Early the next morning, Ning Zhiqui and Yi Xiaoqian went out and saw Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan already waiting in the hall.
Lu Zheng looked refreshed, Liu Qingyan's graceful face radiant, making Yi Xiaoqian purse her lips into a smile, and she pulled Ning Zhiqui to sit aside.
"I was tired yesterday and overslept this morning. I apologize, Brother Lu." Ning Zhiqui cupped his hands in apology.
Lu Zheng smiled and said, "Not late at all; we just got up early. After all, it's not courteous to make guests wait. Actually, we also just got up."
That morning, Lu Zheng was still holding Liu Qingyan's warm and soft body while sleeping when she shook him awake, saying they should get up early, so Ning Zhiqui and the others wouldn't wait too long.
"Let's have breakfast first, then I'll take you to the County Governnt Office," Lu Zheng said, "I'm on good terms with the County Magistrate, County Captain, Chief Clerk, and others, so I can save you so trouble."
The night they broke into Ghost Manor, Ning Zhiqui entered without hesitation and faced a crowd of ghosts alone, showing remarkable courage and character. Lu Zheng didn't mind helping him.
Lu Zheng was an outer disciple of White Cloud Temple, helping the Tonglin County Governnt Office solve several problems. He also gifted Scorpion Wine to county officials, allowing the officials to restore their vigor.
Despite his profound cultivation, Lu Zheng was humble and polite, earning considerable respect at the County Governnt Office.
Yi Xiaoqian showed a happy expression. Although she had cultivation, she could at most protect Ning Zhiqui from abnormal harm, but was helpless in the complex and shady dealings of officialdom.
Ning Zhiqui wasn't a fool, knowing the difficulties of taking office alone, and even though his master sent him under the jurisdiction of his fellow disciple Du Yuru, he couldn't rely on others for everything; many matters had to be handled by himself.
If soone familiar and reputable or acquainted with officials at the County Governnt Office could help, things would beco much easier.
However...
"Is it convenient?" Ning Zhiqui asked worriedly, fearing that Lu Zheng would be burdened with favors or ostracized by older county officials because of this.
Lu Zheng laughed heartily.
After initially being weak and an undocunted resident, he cautiously gifted County Governnt Office twice. In recent years, officials ca to visit him, sotis even if he wasn't present, and brought gifts.
His return gifts included modern liquor and wellness pills made by Liu Qingyan.
Where could you find such a humble, courteous, and generous abnormal person?
Thus, both Lu Zheng and Renxin Hall were regarded highly by County Governnt Office officials, so introducing a friend to the County Magistrate was no big deal.
Moreover, Ning Zhiqui, still young and under the Minister of Rites, clearly had a promising future. Even if officials lacked desire to support him, they wouldn't disfavor him.
Unless... well, what of it?
With his involvent, even if there were so minor grudges, they should feel sowhat embarrassed and intimidated.
...
After breakfast, Liu Qingyan t up with Du Yueyao at the door and went to Renxin Hall together. Yi Xiaoqian, obviously, couldn't accompany Ning Zhiqui for his appointnt handover, so she followed Liu Qingyan, saying she would offer so helping hands.
Lu Zheng took Ning Zhiqui for a walk leading to the County Governnt Office.
"Greetings, Young Master Lu. Greetings, County Magistrate Ning!"
Early in the morning, Chief Liu and Chief Clerk Li were waiting outside the County Governnt Office. Seeing Lu Zheng accompany them, they imdiately showed great enthusiasm, greeting them warmly.
"The County Magistrate, County Captain, and Lord Wang are all waiting in the rear hall, please hurry!"
"After you, Brother Ning," Lu Zheng smiled.
"Thank you, Brother Lu!" Ning Zhiqui cupped his hands in polite reply.
Entering the backyard of the County Governnt Office, they saw three people chatting in the rear hall. Two were in official attire, and the older man was in casual dress, the soon-to-be-retired County Magistrate Wang.
Lu Zheng greeted the three, establishing so backing for Ning Zhiqui, then County Magistrate Wang took Ning Zhiqui to handle official tasks, leaving Lu Zheng to chat with the County Magistrate and County Captain.
Initially intending only a brief visit, Lu Zheng hadn't ward his seat when Chief Liu rushed in to report.
"Sir, the two murders in Xiahe Town yesterday involved demons."
"Hmm?" The County Magistrate and County Captain reacted, instinctively looking at Lu Zheng.
"What's going on?" Lu Zheng asked.
Chief Liu quickly replied, "Three days ago, a town resident drowned in Firefly River, presud an accident by the town. Unexpectedly, another died the night before, prompting the report to the county.
This incident could still be accidental; the deceased had drunk at night, possibly losing footing due to drunkenness. Thus, I dispatched two constables to investigate.
They just returned saying another died last night, and they discovered abnormal qi at the scene."
Saying this, Chief Liu took out an Observation Talisman, where one corner of the talisman paper had burned, almost reaching the core runes.
Lu Zheng curiously remarked, "Three murders, so audacious?"
Chief Liu nodded repeatedly.
"Since it's coincidental, may I ask Chief Liu to lead the way to let see for myself?" Lu Zheng smiled.
Being present and having vouched for Ning Zhiqui, there was no need reporting the matter to the Anomaly Suppression Bureau, especially with Light of Fortune potentially available. Even small benefits are worth it.
With Lu Zheng present, County Captain Li also rose and said, "I'll go too."
Then County Captain Li instructed Chief Liu to assemble a squad of constables, extravagantly providing horses, and thus they swiftly headed to Xiahe Town.
...
Xiahe Town, along Firefly River.
It's just a simple small river, asuring no more than six or seven zhang at its widest, only three zhang deep. While several have drowned here, no demons were previously involved.
Thus, town folks initially thought it was night bandits, and the County Governnt Office hadn't considered demon involvent.
"Young Master Lu, your thoughts..."
"Nothing to see; just a demon newly gaining spirit."
With impressive cultivation today, Lu Zheng sensed residual faint demon qi imdiately upon arrival and recognized it as a recently awakened weakling.
It's unclear whether it bore a grudge or had cognitive issues, killing three and remaining—how desperate it was to elude detection by humans' abnormal inspectors!
"Ah?"
County Captain Li and Chief Liu were bewildered.
Lu Zheng smiled faintly. His "Profound Turtle Water Control True Spirit Secret Technique" had reached moderate accomplishnt, allowing him to use water as a dium to quickly sense a demon underwater hiding beneath the river using water to obscure demon qi.
Then, it felt surrounding currents abruptly out of control, adhering to it, as a force surged within, subduing it.
Then, it was whisked from its burrow, ascending.
Monts later...
Everyone saw a large yellow eel, roughly a zhang long, suddenly break through the water, splattering onto the riverside.
"Sorted," Lu Zheng said mildly.
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