"That dog demon was extremely vicious. Not only did it kill the Wu Family patriarch, it also broke into the Wu Family treasury and was preparing to loot it clean."
"At the critical moment, Captain Sun arrived in time and engaged the fiend in battle."
"I had originally taken Zijin out for a stroll. When I reached the vicinity, I happened to hear the commotion, so I hurried over. When the dog demon saw me, it realized it was no match for Captain Sun and me, so it turned and ran."
"Captain Sun and I chased after it all the way and finally reached a small courtyard. Only then did we discover that the other side wasn't alone—there were actually three demons."
"It had all been a trap. It had two brothers who had long been lying in ambush inside that small courtyard."
"Captain Sun and I fought side by side, battling to the death. Because my strength was too weak, I could only entangle myself with the youngest dog demon, while Captain Sun faced two fiends alone and bore the brunt of everything."
"During the battle, I was too weak and nearly got killed by my opponent. Seeing this, Captain Sun paid the price of losing an arm to slay the enemy. In the end, he even helped me kill the other hostile demon..."
"Captain Sun! What benevolence and righteousness!!!"
Inside the Qiulin County Yamen, County Lieutenant Hu looked at Shen Lin, whose face was filled with grief and indignation as he wiped away tears from time to time, and the corner of his mouth twitched.
I don't believe a word you're saying!
The two of you were both in the Meridian Opening Realm and fought desperately together, yet Sun Zhi lost an arm, and a huge chunk of flesh was gouged from his back...
But you didn't have a single injury on your body. Your clothes weren't even rumpled.
When he had interrogated the Demonic Cultivator earlier, County Lieutenant Hu had already noticed that something was off about Shen Lin.
And now, seeing the man's clumsy acting, he felt even more helpless.
Does this fellow really not want to reveal his strength that badly?
He was so young. Instead of fully displaying his talent, standing in the limelight, and enjoying others' admiration,
he acted like an old monster with deep experience, concealing his strength and pushing Sun Zhi to the front.
Sigh...
He cast a somewhat pitying glance at Sun Zhi, who was being treated nearby, and said:
"Thus, Captain Sun has rendered great service this time, killing the Third Manager of Black Wind Stronghold in one stroke. With such an achievement, he is bound to become the center of attention throughout Qiulin County."
Sun Zhi's face was pale. He hadn't completely passed out and still retained a sliver of consciousness.
Hearing County Lieutenant Hu's words, he immediately widened his eyes and opened his mouth, wanting to deny it.
But his weakened body left him unable to make even the slightest sound.
"I know, I know. Don't worry. I'll truthfully report your contribution to my superiors. You won't be denied your reward."
County Lieutenant Hu offered comfort with his mouth, but his eyes were fixed on Shen Lin.
Since this kid wants to hide his strength, I'll do him a favor and go along with it.
As for Sun Zhi...
He gained such a great reputation and stole the limelight too, didn't he?
Everyone wins!
Sun Zhi watched in despair as County Lieutenant Hu turned and left.
Earlier, Shen Lin had pinned all those matters on him, nearly getting him chopped into pieces and stewed.
Now he had thrown the case of Black Wind Stronghold's Third Manager onto him as well...
He no longer dared imagine what dangers might await him in the future.
Wouldn't those demons in the mountains regard him as a thorn in their side and a nail in their flesh?
At that thought, he failed to catch his breath, and in a fit of despair, he fainted on the spot.
Shen Lin watched the medical officer frantically treating Sun Zhi, then withdrew the grief and indignation from his face and smiled faintly.
Since Sun Zhi had managed to hold on until he returned to the county office, there was still plenty of value to squeeze out of him in the future.
This time, three Meridian Opening Realm demons had been drawn to him, directly earning Shen Lin more than seven hundred years of Demon Lifespan.
How much would the next time bring?
At the thought, Shen Lin felt that the future looked promising and prepared to go home for a good rest.
But just as he stepped out of the main hall, Steward Qian came hurrying over.
"Wonderful, Brother Shen. You're here."
Seeing him let out a long sigh of relief, Shen Lin asked in confusion, "Steward Qian, did you need me for something?"
Steward Qian shook his head. "Not me. The Magistrate wants to ask you about the Demonic Cultivator case from before. After all, the person who died that time was the Magistrate's junior kinsman."
When that Demonic Cultivator had been silenced earlier, the Magistrate had cursed County Lieutenant Hu and Steward Qian until their heads were bloody.
As for Shen Lin, the Magistrate had praised him lavishly, calling him a brilliant young talent at every turn.
The Magistrate had summoned Shen Lin now probably not only because of that case, but also because he intended to recruit him and bring him into his fold.
Thinking of this, Steward Qian hesitated before saying, "Brother Shen, we've known each other for quite some time. As for the Magistrate..."
How could Shen Lin not understand his meaning? He immediately smiled. "Steward Qian, rest assured. That matter was an accident to begin with. I'll put in a few good words for you with the Magistrate."
"That's good, that's good. Sorry for the trouble, Brother Shen."
"It's only right."
After exchanging a few polite words, Shen Lin took his leave of Steward Qian and arrived at the rear courtyard of the county office.
The moment he entered the courtyard, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he casually glanced toward the stone pavilion nearby.
An old man with a beard and hair as white as snow was meditating there.
His clothes were refined. Although he looked very old, his entire bearing was vigorous; his back was straight as a pine, and his body was sturdy.
Golden Brush Guest Du Yuanshan was a Meridian Opening Realm cultivator. He had been brought along by the Magistrate when the latter took office and could split stone and cleave metal with his judge's brush. He was said to be the number-one expert in Qiulin County.
Apparently sensing Shen Lin's gaze, he slowly opened his eyes. After sizing Shen Lin up, he revealed a gentle smile.
Shen Lin had now opened ten meridians, further improving his control over his Blood Qi Power. All of his Blood Qi Power was fully restrained, making him look like an utterly ordinary martial artist from the outside.
But the other man should have seen that Shen Lin was concealing something. Otherwise, given his identity and strength, he probably wouldn't have treated a young man so gently.
Shen Lin nodded in greeting and walked toward the inner courtyard.
"Oh, Brother Shen, I've finally gotten to meet you."
An old scholar with a handlebar mustache and a paper fan in hand approached him and greeted him warmly.
"Greetings, Advisor Li!"
"No need for formalities. Come, the Magistrate has been waiting for you for quite some time."
He enthusiastically grabbed Shen Lin by the arm and led him inside.
This was the Magistrate's study. It was very spacious, with countless books filling the shelves along the walls.
Behind a willow-wood desk sat a stern-looking man. He was none other than Lin Youwei, the magistrate of Qiulin County.
The magistrates of the Great Wei Dynasty were in charge of a county's military and civil affairs. Not only did they manage the people under their jurisdiction, they also bore the responsibility of Slaying Demons and Exterminating Devils.
However, Magistrate Lin was not a martial artist. He was a thoroughly learned scholar.
At that moment, he was holding a brush and constantly marking and annotating documents. When he saw Shen Lin enter, he merely looked up and gave him a smile before lowering his head and continuing his work.
"The Magistrate has some matters to handle. Brother Shen, please wait a moment."
Advisor Li poured Shen Lin a cup of tea.
Shen Lin smiled and replied neither obsequiously nor arrogantly, "Of course."
After a long while, Lin Youwei finally set down his brush and let out a long breath. Only then did he raise his head and smile at Shen Lin.
"Calm and steady, unlike that fellow Hu Dongxing, who has no patience at all. You're quite impressive!"
Before you continue