Slaying demons and eliminating evil, a martial saint among mortals.

After leaving the Demon Suppression Bureau, the group went their separate ways.

Lu Chen and the others went back to the communal courtyard, but Qin Lie did not follow them.

He was going back to Heishan Town to pick up someone tomorrow, so he planned to go back to the small courtyard he had rented for the night. This would be his home from now on.

While we're at it, let's see what else we need and buy it together later.

After returning to the courtyard, Qin Lie first tied up the horse.

Once inside the room, he casually closed the door behind him.

He placed the Snowcutter's Blade on the table.

The Zhenguan Seal was also taken out of his bosom and placed next to the snow.

The knife and the seal sat quietly on the table.

There was no other sound in the room.

Qin Lie sat at the table, looking at the two items, and his mind drifted back to the events that had occurred at Duanfeng Pass.

The image of Pei Jinghan standing on the roof of the main hall, and Shen Shuyan's laughter before his death.

And then there was the final sound of war drums from the three thousand men of the Broken Wind Camp.

One thing after another popped into my head.

This time, however, Qin Lie did not continue to dwell on it.

The person is already gone; no matter how painful it is, it can't change the fact that it has already happened.

Qin Lie raised his hand, first touching the scabbard of Sui Xue, and then placing his hand on the Zhenguan Seal.

"Don't worry, I will definitely keep my promise to you."

After putting the two items away, I tidied up the room again.

I've been traveling around these past few days, and my injuries haven't fully healed yet.

He took out a healing pill issued by the Demon Suppression Division from his pocket, tilted his head back, and swallowed it.

Not long after the pill was ingested, the persistent pain in my body was relieved considerably.

Qin Lie didn't force himself to stay awake any longer and lay down on the bed.

So much has happened these past few days.

Both physically and mentally, I was constantly in a state of tension.

The matter is now temporarily resolved.

Qin Lie fell asleep shortly after lying down.

I slept very soundly.

When he opened his eyes again, the sun was already high in the sky.

Qin Lie lay on the bed in a daze for a while before slowly sitting up.

"Slept for so long?"

He himself was somewhat surprised.

He had never woken up this late since he came into this world.

But then I thought about it and it made sense; I've been really tired lately.

Qin Lie got up, washed his face, and tidied himself up a bit.

The snowflakes hung at his waist, and the Zhenguan Seal was carefully tucked away close to his body.

After confirming that he had brought everything he needed, he led his horse out of the courtyard.

They arrived at the gate of Dongxuan City.

Even from some distance away, Qin Lie saw a person squatting by the roadside.

The man was tall and carried a thick-backed knife on his back.

He was also holding several steaming hot buns in his hand.

There was no one else but Li Hu.

Li Hu had obviously seen Qin Lie as well.

He immediately stood up and waved in this direction.

"Qin Lie, come here quickly! I bought you two steamed buns too!"

Qin Lie led his horse over.

He glanced down at the steamed bun in Li Hu's hand, then at the city gate.

"You got up quite early today."

Upon hearing this, Li Hu immediately frowned.

"Of course."

"I've been waiting for you here for a long time."

"You're too slow, kid."

Qin Lie couldn't help but roll his eyes.

This person really dares to say that.

By simply following a single sentence, one can portray oneself as having waited here for a long time.

Qin Lie raised his finger and pointed to the city gate.

"I've been waiting for ages! How long has the city gate even been open? And you've been waiting all this time?"

Li Hu had a steamed bun in his mouth, and his speech was somewhat muffled.

"Then don't worry about it."

"Even if I arrive a second earlier than you, I'll still wait for you for ages."

Qin Lie was too lazy to argue with him any further.

He reached out and took all the steamed buns from Li Hu's hand.

Li Hu was stunned for a moment.

By the time he realized what was happening, Qin Lie had already mounted his horse.

"Hey! I only bought you two, how come you took all four?"

"Two of them are mine!"

Qin Lie completely ignored him.

With a gentle squeeze of his legs, he propelled the horse out of Dongxuan City.

Li Hu, standing behind, hurriedly mounted his horse.

They chased after him while shouting.

"Qin Lie!"

"Leave two for me!"

"I haven't had enough breakfast yet!"

In the end, Li Hu caught up with him.

He reached into Qin Lie's arms and snatched a steamed bun back from him.

"Give it to me!"

As soon as he got the steamed bun, Li Hu stuffed it into his mouth.

He chewed while mumbling incoherently.

"I already told you, when we get to Lijia Town, I'll treat you to drinks."

"You even stole my steamed bun."

"You really are..."

Qin Lie, riding on his horse, laughed heartily as he listened.

"Let me eat my fill first."

"As for arriving in Lijia Town..."

At this point, Qin Lie suddenly stopped and turned to stare at Li Hu.

"You just said where you live?"

Li Hu, still chewing on a steamed bun, was puzzled by his reaction.

"Lijia Town, what's wrong?"

Why are you making such a fuss?

Lijia Town.

After receiving this answer, Qin Lie was somewhat lost in thought.

He had indeed heard of this place.

Before leaving, Li Tiezhu told him that he also lived in Lijia Town and that he would invite Qin Lie for drinks after they passed Duanfeng Pass.

Thinking of this, Qin Lie quickly pressed for more information.

"Is that tavern you mentioned earlier located near the entrance to your town?"

"The shop is not spacious, and there is a wine flag that has been used for many years hanging at the entrance."

"The most famous liquor here is Shaodaozi."

Upon hearing this, Li Hu's expression immediately turned to astonishment, and he even forgot to continue chewing the bun in his mouth.

How did you know?

Qin Lie did not answer immediately.

He looked down at the snowflakes hanging from his waist.

"How would I know...?"

"Because someone said they would buy me a drink."

The voice was very soft, and Li Hu didn't hear it clearly.

"What did you say?"

Qin Lie did not offer any further explanation.

He looked up and glanced at the bright sunlight overhead.

After leaving Duanfeng Pass, the low mood that had been weighing on my heart eased considerably at this moment.

He gripped the reins tightly and looked at Li Hu.

"Let's go for a drink."

"I might have to treat you to drinks today."

After hearing this, Li Hu immediately waved his hand.

Forget it.

"Now that we're on my turf, do you think you'll buy me drinks?"

"If I really let you pay for the drinks, how am I supposed to face anyone in Lijia Town after this?"

Qin Lie didn't argue with him.

With a slight tug on the reins, the horse beneath him immediately sped up.

"You'll find out then who invited whom."

Li Hu was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"If that's what you're saying, then I really have to make a bet with you."

He spurred his horse and followed.

"This drink is definitely on me."

Li Hu was absolutely confident about this bet.

Because the winery Qin Lie mentioned is owned by his family.

The two urged their horses forward.

Aside from letting the horse rest twice, it barely stopped.

After walking for most of the day, the road ahead finally widened.

Looking further into the distance, rows of houses can already be seen.

Some were close together, while others were placed separately on the side, with several narrow paths in between that could only accommodate two or three people walking side by side.

On the outskirts of the town lies a large expanse of farmland that has already been cultivated.

At this time of year, the crops in the fields are growing perfectly.

The wind blows through the fields, causing the leaves to sway in waves.

A few wisps of smoke rose from the town.

Even from this distance, I could still hear the crowing of roosters and the barking of dogs intermittently.

Li Hu sat on his horse and pointed forward.

"See that? That's Lijia Town up ahead."

When he said this, his tone was noticeably lighter.

After traveling for so long, I'm finally almost home.

Qin Lie originally wanted to make a few laughs at him.

But not long after, he noticed that Li Hu's expression was somewhat unnatural.

I was quite happy just now.

Now, as he looked at Lijia Town ahead, his eyes began to dart to the side.

Even the hand holding the reins unconsciously shifted position several times.

Qin Lie roughly guessed the reason.

I guess it's because I haven't been home for so long that I felt a little uneasy when I actually got to my doorstep.

He turned to ask, "When was the last time you came back?"

Li Hu raised his hand and touched his nose.

"It's been a while, but actually not that long."

Qin Lie glanced at him.

"How long is 'not long'?"

Li Hu's expression became even more unnatural.

He paused for a moment before saying somewhat awkwardly, "It's only been a little over a year."

Qin Lie was speechless.

"Is a little over a year still considered short-lived?"

"Is Dongxuan City so far from Li Family Town that it's impossible to get back?"

"I understand that you're usually busy."

"But the Demon Suppression Division will always let you rest."

"You can come back and visit during your vacation; it won't take much time."

"How can you not come home for over a year?"

After listening, Li Hu let out a long sigh.

"You've really wronged me. I want to come back too."

"The problem is, every time I come back, my ancestors chase me with a stick."

"Show me every time you see me."

Qin Lie turned to look at him.

"Are you afraid of getting beaten up?"

With Li Hu's current physique, an ordinary wooden stick wouldn't even break his skin.

Li Hu waved his hand.

"Taking two blows is nothing to me."

"The main reason is that our ancestors are already very old."

"Every time she chased me with a stick, she would chase me from inside the yard all the way outside."

"I don't dare stand there and let her keep hitting me."

"If she really starts running, I'll have to worry about her not being able to keep her footing."

"If you fall, that would be a serious matter."

"Then I thought, I might as well come back less often."

"As long as I don't come back, she won't have to chase me with a stick."

Qin Lie became interested upon hearing this.

"What terrible thing did you do that your ancestors have remembered for so many years?"

"I'll beat you every time I see you now."

Li Hu's eyes widened immediately.

"I didn't do anything, stop making baseless accusations."

"But speaking of which, this is indeed a bit strange."

"When I was little, my grandparents doted on me the most."

"Whenever there's something delicious at home, they always save a portion for me first."

"I remember there was a wine vat in our house that we had used for many years. Our ancestor always kept a very close eye on it. If anyone in the family touched it, she would grumble about it for a long time."

"I smashed it, and she only cursed at me a few times. In the end, she didn't even have the heart to actually hurt me."

"But everything changed after I joined the Demon Suppression Division."

"The first time I went home wearing the clothes of the Demon Suppression Bureau, the ancestor saw me, didn't even say a word, turned around, went into the house, grabbed a stick, and chased after me to beat me."

"Every time I went back, it was the same. As soon as she saw me, she would grab a weapon."

"I asked her why, but she wouldn't tell me."

"It's fine if you scold me a couple of times, at least let me know where I went wrong."

"But she wouldn't say anything, she just kept chasing after me and hitting me."

"To this day, I still don't understand what I did to make her angry."

Qin Lie couldn't help but laugh after hearing this.

"What else could it be?"

"It must be because you've become less and less able to speak human language since you joined the Demon Suppression Division."

"It's normal for your ancestors to dislike you and give you a few beatings."