Homesickness

The beggar tossed out the title with casual ease.

Chen Ji and the others barely reacted.

Butcher Zhang snapped out of his surprise and pinched his own round belly hard.

Tsk! He hadn't imagined it!

But why?!

Butcher Zhang wasn't the sort to begrudge a friend's good fortune. He simply couldn't make sense of it.

He wasn't particularly interested in court affairs.

But the Commander-in-Chief of Qing Prefecture ranked as a peer of the leaders of the great sects. And with the Demon Suppression Division's status above the martial world, she could have the final say throughout Qing Prefecture.

To ordinary martial artists, she was little more than a tale told for amusement after a meal—a story brought to life when the storyteller slapped his clapper.

How had she suddenly become connected to someone right beside him?

"Don't make things up!"

Old Liu knitted his brows and glared at the beggar.

There wasn't even the slightest proof, and he was already spreading rumors. Spend too long begging, and you forgot how to keep your mouth shut.

He shook his head, then looked back at Shen Yi with a wry smile. "The message we sent to the Commander-in-Chief did mention that, but she's been away for years. Who knows when she'll return? Even if she does... anyway, you'd better not get your hopes up."

Old Liu was a practical man. He didn't want Shen Yi to get his hopes up, only to be disappointed and let his emotions get the better of him. That would be a waste of a promising martial artist.

He glanced casually to the side. Butcher Zhang took the hint, scratched his head, and went into the main hall to chat idly with Chen Ji and the others.

"Lord Lin was struck by a demonic spell. She's already been escorted out of Baiyun County by a specialist to seek out the Commander-in-Chief. She won't be returning to Qing Prefecture for now."

Old Liu lowered his voice. "Once you join the Demon Suppression Division, we'll all be brothers who'd trust each other with our lives. These men won't hesitate to take a blade for you, but they also won't like seeing you rise to the top overnight—especially when you've only just arrived. That's human nature. Try to be understanding."

Brief and to the point.

It was less a warning than a reminder.

Shen Yi considered his words for a moment, then understood what he meant.

The "talent" he'd deliberately displayed in front of Lin Baiwei had indeed had the desired effect.

But every gain came with a loss.

Although the people before him all wore smiles, they probably weren't as happy as they looked.

They were all men who'd traded their lives for merit.

If he put on airs as though he'd climbed to the top through connections, it might be fine if his backing was strong enough. But if it wasn't, he'd only be asking for trouble.

"According to Li Xinhan, we'll send you home first. Everything else will proceed as usual. Don't let anything slip. The two lords will make arrangements once they return."

Old Liu finished speaking and fell silent.

Captain Li did have a foul temper, but he wasn't a bad man. If Shen Yi had his own plans, or thought they were trying to suppress him, then Old Liu had said all he could. The rest was up to him.

"I don't have any objections."

Shen Yi shook his head.

He was joining the Demon Suppression Division for two reasons: first, to have someone backing him when he hunted demons; second, to gain access to martial arts and precious medicines.

The first would give him more ways to gather information when facing demons. He wouldn't be left in the dark about the world beyond the county, as he was now.

With enough demon lifespan to draw on,

and martial arts and precious medicines to help him, he could improve far faster than by going it alone.

Compared with those practical benefits, Shen Yi didn't care much for an empty reputation that could only bring trouble for now.

As Old Liu had said, even if there were benefits, he couldn't claim them until the two lords came back.

Old Liu discreetly watched his expression.

Shen Yi's gaze remained clear. He said he had no objections, and he truly seemed not to care.

That reaction surprised Old Liu.

Everyone knew a promise couldn't fill an empty stomach. But when such an incredible opportunity landed in your lap, even if there was a ninety-nine percent chance it was a lie, how many people could ignore it completely?

Of course, there was another possibility: he'd already gotten his hands on the prize.

"Damn it, you didn't really win Lord Lin over, did you?!"

Remembering Lin Baiwei's loose-fitting clothes from the day before, Old Liu gritted his teeth. His convictions wavered.

The others behind him hurriedly kicked him to the ground. "Have you lost your mind?!"

If those ascetics who spent every day in demon lairs heard him slandering a Demon Catcher, they'd flay the poor bastard alive.

"We're on an assignment. We're only making a quick stop in Baiyun County, so we're in a hurry. Go home and pack up. You can come with us."

The beggar pressed Old Liu's face into the ground and gave Shen Yi an apologetic smile.

Outside the county office.

The handful of chosen young men clenched their fists, barely able to contain their excitement.

With demons running rampant, learning a few martial skills was undoubtedly the fastest way to raise their standing.

Today, they might be ordinary constables and soldiers. But if they passed the Demon Suppression Division's trial, then when they returned to Baiyun County, even the county magistrate would receive them with courtesy.

At the thought, they couldn't help looking toward the young man up ahead.

They weren't blind or deaf. Even though they couldn't make out what the Captains had said to him, their attitude alone made things clear.

Constable Shen wasn't going to the trial like the rest of them.

It was a shame they weren't close. Trying to build a connection now would feel a little forced... Still, at least they came from the same hometown. Once they joined the Demon Suppression Division, that ought to count for something.

"Boss Shen, I need to go home and spend some time with my mother, and comfort my wife while I'm at it."

The two who were closer to Shen Yi had no such reservations. Niu Da was in a hurry to get home. He scratched his crotch, said his piece, and started to leave.

Chen Ji had long thought Shen Yi was no ordinary man. He even figured that if the so-called Commander-in-Chief really took him as a disciple, it wouldn't be surprising.

Whether he went through the trial or joined the Division directly, it was only a matter of time.

"Lord Shen..." He cupped his hands.

"That's enough." Shen Yi gathered his thoughts and waved him off.

At last, he could take off his constable's uniform and put an end to all the rotten things his predecessor had done.

There was no reason to call him "Lord" anymore, now that he no longer worked at the county office.

Still, watching Niu Da walk away stirred something in him.

Leaving one's hometown was usually a sorrowful affair.

Shen Yi tried hard to dredge up some sadness, but when he thought it over, he had no family to say goodbye to and no home to remember. Even the little room where he'd lived belonged to the county office.

Of his two friends, one was traveling with him, and the other...

Shen Yi glanced back at Butcher Zhang. The man was grinning as he trailed behind them, and Shen Yi remembered him saying he'd return to Qing Prefecture to see an old flame.

Well, the other one would probably be traveling with him too.

It wasn't as if he could go say goodbye to Old Mother Green Scale.

"Come on. Let's eat at an inn." Shen Yi shook the banknotes in his hand.

"Absolutely. My mouth's been so starved for flavor lately, I could sprout feathers. Let's get three flute players and singers, too." Butcher Zhang smacked his belly.

"..."

Who went to an inn with banknotes in hand?

Chen Ji pulled the silver ingot from his belt and sighed. "Two will do. I don't need one."

"No problem. I'll make use of two." Butcher Zhang patted him generously on the shoulder.

Thanks to everyone for the monthly votes and rewards, and for reading yesterday. I'm a newbie, so my writing is still rough, and I still owe you another update. I'm truly grateful that you're willing to keep reading and lend me your support.

(The End of This Chapter)