53: Chapter 53 What is Demon Suppression? The Ninth-Rank Demon Suppression Guard

The reason was that he had seen this man before. He was the old man who had been selling books at the stall last night, the very one Lin Ye had haggled with for a long time.

He never would have imagined that the legendary figure who had single-handedly subdued an entire city was actually an ordinary-looking old man.

In other words, he had likely entered the other's line of sight the moment he set foot in the town.

Otherwise, there was no explaining why the other party would have gone to the market to set up a stall and sell books. It couldn't possibly be a side hustle.

"Come in."

Hearing this, the Master finally led Lin Ye into the courtyard.

The old man lifted his eyelids and, upon seeing Lin Ye, chuckled, "Young man, we meet again."

Lin Ye took a deep breath, stepped forward, and cupped his hands in salute. "Junior Lin Ye pays his respects to Lord Shen."

It was one thing not knowing the other's identity before, but now that he knew this was Captain Shen, how could he dare to be disrespectful?

The old man, however, waved his hand dismissively. "Don't call me 'Lord.' Just call me Old Man Shen. Both of you, sit."

He pointed to the stone stools beside him.

Lin Ye glanced at the Master. Although the Master didn't understand the situation between the two, he nodded anyway.

Lin Ye followed the instruction and sat on the stone stool, his back ramrod straight.

"By the way, how are those three books coming along?" The old man picked up his tea bowl and blew on the floating leaves.

Hearing this, Lin Ye's heart stirred.

He had thought it strange. How could he just randomly pick up a few books from a street stall and comprehend an advanced-level Cultivation Technique from them?

Now it seemed clear: this had been intentional on the other's part.

"Thank you for your great favor, Lord," Lin Ye said, carefully choosing his words.

"It's just that this Junior's Aptitude is dull. I have yet to comprehend the Wild Bull Strength. I only managed to grasp a little bit of the Feng Shui Qi-Viewing Technique by sheer luck."

In his view, since the other party had given him the Secret Manual in that manner, it must have been to test his Comprehension Ability.

Therefore, Lin Ye saw no reason to hide his capabilities and spoke truthfully.

The old man's hand, holding the tea bowl, trembled slightly.

He immediately sat up straight, his voice unconsciously rising a notch. "What did you say? Say it again."

Lin Ye was taken aback by the old man's reaction but obediently repeated, "This Junior only comprehended the Feng Shui Qi-Viewing Technique. As for the Wild Bull Strength, I have not yet practiced it."

The old man fell silent.

He stood up, walked over to Lin Ye, and looked down at him from above.

A moment later, the old man stretched out his hand, palm facing up, in front of Lin Ye.

"Then use the Qi Observation Technique and tell me what you see on my hand."

"Alright."

Lin Ye closed his eyes, activated the Qi Observation Technique, and then looked at the old man's palm.

There was a character, a 'Suppress' character glowing entirely green, completely condensed from Qi.

"A 'Suppress' character," Lin Ye answered honestly.

Upon hearing this, the old man's hand trembled slightly again.

He then withdrew his hand, looked at Lin Ye, his face filled with pleasant surprise.

It was the kind of surprise one gets after searching for something for a very long time and finally finding it today!

"Good, good, good!"

The old man laughed, a loud, hearty laugh.

Lin Ye was somewhat bewildered.

Was comprehending the Qi Observation Technique really something to get so excited about?

After a few breaths, the old man finally finished laughing, sat back down in the bamboo chair, picked up his tea bowl, drained it in one gulp, and let out a long sigh.

"Do you know why it's called the Demon Suppression Division?"

"Is it to suppress those mutated beasts?"

Lin Ye ventured a guess.

Hearing this, the old man showed a trace of disdain. "A mere bunch of beasts with mutated Bloodlines? They're not worth the court establishing a dedicated department for."

"The true duty of the Demon Suppression Division is to suppress Demons!"

"Demons?" This was the first time Lin Ye had heard this term.

The old man stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and looked into the distance.

"Demons are different from mutated beasts.

Mutated beasts are beasts that have gained intelligence. Although their Physical Bodies are strong, to humans, they are just a bunch of high-quality prey, not posing much of a threat.

But Demons are different. They excel in the arts of concealment and transformation.

Once they hide among people, it's like a clay ox entering the sea—not a trace can be found.

There was once an Demon that transformed into a high-ranking court official, usurped a high position, disrupted the court, and plunged the world into chaos, causing the people to suffer!"

"This incident enraged Your Majesty, who personally went to the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion to seek a solution.

Ultimately, Your Majesty brought back a book from the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, named 'Derivation of Heaven Record'!

The Derivation of Heaven Record contains many methods for divining the secrets of heaven. The Qi Observation Technique is one of them.

Through the Qi Observation Technique, one can see through the true form of Demons.

No matter how they transform, they cannot hide from the Qi Observation Technique."

"Relying on this Derivation of Heaven Record, Your Majesty established the Demon Suppression Division fifteen years ago, to patrol on behalf of heaven and suppress Demons.

However, the Qi Observation Technique has extremely high requirements for Comprehension Ability. Even the most basic Qi Observation Technique is comprehended by only one in ten thousand, and those who can Cultivate it to a profound level are as rare as Phoenix feathers.

Therefore, since its founding, the Demon Suppression Division has always been short-staffed."

"For this reason, the Division Head issued an order to recruit talents from across the land."

At this point, the old man looked at Lin Ye as if gazing upon a rare treasure. "And the reason I came to this small place, Black Stone Town, was to find a Genius with exceptional Comprehension Ability.

If I found one, I could return. If not, I'd have to stay here forever."

"I've searched for over a decade. I had already prepared to grow old and die here. Who would have thought that perseverance pays off, and I finally found one!"

Lin Ye finally understood.

So this gentleman was here on a mission, no wonder he was so excited.

"What about Zhao Shanhe?" Lin Ye suddenly thought of his captain.

"Wasn't he accepted as your Disciple?"

"Zhao Shanhe?" The old man seemed to have just remembered there was such a person.

"Him? Back then, I also gave him three Cultivation Techniques. In the end, it took him seven days to comprehend the Wild Wind Saber Technique.

I saw that his Comprehension Ability was fairly good, and he was upright and incorruptible. Although he wasn't the person I was looking for, I still made him an auxiliary member of the Demon Suppression Division.

After all, besides dealing with Demons, the Demon Suppression Division also needs people to handle other miscellaneous affairs."

"I originally thought that if you could comprehend the Wild Bull Strength in one night, it would prove your Comprehension Ability was remarkable, and you might truly comprehend the Qi Observation Technique someday.

I just never expected you to give me such a huge surprise.

Although the Feng Shui Qi-Viewing Technique isn't of a high grade, it took me a full three days to gain some comprehension back then. And you managed it in just one night!"

The old man's gaze towards Lin Ye grew even more fervent. "Lin Ye, I now formally invite you, in my capacity as a Captain of the Demon Suppression Division, to join the Great Han Demon Suppression Division!"

As he spoke, he extended his hand towards Lin Ye.

Lin Ye looked at that hand, took a deep breath, and firmly grasped it.

"I'll join!"

The old man laughed, a very happy laugh.

"Good! From today on, you are a Ninth-Grade Demon Suppression Guard of the Demon Suppression Division!

Don't think the rank is low. The Demon Suppression Division operates independently of the court system, answering only to Your Majesty. Therefore, its members outrank regular officials by three levels.

Moreover, the Demon Suppression Division has few personnel, so the treatment is quite generous. The monthly salary alone is 100 taels.

If you successfully slay an Demon, you can also earn corresponding merits, which can be exchanged for various Divine Pills, Secret Manuals, and miraculous medicines from the Demon Suppression Treasury!"

After finishing, he turned and walked into the main room, returning with a waist token in hand.

The waist token was entirely black. The front was carved with the character 'Suppress,' and the back with the character 'Demon.'

"Keep it safe. This is your symbol of identity and also an important credential for recording your merits!"

The old man handed the waist token to Lin Ye.

Lin Ye reached out and took it. It was heavy, and he couldn't tell what material it was made of.

The Master, who had been silent all this time, finally found an opportunity to speak. "Congratulations, Lord Shen, on achieving your wish!"

The old man waved his hand. "Tieshan, you go back first. I still have words to say to young Lin."

The Master quickly stood up, cupped his hands in salute, exchanged a glance with Lin Ye, and then turned and left.

Now, only Lin Ye and the old man remained in the courtyard.

The old man sat back down in the bamboo chair, rocking leisurely back and forth, clearly in an excellent mood.

"Come, let me tell you more about the Demon Suppression Division.

After I leave, this Black Stone Town will be in your hands."