Chapter 70: with translation of chapter title

Lord Wang, you might not know, lately children have been disappearing in our Qingyang County, primarily infants!

Mao He spoke, his expression complex.

How could that be?

Wang Lin jumped in surprise and asked, "Constable Mao, didn't you catch them?"

Caught?

Mao He seemed to have thought of something, his face full of a self-mocking smile, and he sighed, "Master Wang, thank you for thinking highly of me—I'm just a nobody; even the other capable people in the county office, let alone finding the other party, whether they're a match is still questionable."

Constable Mao, is that villain really as formidable as you say?

Wang Lin said anxiously.

He wasn't from the county town; he'd spent most of his life living in Hutou Gou, but he still made trips to the county town several times a year and had heard about the situation in the county office. Truly capable people usually go to big families to become warriors or seek development in the prefecture capital.

Few would choose to work at the county office.

First, most county constables inherit the position from their fathers; second, their benefits are average, not as generous as those of big families.

Just that.

County constables are ordinary; handling most villains is no trouble, and they have strength in numbers.

The main issue is that the villain is likely an evil cultivator; we're just ordinary folk—even if we've practiced a few moves, we're still no match for an evil cultivator!

Mao He let out a faint sigh, but if you look closely, you can still see a hint of relief in his eyes.

It's not relief; nobody can handle an evil cultivator, but it's a relief that the county constables all fail to handle an evil cultivator—not just him; he can't stand out, nor does he lose face.

Although.

Such relief is highly immoral.

An evil cultivator?

Wang Lin's face grew even more panicked; after hearing Mao He's warning that a villain had attacked a child, he was already anxious, and learning the villain was an evil cultivator only worsened his anxiety.

Who could make him forget that the Great Sword Hero Dong Qing and Daoist Priest Xuanqing had said his grandson was a reincarnation of a great benevolent person, irresistibly attractive to monsters and demons—utterly a delicacy in anyone's eyes?

Liu Dongzhu said anxiously, "Constable Mao, doesn't our county office have an Immortal Official? Now that an evil cultivator is causing trouble, shouldn't the Immortal Official step in?"

Normally, juniors shouldn't interrupt when elders speak, and she isn't one to talk much—but this concerns her family member Ping'an.

Her ability to endure until now already shows her strong inner resolve.

Immortal Official...

Mao He's face was full of mockery; he was about to make a few sarcastic remarks when, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Liu Dongzhu, Wang Lin, and his two aides—although the Wang family aren't the gossiping type.

But those two aides of his are another matter!

Some people, in their quest for power, will do and dare anything.

Mao He changed his tone: "Madam Wang, the evil cultivator lurks in the shadows while the Immortal Official stands in the open, and we constables are useless—we can't find the evil cultivator's trail, which is why the Immortal Official can't deal with it."

An evil cultivator?

Wang Ping'an, lying in his mother's embrace listening to gossip, after hearing it for a while his face suddenly grew very grave—just moments ago he hadn't even taken the so-called evil cultivator seriously.

Not to mention that there's an Immortal Official stationed in the county town; even near their Hutou Gou they have his master.

Nowadays it's not only an age of peace and prosperity, but also an age of flourishing Dao cultivators.

Besides hereditary Dao cultivators, there are many big and small Daoist temples; aside from natural talent, the vast majority of Dao cultivators start out by donating silver.

Every time the Immortal Official examination is held, tens of thousands of Dao cultivators take part—its prestige is no less than that of the imperial exams!

It's like thousands of troops crossing a single-log bridge!

Don't be fooled by Qingyang County being just a small county town—let alone nationwide, even in the prefecture capital it's not well known.

Yet being able to station an Immortal Official in a county town.

That's a lucrative post!

It's a position that tens of thousands compete for; those who secure it rely not only on connections but also on their own abilities, in most cases.

When the competitors are evenly matched, they rely on connections for the final showdown.

Those who can come to Qingyang County to serve as Immortal Official are not lacking in ability.

Strangely, an evil cultivator causing trouble in Clear Sun County finds that the Immortal Official stationed in Qingyang County can't resolve it.

Also line 43: The Immortal Official stationed in their Qingyang County couldn't resolve it.

Don't be taken in by Mao He's smooth talk—but how could Wang Ping'an not know? Mao He's words are ninety percent—no, ninety-nine percent—fluff.

All just to give pleasant words to the Qingyang County Immortal Official!

Who lets the Immortal Official in Qingyang County be a top-notch big shot, to the point that even the County Magistrate must give him face—this lowly constable, if he dares to mock him, even if he's telling the truth, will still be severely punished?

As for how he knows, Mao He's words are ninety-nine percent fluff.

=9

That's because he knows how formidable Dao cultivators are; they have many ways to track enemies.

The Immortal Official of Qingyang County couldn't find the evil cultivator—unless the opponent was stronger than the Immortal Official, or unless the opponent possessed a superb concealment technique.

Either way, it shows just how formidable this evil cultivator is.

If this evil cultivator takes a liking to him, even with his teacher standing guard beside him, not only would he be in danger, but his family would be too.

As the old saying goes: 'Only a thief can work for a thousand days; who can guard against a thief for a thousand days?'

In an instant, Wang Ping'an felt a surge of tension.

Fortunately.

He's not utterly helpless; he wouldn't just resign himself to fate and wait to die.

"Constable Mao, this isn't your fault, nor the Immortal Official's; it's mainly because Qingyang County is huge, with countless wild mountains and hiding spots—it's no wonder you couldn't find him."

Wang Lin offered a word of comfort, but couldn't help asking: 'However, Constable Mao, County Magistrate, are you just going to let this evil cultivator act so arrogantly?'

"County Magistrate, we certainly won't let this evil cultivator wreak havoc in our Qingyang County; besides having our constables continue the investigation in Qingyang County under the Immortal Official's supervision and command, we've also sent people to the prefectural capital to seek help!"

Mao Hezheng said gravely, "I also inform your Village Chief, have your village guard team mobilized; next to your village Xuanqing Daozhang is stationed, and as long as your family Ping'an does not travel far, there should be no problem!"

"Captain Mao, don't worry; during this time our Ping'an will absolutely not go far—no, not even leave the main gate!"

Wang Lin said gravely.

"That's enough, Lord Wang, I've said everything that needed to be said; the county office still has a bunch of matters waiting for me, so I'll leave first!"

Mao He said.

"Captain Mao, let me see you off!"

Wang Lin escorted Mao He out of the courtyard, and saw Liu Dongzhu with a worried expression, clearly frightened by Mao He's words, and said soothingly:

"Dongzhu, don't worry; Captain Mao already said that as long as we stay in the village we won't encounter danger. If that doesn't work, I'll ask a Daoist priest to come over and see what means he has to protect our Ping'an!"

(End of chapter)