Chapter 192: Records of the Immortals

This time, the distribution of compensation took much longer than last time, consuming a full three days.

Mainly because the casualties were greater than before.

The death toll reached one hundred and twenty-two, and with the lightly and severely wounded combined, there were nearly two hundred people.

But the Southern Barbarian army did not fare well either; over four hundred men were almost entirely dead, except for a few captives who looked like Qi people.

The order Li Lin issued was that anyone resembling a Southern Barbarian was to be executed on the spot.

The garrison soldiers executed the order with great joy.

Those living in the Southern Frontier, to some degree, all had blood feuds with the Southern Barbarians.

Although many soldiers died, the rate of replenishment was quite fast.

In this era, becoming a soldier was considered a relatively good path; moreover, Li Lin's current reputation was quite high. Besides, most people in Yulin knew that Li the County Lieutenant was upright in his conduct, did not cheat people, and was a rare good official.

Therefore, the number of people willing to enlist was particularly large.

After distributing the compensation, Li Lin rested for two days before going to work.

Then he saw a County Assistant with dark circles under his eyes.

Jiang Jili looked at him with a somewhat 'resentful' expression: "County Lieutenant Li, you really have it easy."

Li Lin smiled and said, "Each has their duties; I am responsible for defending the home and the country, while you are responsible for the many affairs in the rear."

Jiang Jili understood this principle, yet he still felt somewhat unfair... The resettlement of those twenty thousand people was incredibly tedious. Moreover, the Prefect's intention was that since Beiliu County was now empty, two or thirty thousand people should be transferred from YL City to Beiliu County. Combined with the twenty thousand rescued earlier, having forty or fifty thousand people would be enough to support the basic functions of a county town.

But these were all trivial tasks. Setting aside whether others were willing to go, simply registering the changes in household registration was very troublesome.

What benefits would moving bring? How much compensation could be obtained... that was also a question.

Everyone wanted to get a bit more; many with some power and influence even wanted to pull strings with him.

In order to obtain more.

All these matters left Jiang Jili utterly exhausted.

So sometimes he was quite envious of Li Lin; although fighting on the front lines was extremely dangerous, once victorious, one could rest and did not need to do so many laborious and mentally taxing things.

"Forget it. Regarding that Qin family member in the dungeon, how do you plan to handle him?"

Li Lin smiled and said, "He is critically ill and will die soon."

"If he doesn't die, send him to the Prefect. I believe the Prefect will be very interested."

After all, he was a relative of the Traitor Qin; sending him to Jingcheng would count as a minor merit.

Currently, the only place where operations against the Traitor Qin were effective was Jincheng Commandery.

As for Gui Commandery... it had been raided by the Traitor Qin several times already. It was said that now, all county towns were too afraid to open their gates.

Jiang Jili sighed: "When will the Heavenly Army arrive?"

Speaking of this matter, Li Lin was also speechless.

The imperial court said it would send a large army to attack the Traitor Qin in Yue Commandery, but... three months had passed, and even the identity of the Great General leading the troops had not yet been selected.

Jiang Jili leaned over and whispered, "I have a way to keep him alive..."

"Oh?" Li Lin was somewhat surprised: "So powerful?"

"The Jiang family has a divine physician."

"Then... what benefit do you get from keeping him alive?"

"You can gain great merit, and then share a little of that merit with me." Jiang Jili spoke in a very low voice: "Let me sign my name on the documents."

"Fine." Li Lin pondered for a moment, then nodded.

"Thank you." Jiang Jili clasped his hands: "I will go treat him immediately."

Then Jiang Jili went to the prison very happily.

Li Lin, meanwhile, led the government office Runners on patrol.

He now occasionally showed his face before the common people to ensure he did not give the impression of doing nothing worthwhile.

When the noon shift ended, Li Lin had just left the government office when he saw an acquaintance.

Wang Tianyou.

The two arrived at a restaurant, and Wang Tianyou, without saying a word, ordered a large table full of fine wine and delicacies.

Li Lin smiled and said, "With so much, the two of us cannot finish it."

"Just taste the flavors. Treating someone to a meal is not about getting full, but about eating well."

Li Lin nodded; this statement made sense.

"Here, I first congratulate Lord Li on his promotion..." Having spoken, Wang Tianyou drained a cup of wine.

Li Lin also raised his cup and drained the yellow wine within.

Seeing that Li Lin was still willing to drink with him in this manner, Wang Tianyou secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

At this moment, the status of the two was completely different.

Previously, Li Lin was merely a humble Soul Hunter who had just entered the profession, while he, Young Master Wang, belonged to a famous aristocratic family in Jincheng. His family had uncles and fathers holding minor official positions in the Prefect's or County's government office, and with the family engaging in commerce for years, they were extremely wealthy, holding a relatively high status.

But now Li Lin was different; he was the Prefect Huang's son-in-law.

He was also the County Lieutenant of Yulin City and the Southern Route Military Commander of Jincheng Commandery.

An eighth-rank official.

It might not sound like much, but the position of Military Commander brought considerable deterrent power.

If it were sixty years ago, the status of military officials was not particularly high, and the Military Commander meant little.

But now, with the world in turmoil, the status of military generals has increased significantly; in a sense, the Military Commander holds more power than the County Magistrate.

Li Lin drained his cup, set it down, and asked, "Young Master Wang, what business brings you to me?"

"I heard that if Lord Li wishes to emulate the current cultivation of Immortals... I have an item here that might be useful to you."

A book with a blue cover was placed on the table.

Li Lin glanced at it; the four characters "Record of the Immortals" were written on the cover.

He picked it up, flipped through it, then gently placed it back on the table, saying, "It is too precious; I cannot accept it."

Though called the Record of the Immortals, it was in substance a record of the legendary "travels" or "locations" where Immortals appeared in the mortal world.

It looked like a folk "fictionalized account," but since Young Master Wang dared to bring it out, the content should indeed be real and credible.

Although this content was not an Immortal Cultivation Method, many clues regarding Immortal Cultivation could be found within it.

"This book has been in my family for several decades; my clan members have also sought it out, yet they always missed the opportunity for an Immortal connection." Young Master Wang looked into Li Lin's eyes and said, "I feel only a fated person can be worthy of holding this book."

Li Lin looked into Young Master Wang's eyes, remained silent for a moment, then asked, "Young Master Wang, what help do you want from me?"

"Nothing, just between friends..."

Li Lin reached out and interrupted the other: "The relationship between us does not need such beating around the bush. What exactly do you want, or rather, what does the family behind you want?"

Young Master Wang's face became somewhat awkward; he then spoke seriously, "I was wrong... let us drink a cup first."

After he finished a cup of wine, Young Master Wang spoke openly, "Actually, the elders of our Wang family hope you can help us secure the position of Beiliu County Magistrate."

Li Lin was stunned for a moment, then gave a bitter smile, "That is not within my power to decide; I am merely a Supervisor."

"But Prefect Huang can." Wang Tianyou said, "We do not ask you to do much; we only hope you can make an introduction so we may meet Prefect Huang. The rest, we will settle ourselves."

(End of this chapter)