Dongyuan Prefecture’s capital was undoubtedly its safest place, so Lin Yun had no worries leaving Yu Ying there.
After leaving the city.
Lin Yun pulled out the intelligence on his first target.
The man, named Zhu Kui, was at the fifth-stage tribulation realm, with no family, his whereabouts unpredictable. Over the past century, he had accumulated millions of karmic debts, amassing immense malevolent aura. His most frequent haunt was Ye Shi County in Dongxing Prefecture.
Malevolent aura stemmed from slaughtering the innocent and accumulating karmic debts.
If there was pre-existing enmity, no aura would form.
For example, if Lin Yun killed someone he had a grudge with, no malevolent aura would arise due to their mutual cause and effect.
But Zhu Kui killed those unrelated to him, with no grudges, making his karmic debts profound!
Being a lone figure with no ties and erratic movements made tracking him troublesome.
Lin Yun headed straight for Ye Shi County in Dongxing Prefecture to stake him out.
…
Ye Shi County.
When Lin Yun arrived outside the county city, night had fully fallen.
Ye Shi County was a remote, unremarkable place in Dongxing Prefecture, obscure even within Dongyuan Prefecture.
Compared to prefecture or county capitals, this small city was insignificant in Lin Yun’s eyes.
Yet, despite being “small,” Ye Shi County had a permanent population of over 100 million.
On his way, Lin Yun had changed into plain, low-key clothing to avoid drawing attention and spooking his target.
Squeak!
As Lin Yun reached the city gate, the guards were closing it, the dozens-of-meters-tall gate slowly shutting.
“Wait!” Lin Yun shouted, quickening his pace.
“The gate’s closing—hurry in!” the guards urged.
Lin Yun slipped through just before the gate fully closed.
Thud!
The gate shut behind him.
Whether in prefecture, county, or city capitals, flying directly into a city from outside was forbidden. Doing so would trigger the protective array, and intruding via air was a serious crime. Normally, entry was through the gate.
At night, city gates closed, prohibiting entry or exit.
Flight was also banned within the city, though with the city lord’s permission, low-altitude flight was allowed. But entry and exit required using the gate, a privilege rarely granted.
After entering, Lin Yun strolled through the city.
The intelligence only indicated Ye Shi County as Zhu Kui’s most frequent haunt.
Though smaller than county or prefecture capitals, this city of over 100 million was still lively.
Despite the night, the streets were brightly lit.
After wandering a bit, Lin Yun stopped before a young beggar on the roadside.
“Young hero, please spare some kindness,” the beggar said, holding out a tattered bowl.
Lin Yun produced ten spirit crystals and placed them in the bowl.
The beggar’s eyes lit up at the sight.
For a beggar like him, ten spirit crystals were a fortune.
Like a beggar on Earth receiving ten thousand yuan.
“Thank you, young hero! Your kindness will surely bring you good fortune!” the beggar said, repeatedly thanking him.
Lin Yun squatted before him, smiling: “Answer a few questions, and I’ll give you another ten spirit crystals.”
“Yes, yes, yes! Ask away, young hero. I’ll tell you everything I know!” the beggar nodded eagerly.
“Have you heard of Zhu Kui?” Lin Yun asked.
“Zhu Kui? The great demon Zhu Kui? Of course I know him. He’s infamous across several nearby counties,” the beggar replied.
“Do you know his whereabouts?” Lin Yun pressed.
Beggars, being among the lowest rungs, often had access to local gossip.
“A demon like him has unpredictable movements. How would I know? But I do know he sometimes shows up at Flower Moon Tower in our county,” the beggar said.
Lin Yun’s heart leapt—this was a critical lead.
“Good. Here’s ten more spirit crystals.” Lin Yun waved his hand, producing another ten and handing them over.
Giving a beggar thousands of crystals would only bring him trouble.
“Thank you, young hero! Thank you!” the beggar said gratefully.
“Lead me to Flower Moon Tower, and I’ll treat you to a drink. Coming?” Lin Yun smiled.
“This…” The beggar hesitated.
“What, don’t trust me?” Lin Yun chuckled.
“Of course not! Since you’ve given me so many crystals, I’ll guide you!” The beggar nodded quickly and led the way.
Following the beggar, Lin Yun headed to Flower Moon Tower.
Lin Yun brought him along to ensure he didn’t leak the fact that Lin Yun was asking questions.
For an ordinary person, killing the beggar would secure secrecy, but he was innocent, and Lin Yun didn’t want to do that. Keeping him close until the target was dealt with would suffice.
At Flower Moon Tower’s entrance.
“Young hero, this is it,” the beggar said, pointing to the brightly lit, bustling building.
“Come on, follow me in,” Lin Yun said with a slight smile.
“You’re treating me to a drink here? No way, it’s too expensive!” the beggar said, waving his hands.
“Don’t worry. I’ll cover all your expenses here,” Lin Yun said.
“Let’s go.”
Without further ado, Lin Yun pulled the beggar toward the entrance.
“Young hero, this… isn’t right,” the beggar said nervously, but Lin Yun soon dragged him inside.
Inside.
A heavily made-up woman at the door eyed the beggar.
“Isn’t this Young Master Shu? Now a filthy beggar! What are you doing here? Can you afford this place? Get out!” she said, covering her nose with disdain.
The beggar’s face flushed with embarrassment.
“His bill’s on me. No matter how much, I’ll cover it!” Lin Yun said, producing over a thousand spirit crystals to show the woman.
Seeing the crystals, she quickly smiled: “My apologies, young master.”
