Water Ghost? Kill It!

The Water Ghost clearly hadn't expected that this seemingly ordinary "prey" possessed such terrifying strength. With all its might, it had pulled, yet the other party remained as steady as a mountain.

A flicker of shock crossed its murky eyes, quickly replaced by endless malice.

"Haa--!"

The Water Ghost let out an inhuman shriek, a sound like fingernails scraping glass, sharp and piercing, accompanied by a mental assault potent enough to make ordinary people lose their minds and souls.

But who was Lin Feng?

He was the ruthless individual who had faced zombies face-to-face in the Mass Grave from the very start! This level of mental pollution was merely a gentle breeze to him.

"Trying to summon souls? What an ugly sound!"

Lin Feng advanced instead of retreating, allowing the ghostly hands to grip his ankles firmly as he leaned forward sharply.

He wasn't trying to jump into the well. Instead, he was using the momentum of his forward lunge to transform the Hundred Refined Steel Blade in his hand into a lightning bolt that tore through the night.

No wasted movements, only extreme speed and precision!

[2.7x Critical Hit Triggered!]

"Swish!"

A flash of blade light!

A faint sound, like tearing silk, echoed in the air.

The Water Ghost's forward momentum abruptly halted. On its monstrously distorted face, the expression of malice instantly froze, replaced by bewilderment and disbelief.

A thin line of blood stretched from its forehead all the way down to its chin.

The next moment.

"Pfft!"

The Water Ghost's entire head split perfectly in half down the middle. Foul-smelling, dark green blood and brain matter exploded outwards, splattering the well walls.

Its ghostly hands, which had been gripping Lin Feng's ankles, lost all strength and slid off powerlessly. The headless torso plunged back into the well with a "plop," creating ripples that quickly subsided, leaving only filth in the well.

[Ding! Successfully killed a First-Tier Demon, Water Ghost!]

[Critical Hit multiplier increased to 3x! Gained 150 Critical Points!]

"Hoo..."

Lin Feng slowly straightened, flicking the filthy blood off his blade. Feeling the critical hit multiplier jump from 2.7 to 3 on the system panel, and his critical points increasing to 200 (50 + 150), a wave of satisfaction washed over him.

This Li Gang is truly a good person!

He sends whatever is needed. I should give him a "Best Logistics Award" later.

To prevent any further trouble from the Water Ghost's corpse, and to have evidence for his report.

Lin Feng found rope and a grappling hook and, enduring the stench, hauled the headless corpse and the two halves of its head out of the well.

By the time he finished, the sky was already showing the faint white of dawn.

As the first rays of sunlight pierced Willow Alley, residents who hadn't slept all night cautiously opened their doors and windows, just in time to witness a scene they would never forget.

There stood the young Constable Lin, covered in bloodstains, holding a monstrous demon head split in two in one hand, and dragging a similarly mangled corpse with the other. He walked out of the alley, step by step, towards the rising sun.

In the eyes of the onlookers, his figure was like a god descending from heaven!

"It... it's dead?"

"That Water Ghost... Lord Lin killed it!"

"Heavens! Lord Lin is truly our savior!"

After a brief silence, Willow Alley erupted in thunderous cheers and cries. Countless citizens rushed out of their homes, kneeling and kowtowing towards Lin Feng's departing back, tears of gratitude streaming down their faces.

Lin Feng's reputation in the southern part of the city reached its peak overnight!

County Office.

When Lin Feng dragged the Water Ghost's corpse in front of the constables, the entire county office courtyard fell silent.

Everyone stared, dumbfounded, at the strangely shaped demon corpse and Lin Feng's blood-splattered yet calm face. The shock in their hearts was beyond words.

Another demon case!

And another one solved by a single person overnight!

What kind of monster is this kid?

Li Gang, alerted, rushed out of his office. The moment he saw the Water Ghost's corpse, the color drained from his face, leaving him paler than a corpse.

The death trap he had meticulously designed had not only failed to kill Lin Feng but had once again served as a stepping stone for the latter's rise!

This time, Lin Feng didn't even need to publicize it himself. The rescued citizens from the southern part of the city spontaneously beat gongs and drums, even pooling money to create a banner that read "Eliminating Demons, Protecting the People," and solemnly delivered it to the county office, specifically requesting to thank Lin Feng.

With the matter escalating to such a degree, it was impossible for County Magistrate Zhao Dehai not to know.

He convened court again and, in front of everyone in the county office, lavished praise upon Lin Feng. Not only did he award another hundred taels of silver, but he also publicly announced that the county office's limited monthly cultivation resources would be tilted towards Lin Feng.

This move completely ignited the jealousy of some individuals.

"Why! Why does he, a newcomer, get so many rewards and resources!"

In the crowd, a burly constable with a face full of coarse flesh couldn't help but roar in a low voice.

His name was Zhao Hu, Li Gang's cousin's son. He had always been overbearing at the county office, considering himself the best among the younger generation.

Relying on his Fourth Level Body Tempering cultivation and his relationship with Li Gang, Zhao Hu had often bullied his colleagues. He had long been displeased with Lin Feng, this "hotshot" who had suddenly appeared.

Now, seeing that Lin Feng's popularity had completely overshadowed him, and that he was even going to snatch the cultivation resources that rightfully belonged to him, the flames of jealousy in his heart could no longer be suppressed.

After the assembly dispersed, Zhao Hu, with a few followers, aggressively blocked Lin Feng's path on the way to the training grounds.

"Lin, stop right there!"

Zhao Hu raised his chin, looking down his nose at Lin Feng with a provocative expression.

"Don't think you're so great just because you killed a couple of insignificant little demons. We old-timers have worked hard for so many years, our merit records are full. Why should you, a mere brat, come in and take all the benefits?"

Lin Feng glanced at him. He recognized this person. He relied on his relationship with Li Gang to throw his weight around at the county office; he was just a brainless brute.

"What do you want to say?"

Lin Feng asked calmly.

"I want to say, you're not worthy!"

Zhao Hu took a step forward, glaring at Lin Feng, spittle flying.

"The county office's resources are for those with strength! You, who climbed your way up by luck, what qualifications do you have? Do you dare to spar with me in the training grounds? If you can take three of my punches, I'll admit you're qualified and I'll walk around you from now on! If you can't, then obediently hand over the rewards and resources you just received!"

It was blatant provocation and robbery.

More and more constables gathered to watch the spectacle. Even Li Gang, pretending to "pass by," stood not far away, arms crossed, watching with cold eyes.

He was already looking for an excuse to suppress Lin Feng, and his stupid nephew had just delivered one.

Zhao Hu was at the Body Tempering and Bone Refining stage, Fourth Level. His muscles and bones had long been tempered to be incredibly tough, difficult for ordinary swords to injure. In his opinion, no matter how monstrous Lin Feng was, he'd be at most Second or Third Level Body Tempering. Facing Zhao Hu, he was bound to lose!

He might as well take this opportunity to cripple Lin Feng and let him know who was really in charge at the Qingyang County Office!

Facing Zhao Hu's taunts, Lin Feng smiled.

He was just worrying about not having an outlet for his strength, and now someone had shoved their face right up to him.

"Three punches?" Lin Feng shook his head.

Zhao Hu thought he was scared and said with a smug laugh, "What? Scared? If you're scared, then get on your knees and kowtow, call me Master Hu..."

"No."

Lin Feng interrupted him, his smile carrying a hint of amusement, "I mean, it's too much trouble."

"Dealing with a piece of trash like you only takes one move."