Temple Fair

The next day.

In the small courtyard Lin Qing rented, Shen Lian heard that Jiang Baihe was dead and clapped her hands again and again.

"Good riddance!"

"That old bastard was rotten to the core. Every time he saw me, his eyes swept over the four ounces of flesh on my chest. He should've pissed in a puddle and taken a look at himself—he looked like a black goat. Made me sick just looking at him. I don't know which righteous soul killed him, but he's done the people a favor!" Shen Lian sat sprawled in a chair, one pale, fleshy thigh exposed, and did not care in the slightest.

"The Soul-Calming Office put out a notice saying Yin Muhua did it." Lin Qing practiced Eight Strikes of the Spirit Snake as he answered offhandedly.

"Bullshit! I know what Han Tai's like. He bullies the weak and fears the strong. Bet he found out the killer was too powerful to pursue, got scared of drawing the fire onto himself, and pinned it on Yin Muhua." Shen Lian gave a disdainful snort.

"Your insight is sharp, Lord Shen. I thought the same thing." Lin Qing smiled.

When he heard the office's announcement blaming Yin Muhua, he had wanted to laugh. Her reputation as a villain was so firmly lodged in everyone's mind that they could dump any bucket of filth over her head and get away with it.

"Who cares who did it? I'm just glad he's dead. Better yet if they'd killed Pang Tong too." Shen Lian grumbled and tossed a roasted soybean into her mouth.

"Careful what you say, Lord Shen," Lin Qing hastened to warn her. He was cautious by nature, but Shen Lian was the opposite: loud-voiced and willing to say anything.

"Careful, my ass. What's wrong with cursing him a couple of times? Is he going to kill me for it?" Shen Lian rolled her eyes, utterly unconcerned.

Lin Qing knew that was simply her nature and there was no point arguing, so he changed the subject.

"Lord Shen, I have two banknotes. Could you exchange them for me? I need cash."

"More banknotes? How much?" Shen Lian raised an eyebrow. The last time Lin Qing had borrowed a considerable sum from her, he had repaid her in banknotes. Now he wanted to exchange banknotes for silver again.

"Two. A hundred taels each," Lin Qing answered.

"Well, well. You're a wealthy lad." A knowing smile spread across Shen Lian's face.

"A little spare change. Nothing compared with you, Lord Shen." Lin Qing smiled.

He knew Shen Lian could guess a thing or two, but he also knew her temperament. She would not pry.

"Fine, I'll exchange them. I'm in a good mood today, and there's a temple fair outside. Come stroll around with me, and I'll give you the silver." Shen Lian stood up.

"Easy enough." Lin Qing smiled.

Once he exchanged the banknotes for two hundred taels of silver, the Rebirth Record could upgrade at once. His strength would surge again.

"Change your clothes and come with me!" Shen Lian ordered.

Lin Qing had just finished training and reeked of sweat. He went back to his room, took a quick cold bath, changed into clean, fresh clothes, and headed out with Shen Lian.

This was a day of great significance in Jiangyin County. On this day in years past, the Barbarian Army had attacked the county seat. A Martial Artist named Qin Li had entered their camp by night and assassinated the Barbarians' commander, forcing their soldiers to withdraw and sparing the people of Jiangyin County from slaughter.

Ever since, the people of Jiangyin County had gathered of their own accord each year on this day to honor the hero.

Lin Qing followed Shen Lian toward Qin Li Temple. Along the way, she spent money like water, buying one thing after another and dumping it all into his arms.

She did not stop until they entered Qin Li Temple.

"By custom, anyone entering the temple should offer three sticks of incense," Shen Lian said.

Lin Qing nodded slightly and set his bundles on a chair. Before Qin Li's statue, he took three sticks of incense and bowed three times with solemn respect.

"The path of a Martial Artist is a path of great courage. In a world this murky, you stepped forward for the people in their hour of peril and gave your life for what was right. I, Lin Qing, admire you beyond words. I only regret that I was not born in your time to witness your greatness."

Shen Lian's expression was solemn too. She bowed three times and placed her three sticks of incense in the burner.

When Lin Qing left the temple, his bearing had grown steadier, and his mind was much calmer.

His strength had risen at a breakneck pace lately, but his mind had grown restless.

He had paid no real price for power that others could not gain through decades of grueling practice. It felt wonderful, but it could also leave his head floating in the clouds.

Within Qin Li Temple, however, an air of peace and tranquility had helped him see himself clearly and return to his true heart.

Even with the Rebirth Record, I can't let this go to my head. Act cautiously, grow stronger carefully, and never underestimate the people of this world, Lin Qing kept reminding himself.

On the way home, Lin Qing had just left the bustling street when he came face-to-face with a "familiar" figure: Han Tai.

Han Tai was tall and broad, with a fierce-looking face. He had barely spoken to Lin Qing before, but now he blocked their path.

Shen Lian burst out, "A decent dog doesn't block the road!"

Han Tai frowned. "Shen Lian, I'm investigating a case under orders. You have no right to interfere. Lin Qing, come with me. I need to speak to you!"

Lin Qing handed the bundles to Shen Lian and followed Han Tai into a teahouse by the street.

"Lin Qing, do you know what you've done? Hand over the Buddha Statue!"

The moment they entered a private room, Han Tai whirled around, a sharp, oppressive aura erupting from him.

Lin Qing froze. A string of questions leaped into his mind. How did Han Tai know?

But he quickly steadied himself and suspected a trick. If Han Tai truly had evidence, he would not go to all this trouble. He would simply seize Lin Qing and throw him in jail. This looked more like a bluff meant to frighten him.

His thoughts raced, but his face remained calm. "You must be mistaken, Lord Han. I've never seen the Buddha Statue. I don't know what you mean."

Han Tai said nothing. His eyes remained fixed on Lin Qing.

After a while, he suddenly relaxed, turned, and sat down. "Sit. Waiter, bring tea!"

Lin Qing relaxed too. He was certain Han Tai had been bluffing, though he broke into a cold sweat at the thought. Someone with weaker nerves would probably have fallen for it.

Confusion flickered through Han Tai's eyes as well. He had indeed been bluffing Lin Qing.

He had been searching for the Buddha Statue for some time, and Lin Qing was one of the suspects. But the investigation had led nowhere, and he had given up.

Yesterday, however, Han Shantong had ordered him to continue. He had no choice but to start again and revisit every suspect.

He had watched Lin Qing's reaction closely just now, yet seen not the slightest trace of panic. Surely Lin Qing was telling the truth—unless he had extraordinary composure. But Han Tai thought that impossible. Lin Qing was only eighteen.

Is the Buddha Statue even in Jiangyin County? Han Tai wondered.

As he pondered, Lin Qing spoke up. "Lord Han, if there's nothing else, may I leave?"

Han Tai abruptly forced a smile. "Lin Qing, my Han Family is forming a Bandit-Suppression Alliance and needs people. We're looking to recruit capable talent. You have exceptional talent. Join my Han Family, and in time, you can have anything you want. You could even marry a woman of the Han Family. What do you say?"

Lin Qing's interest stirred. He did not know what the Han Family was planning. Why form a Bandit-Suppression Alliance out of the blue?

Han Tai was grumbling inwardly too. Han Shantong had ordered him to draw the capable and promising members of the Soul-Calming Office into the alliance, but he had no idea what for.

Suppress bandits for the people? I wouldn't believe that if you beat me to death. Han Shantong isn't that kindhearted.

Lin Qing considered briefly, then cupped his hands. "I have no great abilities. I'm afraid I'd disappoint Master Han. I'll have to decline."

"Lin Qing, think carefully. You have a Low-Grade Yin Bone. People from Prefectural City will arrive in a few days, and even if you train Eight Strikes of the Spirit Snake to Perfect Mastery, you'll have a hard time passing the assessment. My Han Family has precious medicine that can improve the quality of your Yin Bone and help you rise to the heavens in a single step. This is a chance sent by heaven. Miss it, and there won't be another." Han Tai's expression was grave.