On the way back to the city, Chen Ji rode his donkey behind Shen Yi, staring at the tall and straight figure in front of him.
He couldn't help but feel that something was off.
Normally, Shen Yi would have taken every opportunity to squeeze the common folk for money, wine, and even their daughters whenever he passed by.
But today, after personally slaying a demon, he just left without a word.
It was strange.
Also, back at the farmer's house, even though Shen Yi had ambushed the demon, how could someone so weakened by indulgence and laziness have managed to strike the demon so decisively that it couldn't even fight back? Chen Ji thought to himself that even if he had been sitting next to the demon, he wouldn't have been able to do it so cleanly.
Remembering how Shen Yi had casually flipped through the martial arts manual earlier, Chen Ji hesitated before asking, "Sir Shen, are you also interested in the martial arts of the Demon-Suppression Bureau?"
Hearing this, Shen Yi turned around and looked at Chen Ji's conflicted expression.
He recalled how reluctant Chen Ji had been when handing over the manual in the office earlier.
"..."
Shen Yi was speechless.
He pulled out the martial arts manual and tossed it back to Chen Ji.
"I was just casually looking at it. Here, take it back."
"I didn't mean it like that..."
Chen Ji caught the manual and instinctively explained, "I have some understanding of these three martial techniques. If you're interested, I could teach you..."
His words suddenly stopped.
Chen Ji frowned, not understanding why he had said such a thing.
One of the main reasons he had worked so hard to master martial arts was to one day use his blade to cut down the scoundrel standing before him.
How could he possibly be willing to teach him anything?
Something had changed!
From the moment they had interacted this morning, Shen Yi seemed like a completely different person.
Every action he took was unexpected.
Had he finally had a change of heart? Was he planning to turn over a new leaf?
"Tie up the donkey and dispose of the demon's corpse," Shen Yi said as they returned to the county office.
He stood at the entrance of the duty room, looking somewhat tired.
For two days in a row, his hands had been stained with blood—though it was demon blood—he still wasn't used to it.
Fortunately, his predecessor had been a corrupt official who rarely did any real work.
Just sitting in the duty room for a while would earn him praise for being diligent.
He stretched slightly before walking inside.
"Boss Shen, you're here early today?"
"..."
Shen Yi glanced up at the midday sun and then back at the few men standing before him.
The one who had just spoken nonsense was named Zhang Dahu, the most trusted subordinate of his predecessor.
Any dirty or difficult tasks were handed to him.
Along with the others behind him, they made up Shen Yi's entire team.
From the actions of his predecessor, it was clear that these lackeys were far from good people.
Besides bullying the common folk, their only other skills were eating, drinking, and having fun.
In terms of combat ability, they could handle ordinary people with their official blades, but against demons, they were practically useless.
Shen Yi had no interest in chatting with them.
Just as he passed by them, Zhang Dahu suddenly scurried up to him with a look of someone seeking praise.
"Boss Shen, the task you assigned has been taken care of."
"What task?" Shen Yi was slightly puzzled.
"It's about using that kid's sister to replace the Liu family's daughter," Zhang Dahu said with a pitiful expression.
"You have no idea how hard it is in our county. Every family hides their daughters well. To meet the number you wanted, we've been running around for days, almost breaking our legs."
He then grinned and said, "We arranged everything and sent that kid to Liuli Temple Village. Don't worry, he won't be back for at least ten days."
As he finished speaking, Shen Yi's heart sank slightly, and he suddenly remembered something.
At that moment, a thin figure stopped at the entrance of the duty room.
Chen Ji removed his bamboo hat, his eyes lifeless as he quietly looked up at the group.
In the next moment, a self-mocking smile appeared on his face, and the blade at his waist rang out as it was drawn.
Nonsense about turning over a new leaf! Nonsense about changing his ways!
A beast will always be a beast!
"Damn it, how did he get back? Protect Boss Shen!" Zhang Dahu shouted in alarm.
Along with the other six officers, they drew their blades and clumsily positioned themselves in front of Shen Yi.
"Chen, you've got some nerve! Drawing your blade against the boss in the county office? If you want to live, put that blade down now, you hear me?"
"Tch."
Chen Ji looked at the group with disdain.
Even though he was outnumbered eight to one, he didn't see them as a threat.
After diligently practicing the martial arts of the Demon-Suppression Bureau, these weaklings weren't even worth a single move.
In an instant, Chen Ji took three swift steps forward.
Although Zhang Dahu was wary of Chen Ji's reputation as a martial arts prodigy, he still felt emboldened by their numbers.
A fierce expression appeared on his face.
"I've had enough of you, you bastard. How dare you act so arrogantly in front of us? You're asking for death!"
Though these officers didn't have any real martial arts skills, the sight of seven gleaming steel blades swinging at once was still quite intimidating.
However, Chen Ji didn't even glance at them.
With a casual swing of his official blade, he easily blocked their attacks.
Zhang Dahu, in his prime and with a tall, strong build, was used to bullying street vendors like catching chickens.
But now, with both hands gripping his blade, sweat even dripping from the tip of his nose, he found that his blade couldn't move an inch further.
In the next moment, Chen Ji swung his blade again.
A sharp glint of silver flashed, and the crisp sound of metal rang out as all seven blades were shattered.
The officers stumbled back, clutching their wrists in shock.
The immense force transmitted through the blades was far beyond anything they had ever experienced.
"Ah... ah... protect Boss Shen..."
Zhang Dahu had known that Chen Ji would be tough, but he hadn't expected him to be this terrifying.
His voice now shrill, he screamed as he retreated.
Chen Ji didn't pursue them.
Instead, he slowly walked up to the last person, his expression cold.
Shen Yi stood with his hands at his sides, frowning slightly as he said softly, "Put the sword down first."
"If you dare to do it, then dare to face the consequences. Don't beg for mercy," Chen Ji said, shaking his head.
His grip on the blade tightened even more.
A leopard can't change its spots.
A dog will always return to its vomit.
A sinister smile appeared on Chen Ji's lips, his voice like that of a death-dealing demon.
"Boss Shen, be more careful in your next life."
As soon as he finished speaking, the silver light flashed again.
The cold, gleaming blade was raised high and then brought down with tremendous force, causing everyone around to hold their breath in fear.
"Quite the poetic words."
Shen Yi raised an eyebrow.
His hand finally rested on the hilt of his blade, but he didn't draw it.
Instead, he simply held the scabbard.
Then, with a casual motion, he swung it.
The black scabbard moved with incredible precision, bypassing the silver light and landing lightly on Chen Ji's shoulder just before the blade could descend.
In the next moment, Chen Ji's pupils dilated, his mind going blank as if he had encountered something incomprehensible.
His entire body suddenly sank, his knees bending with a creaking sound—
The blade fell from his hand, and he dropped to one knee, his breathing ragged.
His arms strained against the ground, veins bulging on his neck as he struggled with all his might but couldn't move an inch.
And all of this was caused by nothing more than the scabbard resting on his shoulder.
Chen Ji stared fixedly at the official boots in front of him, his eyes darting upward.
In his line of sight, Shen Yi still wore the same calm expression, his voice steady as he said, "I told you to put the sword down first."
(End of Chapter)