Chapter 172: The Channel to White Elephant Divine Meat

“What is the effect of Golden Cicada Shedding its Shell?” Li Lin asked.

Li Yanjing explained: “It means transferring one’s soul into another body that has been prepared in advance.”

“So this Lotus Monk is unkillable?”

If one can continuously transfer one’s soul, it is virtually an unlimited means of rebirth.

Li Yanjing shook his head: “Not quite that extreme. Each time Golden Cicada Shedding its Shell transfers the soul, it affects the spirit. Generally, one can use it at most once per year. It also destabilizes the soul chamber; use it too often, and one becomes an idiot.”

That’s acceptable.

If the opponent could resurrect without limit, he truly wouldn’t know how to fight them.

At this moment, Xiao Chunzhu walked over and said: “Commandant, these were found on the bandits’ bodies.”

Some silver taels, and a token.

It was a brass token; the back bore patterns formed like flowing water, resembling either mountains or a human figure.

The front bore a large character: “Immortal.”

Above the character “Immortal” was a small character: “Exterminate.”

Exterminate Immortals Society!

Li Lin’s expression froze for a moment.

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

He put the token away and said: “Retreat. Take the two corpses to the punishment chamber and bring the wounded brothers with you.”

Xiao Chunzhu nodded.

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

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

“Commandant Li, I will report this truthfully.”

Li Lin nodded.

After finishing the case document, Li Lin and Jiang Jili signed their names in turn, then affixed the official seal.

Jiang Jili tucked away his seal and whispered: “Actually, I think this Lotus Monk has a point.”

“Do you also think ordinary people deserve to die?”

“If Outer Realm Demons truly descend, the dead will number thousands or tens of thousands times more than this. If we cannot stop them, casualties will be even worse,” Jiang Jili sighed. “What if these two are the key to subduing the Demons? Then matters become troublesome.”

Li Lin said calmly: “I have merely done what a parent-official should do. If Outer Realm Demons truly descend in the future, that is a future problem.”

“True enough. Live in the present,” Jiang Jili sighed.

The next two days were spent on trial proceedings, public announcements, and distributing compensation to the fallen and wounded government office runners and village soldiers.

For this, he and Jiang Jili argued again.

In the end, Jiang Jili could not hold out against Li Lin, and the compensation was raised slightly.

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

Now, he, his wife, and his concubine had finished building the small house outside, and next they would bring the spirit stones inside to stack them.

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

But as soon as they finished laying the floor, someone came to the door.

It was Xie Shuyou, the town head of Bóbái Military Garrison.

Li Lin received him in his study.

“Commandant Li, this is a small token of respect, nothing worthy of your attention.”

“You’re too kind,” Li Lin said with a smile.

“I’ve come to bother you because the childhood friend I mentioned to you has returned, and he wishes to meet you.”

Oh!

Li Lin was quite interested in this matter internally.

White Elephant Divine Meat—he had long been curious about it.

“Then I’m in your debt, Commander Xie. If you ever need anything, feel free to ask me.”

“Oh… I actually need something now,” Xie Shuyou said, looking embarrassed.

Li Lin smiled: “Go ahead.”

“I heard you’re skilled in alchemy and have Youth-Preserving Pills. Could you spare me a few?”

“Take this bottle,” Li Lin said, pulling a porcelain vial from his drawer and handing it over. “There are ten pills inside. Take no more than one every ten days, or the efficacy will diminish.”

“Thank you, thank you!” Xie Shuyou clutched the bottle, deeply moved.

Then, under Xie Shuyou’s guidance, Li Lin went into town and found a small courtyard house.

Xie Shuyou called out across the courtyard: “Brother Jiang, are you home?”

Soon, someone emerged from inside.

The man was tall, with a flushed face.

Seeing Xie Shuyou, he looked displeased: “Why are you back again?”

“I’ve brought the County Commandant with me,” Xie Shuyou said, awkward.

Jiang Chen looked at Li Lin, frowned slightly, then said: “Since Commandant Li has come, please enter.”

He clearly did not hold Li Lin in high regard.

Li Lin entered as requested.

The three sat down. Jiang Chen did not offer tea or any hospitality, but asked directly:

“Commandant Li, why have you come to see me?”

“I heard you have White Elephant Divine Meat!”

Jiang Chen was a typical ordinary man—ordinary features, indistinguishable in a crowd.

But his face was unusually red, which might make him stand out a little.

“Hah! White Elephant Divine Meat! I did have some before, but it’s all gone now.”

Li Lin bowed and asked: “Do you know where to get more?”

“No,” Jiang Chen shook his head. “The General gave only a few catties to our group—we’ve already eaten it all.”

“But I heard the dead White Elephant was as tall as a mountain. It couldn’t have been consumed so quickly. There must still be some left.”

“Are you suggesting you want to do business with our General?”

“You could put it that way.”

Li Lin treated it as a trivial matter—if he could buy White Elephant Divine Meat, even better, no need for social obligations.

Jiang Chen thought for a moment and said: “I can arrange an introduction for you, Commandant, but what do I get in return? Speaking to the General requires spending favors.”

“What do you want?”

“I don’t care for wealth—I only care for wine and women,” Jiang Chen laughed. “Satisfy me in one of these two ways, and I’ll help you, Commandant.”

Li Lin shook his head: “Too demanding.”

“Then how about this: you owe me a favor.”

Li Lin paused, then nodded.

All Jiang Chen had said was merely to make Li Lin owe him a favor.

Favors are the hardest to repay—Jiang Chen was, indeed, a shrewd businessman.

“Come back in ten days, Commandant Li. I’ll have what you want to know by then.”

Li Lin bowed and turned to leave.

Xie Shuyou stayed behind—he and Jiang Chen were childhood friends.

Once Li Lin’s figure vanished completely, Jiang Chen exhaled and said: “Commandant Li has an intimidating aura—he nearly left me speechless.”

Xie Shuyou laughed: “But no matter what, you’ve gained something valuable—this Commandant’s favor is worth a fortune.”

“I know,” Jiang Chen nodded lightly. “Once I get White Elephant Divine Meat, I’ll use the favor he owes us to ask him to change my family’s lowly status. I’m leaving for the garrison tomorrow—please look after my home.”

“No problem,” Xie Shuyou smiled. “But be careful. I’ve heard Qin Tuo’s troops are growing rapidly—war is coming sooner or later.”

“That’s exactly why we must change our family’s status. Otherwise, when conscription comes, we lowborn will be the first to suffer.”

(End of Chapter)