Qingzhou, Demon Suppression Bureau.
Two carriages stopped at the side gate.
"Miss, should we send the young master back home?" Li Xiao'er jumped down, his face filled with concern.
"They're just external injuries. Take him to Lord Bai. His medical skills are excellent, and he won't leave any scars."
Li Muyin knew her brother's temperament well.
He hated it when people brought up his identity as a young master from a wealthy family, attributing all his achievements to the support of the Li family... though, to be honest, without the covert protection of their parents, given his reckless and ambitious nature, he would have died countless times already.
The more people gossiped about it behind his back, the more he wanted to prove himself.
This led to more impulsive actions, forcing the Li family to clean up more of his messes.
Take this incident with the river demon, for example.
Several lieutenants had already gone missing, and when they found a blood-stained waist token, it was clear they were short-handed.
Yet, he refused to ask for help from other officers and stubbornly charged in, hoping to catch a lucky break.
If it weren't for Shen Yi's unexpected intervention, the entire team would have perished in Shuiyun Village.
Now, with just a few external injuries, he should consider himself lucky.
"He deserves to lie in bed for a month and reflect on his actions."
Hearing this, Li Xiao'er sighed and explained, "The young master had been much more composed before. But first, Fang Heng, who he never got along with, was chosen as a disciple by the General... and then he got provoked in Baiyun County... That's why he became so impatient."
As he spoke, he glanced at the figure walking ahead.
It had to be said, the reason this person could provoke the young master wasn't just because he was lucky enough to have connections with Lord Lin.
With his current strength, given time, he would become a powerhouse no less formidable than Fang Heng.
Both of them came from humble backgrounds.
Fang Heng had caught the General's attention by risking his life to kill a late-stage Jade Liquid Realm demon, earning himself the rank of a Three-Striped Lieutenant.
In comparison, Shen Yi was slightly less impressive, having killed a river demon that was already exhausted.
But one mustn't forget, his cultivation level was far below Fang Heng's.
This achievement was even more astonishing than Fang Heng's.
Thinking of this, Li Xiao'er shook his head and gave a sympathetic look at Li Xinhan, who was wrapped up like a dumpling.
He then went inside to call for help to carry the two injured men into the Demon Suppression Bureau.
"Please, Lord Shen, it's time to claim your reward."
Li Muyin took half a step to the side and gestured playfully.
Under her guidance, Shen Yi soon arrived at the entrance of the External Affairs Hall.
The lieutenants who were bustling about couldn't help but slow their steps when they noticed the thick aura of demonic blood and killing intent emanating from the young man.
They cast admiring glances his way.
A Two-Striped Lieutenant who happened to be coming out also stepped aside to make way, cupping his hands in congratulations.
"Congratulations, brother, on your triumphant return."
Being stared at by so many people at once, Shen Yi felt slightly uncomfortable.
He nodded and replied, "Thank you."
Then, he followed Li Muyin into the hall.
Inside, he saw a smooth, glossy counter, behind which stood a man and a woman.
Both wore black robes, but the difference lay in the embroidery on their shoulders.
Unlike the fierce golden wolves on the outer camp uniforms, their robes were adorned with a sharp-eyed golden eagle.
The wolf roams a thousand miles, the eagle watches all directions.
As Liu Xiujie had mentioned, these two inner camp lieutenants, despite their polite smiles, exuded a certain air of nobility that set them apart from the outer camp members, clearly indicating their higher social status.
Li Muyin pushed forward the official document issued by the Shuiyun Village office.
"All the lieutenants sent to observe the ritual have perished. There was a Jade Liquid Realm demon involved, but it has been exterminated."
Hearing this, the inner camp woman showed no sign of grief.
Instead, her smile grew more genuine, clearly recognizing the Li siblings.
She didn't mention the dead lieutenants at all, instead remarking, "Xinhan is about to be promoted to deputy general. From now on, even I will have to address him as 'Lord.'"
A few outer camp lieutenants nearby shot her a cold glance but didn't dare to say anything, turning to leave the External Affairs Hall.
Li Muyin's expression remained calm, showing no intention of engaging in small talk.
She said indifferently, "You'll have to wait a few more months for that. Please take a closer look at the document."
Hearing this, the man beside her reached out to flip through the document, his eyes showing a hint of confusion.
"First merit, Shen Yi?"
Although he wasn't familiar with the name, it was extremely rare for the leader's merit to be ranked below that of his subordinates.
Especially since Li Xinhan was only one first merit away from promotion.
This made the situation even more perplexing.
He continued reading, his pupils slightly contracting.
"You exterminated the River God of Shuiyun Village?"
The man looked up in surprise, finally turning his gaze to the quiet young man standing behind Li Muyin.
After a moment, he chuckled.
"Brother, your concealment skills are truly impressive. Did the Li family patriarch invite you here as an expert? According to the rules, you should be promoted one rank. As for the reward, would you prefer martial arts techniques or precious pills?"
Finally getting to the topic he was interested in, Shen Yi stepped forward, his goal clear.
"The Wind Thunder Sun-Melting Manual."
As soon as these words left his mouth, the two behind the counter fell silent.
They exchanged a glance, their faces showing a hint of awe.
He wanted this martial arts manual, so he was truly at the initial stage?
They had thought he was here to pave the way for Li Xinhan, but it turned out he was here to reap the rewards.
What kind of background did he have...
They quickly composed themselves and went inside.
About the time it takes to burn an incense stick, they returned with a brand-new black robe, a copied martial arts manual, and a bottle of precious pills.
"You can leave your old uniform here, and we'll send someone to collect it. This is a pre-copied manual to save you the trouble. As for the pills, according to the rules, newcomers to the Demon Suppression Bureau are entitled to ten years of medicinal baths. You probably won't need them, so we'll convert them into Qi-Gathering Pills."
The woman smiled as she placed the items on the table.
The man, meanwhile, pulled out another bottle from his sleeve.
"Those are from the court. This is a small gift from me, just a token of goodwill."
Li Muyin turned her head away, her gaze shifting elsewhere.
Shen Yi collected the items, leaving only the extra bottle of pills behind.
He said calmly, "Thank you for your kindness, but I must decline."
Although he didn't want to get involved with them, he didn't deliberately act aloof or disdainful.
He turned and left the External Affairs Hall.
Li Muyin followed him out, smiling.
"Are you really that wary of getting involved with the Qingzhou elite?"
Shen Yi stopped and turned back, speaking slowly, "Your connections are useful, but if I rely on them too much, I might end up having to change my surname."
Like just now, the ten years of medicinal baths being converted into Qi-Gathering Pills.
Such things were supposed to be available by rule, but if no one mentioned them, they wouldn't exist.
Someone would come to collect his old uniform, and the martial arts manual was pre-copied...
It seemed that with a bit of background, all these trivial matters would be quietly taken care of by an invisible hand.
No one dislikes convenience, but everything comes at a price.
"Why draw such a clear line?" Li Muyin stretched her body, blinking.
"According to Li Xinhan's intentions, he wants to invite you as a guest elder and even marry off his sister. Who knows, you might become family in the future."
Shen Yi looked at her sparkling eyes, pondered for a moment, and then spoke with a bit more seriousness, "It's better to keep things clear."
"Tch, how boring."
Li Muyin clasped her hands behind her back and walked ahead.
"I'll take you to see your new residence. The others will probably be stuck in the medical hall for a while, so you'll have to live alone for some time."
As she turned, her tone remained casual, still playful and unserious, but her eyes narrowed slightly.
(End of Chapter)