally overlook someone. It was likely intentional.

Shen Yi's martial prowess, while nothing special if he had grown up in Qing Prefecture, was extremely rare and precious in Baiyun County. If he hadn't been wearing the court's uniform, no sect would have turned him away. How could they bully someone like this!

Although Shen Yi's expression remained as usual, he was indeed puzzled deep down.

He had considered many scenarios, but he had never expected this.

At this moment, the yamen was empty, guarded only by military personnel.

Butcher Zhang charged inside regardless of the consequences. With his hard-body training, the ordinary men were no match for him.

Until they stood before the main hall.

Two young men in black shirts and jade belts stood with their arms crossed. The fierce wolves outlined in gold thread on their shoulders exuded a hint of killing intent. They said indifferently, "Halt."

Butcher Zhang stood still obediently, forcing a smile onto his face. "Lord Lieutenants, there's... there's one more here."

No matter how fierce the Demon Suppression Division was, they wouldn't attack someone for no reason.

But seeing this black uniform, even though Butcher Zhang hadn't done anything wrong, he still felt a shiver of fear.

He gathered his courage and nudged Shen Yi with his shoulder. "What are you standing there for? Go inside first."

"Tsk, I don't know what's so interesting about watching people get lectured."

Shifting his gaze away from Butcher Zhang, the indifference on one of the Demon Suppression Lieutenants' faces gradually faded. He rolled his eyes at Shen Yi and said helplessly, "If you have time, why aren't you at home catching up on sleep instead of running here to join the fun? We're exhausted and still have to stand guard at the door. What a waste of time."

Old Liu wasn't holding his sugar-figure stick today, and he had changed out of his patched old clothes.

He stepped aside to make way, muttering, "Watch if you want, just don't get too close."

The Demon Suppression Lieutenant's words clearly left Butcher Zhang stunned for a moment.

He subconsciously looked to the side.

Shen Yi appeared to be standing as honestly as he was, but there was no sign of anything unusual in his eyes.

These two knew each other?

Inside the main hall, Li Xinhan sat in the main seat, his eyes slightly closed, his expression cold and arrogant.

Six young men with excellent physiques were lined up, standing straight with their hands behind their backs, their bodies tense. They were all dressed as yamen military runners.

The Beggar, also changed into the uniform, looked vastly different from yesterday. Although his features were plain, there was a certain spirit in his eyes.

He walked slowly past the group, his gaze landing on the distracted Chen Ji, and he suddenly kicked out at him.

The reprimand was just on the tip of his tongue.

He looked up and saw the familiar figure outside the door. He opened his mouth, but for some reason, he lost the desire to continue.

He said with a lack of interest, "Stand straight, don't space out."

Seeing this, Old Liu could only smile helplessly.

The custom for selecting new recruits was to first establish the mysterious and majestic image of the Demon Suppression Division in their hearts to suppress their arrogance.

But the Beggar had just been kicked yesterday, and now that he saw the real boss, he couldn't muster that kind of momentum.

"Eight hundred soldiers, over a hundred runners, and only six selected in the end. Half of them will probably be sent back."

Butcher Zhang felt a sense of emotion.

Don't let the number of nearly a thousand fool you; in reality, these thousand people were already screened just to be eligible for the imperial salary. If nothing else, their physiques were at least decent.

It was equivalent to picking six people out of the entire Baiyun County.

Furthermore, once they went to the Demon Suppression Division, they could only serve as muscle built through medicinal baths; few ever made a name for themselves.

Those like the ones in front with cloud patterns on their cuffs were seedlings selected from childhood, trained according to their specialties, and far superior to ordinary martial artists of the same realm.

No other Jianghu sect possessed such a foundation.

Li Xinhan finally opened his eyes and said calmly, "Return to pack your belongings. We depart for Qing Prefecture tomorrow. You may bring at most one family member or attendant. Submit the roster, and someone will make arrangements. Personal items must not exceed eighty pounds."

As soon as these words were spoken, the tense bodies of the six men relaxed slightly.

Two of them were familiar faces.

Niu Da scratched his thigh secretly, very conflicted. "We can only bring one person. Should I bring my brother to see the world... or bring my wife... and my old mother has no one to look after her."

Chen Ji had practiced hard for three years and finally stood out today. Not only were his saber techniques and fist techniques small-success, but he had also cultivated the Spirit Snake Eight Steps to great-success, and the Wind and Thunder Precious Scroll showed signs of breaking through the first barrier.

Even the Demon Suppression Lieutenants gave him an extra look.

He didn't have the same troubles as Niu Da, as he had no other family besides his younger sister.

But Chen Ji still frowned tightly.

From the moment he was called out of his home by the military until now, he hadn't seen Lord Shen's figure. Surely he hadn't overslept like he usually did?

Just then, Li Xinhan slowly stood up.

He paced toward the door.

Every movement he made exuded a thick, powerful aura.

Butcher Zhang unconsciously took half a step back. The fake smile he had forced for Old Liu now held a bit more sincerity.

Those who could have three cloud patterns on their cuffs were almost all Jade Liquid Realm experts.

Each cloud pattern represented countless demon corpses.

Moreover, the other party was so young; it could be said that in time, he would surely become a lieutenant general guarding a region.

Just being swept by the other's gaze, Butcher Zhang's back was already damp with sweat.

Li Xinhan's palm reached toward his waist.

He stared quietly at Shen Yi in front of him. His indifferent expression gradually became somewhat twisted, a mix of conflict, jealousy, and a hint of confusion.

It was hard to imagine one person's face displaying so many emotions at once.

A moment later, Li Xinhan withdrew his gaze and slapped a bank note and a stamped letter into Shen Yi's hand. "With this seal, you can exchange for cash at any major bank in Qing Prefecture."

After throwing out these words, he walked out without looking back.

Leaving the people from Baiyun County and Butcher Zhang standing there in a daze.

The yamen sending money to the Demon Suppression Division, while bordering on a death wish, was barely understandable.

The Demon Suppression Division handing money to yamen runners was truly unheard of.

Only the few lieutenants who knew the situation leaned over with grins, seemingly enjoying watching Li Xinhan get frustrated.

Old Liu patted Shen Yi on the shoulder. "Don't mind him, he just has a grumpy temper, no malice intended. Go back and pack your things; we'll escort you back to Qing Prefecture."

"Escort?" Shen Yi stared at the bank note worth exactly one thousand taels, feeling a bit strange.

The Beggar smacked his lips, not mentioning the beating he took yesterday.

He just said with a hint of loneliness, "Someone about to be inducted under the Commander's command—surely they wouldn't let you walk back yourself."