Chapter 40: Aren

Stepping out of the study hall, Mo Mo had already run far ahead, carrying Meiqiu, seemingly afraid he’d snatch the book back.

Xie Jinhuan did not chase after her immediately; instead, he patted the Zhenglun Sword at his waist:

“Night Beauty, are you the ex-girlfriend of Qixia True Person? Did she bury you alive—was it a love murder?”

No sooner had he spoken than the red-clad ghost emerged from behind, strolling the street with a red umbrella slung over her shoulder:

“I like men like you—how could I possibly prefer women? Don’t believe those fringe histories.”

“I think it’s more likely I bewitched that little Daoist nun and made her serve me, then accidentally lost control, and she buried me.”

Qixia True Person was the former Sect Master of the Dan Ding Sect; the Sect Master is typically the strongest of each lineage. The Great Qian had countless Dan Ding Sect branches, many with Sect Masters ranked Supergrade, yet only one true Sect Master existed.

Now, across the entire Great Qian, there were only three Sect Master Ancestors—Lu Wu of the Daoist Dan Ding Sect, Wu Xin the Monk of the Buddhist Chan Ding Sect, and Wei Wu Yi of the Southern Martial Path.

Xie Jinhuan found it hard to believe such a towering Daoist master would be a lesbian love-struck fool, and even harder to believe Ye Hongshang could bewitch Qixia True Person. After a moment’s thought, he said:

“The author of this book must know some inside secrets, but it was surely written by the Twin Saints’ Ye Ci—this man should be dead already, impossible to investigate.”

Ye Hongshang shrugged slightly: “Past matters are past. Mortal life is fleeting, hair turns white in an instant. Why not enjoy the present? Why dig into these reasons?”

“If I don’t uncover your origins, how dare I dig you up?”

“What? After living together for a few days, you can’t bear to bury me again?”

Xie Jinhuan wasn’t reluctant—he just knew burying her back was far harder than digging her up. After days of effort, he was still at the peak of Fourth Rank, with no idea when he’d reach First Rank.

If he could confirm Ye Hongshang’s true identity and prove she posed no great risk, he could dig her out and cling to her leg—wouldn’t that solve his current predicament?

He could even score a beautiful wife for free…

After exchanging a few more words, Xie Jinhuan tucked the book away and hurried to the street corner:

“Mo Mo?”

Linghu Qingmo strode forward, gritting her teeth. Seeing Xie Jinhuan appear, she quickly hid the book behind her waist:

“This book is all lies and slander—I won’t let you read it. Don’t mention it again!”

Her wide eyes, furrowed brows—she looked rather cute.

“Why would I bring it up? Don’t be tense—I won’t take it.”

Xie Jinhuan waved his hand, glancing around the bustling street:

“Where to next?”

“Gujii!”

Meiqiu instantly perked up—clearly meaning “food.”

Linghu Qingmo had just eaten breakfast; she had no intention of indulging Meiqiu. After thinking, she said:

“Let’s go to the county government office. Yesterday we brought back so many corpses—if we can confirm their identities, we’ll surely find some clues.”

Xie Jinhuan actually wanted to sneak back and study the Jin Lan Legend, but yesterday he’d been the righteous young hero chasing the killer alone; today ignoring the case would shatter his image. He nodded:

“Alright…”

…

Not long after, the two returned to the county government office.

As Linghu Qingmo stepped onto the steps, she noticed Yang Dabiao and two subordinates huddled together, whispering, their faces grim. She asked curiously:

“Yang Dabiao, something happen outside again?”

“Ugh, don’t mention it.”

Seeing them approach, Yang Dabiao turned and walked over, his eyebrows knotted into one thick line:

“It’s that damned Li family again. This morning, Xiao Wang and the others were searching the West Market for demon bandits when they overheard gamblers gossiping—said the Li family buried alive several debtors who couldn’t pay up…”

“What?”

Xie Jinhuan instantly perked up, eyes narrowing:

“This is true?!”

Yang Dabiao crossed his arms, his face contorted in anguish:

“I didn’t believe it at first, so I had Xiao Wang check. Turns out, among the missing persons reported over the past three months, those few gamblers were indeed listed—no one cared before, since they were all hardened gamblers. Lady Linghu, what do you think of this matter…”

He didn’t finish, but the meaning was clear.

Two days ago, the Sanhe Pavilion incident occurred; the Li family used invisible hands to interfere, leaving the entire government office sleepless that night.

Yesterday, the government office discovered the demon bandits were someone else; they no longer wished to clash with the Li family over the Dengxian Powder and had already compromised, planning to pin the blame on Li Shizhong and close the case.

Now, a new case of live burial has surfaced—even if the victims were gamblers, under Great Qian law, this was a top-tier crime.

If the government office investigates, the Li family’s connections reach the heavens; they won’t sit idle—they’ll do everything to interfere.

Even if the government office pours in manpower and effort, they may still accomplish nothing against the Li family.

Everyone is hunting the demon bandits now—who has energy for this stinking, stubborn chore?

Yang Dabiao’s meaning was clear:

“They’re just a few rotten gamblers. Why not turn a blind eye?”

Linghu Qingmo knew the demon bandits posed greater danger; matters had urgency and priority. She was about to suggest shelving this case until they captured the Great Demon of Zihui Mountain.

But before she could speak, the righteous Xie Da, beside her, his face darkened:

“This is utterly outrageous! I thought the Li family merely sold Dengxian Powder—never imagined they’d murder innocent civilians right under the Wang Fu’s nose! Though I hold no official rank, I know a few fists and kicks. Brother Yang, if you’re short on hands, just say so—I’m at your disposal!”

“….”

Yang Dabiao didn’t want more hands—he didn’t want to bite this hard bone at all.

But the words were already offered; admitting he wanted to turn a blind eye would make him look like a bad elder.

So Yang Dabiao gritted his teeth and patted Xie Jinhuan’s shoulder:

“Hmm… I was just pondering how to investigate this. Since you’re here, why not come along and lend your brother some advice?”

“Let’s go.”

Xie Jinhuan gripped the mace’s hilt and turned to leave.

Yang Dabiao opened his mouth, then waved for the government office runners to follow behind.

Since yesterday, Linghu Qingmo had noticed Xie Jinhuan was unusually righteous and fearless of power; compared to him, even her notorious workaholic reputation made her seem like a jaded government office veteran.

Yet she admired such men. Walking beside him now, she praised:

“If all officials in the world were as fearless of power as you, there’d be no demons or monsters left. Evil thrives in darkness—under the bright sun and clear sky, where could evil hide?”

Being called “Xie Qing Tian” made him blush, but he had no choice.

The demons in the city alone couldn’t withstand the Great Qian’s iron fist. To ease his own pressure, he had to keep sacrificing fellow cultivators to draw the lightning—forcing the government office from top to bottom to run themselves ragged!

If the government office grew idle, he’d be the one who couldn’t rest!

He hadn’t yet decided how to expose the Li family—yet they’d handed him the knife themselves. If he didn’t seize this chance to escalate the matter, how could he repay the Li family’s “kindness” in helping him out?

“I’m no hero—just helping out when I’m bored. To truly rid the world of demons, we still need Lady Linghu and Brother Yang.”

Yang Dabiao was flattered:

“Oh my~ You’re truly good with words—no wonder you’re the son of Master Xie.”

“Hehe…”

—

Taoxian Alley, Chunping Pavilion.

A luxurious carriage halted outside; the private secretary and retainers stepped forward carefully to assist:

“Young Master, mind your step…”

Company Commander Zhou He stood at the entrance with two Chi Lin Guards. When Li Ziwen stepped from the carriage, he bowed:

“Young Master Li.”

Li Ziwen was the nephew of Huangmen Lang Li Gongpu, over thirty, capable, though not yet in office. His family’s role was internal affairs; he’d already begun managing family enterprises and was greatly favored by his powerful uncle.

After being punished at the government office the other day, Li Ziwen’s qi was slightly weak, yet he remained refined and composed, refusing his servants’ help:

“Commander Zhou, you’re too kind. This unexpected misfortune cost me dearly—thank you for your tireless efforts. Otherwise, I might still be sipping big-leaf tea in the government office.”

Zhou He’s demeanor was easygoing: “I merely followed orders to observe. The Sanhe Pavilion case had nothing to do with you—why thank me? In the capital, I’ve often received Li Gong’s kindness; I’ve yet to repay his favor, and now you’re hosting a banquet? I’m the one who should feel ashamed.”

“Just a simple home meal on our own turf—no need for ‘banquet.’ Commander Zhou, please, after you!”

…

Amidst polite exchanges, the group entered Chunping Pavilion.

As one of the largest taverns on Flower Street, Chunping Pavilion was gilded and splendid. To entertain their guest, the Li family had summoned every courtesan on the street—over a dozen beauties waited in the hall, including several foreign Hu Ji, dressed in low-cut garments, their heads larger than normal…

Zhou He, cautious and meticulous, showed no reaction to this spectacle. The two Chi Lin Guards beside him, however, stared wide-eyed, grinning, walking with awkward, stumbling steps.

Li Ziwen was sharp—he saw Zhou He’s indifference and knew a simple meal wouldn’t settle this debt. Once seated in the private room, he signaled his private secretary to bring a box:

“I heard your father is elderly, his legs unsteady. A friend recently gifted me some Longyang Flowers—I won’t use them, and if kept until next year, they’ll lose potency…”

Longyang Flowers were the top-tier ingredient for body-strengthening and meridian-stabilizing elixirs; ordinary martial cultivators couldn’t afford even a single dose—but they were easy to convert into silver.

As a martial cultivator, Zhou He could never afford such items on his salary alone, yet they were indispensable. He struggled to refuse, a faint smile forming—when suddenly a servant rushed up the stairs, pounding his steps, shouting:

“Young Master! Young Master!”

Li Ziwen frowned: “What’s the rush?”

The servant bowed repeatedly, then leaned close to his ear:

“Young Master, the county constable’s men just went to the farm…”

Li Ziwen’s brow furrowed. He raised a hand to stop the servant, glancing at the nearby Chi Lin Guards.

Zhou He was a red-robed plague from the capital—he needed only half a sentence to know the Li family had another problem, and dared not speak of it before him. He said sternly:

“When we left, Li Gong personally warned me to handle matters properly. His Majesty dislikes those who pay lip service while secretly disobeying. Whatever the issue, best speak plainly in private.”

Li Ziwen rubbed his fingers, hesitated, then leaned close to Zhou He’s ear:

"It's no big deal. Gambling dens inevitably have gamblers who refuse to pay their debts—scum who sell their wives and daughters. To serve as a warning, I had these people taken to the farm and buried in the ground as fertilizer..."

Zhou He frowned, looking slightly displeased:

"When reporting a case, you must be detailed. The debtor refused to pay, so Young Master Li ordered the gambler to work off the debt at the farm. When he fell ill and died from overwork, Young Master Li still gave him land for a proper burial—this is a great act of kindness. Bring me the IOUs and indenture contracts."

"Huh?"

Li Zixian was stunned, but quickly recovered and turned around:

"See what a True Crimson Guard official is like. Don’t you dare delay—go find the IOUs and indenture contracts!"

"Yes, I’ll find a way to get them right away..."

———

Drop a name:

Recommend a book: "1855: From European Turmoil to Steel Heart"—interested seniors, take a look!

Interested seniors, take a look

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(End of Chapter)