By the Liang River, dozens of miles away from Qingyang County.
Two figures in long robes, one black and one white, their faces indiscernible, walked side by side along the river.
Suddenly, the black-robed figure's expression changed slightly.
"The ghost I just subdued was killed by someone."
"How could that be?" The white robe looked surprised. "In a small Qingyang County, without even a fourth realm demon hunter, how could they have killed that little ghost? That little ghost itself was at the fourth realm and had gathered many ghosts to empower it."
"I don't know, but my connection with that ghost has been severed."
"Interesting. Do you want to go take a look?"
"No need, at this moment, it's not appropriate for us to show ourselves. It was just a dispensable ghost. If it's dead, then so be it." The black robe shook his head slightly.
After a moment of contemplation, the white robe chuckled, "You're right. Showing up easily now might lead to unnecessary trouble, or worse, attract the attention of the Heavenly Officials of the Monitoring Heavenly Bureau... that would be real trouble."
At this point, the two of them unconsciously stopped in their tracks.
"Calculating the time, it should be about time." The black robe suddenly asked.
"The surging dragon energy in the capital has subsided. I heard Gao Qunshu has already summoned the Heavenly Officials back to the capital, but the Heavenly Officials are preoccupied with trivial matters and won't be returning so soon." The white robe's tone carried a hint of schadenfreude.
"It seems that it's not just us who want to see the downfall of Da Qin."
"Of course." The black robe's voice also carried a hint of amusement. "Compared to us, those aristocratic families and sects who have been suppressed by the court, although they don't say it openly, in secret, they are eager for chaos in the world."
"When the world is in chaos, they can emerge, they can use this opportunity to cultivate and save people!"
"You're right." The white robe nodded. "The Great Qin Dynasty has been too high and mighty for too long."
With that said, the white robe chuckled lightly at the black robe, took a step forward, and as soon as his foot touched the ground, he disappeared without a trace.
Only a faint voice lingered in the black robe's ear.
"Don't delay important matters, I have to go to Liang City."
The black robe shook his head in silence.
"I won't delay."
Qingyang County yamen.
Lin Ji lay on the bed in the side hall, staring at the ceiling, feeling somewhat idle.
This bed was used to place corpses. Not long ago, the two colleagues who were killed by the fox demon were gasping for breath in this side hall.
And on another bed lay Zhong Xiaoyan, whose head was buzzing from being struck by heavenly thunder.
"Hey." Zhong Xiaoyan turned to look at Lin Ji.
Lin Ji ignored her, too lazy to bother with her.
"How did you manage to master the Thunder Sword Technique? I've also studied it, but it's so difficult, I haven't even gotten the hang of it yet."
"Maybe because you're too stupid," Lin Ji replied casually.
"You're the stupid one! If it weren't for me tonight, you would have been done for a long time ago."
That was the truth, and Lin Ji couldn't argue with that.
If it weren't for this girl's fire spirit severely injuring the ghost, delaying for some time, Lin Ji wouldn't have had the chance to use the Thunder Sword Technique to kill the ghost.
But Lin Ji just didn't want to back down in front of this girl.
"Well, if it weren't for me, your head would have been moved to another place long ago."
"Isn't it because of saving you?"
"Don't you boast? You didn't seize the opportunity to strike back when you had the upper hand, and dared to make fun of me. In the end, you almost lost your life."
Lin Ji turned to look at Zhong Xiaoyan, with a mocking look on his face. "Even a lion needs to go all out to catch a rabbit. If you don't understand this principle, how have you survived until now?"
"I... I..." Zhong Xiaoyan was at a loss for words.
Lin Ji chuckled.
"Also, stop calling yourself a young master. Your disguise is only fooling yourself."
"Nonsense, Ling says my disguise is perfect!"
"Well, you're right." Lin Ji couldn't be bothered to argue with her anymore.
There was a brief silence in the side hall.
Seemingly provoked by Lin Ji, Zhong Xiaoyan turned her head away and stopped looking at him.
But after a while, she couldn't help but ask, "Hey, how did you dare to rush into the ghost domain of that ghost, you're only at the third realm, right?"
"What else could I do?" Lin Ji retorted. "There are only two third realm demon hunters in the county. Lao Guo is busy in the city, and the Hundred Ghosts Night is about to reach the county. Should I just stand by?"
"Also, don't call me 'hey,' call me Lin Ji."
"I know, I'm Zhong Xiaoyan."
"Aren't you afraid of death?" Zhong Xiaoyan couldn't help but look at Lin Ji again.
"Of course, I'm terrified of death." Lin Ji said, "That's why I'm thinking about whether I can leave the Monitoring Heavenly Bureau. I'm done with this job."
In the past, Qingyang County was not like it is now, with strange incidents happening every few days, and having to fight for their lives against evil spirits every now and then.
When the world is in chaos, it's not the carefree ones who suffer, but those like Lin Ji, who have responsibilities as cultivators.
"Lack of ambition." Zhong Xiaoyan was somewhat disdainful.
"I've never had great ambitions, you're right." Lin Ji chuckled and glanced at a certain part of Zhong Xiaoyan. "In this aspect, I'm indeed not as good as you."
Zhong Xiaoyan pretended not to hear, glanced at Lin Ji, and looked up at the ceiling like him, saying casually, "During the day, I saw you release that thief at the tavern. I thought you were just a lazy official."
"You're right, I am just a lazy official." Lin Ji admitted straightforwardly.
He was indeed quite lazy in his work, as long as it didn't involve loss of life, he would stay as far away as possible.
"Can you let me finish?" Zhong Xiaoyan sat up somewhat irritably, but in doing so, she aggravated her injuries, and grimaced before lying back down.
She glared at Lin Ji, but her tone softened a bit.
"But seeing you fearlessly charge into the ghost domain tonight and even engage in a prolonged battle with a ghost that you clearly couldn't defeat, your image in my eyes has changed a bit."
"At least, you're not completely useless."
As she spoke, Zhong Xiaoyan gestured with her thumb and pinky, indicating a nearly imperceptible gap when comparing Lin Ji.
Just a tiny bit.
"No need, you can think of me however you want."
"You really can't take a compliment!"
"Thanks for the praise."
"You're driving me crazy!" Zhong Xiaoyan huffed and stopped talking.
Not long after, her maid Ling, led by Guo Yi, arrived at the side hall.
Seeing her mistress lying on the bed, Ling ran over anxiously.
"Miss, are you okay? Let me take you back to rest."
Ling helped Zhong Xiaoyan up, and they quickly left the side hall.
As they left, Zhong Xiaoyan gave Lin Ji a fierce glare before leaving.
But Lin Ji didn't even notice.
"Boss, how are your injuries?"
"Just superficial wounds, nothing serious." Lin Ji yawned, waving his hand to indicate that Guo Yi needn't worry.
The ghostly energy on the wound had dissipated after leaving the ghost domain, neutralized by his spiritual energy.
The long knife wound on his chest looked fierce, but for a cultivator who had already crossed the Body Tempering Realm, it would only take a few days to heal.
Continued support is appreciated!!!
(End of this chapter)