Heading to Qing Prefecture

The first light of dawn broke through the swirling white mist.

Outside the quiet county town, over a dozen carriages were lined up in sequence.

The ebony carriage bodies were not carved with auspicious patterns, but rather with lifelike, ferocious beasts that made one's heart shudder at the sight.

The horses pulling the carriages were robust, with long, powerful limbs and jet-black coats, standing half a head taller than ordinary sturdy steeds.

Their heads were covered in a layer of dark red velvet fur, and as they lifted them, they revealed vertical pupils, snorting at the surroundings.

Niu Da was so startled that he hurriedly clutched his bundle and stepped back. "Since when do horses have eyes like that? They look just like leopards."

The Beggar walked over, gently patting the horse's neck, and laughed. "These are half-demons. They run fast and steady, and can travel even in the dead of night. At most, it will take us two days to get back to Qing Prefecture."

So-called half-demons were livestock whose bloodlines had been tainted by demons.

Once they gained sentience, they became true demonic creatures.

However, through generations of specialized breeding, their demonic nature had diminished, leaving almost no possibility of them ever gaining sentience.

After soothing the demonic horse, the Beggar returned to Li Xinhan's side and whispered, "As it stands, his training is quite eclectic. He has practiced body-tempering martial arts similar to those of the Vajra Sect, and he has some attainments in blade techniques. According to the bailiffs, there is even a distinct aura of demonic baleful intent when he draws his blade."

"From my observations yesterday, his footwork is light and agile, and one can faintly discern the foundations of the Spirit Snake Eight Steps."

"Hmm... it's too messy and disorganized. It doesn't look like he has had any proper tutelage."

Body-tempering martial arts, demonic baleful blade techniques, Demon Suppression Division movement arts—what could be identified already involved three completely different paths.

The Beggar spoke with a hint of helplessness, "Even with this wild style of his, he still floored me in one move."

Those who practice martial arts fear nothing more than a chaotic and disorganized foundation.

After all, one's lifespan is limited.

To dabble in this and that, learning a little bit of everything, might seem like an advantage in a fight, but in reality, it wastes a vast amount of time on every discipline.

"His natural talent should be no less than yours, and he is of a similar age. I suspect that is the very reason he has been left a step behind you in terms of realm."

Hearing this, Li Xinhan's expression remained unchanged. "That is a good thing."

Having such eclectic training proves the other party has no formal path and a clean background.

"Also, we are not of a similar age."

Li Xinhan gazed into the distance at the approaching figure and said indifferently, "I am a year and six months younger than him, and I reached the Jade Liquid Realm two years ago. If it had been me who visited that day instead of you, he would not have lasted a single move against me either."

Seeing that he was clearly feeling some resentment yet still pretending to be indifferent, the Beggar was speechless and muttered under his breath, "If it had been Lin who opened the door, you wouldn't have lasted a move either... It's just a matter that hasn't even begun, is it really worth being this jealous?"

Li Xinhan's mouth twitched twice; he let out a cold snort, flicked his sleeves, and mounted his horse.

Old Liu stretched his body and yawned, too lazy to get involved in their bickering.

They were all youths from clean families in Qing Prefecture, selected into the Demon Suppression Division in the same batch. Li was talented and had advanced quickly, but he had no habit of putting on airs in front of his brothers. It was common for them to poke at each other's sore spots, and no one took it to heart.

He rubbed his neck and walked toward the group in the distance. "You're here? The family members and servants can sit in the carriages at the back."

Chen Ji nodded and helped the somewhat nervous Chen Jinyu onto the carriage filled with female family members.

"Hmm..."

Old Liu turned around and looked in astonishment at the massive Butcher Zhang. "Forget it, you'd better take a carriage to yourself."

He led Shen Yi and Chen Ji to the first carriage.

As Li Xinhan gave a light tug on the reins and rode at the very front, the remaining demonic horses, needing no drivers, consciously stepped forward to follow behind.

"Practice hard once we reach Qing Prefecture. You're a good seed; there's no reason you won't have a chance to add a cloud pattern to your cuffs in the future."

Sitting inside the steady carriage, Old Liu first gave Chen Ji an encouraging look.

"This subordinate understands."

Chen Ji cupped his hands in response, knowing full well that the other party was only giving Shen Yi face.

"I won't stand on ceremony with you."

Old Liu looked at Shen Yi and rubbed his hands together. "How about it? Any interest in joining us? Li has quite a few pretty young ladies under his command. You aren't married yet, are you?"

Shen Yi lifted the curtain to look outside.

He saw that only Li Xinhan and the Beggar were on horseback.

"Where are the others?"

At this, Old Liu sighed. "They stayed behind in Baiyun County, waiting for the Inner Battalion patrols to come and take over."

"Inner Battalion?" Shen Yi asked with slight curiosity.

Old Liu seemed very reluctant to explain the matter clearly, and it was only after a huff came from Li Xinhan outside the carriage that he said helplessly, "The Demon Suppression Division's Qing Prefecture office is divided into three battalions. Aside from where these newcomers stay, there is a distinction between the Inner and Outer Battalions."

"As for this Inner Battalion, aside from patrolling the counties on schedule, they spend their days in Qing Prefecture city, patrolling the streets, drinking wine... they are well-versed in the art of garrisoning and rarely leave the city. It's boring as hell."

"Our Outer Battalion is much more prestigious. Whether it's the Commander-in-Chief or Lin, they both came out of the Outer Battalion when they were young. Not only is it much freer, but we are often accompanied by mountains and rivers, enjoying the beautiful scenery of the world. There's no telling how carefree it is."

Chen Ji listened, bewildered, and asked softly, "Uh, if you are often wandering outside the city, won't you run into a lot of demons?"

"You..."

Old Liu glared at the kid, opened his mouth, and found he couldn't keep the story going. "It wouldn't be hard for Brother Shen to join the Inner Battalion. Just have Li put in a word. His family is a prominent clan in Qing Prefecture and lacks nothing in silver; he has at least that much influence... The girls in our team are really very pretty, you should think about it."

Shen Yi dropped the curtain, feeling as though the man were a pimp.

To be able to stay in a safe place for a lifetime, unafraid of demonic incursions, and have a secure job to boot.

Anyone would find it impossible to refuse such a good deal.

Except for him.

Once he no longer had the lifespan provided by demons, Shen Yi's so-called "talent" would be exposed in an instant.

The true level of this body was that of a decent blade-wielder, provided one practiced diligently for a lifetime.

Let alone comparing himself to these Demon Suppression Lieutenants, he was far inferior even to Chen Ji.

"The Outer Battalion sounds fine. I will follow the Lieutenant's arrangements."

Shen Yi withdrew his gaze, looking as if he truly believed all of Old Liu's nonsense.

Hearing this, Li Xinhan, who was riding outside, though still maintaining a calm expression, slightly loosened his grip on the reins.

"I knew you had an eye for things!"

Old Liu clapped his hands happily and gave a thumbs up. "You saw at a glance that our future is promising."

Within the Demon Suppression Division, merit was highly valued, and competition was fierce.

If Li wanted to advance, he had to build his own team.

Compared to other teams led by deputy generals, he was young and lacked seniority, naturally putting him at a disadvantage when picking people.

Someone with ability like Shen Yi might not count for much in the eyes of other deputy generals, but to them, it was like finding a treasure.

Chen Ji stayed in the corner, feeling somewhat moved.

Coming from the same Baiyun County, he and the others were still anxious about their future, yet Shen was already someone these Demon Suppression Lieutenants were fighting to recruit.

(End of chapter)