Chapter 57

Li Yi did not understand the affairs between practitioners; after all, a month ago, he was just an ordinary worker, so whenever he encountered matters he couldn't decide on, he would consult experienced people.

Listening to others' opinions and guidance can sometimes save a lot of detours.

However, as soon as he finished speaking, Uncle Biao to the side had his eyes light up and immediately said: "Li Yi, you said an investigator invited you to become an external combatant for the Investigation Bureau? This is a good thing; you must agree. This is a proper profession with high benefits and many opportunities. Most importantly, if something happens, the Investigation Bureau will have your back."

"External combatants have to go on missions frequently; won't that affect my cultivation?" Li Yi asked his concerns.

Lin Yue spoke up: "That depends on how you weigh the trade-offs. By joining the Investigation Bureau as an external combatant, you can receive more systematic training. Although you have to go on missions, you also have a stable source of income. This is much better than being a guide; after all, the work of a guide is unstable. The reason I only went to get my guide certificate now is that my cultivation slowed down, and I needed a part-time job. Once we reach our level, we can't just focus on cultivation; life is also very important."

"Li Yi, you already discovered that your cultivation speed slowed down, right? Everyone has encountered this situation. After our cultivation progress slows down, we must focus our attention elsewhere, so I still hope you can take this job and become an external combatant."

Hearing this, Li Yi finally understood.

A stable job is beneficial for future life, and after entering the Investigation Bureau, it can reduce many unnecessary troubles.

Although he has to go on missions, it is worth it by comparison.

"I possess a Mystic Object. Although my current cultivation speed is slower than before, I haven't reached my limit yet, and I still have great room for improvement. Normally, I should continue to stay at home and cultivate, but this opportunity is rare, so I should accept this job. As long as I work during the day and cultivate at night, it won't delay me."

"Most importantly, I need an identity and a backer now; otherwise, if something happens like this time, I'll be completely helpless. If I join the Investigation Bureau, even if I offend someone, the other party will have some misgivings."

Li Yi kept thinking in his heart and finally made his choice.

"Since Uncle Biao and Lin Jie have said so, I will follow your advice and join the Investigation Bureau as an external combatant."

Lin Yue nodded with a smile: "That's right. You now possess fist techniques, and your strength is sufficient; you can handle this job. However, you must remember, if you encounter dangerous missions that you cannot handle, don't be stubborn; run when you should run, and refuse the mission when you should refuse it."

"Can I do that?" Li Yi asked, surprised.

Lin Yue rolled her eyes: "You're not an investigator; external combatants are, to put it bluntly, just the old-fashioned temporary workers. No one will say anything if you slack off a few times; at worst, you can just resign. Your life is what's important."

"I understand." Li Yi felt that Lin Jie's words made a lot of sense; no matter what, one's own life is what's important.

"By the way, has anything special happened at your home recently? For example, regarding your mother..." Lin Yue suddenly became solemn again.

"No, my mother is fine; she's very healthy in the medical pod. I greet my mother often. Why?" Li Yi was a bit puzzled at this moment.

"..."

Lin Yue didn't know what to say for a moment and could only say: "You should pay more attention to your mother. If there's anything strange, tell me."

"Okay." Li Yi nodded with a smile.

Lin Yue fell silent again. She didn't know if it was an illusion, but whenever Li Yi was involved in issues concerning his mother, he was very strange, as if his cognition had been influenced by some force. Even though she had hinted so clearly, he himself didn't notice anything wrong.

But she didn't dare to point it out directly because she hadn't found a way to deal with that thing yet. Rashly breaking this balance would easily lead to a major disaster.

The few of them chatted for a while longer.

After about an hour, Uncle Biao had things to do in his meditation room and couldn't stay long, so he took Lin Yue and left.

Before leaving, Lin Yue told Li Yi to take care of the garment she had brought.

A garment made from flood dragon skin is very luxurious; it would be a huge loss if it were lost.

Li Yi naturally understood; this was obtained from Yang Yi Long, so it definitely wasn't cheap.

After seeing the two off, Li Yi mentioned his situation in the family group, telling his relatives not to worry, and also thanked them for helping to take care of his parents these days.

After dealing with these trivial matters, he finally rested with peace of mind.

The next morning, Wang Jian came to visit.

"The sniper rifle matter is resolved. You kid are really cunning, hiding it so far away; no wonder the whole residential complex was searched and it wasn't found. By the way, how have you considered the external combatant matter? I have other things to be busy with, so you need to give me an answer as soon as possible."

Wang Jian was in a hurry and was ready to leave as soon as he arrived.

Li Yi replied: "I agree to become an external combatant."

"Good, very good. Rest well these few days; after you are discharged from the hospital, I will take you to the Investigation Bureau to register. In addition, you don't need to worry about Kong Sheng's matter; he will be able to go back in two days. I'm telling you this in advance." Wang Jian received a satisfactory answer.

"Thank you." Li Yi said.

"We'll be colleagues in the future, so we should help each other more. By the way, add my contact information first; call me if anything happens." Wang Jian smiled, gave a few instructions, and then left in a hurry.

It seems that being an investigator is really busy.

Everything was peaceful these past few days. Li Yi only knew that he was fine, and he didn't need to worry about subsequent troubles; Wang Jian could help him handle them. As for that Ning Wu... he hadn't heard any relevant news, nor could he find out anything, so he simply stopped thinking about it and rested in the hospital.

It was on the third night of Li Yi's hospitalization.

A matter he had overlooked occurred.

Back then, in the Ghost Street, Li Yi had used his lifespan to purchase the Coffin Lingzhi, the mud horse; now, it was exactly time for the debt collection, because the old man who sold him the things back then had said that seven days later, a debt-collecting ghost would come to collect the debt.

And Li Yi owed a total of eighty years of lifespan in debt.

At this moment.

Inside the Ghost Street of the Danger Zone.

It was still the same as usual here, with vengeful spirits and fierce ghosts wandering, and Yin soldiers and ghost messengers patrolling endlessly. Any living person who accidentally broke into this place would be ruthlessly swallowed by these terrifying ghosts. Only by mastering special methods and disguising oneself as a dead person could one avoid being attacked by the ghosts.

It's just a pity that those who accidentally entered here didn't know this, and by the time they realized something was wrong, it was already too late.

Therefore, the Ghost Street in the Danger Zone is regarded by many practitioners as a forbidden zone of death, an existence that must not be set foot in no matter what.

It is no exaggeration to say that Li Yi's ability to return from the Ghost Street alive is a miracle.

At this time.

A rather special and eerie figure appeared on the Ghost Street.

It was a strange person who was barefoot, hunched over, wearing ragged clothes, and carrying a bamboo basket. Rather than a person, it was more like a fierce ghost from hell. This ghost wore a head covering made of white cloth, making it impossible to see its face. One hand held a cane, and the other hand carried a pale lantern, on which a twisted black character was written: Debt.

"The debt-collecting ghost has appeared again." For the appearance of such a ghost, some living people hiding on the Ghost Street were already accustomed to it.

However, this time, the debt-collecting ghost was somewhat abnormal, walking toward another unknown direction of the Ghost Street.

As it walked.

The scenery of the Ghost Street gradually became blurred, and some modern high-rise buildings actually began to appear in the surroundings.

The appearance of the debt-collecting ghost seemed out of place with the surroundings.

But the debt-collecting ghost did not stop its steps; it was just following the guidance on the debt slip to find the debtor.

Li Yi, who was lying in the hospital, was the debtor this time.

Just like that.

The debt-collecting ghost leaned on its cane, carrying the lantern, and walked slowly through the Danger Zone.

It thought this debt collection would be as smooth as usual.

But halfway through, a strange thing happened.

The pale lantern in the debt-collecting ghost's hand originally shone with eerie ghost fire, but at this moment, the ghost fire suddenly went out, and the lantern also became tattered, as if it had been eroded by something.

The speed of this erosion was not fast, but it was like a frog being boiled in warm water; by the time it reacted, it was already a bit late.

The debt-collecting ghost stopped its steps at this moment.

Because it was not just the lantern that was being eroded; it was also suffering from some kind of erosion. The flesh and blood on its body were being dissolved, and black smoke was rising from its whole body, as if it had appeared under the sun, and its whole body was being scorched.

But at this moment, it was clearly the middle of the night.

Why would this happen?

The debt-collecting ghost's intelligence did not seem high; it didn't quite understand this situation, so it let out a chilling and painful wail, while at the same time accelerating its steps, continuing to move toward Li Yi's direction.

It's just that all of this was destined to be in vain.

This debt-collecting ghost had not even walked out of the Danger Zone before it could no longer withstand the pollution of this world and was completely eroded.

Accompanied by the last scream of the ghost, the debt-collecting ghost completely disappeared, leaving behind only a useless bamboo basket and a tattered lantern that had long since gone out.

Obviously, this debt was very difficult to collect.

And Li Yi, the culprit, was still sleeping in the hospital, completely unaware of what happened in the Danger Zone, and even the matter of him owing a large debt of lifespan had been thrown to the back of his mind.