Chapter 144: The Lady

White Elephant Divine Meat?

Li Lin’s expression was puzzled: “Are you sure this news is true?”

Xie Shuyou nodded vigorously, then whispered: “About half a month ago, during my leave, I went to visit an old childhood friend. He’s a junior officer in the Tang family army. I saw it—and ate it—there.”

Li Lin became interested: “Tell me, what did this divine meat look like?”

“You’ve seen Yin Qi Stone, right, County Wei ?”

Li Lin nodded; he still had half a crate at home.

“At first glance, the divine meat looks like Yin Qi Stone, but Yin Qi Stone has a glassy texture, while White Elephant Divine Meat is translucent too—but it feels like flesh, with faint muscle fibers inside, and even ordinary people can eat it.”

“You ate it?”

“I did.” Xie Shuyou’s expression softened with nostalgia: “The taste was unique, but not unpleasant. After eating it, my blood surged, and my strength felt endless. My friend and I stayed awake for three days and nights, still full of energy.”

It sounded like some kind of stimulant.

Li Lin asked: “Anything else?”

“My friend trained in martial techniques. He said he could absorb a bit of its energy, but his cultivation was shallow—he could only take in a fraction; most of it went to waste. A true expert could absorb much more, and gain great benefit.”

Li Lin nodded: “Sounds powerful. Do you know how to get some?”

“No, I’m just a town guard.” Xie Shuyou sighed. “But… my friend lives in Yulin County. He has connections. He returns home every so often for a few days’ rest. You might be able to find his address.”

“What’s your friend’s name?”

“Jiang Chen.”

Li Lin smiled: “Thanks. I owe you one.”

Xie Shuyou was overjoyed—that was exactly what he wanted. Still, he bowed with both fists: “County Wei , you’re too kind.”

After a few more casual words, they parted ways.

Li Lin returned to the village militia camp and slept in his tent.

The next day, the village militia escorted over two hundred Nanman captives away from Bobai Garrison.

Along the way, Bai Zhiwei gave Li Lin a glance and smiled.

Li Lin knew the gold transfer was settled.

At first, the Nanman women looked at the militia with anger and despair.

After all, many of their loved ones had died at the hands of these…

But when they ate food that was decent by their standards, and instinctively gorged themselves… their anger and hatred toward the militia, toward the Daqi people, slowly melted away.

What was the reason they braved all dangers to come to Daqi?

Just for a meal. Just to survive.

Now it seemed they might live.

And they also felt that the Daqi people were indeed as kind as rumors claimed.

Even willing to feed the wives of their enemies.

If only they wouldn’t kill their husbands and kin… that would be better still.

With five hundred militia plus over two hundred Nanman, the group of seven hundred had far more blood qi than a small village.

Thus, even without using Yu Jie Powder, the wilderness spirits dared not approach.

With over two hundred people, including many children, the march moved slowly.

It took seven days to return from Bobai Garrison to Yulin City.

Upon entering the city, it caused a sensation.

Almost the entire county turned out to watch.

Crowds lined both sides of the streets, mostly men.

The men stared at the women in the militia column, all excited.

“It’s been years since we saw border troops bring back female captives.”

“Not border troops—village militia. Don’t you see the man on horseback? That’s County Wei Li.”

“Probably captured by border troops, then handed over to the militia.”

“Who cares who captured them? I’ve been single for thirty years—I can’t afford a bride, but I can buy a Nanman woman.”

“Hah, I’ll buy one too.”

“Aren’t you already married?”

“I still will! Just a concubine—more sons for my household.”

All the women were locked in the jail, temporarily guarded by government office runners.

The children were sent to the broker’s office.

Only a few infants still nursing remained with their mothers.

Huang Ying brought the roster, glanced over the women, and immediately picked one.

“Big brother-in-law, count one less.” Huang Ying smiled.

“You’re the Registrar—you decide the headcount.”

“Thank you, big brother-in-law.” Huang Ying grinned.

“The rest is up to you. I’ll go handle the handover.”

“Alright.”

Li Lin arrived at the courthouse, bowed, and said: “My lord, the matter of the Nanman captives from Bobai Garrison is concluded. The Registrar is now tallying the numbers.”

He then presented the sealed official documents.

Huang Yan took them, read briefly, and smiled: “You handled this well, County Wei . You’ve worked hard. Go home and rest—I grant you three days’ leave.”

Li Lin smiled: “Thank you, my lord.”

When Li Lin returned to his backyard, he found an odd scene.

The Tree Immortal Lady sat in the main seat of the hall, while Li Yanjing stood beside her like a servant.

Seeing Li Lin, the Tree Immortal Lady glanced at him, then looked away, as if utterly indifferent.

Li Yanjing, however, waved enthusiastically, delighted he had returned.

Then the Tree Immortal Lady glared fiercely at Li Yanjing, who sheepishly lowered her hand.

Li Lin walked over and asked with a smile: “Tree Immortal Lady, are you comfortable here?”

“Hmm.”

She remained as terse as ever.

Li Lin looked around: “Where are Qing and Hongluan?”

Li Yanjing replied: “Since the Prefect will soon take office in Jincheng, Lady…”

At that moment, the Tree Immortal Lady fixed her gaze sharply on Li Yanjing.

Li Yanjing swallowed hard and immediately corrected herself: “Second Lady and Hongluan went to their family home for a short stay, to show more filial piety—since the Prefect will be in Jincheng, meeting again won’t be as easy as now.”

Li Lin nodded, understanding.

He sat beside the Tree Immortal Lady, staring at the coiled snake tail on the floor, admiring how its scales gleamed smooth and lustrous—adorably so.

As if sensing his gaze, the Tree Immortal Lady grew uneasy; the tip of her tail snapped upright like a king cobra, trembling—not just threatening, but… nervous.

Li Lin asked: “Tree Immortal Lady, have you heard of the Nanman White Elephant God?”

The Tree Immortal Lady looked at Li Lin and nodded slightly.

“I heard it died.”

The Tree Immortal Lady frowned slightly: “Let it die.”

Li Lin rubbed his head: “Some people are eating its meat.”

“Hmm. Very nourishing.”

Li Lin nodded; if the Tree Immortal Lady said it was nourishing, he should find a way to get some.

At that moment, Li Yanjing leaned in and asked: “Master, do you have a way to get some? I’d like to taste a bit too.”

“Can a spirit eat it?”

“How fresh! After all, it’s a barbarian god—even if its origins are dubious, our own origins aren’t exactly righteous either.”

That was true.

At that moment, the Tree Immortal Lady lashed out with her tail and flung Li Yanjing across the room.

“I… am righteous.” The Tree Immortal Lady murmured.

Li Yanjing flew back, rubbing her cheek, looking utterly pitiful: “Lady, I didn’t mean you.”

The Tree Immortal Lady snorted and retreated into the altar.

Li Lin glanced beside him: the peach tree now bore no flowers—only small peaches.

He said curiously: “When these peaches ripen, I wonder how many the Tree Immortal Lady will let me have.”

“Take them all,” Li Yanjing giggled, covering her mouth. “Besides, these peaches carry your scent—I can smell it.”

Li Lin had a question: “When these peaches ripen and are eaten, can the pits be planted to grow new peach trees?”

Could they grow new Tree Immortal Ladies!

“Yes!” Li Yanjing answered.

Really?

Then wouldn’t these little Tree Immortal Ladies be… children of mine and hers?

Seeing Li Lin’s expression, Li Yanjing said: “You misunderstand. Though new peach trees can grow—and become little Tree Immortal Ladies—they aren’t her children. They’re merely her external manifestations. Think of it as a special divine skill.”

Oh… so that’s how it is.

“Then how do you know so well?” Li Lin asked.

“Because over a hundred years ago, there was a True Lord Songzi who did exactly that.”

Li Lin asked curiously, “Then what happened to True Lord Songzi?”

“He’s dead,” Li Yanjing smiled. “He abused his legal decoy body, got caught, and five third-rank Spirit Hunters beat him to death—word is the scene was brutal.”

(End of Chapter)