Chapter 49: Not a Big Pie

The next day, Li Lin took Zhao Xiaohu to the county town.

Uncle Zhao and Aunt Hua gazed at each other from the village entrance until Zhao Xiaohu's figure disappeared; only then did the two return home with worried expressions.

Unlike the two worried elders, Zhao Xiaohu wore a face full of excitement.

He held a red-tasseled spear in his left hand, his face radiating high spirits.

Because for him, starting today, he was someone who would begin eating public rations.

He had made something of himself; he could now walk with his head held high.

Arriving before the county government office, he found Registrar Li, who was busy with work, and asked to register Zhao Xiaohu in the rolls as a Spirit Hunter.

The guarantor was Li Lin.

Registering as a Spirit Hunter was quite simple; all that was required was a guarantor.

Should any fraud occur later, the guarantor would be held accountable as well.

Looking at Zhao Xiaohu's thick beard and strong build, Registrar Li couldn't help but sigh, "One look and you're clearly a fierce warrior. Impressive, impressive. Please state your native place, name, and date of birth."

Zhao Xiaohu mumbled out all his information in a deep, resonant voice.

After writing for a while, Registrar Li noticed something amiss: "Wait, your date of birth... is that wrong? You're only thirteen?"

"Yes, I'm only thirteen."

"Hero Li, there's no point in fooling an old man like me."

"I really am thirteen!"

Registrar Li looked at Li Lin.

Li Lin nodded: "He is indeed thirteen, but Registrar Li, please record him as fourteen; it will be more convenient."

"Tsk tsk, to look like this yet be only thirteen, truly an eye-opener."

Registrar Li exclaimed in wonder.

Zhao Xiaohu scratched his head and chuckled, looking very proud.

"So next, shall he seek an opportunity at the Taowu Zhenjun Temple, or shall we assign him a place to serve as a guardian?"

Li Lin said, "You assign it. He has just entered the profession; it is too early for him to offer up his blood qi."

"Very well." After glancing at the documents, Registrar Li smiled: "Since he is a newcomer from Shangtiku Village, let us place him in Shadong Village; it is very close to Shangtiku Village, only half a day's walk away."

"Thank you for your kindness, Registrar Li." Li Lin clasped his hands in a bow; he could see that the other man was granting Zhao Xiaohu a favor out of respect for his own face.

Otherwise, there were many villages without Spirit Hunters, and they were far from the county town; if placed in such a location, little Zhao Xiaohu, a boy of only thirteen, would have to endure some hardship.

Registrar Li smiled lightly: "Li Xunshou, you are too polite; perhaps five hundred years ago we were even of the same family."

"Haha, that is quite possible."

Seeing that Li Lin accepted his favor, Registrar Li was quite satisfied.

He knew Li Lin was highly valued by the County Magistrate, so granting this person a convenience certainly meant he would not attempt any tricks.

Registrar Li turned, took a dull gray jade tablet from a black wooden cabinet nearby, and placed it on the table: "Zhao Xunshou, this is your Spirit Hunter Token, number one hundred and thirty-seven. Please keep it safe."

Zhao Xiaohu eagerly lifted the gray jade tablet, then curiously asked, "Why is my jade tablet gray? I see that Lin Ge and yours are all white."

"Warm it with your blood qi; in as little as two or three nights, or at most half a month, it will turn white."

Oh!

Zhao Xiaohu nodded.

Li Lin looked at Registrar Li, clasped his fists, and said, "Next, I will trouble you to guide little Hu; I must go meet a friend."

"You are too polite; this is my duty." Registrar Li looked at Zhao Xiaohu: "Zhao Xunshou, please follow me. Come to collect your Blood Rice, your Veil-Garment, your standard provisions, and so on; at the same time, I must inform you of certain precautions regarding Spirit Hunters."

Zhao Xiaohu replied with a sound; he had been craving the Blood Rice for some time. For the past while, he had been mooching Li Lin's Blood Rice; now that he had his own, he could finally eat his fill.

Li Lin turned, left the county government office, and arrived before the Huang residence to knock on the door.

An old man opened the door; seeing Li Lin, he immediately smiled: "So it is Li Xunshou. You have finally arrived. My young master has been waiting for you for a long time and specifically instructed that once you arrive, no announcement is needed; go directly to the rear courtyard."

"Thank you for your trouble."

Li Lin took a rectangular brocade box from his pocket and handed it to the other man: "Inside are three bottles of pills I have refined, called Body-Strengthening Pills... they are warming and nourishing, can strengthen yang, and do not harm the body!"

Recently, Li Lin had refined another pot of Life-Nourishing Pills; as his proficiency in the 'Alchemy Art' increased, he had inexplicably learned this Body-Strengthening Pill technique.

It enables the user's qi and blood to flow smoothly, expels waste and removes grime, warms and nourishes the self, and gathers yin to restore yang.

For Li Lin, this item had little effect, but for ordinary people, it was very useful.

So, before keeping his appointment, he refined a pot and filled three bottles.

Hearing that it could strengthen yang, the old gatekeeper's eyes immediately sharpened; he whispered, "Li Xunshou, rest assured, I will personally deliver this item into the hands of the Master."

After bidding farewell to the old gatekeeper, Li Lin arrived at the rear courtyard.

Then he saw Huang Qi sitting there; on the table were also a tea table and several cups.

Huang Qi was standing nearby.

The two almost simultaneously saw Li Lin.

Huang Qi pointed with his fan to the seat opposite him: "We are old friends; let us not bother with such empty formalities. Sit yourself."

Li Lin was not particularly fond of etiquette either, so he immediately walked over and sat down.

Then Huang Qi poured him a cup of clear tea.

"Thank you, Huang Damei."

"Young master is too polite." Huang Qi's face turned red as she stepped back two paces, carrying happiness.

"I depart tomorrow; will Brother Kunge truly not accompany me to Jincheng?"

"I have no current intention of leaving Yulin County."

Hearing this, Huang Qi's smile grew even broader.

"It would be good to go meet that noble gentleman, and then return later," Huang Qi said with a smile.

Li Lin sighed slightly: "Brother Zi Jing, you keep speaking of that noble gentleman, yet I do not even know his name or identity. Is it not something I can say?"

"It is not that it cannot be said." Huang Qi pondered for a moment and said, "That noble gentleman bears the surname Zhu and is from Jingcheng."

"The imperial surname?"

"Yes."

"Which Imperial Prince?"

"The third."

Oh! Li Lin understood.

Zhu Laosan.

He had heard a rumor or two about this Zhu Laosan; he was an Imperial Prince of strong principles, straightforward, and quick to speak his mind.

Most famously, two years ago, he accused the current ruler of practicing alchemy and cultivation on the court, neglecting state affairs, an act unfit for a wise monarch.

He even spoke plainly on the spot: "If Your Majesty does not diligently govern and care for the people, please step down voluntarily, allowing the Crown Prince to succeed to the throne. Is that not good?"

And then... Zhu Laosan was sent out of Jingcheng to serve as a feudal prince.

Li Lin could not recall whether it was in Lu Commandery or Gan Commandery; at any rate, it was not here in Jin Commandery.

"The Third Imperial Prince comes to Jincheng? A feudal prince leaving his domain without permission..." Li Lin smiled: "Are you not afraid the censors in court will learn of this and impeach him?"

"So he came secretly."

Li Lin pondered for a moment and said, "Better not. As a Spirit Hunter, I should simply do my own duty. The world's troubles will naturally be settled by the people of the world; I will not join the fray."

Huang Qi urged, "If Brother Kunge goes with you, he will surely gain the Third Imperial Prince's favor and achieve great deeds."

Hearing this, Huang Qing instinctively clenched both hands tight.

Li Lin still shook his head: "I can roughly guess what you intend to do; I truly dislike joining such affairs. However, I still wish Brother Zi Jing a smooth journey and the fulfillment of your ambitions!"

Huang Qing's expression relaxed.

"If Brother Kunge changes his mind in the future, feel free to come find me." Although Huang Qi felt it was a pity, he did not force the issue; instead, he smiled and said, "By the way, since you are unwilling to go with me, the position of County Commandant, you must..."

Li Lin reached out and stopped the other person: "I dare not accept the position of County Commandant!"

Huang Qi frowned: "Why?"

"On what grounds could I be County Commandant!"

With no power or influence, and no formidable strength, if he became County Commandant, who would obey him!

"This is my father's decision."

The County Magistrate Huang's decision?

Li Lin felt this matter was somewhat sudden. He had heard Huang Qi mention it before but did not take it to heart; after all, he had eaten many of his superiors' empty promises in the past, so he just listened.

He did not expect they were serious.

But why him?

Then he suddenly saw Huang Qing beside him and immediately understood something.

(End of this chapter)