Chapter 97: There Is Always a Way

Looking at the two, Ding Yingqiu's expression was somewhat strange, seeming both close and... guarded.

Su Huafang waved his hand: "What family background... I'm just a commoner with a bit of luck. When I was young, I traveled north and south, made many friends, and heard this term, but the specific situation, I'm not very clear on."

Ding Yingqiu chuckled lightly: "The famous name of the Fragrance-Stealing Gallant, this junior has also heard of it."

Su Huafang was instantly extremely embarrassed.

The others then chuckled.

Afterwards, Ding Yingqiu looked at Li Lin and asked: "How does Li Xunshou view cultivation?"

"Swallow a Golden Core pill into the abdomen, my fate is up to me, not heaven?"

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at him in surprise.

Ding Yingqiu spoke with a rather intriguing expression: "Li Xunshou's family is truly... quite domineering."

Li Lin smiled and asked: "Then how is Ding Xunshou's family?"

"Cultivating both life and nature, achieving immortality."

After hearing this, everyone still felt Li Lin's description was more uplifting.

Ding Yingqiu continued: "According to our family's records, over two hundred years ago, during the time of our dynasty's founding emperor, an immortal appeared in the world, but later for some unknown reason, vanished without a trace."

Speaking to this point, Ding Yingqiu glanced at Li Lin, seeing he had no intention of 'objecting', so she continued speaking.

"But the immortal left behind legacies in various places, many immortal arts, many magical artifacts; obtaining even one, even if one cannot achieve the fruit of immortality, can still grant great supernatural powers."

Su Huafang and others heard this and their blood surged, wishing to obtain these things immediately.

But Li Lin remained very calm.

Bai Liwei couldn't help but ask: "What can we obtain?"

Ding Yingqiu said: "As far as I know, there are no too powerful things in that immortal legacy; after obtaining them, I can pay a large amount of silver, or even some of our Ding family's secret manuals, as reward."

Everyone nodded.

Bai Liwei couldn't help but say: "I am willing to assist Ding Xunshou."

"I am also willing," Zhao Hao said.

Su Huafang said nothing, but looked at Li Lin.

The others also fixed their gaze on Li Lin, all waiting for his answer.

"I'll pass," Li Lin said with a light smile.

He was a very cautious person; regardless of whether immortals exist or not, these so-called 'immortal arts', 'magical artifacts' and other things are objects fought over by the world.

Soul Hunters indeed are not ordinary people, but he is only a newly entered Ninth Rank Soul Hunter; by what right does he go to 'take' these things?

It is better to first lay a solid foundation for oneself.

Moreover, if this news were known only by oneself, one could explore it slowly.

But the Ding family knows... afterwards, those helping Ding Yingqiu will also know; with many people and many mouths, it is easy for this matter to spread out.

By then, if other experts come to snatch it, he cannot deal with them.

"What a pity," Ding Yingqiu smiled.

"Then I'll leave first, you all chat."

Having said this, Li Lin stood up and left.

Su Huafang somewhat wanted to leave with Li Lin, but afterwards he abandoned this thought.

He was not young anymore, over fifty, already at the stage of 'fearing death'.

Life is so wonderful; he wanted to live a few more years, best to live forever.

Li Lin put this matter behind him, then returned home.

The following days were unremarkable, nothing but cultivation, cultivation, and more cultivation.

Thus another six days passed.

The County Magistrate Huang Yan sent someone to invite him to the county government office.

There, Yan Han, Bai Yunfei, and Bai Bufan were also present.

Huang Yan wore official robes and said with a helpless expression: "Recently, something happened in Beiliu County; according to rules, that place should be handled by local Soul Hunters, but strangely, the Soul Hunters there are all gone, so the Magistrate of Beiliu County requested aid from this official."

Everyone listened silently.

"I have some friendship with Magistrate Ma of Beiliu, so it is hard to refuse; moreover, if lips are gone, teeth feel cold; if something major truly happens in Beiliu County, and the people's grievances run wild, then our Yulin County will not fare well either. Therefore, I wanted to send someone to check. As a result, Su Xunshou, Zhao Xunshou, and Ding Xunshou are all not here."

At this moment, Bai Bufan stepped forward and said: "My elder brother and Su Xunshou, Zhao Xunshou, and Ding Xunshou have gone out on urgent matters; he said that if anything happens, it can be entrusted to me to handle."

"You?" Huang Yan looked at Bai Bufan and sighed: "You have only been in the profession for half a year; how can you handle it?"

"I have handled many matters with my elder brother; it should be no problem."

Huang Yan was silent for a moment, then looked at Li Lin: "Li Xunshou, this time I trouble you; take Bai Xunshou and Zhao Xunshou, go to Beiliu County to check the situation; remember, only check; if you can help, help; if you cannot help, withdraw immediately; this official will think of other methods."

"I obey the order," Li Lin clasped his fists.

Huang Yan was silent for a moment, then said: "Be careful in your actions."

"I will pay attention."

After coming out of the county government office, Zhao Xiaohu directly jumped up excitedly: "Lin Ge, I can finally go on a mission."

Li Lin helplessly shook his head: "How is your Yin-Nourishing Art practice?"

"It's okay," Zhao Xiaohu said with a smile: "Feels quite easy."

"Is that so? Let me see."

Li Lin took Zhao Xiaohu's pulse again.

Then he exclaimed in surprise: "You actually truly mastered it."

At this time, there was indeed a wisp of Yin Qi inside Zhao Xiaohu's body.

He remembered teaching Zhao Xiaohu the Yin-Nourishing Art was only half a month ago; having this speed is already quite good, better than most people.

But compared to Li Lin, it was still far inferior.

"When I return from this assignment, I will teach you the Fallen Thunder Incantantion."

Zhao Xiaohu nodded excitedly again and again.

"Do you still go to the brothels recently?"

Zhao Xiaohu shook his head repeatedly: "I haven't gone, I haven't gone, it costs too much money."

"Then everyone go prepare." Li Lin looked at the sky: "We depart at noon; if we ride horses, we can reach Beiliu County before dusk."

The two immediately left.

Li Lin also returned home, bringing along his usual items for going out... after thinking for a moment, he even put the mask into the bundle.

Half an hour later, the three gathered in the soldiers' quarters of the county government office, borrowed warhorses, and left the county town.

Along the way, the three hurried on without much communication, then arrived at the foot of Beiliu County's city wall at dusk.

They presented the Bai Yu token, which immediately caused the city-guarding rural soldiers to complain bitterly: "The Patrol Inspectors have finally arrived; our County Magistrate is now extremely anxious. Go quickly to the county government office to see him."

Li Lin and the other two immediately rushed to the county government office; as soon as they stated their identities, the government office Runner led them into the public hall.

There, a man wearing the official robes of a County Magistrate was pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back.

Seeing Li Lin and the other two enter from the corner of his vision, he immediately came over and said with delight: "Are you the Soul-Hunters sent from Yulin County?"

"Yes." Li Lin nodded.

Magistrate Ma spoke urgently: "Excellent, you have finally arrived. Help me find the few Soul-Hunters in our county; they are all missing, gone for three days."

Hmm?

"Did you not organize personnel to search?"

"I dare not; the government office Runners dare not move." Magistrate Ma sighed: "More than a month ago, a Daoist of Evil came to the county, killed seven local Soul-Hunters and over twenty government office Runners, then left with a flourish. Now the government office Runners in the county government office are terrified, and dare not leave the county town at all."

Speaking of the Daoist of Evil, Li Lin suddenly remembered; that person had indeed said before that he had caused trouble here in Beiliu County.

Who would have thought it was the truth, not just bluffing.

"Magistrate Ma, it is already night; outside the city is dangerous. We will search tomorrow."

Magistrate Ma nodded: "That is also reasonable; then we will speak of it tomorrow. Tonight, please rest at the post station within the county town."

The three were led by a government office Runner to stay at the post station near the county government office, and were also served an extremely lavish dinner.

Zhao Xiaohu, while wolfing down his food, could still speak: "Lin Ge, how do we find people tomorrow?"

"I have my own methods."

(End of this chapter)