I Can Devour Spirits

Ruan Fengshan changed into a new set of clothes, sat in a small blue sedan chair, and entered the County Government Office as the sky brightened.

From the interrogation with Zhou An, it seemed that this matter was indeed orchestrated by Yu Wenlong, the leader of the Bitter Fate Gang. As for the government constable at the South City gate who signaled with a celestial lantern, he was named He Guizhou, and he was Yu Wenlong’s childhood friend.

A cross-shaped celestial lantern signified that the gold had left the city and everything was proceeding as planned!

A one-character sky lantern indicated changes, and a swift retreat was necessary!

Knowing that the only participant from the County Government Office was a small gatekeeper, the worry in Ruan Fengshan’s heart finally dissipated.

If more people from the County Government Office were involved, he wouldn’t pursue it further, but if it was just He Guizhou, how could he let him off?

Seeing the day had fully dawned, He Guizhou, standing at the window of the Guard Room, yawned. Through the window, one could see the official road outside the South City gate.

Along the scarcely populated official road, there were only a few scattered pedestrians like small black dots...

”Seems like everything is proceeding smoothly...” He Guizhou glanced at the one-character sky lantern by his foot, muttering to himself.

The previous night, he had carefully examined everyone leaving the city and hadn’t found anything suspicious. By this time, everything was normal, and it seemed like the cart full of gold had successfully left the city.

Just then, a commotion started outside as the constables arriving for their shift change came along.

He Guizhou quickly stepped out of the Guard Room, patting the leader of the unit replacing him, and smiled, ”Old Guo, thanks!”

”Thanks for what? Shift changes happen all the time. Who doesn’t have urgent matters now and then!”

”I’ll treat you to a drink after work!” He Guizhou laughed.

”Sounds great!” The constable named Old Guo said with joy, ”I’ve been craving a drink these past few days!”

After chatting for a bit, He Guizhou was about to head home and wait for news from Yu Wenlong, but right at that moment, Yang Zhen suddenly brought over a few constables and arrested He Guizhou.

”Yang Zhen, we see each other all the time; what’s going on?” He Guizhou shouted at Yang Zhen.

Yang Zhen cupped his fist and said, ”Head He, I’m just following orders. If I’ve offended you, I ask for your understanding!”

”Orders? Whose orders?”

”The County Magistrate!” Yang Zhen shouted.

Upon hearing this, He Guizhou’s expression changed!

”Take him away!” Yang Zhen instructed the constables, then dashed into the Guard Room, his eyes scanning towards the corner.

Yang Zhen walked over, picked up the one-character sky lantern that hadn’t been released yet, and quickly exited the Guard Room.

Yang Zhen and the constables escorted He Guizhou directly to the main hall.

Upon entering the hall, He Guizhou saw Shen Yanliu seated with a grim face behind the big desk, and Ruan Fengshan seated in the Grandmaster’s Chair to the right of the desk.

He Guizhou’s heart immediately skipped a beat.

As soon as Shen Yanliu saw He Guizhou, he coldly shouted, ”He Guizhou, do you acknowledge your guilt?”

He Guizhou’s eyes darted around, and he immediately knelt and said, ”Since taking the position of city gate head, I have been too lax and have neglected to discipline the constables under me! If there’s been negligence, I request the County Magistrate to punish me!”

Shen Yanliu was infuriated by He Guizhou’s evasive response, glanced at Yang Zhen behind him, and Yang Zhen threw the one-character sky lantern in front of He Guizhou.

”I ask you, what does this one-character sky lantern signal?” Shen Yanliu asked coldly.

”Signal?” He Guizhou feigned surprise and said, ”This was a lantern I made for a festival a few days ago, but it was left in the Guard Room and not released...”

With a loud slap, Shen Yanliu slammed the gavel and shouted angrily, ”He Guizhou, how dare you spout lies? Tell me! Are you childhood friends with Yu Wenlong, and how did you conspire together?”

When Shen Yanliu directly mentioned Yu Wenlong, He Guizhou’s heart filled with panic.

At this moment, Ruan Fengshan suddenly spoke, ”A cross-shaped celestial lantern signifies that the gold has left the city, and everything is as usual, proceeding as planned! A one-character sky lantern indicates changes, swift retreat! He Guizhou, is this correct?”

Seeing Ruan Fengshan revealing the prearranged signal between him and Yu Wenlong with one sentence, He Guizhou’s legs went weak.

”My methods, you are aware. Do you want to experience some interrogation first before confessing?” Shen Yanliu suddenly said with a cold, ruthless gaze at He Guizhou.

Feeling the icy gaze from Shen Yanliu, He Guizhou shivered. Shen Yanliu’s interrogations are even more severe than Jie Daohan’s.

He Guizhou knelt down, nodding rapidly like a pecking chick, ”County Magistrate, I was momentarily deluded. Yu Wenlong promised me five thousand taels of silver just for releasing a lantern. He assured me it would be fine... I was deceived too... County Magistrate...”

Shen Yanliu’s face showed disgust, and looking at Yang Zhen, he said, ”Take him away! Skin him! Parade him through the streets!”

”Yes!” Yang Zhen acknowledged, signaling two constables to come in, dragging the limp-heavened He Guizhou away.

Ruan Fengshan slowly got up, bowing to Shen Yanliu, saying, ”Thank you, County Magistrate, for upholding justice for me!”

”No need for thanks, Shopkeeper Ruan. Your report helped cleanse my office. It prevented others from thinking I, the County Magistrate, condone such behavior.”

Ruan Fengshan could sense the disapproval in Shen Yanliu’s words and immediately smiled, ”County Magistrate, you’ve always cared for the people like your own children, with strict laws! Who dares to gossip?”

Shen Yanliu sneered slightly, ”The root of this issue lies within Yuan Shun Escort Agency itself, a case of trouble within. Shopkeeper Ruan, you mustn’t overlook this!”

”Yes... Yes indeed...” Ruan Fengshan broke out in a cold sweat, ”I’ll certainly learn from this and thoroughly investigate internal matters!”

”That would be best!” Shen Yanliu’s stern demeanor softened upon seeing Ruan Fengshan’s compliant attitude, ”Shopkeeper Ruan, I have some freshly picked Poria tea. Would you accompany me to the back hall for a cup?”

”Thank you, County Magistrate! You’re busy with official duties; I wouldn’t dare impose any further. I shall take my leave.” Ruan Fengshan said, leaving with a worried expression.

After Ruan Fengshan left, Shen Yanliu waved his sleeve and went to the back hall.

Duan Rong slept in until after noon, exhaling deeply and feeling entirely relaxed, wrapped in his blanket and humming joyfully.

Duan Rong lingered in bed for a while before getting up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, and took the wooden basin by the wall to start washing up by the well.

In his sleep, memories of the residual images of Blue Star had been completely cast aside...

Isn’t it just like adults reminiscing about their childhood? Can one really go back? Why think about it if you can’t return?

After washing up, Duan Rong stretched and strolled out of the Escort Agency to get something to eat on the street. Even though he missed the canteen meals, he had missed the serving time.

As soon as Duan Rong reached the entrance of the Escort Agency, the gatekeeper, Ma Wentao, jumped out to greet him, handing him two pears, saying they were freshly picked and Duan Rong should give them a try.

The enthusiasm left Duan Rong quite stunned.

Eating the crisp and sweet pears on the street, Duan Rong reflected on Ma Wentao’s expression, saying, ”It seems Ma Wentao truly appreciates me. After all, the well-being of his entire family depends on that little kid Ruan Jing...”

If Ruan Jing were truly gone, Ruan Fengshan would probably get rid of the gatekeeper in no time, considering seeing him was a reminder of the past sorrows. Why keep someone around to dampen one’s mood?

At a street stall, Duan Rong ate two sesame seed cakes and a big bowl of beef soup, heavily spiced with chili oil and vinegar, thoroughly satisfying him!

After that meal, Duan Rong immediately felt revitalized, with the faint joy emanating from his stomach lingering in his body...

Duan Rong returned to the Escort Agency, picking his teeth with a twig, strolling leisurely, and just as he reached the Martial Arts Arena, a guard called out, ”Escort Master Duan, the Shopkeeper invites you to the Juyi Hall in the back courtyard!”

Duan Rong spat out the piece of meat he was picking at and immediately asked, ”What for?”

”I only stand guard outside, so I don’t know what they’re discussing inside.” The guard rolled his eyes and answered seamlessly.