Monster Chronicles: My Daoist Skill Comes from Mythology
Chapter 94: New Official Takes Office, Erlang’s Infantry Appears in the World.

Chapter 94: Chapter 94: New Official Takes Office, Erlang’s Infantry Appears in the World.

Song Lin returned to the Yin Yang Altar, packed his things to prepare for departure, and decided not to take the personnel here with him.

The people at the Yin Yang Altar were simply unqualified to become patrol Taoists.

Patrol Taoists need to take turns guarding and ensure the peace inside and outside the Taoist Temple. Sometimes, they face evil ghosts and demons, so they must be powerful in cultivation.

Song Lin stepped out the door. Along his walk, people around him cast respectful and astonished glances at him, and some even came forward to greet him, hoping to get acquainted.

"Taoist Song!"

"Greetings, Taoist Song!"

"Long time no see, Taoist Song!"

As one of only two holders of First-rank Emperor’s Flowing True Qi within the Taoist Temple, his achievements were widely circulated, and he became an idol for sect disciples, even lauded as the greatest genius since the temple was established.

Song Lin did not pay much attention to the crowd and only slightly nodded, which counted as a response to their greetings.

"What remarkable skills you have, Taoist friend!"

Suddenly, a portly Taoist appeared ahead.

The fat Taoist was not as terrifying and repulsive as Wu Ji; he was plump and seemingly honest and simple.

"Lin Yang, Taoist friend."

Song Lin greeted him with a smile.

Lin Yang was one of the few Taoists in the temple who maintained a good relationship with Song Lin.

"You’re back now? What position were you assigned this time?"

"Patrol Steward. And you?"

The spirited demeanor of Lin Yang suggested he had encountered some joyful event.

"Guest Steward."

Beneath the Three Capitals were the Eight Deacons, and Guest Steward was one of them.

The previous steward, Dao Wen, came from Ziyuan’s faction. After his death, Lin Yang filled the vacant position.

Xuanke Temple ranked among the top five temples within Mei Mountain Jungle, and the minimum cultivation for the Three Capitals and Eight Masters had to reach the Divine Establishment stage.

Now, the temple’s resources were severely depleted. Even someone like Lin Yang, who was only at the Qi Refinement stage, could become a steward.

"Where are you headed?" Lin Yang asked.

"The Capital Management Courtyard."

"We’re on the same path then. Let’s go together."

The two walked while chatting about the changes that had occurred after Song Lin left over the past year.

After Lu Qingshan’s death, his position as a public commissioner was inherited by Wang Ziyue, a disciple of Taoist Taixuan and formerly one of the Three Heroes.

Shi Yinhua succeeded Wu Ji as warehouse steward. The Capital Management Courtyard was managed by Youyun, a disciple of Jiuyou. The Grand Commissioner Institute was handed to Lin Qing, the former Estate Steward and father of Lin Yang.

"I see. Taoist brother, you have quite the backing. I envy you." Song Lin joked.

"Haha, envy me? I’d say you’re the one people envy. How many strive for a First-rank cultivation yet fail?"

"What about Chi Yang?" Song Lin asked.

"That kid is entirely ruined. During Ziyuan’s rebellion, Wu Ji remained uninvolved, and now Chi Yang is stuck boiling water in the alchemy room."

Currently, it was clear that Song Lin held the brightest future and widest prospects.

Although he was only a steward like the others, being a Patrol Steward made him part of the most critical department. With some perseverance and time, he might even reach the rank of one of the Three Capitals.

Song Lin arrived at the Capital Management Courtyard and requested a document from Youyun.

He turned to the nearby manager and said, "Notify all patrol members to gather at the main hall grounds."

"Yes, Lord."

By position, they referred to him as "Lord"; by cultivation and rank, they addressed him as "Taoist."

Soon, a large crowd arrived in front of the Capital Management Courtyard.

Only three patrol members were present, alongside three managers: one for Outer Patrol, one for Inner Patrol, and one logistics Taoist.

"Inner Patrol Taoist Li Hu and Outer Patrol Taoist Zhengyang pay respects to Lord." The two middle-aged men cupped their hands and saluted.

Li Hu had sharp features and was tall; Zhengyang appeared honest and simple.

"Logistics Taoist Song Yijin pays respects to Lord."

"No need for formalities."

These few people did not seem as unruly as he had imagined.

"Provide a brief report on the situation."

"The patrol originally had ten Qi Refining Taoists. The rest followed the rebel Murong Feng and were killed. Currently, including our Rampant Soldiers, the patrol has a total of twelve hundred Rampant Soldiers."

"How many more are needed?" Song Lin asked.

"We’re short of three deputies and eight patrol captains. Recruiting captains is less urgent; Rampant Soldier leaders can temporarily fill the positions."

"What does a logistics Taoist do?" Song Lin asked.

"Logistics was originally responsible for refining the Netherworld Fire Crow Soldiers."

Murong Feng’s signature force had been the Fire Crow Soldiers, capable of surveilling everything from high altitudes.

Since Murong Feng’s death, the Fire Crow Soldiers had vanished completely.

The title of Fire Crow Taoist had become a relic of history.

Song Lin observed the expressions on everyone’s faces and found them somewhat despondent, likely doubting whether he could restore the patrol’s former glory.

They doubted him?

As the saying goes, "A new broom sweeps clean," and Song Lin immediately issued orders to the group.

"Song Yijin, you will serve as Li Hu’s deputy. I’ll assign someone to logistics duties."

"Take me to tour each department."

He had the authority for discretionary action and intended to select the talented or at least suitable individuals.

The first stop was the estate.

The newly appointed Estate Steward was already waiting at the side.

"Patrol Lord, take whomever you want."

This was a genius favored by the temple master, someone not to be offended.

A line of Taoist disciples stood there eagerly, hoping to rise to prominence.

Some good-looking disciples flirted, ready to share Song Lin’s bed that night if given the chance.

Song Lin shook his head; none of them satisfied him.

He didn’t see that fire, that desire to pursue the Dao.

With centuries of experience within the story’s world, he could easily discern the reality of these individuals.

Song Lin stepped forward and casually picked two.

"You, and you. Li Hu, take charge of training them."

Then he returned to the Yin Yang Altar to bring over three disciples he had known previously, including Zhou Xuan.

The earlier group was even less satisfactory than Zhou Xuan—at least Zhou Xuan was honest and loyal, despite being older.

All five were Advanced Taoist disciples at the Fetal Breathing Stage; those at the sensing stage weren’t worth Song Lin’s attention.

Following that, he headed to the alchemy room.

As soon as he entered, smoke almost choked him.

Working in such an environment—it was no wonder most couldn’t last more than a few years; this place was truly treacherous.

The disciples lined up, their eyes burning with the flame of desire.

Song Lin was delighted; this was the kind of Taoist disciples he wanted.

Immediately, he selected eight people in one go.

As he was about to leave, he suddenly noticed someone in the corner.

The person wore a cloak, obscuring their appearance.

"Take it off," Song Lin approached the individual.

The cloak was removed, revealing a face covered in pus-filled sores, with pus dripping occasionally. It was grotesquely repulsive. Beneath the robe, lumps protruded—likely tumors.

From the person’s build and facial structure, it seemed to be a woman?

"What’s your name?"

"Lu Qian." Her voice was crisp and melodious, completely mismatched with her appearance.

"Alright, you’re selected."

"Thank you, Lord." The figure beneath the cloak trembled, then knelt and repeatedly kowtowed. "Lord, could you also take my younger brother in? His name is Lu Xiang."

The woman pointed to a short-statured man nearby.

"Fine."

"Lord, please reconsider. This girl is near death—she’s bad luck." The rotund manager laughed.

The manager’s expression suggested he was the one responsible for the woman’s plight.

"Did I tell you to speak?" Song Lin cast him a cold glare.

The manager instantly shut his mouth, afraid to utter another word.

With recruitment complete, Song Lin returned to train his personnel.

Among them, Lu Qian and her brother showcased the strongest determination.

The siblings exuded a fierce desire for survival. If someone offered them salvation, they would undoubtedly devote themselves wholeheartedly.

This was the team Song Lin wanted.

Loyalty always trumped talent. Moreover, the siblings’ talents were decent—they were both at the Fetal Breathing Stage, likely suppressed by others.

The pus-filled sores and tumors posed no concern; jade shavings rice would heal them after some nourishment.

...

Half a month later.

The Patrol Hall, situated at the edge of the temple.

In a secret room, a dharma altar stood, candlelight flickered.

Pop!

"Expel!"

As Song Lin recited the incantation, he sprayed water from his mouth onto the dharma altar. Yin Wind roared forth, and the candlelight turned green.

Amidst the gale appeared a grotesque grass-head god with a green face, sharp fangs, a hawk perched on its shoulder, and a black-haired dog by its feet.

Beside Song Lin stood a man and a woman—the latter was Lu Qian, whose pus-filled sores had significantly healed, leaving only unsightly scars.

"This is Water Technique Refining Soldiers. Have you memorized it?"

Lu Qian nodded and said, "Subordinate has memorized it."

Lu Qian was meticulous; she observed every action and expression of Song Lin, fearing she might miss any critical detail.

This moment symbolized her ascension, her chance to turn her life around. She believed this might be her only opportunity in this lifetime.

"Good. You may begin refining."

Song Lin wasn’t concerned about them leaking secrets—the temple had spells specifically designed to prevent disclosures.

Exiting the room, he used the Emperor Seal to summon a thousand grass-head gods and summoned Li Hu and the others.

"Lord." Li Hu and the others came to pay their respects.

"From now on, these thousand grass-head gods are under your command."

"Understood."

Looking at these grass-head gods, Li Hu felt as though he had been humbled.

The abilities of this superior officer in refining soldiers far exceeded those of Murong Feng. These grass-head gods, with hawks and dogs, and as Rampant Soldiers, were functionally superior to the Fire Crow Soldiers.

Song Lin returned to Hidden Sword Manor, preparing for the next step.

At that moment, the jade talisman of the Blessing Meeting began to pulse.

This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦