Enveloped by the withered monk's gaze, Chen Ji found himself with a dry mouth and a parched tongue.
After all, he was a young man whose passion for martial arts had yet to fade, and although he joined the government office just to make a living, his heart still yearned for the life of a martial artist in Jianghu.
Now, facing a famed senior from the martial world, his hand gripping the handle of his saber even trembled with excitement.
In the midst of his excitement, he couldn't help but feel a bit emotional.
Both being part of the government office's service, yet he had to respectfully address a senior like Shen Yi as "young friend." Indeed, a reputation in Jianghu must truly be earned through one's fists.
Chen Ji shook his head, recalling the sight of Shen Yi covered in blood, languidly seated in the countryside with corpses not yet cold before him, and felt that it was all warranted.
"You flatter me too much, senior,"
Shen Yi bowed his hands in response and continued walking forward, not interested in engaging in further mutual flattery.
However, the withered monk blocked him with his followers in tow, "This is a fellow brother of our Vajra Gate, known by the nickname Zhang the Butcher. He came from Qingzhou to find me and also plans to seek a job under the County Magistrate."
Shen Yi nodded in acknowledgment, and Zhang the Butcher also nodded his chin in response.
"I am occupied with official duties, so I won't impose on the two of you any longer."
After the pleasantries, Shen Yi took another step forward, but the withered monk subtly moved to still block his path.
"..."
Shen Yi calmly looked at him.
Everyone has their own aspirations, and he didn't see anything wrong with the withered monk doing tasks for money. Had he not already crossed over and donned this attire, severing his ties with martial sects, he would have liked to join a sect like his, learn some martial arts, and serve in the household of the rich and influential as well.
But if the monk was paid to do something that specifically caused trouble for him, that would be a different story.
"All three of us are dedicated to the study of martial arts. Why don't we find a place to drink and chat at length,"
The withered monk chuckled, placing his hand on Shen Yi's shoulder, "As an elder vastly senior to you, I thick-skinnedly assume the role of a senior. You're still young and overly vigorous. It wouldn't hurt to have a conversation with an old man like me."
Even Chen Ji, standing behind, could sense the subtle tension in the air.
Master Lin and the steward were silent, their eyes dim.
They didn't have much confidence in Shen Yi's abilities.
Compared to that, they were even less convinced by the withered monk's judgment, but as businessmen, how could they dare to question in the presence of such masters?
If the officials could manage things a little more, it would always be a blessing. They did not expect that the monk would even obstruct this. Shen Yi, a mere arrest officer, how could he dare cause offense in front of the Magistrate's favorite?
In full view of everyone.
Shen Yi fell silent for a moment, then slowly removed the hand placed on his shoulder and patted it twice, "Thank you for your kind offer, senior, but I have official duties to attend to today, my apologies."
His movement instantly froze the atmosphere.
Embarrassment surged in the eyes of the withered monk, and a trace of annoyance appeared on his aged face.
Zhang the Butcher turned his head away, and beneath his thick beard, his lips curled into a mocking smile.
"If I remember correctly, Arrest Officer Shen has been promoted recently, overseeing all demon-related disturbances in Baiyun County. I have declared there are no demons here, only a mere homicide case. The Lin Family has no official business for you to attend to, or could it be that you distrust me?"
A hint of coldness crept into the withered monk's voice.
Shen Yi glanced at the steward and said calmly, "Lead the way."
"Ah... Okay..."
Where could a mere steward dare to meddle in such a dispute? The only thing that left him shocked was that a former gambling addict could now remain so composed in front of the withered monk.
The most absurd part was that the withered monk seemed to be at a loss about what to do with him.
If they had known it would come to this, Master Lin might as well have gone directly to the government office. Going to the Magistrate's residence was utterly useless.
The steward's thoughts were adrift as he trotted toward the side courtyard.
By the time the three had vanished at the end of their line of sight.
Master Lin repeatedly bowed with his fists clasped, "Elders, please forgive any offense. Arrest officer Shen Yi is just preoccupied with official duties. Please do not take it to heart."
The thin monk's face was dark as he flicked his sleeve and followed.
Zhang the Butcher, trailing behind, casually asked, "Are you very familiar with him, elder brother?"
"I have never met him; I just appreciate talent. I thought that since we will all be working under the county magistrate in the future, we could look out for each other. I didn't expect him to be such a blockhead."
"I see, and here I thought elder brother was worried he'd learn about how the demon had fooled us, and we'd lose face for nothing."
Hearing the double meaning in the other's words, the thin monk suddenly turned his head, his face clouded, and it took a while for him to calm down, "You've just arrived from Qingzhou and think this is some insignificant place. I won't blame you for your arrogance, but remember, the waters here are deeper than you think."
Having said that, he continued walking forward, "What do you think makes him any different? He will still come up with an excuse just like us in a bit."
Zhang the Butcher closed his mouth, giving no indication of agreement or disagreement.
As the two conversed.
Shen Yi and the other followed the steward to a side room, watching as he slowly lifted the white cloth, revealing the corpse beneath.
With just one look, Chen Ji's admiration for the thin monk increased.
What a skill it was, to lie with eyes wide open.
Lying on the bed was the strong body of a man, his left arm reduced to half, a large hole in his abdomen, hollowed out clean.
His face was devoid of eyes, nose gone, and the entire right side licked clean to the bone, not a shred of flesh remaining.
"He was fine just yesterday, and it all happened overnight."
The Lin Family steward closed his eyes, rubbing his face hard, trying to shake off the chill on his body.
He still remembered how imposing Liu Qi was when he had first arrived at the Lin Family, full of pride and grandeur, and now he had turned into this.
"Does no one know how he died?" Chen Ji's brows knitted tightly together.
A famed martial arts master, even if he had encountered a demon, how could he have died so silently?
"He wasn't found by my Lin Family."
The steward of the Lin Family sighed, wanting yet not daring to say more, and turned to look at Shen Yi, "When you brought Miss Bai Wei back, though her wounds healed, her mood didn't change, but her memory did. She forgot many relatives."
Continuing, the steward said with a wry smile, "Half a month ago, she said a friend she had met outside wanted to visit our home, and it turned out to be a young man. This shouldn't be spread, for the young lady is still unmarried. Please keep it to yourselves, to avoid tarnishing her reputation…"
Chen Ji nodded.
The steward went on, "Master Lin was fond of the young lady and also considered that having an acquaintance around might help her regain her memory, so he let the man stay. The young lady was quite close to him, and we treated him as an honored guest."
"The body of Liu Qi was found in his room... and coincidentally, the young lady was not at home these past few days…"
"The senior monk had a talk with him and said it had nothing to do with him..."
Hearing this, Shen Yi finally understood the other party's intention.
The Lin Family had already suspected someone. The reason they sought the thin monk was not to find the demon, but to exterminate it.
"Where is he?" Chen Ji asked instinctively.
"I'm right here."
A languid voice came from outside the door.
A young man in black leaned against the door frame, yawning, a smile on his fair-skinned face, two pointed canine teeth lending a provocative edge to his grin as he sneered.
He quirked an eyebrow, "You must be Shen Yi? What took you so long?"
His words were laced with condescension, looking at Shen Yi as if he were looking at a servant of his own.