Chapter 31: First Hearing of the City God

The water of Feng River was very swift, so naturally the wind by the river was also strong. When Li Si reached the riverbank, the wind blew his long robe until it rustled loudly.

After opening a jar, he grabbed a handful of white powder from within, then held it in the air and slowly opened his fingers. The powder scattered with the wind and fell onto the great river.

The white powder that fell onto the great river was struck down by the waves before long and vanished from sight.

This powder was made from the bones of the small animals beneath his bed. Last night, he had the Decapitated Ghost use its tongue to grind these bones into powder.

After being ground into powder, there had been roughly over 40 kg (~88 lb) of bone powder. About 20 kg (~44 lb) of it had been scattered into the cesspit by the roadside. Now only these two jars remained. As for the feathers and pelts, he had burned them in the stove.

As for why he had not thrown all the bone powder into the cesspit, it was because he was afraid there would be too much bone powder in the cesspit, and if the people who came to collect night soil discovered it later, there would be trouble.

That was why he had brought Cao Meng to the riverside to scatter the remaining ashes.

Li Si also did not plan to pour it directly into the river all at once. He only wanted to scatter it handful by handful, mainly because if he poured it out, the wind might blow it all over him. Also, scattering ashes by the handful like this made him feel very at ease. He only hoped that all his troublesome matters would vanish like these drifting ashes.

“Teacher, what is this?” Cao Meng curiously reached toward the other jar, wanting to open it and take a look.

“Cao Meng, do you trust Teacher?” Li Si did not answer Cao Meng’s question and continued scattering the white powder. While watching the powder he scattered drift away, he turned back and asked Cao Meng.

A trace of hesitation appeared in Cao Meng’s eyes, but his expression immediately became firm, and he said seriously, “Of course I trust Teacher.”

Li Si laughed, then said lightly, “These powders are all bone ashes.”

Hearing him say this, Cao Meng instantly withdrew his hand as if it had been bitten by a snake, then retreated several steps in terror.

Seeing Cao Meng’s movement, Li Si showed the smile of someone whose prank had succeeded and burst into laughter. “No need to be afraid. It’s only bone powder from chickens, ducks, and the like, not human.”

Hearing Li Si say this, Cao Meng immediately breathed a sigh of relief and said with lingering panic, “Teacher, how do you have so much chicken and duck bone powder?”

“That is a long story. You will know in the future.” Li Si quietly scattered the bone powder. As if he had thought of something again, he turned his head and asked Cao Meng, “Right, how long will your father be gone this time?”

Hearing Li Si ask about his father, Cao Meng hesitated somewhat, then said, “My father usually returns the same day when he hunts, but occasionally he only comes back after ten days or half a month. I think this time, he will need at most half a month before he returns.”

“I will have to trouble Teacher during this period.” A shy expression appeared on Cao Meng’s face.

Li Si shook his head and laughed, then a gentle expression appeared on his face as he said, “Actually, it is not any trouble. With you staying at my place, I feel much more comfortable instead. It is also good to have someone keeping me company at home.”

“Just like these jars. I could not have carried them over by myself.” Li Si pointed at the two jars, a helpless expression appearing on his face.

Seeing Li Si answer like this, Cao Meng scratched his head, and a silly smile appeared on his face.

Before long, Li Si had scattered all the bone powder here. Then he washed the two empty jars clean in the river and brought them back. He had no intention of throwing away these jars. He could still take them back and use them to pickle salted vegetables.

Then the two walked toward the county town. After reaching Fengmen County, Li Si first went to a ready-made clothing shop and ordered several pieces of clothing, buying several sets of short work clothes and several sets of fitted martial clothes.

He did not like this long robe on his body very much. It was not even convenient for running. How could it be as convenient as short work clothes and fitted martial clothes? So he planned to buy some short work clothes and fitted martial clothes as backups.

While buying clothes, he naturally also bought several pieces for Cao Meng, which made Cao Meng somewhat overwhelmed by the favour. He kept saying he did not want them, but he could not withstand Li Si’s insistence on buying them for him.

After receiving the clothes, Cao Meng was somewhat embarrassed, but joy appeared in his eyes, and the look he gave Li Si also showed gratitude.

After taking the clothes, Li Si went to the blacksmith shop where he had previously ordered the dagger and picked it up, paying three taels of silver. At the same time, he also told the blacksmith that he no longer wanted the strange knife.

Now that he had Black Sword, he naturally looked down on other weapons. As for this dagger, because he had already ordered it before, he also had the thought of keeping a dagger close to his body.

Because Black Sword was about one metre long (~3.3 ft), it was not hidden enough, while this dagger happened to make up for that shortcoming and could serve as a precaution.

After obtaining the dagger, Li Si brought Cao Meng home. At this time, a middle-aged man was already waiting at the entrance of his house.

Li Si recognized this man. He was none other than Liu Qin, the legal secretary of Fengmen County.

“Scholar Li.” When Li Si saw Liu Qin, Liu Qin also saw him and immediately came forward with a smile.

“Oh, it is Secretary Liu. Are you looking for me for something?” Li Si did not feel very warmly toward Liu Qin when he saw him come over. Although Liu Qin had a proper appearance and looked quite upright.

However, Liu Qin was not a good person. Li Si’s predecessor had been tricked by Liu Qin before. Once, Liu Qin told his predecessor that he had a rare good book, bought from a dealer, priced at fifty taels.

At the time, his predecessor had thought Liu Qin was the legal secretary of Fengmen County and would not deceive him. At the same time, he had also read a few pages, and the essentials of the classical interpretations inside had delighted the original owner, making him feel that it was indeed a good book, so he bought it.

However, after the book was sold to him, the original owner discovered that the classical interpretations inside were scattered here and there, incomplete and fragmented. It did not seem like a hand-copied book at all, but more like a draft.

At the time, the original owner went to argue with Secretary Liu, but Liu Qin refused to admit anything no matter what.

Seeing that Secretary Liu was powerful, the original owner could only feel helpless and accept his bad luck.

This was also why Li Si did not feel warmly toward Liu Qin. This person’s character had problems.

“Haha, can’t I look for you if there is nothing?” Liu Qin laughed casually, then smiled and said, “But this time, there is indeed something to tell Scholar Li.”

“The county magistrate has given instructions. Regarding the Zhang Residence incident, if anyone asks you about the Zhang Residence, just say that bandits broke in and killed the entire Zhang household.”

“You must absolutely not say that it was done by ghost creatures.” Liu Qin looked left and right, then lowered his voice and said.

“Mm, I know.” Li Si nodded, indicating that he understood. Naturally, he knew that with matters like this, it was best to reduce a major matter to a minor one, and a minor matter to nothing.

Otherwise, if it caused panic among the county’s common people, the trouble would instead be even greater.

“Mm, it is best that you understand.” Liu Qin grinned, clearly showing appreciation for Li Si’s tact.

“Right.” Li Si thought of the original owner’s matter, and a worried expression appeared on his face as he said, “Recently, demons and ghosts have often been causing trouble in the county town. The people should still be told to be more careful.”

Hearing Li Si say this, Liu Qin laughed loudly, then lowered his voice and whispered, “Scholar Li, don’t worry. Lord City God will return tonight.”