Chapter 34: Valuing Strength and Overcoming Desire

After finishing the spear routine, Li Lin twirled a spear flourish and set the red-tasseled spear aside.

Silence filled the courtroom.

After a long while, Huang Qi asked, "Cousin, how did Kunge perform that spear routine?"

At that moment, the middle-aged man who had suggested Li Lin demonstrate the spear nodded happily: "A genius born of heaven... to comprehend the intent of the spear at this age, even if only a wisp, is extremely rare. I never thought such talent existed in this Southern Border land. He should not become a Spirit Hunter; he ought to be a martial artist."

Huang Yan spoke calmly from the hall: "Any martial artist with vigorous blood and qi can cultivate that, but a Spirit Hunter truly requires talent."

"That is true indeed," the man agreed, nodding.

He then looked at Li Lin: "Younger brother Li, I am Huang Qi's cousin, Huang Xiu, courtesy name Brother Zi Yue."

"Brother Brother Zi Yue!" Li Lin clasped his fists.

"I also greatly enjoy spear techniques and wish to spar with you. How about it?" Huang Xiu smiled.

"I am merely a beginner; I have only grasped the surface of the spear art. Let us learn from each other and exchange skills."

Huang Qi smiled from the side: "Why not go to my home? The backyard can serve as a training ground. Feel free to make a scene. Let's go!"

Thus, after bowing to Huang Yan, the three left the courtroom.

Once the three figures vanished outside the courtroom, Huang Yan snorted, looked coldly at Zhang Minsheng, and said, "Now that you have seen the man, what else do you have to say?"

"This Inspector Li is indeed not a demonic cultivator, nor is he possessed by an apparition," Zhang Minsheng said, bowing with head lowered. "This official acted rashly. However, I still feel that since this Inspector Li has no known background, making him a Spirit Hunter rashly is not a good thing."

"No known background?" Huang Yan snorted, speaking with dissatisfaction: "Look at his appearance. In what way does he not resemble a son of the Han people? Or do the Eastern Yi, Western Rong, Southern Man, and Northern Di possess anyone who can grow to look so elegant as him?"

Zhang Minsheng lowered his head and said, "But he is ultimately of unknown origin!"

"Heh, unknown origin?" A mocking smile appeared on Huang Yan's face: "Sixty years ago, when your Demon-Subduing Bureau acted recklessly, forcing so many good families to flee into the mountains, now that they are willing to come out, your Demon-Subduing Bureau refuses to acknowledge others as descendants of the Han people? Or are you afraid they will bring up your old accounts?"

Zhang Minsheng stepped back, continuing to keep his head lowered: "Your Excellency, you wrong us. This official was not even born sixty years ago."

Huang Yan picked up the gavel and slammed it heavily on the table: "At present, Li Lin is registered in the household of Yulin County. I do not care what his identity was before; now he is a Spirit Hunter under my command. If your Demon-Subduing Bureau has objections, send your Military Governor to discuss it with me. Do you understand?"

Zhang Minsheng clasped his fists, said no more, and signaled his submission.

On the other side, Li Lin, Huang Qi, and Huang Xiu arrived at the backyard of the Huang residence.

The person who came to serve tea was not a family servant, but the eldest daughter of the Huang family, Huang Qing.

She was dressed in full regalia, her dangling hairpins chiming, with bright rouge on her lips, a fragrance of flowers surrounding her, and a shy blush on her face.

Huang Qi's expression was encouraging, while Huang Xiu smiled somewhat ambiguously.

Li Lin was no fool; seeing this scene, he knew he seemed to have been targeted by this 'Hu Ji' before him, and these two 'big brothers' were setting up a match for him.

He carefully sized up the young girl before him. Although her features were not as delicate as his younger sister Huang Ling's, her face was dignified and generous, quite pleasant to look at, and her figure was slender yet plump, perfectly matching his aesthetic.

"Trouble you, Huang Huang Damei," Li Lin nodded lightly.

Huang Qing became even more shy, but still bowed slightly and said, "Young master is too polite."

Then, holding the tea tray, she walked away slowly with lotus steps.

Huang Xiu smiled: "Sister Qing grows more beautiful every day. By the way, Kunge, I heard from Brother Qi that you wish to learn spell techniques?"

Li Lin replied: "I have already entered the ranked level, but I have no spell manuals. I have only a body full of strength with no place to use it."

"Entered the ranked level so quickly!" Huang Xiu was somewhat surprised: "You have not even been a Spirit Hunter for a year, have you?"

Li Lin nodded: "A little over half a year."

"Then you truly possess great talent." Huang Xiu took a hand-copied manuscript he had prepared long ago from his robe and placed it on the table: "This is a spell manual I accidentally found several years ago. It belongs to a minor path within Thunder Arts, the Fallen Thunder Incantation. My talent is poor, so I cannot cultivate it; I give it to Kunge."

Li Lin did not pick it up immediately; he knew very well how precious a spell manual was.

Even a common mental cultivation method like the Spring-Returning Health Cultivation Art sold for one tael of silver; how much more so a true spell manual, and one of the Thunder Arts, the strongest offensive technique.

"Kunge, do you dislike Thunder Arts?" Huang Xiu asked curiously.

Li Lin shook his head: "Spell techniques are rare and too precious; I dare not take them casually."

Huang Qi and Huang Xiu exchanged a glance and smiled simultaneously.

If Li Lin had grabbed it eagerly, they would not have looked down on him, but that would have been all.

They did not particularly like people who focused only on strength and disregarded propriety and friendship.

But Li Lin's current state fit their understanding of a 'gentleman' very well.

Pursuing power, yet able to exercise restraint.

Huang Xiu pushed the manual toward Li Lin: "This is a personal gift from me to Kunge, with no additional conditions whatsoever; it is purely a small gift between friends."

Huang Qi also spoke from the side: "Brother Kunge, just accept it. There are already few Spirit Hunters in Yulin County. The stronger your power, the better it is for us people of Yulin County."

Li Lin was silent for a moment, then clasped his fists and said: "Thank you, Brother Brother Zi Yue. In the future, if you have any matters, feel free to ask me."

Huang Qi and Huang Xiu laughed simultaneously; they knew the matter was nearly settled.

The atmosphere was excellent for the next while. After chatting for about an hour, Li Lin took his leave.

He had to go to the market to buy supplies and return to the village before nightfall; time was not very generous.

After Li Lin left, Huang Qi waved at a certain window.

Soon, the Huang sisters walked out from behind the door and sat at the stone table as well.

Huang Xiu smiled: "Congratulations, Sister Qing, on finding your ideal husband."

Huang Qing lowered her head, not daring to lift it.

But anyone could see her joy.

Huang Ling sighed and said: "Why do you like this Inspector Li so much? I think he is quite ordinary and unworthy of my sister."

Huang Qi shook his head and said: "Little sister, you cannot speak like that. If you pick and choose people, others will also point and criticize you. The fact that Kunge and Huang Damei see eye to eye is already very rare. Moreover, for our Huang family, why should a daughter's marriage require the man to have a prominent family background? Our Huang family is the best family background for him. Not to mention a great talent like Brother Kunge, even if he were an ordinary person, our Huang family could elevate him."

Huang Qing also lowered her head and spoke softly from the side: "Little sister, I only have my eyes on him; I do not want anyone else."

Hearing these words, the two men laughed heartily!

(End of Chapter)