Early the next morning, Ning Zhiqi and Yi Xiaoqian stepped out of their guest room and saw Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan already waiting in the main hall.
Lu Zheng looked refreshed; Liu Qingyan’s cheeks glowed with a soft radiance. Yi Xiaoqian hid a knowing smile, pulled Ning Zhiqi to sit at the side.
“We were weary from travel yesterday and slept late. Please forgive us, Brother Lu,” Ning Zhiqi said, cupping his hands in apology.
Lu Zheng laughed. “Not late at all. We rose early precisely because it would be poor hospitality to keep guests waiting. Actually, we only just got up ourselves.”
That morning, Lu Zheng had still been holding Liu Qingyan’s warm, soft body, dozing comfortably, when she shook him awake, insisting they mustn’t let the guests wait too long.
“Let us have breakfast first. Afterwards I will accompany you to the yamen,” Lu Zheng said. “I am on good terms with the magistrate, the county lieutenant, the registrar, and the others. I can save you some trouble.”
That night they had stormed the ghost manor together, Ning Zhiqi had not hesitated to follow, then stood alone against a horde of ghosts without flinching. His courage and character were outstanding. Lu Zheng did not mind lending a small hand.
As an outer disciple of White Cloud Temple who had solved several troublesome cases for Tonglin County, and who had previously gifted scorpion-brew liquor that restored the virility of the yamen’s senior officials, Lu Zheng’s face carried considerable weight.
A lofty cultivator who remained humble and courteous, where else could one find such a person?
Thus, both Lu Zheng and Benevolent Heart Hall enjoyed a transcendent status among the county officials. Introducing a new deputy magistrate was nothing at all.
Moreover, Ning Zhiqi was young, a disciple of the Minister of Rites, and clearly destined for greatness. Even officials who sought no favours would not refuse to give face.
Unless… heh… well, even then, with Lu Zheng stepping forward, anyone who bore grudges would surely feel a twinge of guilt and wariness.
…
After breakfast, Liu Qingyan met Du Yueyao at the gate and the two headed to Benevolent Heart Hall together. Since Yi Xiaoqian could not accompany Ning Zhiqi to the handover, she followed the ladies, saying she would help out at the clinic.
Lu Zheng strolled leisurely with Ning Zhiqi to the county yamen.
“Greetings, Young Master Lu! Greetings Deputy Magistrate Ning!”
Constable Liu and Registrar Li were already waiting outside the gate. Seeing Lu Zheng arrive with the new deputy magistrate, their faces lit up with enthusiasm.
“His Honour the Magistrate, Lord County Lieutenant, and Lord Wang are all waiting in the rear hall. This way, please!”
“After you, Brother Ning,” Lu Zheng said with a smile.
“Thank you, Brother Lu!” Ning Zhiqi returned the courtesy politely.
Once inside the rear courtyard, they found the three senior officials chatting. Two wore official robes; the eldest, soon to retire, wore ordinary clothes, Deputy Magistrate Wang.
Lu Zheng greeted them, effectively endorsing Ning Zhiqi. Wang then took Ning Zhiqi away to handle the handover, while Lu Zheng stayed behind to chat with the magistrate and county lieutenant.
He had planned to leave after a few words, but before his seat grew warm, Constable Liu rushed in.
“My lords, the two recent deaths in Lower River Town involve supernatural creatures.”
“Hm?” The magistrate and county lieutenant both tensed and instinctively looked toward Lu Zheng.
“What happened?” Lu Zheng asked.
Constable Liu hurriedly explained, “Three days ago, a townsman drowned in Ying River. The town thought it an accident. Then the night before last, another died, so they finally reported it to the county.
Originally it could still have been accidental; the second victim had been drinking and might have slipped. So I sent two constables to investigate.
They just returned. Last night another person died, and at the scene they detected traces of a supernatural creature.”
He produced a demon-detection talisman; one corner was already scorched, the burn nearly reaching the core runes.
Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow. “Killed three in a row and still hasn’t fled? Quite brazen.”
Constable Liu nodded repeatedly.
“Since I’m already here, why don’t you lead the way, Constable Liu? I’ll take a look,” Lu Zheng said with a smile.
With him present and having come to support Ning Zhiqi, there was no need to report this up to the Anomaly Suppression Department. Besides, there would be strands of destiny light to collect. Even a mosquito’s leg is meat, right?
County Lieutenant Li stood at once. “I’ll go too.”
He ordered Constable Liu to assemble a squad of constables, all mounted in extravagant fashion, and the group galloped straight to Lower River Town.
…
Lower River Town, banks of the Ying River.
This was only a modest stream, six or seven zhang across at its widest and barely three zhang deep. Though it had drowned plenty of people over the years, never once had a supernatural creature killed anyone here.
So the townsfolk had first suspected human bandits; the yamen had not considered spirits.
“Young Master Lu, look…”
“No need to look. Just a newly awakened minor demon.”
With Lu Zheng’s current cultivation, he sensed faint demonic qi the moment he arrived. One probe told him it was a weakling that had only just gained basic intelligence.
Whether it bore a grudge or was simply stupid, killing three people and staying put was practically begging to be found.
“Eh?
County Lieutenant Li and Constable Liu were dumbfounded.
Lu Zheng smiled faintly. His Mysterious Turtle Controlling Water True Spirit Secret Art had already reached minor accomplishment. Using the river water as medium, he instantly located the creature resting on the riverbed, concealing its aura with water.
Then the water around it suddenly defied its will, wrapped tightly around its body, and an overwhelming force surged in, locking it in place.
After which, it was dragged from its burrow and pulled upward.
The next instant…
Everyone on the bank watched as a three-metre-long giant yellow eel burst from the water and landed with a heavy “thump” on the shore.
“Done,” Lu Zheng said calmly.
