County Magistrate Wants to See You

"That dog demon was vicious. Not only did it kill the Wu Family's head, it also broke into the Wu Family's treasury, intending to loot it clean."

"At the crucial moment, Head Constable Sun arrived in time and engaged the demon in battle."

"I was taking Zijing out to clear her mind, and we happened to be nearby when we heard the commotion. So we hurried over. When the dog demon saw me, it realized that it was no match for Head Constable Sun and me, and turned to run."

"Head Constable Sun and I chased after it all the way, finally catching up at a small courtyard. Only then did we discover that the other side wasn't a lone demon."

"It was all a trap. The dog demon had two brothers, and they had been lying in wait inside the courtyard."

"Head Constable Sun and I fought side by side, battling with all our might. Since I was too weak, I could only engage the youngest dog demon. Head Constable Sun faced the other two demons alone, bearing the full brunt of their attacks."

"During the fight, I was outmatched and nearly killed by my opponent. Seeing this, Head Constable Sun sacrificed an arm to slay his opponent, then helped me kill the remaining hostile demon..."

"Head Constable Sun! What a man of honor!!!"

Inside the Qiulin County Office, Prefect Hu watched Shen Lin, whose face was stricken with grief as he dabbed at his tears from time to time. The corner of his mouth twitched.

Like hell I believe you!

You were both in the Opening Meridians Realm, and fought desperately together, yet Sun Zhi lost an arm and had a huge chunk of flesh carved out of his back...

But you didn't have a single injury on you. Even your clothes were perfectly neat.

When interrogating the Demon Cultivator earlier, Prefect Hu had already noticed something off about Shen Lin.

And now, watching the other man's clumsy acting, he could only feel exasperated.

Did this fellow really not want to reveal his strength that badly?

He was so young. Instead of showing off his talent to the fullest, basking in the limelight and enjoying everyone's admiration...

He acted like some old monster with a lifetime of experience, concealing his strength and pushing Sun Zhi to the forefront.

Sigh...

He glanced at Sun Zhi, who was being treated nearby, with some sympathy, and said,

"Even so, Head Constable Sun has rendered a great service this time, slaying the third-in-command of Black Wind Stronghold in one fell swoop. This feat is bound to make him the center of attention throughout Qiulin County."

Sun Zhi's face was pale. He hadn't completely passed out and still had a thread of consciousness.

Hearing Prefect Hu's words, his eyes flew open and he opened his mouth to deny it.

But his weakened body wouldn't let him make even the slightest sound.

"I know, I know. Don't worry. I'll report your achievements truthfully to my superiors. You won't be deprived of your reward."

Prefect Hu offered words of comfort, but his gaze turned to Shen Lin.

Since the lad wanted to keep his abilities hidden, Prefect Hu might as well do him a favor.

As for Sun Zhi...

He'd gotten quite a reputation out of this, and had his moment in the spotlight, hadn't he?

A win for everyone!

Sun Zhi watched Prefect Hu turn and leave in despair.

Earlier, Shen Lin had pinned all those matters on him, nearly getting him hacked into pieces and stewed alive this time.

And now he'd dumped the case of Black Wind Stronghold's third-in-command on him too...

He couldn't even imagine what kind of dangers lay in wait for him in the future.

Wouldn't those demons in the mountains see him as a thorn in their side, a splinter in their flesh?

At the thought, he couldn't catch his breath. In a fit of anger, he passed out on the spot.

Watching the medical officers scramble to treat Sun Zhi, Shen Lin wiped the grief from his face and smiled faintly.

Since Sun Zhi had managed to make it back to the County Office, there'd be plenty more value to squeeze out of him in the future.

This time, he'd drawn three demons in the Opening Meridians Realm to himself, earning Shen Lin more than seven hundred years' worth of demon lifespan.

How much would the next time bring?

At the thought, Shen Lin felt that the future looked bright. He prepared to head home and get some rest.

But just as he stepped out of the hall, Chief Qian came hurrying over.

"Wonderful, Brother Shen. You're here."

Seeing him let out a long breath of relief, Shen Lin asked, puzzled, "Chief Qian, did you need something from me?"

Chief Qian shook his head. "It's not me. The County Magistrate wants to ask you about the Demon Cultivator case from before. After all, the person who died back then was one of his younger relatives."

After the Demon Cultivator from that case was silenced, the County Magistrate had chewed out Prefect Hu and Chief Qian.

But he had been full of praise for Shen Lin, calling him a promising young talent at every turn.

The County Magistrate had summoned Shen Lin now, and likely wanted more than just to discuss the case. He probably hoped to recruit him as well.

At that thought, Chief Qian hesitated before saying, "Brother Shen, we've known each other for quite a while now. As for the County Magistrate..."

How could Shen Lin not understand what he meant? He immediately smiled. "Don't worry, Chief Qian. That incident was an accident to begin with. I'll put in a good word for you with the County Magistrate."

"Good, good. Sorry for the trouble, Brother Shen."

"It's only right."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Shen Lin took his leave of Chief Qian and headed to the back courtyard of the County Office.

The moment he entered the courtyard, his eyes narrowed slightly as he casually glanced toward the stone pavilion.

An old man with a full head of white hair and beard was meditating there.

He was dressed elegantly. Though he looked very old, he seemed vigorous, with a back straight as a pine and a sturdy build.

Golden Pen Guest Du Yuanshan was a cultivator in the Opening Meridians Realm, one of the attendants the County Magistrate had brought with him when he first took office. His judge's brush could split stone and cleave gold. They said he could be considered the foremost expert in all of Qiulin County.

Apparently sensing Shen Lin's gaze, he slowly opened his eyes. After sizing Shen Lin up, he offered a warm smile.

By now, Shen Lin had opened ten meridians, and his control over Qi and Blood Force had improved once again. He kept all of it contained within himself, so to an outside observer, he looked like an ordinary martial artist.

Still, Du Yuanshan must have seen that Shen Lin was hiding something. Otherwise, given his status and strength, he probably wouldn't have treated a young man so warmly.

Shen Lin nodded in greeting and walked toward the inner courtyard.

"Ah, Brother Shen! At last, I've found you."

An elderly scholar with a mustache shaped like the character for "eight" approached, holding a folding fan and greeting him enthusiastically.

"Greetings, Li's Secretary!"

"Please, no need for formalities. Come, the County Magistrate has been waiting for you."

He warmly took Shen Lin by the arm and led him inside.

This was the County Magistrate's study, spacious and lined with countless books along the walls.

Behind a willow-wood desk sat a stern-looking man: Lin Youwei, the County Magistrate of Qiulin County.

Under the Great Wei Dynasty, a County Magistrate governed all military and civil affairs in a county. He was responsible not only for managing the local populace, but also for the duty of slaying demons and exorcising evil.

However, Magistrate Lin wasn't a martial artist. He was a scholar through and through.

At that moment, he was making marks all over a document with a brush. When Shen Lin entered, he merely looked up with a smile, then lowered his head and resumed his work.

"The Magistrate has a few matters to attend to. Please wait a moment, Brother Shen."

Li's Secretary poured Shen Lin a cup of tea.

Shen Lin smiled and replied without fawning or showing disrespect, "Of course."

A long while later, Lin Youwei finally put down his brush and let out a long breath. Only then did he look up and smile at Shen Lin.

"You're steady and composed, unlike that impatient fellow Hu Dongxing. You're quite impressive!"