National Division

Chapter 39 Xue Zhihua: There's a demonic aura...

Fuminglou, second floor
Shen Xian chatted with Zhang Kui and said, "I want to buy a few Lesser Rejuvenation Pills, as well as Greater Rejuvenation Pills, Crimson Essence Pills, and so on."

Zhang Kui said in a low voice, "That might be difficult to handle. I don't know how many pills that old man has."

"Hmm," he said, looking at Shen Xian with a strange expression, and asked in surprise, "You're so young, what do you need the Crimson Essence Pill for? Could it be..."

Shen Xian quickly denied it three times: "Don't talk nonsense, that's not true, how could that be?"

Should we tell Zhang Kui about how Dad used his life essence to exorcise the demon?

Of course, this matter couldn't be kept secret for long.

Zhang Kui just joked around and didn't pry. He said, "Recently, the gang is going to contact the Golden Sands Gang. I'm wondering if I can get that old man to spare you a pill or two."

Shen Xian said, "Then I'll trouble Brother Zhang to ask him for me."

“We’re brothers, there’s no need for such formalities,” Zhang Kui said with a smile. “Actually, you can ask that Young Master Pei about this. The Golden Sands Gang has been making frequent trips to the Pei residence.”

Shen Xian knew who Zhang Kui was talking about.

Pei Shen, son of Pei Renjing, the county's registrar.

He couldn't help but recall the day before yesterday when Pei Shen invited him to his residence at Qingyang Temple to appreciate the purple-robed bow.

I'll ask about it when I visit your home in the next couple of days.

If we want to bring down Magistrate Lu and Assistant Magistrate Liu's faction, we can achieve twice the result with half the effort if we have the help of Registrar Pei, who is in charge of official documents.

However, this matter still needs to be considered carefully.

Afterwards, Shen Xian and Zhang Kui began to eat.

……

……

At midday, when the sun was high in the sky, the taverns along both banks of the valley river began to open for business one after another.

After hearing what Magistrate Liu said, Xu Lin had already decided to kill Shen Bin. He left the mansion, mounted his horse, and returned to the Golden Scale Gang without stopping.

As for using demons to carry out his plans, he happens to have an accomplice in that regard.

Because colluding with demons is such a serious matter, it cannot be told to Magistrate Liu.

Xu Lin returned to his manor, went to his study, dismissed the servants, turned the vase on the high table, and opened a secret room.

This is a square-shaped side room, decorated in a magnificent and opulent style.

In the center is a pool filled with water, on which is prominently displayed a jade toad sculpture, which remains motionless in the water.

Xu Lin strode forward, took out several gold ingots from his pocket, placed them on an offering table, then lit three incense sticks in the stove fire, chanting incantations.

The gold ingot transformed into three golden rays, then "plop" fell into the water and quickly disappeared.

Immediately, wisps of blue smoke rose up, and the jade toad carving seemed to come alive, swimming continuously in the water, quickly circling three times.

A monster with the body of a golden toad and the face of a human appeared before them.

"What's the matter?"

A rough, hoarse, and aged voice rang out.

Xu Lin bowed and said, "I have something to trouble Mr. Jin with."

As Xu Lin spoke, he recounted in detail how Shen Bin had been injured and severely weakened, saying, "I beg Mr. Jin to take action and eliminate this major threat to me!"

“A county magistrate, protected by the official aura of the imperial court, is not someone I can easily deal with.” The aged voice of the golden toad phantom was full of hesitation.

Xu Lin said, "That county magistrate is already seriously injured, and his official protection is limited. Mr. Jin can capture him with a single move."

"Although I am under your control, I am not obligated to do anything for you." The golden toad phantom was clearly unwilling and declined, saying, "This matter is too dangerous."

Xu Lin hurriedly said, "After the matter is accomplished, I am willing to offer a thousand taels of gold as an offering to you, sir."

The illusory image of the golden toad's face seemed to sway slightly, clearly showing some interest.

Xu Lin said, "Sir, you want to heal your injuries, but in the entire Guhe County, only I can help you. Once the position of county magistrate becomes vacant, I can take it. At that time, the speed of accumulating wealth will greatly increase, and you will be able to cultivate faster."

The golden toad in front of him was originally a jade carving, left by his father before his death. Unexpectedly, one day the golden toad spoke human language and passed on a set of martial arts techniques to Xu Lin, which led to Xu Lin's later good fortune.

“Three thousand taels,” the golden toad phantom said after a moment of silence.

Upon hearing this, Xu Lin cursed greed under his breath and said, "Then three thousand taels."

This was almost equivalent to the gambling den working for nothing for several months.

Mr. Jin's hoarse and rough voice, tinged with greed, said, "Increase the annual incense offerings by 10%."

The so-called incense offerings are actually gold.

Mr. Jin did not use the money, but instead took the greed and golden energy of all living beings and used it all for cultivation.

The former is fine, but once the latter is taken away, the gold becomes dull and loses its luster. Although it won't turn into a stone, its appearance will be greatly damaged and its value will be significantly reduced.

This extravagant cultivation method is even more exhausting than raising a ghost, and Xu Lin is almost unable to afford it anymore. But over the years, Jin Chan has not only helped Xu Lin cultivate martial arts, but also advised him and helped him establish the Golden Scale Gang.

Xu Lin was startled and said, "Mr. Jin, don't be too greedy."

Mr. Jin said coldly, "After you become the county magistrate, you can take advantage of the situation to unify all the gambling dens and brothels in Guhe County, and you will have a lot of gold and silver coming in every year. I am going into seclusion to break through to the third realm, and I originally did not want to deal with your affairs."

Xu Lin bargained, saying, "At most, half a percent."

Mr. Jin simply uttered a single word: "Agreed."

Upon hearing this, Xu Lin cursed inwardly, thinking that he must have given the wrong money.

Half of his assets were to be used to support Magistrate Liu, and the other half was to be used to win over his followers. In addition, 10% of his assets were to be used to support the golden toad.

Fortunately, once he becomes a county magistrate, the entire canal gang along the Guhe River will become his treasure trove.

……

……

On the other side, Shen Xian and Zhang Kui finished their meal and left separately.

Once they were off the street, Xue Zhihua revealed herself and said, "You want the Crimson Essence Pill?"

Shen Xian said, "My father's foundation has been damaged. If he takes one pill, he can quickly recover his vitality."

Xue Zhihua said, "I didn't bring this kind of elixir with me on this trip."

Shen Xian said, "It's not surprising that Miss Xue is not a martial artist."

Xue Zhihua said, "I crave elixirs in both the immortal and martial arts paths."

As they talked, the two strolled along the bluestone slabs of the valley river.

Shen Xian changed the subject and asked, "Miss Xue, those three were all quite remarkable. Which one would you like to choose?"

Xue Zhihua thought for a moment and said, "The second set is closer to the Guhe River and is also next to the official road, so it's more convenient to travel back and forth. Let's choose the second set."

Shen Xian said, "Then I'll tell Lao Zhou later that I need to discuss the transaction with the owner of the house and try to negotiate the price."

Xue Zhihua nodded and said, "Let me know how much money you need later."

Then, gazing intently at the valley river, he said, "You'll come with me for a stroll along the valley river later."

Having just arrived in Guhe County, he was focused on his business and had not yet explored the local customs and culture along the banks of the Guhe River.

Shen Xian nodded, which was considered an agreement.

As the two talked, they boarded a dark, awning boat and traveled along the valley river, which resembled a jade ribbon. It was midday, and the sunlight shone on the water, making it sparkle.

The two rowed a boat on the valley river. At this moment, the river was full of tourist boats, and the banks were lined with shops, taverns, brothels and gambling dens, with a constant stream of people.

Just then, as Shen Xian was about to say something, the beautiful woman opposite him suddenly frowned.

"What's wrong, Miss Xue?" Shen Xian asked in surprise.

"There's a demonic aura about her," the beautiful woman said in a low voice, frowning.

Shen Xian: "..."

Demonic energy?

The beautiful woman said, "It seems she crossed the river."

Shen Xian asked, "Miss Xue, is it possible to track down the evil spirit?"

"The demonic aura is very faint and fleeting." The beautiful woman seemed to be sensing it, but a look of doubt appeared on her fair and delicate face as she spoke.

Shen Xian frowned and said, "Could it be the three-headed snake demon?"

“It’s the other one.” The beautiful woman’s brows relaxed slightly, but her expression remained serious as she spoke in a low voice.

Since the two religions abandoned their missions, more and more demons and evil spirits have been causing trouble in this world.

Shen Xian was startled. After thinking for a moment, she said, "I always feel..."

"You came for your father?" Xue Zhihua raised her delicate eyebrows and said softly.

Shen Xian frowned, his gaze becoming somewhat serious, and said in a clear voice, "It's not impossible."

It's unclear whether it was a father-son connection or if he seemed to see the beckoning of humanity and good deeds.

Xue Zhihua said, "That monster is good at concealing its presence, making it difficult to track."

In fact, the golden toad had absorbed too much worldly wealth and naturally become tainted by human influence, which in turn concealed its demonic aura completely.

Shen Xian looked at Xue Zhihua and said, "Concern makes one lose focus. I want to go to the county government office first."

“If they really came for your father, they probably wouldn’t storm the county government office. But it would be good if you could have someone remind them,” Xue Zhihua said gently, showing her understanding.

(End of this chapter)