Chapter 91: All Matters Settled

Li Lin gave He Yumao a handwritten copy of the Yin Fa Xin Jing.

He also had seventy jin of blood rice on hand, and gave him another thirty jin.

If he truly has talent, thirty jin of blood rice will be more than enough for him.

He Yumao bowed: “Thank you, Inspector Li. I shall repay you handsomely one day.”

Li Lin asked: “The Changfeng Escort Agency has been sealed. Do you still have a place to live?”

“The County Magistrate seized Changfeng’s assets, but the compensation paid to the victims’ families didn’t use it all—some properties were returned,” He Yumao said sadly. “If only I’d listened to you back then and hired more Spirit Hunters. Maybe this wouldn’t have happened.”

Li Lin patted his shoulder: “Let the past go. Look ahead. If you need anything, come find me.”

“Alright.”

He Yumao nodded gratefully at Li Lin, then suddenly remembered something: “By the way, Inspector Li… I heard from a government office runner that my wife said some foolish things to you. I apologize on her behalf.”

He bowed low.

Li Lin caught his arm and helped him up: “It’s over.”

He Yumao smiled gratefully.

Then he left, carrying the blood rice.

Once He Yumao was far away, Li Lin turned toward the alley entrance nearby.

Su Huafang stepped out from there.

“You watched that long—why not come out and meet him?”

Li Lin had already noticed Su Huafang lurking nearby.

Su Huafang sighed: “Actually, Chief He invited me to join him then, but I declined because of family matters. Lately I’ve been thinking—if I’d gone with you to the escort agency that night, could we have prevented this disaster?”

Li Lin shook his head: “Hard to say. We might both have died anyway.”

In the illusion, Li Lin had fought that Daoist and the Bear King, and finally understood how strong they truly were.

If not for my luck and learning the ‘Hui Zi Jue,’ I’d have died that night.

Su Huafang said: “I still feel guilty toward him—he’s an old acquaintance, sigh!”

“By the way, how much do you know about Yuecheng?” Li Lin asked.

Su Huafang smiled: “You’re thinking of going to Yuecheng?”

Li Lin nodded: “The Qin family’s old ghost has started scheming against me. Luckily, the Tree Immortal Lady protected me. I don’t believe this is happening without Yuecheng Qin’s involvement—I want to find a chance to go there and see for myself.”

“And repeat the Feirong Qin incident?” Su Huafang shook his head: “Yuecheng Qin is nothing like Feirong Qin. That’s a centuries-old established clan—back then, they were only slightly below the Three Surnames and Five Prominent Houses…”

Su Huafang suddenly remembered something, looked at Li Lin, and recalled the elixirs delivered days ago. Then he said: “If you want to confront the Qin family, you’ll need more allies. Going alone is too dangerous.”

“No rush. I just want to find a chance to take a look.”

“As long as you’ve thought it through.”

Su Huafang gave a casual reply—he knew Li Lin’s calm nature meant he didn’t need advice—and told him everything he knew about Yuecheng Qin.

When he finished, evening was near.

Just as Li Lin was about to take his leave from Su Huafang, he saw Bai Bu Fan and Zhao Xiaohu walking toward them, arms around each other’s shoulders.

Even before they got close, the stench of alcohol and perfume clung to them.

“Brother Lin…” Zhao Xiaohu looked dazed: “Bu Fan’s amazing—he taught me so much. Turns out women are so…”

Li Lin sighed helplessly: “Xiaohu, your talent is average—you survive only because your blood qi balances your yin energy. Visiting brothels too often won’t help.”

“Brother Lin… you don’t understand…” Xiaohu swayed, belched: “Women are… so comfortable. Bu Fan says you’re still a virgin—you don’t know… if you knew… you wouldn’t scold me.”

Li Lin shook his head helplessly.

Su Huafang watched the two youths, equally amused and exasperated.

“Brother Lin… I’m… going to spend the night… at Bu Fan’s…” Zhao Xiaohu continued swaying: “I’ll… find you… tomorrow.”

“Go ahead,” Li Lin smiled.

More friends mean more paths. Bai Bu Fan seems reckless, but that’s just an act—he’s cunning beneath the surface.

Following him, Xiaohu will learn a few extra tricks.

Watching the two drunks walk away, Su Huafang looked at Li Lin strangely: “I’ve always wondered—are you too composed?”

Li Lin raised an eyebrow: “Don’t look at me like that—I’m quite fond of beauty.”

“I’ve never seen you visit a brothel.”

“There are no stunning beauties in brothels.”

Su Huafang froze, then drew in a sharp breath: “You’ve had your eye on the County Magistrate’s daughter all along?”

He whispered the last words.

Li Lin shook his head: “I only met the County Magistrate’s daughter recently.”

“Then why have you been able to hold back all this time?”

Unlike Bai Bu Fan and Zhao Xiaohu, Li Lin was clearly over twenty.

Among noble families, it was normal for youths of fourteen or fifteen to learn human connection with maidservants.

“Because I’ve already seen true beauty. I have no interest in ordinary looks.”

“Oh…” Su Huafang understood: “So that’s why you refused Inspector Ding two months ago!”

Li Lin raised an eyebrow.

At that moment, a familiar face ran up: “Inspector Su, Inspector Li… finally found you.”

It was Zhao Hao.

He pulled them to the side of the street: “Have you heard about Jincheng?”

Su Huafang asked curiously: “What happened?”

“The Jincheng Prefect was beheaded by the Third Imperial Prince.”

“Really beheaded?”

“Yes. I heard he was executed at noon three days ago,” Zhao Hao grinned. “Now Jincheng has no Prefect—it’s time for our County Magistrate to step up.”

Li Lin and Su Huafang already knew this—it wasn’t a secret.

Huang Yan stayed in Yulin County waiting for promotion.

Otherwise, with the Huang family’s connections in Jingcheng, he wouldn’t have remained a mere County Magistrate.

“Do you think if the County Magistrate goes to Jincheng, he’ll take us with him?”

Su Huafang shrugged: “I’m old. I don’t want to leave my homeland.”

Zhao Hao whispered: “I’m aiming higher anyway. My family has a house in Jincheng—if the County Magistrate takes me, I’d be overjoyed.”

Then both looked at Li Lin.

Li Lin smiled: “I plan to stay in Yulin for now.”

“Why?” Zhao Hao asked. “If you wanted to go, the County Magistrate would take you.”

“Because I don’t want to.”

Li Lin smiled.

You can borrow the Huang family’s influence… but don’t follow them.

There’s a reason for that.

Zhao Hao didn’t understand, but Su Huafang vaguely grasped Li Lin’s meaning.

He said no more.

Besides, Li Lin staying in Yulin County was beneficial to Su Huafang too.

The three parted ways. Li Lin returned home to find Zhang Afu pacing anxiously at the gate.

He rushed forward upon seeing Li Lin: “Master, the County Magistrate’s son and daughter are waiting for you in the main hall.”

(End of Chapter)