Chapter 24: What Does It Have to Do With Me

Huang Qi hurriedly arrived at the Taowu Zhenjun Temple, saw Li Lin, nodded slightly in greeting, and only then looked at the withered old man inside the temple.

He was not a Spirit Hunter, so he could not see the "Ghosts" on the altar.

"Eunuch Qi!" Huang Qi, dressed in official robes and radiating uprightness, clasped his fists and asked, "Can it now be confirmed that Bobai Town has fallen?"

In the Great Qi State, a "town" referred to a military garrison, one with soldiers stationed there.

Under such circumstances, if the "Zhenjun" there had lost contact, then the problem was indeed grave.

Old Qi shook his head: "The Earth God of Bobai Town has not appeared until now, while the other Zhenjun are all present."

Huang Qi sighed: "Then we must send someone to investigate clearly. Does Eunuch Qi have any suggestions?"

Old Qi forced an ugly smile, his voice shrill: "County Magistrate, how to handle affairs outside is your concern to worry about. I, a broken and incomplete person, am only fit to remain within this temple, guarding the Zhenjun and living."

Huang Qi smiled; he seemed very satisfied with Old Qi's attitude.

Then he turned and said, "You three prepare first, then wait at the county government office. I will return immediately to have the government office Runners notify others to come."

Having spoken, Huang Qi left first.

"A season of trouble," Bai Liwei sighed, looking at his nephew: "Have you chosen your preferred Zhenjun?"

Newly promoted Spirit Hunters all undergo a covenant ritual with a "Zhenjun," then provide blood qi to the Immortal Lord while receiving the Immortal Lord's protection in return.

For example... if something happens, one can seek the Zhenjun's help to resolve it.

Just as Li Lin would occasionally trouble the Tree Immortal Lady.

Bai Bufan stole a glance at the Tree Immortal Lady.

Bai Liwei's expression was subtle as he said, "That Lady does not like contact with people; you should forget it."

Bai Bufan felt somewhat disappointed and pointed to another "Ghost" nearby, the one with a dog head and human body.

At this moment, Bai Liwei's expression was somewhat ugly.

Because the next moment, that dog-headed, human-bodied "Ghost" looked at Bai Bufan with a strange gaze, then vanished.

The Ghosts on the other altars also vanished.

However, the Tree Immortal Lady remained.

"Why did they leave?" Bai Bufan was somewhat confused.

Bai Liwei took a deep breath: "Do you think these Zhenjun have no temper?"

His expression of disappointment was too obvious, thereby angering that dog-headed, human-bodied Zhenjun.

What was more troublesome was that the essence of these Zhenjun was all "Ghosts." Although they had made some agreements with the government and were half-forced to help the living, still... whether his nephew had displeased the other party, and whether it might harbor other thoughts, was hard to say.

Clearly, before coming, he had explained the rules and pitfalls to his nephew, yet encountering a beautiful "Ghost," he still lost his composure.

Regardless, this was his own nephew; he must manage the trouble his nephew caused. After a few days, he would find an excuse to apologize to the Zhenjun and smooth things over.

Just as he was thinking this, he felt his nephew gently tugging his sleeve.

Bai Liwei was somewhat puzzled.

Bai Bufan pointed in a certain direction.

Bai Liwei looked over and saw the Tree Immortal Lady seemingly leaning over in front of Li Lin; the two appeared very intimate.

At this moment, Bai Bufan's expression was one of great envy.

"Why can he do that?"

Bai Liwei sighed; for the first time, he felt that his nephew becoming a Spirit Hunter so young was not a good thing.

It was easy to be confused in one's original intention by such matters of men and women.

"People cannot be compared to people," Bai Liwei said, pulling his nephew away.

Then they waited outside for a while and saw Li Lin walk out from inside.

"Is the matter finished?" Bai Liwei asked. "So quickly."

"Just offering some blood qi to the Tree Immortal Lady."

Li Lin helplessly rolled his eyes; he always felt there was some strange teasing tone in Bai Liwei's words.

Who was quick...

Instead, Bai Bufan was looking at Li Lin at this moment, seemingly lost in thought.

Li Lin looked at the commoners still burning incense and worshipping the "gods" around them, then asked quietly, "What if your nephew did not obtain a 'fate'?"

"If he gets one, naturally it is good; if not, it is not bad either," Bai Liwei smiled. "It is all his fate; let us just walk and see."

"Senior Bai is free and easy," Li Lin said with considerable admiration.

For those without background, the covenant with a "Zhenjun" is simply finding a backer for oneself.

One regularly offers blood qi in exchange for a place to settle and some protection.

If others wish to move against you, they must at least look at the face of the "Zhenjun" behind you.

If Li Lin had not been chosen by the Tree Immortal Lady, even if he became a Spirit Hunter, his journey would surely have been full of stumbling blocks.

It would not be as relaxed as it is now.

And since Bai Bufan had his uncle protecting him, whether he obtained a "fate" or not was not a major problem.

"We part here and each make preparations," Bai Liwei's expression turned serious. "The military garrison has fallen; this is a major matter. I estimate we all must mobilize."

Li Lin nodded, indicating understanding.

He went to the market to buy some dry rations, bought a gourd to hold clear water, and then ate his fill at a small stall.

Finally, when it was nearly dark, he arrived at the county government office.

Entering the court hall of the county government office, he found he was the earliest to arrive, so he asked a government office Runner to bring him a chair and closed his eyes to rest his spirit.

Not long after, the Bai uncle and nephew, along with others, arrived successively.

Soon, more than a dozen people gathered in the court hall, each wearing a small gourd at their waist.

Afterwards, County Magistrate Huang Qi, dressed in official robes, also arrived. He sat in the main seat of the court hall, looking down at the crowd below with majesty.

"The situation is urgent; I will not waste any more words," Huang Yan said solemnly. "Everyone, depart immediately and head to Bobai Town to investigate the situation."

Someone spoke up: "But Magistrate, it is night now, and there are many desolate ghosts."

"That is precisely why I require all of you to act together," Huang Yan snorted. "You are all Spirit Hunters with abundant vital energy; traveling in a group, even desolate ghosts will not dare approach you casually. The situation is critical and cannot be delayed."

At this moment, Bai Liwei said: "Magistrate, my nephew Bai Bufan only became a Spirit Hunter today; he is not fit for major tasks. Could he be allowed to stay..."

"Since he has entered the Spirit Hunter register, he must act according to the rules," Huang Yan cut him off coldly. "The military town has lost contact; the situation is unknown. We are now operating under military law. Do you understand?"

Bai Liwei's face stiffened, and he immediately retreated into the crowd.

"Does anyone else have doubts?"

No one spoke.

Huang Yan pointed to the oldest Spirit Hunter and said: "Xu Saifeng, you will lead this operation; the others will obey your command."

"As you command!"

A Spirit Hunter with white whiskers bowed in salute.

"I have already had fine horses prepared; go to the side courtyard to collect them," Huang Yan said, holding the town hall gavel, and slammed it hard onto the table. After a loud boom: "Depart immediately!"

A few breaths later, more than a dozen Spirit Hunters had left.

Huang Qi, with his hands behind his back, stepped out from behind the screen and said leisurely: "Father, that Bai Bufan indeed only entered the register today; you should have left some face for Bai Xunshou."

"Official business must be handled officially; what face should I leave him!" Huang Yan snorted, speaking very unhappily. "I have even assigned my future son-in-law; what does the life or death of his mere nephew have to do with me? If something happens to Li Xunshou, I won't know how to explain it to Qing'er!"

Huang Qi smiled: "I think Brother Kunge is a fortunate person, and so is my eldest sister, Huang Damei."

"I hope so as well."

Huang Yan let out a long sigh.

It is hard to be parents; it is also hard to be a magistrate.

(End of this chapter)