"What's the difference between body tempering methods?" Shen Yi asked as he strolled around the courtyard, a habit he had developed after meals.
"There are many," Zhang the Butcher replied, well-versed in this topic.
"For example, the Vajra Sect uses qi to temper the body, while others use food accumulation, or even essence and blood tempering... But generally, once you reach the Jade Liquid Realm, such martial arts become rare. Most of them are beginner-level techniques."
"Why is that?" Shen Yi didn't quite understand.
He found these methods quite useful, as they cultivated both internal energy and the physical body, giving him an edge over others in the same realm.
"Because of lifespan," Zhang the Butcher shrugged.
"Before reaching the Jade Liquid Realm, one's lifespan is only around a hundred years. But once you break through to the Jade Liquid Realm, you gain an additional hundred years, and another hundred after reaching perfection. Body tempering methods might give you strength comparable to the Jade Liquid Realm, but without the nourishment of heaven and earth's qi for your internal organs, they don't extend your lifespan."
"If you cultivate both, it becomes a time-consuming and laborious process, making it somewhat redundant. It's better to learn a few more lightweight martial arts or palm techniques that are more practical."
Shen Yi nodded thoughtfully, realizing the truth in Zhang's words.
Perhaps due to his previous experience in deducing martial arts, the amount of demonic lifespan required for the Golden Sun Eight Treasures Body was far less than other Jade Liquid Realm martial arts.
In reality, it would take him over forty years to perfect it, while others, regardless of talent, would need the same amount of time without the aid of medicinal resources.
But other martial arts were different—he was just slower, while others progressed much faster.
As the two chatted under the tree, a figure hurried into the courtyard.
Li Muying sat down at the stone table under the tree, pulling out a document.
Ignoring the presence of the unfamiliar burly man, she looked directly at Shen Yi.
"You're in trouble."
Her expression was grave, with no hint of jest.
"Do you know what's been happening recently at Qingfeng Mountain?" she asked.
Zhang the Butcher, who had initially been amused by the arrival of the charming and alluring beauty, suddenly changed his expression upon hearing this.
Li Muying stared intently at Shen Yi's calm face, noticing that he showed no signs of surprise.
She sighed softly.
"It seems you already know. I received news that the general of Linjiang County has ordered another five hundred soldiers from the outer camp to be mobilized. Except for Xinhan and Ma Tao, who are still recovering from injuries, you and I are both on the list."
"My family has always had good relations with Qingfeng Mountain, with deep connections... My father won't let us go."
"Besides, Qingzhou hasn't seen a siege against a Core Formation expert in many years. The danger is immense, and no one can guarantee what might happen."
Li Muying slowly opened the document in her hand, her eyes flickering.
"My family has arranged for a transfer order. Consider it a chance to relax."
On the list, the names of Li Muying, Liu Xiujie, and Li Xiao'er were already filled in, leaving only one blank space.
"You're a smart man, and you've saved our lives. I don't want to beat around the bush—this isn't something I can decide on my own... Come with me."
In just a few words, Li Muying revealed the immense influence of her family.
Even when the Demon-Suppressing General personally ordered the mobilization, they had ways to withdraw beforehand.
For other lieutenants, this was a matter of life and death, left to fate.
But the Li family members even had the luxury of considering their relationship with Qingfeng Mountain.
"..."
Zhang the Butcher grew more and more confused as he listened.
His expression shifted from excitement to bewilderment.
He stared at the document, puzzled.
It was just a transfer order, but it sounded more like a contract of servitude.
Shen Yi lowered his gaze to the table, not overly surprised.
He had vaguely anticipated this, but he hadn't expected it to come so soon.
Li Muying appeared calm, but her heart was in turmoil.
She spoke softly, "The news came too suddenly. In half an hour at most, the lieutenant will arrive with the order."
Having finally gotten this opportunity, she didn't plan to give Shen Yi too much time to consider.
The Demon-Suppressing Bureau had finally bared its fangs, pushing him into a position with no choice.
Li Xinhan's team would soon gain another capable subordinate.
Shen Yi didn't even have a reason to blame them.
This was a document arranged by the Li family.
They were just juniors, bound to obey their family's decisions.
The other superiors in the Demon-Suppressing Bureau weren't fools either.
In these turbulent times, being suddenly transferred made Shen Yi's identity all too clear.
At that moment, she saw a hint of emotion in the young man's eyes.
Shen Yi reached out toward the document.
A smile appeared on Li Muying's lips, but it quickly froze.
Shen Yi closed the document and casually pushed it back, saying indifferently, "It's not suitable."
Hearing this, Li Muying's chest heaved.
She clenched her teeth, tightly gripping Shen Yi's wrist.
Her eyes met his, and for the first time, her expression showed rare signs of distress.
"Are you being too arrogant? People will die!"
Whether it was the stark contrast to what she had imagined or the occasional image of that black blade in her mind, risking one's life out of pride was an extremely foolish act! This wasn't about slaying demons for the people—this was a massacre of sect disciples!
"..."
Shen Yi pulled his hand away and was about to speak when a faint sound of a door opening interrupted him.
Fang Heng stepped out slowly, his voice cold.
"It's just a transfer order. Did you really need to use your family's connections to sneakily arrange it?"
Li Muying's gaze swept over him, her eyes narrowing slightly.
She hadn't expected there to be another person living in the courtyard.
If anyone else had said this, Li Muying wouldn't have paid it any mind.
There were only a handful of forces in Qingzhou that could pull someone away from the Demon-Suppressing General's orders.
But the person before her was Fang Heng.
Among the twelve generals guarding the counties, two of them were his senior brothers and sisters.
"So that's how it is. I guess I was overstepping," Li Muying said, putting away the document and looking back at Shen Yi.
She was slightly puzzled.
Just a few days ago, these two had been at odds.
How had they ended up together again?
It turned out that Shen Yi wasn't just keeping to himself.
He had quietly latched onto the thickest branch in the Demon-Suppressing Bureau.
Compared to that, the Li family indeed paled in significance.
Li Muying slowly stood up, her gaze turning cold.
"Since my help isn't needed, I'll take my leave."
Fang Heng walked over to Shen Yi's side, his eyes filled with delight.
Shen Yi's casual action seemed to bring him one step closer to becoming his master's disciple...
Neither his senior brothers and sisters nor he himself had ever withdrawn from a battle before.
But Fang Heng was willing to make an exception this time and seek help from Senior Brother Bai.
After all, Shen Yi had already proven his courage, and there was no need for him to take unnecessary risks.
To be honest, Shen Yi had only been in the Demon-Suppressing Bureau for a few days.
He hadn't even received his salary yet.
Unlike Fang Heng, who had been trained since childhood, there was no reason for him to risk his life in battle.
The group stood under the tree, each with different expressions.
Outside the gate, hurried footsteps approached.
A lieutenant clad in a heavy cloak led over forty lieutenants, standing at the entrance with a stern expression.
His voice carried an air of authority that brooked no refusal.
"By order, Demon-Suppressing Outer Camp Lieutenant Shen Yi, you are to accompany me—"
His words abruptly stopped.
The lieutenant frowned, his gaze shifting between Li Muying and Fang Heng.
He suddenly felt a dryness in his throat.
He had thought he was just here to pick up a minor lieutenant.
How had he run into so many familiar faces?
Li Muying remained silent.
Fang Heng took a deep breath and awkwardly opened his mouth.
Unaccustomed to social interactions, this was the first time he had ever stepped forward to plead for someone.
But before he could speak, Shen Yi slightly turned and used the scabbard at his waist to push Fang Heng back.
He calmly walked toward the gate and stood among the lieutenants.
"This humble officer obeys the order."
In truth, Shen Yi's thoughts weren't as complicated as Fang Heng and Li Muying imagined.
His reasoning was as simple as it could be.
If he couldn't see the evil dragon die with his own eyes, the thought of a Core Formation demon lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike, would keep him restless.
Seeing this, the lieutenant inexplicably felt relieved.
But he didn't realize that Shen Yi's actions had left the three people in the courtyard stunned.
Zhang the Butcher and Fang Heng exchanged glances. "..."
Li Muying stared blankly at Shen Yi among the crowd, her breathing suddenly becoming rapid.
Perhaps due to her upbringing, she had always believed that everyone needed to rely on something, or else they would feel uneasy.
Even the back-and-forth negotiations were just a way to secure greater benefits.
But now, the image of Shen Yi's black robe fluttering as he chased into the mountains, his body stained with blood, and the calm expression on his face as he pulled the black blade from Meng Xian's head—all of it flooded her mind.
From beginning to end, neither the Li family nor the general had ever been part of Shen Yi's considerations.
She bit her lip hard, watching as the lieutenants walked away.
A faint trace of disappointment flickered in her eyes.
(End of Chapter)