Zhang Zhen

Once the door opened, someone he never could have expected appeared inside.

"Clerk Song? What are you doing here?"

Song Qing usually stayed with Zhang He, so he essentially represented Zhang He's will.

They normally had no dealings with each other, keeping to their own sides like well water and river water.

After giving it some thought, Chen Feng roughly understood why he had come.

It was most likely because of Lin Jun.

It seemed Lin Jun's strength had made Zhang He feel pressure.

"Young Master Chen, long time no see."

Before Song Qing had even finished speaking, Lin Jun had already emerged from the room.

"Lord Lin."

Song Qing hurriedly bowed.

Although the government office and the Demon Affairs Prefecture belonged to two separate systems, Song Qing kept his posture exceedingly humble.

This act of lowering himself showed that Zhang He's attitude toward Lin Jun had softened.

"Clerk Song, have demons caused trouble somewhere again for you to come to the Demon Affairs Prefecture?"

"You jest, Lord Lin. The demons in the surrounding area have been cowed by you. They spend their days trembling in fear—how would they dare stir up trouble?"

That was indeed true. Because of Lin Jun's ruthless exterminating methods, even slightly weaker demons did not dare make any rash moves.

Especially after Spiritual Insight had been destroyed.

Spiritual Insight had not been some ordinary Mortal demon.

"Then why has Clerk Song come?"

Song Qing lowered his head even further.

"Lord Lin, let us speak plainly among those who know each other. You only have one month left before returning to the Demon Exorcism Bureau to take up your post. Why muddy yourself all over at such a critical time?"

"Lord Zhang hopes you can keep yourself in line, as you did before. That would be good for both sides."

Song Qing drew a deep breath.

"Some demons are beyond your ability to handle, Lord Lin. The waters of Green Forest County run deep. You only earn five taels a month—there is no need to risk your life."

Over these past days, Lin Jun had truly seen what it meant for a tiny temple to breed fierce demons, and shallow waters to teem with turtles.

To be honest, the number of demons around Green Forest County required at least an entire Demon Exorcism Bureau squad to eradicate.

Green Forest County's methods of deceiving those above were simply masterful beyond measure.

In Zhang He's eyes, Lin Jun had neither been formally entered into the ranks nor received any generous salary. He simply could not understand what Lin Jun was doing all this for.

"If you are willing, Lord Zhang is prepared to clear out an easy, leisurely position for you in Green Forest County."

When threats failed, they were planning to tempt him with profit.

Zhang He probably never imagined that Lin Jun killed demons not for that meager salary at all.

"Go back."

Song Qing knew this trip had been in vain.

Before leaving, he turned around and said solemnly:

"Lord Lin, please take extra care these days. It would be best not to wander about recklessly. A Snake Demon has returned to Green Forest County... and it is very powerful."

Remembering the scene when he had seen the white snake last time, he could not help but shudder.

Its mere presence had left him unable to move. Aside from Lord Zhang Ju, it was the most terrifying demon he had ever seen.

"Was that also Zhang He's intention?"

"No, Lord Lin. This is merely the advice of an ordinary citizen of Green Forest County... Don't die, Lord Lin."

It was already dangerous for Song Qing to say this much. He could not say any more.

If his entire family had not been in Zhang He's hands, who would be willing to become a demon's lackey?

Lin Jun said nothing, merely nodding solemnly at Song Qing.

"Zhang Ju is a demon?"

"...A Fox Spirit."

After saying that, Song Qing vaulted over the wall and left, leaving Lin Jun and Chen Feng where they stood.

After a moment of silence, Chen Feng spoke. "Legend says fox demons differ from ordinary demons. Most of them enjoy human life, and some even voluntarily transform themselves and blend in among humans."

"Thirty years ago, when the wife of General Zhang Zhen, the pillar of Liuyang Commandery, went into labor, she gave birth to eight little foxes."

"Those foxes devoured everyone around them the moment they were born, then scattered in all directions. The matter caused an enormous uproar. After all, the pillar of the Demon Exorcism Bureau in Liuyang Commandery had turned out to be a demon as well. The Demon Exorcism Bureau lost all face over it back then."

"Afterward, General Zhang Zhen never appeared before the public again, and the eight foxes fled without a trace. To this day, only four have been caught."

Lin Jun shot Chen Feng a look.

"If you have something to say, spit it out. Stop laying so much groundwork. Are you writing an essay here?"

Chen Feng's expression turned exceedingly grave.

"Lord Lin, do you find it strange? That general's name was Zhang Zhen."

The surname was Zhang. "You mean Zhang Ju is connected to Zhang Zhen?"

Four of those little foxes had not been caught back then!

Madam Zhang had already been confirmed to be human. Then Zhang Zhen had to have been a fox demon, without a doubt!

"Lord Lin, this matter is no small thing. I believe we should report it to the higher-ups immediately."

Lin Jun nodded.

"Well said. So, will you deliver the message?"

Chen Feng's face instantly turned pale.

It was not that he was afraid. He had merely noticed a problem.

No one would believe him!

That was right. Lin Jun was burdened with a mountain of bad deeds, and word had already spread through the Demon Exorcism Bureau about how his benefactor had abused authority for personal gain.

Lin Jun and his benefactor were practically at the level where everyone shouted for them to be beaten in the current Demon Exorcism Bureau.

Moreover, when Lin Jun had been at his benefactor's side, he had always appeared to be an ignorant good-for-nothing. Who would believe information from someone like that?

They would only think, That brat is embarrassing his uncle again.

"Let us discuss this after a month. There is no rush."

Chen Feng's eyes lit up.

Right. With Lin Jun's current strength and achievements, he would definitely be entered into the Demon Exorcism Bureau's official register in a month.

Even if they did not believe what Lin Jun said then, they would still send people down to investigate.

"Lord Lin is right."

He truly had been too anxious, and this matter might not be as terrible as he had imagined.

After all, there were countless Fox Spirits in the world. It was not as though there were no Fox Spirits with the surname Zhang.

Perhaps it was merely a coincidence.

Chen Feng kept consoling himself.

"Come. Go with me to the blacksmith's shop."

With that, Lin Jun led Chen Feng to the same blacksmith's shop as last time.

Seeing Lin Jun arrive, the blacksmith, who had long been waiting, hurriedly rose to his feet.

"Lord Lin, your blade."

Lin Jun took the blade. The cracks covering it had already been repaired.

Blood-Baleful Aura could harm not only enemies, but also placed an enormous burden on the blade itself. The two strikes he had used against the Rat Demon last time had already shattered its body.

"Lord Lin, I am not much of a master smith. I usually only forge farming tools and the like. I truly am sorry—I wasted such fine materials."

The bones and remains of demons were excellent materials for forging blades. A skilled smith could forge demonic remains into a weapon and unleash power far beyond the ordinary.

Lin Jun had asked the blacksmith to forge the Rat Demon's remains into the blade.

Unfortunately, the blacksmith's skills were limited. After being forged into the blade, the remains of an Origin Transformation demon might only bring out ten or twenty percent of their proper effect.

Still, Lin Jun was already very satisfied. At the very least, the blade had become stronger. The next time he used Blood-Baleful Aura, it would not shatter after only a few uses.

"Not bad. I am satisfied."

Lin Jun tossed over a pouch of coins.

For a place like this, achieving this much was already quite impressive.

"Lord Lin, why give me money? I forged this blade. By that account, I have killed demons too. I cannot accept this money."

Lin Jun paid no heed to the blacksmith's refusal. He mounted the deer in a single motion and headed out of the city.

Chen Feng did not follow. He had a clear understanding of himself.

Last time, he had nearly held Lin Jun back against the Rat Demon. He knew that going along would only cause Lin Jun more trouble.

Chen Feng secretly gritted his teeth, resolving to keep pace with Lin Jun.