Chapter 105: The Bull Demon Haven't Eaten Fish Bait in Ages, Purging Evil, Slaying Ghosts, Carving Zhong Kui!

Li Che pressed down the rising uncle, letting him continue drinking.

The uncle swayed, but did not refuse, plopping back onto the chair and continued drinking with Chen Lao.

Li Che walked to the courtyard gate, his expression slightly cold and grim, his brows furrowed.

Creak.

The door opened, revealing two figures wearing official uniforms.

The uniform was black and red, embroidered with red cloud patterns, made of special material, stiff and upright, with a gold "Suppress" character embroidered on the chest.

The robe of the Temple Suppression Bureau officials!

Li Che's eyes narrowed, recognizing the two arrivals as Divine Envoys of the Temple Suppression Bureau, for their uniform was too conspicuous; everyone in Golden Light Prefecture City knew it.

"Are you Li Che?"

After opening the door, the gazes of the two Temple Suppression Bureau Divine Envoys both fell upon him.

Two strong, overbearing divine auras faintly lingered, creating an aura of authority without anger, making anyone who met their gaze feel their heart tremble.

This was clearly a divine secret technique unique to the Temple Suppression Bureau's Divine Envoys.

Despite their pressure, to Li Che it was utterly useless, like a gentle breeze.

But Li Che still took a deep breath, his expression shifting, and cupped his fists: "I pay my respects, Sirs."

The Temple Suppression Bureau, as the military organ of the Dàjǐng court, can be understood as the Six Gates; although it mainly handles affairs of strange temples, it intervenes in any matter involving divinity.

When the Temple Suppression Bureau's Divine Envoys came to his home, Li Che's eyes narrowed involuntarily.

"Is it really this fast?"

"It shouldn't be; when he killed Qin Yuqing, he left no trace, and moreover, Qin Yuqing's gray-faced covert agent provided him an alibi."

"It couldn't have been exposed this quickly."

The leading Divine Envoy narrowed his eyes, raised a Temple Suppression Bureau Divine Envoy token, looked at Li Che, his gaze indifferent: "Come with us; the Chief Deputy has questions for you."

"\"Chief Deputy? \" Li Che's heart sank slightly."

"In the Imperial Observatory, a Chief Deputy…… is roughly equivalent to a Vice Director."

"Why would such an existence have any reason to question him for no cause?"

"Could it be that they suspect his involvement in Qin Yuqing's death?"

Li Che furrowed his brows, glanced at the courtyard, then went with the two Divine Envoys into the dark alley.

He took out two gold leaves and handed them to the Divine Envoys.

"\"May I ask which Chief Deputy wishes to interrogate me? \""

However, the two Divine Envoys gave a half-smile: "Bribing us Temple Suppression Bureau officials is no small offense; we have taken your bribe, and if discovered, we would be flogged."

Li Che, upon hearing this, immediately understood.

"More money is needed."

He then took out another ten gold leaves and handed them over.

This time, the Divine Envoys did not refuse, simply took them—indeed, the money was insufficient.

"\"You needn't worry too much; Chief Deputy Zhang Lianhao merely wants us to bring you over; he has some questions for you. Do you know Qin Yuqing? The third young lady of the Qin family, who died a miserable death at home. \""

"\"In our investigation of this case, before her death, this Qin family third young lady secretly seized many cultivators who had come from Fēiléichéng. \""

"\"Therefore, all cultivators from Fēiléichéng are to be taken in for questioning; as for whether the Chief Deputy will personally summon you, we do not know. \""

The two Divine Envoys, right in front of Li Che, familiarly split the twelve gold leaves between themselves, smiling as they spoke to him.

"Mainly, Li Che is sufficiently cooperative, and his attitude pleases them."

"Running this errand late at night already put them in a bad mood; now, having taken some gold leaves, walking a few steps to earn some travel money isn't bad either."

"\"Although you have blood-exchange cultivation, it likely has nothing to do with the death of that Qin family third young lady; rumor has it she was a True Qi master, even a Divine Foundation perfected cultivator... \""

The Divine Envoy laughed.

Upon hearing this, Li Che's heart relaxed somewhat.

"\"Yo, the courtyard is lively, are you holding a family feast? Should you say something to the folks at home? Otherwise, the guests will be uneasy, and it won't be a good banquet. \" The Divine Envoy glanced at Li Che."

Li Che cupped his fists: "I have just passed the Third-Rank Guest Official examination of the Imperial Observatory today."

"\"When my family heard this good news, they insisted on setting up a table; I initially refused, but they said, after all, it's a great joy, so we should celebrate—thus they set up a table. \""

"\"Sirs, since you've come this late, why not share a drink before you leave? \""

As Li Che's words fell, the two Divine Envoys' expressions changed slightly, and the divine aura lingering in the air paused.

"\"Imperial Observatory Third-Rank Guest Official? \""

The two exchanged a glance, their eyes flashing with surprise.

Then, in unison, they pulled out the gold leaves they had just divided, gathered them back to twelve, and returned them to Li Che.

"\"It turns out we are colleagues from the Imperial Observatory... we both serve the court; although guest officials are external hires, they are still public duties, so we, the unaware, bear no blame, Li Guest Official, do not take it to heart. \""

Li Che, however, waved his hand, pushing the gold leaves back.

"To plant one's feet firmly in a city, worldly connections must naturally be maximized."

"\"How could I take it back? After all, troubling you two sirs to run this errand in the middle of the night—just consider it labor fees. \" Li Che laughed, then immediately invited the two Temple Suppression Bureau Divine Envoys into the courtyard for a drink."

They also gave face, and did not press further.

After drinking, Li Che and Zhang Ya exchanged a few words, then left together.

……

……

Golden Light Prefecture, Temple Suppression Bureau.

As the greatest military organ of Golden Light Prefecture City, inside are countless experts, and the stationed cultivators are too many to count, for the Temple Suppression Bureau must constantly guard against the outbreak of strange temples.

If the divine essence of a strange temple seeps out from beyond the city, infecting and creating evil malign influences, the Temple Suppression Bureau must dispatch personnel to exterminate and suppress them.

Although the Dàjǐng court has delegated considerable authority to the various city clans, the deterrent power of the Temple Suppression Bureau remains formidable.

The office of the Temple Suppression Bureau differs from the treasure tower of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau.

The main gate is triple‑opened, each opening fitted with two jet‑black doors; on either side of the doorway stand massive stone carvings of chi dragons, lifelike, imbued with towering divinity, and when they glare angrily, they make one's heart and spirit sway.

Inside, pavilions and towers rise in profusion with flying eaves and upturned corners, yet they lack the soaring eight‑story height of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau's treasure tower; most are merely two‑ or three‑story structures, filled with solemnity and a chilling aura.

"Master Li, please."

The two divine emissaries' attitudes softened considerably as they spoke to Li Che.

Upon entering the Temple Suppression Bureau, the thick divinity almost refuses to dissipate, naturally forming a sense of oppression; if a martial artist who has not cultivated divinity comes here, they might even be unable to circulate their qi and blood.

Li Che displayed an unsightly expression and slowly followed behind the two divine emissaries.

After a moment, they arrived before a two‑story pavilion.

"The Chief Emissary is waiting for you inside."

After opening the door, Li Che thanked the two divine emissaries and stepped into the pavilion.

In terms of rank, the Chief Emissary of the Temple Suppression Bureau is equivalent to a Vice Director of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau, yet his authority far exceeds that; after all, a Chief Emissary commands ten Divine Foundation‑level emissary captains, each of whom oversees dozens of divine emissaries.

Even a forceful Chief Emissary can have under him as many as a hundred divine emissaries.

How could a lone Vice Director of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau possibly compare?

Of course, the two are independent bureaus with different functions, so they cannot be compared in this way.

As Li Che stepped into the pavilion, the divine emissary silently closed the door.

A rich tea fragrance slowly permeated the air; Li Che looked up and saw a sandalwood office desk, beside which stood a small tea table with a boiling brazier, and verdant tea leaves tumbling up and down in the boiling water.

A figure dressed in an embroidered scarlet‑tiger‑patterned uniform sat upright in a chair, busy preparing tea.

The divinity was so thick it seemed almost tangible, filling the air and making it hard to breathe.

The dim candlelight flickered around, casting a fair brightness over the interior of the pavilion.

"I am Li Che; I pay my respects, Chief Emissary."

Li Che clasped his fists.

The middle‑aged man lifted his head, revealing a ferocious scar across his face.

He held the teacup, took a sip, then slightly lifted his eyelids and let his gaze fall upon Li Che.

Boom—!

Instantly, the divinity throughout the pavilion, as if seized by a terrifying divine sense, was sucked into a vortex and piled up above Li Che's head.

"Ox Demon?"

The two cold, emotionless words issued from the mouth of Chief Emissary Zhang Lianhao.

Under the pressure of the divine aura, Li Che began to act, his complexion turning deathly pale as his legs trembled uncontrollably.

"Is what the Chief Emissary said…… the utterly vicious Ox Demon of Feilei City?"

"I…… I may have come from Feilei City, but with family in tow, how could I be such a heinous villain?"

Li Che gritted his teeth, as if barely enduring the divine oppression, breathing heavily.

Dead silent, the entire building was utterly still, save for the gurgling of the boiling water in the brazier.

Zhang Lianhao gazed silently at Li Che for a long time, then said lightly, "Someone says you are the Ox Demon."

Li Che drew a deep breath, his eyes nearly bursting: "Slanderous blood‑spitting!"

"That Ox Demon killed the Elder Yang of Feilei City—a Divine Foundation cultivator; to call me the Ox Demon is to say I can slay a Divine Foundation."

"Sir, do you think I can kill a Divine Foundation?"

A domineering divine sense swept over Li Che's body, scanning repeatedly.

Yet Li Che's qi and blood were restrained by the Sleeping Dragon Elephant of the 【Dragon Elephant Golden Strength】, and his divinity was contained by the Immaculate Heart Dao Fruit, making them impossible to probe.

After the divine sense scan yielded nothing, it finally dissipated entirely, and the oppressive divinity withdrew, leaving the pavilion's air feeling fresh.

"Indeed, a body‑refining martial artist who nurtures his nature like a stream… you cannot slay a Divine Foundation."

Zhang Lianhao withdrew his divine sense, no longer exerting pressure to extract a confession.

"Congratulations, you have become a Third‑Rank Guest Scholar of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau."

Li Che drenched in sweat, clasped his fists again, yet said nothing more.

"Chief Emissary, I have just arrived at Jinguang Prefecture; I do not know who is spitting blood and slandering me in this way."

Zhang Lianhao poured a cup of tea, pushed it toward Li Che, and said, "Drink tea, don't be angry; the Temple Suppression Bureau's investigative procedure is exactly like this—first intimidate, then judge."

"As for the person who says you are the Ox Demon, you may know him—he is Zhang Xiangyang, formerly the Divine Constable of Feilei City."

"He has joined the Infant Spirit Sect, now imprisoned in the Temple Suppression Bureau's great jail; he has confessed that you are the Ox Demon and that the death of Qin Yuqing of the Qin clan was caused by the Ox Demon, hoping to earn merit by admitting guilt."

"Zhang Xiangyang?!"

Li Che's eyes narrowed; the Zhang Xiangyang who had once fled actually appeared in the prefectural city and was even arrested and thrown into prison.

That is supposed to be the highest‑security place in the prefectural city!

Unable to help reflecting on himself, he thought his methods were still not ruthless enough; he ought to find a chance to eliminate Zhang Xiangyang early, then today's mishap would not have occurred.

"So it's Constable Zhang……" Li Che exhaled.

"The words of the Infant Spirit Sect's villains cannot be trusted!" Li Che gritted his teeth: "The Infant Spirit Sect has wrought endless slaughter in Feilei City; even the city lord Cao Guang joined the sect and sacrificed a thousand spirit children—utterly inhuman!"

Zhang Lianhao's eyes were calm, as if accustomed to such things, and he nodded: "It is indeed utterly lacking in humanity."

"I myself did not believe it, but I still had you come to ask: Do you know Xu Beihu? A citizen of Feilei City, he was killed after being tortured by Qin Yuqing, who had also set her sights on the An family that had moved to the prefectural city, preparing to strike, when he died."

Zhang Lianhao took a sip of tea, narrowed his eyes, and exhaled a puff of heat.

"All right, you may go now; stay safe. The Infant Spirit Sect's Dharma Lord has escaped, and I hear that your daughter…… seems to have received an Infant Spirit wood carving? Once the ritual is completed, a connection will form, and that Dharma Lord may yet come to covet your daughter, an exceptional spirit child."

Upon hearing this, Li Che's face turned horrified, his eyes nearly bursting.

"Infant Spirit Dharma Lord? The Infant Spirit Sect…… is this vicious? My whole family has moved into the prefectural city, yet they still won't let us be!"

The prefectural city's public order is naturally fine; I just fear he will secretly strike at night and ambush your family.

Zhang Lianhao glanced at Li Che, whose face showed shock, anger, and a touch of fear.

I've asked everything I needed to ask; you may go now……

Li Che trembled slightly with anger, thought for a moment, and sought Zhang Lianhao's protection.

Zhang Lianhao smiled, didn't even look, and waved his hand.

Li Che, helpless, could only leave the pavilion.

He walked out of the prefectural constable's office.

Li Che's tense, angry expression instantly calmed.

Inside that pavilion just now, there was a second person, filled with killing intent toward him.

The heavenly-earth chessboard constantly enveloped; Li Che clearly sensed that person's aura, dark as if about to drip……

Are you from the Qin family?

That aura was somewhat familiar; when he had shot and killed a gray-faced spy at the Qin manor gate before, this person's aura had appeared then.

As for that constable Zhang Lianhao, he harbored no killing intent toward him; likely he was acting on someone's commission, yet his words carried deep meaning.

His brows furrowed slightly.

Zhang Xiangyang… Nascent Soul Dharma Master…

Does this constable want to go fishing?

Fishing? The ox demon hasn't… eaten bait in ages……

……

……

Inside the pavilion.

Zhang Lianhao poured another cup of tea; after a moment, a figure emerged from the shadows.

It was Qin Hao Nan of the Qin family, elder brother of Qin Yu Qing.

How so? Do you think he would kill your sister?

A mere blood-exchange martial artist, his divine nature weak as a stream…… Do you think he could have done it?

Zhang Lianhao asked.

Qin Hao Nan stroked his beard: "It seems not, but the Zhang Xiangyang who came from Fēiléichéng said this Li Che is inseparably linked to the ox demon……"

"It's a pity this boy entered the Directorate of Astronomy… becoming a third-rank guest official; otherwise I wouldn't waste words, I'd just strike and kill him." Qin Hao Nan sighed: "When the time comes, if he is the ox demon, he surely won't surrender meekly; he'll reveal his trump card and resist……"

Qin Hao Nan spoke directly, without the slightest embarrassment about discussing murderous deeds in front of Zhang Lianhao.

He seems to have been recommended by Li Qing Shan; if you really kill him, aren't you afraid Li Qing Shan will return and smash your head with that ram's horn hammer?

Hehe, Li Qing Shan values only this person's top-tier spirit child daughter; the recommendation is likely just a favor……

This Li Che is merely a blood-exchange martial artist; if he dies, he dies.

Why would Li Qing Shan help him and offend my Qin family?

However, according to what Zhang Xiangyang said, this ox demon…… even if it isn't Li Che, is still inseparably tied to Li Che's family; Li Che's daughter Li Nuanxi is especially close to the ox demon, and Zhang Xiangyang personally saw that the two might perhaps…… be master and disciple?

Qin Hao Nan looked toward Zhang Lianhao.

You have decided yourself; that is a top-tier spirit child pre-selected for the Qianyuan Divine Sect's branch……

To provoke him is not to offend Li Qing Shan, but to directly provoke the Qianyuan Divine Sect.

Zhang Lianhao sipped his tea and said lightly.

See the guest out.

Qin Hao Nan furrowed his brows, glanced at Zhang Lianhao, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

After leaving the prefectural constable's office, he stood still on the dark, long street.

The Divine Sect is indeed not to be provoked……

After thinking, Qin Hao Nan walked toward the direction of the Golden Fissure Gate.

……

……

When Li Che returned home, everyone was still awake.

Seeing Li Che return safely, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

All good, all good…… Uncle Li Liang had sobered up considerably, after all Li Che had been taken by the prefectural constable; who doesn't know its fearsome reputation?

Chen Lao puffed on his dry tobacco, brows tightly knit: "Because of the Fēiléichéng matter? Ah, that damned Cao Guang……"

Li Che soothed them a while, and everyone then dispersed.

After Zhang Ya soothed Xixi to sleep, she grabbed Li Che's waist: "Husband, really nothing happened?"

She knew Li Che's true identity, which is why she was so worried.

After all, the prefectural city has far more experts than Fēiléichéng, so the sense of safety naturally plummets.

Li Che rubbed Zhang Ya's head: "It's fine, I've returned safe and sound, after all; besides, I am now a third-rank guest official of the Directorate of Astronomy, so even without evidence the prefectural constable dare not move against me lightly."

Zhang Ya pressed her cheek against Li Che's sturdy chest, listening to his vigorous, powerful heartbeat, her heart slightly calmed.

She gave a soft hum.

You are the head of the household; you cannot come to harm…… We want to watch Xixi grow up together.

Rest assured, in two months it will be the Divine Sect branch's entrance examination; Xixi is basically a sure-fire Divine Sect disciple now, no one dares to move against her, and once she joins the sect, even fewer will dare.

All right, don't worry; everything is in my hands as husband.

Let me, your husband, check: have you practiced your martial arts well today? You've mastered the tendon-opening techniques I taught you; let's see if I should pass on something new to you.

Ah? There are new postures?

In Zhang Ya's soft and supple voice, the married couple entered the tendon-opening and tempering practice.

……

……

The next day.

Li Che went out feeling refreshed, heading to the Imperial Observatory to report for duty; he changed into the Observatory Guest Minister's robe, underneath still wearing his black elastic clothing.

His duty was simple: just drinking tea and slacking off with Shangguan Qinghong in the tea room.

"Are you taking the woodcarving job that pays in divine crystals?"

Shangguan Qinghong squatted on the chair, her bare crystalline jade feet exposed, cracking melon seeds.

Upon hearing Li Che's inquiry, she took out the task ledger and began flipping through it.

"There is one: an inner-door disciple of Heart Monkey Temple who cultivates wrathful divine nature needs a Ten Metropolis-level statue of the Wrathful-Eye Ghost-Suppressing type; there is no reference deity, so the woodcarving master can freely improvise, but after completion, they must check whether the client is satisfied before deciding whether to deliver."

Shangguan Qinghong said.

"What if they aren't satisfied?" Li Che frowned.

"They can refuse it; that's the task contract. If you can't accept it, then don't take the job." Shangguan Qinghong said matter-of-factly.

Li Che nodded: "How much is the pay?"

"Two Ten Metropolis divine crystals."

"Only two?"

Shangguan Qinghong gave Li Che a strange look: "That's the market rate. Besides, you wouldn't think two Ten Metropolis divine crystals is little, would you? Your monthly stipend is only three..."

Li Che gave an embarrassed smile; his stipend for this month… had already been spent.

As a Moonlight Clan member, Li Che naturally hoped the price would be as high as possible.

"Take it?" Shangguan Qinghong asked, cracking a melon seed and blinking her big eyes.

"I'll take it!"

"No reference deity, so I can freely improvise?" Li Che narrowed his eyes.

"Exactly." Shangguan Qinghong nodded.

Li Che pondered; this was his first job, the opening salvo to make his name known.

If he wanted to earn more divine crystals later, to accumulate them quickly and push the maturity of the Immaculate Heart Dao Fruit to level three…

The reputation of this job is of utmost importance!

If the reputation is secured, high-divine-crystal jobs will come pouring in!

"For a Ten Metropolis-level divine wood carving, what naturally creates the difference isn't the amount of divine essence it contains… it can only be found in the imagery."

Li Che's eyes lit up slightly as he recalled his earlier speculation; based on his memory of deity carvings, there would be an extra boost to divine craftsmanship…

Now he could properly test it on this job.

"Wrathful-Eye Ghost-Suppressing… to suppress ghosts, one must have wrathful eyes…"

"Then it must be that…"

"Leopard head, ringed eyes, iron face, bristling whiskers!"

"Demon‑Expelling, Ghost‑Slaying Great General; Zhongnan Iron‑Faced Divine Lord; Clearing Demonic Vapors Heavenly Venerable…"

"Zhong Kui!"

Adjusting the update schedule: from now on, chapter one will mostly update around noon, chapter two around eight p. m., totaling ten thousand words; please vote for monthly and recommendation tickets! Keep reading! Old Li, keep bursting out!