Chapter 24: What

Huang Yan hurried to the Temple of the Four Marvelous True Lord, saw Li Lin, gave a slight nod, then turned to the thin old man inside the temple.

He was not a Spirit Hunter and could not see the “weird” on the altar.

“Eunuch Qi!” Huang Yan, dressed in official robes, upright and solemn, bowed and asked: “Can we now confirm that Bo Bai Town has fallen?”

In the Great Qi Kingdom, a “town” refers to a military garrison, one with soldiers stationed.

Under these circumstances, if the True Lords there have all gone silent, the situation is indeed grave.

Old Qi shook his head: “The Land God of Bo Bai Town has not appeared even now, while all the other True Lords remain present.”

Huang Yan exhaled: “Then we must send someone to investigate. Eunuch Qi, any suggestions?”

Old Qi forced a grim smile, his voice shrill: “My lord, handling matters outside is your concern. I, a broken man, am only fit to remain in this temple, serving the True Lords.”

Huang Yan smiled slightly—he seemed satisfied with Old Qi’s attitude.

He then turned and said: “All three of you, prepare yourselves and wait at the county office. I’ll return immediately to order the government office runners to notify the others.”

With that, Huang Yan left first.

What a time of troubles, Bai Liwei sighed, looking at his nephew: “Have you chosen your favored True Lord yet?”

Newly initiated Spirit Hunters must perform a pact ritual with a “True Lord,” offering blood qi in exchange for the Immortal Lord’s protection.

For example… if you encounter trouble, you can seek help from the True Lord.

Just as Li Lin occasionally bothers the Tree Immortal Lady.

Bai Bofan stole glances at the Tree Immortal Lady.

Bai Liwei’s expression turned subtle: “That Lady dislikes human contact—better forget it.”

Bai Bofan looked disappointed and pointed to another “weird” beside her—the one with a dog’s head and human body.

At that moment, Bai Liwei’s expression turned grim.

For the next instant, that dog-headed, human-bodied “weird” cast a strange glance at Bai Bofan—and vanished.

The other “weird” on the altars vanished as well.

Only the Tree Immortal Lady remained.

“Why did they leave?” Bai Bofan asked, confused.

Bai Liwei took a deep breath: “Do you think these True Lords have no tempers?”

His disappointed expression was too obvious—it angered that dog-headed True Lord.

Worse still, these True Lords are fundamentally “weird.” Though they’ve now made agreements with the government and are half-forced to aid the living, your nephew has clearly displeased it—whether it might develop other intentions is hard to say.

I clearly explained the rules and dangers to you before we came, yet when you saw a beautiful “weird,” you lost your composure.

But no matter what, he’s my nephew; I must handle his mess. In a few days, I’ll find an excuse to apologize to the True Lord and smooth things over.

As he thought this, he felt his nephew gently tugging his sleeve.

Bai Liwei frowned in confusion.

Bai Bofan pointed in a certain direction.

Bai Liwei looked over and saw the Tree Immortal Lady leaning close to Li Lin—the two seemed intimately close.

At that moment, Bai Bofan’s expression was one of envy.

“Why can he?”

Bai Liwei sighed—he first felt it was a bad thing that his nephew had become a Spirit Hunter so young.

He was too easily distracted by matters of men and women.

“People cannot be compared,” Bai Liwei said, pulling his nephew away.

They waited outside for a while, then saw Li Lin walk out.

“Done already?” Bai Liwei asked: “So fast?”

“I only offered some blood qi to the Tree Immortal Lady.”

Li Lin rolled his eyes in exasperation—he always felt Bai Liwei’s tone carried a strange teasing edge.

Who’s fast…?

Bai Bofan, meanwhile, stared at Li Lin, as if deep in thought.

Li Lin glanced at the civilians still burning incense and bowing to the “gods,” then whispered: “Your nephew didn’t secure a ‘fate’—what now?”

“If you get one, fine; if not, it’s no great loss,” Bai Liwei chuckled. “It’s his destiny—let’s see how it unfolds.”

“You’re remarkably detached, Elder Bai,” Li Lin said with genuine admiration.

For those without background, the pact with a “True Lord” is about securing a protector.

You offer blood qi regularly in exchange for a place to stand and some protection.

Others thinking of harming you must first consider the True Lord behind you.

If Li Lin hadn’t been chosen by the Tree Immortal Lady, even as a Spirit Hunter, his path would’ve been fraught with hardship.

He wouldn’t be as carefree as he is now.

But Bai Bofan has his uncle to protect him—whether or not he secured a “fate” isn’t a major issue.

“Let’s part here and each make our preparations,” Bai Liwei’s expression turned serious: “A military garrison lost? This is a major matter—we’ll all likely be mobilized.”

Li Lin nodded, understanding.

He went to the marketplace, bought some dried rations, purchased a gourd to hold water, and ate a full meal at a stall.

Only as dusk approached did he arrive at the county office.

Entering the main hall, he found himself the first to arrive, so he asked a government office runner to bring him a chair and closed his eyes to rest.

Soon after, the Bai uncle and nephew, along with others, arrived one by one.

Within moments, over a dozen people filled the hall, each with a small gourd at their waist.

Then Huang Yan entered, dressed in official robes, taking the main seat and gazing sternly at the assembly.

“The situation is urgent—I won’t waste time,” Huang Yan said gravely. “All of you depart immediately for Bo Bai Town to investigate.”

Someone spoke up: “But my lord, it’s night now—wild weird abound.”

“Precisely why you must travel together,” Huang Yan snorted. “You’re all Spirit Hunters—your blood qi is strong. Traveling in groups, even wild weird won’t dare approach. The emergency cannot wait.”

At that moment, Bai Liwei said: “My lord, my nephew Bai Bofan only became a Spirit Hunter today—he’s unfit for this mission. Could he be allowed to stay…”

“He’s on the Spirit Hunter roster—he must follow the rules,” Huang Yan cut him off coldly. “A military garrison is silent, the situation unknown—we’re operating under martial law now. Do you understand?”

Bai Liwei’s face hardened, and he immediately stepped back into the crowd.

“Anyone else have doubts?”

No one spoke.

Huang Yan pointed to the oldest Spirit Hunter: “Xu Saifeng, you lead this mission. The rest obey your orders.”

“Yes, my lord!”

A Spirit Hunter with white whiskers bowed deeply.

“I’ve had fine horses prepared—collect them from the side courtyard,” Huang Yan slammed the wooden gavel hard on the table—CRASH!—“Depart now!”

Moments later, the dozen or so Spirit Hunters left.

Huang Qi stepped out from behind the screen, arms folded, speaking calmly: “Father, Bai Bofan truly only joined the roster today—you should have shown some leniency to Elder Bai.”

“Official business is official business—why show him leniency?” Huang Yan grumbled, displeased. “I’ve even sent my future son-in-law out there. What do I care if his nephew lives or dies? If Li Xun runs into trouble, how will I explain to Qing?”

Huang Qi smiled: “I think Kun Ge is a man of fortune—and so is my elder sister.”

“I hope so too.”

Huang Yan let out a long sigh.

It’s hard being a parent—and even harder being a magistrate.

(End of Chapter)