Chapter 67: Human Hearts Are Full of Deceit

Bai Bufan now wore an expression of utmost envy.

Li Lin could imagine the pain they felt inside, but he had no desire to feel it—never would.

Su Huafang walked toward He Yumao, cheeks flushed, and said, “The True Lord has been enshrined; matters should be fine from here on.”

He Yumao instinctively stepped back half a pace and said awkwardly, “Thank you, Sir Su, for your trouble.”

“No need to thank me.”

After a brief exchange, Su Huafang returned to Li Lin and the others.

Watching Su Huafang’s demeanor, Li Lin felt as if the elder’s reliable, steady “senior filter” had cracked.

Small groups like this always exist, no matter when.

The martial artists from the escort agency sat near the entrance, responsible for guarding against outsiders and night watch.

The four Spirit Hunters sat at the very back, not far from the altar.

Around two hundred ordinary people huddled together in the center of the temple; some lay down openly to sleep, others leaned against each other for naps.

Li Lin ate his dried rations while observing these ordinary folk, noticing many of them dared not sleep.

At the slightest sound nearby, they would open their eyes, glance left and right, then close them again.

Su Huafang arranged for four men to take turns on watch, and the night passed quickly.

The next day, after a simple breakfast, everyone set off under the morning sun.

The crowd was noisy, with children crying now and then, but overall, it did not slow the procession.

Li Lin remained with Su Huafang at the rear, observing the surroundings while chatting idly.

Time passed slowly.

According to plan, they were to reach their first rest point at noon—and that was precisely when the column halted.

Li Lin and Su Huafang exchanged glances and immediately ran forward toward the front of the group.

There they saw a three-way fork in the road; another group had arrived from the left, and both parties had stopped, watching each other warily.

He Yumao stepped forward with several escort guards, bowing from a distance: “I am He Yumao of Yulin County’s Changfeng Escort Agency, known in the Jianghu as the Death-Stealing Sword. May I ask who leads the party on the other side?”

Soon, a middle-aged man stepped forward from the opposite group, looking amiable: “Long admired, long admired. I am Lin Qiyu of Jincheng’s Shunfu Escort Agency, known as the Thousand-Li Wind Chaser. Greetings, Master He.”

He Yumao’s tension eased; both sides drew closer and began chatting.

Seeing no danger, everyone in the group sighed in relief.

Li Lin turned and asked, “Senior Su, Senior Bai, do either of you have a Jianghu title?”

Bai Liwei shook his head: “I mostly stay within Yulin County and rarely travel outside—I’ve never earned a title. But I’ve heard that Senior Su, in his youth, roamed far and wide and once had one.”

Su Huafang shamefully stroked his beard: “I was young, arrogant, and foolish back then. Those are all past matters.”

“What was the title?” Bai Bufan asked curiously beside him.

Su Huafang refused to answer.

Seeing this, Bai Bufan did not press further.

At that moment, the middle-aged man across the way looked over and, upon seeing Su Huafang, froze in surprise: “Is that the ‘Fragrance Thief’ Senior Su ahead?”

Li Lin and the two Bais stared in astonishment.

Su Huafang’s cheek twitched twice, then he bowed helplessly: “It is indeed I, but I no longer roam the Jianghu. Please do not call me that title—just call me Senior Su, the Patrol Inspector.”

He didn’t need to turn around to know how Li Lin and the Bai uncle-nephew pair were looking.

They were definitely stifling laughter.

He was right—Li Lin was struggling hard to hold back, his eyebrows twitching.

After He Yumao and Lin Qiyu exchanged information, they learned the other group was also heading to Jincheng, so the two parties decided to travel together.

After all, more people meant stronger vital energy and less chance of being attacked by Wilderness Wraiths.

Indeed, the combined group now exceeded four hundred people, with over thirty martial artists and seven Spirit Hunters.

With such a force, only a True Lord-level wraith could possibly threaten them.

And indeed, by nightfall—even resting in the wilderness—Li Lin’s Bai Yu tablet never glowed red.

Thus, five days passed quickly.

The grand, towering gates of Jincheng loomed ahead.

Over four hundred ordinary people wept and shouted, then lined up to enter the city; for them, those five days had been a constant brush with death.

Li Lin’s first impression upon entering the city was bustling streets and deafening noise.

Bai Bufan’s eyes sparkled as he looked left and right, as if searching for something specific.

Seeing his nephew’s behavior, Bai Liwei sighed helplessly.

At that moment, Su Huafang walked over and placed a money pouch in each of their hands.

“Here is the agreed payment. Meet at the South City Gate at noon in two days—we’ll return together as a group, safer that way.”

Bai Bufan asked, “What about the Changfeng Escort Agency people?”

“They’ll stay a few more days to gather more travelers before heading back to Yulin County—they want to earn more.”

Bai Bufan pressed on: “Without our Spirit Hunters, can they manage?”

“Don’t worry—they have their own ways,” Su Huafang smiled.

Bai Liwei tapped Bai Bufan on the head: “Don’t underestimate anyone in this world.”

Bai Bufan rubbed his head, then sidled up to Li Lin, slinging an arm around his neck with a grin: “Senior Li, I heard you’re still a virgin—want me to take you to a brothel?”

Before Li Lin could respond, Bai Liwei stepped forward and struck Bai Bufan hard on the head: “You’re the one running wild—don’t corrupt others!”

Bai Bufan instantly fell silent.

Li Lin smiled… though he was a virgin again now, his knowledge and experience far surpassed anyone else present.

Even the two seniors who had children.

After parting briefly with the three, Li Lin immediately found a cheap inn, washed himself first.

After five days without a bath, it was unbearable for someone as fastidious as him.

Then he slept a while, rising only at dusk to head to the market for food.

Jincheng was enormous—its area at least six times that of Yulin County, with far denser population.

Walking the streets, Li Lin looked up and saw faint, humanoid divine images hovering in the air.

The Bi Fang True Lord!

He soon sensed a gaze sweeping down from above and dared not look up again, lowering his head as he walked.

After wandering through the market and buying a baked pancake to eat as he walked, he planned to purchase a small alchemy furnace; after asking locals for directions, he arrived at an alley.

The sound of hammering iron never ceased; the air reeked of burning charcoal.

He searched for a while but found no alchemy furnace; one blacksmith told him such items could only be custom-ordered at the Artisan Bureau.

He headed toward the Artisan Bureau, but as he passed a street corner, he saw two groups clashing ahead.

Passersby kept their distance.

A dozen men in white martial attire blocked the entrance to a residence.

Li Lin looked closer and saw the plaque above the gate bore four large characters: “Shunfu Escort Agency.”

Among them stood a familiar face, leading several men in confrontation with the white-clad group.

Lin Qiyu.

At that moment, he was spotted.

Lin Qiyu’s eyes lit up: “Senior Li! Thank you for coming to lend your aid! Tianyi Sect is bullying us too far—join us and drive them off!”

Hearing this, several white-clad men immediately surged forward, forming a semicircle to block Li Lin’s path.

(End of Chapter)