I became a martial arts saint while playing games.

The demon forces in Qingxi County have been completely destroyed.

After eliminating the demon king in the county government, the Demon Suppression Division collected all the evidence and investigated all the corrupt officials in Qingxi County—it wasn't difficult since Gu Yan and others had already gathered the evidence.

All the officials involved in the case were dismissed and brought to justice, inevitably leading to a major reshuffle of the government.

The demon caves surrounding Qingxi were also eradicated, and the evil spirits were swept away.

Even so, Fu Qinghe knew he couldn't afford to be complacent. The young master of the Ten Thousand Demons Workshop had died here, and the current master would surely be furious.

Although the Great Jing is currently in a state of great chaos, the Demon Suppression Division had no time to attend to such a remote border region before. However, the discovery that the Ten Thousand Demons Pavilion has taken over this place and is related to the Netherworld Ghost Kingdom is like discovering a terrorist group within its borders. The Demon Suppression Division certainly cannot treat it casually.

Upon returning to the headquarters of the Demon Suppression Division in Xuanzhou, he must immediately report and request that a Demon Suppression General be transferred here to oversee the situation and prevent future troubles.

Although Shen Qinghan did not hesitate to help Gu Yan slay the demon, he couldn't help but feel nervous now that he had actually killed the young master.

But when she looked at Gu Yan, she saw that he remained calm and composed, still looking confident and unconcerned about the Wan Yao Fang's revenge, which made her unable to guess what he was thinking.

As for Fu Qinghe, for the rest of the day, he practically kept his eyes glued to Gu Yan.

He had witnessed the young man wield the Thirteen Swords of Subduing Demons to slay a powerful demon at the peak of the Qi Refining Realm, and he was already stunned and unable to calm down. After inquiring with Shen Qinghan, he learned that when she met this young man, he had not even entered the realm yet.

This shock left Fu Qinghe frozen in place, as if struck by lightning. If he hadn't known that Shen Qinghan never spoke carelessly, he would never have believed that such a freak existed in the world.

Shen Qinghan simply said, "I think he is probably what the ancient texts call 'a natural-born martial spirit, with the techniques naturally revealed.' Perhaps this is what martial spirit is all about."

Fu Qinghe thought to himself, "No, no, I don't think martial arts are that powerful."

But since he didn't possess martial arts skills and had never seen them before, he had no way to refute them.

Just as the investigation into the corrupt officials was about to be completed, Li Shun suddenly stepped forward, bowed to Shen Qinghan, and said, "Sir, there is still one person missing."

After saying that, he stretched out his hands, looking calm and composed.

Shen Qinghan was slightly taken aback, and said gently, "You were born in this turbid Qingxi region and have already done your best to handle things. This matter can be handled specially."

Li Shun shook his head, insisting on requesting arrest.

Gu Yan stepped forward and said calmly, "Since Constable Li insists on this, let's arrest him as well."

Shen Qinghan turned her head in surprise.

Gu Yan said calmly, "Officer Li, you still have one crime to commit—attempted murder of a constable from the Demon Suppression Division. You have been hiding your strength in the county government for many years. With your true cultivation level, it shouldn't be difficult for you to sneak into the county government and steal Magistrate Liu's official seal."

"Impersonating Magistrate Liu to send a letter to the gambling den, luring the demons of Black Wind Cave to ambush and kill Lord Shen—that was your doing, wasn't it?"

These words struck Shen Qinghan like a thunderbolt, and she looked at Li Shun in astonishment.

The one who sent the letter to the demons and ambushed him... was it Li Shun?

Li Shun clapped his hands and chuckled, seemingly unsurprised by Gu Yan's exposure, neither denying it nor denying it, only saying, "As expected of Lord Gu, nothing can be hidden from you. I wonder when you saw through the flaw?"

"It's been a while," Gu Yan said. "We found the forged letter from the magistrate that you made at the gambling den. In the letter, the magistrate asked the demons to intercept and kill Lord Shen. If we had gone back to the county office to confront Magistrate Liu afterward, we would have immediately discovered the flaws and realized that the letter was not actually written by the magistrate."

"It's true that the magistrate colluded with demons, but this letter wasn't written by him. If we were to see the magistrate again, this would be exposed. That's why you killed him to silence him..."

Shen Qinghan hurriedly said, "Wait. From the moment we entered the gambling den, Constable Li has been with us the whole time. How could he possibly have had time to kill the magistrate to silence him?"

Gu Yan said, "Of course it's because he has accomplices in the county government. Lord Shen, think about it, everyone knows that Constable Li and Zhao Chengyu, the head of the criminal investigation department, are sworn enemies, but before that in the county government, the Black Bear Demon King demanded Zhao's life, and Constable Li pleaded with us to spare Zhao's life. Do you remember?"

Shen Qinghan frowned and looked at Li Shun with suspicion.

Gu Yan continued, "Before entering the county government, Constable Li and Chief Clerk Zhao studied martial arts together at the martial arts school in the north of the city. They were fellow students. They pretended to be at odds at the county government, but in fact, they were as close as brothers back in the martial arts school."

Li Shun laughed heartily, "Lord of the Demon Suppression Division is truly insightful and astute. You actually went to the martial arts school in the north of the city without a word, and even found out that we were classmates back then."

Gu Yan did indeed go to that martial arts school to investigate, but it was in his previous life, not this one.

Li Shun's side story is also a hidden thread in the Qingxi storyline. Originally, players needed to start with the side story of Magistrate Liu's murder, unraveling the mystery step by step, collecting many clues and evidence to piece together the truth.

However, for players who have played through the game multiple times, Gu Yan simply chooses to skip, skip, and skip again.

After all, this is a suspenseful side quest with no extra demons to slay and no potential point rewards. Why bother doing this for no reason?

So he skipped all the clue-gathering stages and fast-forwarded to the case-solving stage only at the end of the Qingxi storyline.

However, Li Shun's original plan was to surrender himself to the Demon Suppression Division, and he did not deny what he had done, so whether there was evidence or not made no difference.

"But you've misunderstood some things, sir," Li Shun shook his head and said, "Killing the magistrate to silence him was not my intention. Although Magistrate Liu is despicable, I still hope he can live to face the law."

It was my senior apprentice, Chief Zhao. When he saw us go to the gambling den, he knew that my forging of letters and attempt to assassinate the Demon Suppression Division official were likely to be exposed. That's why he took it upon himself to kill Magistrate Liu while we were at the gambling den and stage it as a suicide... Of course, he couldn't fool Lord Gu's discerning eyes, and you saw through his disguise."

Shen Qinghan was utterly puzzled: "Why?"

After spending these past few days together, she had come to believe that Li Shun was the only remaining good constable in the Qingxi County government. She thought she had seen through his character and even began to have the idea of ​​recruiting him into the Demon Suppression Division.

She had no grudge against this person and never imagined that he would forge a letter and use a demon to harm her.

Li Shun bowed deeply to her and said, "I have no intention of targeting Lord Shen. Any punishment I receive is deserved. But everything I have done is for the sake of the people of Qingxi."

Shen Qinghan asked curiously, "For the people of Qingxi?"

Li Shun asked, "Sir, before you came to Qingxi some time ago, did you pass by the Lonely Cloud Ten Mile Shop on the other side of the mountain?"

Shen Qinghan nodded: "That's right."

Li Shundao: "Sir, when you saw bandits attacking the people at Guyun Shilipu, you intervened and drove the bandits away for the villagers, didn't you?"

Shen Qinghan nodded: "That is indeed true."

Suddenly, something occurred to her, and she exclaimed in surprise, "Could it be that you were also at Lonely Cloud Ten Mile Shop that day?"

"Yes. I happened to be on a mission to a neighboring county that day, and during the bandit incident, I inadvertently glimpsed your waist tag, which is how I learned that you are from the Demon Suppression Division."

Li Shun explained.

"I rushed back to Qingxi overnight, stole the county magistrate's seal, forged a letter, and informed the demon lord of his whereabouts so that they could ambush and capture Lord Shen in advance."

Shen Qinghan nodded. This explained how the demon knew her whereabouts and laid an ambush beforehand, but she still didn't understand why Li Shun was targeting her.

Li Shun continued, "The reason for this is not to target you, but simply because of your status in the Demon Suppression Division."

Shen Qinghan frowned: "Then why?"

Gu Yan laughed and interjected, explaining, "This Brother Li has a simple mind. He thinks that this border region of Qingxi has been neglected for many years, with the government colluding with demons and monsters causing rampant evil, and that it has long been abandoned by the Demon Suppression Division."

He believed the only way to bring in reinforcements and eliminate the Qingxi demon scourge was to lose a Demon Suppression Division inspector here. This might incite the wrath of the Xuanzhou Demon Suppression Division headquarters, prompting them to dispatch a large army to quell the Qingxi demon scourge.

Shen Qinghan was taken aback, her beautiful eyes widening as she stared at Li Shun for a long while.

Li Shun nodded slowly: "That's true."

"But...you...but..."

Shen Qinghan remained stunned for a long time before finally unable to resist asking again.

"Then why don't you just report the demonic calamity to the Demon Suppression Division directly?"

Li Shun smiled bitterly: "Report it? The Qingxi County government is in cahoots with the demons, how can it be reported through normal means? Even if I manage to cross mountains and valleys alone to petition the Xuanzhou Demon Suppression Bureau, who will believe me based on just my word?"

Furthermore, I suspect that the demons of Qingxi have been rampant for many years, and the Demon Suppression Division may not be unaware of the situation here. They may simply be too busy to attend to it, or they may not care at all. Even if I were to reach headquarters, I would be a lowly officer on a remote outpost, and my words would carry little weight. It's unlikely that anyone would take my words seriously.

But to the vast Demon Suppression Division, this small Qingxi might just be an insignificant little place. But to me, and to all the people of this county, it is an absolutely irreplaceable homeland.

Therefore, I made up my mind long ago that I would spare no expense, no matter the means, as long as I could save Qingxi, even if it meant going to hell.

But he paused, then turned to look at Gu Yan and said, "It wasn't until I met Lord Gu these past two days that I realized the Demon Suppression Division slays demons and eliminates evil without fear of the strong or avoiding disaster. It seems that my previous prejudice against the Demon Suppression Division was just wishful thinking. The Demon Suppression Division probably never knew about the situation on the border of Qingxi."

Seeing you two gentlemen tirelessly working to rid the people of Qingxi of demons these past two days, I feel deep regret. I almost caused the death of an upright and honest official like Lord Shen.

Shen Qinghan stared at him for a long time, finally unable to hold back her question again: "You... everything you've done, is it truly for the people of Qingxi?"

"Yes."

Li Shun nodded, then added.

"Even so, I implore you two gentlemen not to show leniency or make an exception for me. Arrest me according to the law and punish me accordingly. Whether I am killed or tortured, it is my just deserts."

Your Excellencies have quelled the long-standing evil in Qingxi, clearing away the clouds and restoring peace to the people. For this boundless grace, on behalf of the elders of Qingxi, I bow in gratitude to your Excellencies.

After speaking, he bowed deeply to the ground again, expressing his sincere gratitude.

Shen Qinghan looked at him for a long time, hesitating to speak, but finally sighed and said nothing.

On either side, officers from the Demon Suppression Bureau put shackles on Li Shun and took him away.

For a long time afterward, she remained restless, constantly thinking about Li Shun and Qingxi. Suddenly, she felt as if she had lost the ability to distinguish right from wrong, unsure whether Li Shun was good or evil.

Until Gu Yan came to speak to her: "Lord Shen..."

Shen Qinghan, who was lost in thought, snapped out of it and asked softly, "What is it?"

She thought that she had been by Gu Yan's side these past few days, and the Li Shun matter had left her with mixed feelings; he must feel the same way.

In this situation, only the two parties involved truly understood each other's feelings, and she guessed that the other party had come here most likely to discuss this matter.

But to her surprise, Gu Yan said, "When we return to the Demon Suppression Division of Xuanzhou, I ask you to bear witness to my merits in Qingxi."

Shen Qinghan was taken aback.

Indeed. In the short time Gu Yan spent in Qingxi, he practically single-handedly slaughtered a whole group of demons. Without witnesses to vouch for him, it would be hard for anyone to believe it...

Shen Qinghan nodded: "Then...that's natural..."

Gu Yan thanked him, saying, "Thank you, sir!"

Then he left, completely satisfied.

Shen Qinghan: "..."

It was only then that she realized that she was the only one who seemed troubled by Li Shun's situation.

As for Gu Yan, he seemed to have seen through everything long ago. Exposing Li Shun was just a piece of cake for him, and he didn't care about it at all after he finished.

Could it be that the only thing on his mind is "slaying demons and eliminating evil"?

Shen Qinghan sighed inwardly. Suddenly, she felt that compared to his unwavering and steadfast character, she had unknowingly fallen behind.

Once everything was settled, Gu Yan set off with the Demon Suppression Division to leave the county. At that time, all the people of Qingxi, regardless of age or gender, came out of the streets and gathered on both sides of the official road.

News of the arrival of the Demon Suppression Division had already spread when Gu Yan beheaded the evil constable in the street. Later, Gu Yan continued to slay demons and eliminate evil spirits, culminating in a bloody battle at the county government office. Although his time was short, his reputation in Qingxi was now known to everyone.

Upon hearing that the Demon Suppression Division was leaving, the entire city was teeming with people, densely packed, without exception. Thousands of citizens knelt down in unison.

There was no commotion, only the sounds of sobbing and wailing rising and falling. The bitterness of years of oppression by evil spirits and exploitation by officials was completely dispelled in one day, and the sorrow and gratitude accumulated in their hearts burst forth in this moment of silence.

The group from the Demon Suppression Division slowly passed through this scene of thousands of people kneeling in farewell and the entire county expressing their gratitude.

Even Fu Qinghe was somewhat dazed by the sight.

He had served in the Demon Suppression Division for many years, traveling to various prefectures and counties, and had witnessed countless battles, large and small. He had seen the people praise him and the officials welcome him, but he had never seen such a magnificent sight as an entire county's people kneeling and weeping as they saw him off.

And he knew perfectly well who all of this was for.

Fu Qinghe couldn't help but cast a surprised and suspicious glance at Gu Yan again.

He could hardly imagine how many life-and-death experiences this young man, who had just entered the Demon Suppression Division, must have gone through in the small Qingxi River in just a few days to achieve such a magnificent scene.

This goes far beyond ordinary gratitude towards the demon-suppressing officers; it is an unforgettable memory of surviving a desperate situation and a sincere thank you for being spared from disaster.

"Gu Yan..."

Fu Qinghe murmured the mantra.

He remembered the name.

And he felt that he would probably never forget what he saw today in his lifetime.