Where to go from here?
Roam the martial world with Da Chun, seeking more martial opportunities. Take Da Chun to Baiyun County to seek refuge with Third Sister. Return to the Black Stone Gang and say the River Demon went mad and ate the Fourth Boss.
Taking Da Chun along was clearly unrealistic.
Chen Yi couldn't possibly take care of him for a lifetime; he needed to become self-reliant.
"Then let's go check on Third Sister. There's a good place in Baiyun County Town where Da Chun can be settled."
Baiyun County is upstream on the Qing River, while Qinghe County is downstream.
After you and Da Chun escaped from the Black Stone Gang, you followed this river upstream.
This journey back home felt much more straightforward this time.
You are now a Body Refining Stage Three expert!
Ordinary wild beasts and road-blocking bandits pose no threat to you anymore.
As you neared Baiyun County Town, you saw a familiar face.
"This mountain was planted by me! This tree was opened by me..."
The familiar opening line, the familiar barrel-shaped beauty.
Xu Linglong.
"Well now! This handsome young gentleman isn't scared at all when you see folks like us with our heads hanging from our belts? You can even smile? Scared stupid?"
Xu Linglong was still love at first sight for you, her big eyes trying their hardest to exude charm.
You still had the simulation memories from your previous life, so you knew that among these bandits blocking the road now, only Xu Linglong had Body Refining Stage Four martial cultivation; the rest were ordinary mortals.
You chuckled lightly and walked past with Da Chun, ignoring them.
"Halt!"
Seeing you ignore them, the bandits instantly grew angry, raising their knives to strike.
Their movements seemed like slow motion in your eyes, their strength like that of children before you.
You fought one against five, knocking all five bandits to the ground.
Considering Xu Linglong treated you with genuine sincerity in the last simulation, you didn't take their lives.
Xu Linglong could tell you were a martial artist, and seeing how calm and effortless you were while fighting, she couldn't gauge your true depth.
Playing it safe, she had no choice but to back down.
"We have offended you, Senior. We beg for your forgiveness! Here is some silver. If you have use for it on your journey, please take it!"
Xu Linglong was very savvy, taking all the silver from the bandits' persons, placing it on the ground, and retreating ten paces back.
You smiled, walked over, and picked up the silver.
Only a fool would refuse free money.
"On account of this silver, I'll give you a heads-up. Keep a close eye on your Second-in-Command when you get back. He's got issues."
Xu Linglong was puzzled, not understanding why you said the Second-in-Command had problems.
While she was confused, you left with Da Chun.
"This time, I didn't fall into the bandit den. I'll reach Third Sister's house earlier than last time. I should be able to find out what exactly happened to Third Brother-in-law, right?"
In the previous life's simulation, Third Brother-in-law Shen Qingshan actually became a murderous maniac.
He got beheaded, his home was sealed, and his family was exiled.
It truly left Chen Yi baffled.
Could Third Sister's judgment of character really be that poor?
The next day, you and Da Chun arrived at Baiyun County Town and found Third Sister's house.
Fortunately, this time you didn't see a seal on the door.
There was a babbling toddler, about two or three years old, in the courtyard.
Third Sister Chen Yun was hanging clothes to dry in the yard.
She turned her head and saw you and Da Chun walking in from outside the gate. Tears immediately streamed down her face.
"Fourth Brother? Is it really you? I thought..."
Chen Yun had already learned of the tragic massacre of Luoding Village and thought you, like the other villagers, had died tragically under the slaughterers' blades.
Seeing you today, she wept with joy.
Upon learning it was Da Chun who saved you, Chen Yun immediately bowed to Da Chun, thanking him for saving you. Otherwise, she would have no blood relatives left in this world.
That night, Third Brother-in-law Shen Qingshan returned. Seeing you alive, his eyes also grew moist.
Chen Yun prepared a table full of dishes to celebrate your family reunion.
Da Chun ate heartily, his mouth shiny with grease, extremely happy.
For Da Chun, being able to eat his fill meant he had no other desires. He could watch ants climb trees from morning till night and still feel content.
The next day, you took Da Chun to the Yuelai Inn.
"Welcome, guests! Are you here for a meal or a stay?"
A familiar voice.
The proprietress was still as enthusiastic as ever.
"Proprietress, I'd like to introduce my brother here to work as a handyman for you. He's a bit simple-minded and can't handle complicated tasks, but he can wash dishes and sweep the floor. He's also quite strong and can handle some heavy work."
"I, Mei Sanniang, may have a warm heart, but if his head isn't quite right, I'm afraid..."
"He doesn't need wages. Just make sure he gets enough to eat."
"In that case, I'd feel guilty if I didn't hire him!"
You knew Mei Sanniang had good character and definitely wouldn't mistreat Da Chun.
Placing Da Chun at the Yuelai Inn was very suitable.
On the way back, a startled horse almost ran into you.
You backhanded the horse, sending it tumbling with foam at its mouth.
"Hmph, a nag!"
The commoners who witnessed this exclaimed in admiration for the mighty warrior.
On the surface, your clothes were slightly dirty, but inwardly you felt incredibly pleased.
This scene happened to be seen by Shen Qingshan, who was patrolling the streets. He recognized you as a martial artist.
That night, he had a conversation with you.
You couldn't tell the truth, so you just said that a year ago, an old man with a white beard passed through the village, detected you had bone structure for cultivation, gave you a manual for external technique cultivation, and also gifted you a sword. That's how you gained some Body Refining Realm cultivation.
"Since Fourth Brother has the bone structure, you shouldn't waste your natural talent."
Shen Qingshan took out some technique manuals and handed them to you.
"These are my Shen family's legacy techniques. Unfortunately, by my generation, too much has been lost. Only these four remain. However, these are all mid-tier techniques. If you master them, securing a good position in this small county town will be as easy as turning over your hand."
"Brother-in-law, your great kindness... Chen Yi..."
"Family shouldn't speak of such things. When ancestors lacked the bone structure, it's rare for one to be born with it. Don't squander the opportunity Heaven has given you."
Having obtained Shen Qingshan's techniques, you didn't plan to leave in the short term.
This way, you could have a free teacher to guide you, and one who was very familiar with these specific techniques.
You also didn't want to freeload at your sister's house all day; you needed to find something to do.
Shen Qingshan suggested you could take the Demon Slayer assessment at the Demon Slaying Division and serve there, just like him.
"The two of us, slaying demons together, eliminating harm for the people, wouldn't that be wonderful?"
You thought this proposal was good.
However, the prerequisite was to first train your martial skills well. Relying solely on Body Refining Stage Three cultivation to pass the Demon Slaying Division's assessment wouldn't be easy.
You also asked Shen Qingshan about the Luoding Village massacre, wondering if the authorities had discovered anything.
"No clues whatsoever. The perpetrators were targeted and highly trained, leaving no trace behind."
"Why massacre Luoding Village? We were just a bunch of farmers. How could we provoke such enemies?"
"I don't know... But from what I've seen in my years of service, if killers target the innocent, it's mostly to silence them. Perhaps a certain villager knew something they shouldn't have."

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