In these troubled times, those who lived far from towns and cities tried their best not to draw too much attention to themselves.
Only the carriages of the Demon-Suppression Bureau dared to travel openly on the roads, even when empty.
As time passed, many traveling merchants began to follow in groups behind the carriages.
Some even sent their guards on horseback to deliver dried rations and meat.
"This reputation is far better than ours," Chen Ji said, holding a pile of food, his youthful face filled with excitement.
After nearly two days of non-stop travel, the carriage finally came to a halt beneath the towering city walls.
Above the arched gate, the words "Qingzhou" were inscribed in bold, imposing strokes, exuding an air of grandeur.
Li Xinhan handed his waist token to the city guard and then dismounted, leading his horse by the reins.
Seeing this, Old Liu couldn't help but chuckle.
"Looks like those lashes from last time taught him a lesson."
Noticing the confusion on the others' faces, he explained, "The rules of the Demon-Suppression Bureau state that unless it's an urgent matter, anyone caught galloping through the city will receive three lashes and lose two months' pay."
It was already dusk.
If this were Baiyun County, the streets would be nearly empty by now.
But here, on the wide, brick-paved road that could accommodate eight carriages side by side, the streets were bustling with people, filled with noise and commotion.
Shen Yi stepped out of the carriage, feeling as though he had been transported back to his previous life.
Except for the lack of towering skyscrapers, the scene was even more vibrant and lively than he remembered.
The group followed Li Xinhan until they stopped at a rather peculiar place in the city.
A wide wall, two zhang high, stretched endlessly, seemingly enclosing a small city within the larger one.
"The governor personally approved 2,800 mu of land to establish the Demon-Suppression Bureau's headquarters," Li Xinhan explained.
"Follow me."
The beggar took his family and the six newcomers away, while Li Xinhan entered through a side gate.
"There are many rules inside, but they don't really concern us in the outer camp. You just need to remember where to eat, where to sleep, and where to collect your pay," Old Liu said as he led Shen Yi around, introducing the various facilities.
First, they went to the Internal Affairs Office to register Shen Yi's name.
Li Xinhan personally handled the matter, and soon after, he returned with a set of official clothing, a small medicine bottle, and a black waist token.
Handing the items to Shen Yi, Li Xinhan said, "I noticed the sword at your waist is quite extraordinary, so I didn't get you a new one. If you need anything else, you can come here and ask. If there's anything you don't understand, just ask Liu Xiu Jie."
Liu Xiu Jie clicked his tongue.
"Where will he be staying?"
Li Xinhan hesitated for a moment before replying, "We'll follow Lord Lin's instructions."
Hearing this, Liu Xiu Jie's expression changed slightly.
"Why cause trouble for him?"
Shen Yi silently watched the two, not quite understanding what was going on.
Liu Xiu Jie sighed and then led Shen Yi deeper into the compound.
"Normally, outer camp lieutenants live in the west courtyard…" After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Liu Xiu Jie stopped in front of a quiet courtyard and introduced it with a bitter smile.
"Be careful here."
"What is this place?" Shen Yi frowned as he looked around.
"This is the courtyard where the General usually stays, along with his five disciples. Among them are two Demon-Suppression Generals, one Deputy General, one Demon Hunter, and one who just joined five months ago… also a three-stripe lieutenant."
"Ah, you might not be familiar with the Demon-Suppression Bureau. Guess why there are no guards here?" Liu Xiu Jie took a deep breath, rubbed his temples, and then rephrased his words.
"Let me put it this way: apart from the General, the other rooms belong to two Core Formation cultivators, two Jade Liquid Perfection cultivators, and one Jade Liquid Mid-stage cultivator."
"And you, with nothing but a letter to your name, are now going to live here too."
"I'm not sure if this is a good thing. As the saying goes, a tall tree catches the wind."
Liu Xiu Jie frowned, not understanding what Lord Lin was thinking.
Compared to him, Liu Xiu Jie knew the minds of the other ordinary lieutenants much better.
"Never mind, follow me."
Liu Xiu Jie led the way into the courtyard as if they were entering a dragon's den or a tiger's lair.
Hearing his words and recalling the rumors Zhang the Butcher had once mentioned, Shen Yi's earlier suspicions about Lin Baiwei's identity were now confirmed.
He just couldn't figure out what she was trying to achieve.
As they stepped into the courtyard, they saw a single locust tree and an ancient well.
A muscular young man, shirtless and with a body that looked as if it had been cast from steel, sat on a stone stool, carefully peeling beans.
Across from him, an elderly woman with gray hair pinched vegetable sprouts with her fingers.
The scene was peaceful and serene.
"Liu Xiu Jie from the outer camp, greetings to Lord Fang," Old Liu forced a smile and pulled Shen Yi forward.
"Lord Fang, this is…"
"I know. I received a letter from my senior sister," Fang Heng continued peeling the beans without looking up.
The elderly woman, however, glanced curiously at Shen Yi.
"That's good, that's good," Liu Xiu Jie said with a forced smile, no longer as relaxed as he had been with Li Xinhan.
He gestured to Shen Yi.
"Why don't you greet your senior brother, Fang Heng?"
Hearing this, Fang Heng said indifferently, "No need to call me senior brother. Just call me by my name."
Liu Xiu Jie felt a bit awkward but sighed inwardly.
As expected, a single letter wasn't enough to secure such a great opportunity.
"Young man, can't you look at someone when you speak?" The elderly woman smacked Fang Heng on the head.
Fang Heng seemed used to it.
He raised his head and pointed to the smallest side courtyard.
"Stay there for now. What my senior sister owes you, I'll repay."
Now it was Liu Xiu Jie's turn to be confused.
Shen Yi silently breathed a sigh of relief.
So that's how it was.
It wasn't that he hadn't been hopeful, but such a huge opportunity falling into his lap out of nowhere had made him uneasy.
Now that he understood the reason, he felt much more at ease.
Lin Baiwei had promised him two Jade Liquid Realm martial arts techniques.
The "Four Harmonies True Aura" was one of them.
He had thought that once the trouble was resolved, she might forget about it or simply hand him some random technique from the Demon-Suppression Bureau to fulfill the deal.
He hadn't expected her to take it so seriously.
Since the person in front of him was also a disciple of the General and had made such a big deal out of it, the martial art he was about to receive shouldn't be any weaker than the "Four Harmonies True Aura."
"Uh…" Seeing that there was nothing more for him to do, Liu Xiu Jie cupped his hands and took his leave, giving Shen Yi a sympathetic look before he left.
Although he had warned Shen Yi earlier, being so bluntly rejected by Fang Heng must have been a blow.
"…" Shen Yi rolled his eyes at Liu Xiu Jie and then turned to enter the small house.
The new uniform was made of silk, smooth to the touch.
Even the belt of an ordinary lieutenant was adorned with jade.
No wonder Zhang the Butcher had been so envious of the Demon-Suppression Bureau's wealth.
Shen Yi tried it on briefly.
It fit well, though there was no mirror to check his appearance.
After adjusting his sleeves, Shen Yi picked up the small medicine bottle.
Liu Xiu Jie hadn't explained what it was before he left.
Was this the so-called precious medicine?
Hanging the waist token on his belt and picking up his black sword, Shen Yi was about to head out when he heard the elderly woman's voice from outside.
"Young man, come out and eat!"