Chapter 152: Cultivating Loyal Followers

It was all because of childish nonsense.

Li Lin shook his head helplessly; such things, though they shouldn't happen, did occur.

He asked: "The other gold ingots—did he find them?"

"I hid them all, hidden in…"

Li Lin waved him off: "Don't tell me. I don't want to know."

Su Bei nodded, understanding, his eyes seeming to release a breath of relief.

Li Lin smiled: "You thought I grabbed you because I wanted your gold ingots? You're trying to tell me to avoid disaster?"

Su Bei shook his head rapidly, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Li Lin chuckled: "It's good you're cautious, but don't assume the three of us seniors are that evil. If we truly wanted your gold, we wouldn't have brought you into our circle."

Su Bei immediately knelt down, his face pale and ashen.

"Get up. A man's knees hold gold," Li Lin said calmly. "If Old Su knew his grandson… no, according to our expectations, you're now the legitimate eldest grandson. If he knew his legitimate eldest grandson was kneeling to me, he'd probably kick open his coffin lid, sit up, and curse me out."

Hearing Li Lin mention the deceased elder, Su Bei dared not kneel any longer.

He stood up, his expression filled with emotion.

"We won't take your three gold ingots. We'll store them in the punishment chamber for now, and return them after things settle."

Su Bei nodded eagerly.

"Stay here for a few days. Since you can't explain where the gold came from, we'll let you out once the heat dies down." Li Lin said slowly. "After you're released, borrow a few taels of silver from Bai Xunshou to get by—don't ever show your gold again."

Su Bei asked quietly: "So the gold must be hidden forever?"

"In six months, a deputy commander in the village militia will retire," Li Lin said with a smile. "I can arrange for you to take his position—but you must reach the Ninth Rank as a martial cultivator, or you won't command respect!"

Su Bei froze, then burst into joy, bowing deeply with clasped fists: "I will never fail to live up to the County Magistrate's cultivation of me."

"With the rank of deputy commander, you can slowly use your gold without fear of pressure from the Su family's main branch!"

"Yes!" Su Bei's eyes glistened with tears.

Li Lin turned and walked away.

Su Bei remained bowed, fists clasped, long after he had not risen.

Li Lin left the county office and encountered an acquaintance outside.

He Yumao.

He Yumao wore black clothing, his face pale—clearly from prolonged lack of sunlight.

Yet his gaze was sharp.

"County Magistrate Li," He Yumao bowed.

Li Lin walked over, returning the bow with a smile: "It's been a while, Brother He. You must have come specially for me—let's find a place to talk."

"Fine."

The two went to a small tavern in the marketplace.

It was both bustling and deserted.

The marketplace itself was bustling; the tavern, however, was deserted—no other customers besides the two of them.

After they sat, the waiter brought wine and dishes; the presentation and taste were mediocre.

But neither of them was here to eat.

"County Magistrate Li, I've entered the ranks."

"So fast!" Li Lin was surprised.

It seemed hatred's will could indeed ignite powerful drive and determination.

"I've cultivated before—I still have experience. Breaking cultivation and restarting isn't too hard."

That was true, Li Lin nodded.

"So what are your plans now?"

"A Ninth Rank Hunter of Spirits can't defeat my enemy—I must keep training hard, and that requires many resources." He Yumao looked at Li Lin: "I wish to become a Hunter of Spirits. I ask you, Magistrate, to recommend me."

"No problem," Li Lin nodded.

Hunters of Spirits were always in short supply; anyone with talent and willingness was accepted, unless they had serious moral flaws.

"Thank you," He Yumao raised his cup and drained it first.

After some casual chat, He Yumao suddenly said: "I heard you have ambitions to cultivate the Dao?"

Li Lin smiled helplessly.

How did everyone find out about his Dao cultivation?

"Do you think it's ridiculous?"

"How could I dare!" He Yumao waved his hand. "Even the current Emperor cultivates the Dao. It's natural for ordinary mortals to have such desires."

That was the truth.

Because this world had strange supernatural beings, and historical records clearly mentioned immortals descending to earth.

Thus, cultivating the Dao was not something shameful.

He Yumao paused, then said: "When I escorted caravans, I traveled far and wide. I once heard of a secret society called the Immortal-Slaying Society."

Li Lin froze.

A gang dared call itself the Immortal-Slaying Society? Didn't they fear annihilation?

"Do they really kill immortals?" Li Lin asked.

"They can't even find immortals—how could they kill them?" He Yumao laughed. "But I heard they sometimes target those who cultivate the Dao."

"Has the Ding family been harassed by the Immortal-Slaying Society?"

"I've never heard of it," He Yumao shook his head. "Maybe they were, but I didn't know. Years ago, while escorting a caravan through a village in Yu Commandery, I saw a whole village slaughtered, its blood used to write: 'The killers: Immortal-Slaying Society.'"

Li Lin frowned.

"The Immortal-Slaying Society is real, though very mysterious," He Yumao smiled, then said, "However, they appeared rarely in the past, and besides, the current Emperor also cultivates the Dao; they should not dare to act rashly."

Li Lin nodded.

Although the Immortal-Slaying Society sounds domineering, Li Lin was not actually afraid of them now.

The reason was simple.

The Tree Immortal Lady was here.

A Taowu Zhenjun who enjoys the incense and offerings of the common people—how strong is their power? Li Lin knew from the last time the Four Sublime Taowu Zhenjun acted.

Though not an Immortal, they are close to one.

If the Immortal-Slaying Society were truly that powerful, they should have first eliminated those Taowu Zhenjun stationed in the great commanderies.

Yet Li Lin had never heard of any Taowu Zhenjun enshrined in a temple being killed by 'humans'.

The last Taowu Zhenjun, Taowu Zhenjun, was only slain by the combined efforts of two Taowu Zhenjun. The legendary Songzi Zhenjun was also killed by several Third Rank Spirit Hunters only after their altar was first destroyed by people.

The two chatted a while longer, finished most of the wine and dishes, then went together to the county government office to find the Registrar to register He Yumao as a Spirit Hunter.

The Registrar had changed now; Huang Ying had gone with her father Huang Yan to Jincheng to serve as a Military Advisor, which counted as a promotion.

This Registrar was brought by the newly appointed County Magistrate. Seeing Li Lin, he smiled and said, "County Lieutenant Li, it is already past noon, yet you come to work; truly hardworking."

This person smiled warmly and spoke gently, but the tone seemed somewhat strange; Li Lin could not immediately tell whether the other was speaking well or ill.

"Here to register this Brother He as a Spirit Hunter."

"No problem." The Registrar laughed: "The County Lieutenant does not yet know my name. My surname is Chen, my given name is Keyu."

"Greetings, Registrar Chen." Li Lin clasped his fists.

Chen Keyu gave He Yumao a gray jade tablet, then said to Li Lin, "County Lieutenant, there is something the County Magistrate wishes to discuss with you. He should have notified you tomorrow, but you came to the county government office today; how very convenient. May you go see him?"

Li Lin nodded lightly.

He parted with He Yumao and went to the main hall.

Zhang Guangqi was seated in the main position of the hall, writing internal administrative documents for the county town. Seeing Li Lin enter, he rose and smiled: "Worthy younger brother, why have you come!"

"The Registrar said you wished to see me."

Zhang Guangqi laughed: "Yes, yes, there are matters I wish to discuss with you; let us go to the rear courtyard."

(End of this chapter)