Chapter 163: Officer Fang

An Xiang thought for a moment, then said, "Since Brother Li has vaguely guessed, and you are also my friend, I shall tell you."

Li Lin nodded.

An Xiang spoke in a low voice, "The appearance of the Zhu Xian Society signifies that the Outer Demons have emerged again. At least, that is what our Tianyi Sect elders say. In times like these, regardless of the martial technique, if it possesses great power, one must learn it. Moreover, the Outer Demons of the past were only barely eradicated because many Soul Hunter experts hunted them down."

"Is this the reason you also wish to recruit Soul Hunters?" Li Lin sighed, "This is not good. If Soul Hunters do not come to the government but are instead absorbed by your private sects, who will be responsible for the safety of the local areas and the people?"

"We are only recruiting a few; it will not affect the overall situation."

"If every sect thinks like you, things will become very troublesome." Li Lin sighed, then said, "But what does this have to do with me, a mere county captain!"

An Xiang did not actually have much affection for the government.

He simply admired Li Lin as a person.

"Let us return to the matter just now." Li Lin looked at An Xiang, "I can write the annotations for the Paper Dolls for you, but what can you give me in return?"

"Our Tianyi Sect's most powerful internal energy method... the Nine Dragons Heavenly Triagram Art."

Li Lin smiled, "A very domineering name."

"Not only is the name domineering, but once the internal energy is cultivated, it is also very ruthless." An Xiang said with pride.

Li Lin could see it; a powerful flow of primal energy moved within An Xiang.

It was evident that the Nine Dragons Heavenly Triagram Art was indeed very formidable.

However, Li Lin did not want it, because he was currently practicing the 'Foundation Establishment Method'.

Immortal cultivation methods, even the most basic ones, are superior to your martial arts.

He shook his head, "I am a Soul Hunter; practicing this method is not suitable. Let us exchange something else."

"What kind does Brother Li want?" An Xiang asked.

Li Lin thought for a moment, "Something regarding technique. I cannot think of anything at the moment. Could you write a list for me to study?"

"Naturally."

"Thank you." Li Lin clasped his fists and smiled, "I will stay here for two more days. Shall we meet again tomorrow?"

"Agreed."

Afterward, the two chatted for a while, then parted ways.

Li Lin returned to the inn to rest.

Time quickly passed to the second day. An Xi did not come, but Huang Yan sent someone to invite him over.

Li Lin arrived at the government office, gave his name, and was about to enter when he saw a young man walking out from inside, heading straight toward him.

Li Lin remembered the other man: Fang Fengyi, the Household Officer.

Li Lin raised his fist in a polite greeting, about to pass by, but unexpectedly, the other man called out to stop him.

"Wait!"

Li Lin turned around and looked at the other man.

"I have seen you before, the county captain of Yulin County." Fang Fengyi sized up Li Lin, his lips curling slightly upward, "I have also heard people speak of you. Seeing you now, you are indeed as she said, handsome."

"Thank you for the compliment." Li Lin frowned slightly, then said, "If the Officer has no business, I shall enter."

"I do have some business." Fang Fengyi walked up to Li Lin and said, "If there are no accidents, we will soon be brothers-in-law."

Li Lin was stunned for a moment and said, "Huang Xiaomei..."

"Correct." Fang Fengyi chuckled softly, "Ling'er is talented and intelligent, and as beautiful as a flower. I have already sent a letter to my elders at home, asking them to choose a date to propose."

"Congratulations."

Li Lin did not have any affection for Huang Ling, this sister-in-law, and he could feel that this sister-in-law held quite a grudge against him. Therefore, for her to marry someone else was, for Li Lin, not a bad thing.

"Congratulations?" Fang Fengyi waved a paper fan, his tone indifferent, "Why would I need your congratulations? I just want to tell the county captain... although we may become brothers-in-law, please do not try to curry favor with me or Ling'er. Our Fang family is not something ordinary people can attach themselves to."

Li Lin raised an eyebrow and smiled, "That is indeed most appropriate. I hope Officer Fang keeps his word."

Having said this, Li Lin entered the county government office.

Fang Fengyi watched Li Lin's back, his brows furrowed in confusion, "He does not seem to be the sycophant that Ling'er described."

Li Lin arrived at the government office's main hall. Huang Yan was concentrating on reviewing documents. Hearing the sound, he looked up, saw Li Lin, and smiled, "Come closer."

Li Lin walked forward.

Huang Yan placed a document in front of Li Lin and said, "Take a look."

Li Lin was somewhat confused but picked it up and read it silently.

After finishing, his expression became somewhat heavy.

This document was issued by the Secretariat-Chancellery in Jingcheng.

The gist was... since the annual tribute has now been supplied to the Northern Di, the northern border is temporarily secure. The imperial court intends to turn its gaze to the southern border, and within one year, eliminate Qin Tuo, this traitor, and reclaim the Yue Commandery.

"It is too hasty." Li Lin said, then returned the document.

"You also think it is hasty?"

Li Lin nodded and said, "Whether it is the barbarians or the Rong and Di, they cannot be trusted. If the imperial court's main army turns south and the Northern Di stir up trouble again, what then!"

"Your thoughts align with mine." Huang Yan nodded in satisfaction, "I have also submitted a memorial, hoping the Emperor will see it."

Li Lin sighed softly.

Over the past few months, he had gained a certain understanding of this world.

The current Emperor does not care to attend to court affairs; every day he is with several Daoists refining elixirs, preparing to become an immortal.

"Today, you will take those southern barbarian women back to Yulin County." Speaking here, Huang Yan lowered his voice, "I have suppressed the matter of Zhang Guangqi for you. No one will investigate this matter again. You yourself must not speak rashly."

Li Lin nodded, clasped his fists, and said, "Thank you, Father-in-law."

"What are you thanking me for? This matter also concerns the future of my direct lineage. I should be thanking you for your decisive action."

Speaking here, the father-in-law and son-in-law both chuckled softly.

Li Lin was very grateful for his father-in-law's understanding.

Huang Yan was more than satisfied with Li Lin's abilities!

"Later, go hand over the documents with Adjutant Fang."

"This Adjutant Fang seems to have some grudge against me," Li Lin said suddenly.

Huang Yan laughed: "That man is jealous by nature, you needn't mind him."

"Also, this is something Qing'er asked me to bring to you."

Li Lin took out a small bundle and set it on the table.

From the shape of the bundle, it seemed to be a bunch of bottles and jars.

Huang Yan accepted the small bundle without the slightest hesitation.

Although there were still quite a few Body-Strengthening Pills at home, without resupply, they'd be used up in at most another half year.

A few more bottles now was naturally a good thing.

"Alright, you may go attend to your duties," Huang Yan said with a smile.

Li Lin cupped his hands in a salute, then headed to the Revenue Office of the prefectural government office.

At that moment, Fang Fengyi was working there.

Li Lin knocked on the door from outside and said: "By order of the Prefect, I've come to take receipt of one hundred Southern Barbarian women and escort them back to Yulin County. Thank you for your trouble, Adjutant Fang."

Fang Fengyi stood up and placed a document on the table: "Sign it. Stamp it."

After carefully reading through the document, Li Lin first signed his name, then took out the County Commandant's seal and stamped it.

Fang Fengyi looked at Li Lin's Song-style calligraphy and snorted: "Utterly mechanical and pedestrian…"

Li Lin smiled: "Naturally it can't compare to Adjutant Fang's calligraphy, so unrestrained and arrogant."

"You—!"

Fang Fengyi stared at Li Lin, seeming to have been shaken.

(End of chapter)