Chapter 172: The Channel for White Elephant Divine Flesh

"What is the effect of Golden Cicada Shedding Its Shell?" Li Lin asked.

Li Yanjing explained, "It is to transfer one's soul into another body that has been prepared in advance."

"In other words, this Lotus is unkillable?"

If one can always transfer one's soul, that is almost an unlimited means of resurrection.

Li Yanjing shook her head and said, "Not quite so exaggerated. Each time the Golden Cicada Shedding Its Shell transfers a soul, it has an effect on one's divine soul. Generally speaking, it can be used at most once a year. Moreover, it affects the stability of one's Soul Mansion; use it too much, and a person will become an idiot."

That was acceptable.

If the opponent could resurrect without limit, he truly did not know how he should fight them.

At this moment, Xiao Chunzhu walked over and said, "County Commandant, this was searched from the bandit's body."

Some silver, and a token.

It was a brass token; the back featured a picture formed by flowing water patterns, looking somewhat like a shape, resembling a mountain peak, or perhaps a human figure.

The front bore a large character 'Immortal'.

And above the character 'Immortal' was a small character 'Exterminate'.

The Exterminate Immortals Society!

Li Lin's expression froze for a moment.

Is the Exterminate Immortals Society truly connected to the Outer Demons?

He put the token away and said, "Form up, carry the two corpses to the interrogation room, and take the wounded brothers with us."

Xiao Chunzhu nodded.

Li Lin returned to the county government office and reported the matter directly to Jiang Jili.

Although Jiang Jili was currently acting as the County Magistrate, he still dared not put on airs in front of Li Lin.

"County Commandant Li, I will report this matter truthfully to the higher authorities."

Li Lin nodded.

After a case document was written, Li Lin and Jiang Jili signed it in turn, followed by affixing the official seal.

Jiang Jili put away his seal and said in a low voice, "Actually, I think what that Monk Lotus said makes sense."

"You also think ordinary people deserve to die?"

"If the Outer Demons truly descend, the number of dead will be a thousand or ten thousand times this figure; if we cannot stop them, the casualties will be even more catastrophic." Jiang Jili sighed and said, "If those two are the key to subduing the Outer Demons, then the situation will be troublesome."

Li Lin said calmly, "I only did what a parent-official should do; if the Outer Demons truly descend in the future, that is a matter for the future."

"True, live in the moment." Jiang Jili sighed.

The next two days involved the trial and announcement of the case, as well as the distribution of compensation for the fallen government office Runners and local militia.

For this, he and Jiang Jili argued again.

In the end, Jiang Jili could not go against Li Lin, and the compensation was increased.

After finishing these matters, Li Lin finally had time to stay at home and lay bricks.

Now that the three of them—husband, wife, and concubine—had finished building the small house outside, the next step was to take the Spirit-Gathering Stones and stack them inside the small house.

In just a few more days, a simple spiritual vein would be created.

However, as soon as the floor tiles were laid, someone came to the door.

It was Xie Shuyou, the Town Commander of Bobai Military Garrison.

Li Lin received him in the study.

"County Commandant Li, this is a token of friendship, a small gift with no intention of showing respect."

"You are too polite." Li Lin said with a smile.

"The reason I am disturbing you this time is that the childhood friend I mentioned to you earlier has returned, and he wishes to invite you to meet him."

Oh!

Li Lin felt quite interested in this matter in his heart.

White Elephant Divine Flesh; he had been very curious about it for a long time.

"Then I trouble you, Town Commander Xie. If you have any needs in the future, you may mention them to me."

"Oh... there is one right now." Xie Shuyou's expression was somewhat embarrassed.

Li Lin smiled and said, "Please speak."

"I heard the County Commandant is skilled in alchemy and possesses Youth-Preserving Pills; could you give me a few pills?"

"Take this bottle." Li Lin took a porcelain bottle from the drawer and handed it over: "There are ten pills inside; you may eat at most one every ten days, otherwise the medicinal effect will decrease."

"Thank you, thank you." Xie Shuyou held the bottle, very excited.

Then, under Xie Shuyou's lead, Li Lin came to the county town and found a small residence.

Xie Shuyou shouted across the courtyard, "Brother Jiang, are you at home?"

Not long after, someone crawled out from inside.

The other person was tall, with a flushed face.

Seeing Xie Shuyou, his expression was not very happy: "Why have you come again?"

"I brought the County Commandant." Xie Shuyou's expression was somewhat awkward.

Jiang Chen looked at Li Lin, frowned slightly, and then said, "Since County Commandant Li has come, please come in."

The other person seemed not to take Li Lin seriously.

Li Lin entered as instructed.

The three sat down separately; Jiang Chen did not prepare any tea or other things to entertain guests, but asked questions directly.

"County Commandant Li, for what purpose did you come to find me?"

"I heard you have White Elephant Divine Flesh here!"

Jiang Chen was a very typical ordinary person, with an ordinary appearance, the kind who would be just background noise in a crowd.

But his face was particularly red, which might make him stand out a bit.

"Haha, White Elephant Divine Meat! There was indeed some before, but there isn't any now."

Li Lin cupped his fist and asked, "Do you have a way?"

"No," Jiang Chen shook his head. "The Grand Marshal only gave us a few jin of it, and we finished it long ago."

"But I heard that dead White Elephant was as tall as a mountain. It shouldn't be eaten up that fast; there should still be some over there."

"Are you saying you want to do business with our Grand Marshal?"

"You could say that."

Li Lin treated it lightly; if he could buy White Elephant Divine Meat, it would be even better, at least he wouldn't have to engage in any favors and social exchanges.

Jiang Chen pondered for a moment and said, "Helping the County Commandant make a connection is no problem, but what do I get out of it? After all, speaking in front of the Grand Marshal still requires consuming some favors."

"What do you want?"

"I don't care about money; I only love wine and women," Jiang Chen smiled. "If you can satisfy me with one of those, I am willing to help you, County Commandant."

Li Lin shook his head and said, "That's too harsh."

"Then how about this? County Commandant owes me a favor, how about that?"

Li Lin paused for a moment, then nodded.

Jiang Chen had said so much, but actually just wanted Li Lin to owe him a favor.

Favors are the hardest to repay; one must admit, Jiang Chen is actually quite good at doing business.

"Come back in ten days, County Commandant Li. By then, there will surely be something you want to know."

Li Lin cupped his fist, turned around, and left.

Xie Shuyou stayed behind; after all, he and Jiang Chen were childhood friends.

After Li Lin's figure completely disappeared, Jiang Chen let out a sigh and said, "This County Commandant Li has such an imposing aura; he scared me so much I almost couldn't speak."

Xie Shuyou laughed: "But no matter what, you've made a profit. The favor of this County Commandant is very valuable."

"I know," Jiang Chen nodded lightly. "As long as we get the White Elephant Divine Meat, we can then use the favor the County Commandant owes us to ask him to change my family's status from low-born. I will set off to rejoin the army tomorrow; please take care of my family for me."

"No problem," Xie Shuyou smiled and said, "But you must be careful too. I heard Qin Tuo's troops are increasing more and more; war will come sooner or later."

"That's exactly why we must change our family's household registration; otherwise, when conscription happens, we low-born ones will be the first to suffer."

(End of this chapter)