Chapter 107: It

“I have no concrete evidence,” Bai Yunfei said with a bitter smile. “That’s why I came to ask you—what kind of man is Eunuch Qi?”

Li Lin said: “I advise you to report this immediately to the County Magistrate… Eunuch Qi is an imperial envoy assigned to oversee temples. Though his rank is low, he reports directly to His Majesty, and this concerns the True Lord altar within the temple—it’s a major matter.”

Bai Yunfei nodded and turned away.

Li Lin sighed; he felt the entire Jincheng had been pierced through like a sieve by people from Yuecheng.

But then again, it made sense—Yue Commandery was right next door, and Qin Tuo had seized the city and declared himself king. To expand and succeed in rebellion, he could not bypass Juncheng.

To march north, he must first take Jincheng, then seize Guicheng, linking the three southern granaries into a single horizontal line.

Otherwise, he could never stand against the Central Plains.

When Li Lin returned home, he began preparing for travel; he had a premonition he would be setting out again.

It was unavoidable—having chosen the path of a Spirit Hunter, one must shoulder certain responsibilities.

As he had expected, half an hour later, a government office runner came to summon him to the county office.

At the courtroom, he waited a while longer; Huang Yan and the others had nearly all arrived.

Except Zhao Xiaohu… he had returned to his village and couldn’t arrive immediately.

Huang Yan wore everyday clothes today; clearly, he was in a hurry and had no time for appearances.

“I sent men to inspect the temple—Eunuch Qi has vanished,” Huang Yan’s expression was grim. “According to the lead provided by Bai Yunfei’s patrol, he saw Eunuch Qi secretly meeting with several black-clad men behind the temple last night.”

Everyone turned to Bai Yunfei, curious why he had been near the temple at midnight.

Bai Yunfei looked embarrassed. “Last night, I was pondering sword techniques to defeat enemies, couldn’t sleep, so I went for a walk. I happened to reach the vicinity of the Four Marvels True Lord Temple and witnessed it.”

“I don’t know why Eunuch Qi fled, or who he met,” Huang Yan snorted. “But fleeing after an incident must have a reason. Shi Dudou, take thirty village soldiers, authorize you to use warhorses and Spirit-Defying Powder. Pursue along the main road. If you find Eunuch Qi, arrest him immediately. If he resists, kill him on the spot.”

Shi Dudou bowed and replied, “Yes, my lord.”

“All Spirit Hunters, follow Su Huafang’s command and pursue via back roads and secret paths.”

Su Huafang stepped forward. “My lord, I’ve been unwell these past two days. Could Bai Zhiwei lead the patrol instead?”

Huang Yan nodded. “Agreed.”

Everyone immediately set out.

Since they had to traverse back roads and main roads—both often rugged—they traveled on foot, without horses.

The seven used Light Body Technique; after leaving the county, they immediately headed toward Yuecheng.

No one spoke along the way—not even Bai BuFan, usually the most talkative.

They traveled eight hours a day, sleeping only about three.

Even so, it took eight days before they found any trace.

“Fresh footprints—three people,” Yan Han crouched low, studying the ground. “They can’t be far. But we don’t know if they’re Eunuch Qi and his companions.”

Bai Yunfei added: “A few days ago, I saw Eunuch Qi meeting two black-clad men.”

“Keep pursuing.”

Night fell swiftly. The seven moved as one; the red glow from their Bai Yu plaques formed a massive, dazzling cluster of light—effective at repelling wild anomalies, but visible for miles.

After chasing a while, they spotted a flickering flame ahead, then it vanished.

“They’ve spotted us—they’re putting out the fire!” Ding Fengqiu cried excitedly.

“Useless,” Bai Zhiwei chuckled. “Putting out the fire won’t help. They’re definitely inside the Spirit-Defying Powder circle… Eunuch Qi doesn’t have a Bai Yu plaque—he can’t wander off. He’ll stay put.”

The group rushed forward.

Just before reaching their target, the fire reignited.

Now they saw clearly.

Inside a ring of blue Spirit-Defying Powder stood Eunuch Qi and the two black-clad men.

The group entered the powder circle, forming a ring around them.

Eunuch Qi glanced left and right, sighed, and spoke in a shrill voice: “I didn’t expect you to catch up so quickly.”

Su Huafang stepped forward two paces. “Eunuch Qi, why… where are you going?”

“You’ve all come chasing me—do you still not know where I’m headed? Obviously, Yue Commandery.”

“You’ve served in Yulin County for over twenty years. You were about to be granted retirement and honor—why side with rebels?”

Eunuch Qi laughed loudly, his voice piercing and grating: “Retirement? I’ve spent over twenty years in this temple. They promised me one tael of silver monthly—but do you know how much I actually received?”

Everyone frowned.

“Three hundred copper coins!”

Bai Zhiwei snapped: “Impossible. County Magistrate Huang never delays his subordinates’ pay.”

“The temple attendant position reports directly to the Inner Palace,” Eunuch Qi sneered. “Magistrate Huang may be upright, but my salary doesn’t come from him.”

Ding Fengqiu, being female and more emotional, said: “For over twenty years, only three hundred copper coins a month? How did you survive?”

“Hehehe!” Eunuch Qi chuckled. “I never intended to fight you. I’m just leaving with these two. Why not let me go? If I truly meant harm, I could’ve acted long ago.”

Some felt his words made sense.

Su Huafang said: “Don’t be fooled. He’s now aligned with Yuecheng’s Qin family—they’ll become our enemies eventually. And he didn’t act before not because he lacked the will, but because Bai Yunfei interrupted him.”

Eunuch Qi glared at him. “Su brat, you talk too much.”

One of the black-clad men laughed: “I told you—just kill them all. Seven Spirit Hunters? No match for my brother and me.”

As soon as the man spoke, he lunged straight at Li Lin—they were closest.

He wielded an iron mace and moved with startling speed.

Li Lin stepped back, thrust his spear—its speed was immense, yet utterly silent.

That single thrust halted the man’s advance cold.

The man retreated, startled: “Spear intent… you’re really a Spirit Hunter, not a martial artist?”

“He’s a Spirit Hunter. I was right there when he formed a bond with the Tree Immortal Lady.”

“He’s the one who bonded with the Tree Immortal Lady?” the black-clad man asked.

“Yes.”

“Then capture him,” the man snarled. “Prince Qin will reward me handsomely.”

Li Lin instinctively sensed something was wrong.

At that moment, Eunuch Qi said: “I’ll split them up. Whether you catch that boy is up to you.”

“Thank you, Eunuch.”

All the Spirit Hunters were seasoned veterans; hearing their exchange, they immediately closed in.

But at that instant, Eunuch Qi clasped his hands before his chest, then thrust both palms forward.

“Boundless Ocean!”

A massive surge of spiritual energy erupted before him, spreading like a tidal wave, crashing toward them.

Everyone’s eyes widened in shock.

They scattered in all directions.

Eunuch Qi had indeed split them apart.

(End of Chapter)