The south side of the Zhenmo Temple is isolated from the outside by an extremely high wall.

  In this way, let the newcomers inside forget the prosperity of Qingzhou City and put all their thoughts on cultivation.

  Ten years of time to advance to the initial boundary, for most sect disciples, it is something that dare not be hoped for.

  But under the abundant resources of the Demon-Slaying Department, the initial martial artists in this enclosure can grow out one after another like bamboo shoots after rain, without interruption. Many people don't even need ten years to come out.

  There is no one guarding the gate.

  The energy of these newcomers is squeezed to the limit by the school officers every day.

  Under Chen Jinyu's lead, Shen Yi slowly stepped into this land filled with the smell of sweat.

  If he hadn't broken through the initial boundary back then, he should also be a part of this place now.

  The dark night sky was thick and heavy, with a dense array of cramped small courtyards in the distance, flickering with a continuous line of dim light.

  "They're all singles."

  Chen Jinyu seems very satisfied with this environment. Compared to when he was in Baiyun County, his brother's current residence is much more spacious.

  Even she and her family were arranged to live separately in a place not far from here.

  "Not bad." Shen Yi nodded casually.

  They are strict with newcomers, but not to the point of making them squeeze onto a crowded kang. After all, this group is not an army, and in the future, they will be lone travelers wearing ink robes. As long as they can achieve some merit, adding a cloud pattern to their sleeve mouth, they can enjoy extremely good treatment.

  It's called a courtyard, but in fact it's just two rooms facing each other, with a small piece of land in the middle that can only hold five people shoulder to shoulder.

  Chen Jinyu's small stove was placed on the empty ground, and a gurgling sound came from the clay pot, with meat fragrance overflowing.

  Two men who had clearly gained weight, wearing sleeveless jackets, crouched on the ground staring at a clay pot.

  "Luckily your sister is here, what kind of stuff have you been eating every day?"

  Chen Ji gently fanned the flames and smiled: "It's something that was previously unthinkable."

  How could the Zhēn Mó Sī possibly skimp on their food, all of which were medicinal ingredients and meat dishes? They just didn't bother to put in any effort, simply throwing everything together in a pot without even adding two grains of salt, making the flavor slightly bland.

  Just then, a clear and crisp voice came from behind them: "Brother!"

  The cow subconsciously used its body to block the tile pot and lifted its arm to protect the back of its head.

  Chen Ji turned around and looked over, his hand waving the fan slowing down, seemingly quite surprised.

  He immediately jumped up from the ground and stood upright: "Lord Shen!"

  Although it's been less than three months since we parted ways, coming to this unfamiliar Qingzhou City makes me feel like a long time has passed.

  He carefully looked at the youth's ink shirt and exclaimed in surprise: "You're already wearing the uniform of the school officer!"

  Although the cuffs have not yet been embroidered with clouds, given Shen's strength, this is only a matter of time.

  "Move over." Shen Yi walked to the front of the clay pot and squatted down, too lazy to explain the difference between a school lieutenant and a deputy general to this kid.

  "Mr. Shen." Niu Da hastily made way, still holding up his arm to shield his head, clearly having taken a dislike to these clothes, but seeing his fellow townsman's prosperity, he couldn't help but reveal some proud and foolish smiles.

  The leader of Baiyun County's captors, even if he had arrived in Qingzhou City, was not someone who could be ordered around by others.

  Chen Jinyu carefully took out three sets of bowls and chopsticks from the house and distributed them to the crowd: "Shh, don't let Officer Xiao find out."

  "Heh heh, I'm going back to the house to drink." Niu Da quickly and efficiently served Shen Yi a bowl of chicken soup, just like when they had lunch together in the courtyard of the Baiyun County government office.

  Shen Yi picked up her bowl and looked at the thick layer of oil floating on the surface of the soup, with the hot air trapped beneath.

  It doesn't seem to have been stewed for long, but the plump chicken legs are dripping with juice.

  His rare appetite increased a bit, and he didn't know if it was the chicken leg or that touch of realism in this world.

  "Hey! Gotcha again!"

  With a shout, the school lieutenant wearing a cloud-patterned ink robe strode over, whip in hand, and said with a mix of anger and amusement: "I told you family members are not allowed to enter, do you want to be dragged out again?"

  Niu Da Bang shut the door of his house and hid inside, pouring scalding hot chicken soup into his mouth with a grimace.

  Chen Ji awkwardly turned around: "Lord Liu... for the last time..."

  "Don't think you can do whatever you want just because you have a good talent." Liu Xiaowei rolled his eyes and scolded, "You've already delayed for so many years, focus your mind and strive to break through the initial stage in two or three years. Can't you go out earlier?"

  "And you, which department's..."

  He raised his whip and pointed it inside, and then his whole body shook three times.

  A young man with a clean face sat quietly on the ground, holding a bowl of soup in his hand. The coldness in his dark eyes had dissipated slightly, but it still made Liu Xiao Wei instantly think of the figure sitting cross-legged outside the Golden Gate.

  "You, you, you... me, me, me..." He hid the whip behind his back.

  "Don't mind me." Shen Yi nodded slightly.

  He just came to grab a meal and didn't want to affect others.

  Liu Xiao-wei's unusual expression apparently made the brother and sister somewhat at a loss, fortunately, after Mr. Shen said one sentence, the other party quickly retreated from the courtyard with a lingering fear: "You take your time."

  Chen Ji was slightly stunned and then squatted back: "......"

  Just as I said to Zhang Tuhou before, Lord Shen will be surprised at nothing. A person like him is destined to be revered by all.

  It's just that in a short period of time, even the Town Demon Officer was so cautious about it. I must have been practicing hard at that time, and the other party had done many great things.

  "Lord Shen, isn't being a Town Demon-Subduing Officer very dangerous?" Chen Ji looked over with some curiosity.

  "It's unclear, I haven't done it for a few days, but being careful is always good." Shen Yi waited until the chicken soup was slightly less scalding before downing it in one gulp, feeling the warmth spread through her stomach and the previous boredom slowly dissipate, replaced by a sense of comfort.

  Apart from beheading demons and exorcising evil spirits, he actually still prefers a normal person's life.

  "Director Liu said I have a good aptitude and will soon break through the initial stage." Chen Ji excitedly recounted his recent experiences.

  Which county's runner broke through the skin barrier again and received a reward from the school lieutenant, which new person secretly committed laziness and was whipped several times.

  Shen Yi pinched the chicken leg and chewed on the chicken meat, occasionally saying a few words.

  Chen Jinyu quietly stood by and listened, until the night was deep and quiet, she got up to clean up a room, hugging that fierce wolf's coat and bidding farewell to the two.

  Chen Ji saw his sister off at the gate and turned back to say, "I overheard a few school officers chatting, saying that Qingzhou has been unstable recently, and Governor Shen should also be more careful."

  "It's okay, they haven't let me out for a few days, I've just been staying here with you." Shen Yi stretched her waist.

  "Alright." Chen Ji washed the clay pot and bowls with water.

  Nor did he ask Lord Shen why he didn't stay in the other courtyard of the school lieutenant, but instead came to this kind of place to rest.

  At first, the other party could casually throw out ten taels of silver, but couldn't bear to let himself take another look at the roasted goose leg in his hand, Chen Ji had long been used to it.

  (End of chapter)