Attaining Immortality, Starting From Slaying Demons

Chapter 55 I am good at killing demons_1

Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division, the External Affairs Hall.

The building with its grey tiles and white walls stood erect, the brightly painted red doors were wide open, and figures entered and exited in succession, all wearing expressions of haste.

Shen Yi silently observed his surroundings.

Although all were clad in dark satin robes trailing behind them, more than sixty percent of the sleeves lacked cloud patterns.

The average age was also around forty.

The aura emanating from their bodies was indeed that of the Initial Realm, but it was somewhat fleeting, enough to say they had barely crossed that threshold.

Were these the Demon Suppression Marshals who, according to Zhang the Butcher's words, "soaked in medicinal baths"?

On the contrary, a few wearing robes with cloud patterns occasionally passed by, younger in age and with eyes that possessed more of a sharp edge.

"With three thousand in the inner camp and over eight thousand in the outer camp, a total of more than ten thousand brothers are responsible for the safety of three hundred and forty-two counties in the Twelve Prefectures of Qingzhou."

The beggar walked over, his words tinged with a hint of lament.

"Setting aside the two thousand five hundred warriors of the inner camp necessary to garrison Qingzhou City, on average, every twenty people must stabilize a county. Thus, our manpower virtually matches this number. When a minor general goes out on a mission, he usually only takes around twenty marshals with him. Even if they encounter an insurmountable crisis and all perish including himself, the loss would not be too great."

Having listened to their conversation for a while, he had also learned the name of the beggar.

Shen Yi looked at Ma Tao, who seemed to take it for granted, and couldn't help but arch an eyebrow.

It appeared that a total annihilation was quite normal in the other party's eyes.

It seemed that in order to become a minor general and lead a team alone, one would need to be at least a master of the Jade Liquid Boundary, which in Baiyun County, would make them an unchallenged Emperor. And this was considered a small loss?

"But don't worry, as long as you don't die without a trace, within a half month at most, someone from home will come to avenge you,"

Ma Tao opened his mouth and sighed, "The Demon Suppression General from Yushan Prefecture was betrayed and killed by the alliance of the three great sects there, who thought they had covered their tracks perfectly. The General's second disciple went there with a thousand men, and in just six days, they beheaded twenty-three thousand, I heard the heads are still piled up at the city gates."

Shocked by the strength and ruthlessness of the Demon Suppression Bureau,

Shen Yi pursed his lips and mentally made a note to himself.

He had thought that with his current strength, not to mention advancing in rank, he would at least have more than enough to ensure his own safety. It turned out that the world was more chaotic than he had imagined; not only were the lives of ordinary people in jeopardy, but even illustrious figures could meet their end abruptly.

"Hey, what are you good at?"

Li Mujin walked out of the yamen, looking over at the few people outside, "Tracking and investigation? Swift long-distance assault?... Right, aren't you quite adept at close combat and capturing demons?"

Remembering the scene where Shen Yi had made Fang Heng look bad earlier, her last few words were tinged with curiosity.

At these words, Ma Tao shrugged his shoulders, looking somewhat embarrassed as he clenched and unclenched his hand.

If two individuals with similar martial skills appeared in a group, and one happened to be far stronger than the other, the latter would seem somewhat superfluous.

Seeing the puzzled look on Shen Yi's face, he sighed and quickly composed himself, explaining, "It's for record-keeping. If Li Mujin meets an accident in the future and you're lucky enough to survive, it will be easier for another general to pick people. You don't need to worry about anything else; just say whatever martial art you're most proficient in."

"Is that so."

Shen Yi pondered, quietly surveying his abilities within. Soon, a trace of indecision crossed his face.

Seeing this, the others looked over, somewhat puzzled.

What was there to think about? What was his main martial art, what was supplementary, which was just a beginner, which was highly proficient? Surely he was clear about his own abilities.

After a moment, Shen Yi raised his head, somewhat uncertain, "Killing demons?"

Eight Treasures Mystic Body, Greed Wolf Banishes Evil, Celestial Gang Blood Fiend, Intercepting Veins and Capturing Dragons...

It seemed hard to say which was stronger; they all felt quite useful.

Hearing his reply, both Liu Xiujie and Ma Tao were taken aback and stood still. Stay updated through empire

"Ha."

Li Mujin was momentarily stunned before holding her belly, laughing so hard she shook, then turned and went back inside, "Alright, write it down, he says he's good at killing demons."

After a while, Li Xinhan finished the registration, walked out slowly, and looked at Shen Yi with a touch of helplessness.

Back in Baiyun County, he had already known that the other party's learning was too scattered, but he hadn't expected them to lack even a main focus for their studies. Should he invite someone from the family who had provided tutelage to help examine their roots and straighten out their future direction?

"Xiao Er, arrange the carriage, to Linjiang Prefecture, Shuiyun Village."

He gathered his thoughts, nodded to indicate understanding, and the man who was short like a child bowed and left silently.

Li Xinhan led everyone out of the Demon-suppression Bureau.

"Leader Li seems a bit nervous."

Liu Xiujie noticed the other's discomfort and whispered, "His position is low, so any good tasks get picked off by other field officers. Saving Lord Lin is considered an achievement, but before he returns, this matter must not be publicized."

"If you tally up the achievements, and after dealing with one more Jade Liquid Boundary–related demon disaster, Leader Li could be promoted to a field officer... It's unknown if there will be any gains this time."

Speaking of achievements, the eyes of these two brothers-in-arms who had cooperated for many years both lit up.

After all, they both came from distinguished families and joined the Demon-suppression Bureau, naturally aiming to make a name for themselves.

Only then did Shen Yi notice that the cloud patterns on their sleeves were both double-striped. It seemed that indeed, Li Xinhan was quite eager for achievements, and even his subordinates had enjoyed the spoils.

"Don't be envious. As long as you can participate in five Jade Liquid Boundary demon disasters or achieve first merit once, you can also add another stripe. Then, it will be a matter of course for you to be granted internal power."

Stepping out of the Demon-suppression Bureau's gate and onto the long street, both of them expertly withdrew their smiles.

Passers-by stopped in their tracks to make way.

It wasn't until the group had walked far away that people resumed their busy endeavors.

When they reached the towering city gates below, Li Xiaoer was already waiting with the Demon Horse for quite some time.

"This is our scout. If he runs at full speed, he needs only one day to travel back and forth between Baiyun County and Qingzhou City. If you ever need to send a message, finding him will surely do the trick," said Liu Xiujie as he leaped onto the carriage, teasing with a cheeky grin.

Li Xiaoer glared at him, then politely nodded toward Shen Yi and said succinctly, "Can deliver. Very fast."

As everyone settled into their seats, Li Mujin tugged on the reins, leading the way on horseback at the front.

Shen Yi sat in the carriage, gaining some insight.

It turned out that even who rode horses and who sat in carriages had implications.

The one with the highest realm would maintain alertness for the longest, ready to react to emergencies swiftly.

"..."

Li Xinhan leaned against the carriage, his hands clasped together as his fingertips tapped rapidly on the back of his hand.

He looked very preoccupied.

"It can't be that serious, right?" Ma Tao waved his hand in front of the other's eyes. "Even though we have fewer people this time, isn't it just about going to Shuiyun Village to find a few people?"

Liu Xiujie took this opportunity to brief Shen Yi on their mission: "Several Colonels went to Shuiyun Village for an inspection. According to regulations, they were supposed to send a letter back home every fifteen days, but we have yet to receive any news from them... The problem isn't too serious. The village has a River God, and if something had befallen the River God, those villagers would have already rushed to Qingzhou."

Li Xinhan remained silent for a long time, then pulled out a blood-stained waist token from his chest: "This was delivered by an official from Linjiang Prefecture, the External Affairs Hall just handed it to me."

Having said that, he looked at Shen Yi, "Originally, I said I'd take you out to get familiar first... You have no experience fighting real demons, so you must be careful."

At this, Liu and Ma both held their breath: "..."

The news of Shen Yi slaying the Canine Demon and the Ape Demon in Baiyun County was known to them.

What do you mean no experience?

Could it be at the Jade Liquid Boundary?

Ma Tao, recalling how he had just been talking to the other about avenging his death and such incoherent words – briefly aiming to lighten the mood – looked over with a hint of apology.

"Tch! What a jinx I am."

Shen Yi slightly shifted his position. Li Xiaoer, with an expressionless face, wiped the spittle from his face and silently glanced over at Ma Tao.