Chapter 34: Esteeming Strength While Restraining Desire

After finishing the spear routine, Li Lin spun a flourish with the spear and set the red-tasseled spear aside.

The courthouse hall fell silent.

Only after quite some time did Huang Qi ask, “Cousin, how was Kunge’s spear technique?”

The middle-aged man who had suggested that Li Lin demonstrate his spearwork nodded happily.

“A heaven-gifted talent. To comprehend spear intent at his age, even if it is only a trace, is exceedingly rare. I never expected to find such talent in this southern frontier region. He should not become a Spirit Hunter. He ought to become a martial artist.”

From his seat, Huang Yan said calmly, “Any martial artist with sufficiently vigorous qi and blood can be trained. A Spirit Hunter, however, truly requires talent.”

“That is true.”

The man nodded in agreement.

Then he looked at Li Lin.

“Brother Li, I am Huang Qi’s cousin, Huang Xiu, courtesy name Ziyue.”

“Brother Ziyue.”

Li Lin clasped his fists.

“I am also very fond of spear techniques and would like to exchange pointers with you. What do you think?” Huang Xiu said with a smile.

“I am only a beginner myself. I have merely grasped the surface of spear techniques. Let us learn from each other and spar together.”

Huang Qi laughed from the side.

“Why not go to my residence? The rear courtyard can serve as a training ground. You can do whatever you like there. Come on!”

Thus, after clasping their fists toward Huang Yan, the three of them left the courthouse.

Once their figures disappeared beyond the hall, Huang Yan snorted and looked coldly at Zhang Minsheng.

“You’ve seen the man now. What else do you have to say?”

“Patrol Hunter Li is indeed not a heretical cultivator, nor is he possessed by a gui.”

Zhang Minsheng lowered his head and clasped his fists.

“This subordinate acted rashly in the matter. Nevertheless, I still believe that allowing someone of unknown origins to become a Spirit Hunter is not necessarily a good thing.”

“Unknown origins?”

A mocking expression appeared on Huang Yan’s face.

“Look at his appearance. Which part of him does not resemble a son of the Han people? Or are you claiming that among the eastern barbarians, western tribes, southern savages, or northern nomads, there exists someone with such refined features?”

Zhang Minsheng lowered his head.

“But his background remains unclear.”

“Heh, unclear background?”

Huang Yan sneered.

“Sixty years ago, your Demon Suppression Bureau acted recklessly and forced countless respectable families into hiding in the mountains. Now that some of them are willing to return, your Demon Suppression Bureau refuses to acknowledge them as descendants of the Han people?”

“Or is it that your Demon Suppression Bureau fears having old debts brought back up?”

Zhang Minsheng stepped back and continued speaking with his head lowered.

“Your Excellency wrongs us. Sixty years ago, this subordinate had not even been born.”

Huang Yan picked up the judge’s block and slammed it heavily onto the desk.

“At present, Li Lin is registered under the household records of my Yulin County. I do not care what his identity was in the past. Right now, he is a Spirit Hunter under my command. If your Demon Suppression Bureau has objections, have your Military Governor come speak with me personally. Do you understand?”

Zhang Minsheng clasped his fists and said no more, indicating submission.

Meanwhile, Li Lin, Huang Qi, and Huang Xiu arrived at the rear courtyard of the Huang residence.

The person who came to serve tea was not a servant.

Instead, it was the eldest daughter of the Huang family, Huang Qing.

She was dressed in splendid attire. Her dangling hair ornaments chimed softly. Bright rouge adorned her lips. A faint fragrance surrounded her, and her face carried a shy blush.

Huang Qi’s expression was one of encouragement, while Huang Xiu’s smile carried a somewhat suggestive meaning.

Li Lin was not stupid.

Seeing the current situation, he realized that this Hu maiden had apparently taken a liking to him, and these two “elder brothers” were arranging a matchmaking opportunity for him.

He carefully examined the young woman before him.

Although her appearance was not as exquisite as that of her younger sister Huang Ling, her facial features were dignified and graceful, making her exceptionally pleasing to look at.

Her figure was slender yet curvaceous.

She perfectly matched his tastes.

“Sorry to trouble you, Elder Sister Huang.”

Li Lin nodded lightly.

Huang Qing became even more embarrassed, but she still performed a slight curtsy and said,

“You are too courteous, Senior Brother.”

Then, carrying the tea tray, she departed with graceful steps.

Huang Xiu smiled.

“Little Sister Qing grows more beautiful every year.”

“Oh, right, Kunge. Huang Qi told me you wish to learn spell techniques?”

Li Lin replied,

“I have already entered the ranks, yet I possess no spell manuals. I have strength but nowhere to use it.”

“You entered the ranks already?”

Huang Xiu appeared surprised.

“You have not even been a Spirit Hunter for a full year, have you?”

Li Lin nodded.

“A little over half a year.”

“Then you truly are exceptionally talented.”

Huang Xiu took out a handwritten booklet that he had prepared beforehand and placed it on the table.

“I picked up this spell manual by chance several years ago. It belongs to a minor branch of lightning arts, the Falling Lightning Incantation.”

“My aptitude is poor, so I can never master it.”

“I’ll give it to you, Kunge.”

Li Lin did not pick it up immediately.

He understood very well how precious a spell manual was.

Even an ordinary cultivation method such as the Spring Renewal Health Preservation Art sold for one tael of silver.

A genuine spell manual, especially one belonging to lightning arts, renowned for their destructive power, was far more valuable.

“Kunge, do you not like lightning arts?”

Huang Xiu asked curiously.

Li Lin shook his head.

“Spell techniques are already rare and extremely precious. I dare not accept them casually.”

Huang Qi and Huang Xiu exchanged glances and smiled simultaneously.

Had Li Lin eagerly grabbed the manual at once, neither of them would have looked down on him.

But that would have been all.

They did not particularly like people who cared only about power and ignored propriety and friendship.

Li Lin’s current behavior, however, perfectly matched their image of a gentleman.

He pursued power, yet was capable of restraint.

Huang Xiu pushed the manual toward Li Lin.

“This is a personal gift from me to you, Kunge. There are no conditions attached. It is simply a small gift between friends.”

Huang Qi added from the side,

“Brother Kunge, just accept it. There are not many Spirit Hunters left in Yulin County now. The stronger you become, the better it is for all of us in Yulin County.”

Li Lin remained silent for a moment before clasping his fists.

“Thank you, Brother Ziyue. If you ever need anything in the future, feel free to come to me.”

Huang Qi and Huang Xiu smiled at the same time.

They knew things were nearly settled.

The atmosphere afterward was excellent.

The three chatted for roughly one shichen before Li Lin excused himself and prepared to leave.

He still needed to purchase supplies at the marketplace and return to the village before nightfall.

Time was rather tight.

After Li Lin departed, Huang Qi beckoned toward a nearby window.

Very soon, the Huang sisters emerged from behind the door and sat down at the stone table as well.

Huang Xiu smiled.

“Congratulations, Little Sister Qing. You’ve found the man of your dreams.”

Huang Qing lowered her head and dared not raise it.

But anyone could see the joy she felt.

Huang Ling, however, sighed.

“Why do all of you like this Patrol Hunter Li so much? I think he’s quite ordinary and not worthy of Elder Sister.”

Huang Qi shook his head.

“Little Sister, you should not say that.”

“You pick and choose among others, but others will also judge you in turn.”

“The fact that Kunge and Elder Sister both fancy each other is already something rare.”

“Besides, when our Huang family marries off a daughter, why should the man require a distinguished family background?”

“Our Huang family is already the finest background he could have.”

“Not to mention a great talent like Brother Kunge, even if he were an ordinary man, our Huang family could still elevate him.”

Keeping her head lowered, Huang Qing softly added,

“Little Sister, I’ve set my heart on him. I don’t want anyone else.”

The two men burst into hearty laughter upon hearing those words!