Chapter 41: Only Eyes Fixed Upon Me

Two Taowu Zhenjuns?

Huang Qi paused, then waved his hand; an old-looking martial artist walked over from the side.

"Uncle Fang, go up and tell my cousin about this matter."

Zhao Hao interjected: "If I'm not mistaken, the extra Taowu Zhenjun must be the Hundred-Faced Taowu Zhenjun who caused major trouble in Wancheng a few years ago!"

Except for Li Lin, everyone else's expressions grew solemn.

Huang Qi said to that old martial artist: "Go quickly and notify my cousin so he can prepare."

The old man immediately stepped forward to the front line.

Huang Qi's expression was serious: "How did that Hundred-Faced Taowu Zhenjun end up in our Jincheng?"

Naturally, no one could answer his question; such things as ghosts have always been known for appearing and disappearing mysteriously.

Then he sighed: "That Taowu Zhenjun has been traveling from the Central Plains region, destroying countless villages along the way, yet hardly any news has come out. One can imagine how rotten the civil administration in those places has become."

Li Lin had also heard that for a great ghost like a 'Taowu Zhenjun' to wipe out a village of a hundred or so people is actually a very simple matter.

Moreover, for experienced bureaucrats, hiding the disappearance of many villages is a very simple thing.

Just as Huang Qi was sighing, Huang Xiu retreated from the front and asked urgently: "Is it really the Hundred-Faced Taowu Zhenjun?"

"Based on Li Xunshou's description, I think so," Zhao Hao stepped forward and said.

Huang Xiu asked: "You didn't see them?"

Bai Liwei, Su Huafang, and Zhao Hao all shook their heads in unison.

Huang Xiu looked at Li Lin: "Only you can see them?"

Li Lin took out the mask, put it on his face, then took it off again.

Huang Xiu clicked his tongue: "A ghost artifact... from Lady Tree Immortal. No wonder."

Huang Qi wore an expression of admiration; although he couldn't see ghosts, being in Yulin County, how could he not have heard of Lady Tree Immortal's great name?

"Then it must be the Hundred-Faced Taowu Zhenjun." Huang Xiu smiled, looking at the fortress which had caught fire after two waves of rocket fire, and said: "Let's retreat first. A huge fire has already started here, and with the Hundred-Faced Taowu Zhenjun present, Zhang Minsheng and the others won't survive."

Huang Qi asked: "But the Hundred-Faced Taowu Zhenjun... if we leave here, what if he wreaks havoc throughout Yulin County and the surrounding areas?"

Huang Xiu chuckled: "We'll return and request the Four-Miracle Taowu Zhenjun to intervene!"

Huang Qi paused: "Is that possible?"

"We can't do it, but my eldest uncle can," Huang Xiu said calmly. "Our group isn't enough to satisfy a Taowu Zhenjun; staying here is useless. The sooner we return and inform my uncle, requesting the Four-Miracle Taowu Zhenjun to intervene, the fewer casualties the county town will suffer."

Just as Huang Xiu finished speaking, a towering wave of resentment rose from inside the fortress.

Faint screams could be heard.

Under the shroud of resentment, let alone ordinary people, even Spirit Hunters felt their whole bodies grow cold.

The fire within the fortress began to diminish, and even white frost slowly extended from the inside out.

"The Hundred-Faced Taowu Zhenjun has started moving," Huang Xiu said.

"Then let's go." Huang Qi was no fool; he rubbed his hands which had already begun to grow cold, immediately took out the County Commandant's seal, and shouted loudly: "All Constables and Village Militia, listen to orders! Retreat immediately and return to the county town. Do not delay!"

Hearing these words, Bai Liwei, Zhao Hao, and Su Huafang all breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.

Just now, their nerves had clearly been taut.

Li Lin didn't understand at first, but then immediately realized.

Under normal circumstances, when encountering ghosts... such matters, whether great ghosts or small ghosts, Spirit Hunters must always lead the charge.

The three of them were just afraid that Huang Qi, this young master and county commandant, didn't know the height of the sky or the depth of the earth, and would order the four of them, Spirit Hunters, to deal with a Taowu Zhenjun.

That would truly be like throwing a meat bun at a dog—gone and never returning.

Fortunately, fortunately, the Huang family produces no fools.

The nearly four-hundred-strong team, upon hearing the order, immediately retreated, orderly and disciplined; these soldiers were clearly well-trained.

Although it was a night march, the blood qi of the four hundred people mixed together, and with several Spirit Hunters mixed in, the Wild Ghosts didn't dare approach for the time being.

Moreover, since this team was on the move and the Wild Ghosts gathering speed was not fast, they were temporarily not afraid of the Wild Ghosts.

Several days later, after the Village Militia passed Shangdikou Village, Li Lin parted ways with Huang Qi and the others.

"Brother Kunge, you've worked hard these past few days. Once you've recovered, come to the county town again; at that time, I will apologize to you," Huang Qi said very sincerely.

"What crime have I committed?" Li Lin was somewhat puzzled.

"Making Spirit Hunters into bait was my idea, but I didn't expect my father would assign you to come as well," Huang Qi said with a bitter smile.

"It's fine; I understand you didn't mean it," Li Lin waved his hand indifferently.

Huang Qi spoke seriously: "You must come, because ten days from now I will be heading to Jincheng, and at that time I may only return to Yulin County during important seasons."

Li Lin thought for a moment and said: "Alright."

At that time, I'll just consider it a farewell for Huang Qi.

Having received Li Lin's agreement, Huang Qi happily led the Village Militia away.

Before Li Lin even returned to the village, he saw a green shadow at the village entrance.

Then it flashed and vanished; although he didn't see the face, that long snake tail, Li Lin saw very clearly.

He smiled and approached the altar.

Lady Tree Immortal hid inside and did not come out.

Li Lin didn't mind; he recounted the events of the past few days, then said: "This time, if not for the mask you gave me, we might have died inside, unable to wait for Huang Qi and the others' rescue. Such good luck may not happen again next time. Anyway, thank you first."

Lady Tree Immortal came out.

She looked at Li Lin; her beautiful face seemed to have no expression, but in her grayish pupils, one could see some... concern.

She pointed at the ground and said: "Not going out!"

Li Lin understood her meaning; she intended to protect him for a lifetime.

"That works too; if nothing happens, I won't leave the village in the future. Lady Immortal, you must protect me for a lifetime."

The Tree Immortal Lady gazed steadily at him, saying nothing.

For the next two days, Li Lin returned to his previous routine.

Practicing martial arts, cultivating, and teaching Zhao Xiaohu.

Even more diligently than before.

Since there was a path to becoming stronger, he had to be even more serious; after all, this world was not at all friendly.

On the third night after returning to the village, Li Lin had just fallen asleep when he was suddenly awakened by a massive aura.

He climbed out of bed, ran into the courtyard, and looked toward the direction the aura came from, his eyes widening.

The aura was coming from the direction of the county town; there stood a giant!

So enormous that even though he was over thirty li away from the county town, he could see the other's eyebrows and eyes clearly.

The overwhelming aura formed wind pressure, surging outward in all directions.

With the giant at the center, the entire world seemed to be blown into a swaying motion.

Li Lin recalled the words Huang Xiu had spoken earlier, saying he would invite 'Taowu Zhenjun' to act.

"Is this Taowu Zhenjun?"

Li Lin murmured.

The Tree Immortal Lady appeared beside him at some unknown time.

She looked at Taowu Zhenjun, her eyes filled with hatred.

Then she covered Li Lin's eyes with both hands: "Do not look at him... from now on, you can only look at me."

(End of this chapter)