Chapter 66: What Is Great Fortune

What was called a “transport escort job” was internal terminology among Spirit Hunters.

The distance between cities was quite great. Traveling for more than ten days was normal, and taking one or two months for more distant destinations was not unusual.

For safety when traveling elsewhere, ordinary people would gather together and depart as a group. Usually, they would wait until one or two hundred people had assembled before hiring some “experts” to escort them.

The people hired included martial artists, and naturally Spirit Hunters as well.

This sort of situation was called a transport escort job.

In the past, such work would never have fallen to Li Lin.

But during this recent period, Li Lin’s improvement and growth had all been observed by Su Huafang and the others.

Not to mention anything else, just his Falling Lightning Incantation alone was astonishing enough.

“How much does a transport escort job pay?” Li Lin asked curiously.

“Not much. Your share will probably be around thirty taels of silver. The round trip takes about ten days.”

Thirty taels of silver did not sound like much, but its purchasing power was actually quite strong.

Li Lin had indeed come into some windfall wealth recently, but that was water without a source.

If he simply spent it, eventually it would run out.

Su Huafang was definitely wealthier than Li Lin, yet he still took transport escort jobs.

Would Li Lin really think he had too much money?

Li Lin nodded repeatedly.

“Many thanks for looking after me, Senior Su.”

“Then it’s settled. Gather at the north gate of the county seat before tomorrow evening.”

“All right. I’ll definitely arrive early.”

Su Huafang stood up, then asked curiously, “I saw a lot of little paper figurines running around outside. The villagers didn’t seem surprised either. Could it be that you...”

Li Lin smiled.

“It was me.”

“Amazing!”

Su Huafang said admiringly, “It seems that in the path of techniques, you truly might be a heaven-defying genius. Perhaps Yulin County will produce a first-rank Spirit Hunter in the future.”

“You’re too kind.”

Afterward, Su Huafang left with envy in his eyes.

Li Lin rested well that night.

Early the next morning, he went into the mountains to gather medicinal herbs and refined a batch of Shengxi Pills.

As usual, he brought more than a dozen Shengxi Pills, the Gui-Hiding Cloak, dry rations, and his red-tasseled spear.

Then he arrived before the altar.

Just as he was about to speak, Li Lin noticed that the withered tree beside the altar had actually sprouted green buds.

Although there were only a few leaves, the tree had undeniably come back to life.

The figure of the Tree Immortal Lady appeared and asked coldly, “What is it?”

“I’m going out for a trip. It’ll take more than ten days for the round trip.”

The Tree Immortal Lady frowned.

“To earn money. A transport escort job.”

Li Lin smiled.

“I’m going to Jin City, and it’ll also broaden my horizons. So I wanted to ask whether you’d like a gift from my travels.”

The Tree Immortal Lady’s expression seemed to soften slightly.

After thinking for a while, she said, “Lip rouge... Snow Marrow Vermilion.”

Li Lin nodded.

“All right. I’ll buy some and bring it back for you.”

Then he turned and left.

The Tree Immortal Lady stared at his departing figure the entire time.

Only after he had completely disappeared from sight did she sink back into the altar to rest.

Arriving at Yulin County, Li Lin saw that there was still plenty of time, so he went to the marketplace and slurped down a bowl of rice noodles to fill his stomach.

Only then did he head toward the northern part of the city.

When he arrived at the north gate, he discovered that a large crowd had already gathered outside.

Li Lin counted roughly.

There were at least two hundred people.

The overwhelming majority were ordinary civilians.

They had brought their families along and carried large and small bundles.

There were also many wooden single-wheel handcarts among them.

Presumably, they were being used to transport luggage, supplies, and provisions.

Outside the crowd stood more than a dozen martial artists dressed in uniform black clothing.

Su Huafang was currently talking with one of them.

Soon afterward, he spotted Li Lin and immediately waved.

Li Lin walked over.

“Come, let me introduce you.”

Su Huafang pointed at the martial artist opposite him.

“This is He Yumao, chief escort of the Longwind Escort Agency. In the martial world, he’s known by the nickname Life-Taking Sword.”

“This is Li Lin, Patrol Hunter Li.”

“I’ve long heard of your reputation.”

“I am honored.”

Li Lin and He Yumao exchanged cupped-fist greetings.

Then Li Lin asked, “Senior Su, are there only the two of us Spirit Hunters?”

“There are also two Patrol Hunters from the Bai family. Ah, here they come now.”

Li Lin turned around and saw that Bai Liwei and Bai Bufan were indeed emerging from the city gate.

After the two arrived, Su Huafang said, “Chief Escort He, shall we proceed according to our usual arrangements?”

“Certainly.”

He Yumao smiled.

“Then I’ll be giving the orders from here on. If there’s anything inappropriate, please speak up and don’t take offense.”

“No problem.”

Su Huafang cupped his fists.

Afterward, He Yumao went to the front of the crowd and shouted loudly, “Everyone, stop talking and listen. In one stick of incense’s time, we’ll be setting out. We’ll travel for two shichen and rest overnight at the True Lord Temple. Right now, check whether you’ve brought everything. Make sure your children are beside you. Don’t wait until after we’ve departed to say you’ve lost someone or misplaced your belongings. At that point, we will not turn back, nor will we help search for them. Understood?”

No one spoke.

However, He Yumao was an old hand.

He knew that silence meant there were no objections.

Li Lin exchanged greetings with Bai Liwei and Bai Bufan, then asked curiously, “Why depart at night? We won’t travel for very long before stopping to rest. If we traveled during the day, wouldn’t we move faster and avoid spending an extra night in the wilderness? Wouldn’t that be safer?”

Su Huafang smiled.

“Spending the first night at the True Lord Temple helps ordinary people feel more at ease. Afterward, they’ll also become more accustomed to spending nights outside.”

“If we departed during the day, then the first night would have to be spent resting in the wilderness. Many people leaving the county for the first time would be afraid and unable to sleep. Then they’d be tired and drowsy the next day, which would actually slow down the journey.”

“Oh.”

Li Lin understood.

One stick of incense later, He Yumao organized the group of more than two hundred people and set off.

The escorts carried torches and walked along the outer perimeter, protecting the crowd.

Bai Liwei and Bai Bufan stayed at the front of the procession, opening the way together with He Yumao and the other martial artists.

Li Lin and Su Huafang walked at the very rear.

Night quickly fell.

Logically, the wild ghosts should already have emerged by now.

Yet the white jade plaque at Li Lin’s waist emitted only a very faint red glow.

That meant the wild ghosts were quite far away from them.

This was the advantage of having many people together.

Their blood and qi were vigorous.

The wild ghosts would not dare approach in the short term.

The journey was very peaceful.

After traveling along the official road for about two shichen, they finally saw a temple ahead by the light of the moon.

“All right, we’ve arrived.”

He Yumao shouted loudly.

“Everyone go inside and rest. Remember, no matter what happens, do not leave the temple. If nature calls, use the dry latrine behind the temple. It stinks, but that’s still better than going outside and having a wild ghost suck you dry of flesh and blood...”

He Yumao continued speaking loudly, guiding the more than two hundred ordinary people and organizing their activities.

Li Lin also entered the temple.

Inside, he discovered an altar.

Floating there was a True Lord with a dog’s head and a human body, yawning boredly.

Su Huafang walked over and cupped his fists.

“True Lord Lingti, pardon the disturbance. Please, enjoy.”

As he spoke, he extended his arm.

True Lord Lingti leaned over and took a deep inhalation from Su Huafang’s arm.

Su Huafang shuddered all over, as though struck by a chill.

A faint flush appeared on his face.

Li Lin suddenly thought of something.

His scalp went numb, and he could not help scratching his head.

At that moment, Bai Liwei noticed Li Lin’s expression and walked over with a smile.

“Now you understand why the Tree Immortal Lady is the opportunity most desired by Spirit Hunters, don’t you?”

Li Lin nodded repeatedly.

He truly felt that he had stumbled upon tremendous good fortune.