Chapter 126: Promoting Talent Without Avoiding Kin

“You’re quite capable, County Commandant,” Jiang Jili rose to his feet. “I won’t argue semantics with you.”

He then turned to Huang Yan: “Magistrate, Li Lin is unsuitable to be County Commandant; a Captaincy is more than enough for him.”

“Do you mean I lack the discernment to judge talent?” Huang Yan asked calmly, showing no sign of anger.

Jiang Jili bowed his fists. “That is not what I meant.”

“Then why can’t Li Lin continue serving as County Commandant?”

“He is your son-in-law.”

“I, Huang, promote talent without avoiding kinship.”

“What if others object?”

At that moment, Zhao Hao led the cry: “All Spirit Hunters here recognize County Commandant Li!”

Captain Yan also shouted: “All Constables and government office Runners recognize County Commandant Li!”

Several other Captains and Commandants nodded in unison.

Huang Ying smiled: “I, the Registrar, recognize County Commandant Li.”

Seeing everyone standing behind Li Lin, Jiang Jili’s expression darkened; he clenched his teeth and said: “Magistrate, I was wrong. Before coming to Yulin County, I heard rumors that the new County Commandant here was incompetent, so I formed a prejudiced view. Please forgive me.”

“Who told you that?” Huang Yan asked.

“A passerby.”

Huang Yan smiled faintly. “Oh, I understand. County Assistant, please be more careful in future—not to believe idle gossip from outsiders.”

“Yes, yes!”

Jiang Jili nodded rapidly in agreement.

“Enough. Everyone, return to your duties. Li Lin, stay behind—I have matters regarding the case to discuss.”

Li Lin nodded.

Jiang Jili rose and left, casting one last glance at Li Lin—his eyes filled with wariness.

When everyone had gone, Huang Yan said: “Son-in-law, this County Assistant Jiang has some powerful connections.”

Li Lin listened in silence.

“Any prominent family has two or three rivals,” Huang Yan said with a smile. “When I took up my post in Jincheng, there were those who secretly opposed me—but it was no major issue. This Jiang Jili was sent by a family that has long been at odds with my Huang clan.”

Li Lin asked: “Can’t you just remove him?”

“You need a legitimate reason,” Huang Yan patted Li Lin’s shoulder. “He’ll likely target you—so be careful.”

“Understood.”

After giving Li Lin this warning, Huang Yan departed.

Li Lin continued leading patrols.

Li Lin had now served as County Commandant for three months, and had used his monthly salary to pay the government office Runners their wages for three months.

Though each share amounted to only about fifty copper coins—meager—it did help the Runners, or their families, eat a little better.

Thus, the Runners’ attitude toward Li Lin had grown largely approving.

Of course, the one who approved of Li Lin most was He Shangjin.

After all, Li Lin had saved his life.

Li Lin had been waiting for County Assistant Jiang to cause trouble—but the one who came first wasn’t Jiang. It was Wang Tianyou.

Third floor of the tavern.

A large table laden with fine wine and delicacies.

“Congratulations, Brother Li, on your appointment as County Commandant—and on winning the heart of a beauty,” Wang Tianyou bowed.

Then he presented a red envelope.

“Thank you, thank you,” Li Lin accepted the envelope. “How come you have time to come down?”

“Do you remember the female spirit we encountered at the Tudimiao last time?”

Li Lin nodded.

That female spirit had indeed been beautiful—perhaps half as alluring as the Tree Immortal Lady.

And about two-thirds the figure of my wife, Huang Qing.

Moreover, Li Lin had dispersed her himself, so his memory of her was especially vivid.

“That female spirit has come back to life.”

“Why?”

Wang Tianyou was equally puzzled. “Normally, a spirit dispersed by force cannot return—but somehow… it truly has.”

Li Lin understood his meaning: “You want… to recapture her and bring her back?”

“Yes,” Wang Tianyou nodded. “A beautiful female spirit is very useful.”

Li Lin understood: “So you’re asking me to help again?”

“No,” Wang Tianyou shook his head. “I’m asking for your permission.”

“Why?”

“The Tudimiao lies outside Yulin City. Now that you’re County Commandant, it falls under your jurisdiction,” Wang Tianyou said helplessly. “Without your order, we dare not go after her.”

“Didn’t you get permission from the previous County Commandant?”

“That was different. The former County Commandant was Young Master Huang—he wasn’t a Spirit Hunter and had no interest in such things, so his consent wasn’t needed.”

Li Lin understood: “Go ahead. I have no interest in that spirit.”

The reason was simple.

Filthy!

Who knew how many hands had touched her.

Li Lin still remembered vividly the image of her kneeling before men.

Besides, she was far less beautiful than the Tree Immortal Lady.

He’d only just managed to get the Lady to accept that he now had a wife—if he brought back another female spirit, she’d surely explode.

If the Tree Immortal Lady grew disappointed in him, where would he go to plead his case?

He wouldn’t trade a great tree for a mere blade of grass.

“Thank you. I’ll remember this favor—I’ll repay you when the chance comes,” Wang Tianyou rose. “Shall I begin preparations?”

“Need my help?”

“No. I’ve brought experts from my family.”

With that, Wang Tianyou left.

Li Lin stared at the lavish spread before him, troubled—there was no way he could finish all this.

Throwing it away felt wasteful.

Just then, a familiar face appeared at the stairway.

A thick beard, two red cloth knots tied atop his head—he looked every inch a legendary warrior.

He glanced around, spotted Li Lin, and immediately called out cheerfully: “Brother Lin! Found you!”

Li Lin frowned: “How did you know I was here?”

“I just felt you’d be here,” Zhao Xiao walked over. “These are bananas from Longsheng Village—delicious. I brought you a whole bunch.”

He placed a large bundle of bananas beside Li Lin, then sat down across from him.

“Brother Lin, you’re rich—eating all this by yourself.”

“Eat, too. Wang the Young Master paid—don’t let it go to waste.”

“Got it!”

Zhao Xiao didn’t hesitate—he dug in eagerly.

As he devoured a chicken leg, he said: “Brother Lin, teach me how to win a girl’s heart. Autumn won’t even talk to me anymore.”

Autumn?

Oh—Ding Yingqiu.

“Why come to me about this?”

“Brother Lin, you married the Magistrate’s daughter—so beautiful. You must know how. Teach me!”

Li Lin hissed: “She’s nineteen. You’re thirteen. Six years apart.”

“Can’t I just offer two gold ingots?”

Li Lin rubbed his head. “Your logic… isn’t entirely wrong—but I’m really not good at this.”

“Don’t believe you,” Zhao Xiao gave him a look that said, You’re lying again.

Li Lin thought a moment. “I think she does have some feeling for you—but your age is too young. She probably feels hesitant. Try being persistent.”

“Will that work?”

Li Lin shook his head. “I don’t know. But from my experience, talking to women often increases their affection… their fondness for you.”

“I’ll try,” Zhao Xiao trusted Li Lin completely—he noted down the advice. Then he remembered something, pulled a hand-copied book from his robe: “A few days ago, someone left this outside my door. I glanced at it and felt dizzy, nauseous. Do you recognize it?”

Li Lin took it and saw three characters on the cover.

Hui Zi Jue.

(End of Chapter)