The moment the name was uttered by the other party, Zhang the Butcher was momentarily stunned, his mind still in a daze.
As he gradually regained his senses, his bearded face quickly became shrouded in fear and panic.
Similar to Lin Baiwei, this was also a name that only existed in rumors within the martial world.
With a pair of bare hands, this person could suppress mountains and rivers.
The number of demons and monsters that had died under his feet was enough to pile up into a mountain of flesh.
He was highly regarded by the Governor of Qingzhou, who took him in as a closed-door disciple, teaching him unparalleled martial arts.
So...
Such a figure had come to visit, yet all he brought were a few oranges.
Although Zhang the Butcher was confident, he didn't think this person had come for him.
Awkwardly, he said, "Reporting to the officer, I am merely staying here temporarily. The master of the house has gone out."
"Where did he go?" Fang Heng suppressed his impatience.
"He..."
Zhang the Butcher smacked his lips and pointed toward the courtyard gate.
"Look, he's back with food."
Fang Heng turned to look.
He saw a handsome young man in a dark robe, with a black blade at his waist, carrying two food boxes as he slowly walked into the courtyard.
Not only was he completely uninjured, but his eyes were also clear and deep, and the cloud patterns on his sleeves had clearly turned into two.
"Lord Shen, someone is here to see you!"
Zhang the Butcher suddenly shouted loudly.
Whether this person was here to visit family or to cause trouble, at least he should give the other party some time to react.
However, it probably wasn't trouble...
If it really was, he might end up lying here today.
Shen Yi was slightly taken aback.
He had already sensed Fang Heng's presence earlier, but he hadn't expected the other party to come bearing gifts.
He walked into the house unhurriedly.
"Is there something?"
Shen Yi felt that he had made things quite clear the last time they met.
There was no relationship between them, nor was there any enmity.
"..."
Zhang the Butcher was secretly worried.
Back in Baiyun County, Shen Yi had always been indifferent to everything.
How come even after coming to Qingzhou, he still had this same cold and detached demeanor?
If he could somehow establish a connection with Fang Heng, wouldn't the issue of the demonic serpent in Qingfeng Mountain be easily resolved? With Fang Heng's abilities, a simple order could turn the situation around.
"Phew."
Fang Heng took a deep breath and handed the things he had brought to Zhang the Butcher.
He narrowed his eyes, trying to organize his words, then cupped his hands and said, "I've inquired about it. You were brought here from Baiyun County by Li Xinhan."
"Hmm?" Shen Yi didn't quite understand.
"You're not very familiar with Qingzhou. With him whispering in your ear, it's not your fault. I was too presumptuous."
As he spoke, Fang Heng slightly bowed.
"Today, I came here to clear up the misunderstanding and offer my apologies."
Seeing this, the butcher couldn't help but open his mouth wide, his breath catching for a moment.
Ap... apologies?
Shen Yi glanced sideways, noticing the other party's gradually tightening and trembling body, and couldn't help but sigh slightly.
Sure enough.
Fang Heng straightened up again, his palms separating and his fingers clenching as he slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air.
He had done everything Senior Brother Bai had asked him to do.
His eyes burned with intensity.
"Secondly, I came to make amends for my mistake and take you back. If you still refuse, then I will have no choice but to force you. Once we return, I will apologize again."
As he spoke, a surging aura quickly spread, making the air feel hot and oppressive.
"Damn."
Zhang the Butcher closed his mouth, his expression strange.
Well, it seemed he was still here to cause trouble!
His body stiffened, but he still tried to reach his hand toward his waist.
At the same time, he glanced out of the corner of his eye, feeling somewhat speechless.
Ever since he had met Shen Yi, the troubles surrounding him had never stopped, and each time they were bigger than the last.
Before, he could at least lend a hand, but this time... even if he risked his life, he probably wouldn't be able to stop the enemy in the slightest.
Finally, the familiar voice rang in his ears.
Not only was there no panic as he had imagined, but there was also a hint of casualness.
"No need. Next time, if you want to fight, just say so."
Shen Yi gently placed the food box on the table and stood with his hands hanging at his sides.
His completely unguarded posture made Fang Heng's eyes flicker with a hint of surprise, and then he laughed at himself.
"Reputation is something that, once lost, is hard to regain."
Before the words had even finished, he had already turned into a blur and disappeared from his original spot.
This time, he would not hold back in the slightest.
He was determined to take back what he had lost with his own hands.
The powerful aura of the mid-stage Jade Liquid Realm swept through the room, making it hard to breathe!
"I thought my carelessness last time would teach you a lesson."
Fang Heng appeared behind Shen Yi, his eyes as calm as an ancient well, the bulging muscles in his arms containing an incredibly terrifying force.
Meridian Severing, Dragon Seizing!
"Don't worry, Senior Brother Bai's skills are excellent. It will just hurt a bit, but it will help you remember."
In his eyes, the countless meridians on Shen Yi's body instantly appeared.
He was going all out!
Fang Heng's palms carried an overwhelming force as they slammed forward!
Shen Yi turned slightly, his movements identical to Fang Heng's, but far more natural and seamless.
His speed wasn't particularly fast, just a fraction faster than Fang Heng's.
In the blink of an eye, his fingertips landed on Fang Heng's arms a split second earlier, then he transformed his palm into a fist, delivering a straightforward Cloud-Parting Long Fist strike to Fang Heng's chest.
Boom!
With a dull sound, Fang Heng was sent flying, rolling several times on the ground.
Both arms hung limply at his sides, trembling slightly.
Everything had happened in the blink of an eye, leaving him no time to react.
Fang Heng lay quietly on the ground, swallowing the metallic taste in his mouth, his eyes blankly staring at the sky as he fell into deep thought. "..."
Inside the house.
Shen Yi adjusted his collar, then sat down at the table, opened the food box, took out two pairs of chopsticks, and handed one to Zhang the Butcher.
"Let's eat."
The bearded man looked outside, then at Shen Yi, and finally at the chopsticks in his hand.
His facial features gradually twisted.
He tugged hard at his beard.
He widened his eyes, trying hard to think of a reasonable explanation for what had just happened.
Either Fang Heng wasn't Fang Heng, or Shen Yi wasn't Shen Yi.
"Get me an orange."
"Oh."
Zhang the Butcher's train of thought was interrupted, and he silently handed over the orange.
Suddenly, he remembered something Chen Ji had once said.
With someone like him, nothing would be surprising.
"..."
Shen Yi peeled the orange, glancing out of the corner of his eye at Fang Heng in the courtyard.
Since the other party had said someone could treat him, he had struck a bit harder this time.
At least for the next two months, Fang Heng wouldn't be able to move.
These martial arts lunatics, if you didn't beat them into submission, they would keep causing trouble in the future.
After being nourished by the Jade Dew, not only had his aura and foundation increased, but his overall abilities had also improved, further enhanced by the power of the demonic serpent.
In Shen Yi's eyes now, Fang Heng was slow, weak, and his moves were all too familiar.
Against him, Fang Heng had little chance of winning.
He had come to the Demon-Suppression Bureau to kill demons.
Why did they keep trying to lock him up in that courtyard?
If the demonic serpent really came seeking revenge, they wouldn't even know how to cry.
A moment later.
Fang Heng expressionlessly struggled to his feet, spat out the blood in his mouth, and walked into the house with his arms hanging limply.
He sat down directly at the table.
"I don't understand."
"Neither do I."
Zhang the Butcher looked at him with deep sympathy, picking up a chicken leg.
"What happened to your hands? Want some?"
Fang Heng opened his mouth and took a bite of the chicken leg offered to him, chewing hard.
Shen Yi picked up some vegetables with his chopsticks, mixing them with rice, and chewed slowly as he looked over.
"Aren't you going to get your injuries treated?"
"Not today."
Fang Heng remembered Senior Brother Bai's instructions before he left and got up to walk toward the next room.
"I'll sleep here tonight and leave tomorrow."
His back looked somewhat desolate.
As he reached the door, he suddenly turned his head slightly, his face flushed.
"Do you think what I said earlier was ridiculous?"
Shen Yi put down his chopsticks.
"No, you're a genius. Geniuses tend to have some arrogance. It's normal."
"Aren't you a genius? Why don't you have any arrogance?" Fang Heng's face showed a trace of confusion.
"Of course I'm not."
Shen Yi stretched lazily.
What kind of genius would take thirty years to learn the Demon-Slaying Saber Technique?
"..."
Hearing this, Fang Heng fell silent for a long time, and a hint of respect gradually appeared in his expression.
In the eyes of someone truly gifted, people like him were nothing more than arrogant fools who didn't know humility.
How laughable.
"If I hadn't been born a dozen years earlier and already had a master, I would be willing to honor you as my teacher."
After saying this, he walked into the next room with his arms hanging limply.
Only Shen Yi, who was slightly puzzled, remained.
After a moment of contemplation, he realized... the other party seemed to have misunderstood his meaning.
(End of Chapter)