In the early morning, Lin Ji woke up from his slumber.
Yawning, he pushed open the window. The garden outside, bathed in the morning light from the east, looked exceptionally vibrant and colorful.
"The best time of the year." Lin Ji sighed deeply, taking in a breath of fresh air.
Late spring, most of the chill had dissipated, yet the summer heat had not arrived.
Getting up from bed, he put on his inner clothes and walked into the courtyard.
He pulled up a mischievous spirit buried in the ground, with only two green sprouts showing, instructing it to start working.
Soon after, the maids who had been waiting surrounded him.
Some were carrying water basins, some had face towels, and even a toothbrush made of horsehair was handed to him.
Lin Ji simply washed his face, not using the fishbone-made toothbrush that looked repulsive.
As a cultivator, if his body was dirty, a wash of spiritual energy would suffice.
So even washing his face was just a formality for him.
He performed a set of Tai Chi exercises in the courtyard with grace, then proceeded to the dining hall as usual.
As expected, breakfast was already prepared.
Today's meal was lamb soup. The soup was milky white and thick, with barely a hint of gaminess.
Taking the bowl of meat soup handed to him by the maid Qiu Xiang, Lin Ji took a sip.
Fresh!
The gaminess of the lamb was mostly removed, leaving just a hint that added to the flavor rather than repelling.
After finishing the bowl, a lingering taste remained in his mouth.
He then used chopsticks to pick up evenly cut pieces of lamb on the table, dipped them in the sauce.
Tender!
The lamb, upon entering his mouth, had distinct textures, tender yet not overly soft, cooked to perfection.
As he chewed, the meat flavor filled his entire mouth.
Feeling refreshed after breakfast, Lin Ji left the dining hall, where the steward Lao Li was already waiting outside.
"What's the matter?"
"Master, the gifts that were sent back as you instructed, the Tian family has sent them back again." Lao Li said cautiously.
"Send the medicinal herbs to the government office, say it's a token of the Tian family's goodwill, and keep the gold and jewels for the household expenses." Lin Ji waved his hand dismissively.
He couldn't be bothered with such trivial matters.
As for the medicinal herbs that could be used for cultivation resources, Lin Ji currently had no need for them.
He hadn't even cultivated last night, and this morning he felt that his cultivation had advanced slightly, so he didn't need to rely on medicinal herbs.
In Lin Ji's estimation, even if he didn't go out to slay demons and eliminate evil to accumulate karma, just by following the routine for a year or so, he would still be able to break through again.
After being busy for most of the day, it was time to go to the government office.
Back in Qingyang County, Lin Ji would go to the county office or not, as it made no difference as long as there were no cases.
But now that he was the chief constable, things were different.
Although Lin Ji still arrived late and left early, he had to show up every day.
He leisurely made his way to the government office.
As soon as he arrived at the gate, the gatekeeper quickly saluted.
"Greetings, Master Lin."
"Hmm." Lin Ji responded casually, not taking it seriously.
But as he walked a few steps into the government office, he felt that something was amiss.
Everyone he had met before would voluntarily stop in their tracks and make way for him.
After bowing respectfully, they would only leave after he had walked away.
Lin Ji immediately understood that the effects of the Tian family's actions from yesterday were taking place.
Even the city folks who looked down on him, a country bumpkin, now seemed wary.
This was a good thing.
In the study of the government office, Lin Ji spent a leisurely morning.
After sending off Tian Wenliang, the deputy of the Lin family was replaced by an experienced old steward.
He had been arranged to come just the night before.
This steward, upon hearing about Tian Wenliang's matter, didn't dare to be negligent and spent the night organizing recent events.
Early in the morning, a summarized version of the documents from various counties in Liangzhou, except for Lianghe County, was placed on Lin Ji's desk.
Lin Ji took half an hour to go through it.
In short, everything was calm everywhere except for Lianghe County.
It was too peaceful to be true.
"Concealing the truth." Lin Ji put down the documents and yawned.
He knew all the ins and outs of the matter.
The people below, as long as they could cover it up, would downplay major issues and trivialize minor ones, resolutely avoiding causing trouble for those above.
If they couldn't cover it up.
Then everyone would be in trouble together, with no one getting away unscathed.
Thinking of the case in Lianghe County, Lin Ji's expression showed a hint of worry. Zhan Chengfeng had been investigating for several days without any news, indicating that the case was very tricky.
"Could it be that Zhan Daren is trapped?" Lin Ji thought to himself, feeling a sense of heaviness. If even Zhan Chengfeng, a cultivator at the Sixth Realm, was stuck in Lianghe County, then the situation was very bad.
"Anyway, I'm just a basic constable at the Fourth Realm. If something happens, the headquarters will handle it. Why should I worry?"
Just as Lin Ji was thinking this, Zhou Ying anxiously knocked on the door of the study, interrupting his thoughts.
"What's the matter that's so urgent?" Lin Ji asked with a furrowed brow.
"Master, please go to the main hall, there are visitors from above."
"Visitors from above?" Lin Ji suddenly became alert, frowning as he inquired further.
"I can't explain clearly, you'll know when you see it." Zhou Ying replied vaguely.
Confused, Lin Ji quickly left the study and entered the main hall.
At that moment, Sun Hai and others were already in the hall, standing to the side with bitter smiles.
The civil officials from the yamen were also asked to wait on the side.
In the center of the hall stood a young woman in a white martial attire, exuding a sense of heroism.
The woman appeared to be in her twenties, with long hair tied in a ponytail cascading down her back. Her bright eyes carried a hint of authority.
Her gaze swept over everyone in the hall until it landed on Lin Ji, finally coming to a stop.
Lin Ji furrowed his brows slightly.
"May I ask where the young lady is from? Do you not know this is the Liangzhou government office? Why have you brought several officials and constables from the city?"
Before he could finish his sentence, he saw the woman take out a token from her bosom.
The token looked somewhat old, silver-gray in color, with only the character 'Wandering' on it.
But Lin Ji knew that on the back of the token, there were stars embellished.
The woman raised the token towards Lin Ji.
"I am Lu Zhao'er."
Without hesitation, Lin Ji bowed in respect.
Not a full bow, just a slight nod.
"Liangzhou Chief Constable Lin Ji, I have met Lu Youxing."
Lin Ji recognized the token as the identity token of the Wandering Star Official from the Celestial Monitoring Bureau, holding the fifth-rank official position.
The Wandering Star Official traveled the world, slaying demons, rectifying injustices, investigating corrupt officials.
While Lin Ji was paying his respects, he couldn't help but inwardly smile bitterly.
How could it be that a Wandering Star Official had come knocking on his door within half a day of enjoying a good time? These troublemakers never showed up unless there was a major issue.
As Lin Ji was silently cursing, Lu Zhao'er had already arrived in front of him.
Lin Ji caught a whiff of a fragrant breeze.
Then he heard the words he absolutely did not want to hear.
"Only you are at the Fourth Realm, come with me."
With those words, Lu Zhao'er didn't wait for Lin Ji's reaction, turning around and walking out.
A new character has appeared, everyone can compare hearts on the homepage! o(╯□╰)o
(End of this chapter)