Chapter 221: Something Is Amiss

Li Xingzong was thrown into prison.

The dead Lingxiao Sect disciple had been buried by Xiao Chunzhu.

The injured ones were taken by him to the clinic for treatment.

Xiao Chunzhu stood beside them, watching.

One disciple couldn’t help asking: “Brother Xiao, why did you suddenly turn on us… Is being an official really that good? Can it make you forget brotherhood?”

Tears filled every disciple’s eyes.

Xiao Chunzhu sighed: “Because this is the only path left for me.”

With that, he left.

From then on, he severed all ties with the Lingxiao Sect—no reconciliation possible.

Soon Li Lin heard of it. He sat in the military office and summoned Xiao Chunzhu.

“I heard about your affairs. You’ve worked hard lately,” Li Lin smiled.

Xiao Chunzhu bowed deeply: “It is my duty.”

“There’s an opening for Deputy Commander in the prefectural army. Would you like to take it?”

Xiao Chunzhu rejoiced, knelt, and kowtowed: “I am willing.”

Deputy Commander is a nominal post with no real authority.

But… it is a path upward.

In other words, Li Lin was now preparing to promote him.

And compared to Constable, Deputy Commander is a proper official.

Ninth rank… but still an official.

“Then take the document and report in.”

Li Lin stamped the yellow paper and pushed it forward.

Xiao Chunzhu rose, gripping the document tightly, trembling with excitement.

From now on, he was an official.

How many people have spent their lives longing for this document, this seal, never to obtain it?

But then he calmed down and asked: “Yet the number of martial artists in the realm keeps growing—how do you plan to handle them? Perhaps I should delay my posting…”

“No need. I have my own way to deal with the martial artists.”

Xiao Chunzhu nodded and withdrew.

Li Lin reviewed the case files in the military office, found nothing requiring his attention, and rose to go to the prison.

Li Xingzong of the Lingxiao Sect sat on a moldy straw pile, wearing a tattered prisoner’s robe.

As Li Lin entered, the jailer immediately brought a clean chair and placed it before the bars.

Li Lin sat down and gazed ahead.

Li Xingzong looked at Li Lin and said: “No wonder they call you Paper Young Master—you’re as handsome as the rumors say, even more beautiful than a woman.”

Li Lin raised his eyes: “Are you trying to provoke me?”

Li Xingzong said nothing.

Li Lin continued: “I read the official report of Xiao Chunzhu’s arrest of you. I noticed you seemed to have allowed it.”

“I don’t understand what the County Magistrate means.”

“You let Xiao Chunzhu capture you on purpose.”

Li Xingzong narrowed his eyes but remained silent.

“What are people saying about me in the martial world now?”

Li Xingzong said: “They say you… seduced a woman with your looks, took the Linglong Jade Box from her, then abandoned her and returned here to Yulin County.”

“Where did this rumor start?”

Li Xingzong shook his head: “The entire martial world is spreading it.”

Li Lin smiled: “I can guess who it is… Fomen.”

Li Xingzong stared at Li Lin, puzzled—he didn’t see how this connected to Fomen.

Li Lin thought: That night, many martial artists escaped. Logically, the whole martial world should already know Fomen’s plan. But from Li Xingzong’s expression, it seemed the truth had been suppressed—he didn’t know.

Someone was controlling public opinion in the martial world.

Impressive.

Most likely Fomen—they’ve always been skilled at this.

“Forget about Fomen for now,” Li Lin clapped his hands. “Let’s talk about you, Master Li—why did you let yourself be captured?”

Li Xingzong said coolly: “A dozen archers and a dozen constables with waist knives—I wouldn’t dare move. I wasn’t deliberately captured.”

Li Lin shook his head: “Besides your Lingxiao Sect, Xiao Chunzhu arrested many other martial artists—but not in this prison. Their common trait? They were all easy to capture.”

Li Xingzong’s expression changed slightly.

Seeing his reaction, Li Lin already knew the answer.

He turned and left the prison.

This time he went straight home and ordered his steward to deliver a letter.

At noon the next day, Li Lin hosted a banquet at Fugui Restaurant, inviting every Spirit Hunter in Yulin County.

Bai Zhiwei and his nephew, Ding Yingqiu, Zhao Xiaohu, Yan Han, even He Yumao came.

They greeted Li Lin warmly.

Bai Zhiwei raised his cup: “Director Li, I toast you.”

He drained it in one gulp.

The others followed suit. Li Lin returned the toast.

After a few cups, the atmosphere grew lively.

Li Lin said: “Many martial artists have come to the county lately. You all know this.”

They nodded.

They also knew these people seemed to be targeting Li Lin.

Zhao Xiaohu, young and drunk, his face flushed: “Lin Ge, should I help you deal with them?”

The term “Lin Ge” stirred envy in the others.

After all, Li Lin was now County Magistrate and Commander of the Military Forces—their superior.

Even Bai Zhiwei now had to address him by title, no longer calling him “Li Xunshou” as before.

But Zhao Xiaohu could still say “Lin Ge”—proving their bond was genuine.

Ding Yingqiu watched Zhao Xiaohu with delight.

Li Lin shook his head: “These martial artists are still behaving for now. But I sense something off about their backers.”

Everyone was curious.

Li Lin continued: “I invited you here to ask for your help investigating the outskirts of Yulin County—look for anything unusual, like hidden bases set up outside the city.”

“There are Wild Wraiths out there—how could they set up bases?” Zhao Xiaohu asked.

Li Lin said: “The True Lord isn’t fully controlled by the government. At least three or five factions still hold altars.”

Ding Yingqiu understood. She said: “Fine. I’ll investigate with Xiaohu for a few days. If we find anything, I’ll tell you.”

The others gave similar assurances.

Li Lin bowed, grateful: “Whether you find anything or not, I owe you all a favor. Come to me if you ever need help.”

Everyone laughed.

An official’s favor—who wouldn’t want it?

Then they ate and drank.

Zhao Xiaohu ate the most—nearly a third of the food and drink vanished into his stomach.

Ding Yingqiu sat beside him like an elder sister, urging him not to eat so much or he’d get sick.

Zhao Xiaohu immediately stopped drinking.

Watching them “show affection,” Li Lin thought of something and asked: “Ding Xunshou, when are you two getting married?”

All eyes turned to them.

Ding Yingqiu blushed deeply and lowered her head.

Zhao Xiaohu blushed too, but scratched his head and grinned: “Soon. After spring, we’ll pick a festival for the wedding—will notify everyone.”

Everyone bowed and offered congratulations.

When the feast ended, they dispersed.

Li Lin returned home to find a familiar figure waiting at the gate.

It was Wang Tianyou, Master Wang.

(End of Chapter)