NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4
Lin Yuan suddenly remembered something that had long been forgotten.
It was during this period that there were several cases of disappearances in Black Mountain City. The missing individuals were all young women, which made Lin Yuan worried for a while, fearing that his younger sister might be kidnapped.
After two months, he heard that the cases had been solved. He later forgot about the matter. Several years later, when Lin Yuan entered the Demon Suppression Bureau, he accidentally overheard a few colleagues chatting about it.
They mentioned that the disappearances in the past were caused by a sect called the “Lingsheng Sect,” seemingly involved in some sort of sacrificial ritual to an evil god.
In reality, it was not only the residents of Black Mountain City who disappeared, but even two remote villages were massacred!
It wasn’t until the Demon Suppression Bureau arrived that the sub-altars of the Lingsheng Sect near Black Mountain City were annihilated. As for the impression, when Li Sijin came looking for him today, it seemed to be related to the Lingsheng Sect.
“Look, our Little Yuan is sensible!”
Li Sijin, who had originally shown impatience, suddenly squeezed out a brilliant smile, displaying expert facial-changing skills.
“Shall we eat and talk at the same time?” he said, while already leaning towards Lin Yuan, trying to lead him towards the kitchen. But when he pulled with force, he couldn’t move him.
“Let’s just talk here,” Lin Yuan said firmly, his slightly lean figure standing like a wall, looking down at the other party indifferently, as if overlooking an ant.
This kid was able to withstand a beating with such strength… Li Sijin had made up his mind to have a few bowls of chicken broth and wouldn’t give up so easily.
“This is a great opportunity to make a fortune. Can we discuss it here or shall we…”
Li Sijin smiled and looked up, only to be met by Lin Yuan’s indifferent gaze. He trembled all over, inexplicably shivering, and the words in his mouth stopped abruptly. He suddenly remembered. Just earlier, Lin Yuan bravely fought against five or six thugs with a knife!
“Okay, let’s stay here.” Li Sijin, a bit reluctantly, swallowed his saliva. He glanced back and saw someone outside, quickly went over to close the door, then approached again, lowering his voice mysteriously: “Little Yuan, have you heard of Mother Lingsheng?”
“…Indeed.”
Lin Yuan’s eyes flashed slightly, a hint of coldness passing through them. In that instant, the incident where his sister was almost targeted by thugs came to mind, and he linked it to this.
He had always found it strange. His father was a bailiff who died in the line of duty. Firstly, his father’s colleagues used to take care of them before, considering everyone had a family. Secondly, as soon as Lin Yuan turned eighteen, he was automatically eligible to inherit his father’s position without waiting until adulthood. Were those thugs out of their minds to dare plot against his sister? Weren’t they afraid of repercussions? But… if it was related to the Lingsheng Sect, it could provide a reasonable explanation!
As it was known, any cult was good at brainwashing people, and for ruffians like those, the simplest lure combined with promises could easily make them lose their heads. Li Sijin was completely unaware of the coldness in Lin Yuan’s eyes.
“Mother Lingsheng pities me, reborn in Pure Land!”
Reciting the slogan fervently, he appeared excited. “Mother Lingsheng is the supreme god who created the world, also known as the ‘Golden Mother Tianzun’ or ‘Golden Heavenly Lady’. She couldn’t bear to see people suffering, so she sent her divine messenger to establish the Lingsheng Sect!”
“For just fifty taels of silver in offerings, one can become a follower of the Mother, free of pain and illness, and most importantly…”
“After a year, you can receive double the silver offerings every month!” Wasn’t this illegal fundraising! A familiar term suddenly popped into Lin Yuan’s mind. He was speechless.
Facts have proven that fools who expect pie to fall from the sky exist in every world.
However, fifty taels of silver is not something that just anyone can come up with.
For most common folks.
This is a large sum of money!
“By your explanation.”
Lin Yuan looked at him expressionlessly and said lightly, “Lingsheng’s Old Mother cannot bear to see people suffer, but if there is no money, how can one join the sect?”
“Well…”
Li Sijin subconsciously glanced at Lin Xianyu, who was pinching her waist on the side, then quickly looked away, and chuckled, “It’s possible to join even without money; it’s just a bit more complicated in the process…”
“Complicated? Not necessarily!”
Lin Yuan suddenly smiled, “Isn’t it just necessary to ‘send’ a young girl over?”
Li Sijin was stunned, the excitement on his face disappearing in an instant, replaced by a look of panic, stammering, “Little Yuan, what are you talking about, why can’t I understand?”
“It’s okay if you don’t understand, you’ll know soon.”
Lin Yuan reached out, smiling as he patted Li Sijin’s shoulder, “Oh, I almost forgot to ask, which hand did you use to push Xiao Yu just now?”
…
*Sound of chair toppling*
Zhang Tie suddenly stood up, knocking over the chair he was sitting on, his face full of shock.
“Little Yuan, are you joking with Uncle?”
“Zhang, I wouldn’t dare speak lightly of such matters. Once you catch those ruffians, you’ll know at first trial.”
Lin Yuan said seriously.
Then, he pointed to Li Sijin lying unconscious on the ground, “As for this, he’s also a Lingsheng sect follower who wanted to recruit me, he must know the inside story.”
“I testify!”
Beside them, Lin Xianyu raised her hand.
This Zhang Tie is one of the bailiffs.
He had a close relationship with Lin Yuan’s father in the past.
In the simulated life.
After becoming a bailiff, Lin Yuan had also had more contact with him and knew his character, a little greedy but not lacking in integrity, trustworthy.
“Good, good, good!”
Zhang Tie laughed twice, patting Lin Yuan’s shoulder emphatically, “Like father, like son! Your father was bold and detail-oriented, skilled at… Oh, let’s not talk about that, it’s a serious matter, I’ll set off immediately, rest assured, your contribution will also be noted!”
Recent disappearances have left the people of Black Mountain City in a state of anxiety, with the county office in a flurry.
The magistrate daily berated them for being worthless, spitting words that made them unable to lift their heads.
Therefore.
Despite some lingering doubts, Zhang Tie didn’t mind taking the risk of arresting them first.
After all, a few ruffians and hooligans all had criminal records.
Even if they were wrong, it wouldn’t be a big issue!
But if they were right, it would truly be a great achievement!
“As for accomplishments, it doesn’t matter.”
Lin Yuan touched his head, still wrapped in a white gauze, and sighed, “It’s just this beating, it doesn’t feel quite right.”
At his words.
Zhang Tie’s eyes sparkled, looking deeply at him, nodding slowly, “Don’t worry, I already know about this, I will take good care of them.”
With extra emphasis on the phrase “take care of”, he bit down harder.
Lin Yuan smiled, “Well… Zhang, I’ll go home with Xiao Yu first.”
“Sure, go back and rest soon.”
Zhang Tie waved his hand with a smile.
“Goodbye, Zhang!”
Lin Xianyu said crisply, then walked out of the door with Lin Yuan.
After a moment of contemplation.
Watching Li Sijin, who was unconscious, Zhang Tie suddenly squatted down, reaching out to touch his soft and limp right arm a few times, his pupils suddenly dilated.
“Ligaments and bones shattered…”
Zhang Tie looked at Lin Yuan’s departing figure and secretly marveled:
“Good kid, that fierce and ruthless spirit, much stronger than your father back then! Old Lin, you’ve raised a good son…”