Qingyang County Magistrate

Huuuuh!

Killing intent behind him pressed in on Meng Haoran!

Meng Haoran was filled with fear at this moment.

"I was still too reckless!"

Meng Haoran secretly thought, "Lin Qingbai must hate me to the bone now. I should have been more discreet in my actions!"

With this thought, all the heaven and earth spiritual energy in Meng Haoran's Dantian gathered at his feet, supporting him in widening the distance between himself and Lin Qingbai as much as possible.

Finally, relying on his proficient Daoist Magic, "Swift Snake Step," Meng Haoran broke into a crowded street.

"Lin Qingbai! This is the West Market!"

Meng Haoran's implication was to make Lin Qingbai regain some sense.

But Lin Qingbai's mind was filled with rage. The grief of losing his son, the revocation of his position as pavilion master, and the cancellation of all Lin Family privileges had already caused Lin Qingbai to harbor deep resentment.

At this moment, encountering Meng Haoran secretly disrupting his plans, he naturally wanted to get rid of Meng Haoran quickly!

"Wind Pattern Seal!"

A seal technique filled with heaven and earth spiritual energy was generated from Lin Qingbai's palms and flew rapidly towards Meng Haoran's back!

Although Meng Haoran had entered the street, his own speed had slowed down considerably due to the large number of passersby around him.

His back suddenly felt cold, and he could clearly feel a strong killing intent!

Just then, a familiar fierce shout suddenly sounded not far to Meng Haoran's left.

"Ice Soul Palm!"

A blue-white palm emitting a faint chill descended from the sky, directly confronting Lin Qingbai's "Wind Pattern Seal"!

The heaven and earth spiritual energy of wind and ice, two completely different attributes, collided heavily, erupting in a violent explosion.

Meng Haoran seized the opportunity to look over and immediately exclaimed with joy, "Clan Uncle Luohai!"

Saying this, Meng Haoran hurried towards him.

When Lin Qingbai saw that it was Meng Luohai, he knew that it was impossible to kill Meng Haoran today.

Meng Luohai glared at Lin Qingbai and said sternly, "Lin Qingbai, what exactly happened? To make you go to such lengths and chase my Meng Family junior through the West Market in broad daylight?"

"Ask him yourself!"

Lin Qingbai angrily retorted, "My Lin Family was legally selling Spirit Beasts in the West Market according to Yu Dynasty law, and this brat secretly caused trouble, obstructing my Lin Family's normal sales!"

Upon hearing this, Meng Haoran approached Meng Luohai and whispered, "Clan Uncle Luohai, it's not like that!"

After speaking, Meng Haoran quickly explained the entire situation to Meng Luohai.

After listening, Meng Luohai patted Meng Haoran's shoulder and said, "Haoran, you don't need to be nervous. Your clan uncle is here for you!"

Watching Meng Haoran and Meng Luohai whispering to each other, Lin Qingbai raised his voice and said, "Meng Luohai, your Meng Family had quite a moment in Qingyang County Town a while ago, taking over our Lin Family's talisman market. Now, do you still want to push your luck and cut off my Lin Family's Spirit Beast business?"

As he spoke, Lin Qingbai looked around and said loudly, "If that's the case, aren't you Meng Family being too overbearing and unreasonable!"

Meng Luohai replied, "Heh, in a cultivator's duel, victory or defeat comes down to skill. It's the same for the competition between our trading houses. It's your Lin Family that has a problem, so how can you blame our Meng Family?"

"Hmph! You want to twist words, don't you?"

Lin Qingbai cupped his hands slightly towards the County Office and said, "Very well! We will go and meet the County Magistrate. Let him uphold justice for my Lin Family!"

As soon as his voice fell, a steady voice sounded from behind Meng Luohai.

"There's no need to meet. I am already here."

A middle-aged man, around forty to fifty years old, slowly walked out from behind Meng Luohai.

Seeing this person, Lin Qingbai's heart suddenly jolted, and he whispered, "Magistrate... Magistrate Song!"

The "Magistrate Song" in Lin Qingbai's mouth was originally named Song Zhiyi. Years ago, he was favored by the Governor of Qinghe Commandery and was assigned to Qingyang County, serving as a local official for many years.

Song Zhiyi's face was stern, and he asked coldly, "Lin Qingbai, you have quite the temper! In broad daylight, you dare to kill people in the West Market! Do you still have any regard for the Yu Dynasty's laws?"

Speaking of which, Song Zhiyi narrowed his eyes and said, "Or perhaps, your Lin Family doesn't even consider the imperial court!"

Lin Qingbai heard this and knew that Song Zhiyi was genuinely angry. No matter what, he could not accept this charge.

"Magistrate Song, you misunderstand. My Lin Family has no disloyalty to the Yu Dynasty! We even regard the Yu Dynasty's laws as superior to our family's rules!"

Lin Qingbai cupped his fists and said, "I implore Magistrate Song to see the truth!"

Song Zhiyi snorted and said, "I believe you wouldn't dare to do so!"

Meng Luohai's eyes darted around, knowing that this was a great opportunity and should not be missed. He then spoke up, "Magistrate Song, I heard from my Meng Family junior earlier that Lin Qingbai's actions were because of a problem with the Lin Family's Spirit Beast sales."

Hearing this, Song Zhiyi knew Meng Luohai had something to say and asked, "Could it be that the Spirit Beasts sold had problems?"

Lin Qingbai dared not admit it and quickly replied, "Magistrate Song, my Lin Family has been doing business in Qingyang County Town for hundreds of years. How could we possibly ruin our own reputation?"

Meng Luohai chimed in, "Magistrate Song, whether the Spirit Beasts he, Lin Family, sold have problems, we can tell with just one look!"

As the words fell, the surrounding crowd suddenly became excited and started to clamor, urging to go to the Lin Family's stall to take a look.

Seeing the agitated populace, Song Zhiyi nodded and said, "The people have spoken. Lin Qingbai, please lead the way!"

With Song Zhiyi's words reaching this point, no matter how unwilling Lin Qingbai was to comply, he couldn't refuse.

If he rejected Song Zhiyi's proposal, then his Lin family would be confirmed guilty of selling inferior Spirit Beasts!

This charge, once levied against the Lin family, would effectively cut off their future source of wealth!

Now, Lin Qingbai could only pray inwardly, praying that Song Zhiyi would be lenient and handle the matter with a light touch, turning a major issue into a minor one, and a minor one into nothing at all...

Not long after, Song Zhiyi and his entourage arrived at the place where the Lin family sold Spirit Beasts.

Meng Haoran's eyes darted around, and he shouted loudly, "The County Magistrate is here!"

As soon as he said this, the passersby were filled with curiosity and gathered around to watch.

Previously, there had already been a crowd gathered due to Zhang Mingyuan and his group causing a commotion, and this time, it completely blocked the area.

When Zhang Mingyuan saw his County Magistrate arrive, he cupped his fists and shouted, "Magistrate Song, I have a complaint! I beg Magistrate Song to uphold justice for us!"

After helping Zhang Mingyuan up, Song Zhiyi asked, "Please rise. I will uphold justice for you all, but what is the matter?"

Zhang Mingyuan pointed a finger at Lin Qingbai and the others, and said sternly, "It's their Lin family! They sold us inferior Spirit Beasts here!"

Upon hearing this, Song Zhiyi's gaze immediately turned cold, and he asked in a low voice, "Lin Qingbai, did you hear this man's complaint? Did your Lin family sell inferior Spirit Beasts?"

Seeing Lin Qingbai lower his head in silence, Song Zhiyi angrily said, "Lin Qingbai, quickly confess the truth!"