From slaying demons and eradicating evil, begining the path to immortality 4

Chapter 4: Peak Mastery of Basic Martial Arts

Two old donkeys, one in front of the other, quickly left the county town.

Chen Jingle lowered his head, his expression grave.

He hadn’t expected Shen Yi to actually agree to leave the city, and even more unexpectedly, to bring him along.

This should have been good news, but…

Chen Jingle looked back. He saw Magistrate Shen sitting on a donkey, one hand flipping through a martial arts manuscript, engrossed in reading.

In the past, before dealing with demons and monsters, the Magistrate would always send people like him to buy fine wine and meat, calling it a “courtesy.”

Chen Jingle had always been inwardly resentful of this practice, finding it distasteful.

But today, going empty-handed, he felt a growing unease. If they couldn’t subdue the two demonic creatures, the several hundred villagers of the Six-Mile Temple village would likely be devoured in no time.

“Why keep looking back? Concentrate on guiding the way, and don’t be jealous of this magistrate’s handsome face.”

Shen Yi finished skimming the manuscript and slowly closed it.

Two lines of text appeared on his interface.

[Cloud-Dispelling Long Fist (Uninitiated)]
[Spirit Serpent Eight Steps (Uninitiated)]

A set of fist and palm techniques, a set of light body movements, in addition to the previous Demon-Subduing Swordsmanship.

This was all the martial arts passed down by the Demon-Suppressing Agency’s lieutenant.

If he could bring all three to a minor mastery level, he would have the ability to handle some minor demons.

Shen Yi didn’t waste any time, investing the remaining demon lifespan into his most lacking skill: light body movements.

After all, even the sharpest long sword is useless if you can’t catch up to your target.

[You possess a profound martial arts foundation, are strong and healthy, and have mastered the Spirit Serpent Eight Steps in just one year.]
[Three years later, your movements become increasingly unpredictable; light body movements reach minor mastery.]
[Six years later, the Spirit Serpent Eight Steps have become second nature; you achieve great mastery.]
[Eleventh year: You are as elusive as a ghost, your strikes invisible; light body movements reach perfection.]
[Remaining demon lifespan: Twenty-five years]
…

Shen Yi felt the changes in his body and was somewhat surprised.

Investing lifespan into martial arts, the progress would actually also refer to his current physical condition.

As the saying goes, “knowledge spills over”; an old martial artist immersed in swordsmanship would naturally progress much faster in martial arts.

He subconsciously adjusted his posture on the donkey, immediately feeling lighter, as if he could leap several dozen feet with a single bound.

Unfortunately, there was no chance to test it now.

Shen Yi calmed his mind and poured the remaining demon lifespan into the Cloud-Dispelling Long Fist, hoping to once again gain insight into the “Initial Realm” while practicing the martial art.

However, the results this time were disappointing.

[Although you are unskilled in fist and palm techniques, after 18 years of honing, you are still able to achieve the power of a thunderclap with your fists and the ability to shatter stone with your palms. The Cloud-Dispelling Long Fist has reached perfection.]
[In the twentieth year, you make no progress, falling into confusion, feeling like you’re wasting time.]
[In the twenty-third year, you begin to doubt yourself, feeling that after mastering this fist technique, there seems to be no further progress.]
[In the twenty-fifth year, through years of contemplation, your understanding of fist and palm techniques improves, and your fist and palm talent increases.]

All the gains from the depleted demon lifespan were displayed on the interface.

[Cloud-Dispelling Long Fist (Perfection)]
[Spirit Serpent Eight Steps (Perfection)]
[Fist and Palm Mastery: Can reduce the time required to learn fist and palm techniques, and increase opportunities for insight.]

Besides the two perfectly mastered martial arts, he also gained something akin to a talent, but he still didn’t receive any news about the “Initial Realm” that he was hoping for.

He slightly raised his eyes: “Let’s calculate the time, shouldn’t the Demon-Suppressing Agency be coming to our county for inspection?”

Hearing this, Chen Jingle, who had been diligently guiding the way, suddenly trembled slightly, his eyes flashing with complexity, without turning around: “Reporting to my lord, about a month remains.”

He understood perfectly. This was Shen Yi subtly reminding him.

The entire Baiyun County government was corrupt; the most pressing matter was to survive the Demon-Suppressing Agency’s inspection, and to present a picture of peace and harmony in the county.

If anything went wrong, at least half of these people would have their heads hung in the marketplace, and the youngest and most handsome head among them would undoubtedly be Shen Yi’s.

No wonder the other party was acting out of character today; it turned out he was waiting for him.

If there was anyone in the government office hoping for the arrival of the Demon-Suppressing Agency lieutenant, it would only be Chen Jingle. He truly hoped… that the court would execute Shen Yi.

If the other party hadn’t been falsifying records, the government office wouldn’t have been able to suppress the news, and the Demon Suppression Army would have already taken over this place and purged the surrounding demons.

“A month, huh?”

Shen Yi rubbed his temples.

According to his memory, he was just a minor official and didn’t have the authority to contact the Demon-Suppressing Agency.

To access more advanced martial arts, he could only wait patiently.

If he could completely reach the “Initial Realm” within a month, would he have a chance to join the Demon-Suppressing Agency?

Still not enough demon lifespan!

As his thoughts drifted, the two donkeys stopped at the edge of a paddy field.

Shen Yi looked towards the dilapidated temple on the hillside. The statue was exposed, covered with straw, and the altar was half-collapsed, overgrown with weeds.

The farmers didn’t even bother to worship the gods anymore, which showed their deep resentment.

“My lord, this way.”

Chen Jingle tied up the donkeys and pointed in a direction.

The two men quickly crossed the paddy field. A group of ragged farmers stood scattered in the distance, their faces gaunt, their eyes vacant, looking over.

After seeing their clothes, they squatted down again, without complaint or cries for help. They knew very well who was responsible for their suffering.

…

Chen Jingle was watched by the distant gazes. A few more shades of shame crept onto his youthful face.

Seeing Shen Yi’s indifferent and calm expression, his shame turned to resentment.

He adjusted his bamboo hat, covering most of his face: “It’s this household. They were attacked by the offspring of the Yellow Weasel… You’ll see when you go inside.”

The Yellow Weasel was not a common weasel.

Demons also had hierarchies, mostly linked by blood, establishing their own territories and kings.

Different factions had different demands on Baiyun County. Some wanted fresh meat, some wanted beautiful women, and others liked precious treasures.

There was one pack of dog demons who were particularly close to Shen Yi.

The leader was an old yellow dog who called himself the King of Yellow Weasels.

“Open the door.”

Shen Yi nodded.

Chen Jingle pushed open the wooden door, and saw a sickening dark red color in the cramped room.

The room was dim. On the table were dismembered torsos, neatly stacked. Those that couldn’t fit were threaded with straw and hung from the rafters.

A dog demon sat on the edge of the bed, holding a thigh in its hands, expressionlessly chewing on the rotting flesh.

Its eyes were sharp, like a loyal guard dog.

Upon seeing the newcomers, its gaze softened slightly: “Is that you? What brings you here?”

Shen Yi walked into the room, taking in the stench, his eyes scanning the surroundings.

Chen Jingle had seen this scene before, but the second time entering this house, his face under the bamboo hat still contorted slightly. His hand, gripping the hilt of his sword, trembled wildly, involuntarily drawing the blade three inches.

He was extremely talented, having mastered the Demon-Suppressing Agency’s martial arts to a minor level in just three years. He absolutely had the qualifications to fight this dog demon and probably achieve a hard-fought victory.

The reason he had endured the urge to kill and reported back to the government office was twofold. One, because of his sister at home. Two, because he couldn’t defeat the Yellow Weasels behind this dog demon; acting rashly would only invite greater disaster.

…

Just then, a strong hand quietly reached out and helped him put his long sword back into its sheath.

Chen Jingle snapped back to his senses, staring intently at Shen Yi’s profile, wanting to see how he would react.

No matter how cruel he was, upon seeing his own kind being devoured, he should at least feel something.

In his line of sight…

Shen Yi finally looked at the old dog, his eyes devoid of sadness or joy. The corners of his mouth curled upward, revealing his white, even teeth. He smiled.

Seeing this, Chen Jingle’s heartbeat gradually slowed. He lowered his gaze in disappointment, unwilling to listen to their conversation any longer.

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