Chapter 112: Three Children Already Born

Su Huafang's death did indeed leave Li Lin in a foul mood.

But he could accept this matter.

After all, Su Huafang had only about half a year left to live anyway.

Three days later, Su Huafang's remains were buried on a small hill south of the county; his son was very filial, making the tomb quite grand.

Su Huafang had served as a Spirit Hunter for several decades and had indeed saved quite a bit of money, which he left to his eldest son.

On this same day, Magistrate Huang Yan summoned them all together.

"For this period, Yuecheng has been the one making moves, forcing us to respond tirelessly." Huang Yan sat in the courtroom, his face cold: "I am not the kind of official who, once bullied, cannot fight back. For this period, I have been secretly coordinating and contacting General Tang, preparing the local militia and the border army to strike together and launch a direct, hard assault on Changmei Army Town."

At this moment, he pointed to a location on the terrain map.

"East of Changmei Army Town lies Lianjiang Village; there is an inside agent of ours. Once you arrive there, he will seek you out and tell you how to use the small paths to bypass the army town and reach directly behind the enemy."

Everyone's expressions straightened, and they all became obviously excited.

"Once you reach behind the enemy lines, do not engage them in prolonged fighting; your primary task is to ensure your own safety. If circumstances allow, burn or destroy the enemy's logistical supplies, especially grain and fodder!"

Huang Yan smiled: "Tomorrow at dawn, you shall depart. If this succeeds, I will authorize taking gold from the county treasury to reward you, thirty taels each. Additionally... each of you will receive an extra two hundred jin of blood rice."

Everyone clasped their fists in salute, all declaring they heard the order.

"Li Xunshou, come with me."

Watching Huang Yan lead Li Lin away, all the Spirit Hunters were extremely envious.

Bai Bufan said: "Li Xunshou truly has romantic fortune."

Zhao Xiaohu was very surprised: "What romantic fortune does Brother Lin have?"

"His marriage to the magistrate's daughter is approaching."

"How have I never heard of this?" Zhao Xiaohu widened his eyes.

Everyone laughed; Zhao Xiaohu often stayed in the village, so naturally he was not very clear on matters in the county town.

The magistrate's household began purchasing large quantities of items; seeing they were all wedding goods, how could one not know what was happening!

On the other side, Li Lin arrived at the Huang residence, and then Huang Yan left him alone.

Li Lin could only go to the rear courtyard himself.

Now, coming to the Huang residence felt as relaxed as returning home.

Just as he sat down, Huang Qing walked over.

She sat before Li Lin, her face flushed, and said: "Li Shixiong, my father asked me this time to inquire on his behalf: do you have any requirements regarding the dowry?"

Li Lin instinctively blinked: "I haven't even sent the betrothal gifts yet; isn't the dowry determined based on the betrothal gifts and then the situation?"

Huang Qing's expression became even more embarrassed: "Father said... being able to marry me off is already a great profit; regarding the betrothal gifts, you need not worry, the Huang family will handle it."

Li Lin felt somewhat embarrassed: "How can all matters be left to the Huang family..."

"It's fine, it is proper." Huang Qing looked at Li Lin's face and said shyly: "I also feel that meeting Shixiong is heaven's mercy upon me."

In this reserved era, for a woman to so directly 'confess' her feelings was actually quite an extraordinary thing.

So Li Lin felt that the Huang Damei opposite him had, to some extent, inherited Hu Ji's characteristic straightforward nature, combined with the gentleness of a Han daughter; this special temperament truly easily wins people's affection.

"I understand. Although I need not worry about the betrothal gifts, there must still be some gesture made."

Huang Qing spoke softly: "Also, I heard that Li Shixiong is to go on an official mission this time; please be extra careful. I will wait here for your return."

Li Lin smiled and nodded gently.

Not long after, he left the Huang family and returned to his own home.

They were to depart at dawn tomorrow; to conserve energy and strength, Li Lin and Hong Luan did not engage in marital relations, but instead rested well.

Waiting until the next morning, Li Lin had breakfast and prepared to depart.

Hong Luan saw him off at the door and said: "Husband, please rest assured; I will manage the household well. Also, no matter what happens, I am yours in life and a ghost of yours in death; I will wait here for your return."

"No need to worry." Li Lin patted her head: "I possess a divine technique, very powerful; ordinary people cannot detect me."

Li Lin arrived outside the county government office to assemble; the government office Runners had already prepared fine horses.

Ding Yingqiu saw Li Lin and waved.

Li Lin walked over, and she took a vial of protective barrier powder from her sleeve: "Here, take a vial of this as a spare."

"Why?"

"The incident with Eunuch Qi last time made me realize that when traveling, accidents can happen at any time. If something happens to me, preventing me from using the protective barrier powder, then you use it."

The other party's words seemed to carry a strange tone.

At this moment, only the two of them had arrived; the others had not yet come.

Li Lin thought for a moment, quickly understood, and said: "Ding Xunshou is upset that last time I took the protective barrier powder from you without your consent; I apologize to you for this matter."

Ding Yingqiu's face flushed: "Stop talking about it, as long as you understand! I am still an unmarried maiden; if you speak of this to me, be careful or I will hit you."

Li Lin smiled: "I have already forgotten."

Ding Yingqiu rolled her eyes at him.

Not long after, the others arrived.

This time, Zhao Xiaohu also had to participate in the mission.

Although three people were transferred in from above, making the number of Spirit Hunters appear larger, in less than a month, two more died.

That is to say, the Spirit Hunters were only one person more than before.

Therefore, Zhao Xiaohu could only step up.

Riding a fine horse, Zhao Xiaohu appeared very excited, looking much like Bai Bufan did during his first mission, looking left and looking right.

He felt curious about everything.

With seven Spirit Hunters and Ding Yingqiu's protective barrier powder, there was no need to worry about resting at night.

Six days later, the group arrived at Lianjiang Village.

There were not many people in this village, about a hundred households and roughly four hundred souls.

As strangers arriving in this village, they naturally drew attention.

Yet the people here merely watched them from afar, their expressions cold.

Bai Zhiwei observed the terrain around the village for a while, then said, "Let us rest on that small slope outside the village. It is clear the people here are not very friendly toward us."

Everyone nodded.

Zhao Xiaohu asked, "Why?"

Bai Zhiwei said, "The areas surrounding a battlefield... are most easily drawn into the flames of war. Since we have come here, they will think fighting may break out again, so how could they show a friendly face?"

Zhao Xiaohu understood, yet did not fully understand.

They rested on the hillside and built a fire.

This area falls within the jurisdiction of the altar and Taowu Zhenjun, so there was no need to use protective barrier powder.

After deep night, someone crept over in the darkness.

The man's skin was dark, his face weathered.

The moment he saw the group, his face wore an aggrieved expression: "Thirteen years! I've had three children already. The imperial court has finally sent someone to contact me; I thought the imperial court had forgotten me."

Li Lin and the others exchanged glances.

(End of this chapter)