Under the relentless bombardment of invisible energy, the copper bell trembled violently.
In just a few breaths, cracks began to spread across its surface like a spider's web.
The fox demon's eyes were filled with terror, but it could do nothing.
It could only watch helplessly as its prized possession shattered into pieces.
It tried to turn and flee, but found that even moving a finger was impossible.
"Fourfold True Energy!" This was the signature technique of the Green Province Commander of the Demon-Suppression Bureau.
That damned woman had even taught this martial art to him!
As the fox demon's thoughts raced, the overwhelming true energy pierced through its body like countless arrows, turning it into a tattered, helpless banner.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Horrifying holes riddled the demon's body, and under the continued assault of the true energy, they began to merge until the entire body was reduced to a shapeless, bloody mess.
The only thing that remained intact was the beast core, which Shen Yi had deliberately spared.
The fox demon died without ever seeing it.
Lin Baiwei's face was filled with shock, no less than Shen Yi's own.
Her mouth hung open in disbelief, as if she had just seen a ghost.
Shen Yi walked over and picked up the beast core.
He then glanced at the bed, his expression growing even more peculiar.
"Maybe you should consider covering yourself up first?" he suggested.
Although the Demon-Suppression Bureau was at war with demons and often overlooked minor details, it wouldn't hurt to consider others' feelings.
Shen Yi was still a young man in his prime, and too much exposure to such a scene could easily affect his state of mind.
"Ah..."
Lin Baiwei finally snapped out of her daze and quickly wrapped herself in the blanket.
Though slightly embarrassed, she didn't put on any airs.
After what she had just witnessed, she had no room for other thoughts.
If she remembered correctly, it had only been six days since she had given him the Fourfold True Energy manual.
Although his cultivation level limited the power of the energy he had just unleashed, the fact that he could even use it at all was astonishing.
Shen Yi didn't offer any further explanation.
He had done this deliberately.
With the fox demon dead, Lin Baiwei would naturally return to her family, and their paths would likely never cross again.
After hearing Zhang the Butcher's explanation, Shen Yi understood how vastly different treatment could be based on one's talent.
Compared to the demon hunter who had reached the Jade Liquid stage in ten years, Shen Yi, who had only opened twelve acupoints in his early twenties, had nothing to show for himself except for the "fake talent" he had accumulated through his system.
This wasn't the time to hide his abilities.
Rather than exposing himself to strangers, it was better to show off a little in front of someone he was somewhat familiar with, like Lin Baiwei, and use her connections to give himself a better start.
It seemed his plan had worked, but Shen Yi wasn't entirely sure.
After all, there was no telling whether Lin Baiwei would mention this incident once she returned to the Demon-Suppression Bureau.
He could only leave it to fate.
Shen Yi rummaged through the cabinet and pulled out the black robe Lin Baiwei had worn earlier, tossing it onto the bed.
"There's no medicine here, but your family probably has plenty. Do you want me to escort you back?"
"..."
Just like that, he changed the subject?
Lin Baiwei clutched the robe, her lips twitching.
How could someone with such a low cultivation level master a profound Jade Liquid stage martial art in just six days and use it so effortlessly? And yet, he acted as if it were nothing.
If it weren't for Shen Yi's pale and weak appearance, she would have doubted he was even at the initial stage.
At least his cultivation progress was still within the realm of normalcy.
Otherwise, the so-called geniuses of Green Province would be utterly ashamed.
"No, I can go back on my own," Lin Baiwei finally managed to say, comforting herself.
"Make sure your father sends me the money he owes," Shen Yi said as he turned away, giving her time to change.
"What money? How much?"
"Seven hundred and ninety taels of demon-slaying silver, including ten taels for your meals," Shen Yi replied, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
Now that the demon was dead, he could accept the money with a clear conscience.
Lin Baiwei quickly changed her clothes and stared at his back, feeling both annoyed and amused.
He even calculated the exact amount, down to the last tael.
As she wiped the wound on her neck, she said, "I work in the Demon-Suppression Bureau, with a rank equivalent to a deputy general."
At this, Shen Yi slowly turned around.
Just as Lin Baiwei thought he would ask more questions, the young man rolled his eyes and said with a hint of resignation, "Fine, let's round it down to seven hundred taels."
"That's not what I meant!" Lin Baiwei stomped her foot.
She had intended to reveal her true identity and express her gratitude for his care during this time.
Was a bit of silver really more valuable than her personal favor?
"Then there's nothing else to discuss," Shen Yi said, not feeling that the woman owed him anything.
The debt was settled, and he had even gained a Jade Liquid stage martial art.
Plus, she could take the blame for some of the demon-slaying incidents.
For example, the fox demon would likely attribute its death to her "master."
The only regret was...
Shen Yi glanced at the lamb ribs on the floor.
He really didn't know how to cook.
In the past, he could pretend not to notice, but now that his future superior was here, it would be impolite to ask her to cook.
"Maybe I'll stay for dinner before leaving?" Lin Baiwei suggested, swallowing her saliva as she looked at the ribs.
"Just rest for a bit. I'll handle it," she said before Shen Yi could respond, picking up the ingredients and heading into the kitchen.
Shen Yi was slightly surprised but didn't object.
A moment later, he turned his gaze to the door, and his system interface quickly unfolded.
[Slaying a peak initial stage fox demon.
Total lifespan: 602 years.
Remaining lifespan: 472 years.
Absorption complete.]
[Remaining demon lifespan: 657 years.]
This fox demon was the most talented one Shen Yi had encountered, with the longest remaining lifespan.
But he didn't dwell on it.
Compared to the Fourfold True Energy he had deliberately displayed, the method of using lifespan to replenish his twelve major acupoints was the real secret he needed to keep hidden.
While Lin Baiwei was busy, Shen Yi invested five years of lifespan into the "Wind and Thunder Demon-Suppression True Explanation."
In the next moment, although his face remained pale, his empty acupoints were instantly filled with energy.
If he wanted, he could unleash that level of true energy another 131 times.
Shen Yi slowly gripped the hilt of his sword.
...
As night fell, the streets of Baiyun County were nearly empty, with only a few scattered pedestrians.
As the man in the black robe stepped onto the street, more than a dozen figures of various appearances quietly gathered around him, their whispers reaching his ears.
A beggar with a grave expression said, "I went to the Lin residence. That wasn't Master Lin. It was a demon in disguise. I'm not sure if it noticed me."
A young man holding a sugar cane added, "According to rumors, Master Lin went out to slay a demon and returned severely injured. He was brought back to the Lin residence by a constable named Shen."
Several others chimed in, "Shen Yi, born in the outskirts of Baiyun County, used to work in the kitchen of an inn. At fourteen, he started wandering the streets. Later, he was noticed by Song Changfeng, the head of the criminal division, and joined the constabulary. He has a notorious reputation, loves gambling, and even colluded with demons to cause trouble."
Li Xinhan glanced at them.
"A corrupt constable?"
Another person shook his head.
"Not necessarily. According to villagers from Liuli Temple, he once went alone and killed thirteen demons. The county magistrate also confessed that on the day we arrived, disciples of the Diamond Sect and the Eastern Mountain Ape Demon sent a message to ambush Shen Yi in the wilderness. The next day, both the ape demon and the magistrate were dead."
"I did some digging. Many villagers had their daughters abducted by constables, only to have them returned by Shen Yi, who compensated them with rice and flour. The timing coincides with the days he was slaying demons."
After compiling all the information, Li Xinhan looked toward a nearby door with a hint of mockery.
"Years of hiding, mastering a divine technique, and clearing his name?"
The beggar knew he was joking but still hesitated.
"Although it seems like a last-minute attempt to cover his tracks... what you said isn't impossible. After all, he was ostracized by the entire constabulary. If it were all an act, it would be too much."
(End of Chapter)