Chapter 342: with translation of chapter title

Immortal Official Luo, you can't just leave!

Yu Die watched Luo Liang rise and prepare to leave, hurried to stop him, and saw Luo Liang turn his head; a flash of smugness flickered in the depths of his eyes, as if he thought she would yield, and he said teasingly:

You are the Immortal Official of Qingyang County; Lion Ridge belongs to Qingyang County and is under your jurisdiction. With a Beast: Tiger Demon harming the people, how can you ignore it?

Harm?

Luo Liang's smug expression stalled, he snorted coldly, his face full of ridicule, and said: "Since I became the Immortal Official of Qingyang County, I have never heard of any monster harming the people on Lion Ridge."

Immortal Official Luo...

Zhang Chengyong was furious, about to speak, but before he could utter a word, Yu Die interrupted: "Brother Zhang, I'm a bit thirsty; why don't you fetch me a jug of water?"

Zhang Chengyong served as her guide while touring Lion Ridge once, and he told her in detail that nearby, people occasionally disappeared without a trace, likely becoming food for the Beast: Tiger Demon that occupies Lion Ridge.

This matter.

Whether it was Zhang Family Village or other villages near Lion Ridge, they have repeatedly reported to the court, not just once or twice, but for hundreds of years.

Just that.

Who knows how many County Magistrates of Qingyang County have turned a blind eye.

According to Zhang Chengyong, their villages near Lion Ridge are poor and remote, not worth much cost, and the Beast: Tiger Demon occupying Lion Ridge is no ordinary monster; how could the officials in the county office possibly undertake a thankless task to speak up for them?

During that period.

Zhang Chengyong had indeed asked before why, this time going to the county office for help, they actually sent someone over; besides her coming voluntarily, even Immortal Official Luo Liang of Qingyang County was stirred.

She also roughly explained the reason!

She knew Zhang Chengyong suddenly spoke up to find fault in Luo Liang's words, but Zhang Chengyong is ultimately an ordinary person; even though his father is now the newly appointed Mountain God of Lion Ridge, Lion Ridge is nothing major, just a minor deity.

It has some use value but poses little threat to Luo Liang!

Furthermore.

This time, Luo Liang gained no benefit from the Zhang family, so how could he be in the mood to endure Zhang Chengyong's blame?

Even if what Zhang Chengyong said is completely true!

With her around, Luo Liang wouldn't do anything to Zhang Chengyong, but she can't stay at the Zhang family forever; once she leaves, who knows if Luo Liang is narrow‑minded and will seize the chance to deal with Zhang Chengyong?

She certainly didn't want Zhang Chengyong to ruin his own life on a whim!

Zhang Chengyong is impulsive, but not stupid; hearing Yu Die's abrupt topic shift, he reacted instantly, and a chill ran down his back.

Only then did he realize what great disaster his earlier words could bring.

An Immortal Official of Qingyang County is a major figure; he has lived in the county seat for years, so how could he not know?

Such a person even warrants respect from the County Magistrate, yet a rustic villager like him dares to criticize him.

He probably doesn't have nine lives enough to offset that!

Fortunately.

Yu Die spoke up to cut off his words at the brink; otherwise, who knows what fate would await him.

He dare not even think of it!

"Lady Yu, I'll go fetch you a jug of water right away!" Zhang Chengyong's face showed nothing but relief and gratitude as he took the waterskin from Yu Die, rose, and left.

Luo Liang watched Zhang Chengyong's retreating back, gave a cold snort, but didn't care much; he was merely an ant‑like figure, and if not for the fluke of a mountain god in his family, he wouldn't even spare him a glance.

How could he bother to quarrel with his talkativeness!

Does he really think Luo Liang is narrow‑minded?

"Lady Yu, you're right; Qingyang County is, after all, my territory. Although I don't believe the so‑called Beast: Tiger Demon occupying Lion Ridge is a wicked villain that would provoke heaven and resentment, since you, Lady Yu, want to handle this troublesome matter, I won't stop you."

Luo Liang snorted; he actually didn't truly want to leave just yet. If he went away without gaining any benefit, wouldn't that make his trip pointless? He said:

"I'll stay here, waiting for your victorious news, Lady Yu. If you encounter danger and call for help in time, I can at least save your life."

"Before I determine whether the Beast: Tiger Demon is good or evil, I cannot prematurely resolve it, but saving your life, Lady Yu, is still something I can do."

The matter of the Beast: Tiger Demon on Lion Ridge existed before he took office as Immortal Official of Qingyang County; his predecessor told him and warned him not to meddle, not because that Immortal Official or other prominent figures of Qingyang County had taken bribes from the Beast: Tiger Demon.

Rather, Lion Ridge is a barren land—at least in the eyes of us cultivators, it is barren, lacking heavenly treasures and earthly riches; whether occupied by humans or monsters makes no difference.

Moreover, the Beast: Tiger Demon occupying Lion Ridge is no ordinary foe; although it couldn't be, as he just said, of Golden Core Stage or even Nascent Soul Stage cultivation.

If it were a Golden Core Stage or Nascent Soul Stage monster, it could dominate a mountain as king; why would it run to such a barren place?

It should be late Foundation Establishment cultivation, and since monsters are renowned for their physiques, a formidable monster can rely on its body alone to resist magical‑weapon damage.

You have reached this point in the novel.

His predecessor, the former Immortal Official of Qingyang County, would remind him out of goodwill: even after great effort to settle the Beast: Tiger Demon occupying Lion Ridge, there would be no benefit, and one might still risk his life.

Furthermore, after the Beast: Tiger Demon occupies Lion Ridge, although it occasionally makes one or two villagers disappear, at least it can completely devour the surrounding villages without provoking heaven and resentment.

That's why they turn a blind eye!

"Then I'll trouble you, Immortal Official Luo. If I truly face mortal danger, I must notify you at once, Immortal Official Luo—you must surely save my life!"

Yu Die gave a hehe laugh; of course she could hear Luo Liang's sarcasm, and she saw clearly that he was obviously still unwilling to give up.

After all, a newly appointed Mountain God can grant endless benefits to an ordinary cultivator.

"Lady Yu..."

Zhang Chengze and Li Ping, mother and son, hurried in from outside the hall, just about to speak, when they saw Luo Liang nearby; the words on the tip of their tongues were swallowed, and they greeted: "Immortal Official Luo, hello!"

Luo Liang ignored Zhang Chengze and Li Ping, mother and son, rose, and walked away.

After Luo Liang left, Yu Die could not wait and said: "Madam Li, could you tell us what conditions this Immortal Official Luo set for your deceased husband?"

"Not to hide from Lady Yu..."

Li Ping didn't waste words; she recounted everything Zhang Deben had said to her in his dream, in full detail, to Yu Die.

After a while, upon hearing Li Ping's account, Yu Die couldn't help but chuckle: "This Immortal Official Luo truly speaks like a lion opening its mouth wide!"

From Li Ping's narration, she clearly understood that the conditions Luo Liang set were increasingly outrageous; if Zhang Deben agreed to all of them, then this Mountain God of Lion Ridge would become Luo Liang's puppet.

(End of chapter)