I Slay Gods and Demons in the Deceit Night
Chapter 124 - 100: Master, Long Time No See!【Three Updates!】

Chapter 124: Chapter 100: Master, Long Time No See!【Three Updates!】

It had grown dark, within Jinliu Manor.

The sixteen people responsible for night watch were divided into four teams.

Among them, the teams to the north and east encountered an Evil Spirit.

The three soldiers patrolling the east side of Jinliu Manor, along with a junior flag-bearer, all perished, dying in the rice fields.

The three soldiers to the north had all met with disaster, only a junior flag-bearer, having encountered Wu Chang and others, managed to save his life, but he too was unconscious.

"Strange indeed!"

The two incense burners serving the minor Liu Venerate God had their expressions turn extremely grave.

The current incense burner looked middle-aged and was known as Gao Er-ye, the direct disciple of the third temple priest from Liu Zun Temple, privy to the true teachings.

The other was referred to as Lu Ye, a man past sixty, one of the most senior incense burners at the temple.

In fact, there was another incense burner, but he had been requisitioned by the Left City Guard Army during the day.

"Logically speaking, with the current protective range of the minor Liu Venerate God, it extends sixty steps outside of the manor, preventing demons and evil from invading."

"Those on night duty are well aware of the rules, not daring to stray half a step from the manor."

"How did they still fall victim to foul play?"

Both incense burners furrowed their brows, unable to figure it out.

At this moment, the junior flag-bearers under General Pei had already assisted the personnel from Jinliu Manor in reinforcing the night defenses.

Only Lin Yan and General Pei went to the center of the manor.

"How is the person doing?"

Just then, an elderly voice came, as the door was pushed open.

Everyone turned to look, and saw a towering elderly figure, his expression solemn.

This was the current village head of Jinliu Manor, holding a position equivalent to that of Deputy Order Envoy at the Outer South Government Office, quite a high rank.

His cultivation was at the peak of the Refining Essence Realm, not inferior to the Great Commander of Zhao Zhou.

"The person is still alive, but he was hit too viciously by the Evil Spirit. Even with the aid of the minor Liu Venerate God to exorcise the evil, it will take two or three days before he can awaken."

Gao Er-ye said so, his expression solemn.

Then he stood up, and turning towards General Pei and Lin Yan, he introduced them to the village head, "This is General Pei Xiong from the Observatory of Li City, and this is Flag Commander Wu Chang from the Outer South Bureau of High Willow City."

"Greetings, village head!"

"You are too kind," the village head replied immediately, delivering a bow and saying, "I did not know of your arrival and failed to greet you properly. I hope you will not take offense at this oversight."

"We did not announce our visit earlier, and it is we who have imposed by arriving uninvited at nightfall," General Pei said, continuing, "But upon entering the manor, why do we only see the Observatory’s junior flag-bearers and not the garrison commander stationed here in Jinliu Manor?"

In this Jinliu Manor, the highest in cultivation was not this village head at the peak of the Refining Essence Realm but the garrison commander from the Observatory.

This village head managed all the affairs within Jinliu Manor, taking in members of the Human Clan seeking refuge and expelling those within the manor with ulterior motives.

Most of the contact with High Willow City was handled by this village head.

The garrison commander, on the other hand, oversaw everything within Jinliu Manor, ensuring justice and strictly prohibiting oppression.

But in reality, a mere Jinliu Manor, with just over two thousand people, wasn’t something that required much attention from someone at the Refining Essence Realm.

His true role was to stand guard at Jinliu Manor, using his martial prowess to slay any powerful demons that attacked and bandits who attempted to loot from the outside.

"This morning, for some unknown reason, the garrison commander left Jinliu Manor and has not returned since," explained the village head.

"Moreover, the Left City Guard Army came by during the day, saying they were apprehending a felon, and fearing insufficient manpower, they requisitioned an incense burner, two flag commanders, and six colonels to assist in the search."

"But may I inquire as to the purpose of your visit here?" The village head continued, his surprise evident as he looked at the two men before him.

Lin Yan’s expression remained unchanged.

General Pei felt a stir in his heart.

He assumed it was likely the Jinliu Manor’s garrison commander who had detected the killing earlier in the day and had gone to investigate.

Perhaps he was chasing after the older generation garrison commander who had entered a demonic state because of ancient practices and thus had yet to return.

"Our visit today stems from a robbery that occurred this morning," said General Pei with a calm tone, slowly stating: "The ones attacked were under the command of my Observatory, and the stolen goods were tracked here and seemed to have disappeared near Jinliu Manor, so we have come to question the village head."

As he spoke, his expression remained serene.

Yet, Lin Yan keenly noticed that Pei Xiong’s right hand was resting on his lower abdomen, while his left hand made a slight adjustment to the sheath, bringing the handle of his knife closer.

He appeared relaxed, with a normal expression, but should any mishap occur, General Pei would be able to draw his knife from its sheath in an instant, ready to strike forward.

Despite such caution, he was completely relaxed, showing no hint of a killing intent.

This General Flag Envoy from Li City was also an experienced and skillful Refining Essence Realm fighter, adept in combat.

"So it is indeed for that batch of goods that you have come," the village head said upon hearing this, seeming relieved, "The day before yesterday, I sent people back to High Willow City to collect this month’s salary and the grain and other items we were lacking, and they have only returned today."

"But on their way, they discovered a group from the Observatory, dead in a horrific state, yet the goods remained. They brought them back."

"I have sealed the goods in a yard on the east side of the manor, intending to report to High Willow City tomorrow."

"Now that the Observatory’s people are here, it would do well to check everything. If there are no discrepancies, you can take them back."

"But you must leave me a token, otherwise, if someone comes to check immediately after you leave, at least I will have solid proof," he said with a slight smile, "I will have someone lead you to check the goods immediately."

"All right," General Pei nodded, then turned to Lin Yan, saying, "Brother Wu Chang, join me in the inspection to ensure everything is accounted for."

"Of course," Lin Yan responded with a slight nod.

The two followed the village head.

They arrived at a courtyard on the east side of the manor.

Indeed, the items being transported to High Willow City by the Observatory, were mostly present.

A large amount of Silver Tael, materials for medicinal baths, several large boxes of pill porcelain bottles, as well as weapons, clothing, and so on, nearly filled the entire courtyard.

This was, after all, meant to supply the entire Observatory of High Willow City, including all the Martial Artists within the inner and outer city, even the unnamed small flags, as well as those hidden spies within various forces.

"Please check everything, are there any missing items?"

The manor owner’s expression was solemn as he spoke, clearly also afraid of being accused of theft.

Lin Yan frowned slightly and looked at Pei Xiong.

He had not seen the specific inventory list for this shipment, so naturally, he did not know the exact quantities.

But Pei Xiong, evidently an old hand at this, could roughly estimate the Observatory’s requirements within High Willow City for a month.

"It seems about right, but without the specific inventory list, it’s difficult to check."

General Flag Envoy Pei said so.

"Oh?"

The manor owner also frowned deeply.

While he did not say it outright, the implication was very clear.

If you were to take these items away and then steal a part of them on the road, framing Jinliu Manor, wouldn’t that be impossible to clear up?

"No worries!"

Pei Xiong, an experienced man, said: "Your honor, send someone to tally the items here and keep a record! At the same time, I’ll assign two small flags to jointly verify and note down the quantities!"

In this manner, both parties would have a specific list.

If anything went missing on the way to High Willow City, it would mean a problem had occurred on Pei Xiong and Wu Chang’s end.

If the goods delivered to High Willow City matched the quantities on the two lists, it would prove that Pei Xiong and Wu Chang had not stolen anything during transit.

"Then let’s proceed like this."

The manor owner nodded slightly.

Pei Xiong slowly said: "If the items we deliver to High Willow City match the list, but are still incomplete... it means that the items here, at this moment, are already insufficient!"

The manor owner furrowed his brow: "What do you mean?"

Lin Yan said indifferently: "It means either the goods you brought back were short, or before we arrived here, some have already been stolen from this courtyard."

"That’s fine!"

The manor owner nodded, waved his hand to summon people and said: "Go ask the accountant to come here and also, please, bring the small flags they brought to jointly verify the items in the courtyard."

"Understood."

The man hurried away.

This manor, able to accommodate more than two thousand people, was actually quite expansive.

After a short while, the accountant and two small flags who received the news hurried over.

After the manor owner and Pei Xiong gave their orders, everyone began the inventory check.

"Will we leave this matter to them?"

The manor owner invited: "Since you both are here, why not come back with me for a drink of wine, how about that?"

Pei Xiong immediately declined with a smile.

The manor owner did not insist and, after giving a respectful gesture, went back on his own.

Meanwhile, Lin Yan, spent about a quarter of an hour rummaging through the entire courtyard before finding an exquisite box.

It bore the mark of the Wutong Temple.

He breathed a sigh of relief, then handed it to the accountant and the two small flags: "Record this one first so it’s not left off the list."

"Yes."

The accountant and the two small flags immediately made a note of this small box.

As the sky grew darker, after about an hour and a half, the inventory was finally complete.

The two small flags stayed to guard the place, while Jinliu Manor also left people behind.

And Lin Yan, looking at Pei Xiong, clearly heaved a sigh of relief.

Finally, they had reclaimed this batch of items!

Transporting them back to High Willow City tomorrow, they would fulfill their responsibilities.

Lin Yan, who was deeply concerned about the ninth volume of the Strange Books, now felt some relief with the copy in hand.

"Wait!" Lin Yan walked up to Pei Xiong, about to speak, when suddenly his expression changed unpredictably.

"What’s wrong?" Pei Xiong, the old hand who believed he had maintained adequate caution around Jinliu Manor, still hadn’t detected anything amiss, had relaxed, but now, seeing this, he couldn’t help feeling a bit anxious.

"Don’t you think this manor owner, with his peak Inner Strength cultivation, shows no excessive awe in front of you, a Refining Essence Realm General Flag Envoy, and even carries a hint of arrogance?" Lin Yan asked, furrowing his brow.

"So what? Don’t you also display quite a bit of arrogance in front of Pei?" General Flag Envoy Pei responded.

"I..."

Lin Yan was rendered speechless.

The reason he could be so firm was because he had the confidence of the Refining Essence Realm behind him.

So, what confidence did this manor owner have?

He glanced back at the courtyard and spoke again: "There’s another thing, if Jinliu Manor was only responsible for transporting these items back and will be taking them to High Willow City tomorrow... it seems unnecessary for them to clean up the tracks to avoid being traced, right?"

Pei Xiong’s expression darkened, and he said in a low voice: "Perhaps they’re afraid of the killer who murdered the Observatory’s members?"

"No, that’s wrong! Jinliu Manor intends to keep some for themselves!"

Lin Yan’s eyes filled with resolve, he suddenly turned and ran towards the courtyard.

He kicked open the courtyard door!

Inside, he saw a ferocious monster tearing into the flesh of the two small flags.

It slowly raised its head, revealing a familiar face, with a chilling smile.

"Master, long time no see!"