Lin Jiang Department.
Clerk Yang's expression looked extremely grim at that moment.
The Middle-aged Man with a Missing Ear, whose name was Zou Jin, and another Banner Bearer named Zheng Liu both stood to the side, their faces pale.
Recalling what they had seen earlier, their expressions still held fear and horror they could barely suppress.
"..."
Clerk Yang drew a deep breath and steadied his emotions.
Less than half a quarter of an hour after his letter had been sent to the Outer Southern Prefecture Office, the men had died.
If only one person had died, it could be said that his luck had been poor and he had fallen victim to demons or evil spirits.
But these four runners had been attacked at the same time, and all of them had died such bizarre deaths.
"Silencing them!"
"And in an almost provocative manner."
"To silence them with such savage methods—they're being far too arrogant and overbearing."
Although anger roiled in his heart, Clerk Yang could not help feeling a surge of horror.
All four runners from the Outer Southern Prefecture Office had smashed their heads against the ground until their skulls were shattered.
Over all these years, Clerk Yang had handled countless cases and had repeatedly been ordered to supervise the Outer Southern Prefecture Office's investigations. He had never seen such a bizarre method of murder.
"It looks like evil spirits bewitched them, took their lives, and devoured their souls."
The Middle-aged Man with a Missing Ear was named Zou Jin. Fear still showed on his face as he said in a low voice, "Demons and evil spirits entered the city last night. It seems some of them still haven't been purged."
"This is far too coincidental."
Clerk Yang shook his head slightly. "The letter had just arrived at the Outer Southern Prefecture Office, and not long afterward, they died."
"And all four of them died the same way. They were also the people who collected Liu Guangding's corpse."
"When evil spirits harm people, it's like a ravenous wolf devouring meat—they seize their prey and eat it. How did they happen to choose these four runners from the Outer Southern Prefecture Office?"
As he spoke, his expression grew extremely solemn. "When the Banner Bearer returns, we must report this to the Outer Southern Department. This matter is not simple!"
Hearing this, Zou Jin thought privately, Of course it isn't simple when evil spirits are killing people. Isn't that just a useless remark from Clerk Yang?
Clerk Yang did not explain.
He looked toward the door.
Two Willow Branch Night-Illuminating Lamps also hung outside the entrance of Lin Jiang Department.
Yet worry filled Clerk Yang's eyes.
He had studied since childhood, possessed considerable learning, and had read through countless ancient texts. He was even qualified to inspect some of the sealed documents of the Outer Southern Department.
A thought had already arisen in his heart.
This was the Method of Worshipping Evil Spirits, a sinister art that had been forbidden in Gao Liu City for many years!
"Looks like you recognize this method?"
At that moment, Lin Yan walked in from outside the main gate.
Feng Hui followed behind him and quietly exchanged a glance with Zou Jin and Zheng Liu.
"We pay our respects to the Banner Bearer."
The two hurried forward and bowed.
"Rise."
Lin Yan casually raised a hand, then came before Clerk Yang and said, "I've only heard rumors about this Method of Worshipping Evil Spirits and never truly understood it. Do you know any details?"
"..."
Clerk Yang hesitated slightly and glanced at the three Banner Bearers nearby.
Seeing this, the three Banner Bearers immediately prepared to take their leave.
But Lin Yan raised his hand and said calmly, "There are already Worshippers of Evil in the city."
"They have now returned to Lin Jiang Department. As the Banner Bearers under my command, they are acting as my blades."
"In the days ahead, they may well have to face these so-called Worshippers of Evil."
"Knowing three parts more about the matter may preserve half your life."
As Lin Yan's voice fell, the expressions of the three men nearby also grew more solemn.
Hearing this, Clerk Yang merely nodded slightly.
Records concerning this subject were kept in the Outer Southern Department's archives, and only officially registered members of the Heavenly Supervision Department were qualified to read them.
"The Method of Worshipping Evil Spirits means, as its name suggests, offering worship to evil spirits."
Clerk Yang's expression was grave as he slowly continued, "More precisely, it means taking an evil spirit as one's master, willingly becoming its servant, and offering incense and worship day and night."
"Burning incense to an evil spirit day and night is, in truth, a constant drain on one's vital essence, energy, and spirit."
"Over time, it harms the body, damages one's fortune, shortens one's lifespan, and brings calamity and illness."
"Therefore, Worshippers of Evil usually choose to harm others, using their victims' flesh and blood and souls as offerings to nourish the evil spirit."
"But to keep the evil spirit from forgetting the aura of its servant, they still inevitably use their own vital essence, energy, and spirit as incense, offering them to the evil spirit and maintaining that unseen master-servant contract."
"Otherwise, if the evil spirit can no longer distinguish the aura of the Worshipper of Evil, it will still devour the Worshipper of Evil's soul."
At this point, Clerk Yang's face had grown as solemn as could be. He said, "And through this Worship of Evil Method, one can barely call upon an evil spirit to accomplish what one seeks."
"So there really are people in this world who can make evil spirits work for them?"
The three Banner Bearers could not help exchanging glances, all of them filled with shock.
Clerk Yang shook his head slightly. "Rather than saying they make evil spirits work for them, it would be more accurate to say they beg their 'lord' for a reward."
The young man named Xiao Hui said in a low voice, "So the four runners were killed because the lost Method of Worshipping Evil Spirits has appeared again?"
"It was never lost!"
Clerk Yang shook his head. "The origins of the Method of Worshipping Evil Spirits are extremely ancient. There was even a conjecture in the records that it was one of the ways our human ancestors managed to cling to life and remain in this world amid the darkness of the netherworld!"
"But for some unknown reason, a hundred years ago, Qifeng Prefecture listed it as a forbidden art."
"Of course, according to the records, it was repeatedly banned even then. There were even still Worshippers of Evil serving in the Prefectural Governor's Mansion in Gao Liu City."
"But it was not until sixty years ago, when it caused a great calamity, that it was finally banned completely in Gao Liu City!"
"These are records from the Outer Southern Department. They concern a secret of Gao Liu City."
Clerk Yang's expression was grave. "The reappearance of the forbidden Method of Worshipping Evil Spirits is certainly no good sign."
"Mm."
Lin Yan nodded slightly and looked at the three men beside him. "The Heavenly Supervision Department will certainly investigate this. From now on, we will be facing people capable of driving evil spirits."
After a pause, Lin Yan continued, "Moreover, the ashes, incense candles, and night-illuminating lamps in your hands may not necessarily work."
The three men's expressions changed drastically, and a chill rose in all their hearts.
"The reason I had Clerk Yang explain this to you face-to-face was that I didn't want you to die ignorant deaths in the future."
Lin Yan's tone was calm. "Put down the blades in your hands and walk out the gate now. It's still not too late."
Clerk Yang stood to the side and thought privately, This Banner Bearer is not as cold-hearted as the legends claim.
"I am willing to follow the Banner Bearer and protect Gao Liu City!"
At that moment, the young man named Feng Hui took half a step forward, his expression resolute.
He had grown up eating food provided by countless households. Last night, he had even planned to throw away his cheap life in Lin Jiang Ward to repay his neighbors for raising him.
But the Banner Bearer had slain the Bear Demon and saved Lin Jiang Ward.
That had saved his life as well.
"Mm."
Lin Yan nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the group before landing on the Middle-aged Man with a Missing Ear named Zou Jin.
The Middle-aged Man with a Missing Ear hesitated for a moment before finally taking a step forward.
"We have not truly entered the Banner Bearer's service yet, but tonight you were still candid with us and gave us a choice."
"I think that if I die in the line of duty for Lin Jiang Department in the future, Fifth Master will probably ask the Outer Southern Department to grant my family a pension."
"I used to enjoy fighting and brawling. I learned a few martial arts moves, but I have no other skill to support a family."
"If Fifth Master does not reject me, I, Zou, am willing to follow you!"
The Middle-aged Man with a Missing Ear bowed deeply.
Zheng Liu thought for a moment, then slowly said, "I heard that today, the Banner Bearer ordered Clerk Yang to write a letter, urging the Outer Southern Prefecture Office to pay proper attention to the circumstances of those defending the city and their families after they died in battle."
He also took half a step forward and clasped his hands. "If I die young, Lin Jiang Department will surely treat my old mother well..."
"Of course."
Lin Yan nodded slightly, then looked at Clerk Yang. "Hand the three Banner Bearers over to them!"
Then he suddenly lowered his head and saw the Lin Jiang Banner at his waist. In an instant, his eyes filled with astonishment.
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