Chapter 45: Fate, Indeed

Su Huafang looked at An Zhijian's corpse, his eyes filled with sorrow.

Zhao Hao said beside him, "Old Su, don't think too much about it. An Zhijian brought this on himself—he can't blame anyone else."

Su Huafang said, "I understand, but when you're old, seeing a young man you once knew die before your eyes—even one you killed yourself—always feels hard."

Bai Liwei walked over and patted Su Huafang's shoulder in comfort.

He was old too, and understood Su Huafang's complex emotions at this moment.

Zhao Hao spoke again: "An Zhijian's appearance gives us a perfect excuse. Let's unify our story: we sensed something suspicious in Bo Bai Town, came back together to investigate, discovered An Zhijian's treason, and killed him. How's that?"

Su and Bai nodded. This excuse was good—Hunting Spirits personnel had the duty to investigate strange occurrences.

Li Lin also nodded with a smile.

Su Huafang walked over to examine the withered female heads; his sorrow vanished instantly, replaced by fury: "That beast An Zhijian truly deserved to die."

"What's wrong?" Zhao Hao walked over and asked.

"These are all Han women!"

Li Lin also walked over and studied them; he found all the skulls had blurred, unrecognizable features—no way to distinguish Han from Southern Barbarian.

But when Bai and Zhao came over and looked, they both said: "Definitely Han women. True beasts."

Li Lin was puzzled—he couldn't tell the difference at all.

On the contrary, Li Lin was more interested in another matter.

"You say—if the soldiers of this garrison really were killed by An Zhijian, what could his motive be?"

Zhao Hao laughed: "I don't care about his motive… Over a hundred soldiers of Bo Bai Garrison died horribly, yet he alone survived—and he's the Hunting Spirits officer here. No matter his reason, showing up so many days late, bringing Southern Barbarians with him—it's a death sentence, no escape."

Though Zhao Hao's words branded An Zhijian guilty with brutal simplicity, they were undeniably reasonable.

Li Lin thought about it, and let the matter drop.

After all, sometimes digging too deep into things yields no good result.

Bai Liwei squatted down, searched An Zhijian's body, and found not only a few dozen taels in silver notes, but also a hand-copied secret manual.

"Soul-Refining Body Strengthening Art!" Bai Liwei muttered as he held the book, opened it, glanced, then hissed: "Such a vile technique."

Su and Zhao immediately leaned in.

After a moment, Bai Liwei said: "Take it. I don't want to practice this."

"Techniques aren't inherently good or evil," Su Huafang took it, flipped through it casually, and smiled: "I'll keep this for now. I'll streamline it later—many of the major herbs here can be substituted with others. When you want to learn it, come to me—I'll copy you a clean version."

The others naturally agreed.

"Speaking of secret manuals!" Zhao Hao suddenly clapped his palms, pulled a hand-copied book from his robe, and said: "Li Xunshou, this is the Lightness Technique I promised you. I was so busy rushing here I forgot—take it!"

Li Lin took it—it was only a few thin pages, the cover bearing the title: Willow Fluff Thirteen Drifts.

He flipped through it casually and found the Lightness Technique intriguing—its focus was evasion and lightness; the illustrated movements resembled willow fluff spiraling gently down from the air.

Hence the name.

This was exactly what Li Lin needed.

A competent Hunting Spirits officer must know at least one body technique, one internal cultivation method or Yin-nourishing heart scripture, and one Lightness Technique.

You don't need them to be powerful—but you must know at least one of each, or you won't even look like a proper Hunting Spirits officer.

"Thank you!" Li Lin wasn't the type to take favors as his due. He thought a moment and said: "I only have one technique—the Fallen Thunder Incantation. I'll teach it to you."

But at these words, all three shook their heads rapidly.

"No."

"Don't bother."

"Are you trying to kill us?" Zhao Hao chuckled helplessly.

Li Lin widened his eyes in confusion: "How am I harming you?"

Su Huafang smiled and explained: "Thunder arts are supremely yang—naturally opposed to Yin energy. We Hunting Spirits cultivate Yin heart scriptures. Practicing thunder arts is extremely difficult—and if you mess up, you risk demonic deviation."

"Then how can I use it?" Li Lin asked, baffled.

"Virgin status."

The other three laughed.

Zhao Hao laughed loudest: "The Thunderfall Incantation was given to you by Huang Brother Zi Yue—we all know that. And your virgin status? Everyone in the county seat knows it too."

Su Huafang added: "Didn't you notice your Fallen Thunder Incantation emits alternating blue and red lightning?"

Li Lin nodded—he had noticed.

Ordinary lightning is blue or cyan.

"Techniques powered by Yin energy are mostly red," Su Huafang smiled, eyes half-lidded. "Those powered by Yang energy are usually blue, white, or cyan. So virgin status isn't bad—it lets you access unique methods."

Li Lin worried: "So if I marry someday, I won't be able to use this thunder art anymore?"

"Not at all," Su Huafang explained carefully. "Almost all cultivation methods and martial techniques enhance the body. If you train thunder arts deeply, your Yang energy will naturally become abundant. Just keep practicing your Yin heart scripture too—balance the two, and you'll have no problems."

Hearing this, Li Lin felt reassured.

He bowed to Zhao Hao: "Young Master Zhao, this manual is invaluable to me. I owe you a favor—anything you need in the future, just say the word."

"No problem, no problem," Zhao Hao nodded, satisfied.

Bai Liwei walked over and said: "Time's running out—we need to head back."

"Alright!"

The four of them slung their heavy packs, left the fortress, and returned home, fully laden.

Outside Shangtikou Village, Li Lin bid farewell to the other three and returned to the village.

It was noon; many villagers were working, and upon seeing Li Lin, they greeted him warmly.

Li Lin responded to each one.

He first went to the altar, intending to greet the Tree Immortal Lady—but found she was not there.

Where did you go?

Li Lin felt somewhat strange, but upon returning home, he discovered the Tree Immortal Lady floating inside.

"Tree Immortal Lady, why have you come? Sit, sit, sit!"

Li Lin was overjoyed; he set down the bundle on his back while greeting her.

But as soon as he put down the bundle, the Tree Immortal Lady embraced his left hand and licked his palm with her pink snake tongue, lick by lick.

Feeling waves of comfort, Li Lin then remembered that last night was the agreed day to offer blood qi, yet he had been rushing about outside.

After absorbing enough essence and energy, the Tree Immortal Lady's beautiful face showed some satisfaction; then she gave Li Lin a reproachful glance before slowly floating away.

Li Lin then put away the bundle containing the gold ingots, lay down on the bed, and slept soundly.

In the following days, Li Lin continued his usual daily routine.

Cultivating, then teaching Zhao Xiaohu the spear techniques and the secrets of the Reviving Spring Health Preservation Art.

After nine days passed, Li Lin took four gold ingots and went to the county town.

He felt he must have a house in the county town; he had a sense that he might stay overnight there from time to time in the future.

Without a place to settle, sleeping in an inn every day would also be troublesome.

He first went to the broker's office; the broker showed him several single-courtyard small houses, but he liked none of them.

"This honorable sir, if you find none of these acceptable, then over in Chengxi, there is an excellent old mansion you might consider."

"Oh, what is the story behind it?"

Li Lin knew clearly that if it were truly a good mansion, it would not now be neglected by all.

There must be some special flaw that ordinary people could not accept.

The broker clasped his hands and said, "It is quite near the temple of Taowu Zhenjun, and the yin qi is very heavy."

So that was it.

Li Lin thought for a moment, then shook his head; he did not consider that place either.

Heavy yin qi is beneficial for a Spirit Hunter.

However, Li Lin himself had many secrets; he did not wish to live near Taowu Zhenjun, lest the latter see something and it become difficult to handle.

Taowu Zhenjun was not the Tree Immortal Lady; he might not be so easy to talk to.

The broker pondered for a while longer, then said, "If you, honorable sir, do not mind sparse human presence, there is a large courtyard in the north of the county where one can reside."

"How large is it?"

"Three courtyards deep!"

"Let us go see!"

Upon going to the north of the city, it was indeed a large courtyard three courtyards deep; the architectural structure was sound, yet it seemed no one had lived there for a long time, with weeds overgrown and numerous spider webs inside the rooms.

Li Lin looked for a while and asked, "It looks good; why does no one want this place?"

"This place is too far from the temple of Taowu Zhenjun," the broker said with some helplessness. "It is said that on nights when the yin qi is heavy, those living here can hear eerie wailing."

"How much for the deed?" Li Lin, being a Spirit Hunter, could see that this place was still within the protection range of Taowu Zhenjun.

It was merely that ordinary people had too great a psychological shadow from the desolate and eerie; living in a place with few people, they would always feel afraid and then develop auditory hallucinations, that was all.

Upon hearing these words, the broker immediately became happy: "One hundred and thirty-seven taels of silver. We will hire people to clean this place for you; you will just need to buy the furniture yourself."

Li Lin directly handed a gold ingot to the broker: "You buy the furniture for me as well, and hire three or four laboring servants; having about that many is enough. Any remainder counts as a tip."

Li Lin would only stay here occasionally, but the place was too large; if left empty, it would easily fall into ruin again. Hiring a few people to work and manage it meant that when he came to stay briefly, he would not have to clean so much trouble.

"Thank you, sir, thank you, sir."

The broker held the gold ingot, his smile so wide it could not close.

Finally having a big client, of course he was happy.

With the matter of the house settled, Li Lin began to wander idly through the county town.

In the past, whenever he came here, he was always in a rush; first, he had to hurry back to the village, and second, he had no money on him.

With no money, what nonsense is there to wander about?

But now it was different; with money on his person, his mood was much more leisurely.

He went to the best restaurant, ordered the finest wine and dishes, and had a meal.

Then, taking advantage of the slight tipsiness, he came to the lakeshore outside the county town.

Many townspeople were here for spring outings; on days without threats from desolate eerie things, this place was very lively.

Li Lin walked slowly along the embankment; the cool breeze was refreshing and very pleasant, but before long, rain began to fall.

He took shelter in a pavilion; not long after, four more people rushed in to avoid the rain.

Two women and two men dressed as Retainers.

When the two sides met, Li Lin was stunned, and the two women were also stunned.

Then Li Lin clasped his fist and smiled: "What fate indeed, Huang Damei."

(End of this chapter)