The first thing Li Xuan did after arriving at Zhuque Hall was to report to Jiang Hanyun's office.
When he first arrived, he had intended to give up his position at the Liudao Division. As a modern person, he had many ideas to make money and could easily have been a wealthy second generation official.
But his experiences at Lanyue House and Li Chengji's usurpation made him change his mind. Li Xuan realized that this was a world where the magic of immortality was recognized and it was an era of official-dominance.
Money is useful, but there are many things that money cannot buy in this world.
But when he was about to push the door open, he spotted someone inside being reprimanded by Jiang Hanyun like a rebuked child.
"If I hear of you shielding Li Xuan again, be ready to be exiled to Nanjiang! Ma Chenggong, do you believe me when I say I'll have you stay there until you grow old, unable to return in your lifetime?"
Li Xuan glanced at this man to find a stalwart and muscular man despite his tender age, who had already gone bald.
What surprised him was the man's attire. Apart from wearing armor covered in demonic patterns and carrying a long knife, which was the standard Liudao Division uniform, he had twelve long spears on his back, spread out like a peacock's tail.
Seeing him, Li Xuan felt guilty. This man was Ma Chenggong, a seasoned 'Fumo Duyu', the most competent assistant under Jiang Hanyun, and his immediate superior, a 6th-rank official.
During the two years when his original body had joined the Liudao Division, Li Xuan had been living a leisurely life largely thanks to Ma Chenggong. This man not only took care of Li Xuan's daily attendance but also let Li Xuan be named in all the cases he solved. He had practically arranged everything for Li Xuan within the Liudao Division.
This man also created an impeccable record for Li Xuan. If it weren't for his inadequate cultivation, with Li Xuan's achievements and his family background, he would have been qualified to be promoted to the 7th-rank official 'Fumo Youjiao'.
Of course, the original Li Xuan had also paid a hefty price for this. At least half of his monthly expenses were spent on Duwei Ma.
Looking at the scene, it seemed that Duwei Ma was taking the fall for him for abandoning his post the night before.
– Li Xuan's original body had never worked the night shift before, and this was the first time he had been caught in the act by Jiang Hanyun.
Li Xuan felt very sorry for him, but he was helpless in his current situation and couldn't assist Ma Chenggong.
"I'm also speaking to you." Jiang Hanyun then turned her gaze to Li Xuan. Her face, which should have been joyous and annoyed, was now solemn and serious: "Remember this, Li Xuan! You get a salary and benefits, effectively living off the people's sweat and blood. If you dare to be late or absent again, I'll have you pay!"
Li Xuan could only respond with a bow, knowing that he couldn't afford to offend his superior.
When he exited Jiang Hanyun's office, Li Xuan turned to Ma Chenggong with an apologetic bow, "I'm really sorry about this. If Duwei Ma is free tonight, I'd like to host a dinner in apology."
Ma Chenggong magnanimously waved his hand, "Why apologize? You pay me to take hits for you. When I take your money, don't I know what kind of person you are? It was bound to come out sooner or later."
But then he asked with confusion, "But next could be a bit tricky. I heard you helped her crack a case yesterday? Even made a big effort? Is it true or false?"
"True." Li Xuan spoke truthfully, "Yesterday's case at Lanyue House involved me, so I had to make some effort to prove my innocence. Fortunately, with the help of Xiaowei Jiang, the case was solved."
Ma Chenggong was gazing at Li Xuan with suspicious eyes. He was obviously questioning Li Xuan's abilities, but the three detainees who were imprisoned weren't fake.
Then he shook his head and said, "The tricky part is here. There aren't just one or two slackers like you in our Liudao Division. Xiaowei has always turned a blind eye to them. But now, for some reason, she believes that you're a promising candidate, one of us, the future pillar of the Liudao Division, so she has her eyes on you. This girl is very stubborn, and I'm afraid I won't be able to cover for you in the short term."
This was exactly what Li Xuan wanted, "If that's the case, then let it be. I'll settle for working properly."
"How can that be?" Ma Chenggong raised his voice, looking at Li Xuan in disbelief, "Are you giving in so easily? Qianzhi you are, after all, a well-known playboy in Nanjing City. You should at least struggle a bit, don't be a pushover."
Li Xuan sighed, "You know my family circumstances. Can I afford to push back now? Even a person of your stature has to be careful before Xiaowei. What can I do? Moreover, I think what Xiaowei said makes a lot of sense. With the people's salary, we should be more devoted in our service. I must reform myself."
Halfway through speaking, Li Xuan started making frantic signals with his eyes at his friend, but it was of no use as Ma Chenggong didn't notice. He was very dissatisfied, "Make it clear, how am I cautious before them? I just give them the Jiang family face and deal with her. Do you really think I'm afraid of her? And just now, did she really dare to exile me? Who would work for her then? I—"
Perhaps finally noticing the change in Li Xuan's expression, Ma Chenggong's voice shifted: "But I still admire the abilities of Officer Jiang. Not only is she highly skilled in martial arts, she is also very kind. Pragmatic and efficient, good management, appointing people by merit, public-minded and selfless, caring for her subordinates, leading from the front, having such a superior is indeed our blessing."
"I appreciate the praise! Even though everything you said is true, I'm still unhappy." Jiang Hanyun's resentful voice came from behind: "This month we're short-handed, there are still no arrangements for cleaning the toilets in the backyard. Duwei Ma, since you like giving our Jiang family face, why not do it one more time and take over this task."
Ma Chenggong's back slumped instantly, his face turned bitter: "This humble one, this humble one accepts!"
Then Jiang Hanyun tossed a bright yellow, arrow-shaped talisman paper into his arms: "The Ying Tian Government has asked us for assistance, saying that there is a case near Ertou Bridge that they can't handle."
"Is it demonic disturbance?" Li Xuan raised his eyebrows slightly, "But I remember Ertou Bridge is not within our team's jurisdiction, is it?"
Jiang Hanyun could not help glancing at him: "Indeed it is not within our jurisdiction, but given the current investigation into the disappearance of the prince, all hands in south Zhili are almost depleted, who cares about jurisdiction? It is said that it is an evil spirit causing trouble, it has already taken two lives, in any case Duwei Ma, you should go there as soon as possible."
When their boss turned and left, Li Xuan looked at Ma Chenggong sympathetically: "Duwei, you didn't have to accept just now. Zhuque Hall is short of people at the moment, she can't really do anything to you."
"Get lost!" Ma Chenggong was angry, then deflated again, he lamented: "What happened to the decent, proud, generous man you used to be, Li Xuan, Li Qianzhi? Sadly, how you've fallen now! Such a pity, such a pity!"
Li Xuan smiled, "If Duwei Ma is worried about losing my stipend, it's simple. As long as you can get me an 'excellent' on this month's evaluation, I'll surely return the favor."
"Forget it."
Ma Chenggong shook his head, then his face grew serious once again: "Qianzhi, did you bring everything with you? Since you're no longer muddling along, I have to work you like a horse. Later, you'll have to come with me. If it really is an evil spirit, we may have to take action."
"Everything's ready!" A thrill of excitement and anticipation rose in Li Xuan's heart, he was very eager to see what the demons and ghosts of this world looked like.
As a forensic doctor with two years of experience, he had seen many corpses, but never a ghost. So he was extremely curious and looking forward.
Ma Chenggong looked at him with a strange expression, then let out a long sigh after a long while.
The pair moved quickly. By the time their conversation ended they had arrived at the stable outside, each of them mounted a sturdy Dragon Colt, and thundered away from the house.
These were truly Dragon Colts, not a compliment to the horses' elegance. Not only did they have scales on their underbelly, but also a horn on their heads, and they stood at least two meters tall at the shoulders!
Then in less than half a moment, the two had already arrived at Ertou Bridge which was at least ten miles away from Zhuque Hall - the speed of the Dragon Colts was no slower than that of modern vehicles.
"This is the place!"
Ma Chenggong leapt down from his horse skillfully, then strode into a three-story courtyard ahead. Li Xuan looked around and found that this small courtyard was located by the river, with the crowded Ertou Bridge right next to it. Because it was on the street, the front row of the small courtyard had all been converted into shops.
But at this time, all the doors and windows of these street-facing eight shops were closed. Around a dozen Yayi from the Ying Tian government were standing around, stopping all pedestrians from approaching.
As Li Xuan entered the courtyard, he found that two black wooden coffins, covered with talisman papers, were lying there.
In front of the coffins was a temporary altar, on which a 30-year-old taoist with handsome features sat. His brow furrowed, eyes closed, hands holding a peach wood sword, and he was murmuring.
Next to him were a group of men and women of all ages wearing mourning clothes, over twenty in total, all with mournful faces, wailing and crying.
When Li Xuan came in, Ma Chenggong was inquiring a black-clothed officer from the Ying Tian government: "What happened here?"
"The people in the coffins are Yuanwai Lin and his second son, Lin Yang. One died at the Hour of Zi last night, one at the seventh moment of the Hour of Yin, both killed by a fierce demon."
The officer clasped his hands in a salute and respectfully answered, "In order to prevent soul transformation, we had their bodies placed in coffins. We also invited a taoist from the Xuandu Temple to perform rites to guide their souls to the afterlife."