We made you practice martial arts, and you've mastered the Great Golden Body?

“Alright, since Your Excellency has made up your mind, then let’s do as the registrar says.” Fahai looked at the stern-faced magistrate of Lin’an City and knew that the other party had made up his mind. As an “outsider,” he couldn’t say anything more.

It wasn't that he didn't want to continue talking, but rather that he couldn't continue.

Otherwise, if he and the magistrate of Lin'an City were to quarrel, there might be a lack of cooperation later on, and those two demons might escape out of thin air.

After all, the local officials of Lin'an had already made the final decision, so how could a monk from out of town possibly refute it?

Moreover, the registrar is right; it's not necessarily the case that the main battlefield must be located in Lin'an City.

Fahai proposed this resolution entirely because he distrusted the two snake demons. As the saying goes, even a rabbit will bite when cornered, let alone two wild and untamed monsters.

He feared that once the two snake demons reached a dead end, they would use the common people in Lin'an City to blackmail him.

Fahai once faced this problem when he and his master were exorcising demons, and he made a decision that went against worldly moral values.

However, in his view, there was nothing wrong with this decision.

He had always thought this way until he met Shen Bailian and all that happened.

To be honest, Fahai was also feeling angry about the lack of cooperation from the magistrate of Lin'an City, because he had never been treated like this since he became the abbot of Jinshan Temple.

Within the Great Song Dynasty, even the emperor, who was above all others, had to treat him with kindness and gentleness, and cooperated fully with all demon-catching operations.

Upon arriving in Lin'an, things took a turn for the worse; obstacles were encountered at every turn.

Not only was there a stubborn Xu Xian, but even though he vaguely knew in his heart that his wife was a snake demon, he still coveted wealth and refused to divorce her.

There are also Li Gongfu and Shen Bailian, who are constantly causing trouble.

The magistrate of Lin'an City was even more cunning. He cooperated for a while, but then suddenly decided he didn't want to continue, putting the lives of tens of thousands of ordinary people in Lin'an City at risk.

Buddhism emphasizes tranquility, but among all the Buddhas, there are also wrathful Vajras.

Today's ordeal was the last straw that broke the camel's back.

Fahai took a deep breath, trying to calm his raging anger, but his anger did not subside as it usually did.

Instead, the more I thought about it, the angrier I got.

He couldn't understand it. Could the official hat on the head of the magistrate of Lin'an City be more important than the safety of tens of thousands of ordinary people in Lin'an City?

However, what Fahai didn't know was that this was indeed the truth.

"Thank you for your understanding, Master Fahai." The magistrate of Lin'an City glanced at the glaring Fahai and sighed almost imperceptibly.

All the goodwill I've built up over the past few days is now essentially wasted.

However, compared to Master Fahai's popularity, his official position was more important. After all, even if Fahai met the emperor, it couldn't be as simple as a neighbor visiting each other.

Moreover, his achievements speak for themselves.

Even if all the residents of Lin'an City were to perish because of this demonic calamity, what would that have to do with him, the county magistrate?

The blame lies with Master Fahai, who insisted on placing the main battlefield for exorcising demons inside Lin'an City.

In conclusion, this disaster was a man-made natural calamity and had nothing to do with him, the county magistrate. He was just one of the victims.

He also has grievances to seek justice for!

"But Master Fahai, please feel free to ask for any other assistance. I will do my utmost to fulfill your requests." Despite these words, the magistrate of Lin'an City still didn't want to completely sever ties with Fahai until the very last moment, so he shamelessly continued:
"Our county constable, Chief Shen, is a very capable man. If Master Fahai needs him, just let him know..."

Upon hearing this, Fahai glanced at the stubborn magistrate of Lin'an City, snorted coldly, and then, not wanting to say anything more to him, abruptly turned and left.

If you don't want to continue the conversation, just say so. Why squint at him like that?
Why mention Shen Bailian again?
The other party made it clear that Shen Bailian would neither interfere with his capture of Xiaoqing and Bai Suzhen, nor would he continue to help Xiaoqing and Bai Suzhen.

There is only one requirement: that the innocent child must not be harmed.

To be honest, in Fahai's view, Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen's child was not innocent. Because he was the product of a human and a demon, he was born with original sin and should be destroyed by humanity.

However, since this was one of the additional conditions proposed by Shen Bailian, Fahai refrained from saying anything further in order to prevent Shen Bailian from interfering.

Once this matter is over, he will definitely try every means to bring this wicked son to Jinshan Temple to receive the baptism of Buddhism.

The reason is simple: for some reason, Fahai always had a feeling that Shen Bailian was "doomed."

Although, in general, a typical martial artist at the Celestial Realm should be able to live for at least three hundred years.

Shen Bailian is only in his twenties and has great potential for development in the path of martial arts. He may even comprehend a trace of the law of power, enter the realm of martial arts, and ascend to the position of Martial God.

Life expectancy is promising.

However, this time, Fahai chose to trust his intuition as always, because his intuition had saved him many times throughout his demon-hunting career.

However, this matter needs to be discussed further.

After all, Shen Bailian's lifespan wouldn't be exhausted for some inexplicable reason in a short time.

"Sir, Master Fahai has already left." The registrar hesitated for a moment, looking at the magistrate who was still talking, but finally mustered up the courage to remind him.

Talking to yourself all the time isn't a good idea. If someone sees you, they might start spreading rumors.

After all, since the Dragon Boat Festival, realgar wine has not only failed to ward off evil spirits, but strange things have been happening one after another in Lin'an City recently.

"Hmm?" Upon hearing this, the magistrate of Lin'an City suddenly opened his squinted eyes, took three steps in two, and ran to the front of the main hall. He peeked out and, after seeing the yellow figure, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

This hurdle is now cleared.

"Sir, why are you being so amiable to that bald monk? In my opinion, the way he treated you in court deserves at least a few days of imprisonment to reflect on his actions, even if he isn't executed," the registrar said indignantly.

"Oh?" Upon hearing this, the magistrate of Lin'an raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. He put his hands behind his back, gave the seemingly honest and unassuming registrar a meaningful look, and said sarcastically:

"It feels like only a few days have passed since we last met. I didn't expect you to become so brave these past few days. Here's what I'm giving you: go and send that Master Fahai to jail for a few days to reflect on his actions."

"Huh?" Upon hearing this, the registrar was stunned. He opened his mouth wide, pointed at himself, and looked at the magistrate of Lin'an City in disbelief.

He was just saying it for the sake of saying it, just indulging in empty talk.

If he really had the audacity to attack Fahai, he would have arrested him long ago while Fahai was still there.

Why wait until now?
"What? Now you know how to chicken out?" The magistrate of Lin'an glared at the registrar, then abruptly flicked his sleeve, making a rustling sound. Is this registrar even speaking human language?

If he dares to fabricate a crime and imprison Fahai, once the news gets out, he could be beheaded for stepping on his left foot first.

Moreover, is there a prison in this world that can hold Fahai?

There is no way. Unless Fahai voluntarily agreed to be sent in, no one in the world could put him in prison.

Even the emperor was the same.

Unless divine retribution is sent down, forcing Fahai to submit through public pressure.

However, this is simply unrealistic. A great philanthropist like Fahai, who captures demons for the people, would not only not go to hell after death, but would instead ascend to heaven because of the merits he has accumulated.

The magistrate of Lin'an was well aware of this.

This is one of the reasons why he didn't dare to directly offend Fahai to death.

As the saying goes, "a prime minister's belly can hold a boat," surely a Buddha like Fahai, who is also the abbot of Jinshan Temple, wouldn't hold a grudge against an ordinary person like him over a small conflict?
"By the way, Xiao Wu." Just as the magistrate of Lin'an was about to go back to continue enjoying himself, he suddenly remembered something, stopped the registrar who was about to walk out the door, and said directly, "Don't rest these days, there's something you need to deal with as soon as possible."

“Sir, please speak.” When Clerk Wu heard the words “Don’t rest,” his heart sank. However, even though he felt utterly helpless, he could only obey the order and respond with a smile.

When you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head.

Moreover, Wu, the registrar, was facing the county magistrate, the official who held the lives of the city's common people in his hands.

"I'm going out tomorrow to visit an old friend. Please make sure you have everything ready, especially my treasures, remember to bring them all..."

"..." The registrar was speechless as he listened to the words of the magistrate of Lin'an City. According to the other party, he was going to bring almost all the belongings he could, especially the silver, gold, and banknotes.

Is he preparing to go out and visit an old friend?

Isn't this clearly a plan to flee the country?! And they've even come up with such a high-sounding reason.

"Yes, sir, you can rest assured that I'll handle this matter." Wu, the registrar, bowed slightly, which was considered his direct agreement.

"Hmm." The magistrate of Lin'an City nodded, then put his hands behind his back, hummed a little tune, and slowly walked towards the backyard of the main hall.

"Since that's the case, I'd better make some preparations too." Wu, the registrar, watched the disappearing figure of the magistrate of Lin'an City and pondered to himself.

The local officials of Lin'an are all preparing to flee. Does this mean that a mere clerk like him has to endure a tragic scene of "the clerk guarding the city gate"?

No! That's absolutely impossible!

“However, we can also inform Constable Shen about this matter, so that we can look out for each other on the road…” As Wu, the registrar, walked out, he stroked his woolly beard and began to think about his escape route.

Such a large fortune would inevitably attract the attention of those mountain bandits.

Although some of the bandits near Lin'an City were actually subordinates of the Lin'an City magistrate in disguise, namely Wu Zhubu's colleagues.

However, wealth can be a powerful motivator.

If even one person among so many people sees hundreds of thousands of taels of silver and gold and becomes greedy, then there will be no chance for regret.

There's no going back.

About half an hour later~
Outside the Shen residence.

“Registrar Wu, please forgive me, my young master is out today.” A servant from the Shen household bowed and said respectfully to Registrar Wu, “If you have any urgent business, sir, I can pass on your message.”

His pronunciation is clear and his voice is loud.

"No need, no need, you can go back now." Upon hearing this, Clerk Wu didn't know what else to say. He rubbed his nose, waved his hand, and let the scoundrel close the door.

"Alright, then I'll take my leave for now." The servant of the Shen family didn't say anything more, and with a bang, he slammed the door shut.

After the footsteps of the servants gradually faded into the distance.

"Tsk tsk tsk..." Recalling the servant's spirited state and rosy, glowing face, Wu, the registrar, couldn't help but sigh in admiration:

"That Constable Shen, he truly lives up to his reputation as a notorious spendthrift. Even a servant is being fed so well. What a waste, such a huge waste... If I were the magistrate, I would definitely pocket all that money..."

Who would have thought that a servant's meals could be comparable to those of a county clerk!

“Since Xiao Shen is not here, it means he is destined to suffer this calamity.” Wu, the registrar, shook his head and then walked away. Since Shen Bailian was neither at home nor on duty at the county office, he did not intend to visit the Shen family.

Otherwise, his status as a mere clerk would seem far too cheap.

"I might as well go and see if Constable Li is here..." With that thought, Wu, the registrar, changed direction and headed towards Fengle Tower, a place Li Gongfu frequented.

Compared to Shen Bailian, Li Gongfu is easier to control and more manageable.

However, in Wu the Registrar's view, Shen Bailian had an advantage that was hard for ordinary people to match: he was rich! Extremely rich!
Just as Wu, the registrar, was humming a little tune as he hurried toward the Fenglelou family's house.

This is Xu Xian's home at this moment.

Xu Xian was excitedly holding the baby wrapped in silk and satin, pacing back and forth in the courtyard. Bai Suzhen looked at the baby, who was as white as mutton fat jade, and her face was filled with a happy smile.

But in his eyes, there was an overwhelming sorrow.

"Alright, alright, brother-in-law, stop spinning me. I'm going to get dizzy if you keep spinning me." Xiaoqing propped her head up with her hand, looking helplessly at the grinning Xu Xian. She glanced at Shen Bailian beside her and whispered, "Are you really not going to help?"

"Hmm." Shen Bailian nodded: "I won't intervene unless it involves the child."

Sudden.

"They're here!" Bai Suzhen and Xiaoqing's expressions changed drastically, and the sword on the stone table began to vibrate.

"Knock Knock Knock..."

There was a rapid knock on the door.

"It must be my brother-in-law. I'll go open the door." Xu Xian smiled, turned around, and prepared to place the child in his arms into Bai Suzhen's arms first.

However. (End of Chapter)