Chapter 121: Don

As his paper-folding skill improved, his control over the paper figures became more precise.

Previously, once given an order, the paper figures would only complete the main task and ignore secondary ones.

For example, if you told them to secretly find someone.

Then… they would find the person for you, but not do it ‘secretly’.

Instead, they would appear openly beside the target, causing a commotion.

But now, ‘they’ seem capable of achieving true ‘secrecy’.

The next morning.

Several small paper figures crouched like cats, hiding in the grass or behind trees, surveilling an area.

This was a sparsely populated stretch outside the city wall, a small grove with excellent cover.

A secret tunnel had been opened, guarded by several menacing blue-clothed thugs.

Women were crawling up one by one from the tunnel.

Some had lost their hands, others one eye… they helped each other, moving slowly.

The blue-clothed thugs occasionally kicked the slower women.

On the other side, Li Lin stood in the government office courtyard and addressed the fifty government office runners before him: “No need to split into teams—follow me directly.”

Everyone was puzzled, but Li Lin was the Assistant County Magistrate; they simply obeyed.

Fifty government office runners was already a large number, especially for ordinary people.

Passersby seeing the group of government office runners approach all scrambled to the side, terrified that any sudden movement might draw their attention and bring them undeserved misfortune.

The government office runners guessed Li Lin was likely arresting someone—otherwise he wouldn’t mobilize so many at once.

And the direction they were heading? Clearly toward Head Constable Yan’s residence.

The government office runners’ expressions were uneasy; a few opened their mouths but held back.

In the end, no one spoke.

Yu Tong looked deeply sorrowful.

The group soon arrived at Head Constable Yan’s home.

At that moment, Head Constable Yan was chopping wood bare-chested, but when he saw Li Lin arrive with fifty government office runners, his expression darkened.

Was this the old saying—new official, three fires? And the first one burned straight to him?

Head Constable Yan felt intense tension and confusion: “Assistant Magistrate, what is this?”

“Put on your official robes and come with us.”

Head Constable Yan paused, then relaxed: “Wait a moment—I’ll change clothes inside.”

If they meant to arrest him, they wouldn’t ask him to wear his robes.

Yu Tong’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Soon, Head Constable Yan emerged dressed in his official robes, carrying his waist sword.

“Just follow us,” Li Lin said.

Head Constable Yan nodded.

The Assistant County Magistrate was the highest military authority in the county; all head constables and troop leaders fell under his command.

After speaking, Li Lin turned and walked away.

The others immediately followed.

Soon, Li Lin exited the city gate; the government office runners grew even more confused but dared not ask.

At this point, Yu Tong’s expression grew grim.

He slowed his pace, quickly falling behind the group.

Just as he seemed about to break away, Li Lin suddenly turned: “Yu Tong, where are you going?”

Yu Tong froze, forcing a smile: “Assistant Magistrate, I wasn’t going anywhere!”

At that moment, three figures stepped out from the nearby grove.

The Bai uncle and nephew, along with Zhao Hao.

The three surrounded Yu Tong.

The government office runners stared, confused.

Li Lin said: “Gentlemen, thank you.”

Zhao Hao bowed and smiled: “No trouble at all—I owe you too many favors; this is nothing.”

Bai Zhiwei also smiled: “Go ahead—we’ve got this man.”

“He’s possessed by a ghost—be careful.”

“Hahaha, we specialize in hunting ghosts.”

Bai Bu Fan chuckled.

Killing people? Spirit Hunters can do that too, but compared to martial artists, they’re weaker.

For hunting ghosts, three martial artists can’t match one Spirit Hunter.

Li Lin confidently led his men away toward the secret tunnel.

After a quarter-hour, fifty government office runners surrounded the blue-clothed thugs, and upon seeing the maimed women, their expressions softened with pity.

“There are likely more inside the tunnel—send down a dozen men to bring them up.”

Immediately, over a dozen government office runners entered the tunnel.

As more women were rescued from the tunnel, Li Lin’s face grew colder.

There were too many—over sixty women now, young and old.

The government office runners trembled, fearing Li Lin would take out his anger on them.

Because… most of them knew about Xingzhuang.

They had simply never reported it—or couldn’t report it.

Because the people don’t accuse, the officials don’t act.

At that moment, Bai Zhiwei and the others dragged Yu Tong over.

Yu Tong’s face was deathly pale.

He appeared utterly drained.

“Where’s the female ghost?”

Bai Zhiwei smiled: “I’ve captured it… Assistant Magistrate Li, let’s make a deal—give me that female ghost.”

“You want that ugly thing?”

“Better than nothing.”

“Fine.” Li Lin smiled. “But since you’re getting such a big favor, you owe us a big meal.”

“No problem—I’ll host a banquet tomorrow at Jinyu Pavilion, fine wine and food for everyone.”

Li Lin bowed: “Thank you.”

He felt a flicker of joy, but then saw the women with severed limbs, missing eyes and ears, and sighed softly.

Another half-hour passed; all the women from the tunnel were brought to the surface.

The women stared blankly; even seeing the government office runners, they neither cried nor struggled.

Li Lin said: “Count them. Take the blue-clothed thugs and Yu Tong to the government office barracks for detention…”

“Assistant Magistrate, shouldn’t they go to the Xingfang ?” Head Constable Yan asked.

Li Lin shook his head: “I fear they’ll kill themselves…”

Huh?

Head Constable Yan didn’t get the joke.

But he understood the general meaning.

Bai Bu Fan said: “Brother Li, I’ll watch them for you.”

“Thank you.”

“No problem—I’m idle anyway.”

At that moment, another group arrived.

The Assistant Prefect, accompanied by several retainers in plain clothes, hurried over.

The Assistant Prefect himself was gray-haired, over fifty; he glanced at the captured blue-clothed thugs and Yu Tong and said: “Assistant Magistrate Li, I hear you uncovered a brothel?”

“The Assistant Prefect is here too?” Li Lin smiled. “Rare sight.”

The Assistant Prefect narrowed his eyes: “Why do you say that, Assistant Magistrate?”

“Because you rarely involve yourself in affairs—your sudden appearance startled me.”

“This is a major matter—I must come, lest anyone accuse me of holding office without duty.” He paused. “Shall I assist in escorting these prisoners back to the county jail?”

“No need. These blue-clothed thugs are violent—I worry your retainers can’t hold them.”

In truth, those retainers were martial artists; though not strong, holding a few thugs was more than enough.

“Then let me take Yu Tong,” the Assistant Prefect said slowly, fixing Li Lin with his gaze. “It’s on my way.”

“Assistant Prefect, you handle records and tax households—I’ll manage law enforcement and public order.”

Here, Li Lin smiled: “Don’t overstep your bounds!”

(End of Chapter)