Chapter 24: What Does It Have to Do with Me?

Huang Yan hurriedly arrived at the Fourfold Wonder True Lord Temple. He saw Li Lin and gave a slight nod in greeting before turning his attention to the gaunt old man inside the temple.

He was not a Spirit Hunter and could not see the gui upon the altars.

“Eunuch Qi!”

Dressed in official robes and radiating upright authority, Huang Yan cupped his fists and asked,

“Can it now be confirmed that Bobai Town has fallen?”

In Great Qi, a town referred to a military town, one with soldiers stationed there.

Under such circumstances, if even the local True Lord had lost contact, then the problem was indeed serious.

Elder Qi shook his head.

“The Earth God of Bobai Town has still not appeared, while all the other True Lords are present.”

Huang Yan let out a breath.

“Then someone must be sent to investigate the matter thoroughly. Eunuch Qi, do you have any suggestions?”

Elder Qi forced an ugly smile, his voice shrill.

“County Magistrate, how to handle affairs outside is a matter for you to worry about. An incomplete person like this old man is only fit to remain in this temple and survive by serving the True Lord.”

Huang Yan smiled.

He seemed quite satisfied with Elder Qi’s attitude.

Then he turned around and said,

“The three of you should make your preparations first, then wait at the county yamen. I’ll return immediately and have the yamen runners notify the others.”

With that, Huang Yan departed first.

Troubled times indeed.

Bai Liwei sighed and looked at his nephew.

“Have you chosen the True Lord you favor?”

Every newly promoted Spirit Hunter would form a pact with a True Lord, providing qi and blood to the immortal lord while receiving the immortal lord’s protection in return.

For example...

If they encountered some trouble, they could seek help from the True Lord.

Just as Li Lin would occasionally trouble the Tree Immortal Lady.

Bai Bufan secretly glanced at the Tree Immortal Lady.

Bai Liwei’s expression turned subtle.

“That Lady does not like interacting with people. You should give up on that idea.”

Bai Bufan looked somewhat disappointed and pointed toward another gui beside her, the one with a dog’s head and a human body.

At that moment, Bai Liwei’s expression became rather ugly.

Because in the next instant, that dog-headed human-bodied gui cast Bai Bufan a strange look and then disappeared.

The gui on the other altars vanished as well.

Only the Tree Immortal Lady remained.

“Why did they leave?”

Bai Bufan asked in confusion.

Bai Liwei took a deep breath.

“Do you think these True Lords have no tempers?”

The disappointment on his nephew’s face had been far too obvious, enough to anger that dog-headed True Lord.

Even more troublesome was the fact that the essence of these True Lords was still that of gui. Although they now had certain agreements with the authorities and were semi-compelled into helping the living, it was difficult to say whether his nephew’s actions had displeased the other party enough to give rise to other thoughts.

Before coming here, he had already thoroughly explained the rules and dangers to his nephew.

Yet upon encountering a beautiful female gui, he had still lost his composure.

No matter what, however, this was his nephew.

He had to take responsibility for the trouble his nephew caused. In a few days, he would find a suitable reason to offer an apology to the True Lord and smooth things over.

Just as he was thinking this, he felt his nephew lightly tugging at his sleeve.

Bai Liwei looked over in confusion.

Bai Bufan pointed in a certain direction.

Bai Liwei followed his finger and saw the Tree Immortal Lady seemingly leaning close in front of Li Lin. The two appeared extremely intimate.

Meanwhile, Bai Bufan’s face was full of envy.

“Why can he do it?”

Bai Liwei sighed.

For the first time, he felt that his nephew becoming a Spirit Hunter at such a young age might not be entirely a good thing.

It was too easy for matters between men and women to disturb one’s original aspirations.

“People cannot be compared to one another.”

Bai Liwei pulled his nephew away.

After waiting outside for a while, they saw Li Lin emerge from within.

“Finished already?”

Bai Liwei asked.

“That was quick.”

“I merely offered some qi and blood to the Tree Immortal Lady.”

Li Lin rolled his eyes helplessly.

He had the distinct feeling that Bai Liwei’s words carried a strange teasing implication.

Who are you calling quick...

Meanwhile, Bai Bufan looked at Li Lin as though deep in thought.

Li Lin glanced at the ordinary people around them who were still burning incense and worshipping the gods, then quietly asked,

“Your nephew didn’t receive an opportunity. What now?”

“It would naturally be good if he did, but it isn’t a great loss if he didn’t.”

Bai Liwei smiled.

“It’s all part of his fate. We’ll just see how things unfold.”

“Senior Bai is truly open-minded.”

Li Lin spoke with considerable admiration.

For those without a powerful background, forming a pact with a True Lord was equivalent to finding oneself a patron.

One regularly offered qi and blood in exchange for a place of safety and a measure of protection.

If others wished to move against you, they would at least have to consider the attitude of the True Lord behind you.

If Li Lin had not been chosen by the Tree Immortal Lady, then even if he had become a Spirit Hunter, his path would surely have been filled with difficulties.

It would not have been as smooth as it was now.

As for Bai Bufan, he had his uncle protecting him.

Whether he had received an opportunity or not was not a particularly serious matter.

“Let’s part ways here and make our respective preparations.”

Bai Liwei’s expression turned serious.

“The fall of a military town is a major event. I suspect all of us will be mobilized.”

Li Lin nodded to show his understanding.

He went to the marketplace and bought some travel rations.

He also bought a gourd to carry drinking water and ate his fill at a food stall.

Only when night was nearly upon them did he head to the county yamen.

Upon entering the main hall of the yamen, he discovered that he was the first to arrive.

He had a yamen runner bring him a chair, then closed his eyes to rest.

Before long, Bai Liwei and his nephew arrived, followed by the others.

Soon, more than a dozen people had gathered in the hall, each carrying a small gourd at their waist.

Then County Magistrate Huang Yan arrived in his official robes and sat in the seat of honor at the front of the hall, gazing majestically at the people below.

“The situation is urgent, so I won’t waste words.”

Huang Yan spoke sternly.

“All of you are to depart immediately and proceed to Bobai Town to investigate the situation.”

Someone spoke up.

“But County Magistrate, it is nighttime. There are many feral gui.”

“That is precisely why all of you are being ordered to move together.”

Huang Yan snorted.

“You are all Spirit Hunters with vigorous qi and blood. If you travel as a group, even feral gui will not dare approach casually. The situation is urgent and cannot be delayed.”

At this point, Bai Liwei said,

“County Magistrate, my nephew Bai Bufan only became a Spirit Hunter today and is of little use. Could he perhaps remain...”

“Since he has entered the Spirit Hunter registry, he must act according to the rules.”

Huang Yan coldly interrupted him.

“The military town has lost contact, and the situation remains unknown. What we are operating under now is military law. Do you understand?”

Bai Liwei’s expression stiffened, and he immediately retreated back into the crowd.

“Does anyone else have questions?”

No one spoke.

Huang Yan pointed at the oldest Spirit Hunter present.

“Xu Saifeng, you will lead this operation. Everyone else is to obey your command.”

“Understood!”

A white-bearded Spirit Hunter bowed.

“I have already ordered fine horses prepared. Collect them from the side courtyard.”

Huang Yan picked up the magistrate’s wooden striking block and slammed it heavily against the table.

Thump!

After the loud noise echoed through the hall, he declared,

“Depart immediately!”

A few breaths later, all the Spirit Hunters had left.

Huang Qi emerged from behind a screen with his hands clasped behind his back.

He said leisurely,

“Father, that Bai Bufan truly only entered the registry today. You should have shown Patrol Hunter Bai a little consideration.”

“Official business is official business. What consideration should I show him?”

Huang Yan snorted unhappily.

“I even sent off my future son-in-law. Why should I care whether his nephew lives or dies? If anything happens to Patrol Hunter Li, I won’t even know how to explain it to Qing’er!”

Huang Qi smiled.

“I think Brother Kunge is a fortunate man. My eldest sister is as well.”

“I hope so too.”

Huang Yan let out a long sigh.

It was difficult being a parent.

And it was equally difficult being a parent to the people.