Dawn broke slowly, and a white mist enshrouded the air.
Outside Jingmi County, over ten horse-drawn carriages lined up in a row.
The carvings on the ebony bodies of the carriages were not of auspicious patterns, but of vivid, fierce beasts that unsettled the onlookers.
The horses, muscular and with powerful, slender limbs, were covered in a dark hue, standing half a head taller than an average steed.
A layer of dark red fur covered their heads, and when they raised their glance, their vertical pupils flared, snorting loudly to the side.
Frightened, Niu Da quickly held his bundle and stepped back, "Since when do horse eyes look like that, resembling those of a leopard?"
A beggar came over, gently patted the horse's neck, and smiled, "This is a half-demon, swift and steady, able to travel even in deep night. At most, it will take us two days to get back to Qingzhou."
The so-called half-demons are livestock tainted by demon bloodlines.
Once they become intelligent, they turn into true demonic beasts.
However, under special training and breeding over generations, their demonic nature weakens, almost eliminating the possibility of becoming intelligent.
After calming the demon horses, the beggar returned to Li Xinhan's side and whispered, "So far, he has learned a great variety; he has practiced Refinement Martial Arts similar to those of Vajra Gate, and he has some skill in Blade Technique. According to the constables, when he draws his blade, there is even a distinct presence of demonic evil."
"From what I observed yesterday, his movements are light and nimble as he walks, and I can faintly see the foundations of Serpentine Eight Steps."
"Hmm... too mixed, too messy, doesn't look like he's received proper tutelage."
Refinement Martial Arts, Demonic Evil Blade Technique, Demon-suppression Bureau's lightness skills, just from what can be discerned, he has already involved three entirely different methodologies.
Talking about it, the beggar sounded somewhat resigned, "Such wild and unfocused methods, and yet one move was all it took to put me on the ground."
People who practice martial arts abhor a disorganized and chaotic learning path.
After all, life is finite.
A hit here, a strike there, while one may seem to have an advantage in a fight knowing a little of everything, in fact, each style will waste a lot of time.
"His natural talent should be no less than yours, and he seems to be about your age; this is probably why he's a step behind in realm,"
Upon hearing this, Li Xinhan's expression remained unchanged, "That's a good thing."
A diverse skillset suggests the other party has no connections, a clean background.
"Also, we're not about the same age."
Li Xinhan's eyes looked toward a distant figure, indifferently saying, "I am younger than him by a year and six months, and even two years ago, I had already reached the Jade Liquid Boundary. If it were me instead of you who visited the other day, he would still have not lasted more than one move against me."
Seeing his apparent emotional undercurrent beneath a feigned indifferent appearance,
The beggar was speechless and muttered under his breath, "If Officer Shen opened the door, you wouldn't last a move either… It's just an unsettled matter, no need to be so envious."
Li Xinhan's lips twitched twice, and he snorted coldly before swinging his sleeve and mounting his horse.
Old Liu stretched his body and yawned, too lazy to get involved in the two's debate.
All were scions of noble and clean families from Qingzhou and had been selected for the Demon-suppression Bureau in the same batch. Leader Li possessed outstanding talent and progressed faster, but he never put on airs in front of his brothers; poking fun at each other's sore spots was common, and no one took it to heart.
He rubbed his neck and walked toward the group in the distance, "Have they arrived? Family members and servants should take these carriages in the back."
Chen Ji nodded and helped the slightly uneasy Chen Jinyu onto one of the carriages filled with female family members.
Old Liu turned around and was taken aback by the large size of Zhang the Butcher, "Nevermind, you better take a carriage for yourself."
He led Shen Yi and Chen Ji into the first carriage.
As Li Xinhan gently pulled the reins, leading the way on his horse, the rest of the demon horses followed suit without need for a coachman, consciously stepping behind him.
"Train well once we're in Qingzhou; you're a good prospect, and you might have a chance to add a cloud pattern to your sleeve later on."
Sitting in the steady carriage, Old Liu first gave Chen Ji an encouraging glance.
Chen Ji bowed in response, well aware that the other party was merely giving face to Officer Shen.
"I won't stand on ceremony with you."
Old Liu looked toward Shen Yi, rubbing his hands together, "What do you say, interested in joining us? Head Li has several beautiful young girls under him, and you're not married yet, right?"
Shen Yi lifted the curtain to look outside.
He only saw Li Xinhan and a beggar riding horses.
"Where are the others?"
Upon hearing this, Old Liu sighed, "They stayed in Baiyun County to wait for the Inner Camp Patrol to take over." Experience tales at empire
"Inner Camp?" Shen Yi was somewhat curious.
Old Liu seemed reluctant to explain in detail, but when a hum from Li Xinhan came from outside the carriage, he said helplessly, "The Demon-suppression Bureau in Qingzhou Prefecture is divided into three camps: aside from the place where these new recruits stay, there's also the distinction between the Inner and Outer Camps."
"As for the Inner Camp, apart from the regular inspections of the counties, they usually just stay in Qingzhou City, patrol the streets, drink... well-versed in the ways of garrisoning, they hardly ever leave the city, it's boring to death."
"We in the Outer Camp, however, are much more impressive. Whether it's the General or Officer Lin, they all started out from the Outer Camp when they were young. Not only are we freer, but we also often accompany the mountains and rivers, appreciating the beauty of the world—it's incredibly carefree."
Chen Ji listened in confusion, asking softly, "Uh, if you're often wandering outside the city, wouldn't you encounter a lot of demons?"
Old Liu stared at the lad, opening and closing his mouth, struggling to continue, "Brother Shen, getting into the Inner Camp isn't difficult. Just have Head Li say a word; his family is a major household in Qingzhou, and they're certainly not short of silver. That bit of influence they have... and the girls in our team are really pretty, think it over."
Shen Yi let the curtain fall, always feeling that the other party was like an old madam.
Anyone would find it hard to refuse the prospect of spending a lifetime in a safe place, without the fear of demon attacks, while holding a secure job.
Without the support of demon longevity, Shen Yi's so-called "talent" would instantly be exposed.
The true level of this body, even with a lifetime of diligent cultivation, barely qualified as a decent bladesman.
Not to mention comparing to those Demon-suppression Marshals, even compared to Chen Ji, he fell far short.
"The Outer Camp sounds good; I'll follow the Colonel's arrangements."
Shen Yi withdrew his gaze, appearing as if he truly believed all the nonsense Old Liu had spouted.
Upon hearing this, Li Xinhan, who kept his pace even while riding outside, though still with an indifferent expression, slightly relaxed his grip on the reins.
"Just as I thought, you have good taste!"
Old Liu, chuckling, clapped his hands and gave a thumbs up, "I knew right away that you were promising."
Within the Demon-suppression Bureau, merit is highly valued, and the competition is fierce.
If Head Li wants to advance, he must build his own team.
Compared to other teams led by deputy officers, his own lack of experience placed him at a disadvantage when it came to selecting candidates.
To the likes of Shen Yi, who had skills, might not mean much in the eyes of other deputy officers, but to their team, he was considered a treasure.
Chen Ji stood in the corner, feeling somewhat emotional.
Coming from the same Baiyun County, while he and the others worried about their futures, Officer Shen had already become someone the Demon Suppression Marshals were competing to recruit.