Chapter 66: What Is Great Fortune?

“Running with a caravan” is an internal term among Spirit Hunters.

The distance between cities is considerable; traveling for ten or more days is normal, and one or two months for farther destinations is not unusual. Civilians seeking safety often travel in groups, gathering two or three hundred people before hiring “experts” to escort them.

Those hired include martial artists, and naturally also Spirit Hunters.

This situation is called “running with a caravan.”

In the past, this task never fell to Li Lin, but recently, his progress and growth had all been observed by Su Huafang and others.

Not to mention his Thunderbolt Spell alone—it was impressive enough.

“How much is the caravan fee?” Li Lin asked curiously.

“Not much—you’ll get about thirty taels of silver. Round trip takes around ten days.”

Thirty taels of silver may sound small, but its purchasing power is strong.

Li Lin has indeed come into some unexpected wealth lately, but it’s water without a source—it won’t last if he just spends it.

Su Huafang’s wealth far exceeds Li Lin’s, yet he still runs caravans—would Li Lin think he has too much money?

Li Lin nodded repeatedly: “Thank you, Elder Su, for your guidance.”

“Then it’s settled. Meet at the north gate of the county before evening tomorrow.”

“Understood. I’ll arrive early.”

Su Huafang stood up, then asked curiously: “I saw many small paper figures running around outside—the villagers didn’t seem surprised. Was that you…?”

Li Lin smiled: “Yes, it was me.”

“Impressive!” Su Huafang said admiringly: “You may truly be a prodigy in the art of spellcraft. Perhaps one day Yulin County will produce a Rank-One Spirit Hunter.”

“You flatter me.”

Su Huafang then left, filled with envy.

Li Lin rested well that night, and the next morning he went up the mountain to gather herbs, then brewed a pot of Life-Replenishing Pills.

As usual, he packed a dozen Life-Replenishing Pills, the Concealing Deviant Robe, dried rations, and a red-plumed spear, then headed to the altar.

Just as he was about to speak, he noticed the dead tree beside the altar had sprouted green buds—just a few leaves, but the tree was truly alive again.

The Tree Immortal’s figure appeared, her voice cold: “What do you want?”

“I’m going away for a few days, round trip.”

The Tree Immortal frowned.

“To earn money—running a caravan,” Li Lin smiled. “I’m heading to Jincheng, and also to broaden my horizons. So I was wondering—do you want a souvenir?”

The Tree Immortal’s expression softened slightly. She thought for a moment, then said: “Lip rouge… Snow-Marrow Vermilion.”

Li Lin nodded: “Alright. I’ll bring it back for you.”

Then he turned and left.

The Tree Immortal watched his back until it vanished, then faded back into the altar to rest.

Arriving at Yulin County, Li Lin saw the time was still early, so he went to the market and slurped down a bowl of noodles to fill his stomach, then headed toward the north gate.

At the northern gate, he found a large crowd already gathered—he counted at least two hundred people.

Most were common folk, dragging families and laden with bundles.

Among them were many wooden hand carts, presumably for carrying luggage and supplies.

Outside the crowd stood a dozen men in uniform black robes—Su Huafang was speaking with one of them.

He spotted Li Lin and immediately waved.

Li Lin walked over.

“Come, let me introduce you,” Su Huafang said, pointing to the martial artist. “He’s He Yumao, head of the Changfeng Escort Agency—known in the Jianghu as the Death-Stealing Blade.”

“This is Li Lin, Patrol Hunter Li.”

“A great honor. A great honor.”

“My apologies. My apologies.”

Li Lin and He Yumao bowed to each other with clasped fists.

Li Lin then asked: “Elder Su, are we the only two Spirit Hunters?”

“There are two more Patrol Hunters… look, here they come.”

Li Lin turned and saw Bai Liwei and Bai Zhiwei walking out from the gate.

When they arrived, Su Huafang said: “Master He, shall we follow our usual protocol?”

“Of course,” Master He smiled. “Then I’ll take charge. If anything’s amiss, speak up—don’t hold back.”

“Agreed,” Su Huafang bowed.

He Yumao then stepped before the crowd and shouted: “Silence! In a moment, we depart. We’ll walk two hours and rest overnight at the Zhenjun Temple. Check your belongings now—make sure your children are with you. Don’t come crying after we leave that you lost something or someone—we won’t turn back, and we won’t search for you. Understood?”

No one spoke. But He Yumao was an old hand—he knew silence meant agreement.

Li Lin greeted Bai Liwei and Bai Zhiwei, then asked curiously: “Why depart at night? We won’t travel far before needing to rest. Wouldn’t it be faster—and safer—to travel by day, avoiding an overnight in the wild?”

Su Huafang smiled: “Spending the first night at the Zhenjun Temple reassures ordinary people—it helps them grow accustomed to sleeping outdoors. If we traveled by day, the first night would be in the wilderness. Many first-timers from the county are terrified, can’t sleep, and wake exhausted the next day—slowing us down.”

Ah, Li Lin understood.

After a stick of incense burned, He Yumao led the two hundred-plus on the road.

The escort guards carried torches, walking on the outer edges to protect the group.

Bai Liwei and Bai Zhiwei led the front with He Yumao and the martial artists.

Li Lin and Su Huafang walked at the rear.

Night fell quickly. Normally, Deviants would have emerged by now, but the white jade tablet at Li Lin’s waist emitted only a faint red glow.

Meaning the Deviants were far away.

That’s the advantage of numbers—strong vital energy keeps Deviants at bay for a while.

The journey remained calm. Following the main road for about two hours, under moonlight, they saw a temple ahead.

“We’re here,” He Yumao shouted. “Enter and rest. Remember—no matter what happens, don’t leave the temple. If you need to relieve yourself, use the latrine behind it. It stinks, but it’s better than going outside and getting drained dry by a Deviant.”

He Yumao kept shouting, guiding the two hundred civilians through orderly activities.

Li Lin entered the temple.

Inside, he spotted an altar, where a dog-headed, human-bodied “Zhenjun” floated, yawning listlessly.

Su Huafang walked over, clasped fists, and said: “Spirit-Ti Zhenjun, we disturb you. Please, partake.”

He extended his arm.

Spirit-Ti Zhenjun leaned forward and inhaled deeply from Su Huafang’s arm.

Su Huafang shuddered, as if chilled, his face flushing slightly.

Li Lin suddenly realized something—his scalp prickled, and he couldn’t help scratching.

Bai Liwei noticed Li Lin’s expression, walked over, and smiled: “Now you understand why the Tree Immortal is the most sought-after patron among Spirit Hunters.”

Li Lin nodded vigorously, feeling he had truly struck great fortune.

(End of Chapter)