Chapter 34: Strength Over Desire

After finishing the spear routine, Li Lin spun a spear blossom and set the red-plumed spear aside.

The courtroom was silent.

After a long while, Huang Qi asked: “Cousin, how would you rate Kun Ge’s spear technique?”

The middle-aged man who had suggested Li Lin demonstrate the spear nodded happily: “A natural talent… to grasp even a thread of spear intent at this age is exceedingly rare. I never expected such talent in the southern frontier—he shouldn’t be a Spirit Hunter; he ought to be a martial warrior.”

Huang Yan spoke coolly from the dais: “Any warrior with robust blood and qi can train as a martial warrior. Spirit Hunters require true talent.”

“That’s true,” the man agreed with a nod.

He turned to Li Lin: “Li younger brother, I’m Huang Xiu, Zi Yue, Huang Qi’s cousin.”

“Brother Zi Yue!” Li Lin bowed with clasped fists.

“I also love spear techniques and would like to exchange insights with you—what do you say?” Huang Xiu smiled.

“I’m merely a beginner, barely grasping the basics. Let’s learn from each other and refine our skills together.”

Huang Qi chuckled beside him: “Why not come to my house? The back courtyard can serve as a training ground—do whatever you like. Let’s go!”

The three bowed to Huang Yan and left the courtroom.

Once their figures vanished beyond the courtroom doors, Huang Yan snorted, glancing coldly at Zhang Minsheng: “Now that you’ve seen your man, what more is there to say?”

Zhang Minsheng bowed his head: “This Li Xunshou is no heretic and not possessed by a wraith. My judgment was hasty. Yet I still believe his origins are unknown—making him a Spirit Hunter is unwise.”

“Unknown origins?” Huang Yan snorted in displeasure: “Look at him—where does he not resemble a Han son? Do the Eastern Yi, Western Rong, Southern Man, or Northern Di produce men of his refined bearing?”

Zhang Minsheng bowed lower: “But his origins remain unknown!”

“Hah, unknown origins?” Huang Yan’s face twisted with mockery: “Sixty years ago, your Demon Extermination Bureau drove countless virtuous families into the mountains through chaos. Now that they’re willing to emerge, you refuse to acknowledge them as Han descendants? Or are you afraid they’ll dig up your old crimes?”

Zhang Minsheng stepped back, still bowing: “Your Honor accuses us wrongly—I wasn’t even born sixty years ago.”

Huang Yan slammed the wooden gavel hard on the table: “Li Lin is now registered in my Yulin County household. I don’t care who he was before—he is my Spirit Hunter now. If your Demon Extermination Bureau objects, let your Military Governor come speak to me. Understood?”

Zhang Minsheng bowed again, saying nothing—signaling submission.

On the other side, Li Lin, Huang Qi, and Huang Xiu arrived at the Huang family’s back courtyard.

The one who came to serve tea was not a servant, but Huang’s eldest daughter, Huang Qing.

She was dressed in finery, her dangling hairpin chiming softly, her lips painted with vivid rouge, her scent floral, her cheeks flushed with shy blush.

Huang Qi’s expression was encouraging; Huang Xiu’s smile was slightly suggestive.

Li Lin was no fool—he saw the scene and realized he was being courted by this “Hu Ji,” and these two “older brothers” were setting him up for a match.

He studied the girl before him: though her features weren’t as delicate as her sister Huang Ling’s, her face was dignified and graceful, pleasing to the eye; her figure was slender yet softly curvaceous, perfectly matching his taste.

“Thank you, Sister Huang Da,” Li Lin nodded lightly.

Huang Qing grew even more shy but bowed slightly: “Elder Brother is too kind.”

Then, holding the tea tray, she stepped gracefully away on lotus steps.

Huang Xiu smiled: “Qing Mei grows more beautiful every day. By the way, Kun Ge, I heard from Qi-di that you want to learn spellcraft?”

Li Lin replied: “I’ve already entered the ranks, but I have no spellcraft manuals—my strength is useless without techniques.”

“You’ve entered the ranks already?” Huang Xiu was surprised: “You’ve been a Spirit Hunter less than a year, right?”

Li Lin nodded: “A bit over half a year.”

“Then you truly have talent.” Huang Xiu pulled a hand-copied manuscript from his robe and placed it on the table: “This is a spellcraft manual I found years ago by accident—a minor thunder spell, Thunderbolt Incantation. I lack the talent to master it, so I give it to Kun Ge.”

Li Lin did not immediately take it—he knew how precious a spellcraft manual was.

Even a common cultivation method like the Reviving and Nourishing Art sold for one silver tael—how much more valuable was a true spellcraft manual, especially one of the strongest offensive arts: thunder magic?

“Kun Ge, don’t you like thunder magic?” Huang Xiu asked curiously.

Li Lin shook his head: “Spellcraft is rare and precious—I dare not take it lightly.”

Huang Qi and Huang Xiu exchanged glances and both smiled.

Had Li Lin snatched it eagerly, they wouldn’t have looked down on him—but they’d have thought little of him.

Men who care only for power, not decorum or bonds, they disliked.

But Li Lin’s restraint matched their ideal of a “gentleman.”

He pursued strength—and yet exercised restraint.

Huang Xiu pushed the manual toward Li Lin: “This is my personal gift to Kun Ge—no strings attached, just a small token between friends.”

Huang Qi added: “Kun Ge, take it. Yulin County’s Spirit Hunters are few now—the stronger you are, the better for all of us.”

Li Lin fell silent a moment, then bowed: “Thank you, Brother Zi Yue. If you ever need anything, call on me.”

Huang Qi and Huang Xiu laughed together—they knew things were nearly settled.

The mood turned warm; the three chatted for about an hour, then Li Lin excused himself to leave.

He needed to buy supplies at the market and return to his village before nightfall—time was tight.

After Li Lin departed, Huang Qi waved toward a window.

Soon, the Huang sisters emerged from behind the door and sat at the stone table.

Huang Xiu smiled: “Congratulations, Qing Mei—you’ve found your perfect match.”

Huang Qing lowered her head, not daring to look up.

Yet anyone could see her joy.

Huang Ling sighed: “Why do you all like this Li Xunshou so much? I think he’s ordinary—not worthy of my sister.”

Huang Qi shook his head: “Little sister, don’t speak like that. You pick and choose—others will pick and choose you too. Kun Ge and Big Sister suit each other—that’s rare enough. Besides, our Huang family doesn’t need a groom with noble lineage—we are his best lineage. Even if Kun Ge were an ordinary man, we could lift him up.”

Huang Qing, head bowed, whispered softly: “Little sister, I’ve chosen him. I don’t want anyone else.”

The two men burst into laughter.

(End of Chapter)