Chapter 106: No Mercy

Li Lin's expression was somewhat helpless; if a person does not want to live, no amount of persuasion will work.

"Forget it, I won't try to persuade you anymore," Li Lin sighed, saying, "The fact that yin qi reduces one's lifespan must be something someone deliberately concealed and covered up."

Su Huafang nodded: "Yes. So generally speaking... Spirit Hunters cannot access medical arts. Those places like medical clinics have been secretly instructed not to sell medical texts to Spirit Hunters."

Li Lin remembered the first time he went to a medical clinic to purchase medical arts; indeed, they were unwilling to sell them to him.

So that was how it was.

It seems the imperial court is truly afraid... that the number of Spirit Hunters is dwindling.

After all, those who can become Spirit Hunters generally have no problem learning martial techniques to become martial artists.

Yet the vast majority of martial artists cannot become Spirit Hunters.

Seeing Li Lin deep in thought, Su Huafang smiled and asked, "Knowing this, do you regret it?"

Li Lin shook his head: "If I hadn't become a Spirit Hunter, I would probably be dead by now."

Su Huafang sighed with relief and couldn't help asking, "Who told you about my qi and blood depletion?"

"An Xin from the Tianyi Gate."

Su Huafang pondered: "Could this person have done it on purpose... not wanting you to become a Spirit Hunter?"

Li Lin countered: "What benefit would that bring him?"

"Perhaps I am being overly suspicious," Su Huafang chuckled.

Since persuasion was futile, Li Lin prepared to return to his room to rest.

At this moment, however, Su Huafang said, "Since you have come to Jincheng, why not pay a visit to Young Master Wang?"

Li Lin asked, "Will Inspector Su go as well?"

"Forget it. High walls and large courtyards are not quite suitable for ordinary people like us."

"Spirit Hunters are hardly ordinary..."

"In their eyes, we are very ordinary, but you, Inspector Li, are different."

Li Lin actually feared trouble quite a bit; the etiquette of this era was so cumbersome it was somewhat headache-inducing.

However, thinking of how Wang Tianyou had always cared for him, he decided to go see him anyway.

When visiting someone's home, one must of course bring a gift. He thought for a moment, bought medicinal herbs at a pharmacy, borrowed a pot from the inn, and refined a batch of Body-Strengthening Pills.

The scent of medicine filled the entire inn; due to poor alchemy conditions, the failure rate of the pills reached nearly thirty percent.

But Li Lin did not mind, packing several bottles out.

Leaving a few bottles for Su Huafang and Bai Liwei, he took the remaining two bottles as gifts and went to visit Wang Tianyou.

The plaque on the gate of the Wang residence did not read 'Wang Mansion', but rather 'Wang Family', presumably to avoid taboo.

He stepped forward and knocked. When the gatekeeper asked Li Lin's purpose and learned he was visiting Wang Tianyou, his expression became somewhat subtle.

But he then said, "Please wait a moment; I will inform the Third Young Master."

Not long after, Wang Tianyou walked out from inside with a cheerful expression.

"A distinguished guest arrives, bringing glory to our humble dwelling. Please come in!"

Li Lin presented a small gift box.

"You are too polite," Wang Tianyou said, not wanting to accept it.

Li Lin whispered, "It's for boosting yang energy, a family secret recipe!"

By now, he was too lazy to mention the pill's other functions; as long as those two words were there, it was guaranteed to be something good.

Wang Tianyou raised his eyebrows and immediately tucked the small gift box into his sleeve.

If you give him money and treasures, he might not like them.

But if you give him something like this, regardless of whether he has any hidden issues in that regard, he will accept it.

"Thank you, thank you. Oh my, you came, and you even brought such fine things."

As the two were laughing, someone suddenly asked from the side, "What fine things? Is there any for me?"

The two looked to the side and saw that about three zhang away, a man dressed in scholarly attire was gently fanning himself with a fan, a smile on his face.

This man looked more mature than Wang Tianyou, and the two bore a strong resemblance to each other.

Upon seeing him, Wang Tianyou's expression turned cold: "I am speaking with a friend; what does it have to do with you?"

"Third brother, that is not how one speaks," the man said with a smile. "A guest who arrives is a guest. As the legitimate eldest son, what is wrong with me hosting a guest?"

Wang Tianyou frowned.

The man looked at Li Lin: "This gentleman, may I ask your honorable name? Since you have come to my Wang family, why not share a cup of hot tea with me?"

Li Lin smiled slightly, then looked at Wang Tianyou and said, "Seeing that Brother Wang is healthy and well is enough for me. I have urgent matters; I take my leave."

Wang Tianyou laughed: "Haha, take care. When I have some free time, I will find you for a drink."

Li Lin clasped his fists in a bow and then left, not even glancing again at that so-called legitimate eldest son.

He was Wang Tianyou's friend, not the legitimate eldest son's friend.

Moreover, this person, right in front of Wang Tianyou, was trying to win him over, indirectly putting him in a difficult position. What did he take him for, a fickle villain?

Watching Li Lin depart, the legitimate eldest son's expression was extremely ugly.

Wang Tianyou chuckled: "Don't take everyone to be as smooth and fickle as you, my good elder brother."

Hmph!

The legitimate eldest son swept his sleeve and left.

Returning to the inn, Bai Liwei had also come back. The three of them discussed it and decided there was nothing left to do here, so they might as well go home first.

Thus, the three of them spent another four days or so and returned to Yulin County.

The three parted at the city gate; Su Huafang went to report to County Magistrate Huang about Zhao Hao's matter.

And Li Lin returned to his 'new home'.

As soon as he entered, he found that there were more people in the house.

Upon hearing he had returned, Hong Luan immediately came out to welcome him, saying at the same time: "The four-courtyard mansion is a bit large; some areas are hard to clean. I bought some sensible, well-behaved, and capable servants to return with. After the Young Lady marries over, there will be more people to attend to her."

This matter was naturally no problem.

That night, after the two had been intimate, Li Lin placed one of the gold ornament gift boxes into Hong Luan's hands: "Give this to Huang Damei tomorrow."

"What is it?" Hong Luan did not open it.

"A hairpin. The style is quite novel."

Hong Luan said with some envy: "If the Young Lady wears it, she will surely look very good; after all, the Young Lady is very beautiful."

"You will have one too in the future." Li Lin stroked the woman's face: "But it is not convenient to give it to you now. If people find out, you will likely have a hard time in the Huang family. After you marry over together with Huang Damei, I will prepare one for you as well."

Hong Luan nodded repeatedly.

In fact, whether she had gold ornaments or not did not matter to her; she also understood she could not possess such things for the time being, but the fact that Li Lin could think of this made her very happy.

This man was one who understood how to be considerate.

Afterwards, her peripheral vision spotted a small wooden box nearby. Judging by its appearance, it seemed to be from the same batch of products. Curious, she asked: "What is in the box over there?"

"Also gold ornaments," Li Lin smiled: "For Lady Shuxian."

She immediately dared not look again.

For the Young Lady, she dared to entertain a few thoughts.

For a gift to Taowu Zhenjun, she absolutely dared not touch it.

After the two chatted for a while, Hong Luan fell asleep.

Li Lin then took out the 'Wordless Heavenly Book' and began to ponder it.

He had looked at the Nourishing Nature Sutra for so long that he could even discern a few points of 'proficiency' from it; looking at this, perhaps he could also gain something.

It was just a pity that after flipping through this Wordless Heavenly Book back and forth for more than an hour, he saw no gain whatsoever.

He put it aside and lay down to rest.

By the next day, Li Lin had just finished breakfast and was about to practice his spear technique when Bai Yunfei came to the door.

"Li Xunshou, Bai has come to disturb you; please forgive me."

Li Lin smiled: "Not at all. Have you come to spar with me?"

"No." Bai Yunfei shook his head: "I wish to inquire: are you familiar with Eunuch Qi of the Four Sublime Taowu Zhenjun Temple?"

Li Lin shook his head: "I have only met him two or three times; we have not even exchanged a few words."

Bai Yunfei pondered for a moment: "Then do you think... could he possibly be a traitor?"

"Hmm, what traitor?"

"Of Yuecheng!"

Li Lin's expression instantly became serious: "Have you not informed the County Magistrate of this matter?"

(End of this chapter)