Adding these new words meant that Lin Ji had taken on the karma of the Liu family of five and two constables.
The fox demon spared him out of fear of the Celestial Enforcement Bureau continuing to investigate, and he chose to temporarily endure it only because of his insufficient strength. Otherwise, he would never have let the two demons leave like that.
But one day in the future, he would personally slay these two audacious fox demons to bring closure to this matter.
"Monsters causing chaos, ghosts running amok."
Lin Ji thought of these two sentences, feeling complex emotions.
The world was becoming increasingly chaotic.
After crossing over to this world, he encountered such audacious and powerful demons for the first time.
If it weren't for the declining deterrent power of the Celestial Enforcement Bureau, how could the fox demon from the Qingqiu Fox Clan have come all the way from Yunzhou to Liangzhou, arrogantly saying that they were just a few mortals, and if they died, they died, before leaving in a leisurely manner?
However, this chaotic world was not something Lin Ji could control. All he could do now was to live well, save as many commoners as he could, and then make good use of karma to eliminate some minor demons and ghosts, quickly advancing his cultivation.
This was also why he had initially refused to transfer to Jingzhou. Demons and monsters in small places were always easier to deal with compared to those in places like Jingzhou.
Just as he was about to put away the karma book, Lin Ji suddenly remembered something else.
"Oh right, I helped Miss Luo return the sachet earlier. The karma for that matter should have been resolved by now. Why haven't I received any rewards?"
Every time he completed a karma, big or small, Lin Ji would receive a reward from the heavens the next day.
This had never failed before.
Just like when he killed the ghost general and unexpectedly obtained the Monkey Wine that could enhance cultivation.
But this time, even though he returned the sachet, there was no reward.
"This doesn't seem right," Lin Ji pondered.
"At that time, after hearing the news from the Ghost King in Tongtian Town, I rushed into the dense forest without thinking about this matter. But now it seems that Miss Luo has not yet reincarnated?"
After thinking for a while, Lin Ji couldn't figure it out.
This matter involved a third-ranking official of the current dynasty, something a mere constable like him couldn't meddle in.
"Never mind, anyway, I've already returned the sachet. This matter is no longer my concern. Let the big shots worry about it."
Putting away the karma book, Lin Ji finally had time to check on the situation of the several demon hunters.
On the other side, Ling Yin, Zhou Qian, and Guo Cong had exhausted all their spiritual energy.
The fox demon from the Qingqiu Fox Clan was indeed formidable, with various innate abilities. These three individuals were clearly trapped in illusions from the beginning and couldn't break free, yet they still ended up depleted.
"Lin Ji, that fox demon," Ling Yin was the first to wake up.
"Go check the case files yourself," Lin Ji couldn't be bothered to explain anything. Just thinking about it made him feel frustrated and upset.
After instructing Ling Yin to take care of Guo Cong and Zhou Qian, Lin Ji approached Guo Yi, who had already recovered quite a bit and was sitting against the wall.
He was holding his waist, silent.
Lin Ji couldn't help but want to laugh at the sight, but he held it in.
"Can you still fight?" Lin Ji asked.
"No, I can't," Guo Yi shook his head slightly.
Lin Ji patted Guo Yi's shoulder and comforted him, "It's okay, there's still one more person, it should be fine."
Upon hearing this, Guo Yi didn't know how to respond for a while, and in the end, he could only force a smile that was even uglier than crying.
He tore a piece of cloth from his clothes and carefully wrapped his waist.
Seeing this scene, Lin Ji asked, "Are you married?"
"I have a son who is practicing at the Qingcheng Sect."
"That's good."
Although having one person left was not ideal, it was better than before.
Soon, the demon hunters had all regained consciousness.
Some felt ashamed for not only being unable to help but also hindering the situation, but Lin Ji didn't say anything harsh.
He thought it was just an ordinary third-level fox demon, but he didn't expect it to be from the Qingqiu Valley.
Among the demon races, the Qingqiu Fox Clan was considered a very powerful group.
Therefore, it was normal for Ling Yin and the others, who were at the first and second levels, to be insufficient in strength.
Even for him, an Opening Spirit Realm cultivator, if he didn't know the Thunder Sword Technique, he probably wouldn't be able to deal with that little fox demon, let alone the old fox demon behind it.
"Guo Cong, go tell Song Er to announce that the fox demon has been subdued, the case of the Liu family has been closed, and ask the people not to panic."
"Old Guo, you just witnessed this matter, so you organize the case files. After organizing them, show them to Magistrate Li, then send them to Liangcheng."
"I need to find a good burial site for my subordinate." Guo Yi said.
Hearing this, Lin Ji suppressed his urge to say something and replied, "Alright, I won't trouble you. I'll organize the case files myself. You do need to rest."
"After everything is done, meet at the Ruyi Building tonight, my treat."
After giving the orders, Lin Ji returned to the county office.
He briefly informed Magistrate Li, then organized all the case files.
Originally, he planned to have someone send them to Liangcheng.
But he was informed that Liangcheng was currently inaccessible.
Lin Ji had no choice but to leave the case files temporarily and report them after the Ghost King's matter was resolved.
At night, at the Ruyi Building.
The entire second floor of the restaurant was empty, except for one table by the window.
Lin Ji sat at the table with Song Er, chatting casually.
"Has anything happened in the county while I was away?"
"Nothing, just some trivial matters." Song Er hurriedly replied.
"That's good," Lin Ji nodded.
After waiting at the restaurant for a while, the demon hunters also arrived one after another, along with a few ordinary constables.
Only Zhou Qian hadn't arrived.
No one felt like waiting, so after toasting Lin Ji, they began to enjoy the food.
The head chef of the Ruyi Building was said to have come from the capital and learned a few palace dishes.
Regardless of the authenticity of this claim, the dishes at the Ruyi Building were definitely top-notch in taste.
After three rounds of drinks, Zhou Qian hurriedly arrived with a girl.
He smiled and bowed to everyone, arranged for the lady next to him to sit down, and said, "Sorry, everyone, I'm late. I'll punish myself with three cups."
The atmosphere at the table was lively, as they were all colleagues from the yamen. Since Lin Ji never put on airs, everyone felt at ease.
The banquet continued until late at night, until a few constables who needed to patrol the streets at night left, and then everyone dispersed.
Lin Ji was also a bit drunk. His house was not far from Guo Cong's, so the two of them walked together.
"Boss, you... you can hold your liquor well."
"It's you who can't handle it, being so big but only knowing how to eat," Lin Ji swayed.
"It's boring to have a meal with our own people, and Zhou Qian even brought a woman. It's really pathetic," Guo Cong mumbled with a tongue out. "Tonight, that kid, apart from punishing himself with a few cups at the beginning, kept staring at that woman the whole time and didn't say a word! I bet he'll end up dead in a woman's embrace sooner or later."
Upon hearing this, Lin Ji chuckled.
"That kid seems to have changed his ways. Every year, he competes for the top courtesan at the Minghua Building. Although the girl he brought tonight is not bad-looking, it's not to the extent of him being so infatuated."
"True."
(End of this chapter)