The Author Is Here

In the Chaotian Capital, courier stations are divided into civilian and official ones.

Civilian courier stations are primarily responsible for the long-distance transport of goods and letters for the general populace. For instance, if you're doing business in the north and want to send a letter home or some local specialties, you can use the courier station for that.

Official courier stations can only be used by those with official rank. They are typically used for transmitting military intelligence or memorials submitted by local officials to the Emperor for review, and also provide officials with lodging, food, and horse-changing services.

As a member of the Iron Horse Demon Subduing Bureau, Ning Xiu naturally chose an official courier station. When he arrived at the official courier station established in Wendeng County, there was no one else inside except for a few couriers and two youths dressed in fine brocade.

It was remarkably quiet. In fact, being a courier at an official station was a leisurely post. Unless there was a critical war or an incident where Malevolent Spirits were harming people in a certain area, the couriers wouldn't be too busy for most of the year.

"My father only just stepped down from his position as County Magistrate, and you're telling me I can't use the official courier station to send my goods anymore? This is outrageous! They say people are like cold tea once they leave their post, but my father hasn't even left yet."

"My young master has something very important to attend to today, please be accommodating. The former County Magistrate is still a County Magistrate."

"I'm sorry, Young Master Huang, these are the rules of the official courier station. Those without official rank are not permitted to use it. Never mind that Magistrate Huang stepped down only a few days ago; even if he had stepped down this morning, he wouldn't be able to use this station this afternoon."

As Ning Xiu walked into the courier station, he saw the two youths arguing with a courier. From their appearance, it was clear one was a young master from a wealthy family, and the other was his attendant.

Seeing that the argument was becoming more heated and that it would likely drag on for hours without resolution, Ning Xiu interjected, "What are you trying to send?"

The courier and the two youths turned their heads upon hearing his voice. Upon seeing Ning Xiu, all three of them wore expressions of confusion.

It was as if the words "Who are you?" were written all over their faces.

Ning Xiu took out his token. The courier recognized Ning Xiu's identity instantly and respectfully said, "Greetings, sir."

Upon seeing this, the two youths were rendered speechless. This person before them looked even younger than themselves, yet he was an official?

"Sir, this is Young Master Huang, the eldest son of the former County Magistrate. He wishes to send a box of books to Lin'an Prefecture," the courier replied.

"Bring the goods here for me to see," Ning Xiu said, waving his hand. The courier immediately ran off and returned with a wooden box.

As Ning Xiu opened the box, a collection of books with apricot-yellow covers met his eyes.

The familiar yellow covers, the familiar scene of a man and two women in a room – the only difference from the book Ning Xiu saw at Dong Fu's place was that these book titles had suffixes.

After counting, Ning Xiu discovered there were fifteen books in this series.

"You've... collected quite comprehensively," Ning Xiu was momentarily speechless. He wondered what the higher-ups would think if they knew someone intended to use the official courier station to send explicit books.

"Sir, it's not a collection. These are all my own works, first-hand manuscripts."

Huang You patted his chest. "Not to brag, but I've always made a living by writing these elegant books. As long as I send the manuscripts to the publishing houses in Lin'an Prefecture, they will help me publish them. Then, I'll receive large sums of money from book sales into my bank account every month."

"Good heavens, the author is right before me." Ning Xiu was even more speechless. What a coincidence.

The attendant beside him immediately chimed in, "Sir, could you trouble the courier to help my young master send this batch of manuscripts? It would be a great help to avoid delaying the publication date, and my young master will surely be grateful."

Huang You, reminded by his attendant, quickly added, "Yes, please help me, sir. I will certainly express my gratitude."

Ning Xiu used the Spiritual Eye Qi Observation Technique to examine the entire box of books. After confirming there was no Evil Qi, he nodded to the courier, "Let him send it one last time. This time only."

"Understood." Receiving permission from the Demon Subduing Captain, the courier immediately agreed. Rules are rules, but people can be flexible.

"I also need to send something. Immediately send this to the Chaotian Capital. You know where I work, so deliver it there to someone named Su Qianqian. This is urgent, do not delay," Ning Xiu said, handing the spell diagram he had copied from Liu Fu's corpse to the courier.

"Yes!" Upon hearing Ning Xiu say the word "urgent," the courier's expression instantly turned serious.

A commission from a Demon Subduing Captain is always the highest priority at any official courier station. Therefore, the courier did not delay. He handed Huang You's box of books to another courier to handle, then went directly to the stables, mounted a fine horse, and quickly left Wendeng County with the spell diagram.

This way, Ning Xiu only needed to wait for Su Qianqian to read the spell diagram and send back the meaning of the diagram in writing.

"I've already asked Fang Ping to have Dong Fu send people to investigate the situation of the other deceased individuals. I wonder if all those who drowned this time have turned into Corpse Fiends," Ning Xiu mused inwardly. He planned to return to the yamen first. If any news came back, he would be able to get it firsthand.

However, just as he stepped out of the courier station, a call came from behind him.

"Sir! Sir, please wait."

Turning around, he saw Huang You and his attendant.

Ning Xiu asked, "Is there anything else?"

"Sir, you've helped me immensely today, and I am truly grateful. I hope you will do me the honor of joining me for a gathering at the Moon Embracing Tower tonight, so I can play the host and entertain you."

His father had stepped down from his position, and his influence in Wendeng County would inevitably diminish day by day. Having met such an amiable young official today, Huang You felt inclined to foster a connection.

If he could establish a relationship with Ning Xiu, it would undoubtedly be beneficial and harmless to him.

Ning Xiu was here in Wendeng County to investigate the truth behind the bizarre drowning of over ten people. He didn't know how long he would be in Wendeng County, and getting to know someone well-connected locally would be advantageous for him.

Since he had nothing else to do in Wendeng County that evening, he agreed.

Before parting, Ning Xiu couldn't help but voice his confusion: "Young Master Huang, your manuscripts aren't particularly valuable items. Since the official courier station refused to accept them, why didn't you switch to a civilian courier station? Apart from the name, the two seem to be no different."

Huang You shook his head and chuckled helplessly. "Sir, you wouldn't know, but I once chose to send my manuscripts via a civilian courier station. However, their staff took out my work midway and peeked at it, and then they lost it, causing me to waste a lot of time. It's much more reliable to use the official courier station; the couriers are professionals."

After bidding farewell to Huang You, Ning Xiu returned to the county yamen.

At this point, Dong Fu no longer had the inclination to look at his "good book." Instead, he was pacing back and forth in his study, his expression somewhat anxious.

Upon seeing Ning Xiu walk in from outside, Dong Fu quickly went to meet him. "Lord Ning, you're finally back."

Ning Xiu asked, "What's the situation with the investigation I asked you to conduct?"

"It's extremely bad. The room where the deceased's coffins were placed is extremely damp, with water dripping everywhere. As you instructed, I didn't touch any of the coffins, but I had all of them transported back to the yamen."

Even a Ninth Rank Corpse Fiend is by no means something ordinary citizens can handle. If even one were to escape due to improper handling, it would inevitably lead to a massacre in Wendeng County.

Transporting all the reanimated corpses back to the yamen would allow Ning Xiu to perform physical exorcisms on them one by one, thus eliminating any future trouble.

"Don't rush. For now, just control the potential problems. Take me to where the coffins are stored."

Accompanied by Dong Fu, Ning Xiu arrived at the county yamen's backyard. More than a dozen coffins were arranged on the open ground. Water was seeping uncontrollably from each one, making the entire courtyard damp and muddy.

Ning Xiu cast the Spiritual Eye Qi Observation Technique and saw that the density of Evil Qi in the backyard had reached a very severe level.

Dismissing Dong Fu and the accompanying constables, Ning Xiu began opening coffins and eliminating the corpses alone. Before long, 8,000 points of Universal Proficiency were easily acquired.

If the transformation of one corpse into a Corpse Fiend was an accident, then the fact that all seventeen corpses had reanimated was a very serious situation.

Ning Xiu discovered the same strange inscription pattern on all seventeen Corpse Fiends as he had on Liu Fu's body. This clearly indicated that something was secretly at play, attempting to disrupt the peace of Wendeng County.

The mastermind must be hidden somewhere within Wendeng County at this very moment. Only by apprehending this mastermind could Wendeng County truly return to its former tranquility.

When Ning Xiu emerged from the backyard, Dong Fu and the others waiting outside immediately approached him and asked, "My lord, how is the situation?"

"These people have all become Corpse Fiends. Go and negotiate with the families of the deceased. Compensation is not an issue, but it would be best if they could agree to cremate the bodies," Ning Xiu said.

"Understood, I'll have someone handle it right away."

In the blink of an eye, it was night in Wendeng County.

Due to the "Three Uniques of Wendeng," Wendeng County was far more lively at night than during the day. The entire county was illuminated, as bright as day.

Everyone knew that this was the true beginning of Wendeng County's nightlife.

To meet Huang You, Ning Xiu arrived punctually at the most bustling place in Wendeng County, the Moon Embracing Tower. The place was already packed with people, a constant flow of customers.

All the tables inside were occupied, with servers bringing dishes and patrons drinking, creating a lively atmosphere.

The Moon Embracing Tower was not a brothel or a restaurant, but a music hall that combined drinking, listening to music, and appreciating beautiful women.

Every night, all sorts of people from Wendeng County gathered here. You could see the old man who sold pancakes in the morning, as well as the figures of some merchants.

"Guest, do you have a seat?" a dedicated attendant asked as Ning Xiu entered the Moon Embracing Tower.

Ning Xiu replied, "I'm here to find Huang You."

"Ah, you must be Master Huang's distinguished guest. Please come in, Master Huang has been waiting for quite some time."

Led by this person, Ning Xiu arrived at a private room in a corner on the first floor, where Huang You and his follower were seated.

Upon seeing Ning Xiu arrive, Huang You immediately stood up to greet him, "Lord Ning, please sit. I have been waiting for you for a long time."

The table was laid with a few small dishes and a pot of wine. It wasn't extravagant, but rather had a common, down-to-earth feel, which Ning Xiu found very comfortable.

"Tonight, the Moon Embracing Tower has invited the renowned Myriad Treasures Merchant Caravan to hold a bidding event here. This will be much more interesting than the usual singing and dancing. Lord Ning will have a feast for your eyes later."