Magistrate Lu is truly a remarkable talent

Under the shift in his mood, Ge Xian, as the pretty young wife wished, praised her skill in cleaning the house.

However, his method of praise made the pretty young wife very uncomfortable.

"Fortunately, Sister Bai pulled back from the brink back then, otherwise I would have had to do this cleaning myself."

"How could I have such skill? Even the legendary Li Chen Spell would probably only have this effect."

Hearing these two sentences, the Broom Spirit couldn't help but feel both ashamed and annoyed.

She wished she could tear the mouth off that dissolute young man. Was he deliberately bringing up sore points?

Did I pull back from the brink? I didn't snatch her away from the Four Demonesses, so I couldn't get into bed with her.

Just as the pretty young wife was about to retort, she suddenly saw Ge Xian, after returning home and only thinking for a few breaths, start packing his belongings. He looked like he had committed some great crime and was preparing to flee.

Unable to hold back, she directly asked, "What are you doing? Where are you going?"

Ge Xian continued packing as he quickly replied, "I haven't decided yet, but I probably can't stay in Qiantang County anymore. I'll head to the provincial capital first... If that doesn't work, I'll go to Dadu. As long as I can find a peaceful place, I can still make a living."

His actions were perfectly normal. After all, he had personally overheard more than one piece of sordid gossip and terrifying conspiracy not long ago.

Those melodramatic love affairs were one thing, but the most crucial part was the fact that the "Demon County Magistrate intended to sell off Qiantang County," which was truly horrifying. The County Residents all thought that although Magistrate Lu Hualong had some bad habits, he was fundamentally a good official, and he was giving benefits to the entire county just after his promotion.

Who would have thought that giving benefits was a pretense, and fattening them up like pigs to sell them off was the real intention.

Ge Xian didn't want to be a meat pig. Moreover, he had indeed committed a crime.

Eavesdropping on the private affairs of the County Magistrate and his wife!

Deceiving the County Magistrate's wife's emotions!

Killing the wife's maid!

Any one of these was a capital offense.

As Ge Xian was packing, the pretty young wife suddenly began to wander around, stopping here, lingering there, with a shy and hesitant demeanor, gradually turning into the sorrow of unrequited love. If anyone else were there to see it, they would surely condemn the Young Peddler as a heartless man.

At first, Ge Xian didn't understand her meaning, but he soon realized it and couldn't help but chuckle.

He then stepped forward and solemnly picked up the broom tied with seven-colored silk threads, which was the pretty young wife's soul dwelling, intending to hang it on his peddler's pole. At the same time, he specifically asked the young wife, "Ge is about to embark on a long journey to seek refuge. Is Sister Bai willing to accompany me?"

It sounded like a jest, but Ge Xian was very serious.

Since arriving in this world, all he had seen were terrifying demons in human skin, and the cultivation paths were more terrifying than the last.

In comparison, this "Broom Spirit" was more proper and cute.

And she had a style similar to the Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio he had read in his previous life. Having her by his side made him feel a little better.

The pretty young woman, seeing her goal achieved and that she wasn't abandoned, immediately broke into a radiant smile. She was about to say something.

Suddenly!

Both she and Ge Xian felt something at the same time, their expressions changing slightly.

Without Ge Xian needing to speak, the pretty young woman transformed back into a wandering soul and floated back into the broom.

Ge Xian, however, frowned and looked outside the small courtyard. A clear perception reached him: uninvited guests had arrived, and not just one.

Almost the next moment, the courtyard gate was pounded on, and a domineering, rough voice shouted: "Ge Xian, come out! The County Magistrate has an order to conscript all peddlers and traveling merchants in the city..."

Originally, when Ge Xian perceived that the arrivals were several powerful "Ghouls," he thought his troubles had found him and planned to escape over the wall, struggling a bit.

Upon hearing the shout, he stopped his actions.

He quickly opened the door, feigning a sleepy, yawning demeanor, and put on his outer coat before heading out of the courtyard.

Indeed, outside the courtyard stood three figures in yamen runner uniforms, armed with long sabers, their auras fierce. They were impatiently pounding on the gate. Seeing Ge Xian quickly approach, they didn't waste any words and directly ordered:

"You are Ge Xian, one of Qiantang County's registered peddlers."

"By order of the County Magistrate, you have been conscripted into the [Qiantang Propaganda Team]. Today, you must join other peddlers and traveling merchants to go to the towns, villages, counties, or even the wilderness gathering places around Qiantang County, to preach the County Magistrate's benevolent new policies and virtues."

"And guide them to Qiantang County to settle down and live in peace and contentment."

"You are required to depart once every day. The rewards are generous, with both money and provisions provided."

As these words entered his ears, Ge Xian's mind raced. He immediately recalled the conspiracy and secrets he had overheard last night.

In just a few thoughts, he guessed the reason.

"This Lu Hualong is truly shameless and greedy. Deciding to sell off the entire Qiantang County was already ruthless enough."

"He still doesn't think it's enough? Not enough domestic pigs, so he's bringing in wild boars? Organizing a propaganda team to recruit people from other counties, towns, and villages, not even sparing those wilderness refugees who are already like savages."

"And I, Ge, am just unlucky. I was just thinking about escaping, and now I'm being press-ganged?"

Ge Xian cursed inwardly, but his face showed no change. He stalled and dealt with the three Ghoul yamen runners, saying he understood the imperial decree and would join them shortly.

Unexpectedly, he was immediately refused. The leading Ghoul shouted rudely: "What's with all the nonsense? Pick up your peddler's load and set off immediately. The propaganda team is already waiting on the main street. If you delay, watch out, or I'll peel off your pretty boy face and eat all your tender flesh."

While being scolded, Ge Xian was already contemplating whether to make a move against these three Ghouls to buy himself some time to escape.

But it was at this very moment, abruptly, that in his perception...

Willow Oriole Alley's direction!

A terrifying aura erupted, and extremely potent Fox Qi transformed into a faintly visible Demonic Qi Pillar, shooting into the sky.

In a daze, an incredibly sharp and violent fox cry, filled with rage, seemed to echo from afar.

Not only Ge Xian, but the three ghouls before him also sensed it. They exchanged glances, seeing the fear in each other's eyes.

At this moment, before their eyes, the young peddler who had been dawdling a moment ago seemed to have been scolded into submission. He quickly lowered his head and agreed, then hurried back into the house to fetch his peddler's load.

As Ge Xian turned to pick up his load, he immediately heard the ghouls discussing behind him:

"Did you see that? Something seems to have happened at Willow Oriole Alley."

"I wonder which fool angered the Mistress into such a rage."

"Tsk, tsk, it seems the master won't dare to seek pleasure in Willow Oriole Alley anymore. If caught by the Mistress in her fury, he'll have a lot to deal with."

The three ghoul constables had no idea what Yelü Yuyan in Willow Oriole Alley was going on about.

Ge Xian, however, knew perfectly well, as he was the one who had caused the trouble.

Speaking of which, it was a stroke of incredible luck that Ge Xian managed to escape from Fox Brothel Alley last night.

If Lu Hualong hadn't shown up, he would have had almost no chance of getting away.

The former had consumed a large portion of Yelü Yuyan's energy and desire, making her temporarily uninterested in Ge Xian. She had ordered him to wash up, thinking she could have him tomorrow.

How could she have imagined that the Dragon Girl, who appeared to have low cultivation and a reckless temperament, was actually a young peddler in disguise, and that this fellow possessed the rare talent of "Charm"?

After some maneuvering!

He successfully escaped her clutches.

With his charm, he escaped the fox brothel alone. Ge Xian's title of "[Male Daji]" could now be fully cemented.

Now, Yelü Yuyan's furious roar must be because she discovered the corpse of "Chun Niang" and realized the Dragon Girl she had captured last night had escaped, hence her rage.

It wasn't that she cared about the fox prostitute named Chun Niang, but rather that she felt she had lost face and was extremely angry.

Next, she would likely dispatch her subordinates, or perhaps even use magic to capture the dragon.

Although Ge Xian was certain that nothing had gone wrong last night, he had been cautious, not even maintaining his good habit of "looting corpses," ensuring no unusual aura clung to him.

However, it's always better to be safe than sorry. It was best to lie low for now.

So, he didn't struggle any further and obediently returned to the house to pick up his peddler's load. He then followed the three ghoul constables towards the main street.

Along the way, Ge Xian could still faintly hear the neighbors and county residents whispering in hushed tones.

Yesterday's battle, Lu Hualong had revealed that ferocious demonic form. Although the benevolent new policy was announced afterward, it still couldn't quell the public's unease.

Especially the most fatal scene: a large number of Gu worms crawled out from the children's bodies.

"Dad, Mom, Nannan hurts so much, I'm so hungry."

"Wuwuwu, are there still bugs in my body? I'm so scared."

"Can your child not eat those pretty grains tomorrow? Inside... inside there are bugs."

"Good child, we won't eat them, we won't eat them anymore."

"Child's father, should we flee to Renhe County? Although there's some exploitation there, at least we can save our lives..."

Ge Xian could hear these things, and so could those Ghoul constables.

Strangely, there was no anger on their faces. They just sneered in unison: "Ignorant peasants. In less than half an hour, they'll change their tune and be grateful to the Master."

As if to confirm these words, a few breaths passed.

In various parts of Qiantang County, lively sounds erupted simultaneously, and then cheers began to echo from every district, every neighborhood, and every alley.

The reason?

It was still those Ghoul constables with immense strength, beating gongs and drums, going door to door. This time, they weren't demanding flesh or feeding the Tai Sui grains.

Instead, they were distributing real grain, and even money.

Whether they were southerners, Han people, or wealthy commoners, all received great benefits.

Benevolent to all!

The entire city rejoiced!

In less than half an hour, before Ge Xian's very eyes, Lu Hualong's nickname changed from "Flesh-Cutting Magistrate" to "Benevolent Magistrate."

The county residents who had planned to seize the opportunity to flee Qiantang County today, without exception, changed their minds, household by household.

They all believed that in this chaotic world where human lives were as cheap as grass, Lu Hualong's Qiantang County was a paradise.

If Ge Xian didn't know the reason behind it, he might have thought the same upon witnessing these scenes.

Unfortunately, he knew, and thus felt an indescribable absurdity.

With his eyebrows lowered, he could do nothing but wait silently.

Another few dozen breaths passed. He didn't encounter any danger, nor did any Demon Foxes descend.

Instantly, his heart relaxed greatly, understanding that he had passed the trial of last night.

Even though he now had to face another trial.

As he gathered on the main street, Ge Xian also saw other peddlers and porters being escorted by Ghoul constables. The number of people grew, truly forming a sizable propaganda team composed entirely of peddlers, porters, and a few stall vendors skilled at shouting.

Unlike the joyful expressions of the County Residents, everyone in the propaganda team wore a grimace.

It was as if they weren't going to spread the County Magistrate's merits, but were heading to the execution ground to be beheaded.

Ge Xian also knew the reason why.

It was nothing else but the immense danger.

In his original body's memories, there was a clear warning: outside of human-inhabited areas, whether it be desolate wilderness, deep mountains and hidden valleys, or mysterious forests and swamps, there were always demons lurking, vengeful spirits wandering, or various incomprehensible and unnamable terrifying phenomena filling the air. Any one of these could easily claim a life.

Although places with human habitation weren't exactly very safe, they at least offered an extra layer of protection.

Those Ghoul constables had clearly stated that the propaganda team was going to round up the refugees from outside Qiantang County. Naturally, they would have to go to all sorts of places.

Thus, the dangers they would face were countless.

Going out alive in the morning and returning as mangled corpses in the evening was not uncommon.

Unlike them, Ge Xian didn't feel as worried in his heart. His extraordinary perception was active, and it provided astonishing feedback:

"Good heavens!"

"One, two, three... a full few dozen distinct extraordinary auras of the [Dao Entry Realm], each with its own origin, were hidden in the dark."

"Lu Hualong, that fellow, truly knows how to do business. He understands sustainable development. Not only did he organize a propaganda team, but he also assigned them a guard detail."

"And these two Ghoul constables at the front..."

As his thoughts flickered, Ge Xian looked towards the front of the propaganda team.

They appeared to be two Ghoul constables as well, but they were clearly a level higher than the others. Listening to the two ghosts introduce themselves, they were called "Zhang Buzu" and "Zhao Wuyou." When they were still human, they were capable subordinates under Lu Hualong. After becoming Ghouls, they gained extraordinary powers and had already truly reached the Dao Entry Realm.

After the team had gathered, these two ghosts saw the fear in the hearts of the peddlers and porters.

They exchanged a glance, chuckled coldly, and then said to everyone:

"Don't panic. You all belong to our master. Even if you go outside Qiantang County, where would other demons dare to eat you?"

"Brothers, show yourselves now, so these peddlers can be at ease."

"Lest you lack the strength to shout about our master's merits later."

Before the words had even fallen, in broad daylight, the two ghosts transformed simultaneously.

Two distinct foul, fishy odors erupted. Amidst the ghost mist and dust, Zhang Buzu on the left was first seen to suddenly grow over three meters tall. His flesh swelled, his belly expanding like a massive meat sac. His blood-basin mouth hung down to his chest, lined with crisscrossing ghost teeth, as if capable of devouring any flesh. Clearly, he was a [Gluttonous Ghoul].

Zhao Wuyou on the right also grew over three meters tall, but his skin and flesh were shriveled, and bone spurs protruded. His ghost eyes glowed with intense blood-red light, and his mouth seemed like a bottomless pit, filled with a craving for food. He was indeed a [Starved Ghost].

Ge Xian, who had already sensed something, was instantly alarmed:

"I've heard that cultivation is difficult for the Ghost Clan. It's easy for humans to become wandering vengeful spirits, but to transform into powerful,异种鬼 (abnormal ghost) types, the conditions are extremely harsh."

"I wonder what resources Lu Hualong used to cultivate these two Abnormal Ghosts..."

Ge Xian was merely slightly surprised, while the other merchants and peddlers were utterly terrified.

Some, flustered, could no longer hold back and prepared to flee.

But in the next moment, ripples appeared in the void around the preaching procession. Figures of cultivators, each with their own strange appearances and clearly no longer resembling humans, showing signs of [Demonic Transformation], materialized simultaneously.

Ge Xian feigned panic, but his gaze swept over them quickly and inadvertently, taking in all the dozens of distinct cultivators who had rarely gathered together.

While greatly broadening his knowledge, new conclusions formed in his mind, and he sighed:

"County Magistrate Lu Hualong is truly a remarkable man."

"He knew that his wife and he might not have enough backing to sell off [Qiantang County], so he's roped in all the prominent and wealthy families within the entire county."

"The ruling class, raising pigs together and selling the city together. They really know how to play."