I Slay Gods and Demons in the Deceit Night

At the establishment of High Willow City, strong Martial Artists were required to be stationed, as well as a large number of city guards, and martial fellows to maintain order.

Even today, Martial Artists guarding the city remain crucial!

However, various mundane tasks within the city, including calculations, record-keeping, registration, communication, organizing, and more, require literate individuals.

It is said that atop the Observatory Tower in the inner city, there are nearly three hundred literate individuals, but mainly from within the inner city.

For the common people of the outer city, reading and writing are seen as a waste of time, idly sitting at home; it is better to work more, earn Silver Tael, and eat well.

The slightly better-off families believe that practicing martial arts to strengthen the body and protect the family and business is the most solid skill in these chaotic times.

This is the view that has been passed down through generations over many years.

"But my elder brother broke this fixed notion early on, before being transferred to Qifeng Prefecture City, he had spent money to hire an old clerk from the Outer South Government Office to teach me and my second brother to read and write."

Lin Yan thought to himself, "In fact, historically, not all who have achieved in martial arts are completely illiterate."

The first level of martial arts, skin, flesh, tendons, bones.

One might rely on one's own physical strength, endure hardship, train oneself, aided by medicinal baths and Elixir Pills, to achieve it.

But at the second level of martial arts, beginning the refinement of blood and marrow cleansing.

This step requires learning the real Cultivation Techniques, understanding the mysteries within, no longer just relying on physical training to accomplish it.

As for the third level of martial arts, involving the cultivation of the five viscera and six entrails, it demands even more caution.

The involved Cultivation Techniques are profound and complex, obscure and difficult to understand, requiring careful study before starting to cultivate; otherwise, the consequences of damaging the internal organs are unimaginable.

"Ah Yan, you're here?"

At that moment, a surprised voice came from behind.

His second brother, Lin Lei, was holding a big chubby baby and quickly put the child aside.

He stepped forward, gripping Lin Yan to inspect him for a moment before he sighed in relief.

"Yesterday, your second brother went to sleep late, and as soon as I woke up, I heard the whole city was under martial law; your sister-in-law had already hung up the Night Lamp."

"In the middle of the night, I heard the bells and drums ringing together, indicating the situation was urgent, which worried me terribly."

"Just now I went to the old house, and you weren't home. If I hadn't seen that your bathwater hadn't been poured out and was still warm, I really would have feared you'd had an accident."

"Hmm? What are you buying refined salt for? This isn't something we can afford; later go to the salt shop to see if they'll exchange it..."

He babbled on, but after seeing Lin Yan, he relaxed and reached out to pat the little girl's head.

Then turning back, the little tyke he had just put down was giggling loudly, his hands splashing like he was swimming, crawling all over the floor chasing ants.

Lin Yan stepped forward, picked up the little boy, held him in his arms, then smiled and said, "It was a gift; if second brother finds it too extravagant, feel free to exchange it."

"Hmm, this is a small matter, as long as everyone is safe,"

Lin Lei said this, his face showing a trace of fear after the fact, and said, "Last night in the outer streets, over a dozen people died, including two families who were wiped out entirely. It's been years since such a tragedy happened in the city."

"Your sister-in-law's elder brother was promoted by the elderly head of our Linjiang Square at the beginning of the year, elected as the head of the six streets to the west."

"This morning he was summoned there to help manage the aftermath, clear the debris, and even collect the corpses to be sent to the inner city and brought to the Temple to dispel the resentment, lest they turn into Evil Spirits."

"By the way, it is said there are still some Evil beings in the city, hiding somewhere; these days are likely to remain unsettled. You being alone in the old house always leaves me unnerved and anxious; why not move over here?"

His second brother said this and added, "Besides, ever since your second brother built this house, and you didn't move in, neighbors in the square think there's discord between us brothers, which doesn't look good?"

These three small tiled rooms, the innermost one is where my brother and sister-in-law live, which also serves as the kitchen, with a stove built in and a water tank.

The central room has a bed in the corner, and in the middle, there are tables and chairs for dining.

The outermost room was divided into two sections: one half was equipped with beds and the other was used for storage.

Outside, there was a small courtyard, also divided into two parts: one section housed a pig and two chickens, while the other was planted with vegetables.

Compared to the old house, it was considerably spacious and within Linjiang Square, it was even considered a "luxurious mansion" that made the neighboring villagers envious.

"Let's stay here today, and move tomorrow. You can go pick some vegetables from the back, and I'll cook us some lunch," Martial Artist said, preparing to start a fire at the stove.

Lin Yan didn't object and headed to the backyard, casually asking, "By the way, where's sister-in-law?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Lei laughed and replied, "Today, all over the city, people are handling the aftermath of last night's events. The government office has deployed quite a few people, and they need to eat too! Our big uncle has always looked after our family, so he asked your sister-in-law to help with cooking. The government office is giving her a hundred copper coins for her work..."

Lin Yan, smiling, responded, "You manage the medicine shop and earn less than three silver taels a month. If you calculate the daily wage, today sister-in-law is earning more than you."

"Hey, don't underestimate your older brother. See those tools in the courtyard? Every time I come home from the medicine shop, I make some tables and chairs in my free time, and I earn quite a bit from that too," Lin Lei boasted, quite pleased with himself. "When you get married, I'll personally make you a set of bridal furniture."

However, his expression gradually became strange as he spoke.

He most likely was recalling the events of the previous night, but his unusual expression was fleeting, and he said no more.

Understanding the situation, Lin Yan grasped it as well.

In his memory, his brother was always steadfast and hardworking, but he was also quite clever and composed.

After learning to read and write, he had sought a job as an accountant at the medicine shop, and later had been promoted to manager.

Concerning last night's events, Lin Lei probably felt they were too bizarre and ominous to share with the family, as it would only cause unnecessary worry, so he chose not to mention it.

"Sharing good news but not the bad is well-intentioned, but the trickery of the evil ghost has left his spirit somewhat weakened. If it isn't dealt with promptly, it could lead to a serious illness," Lin Yan thought to himself.

"Mr. Lu's demon-suppressing charm, I'll give it to my brother to wear for one night, and by tomorrow, he should be fine," he planned in his mind. But just then, he heard a commotion outside.

The distance was not close, but the voices were excited, clearly indicating heightened emotions.

His brother, who was about to start the fire, suddenly sighed and put down the firewood.

"That's Uncle Zhou's family."

"Two years ago, his son joined the Outer South Government Office, and that was considered a great honor for their family. Uncle Zhou was quite proud," Lin Lei reminisced.

"They even held a banquet with three tables of food and drinks, and I also gave a gift."

"Later, he was transferred back to Linjiang Square as a night patrol officer. I saw him a few times, a man who knew the proper conduct and understood human relationships," he continued.

"Over these two years, the neighbors have shown great respect to Uncle Zhou, and his relatives from the Zhou Family often checked in on him," he added.

"I heard that last night, he was assigned to guard the city wall and died there," Lin Lei said, his expression turning rather somber. "Everyone thought he had a bright future ahead of him, but who could have imagined that it would all disappear overnight."

Lin Yan stayed silent.

Last night on the city wall, he had seen Zhou Ji's corpse.

Then, turning his gaze outside, he asked in a low tone, "What's going on now?"

"A complete tragedy," sighed Lin Lei, as he stepped outside. "Uncle Zhou has been kind to me since we moved here. You stay at home; I'll go have a look."

Lin Yan didn't stop him, just nodded slightly, and then heard the little girl behind him ask in a babyish voice, "Little pig, what does 'a complete tragedy' mean?"