I Can Devour Spirits

The clerks and constables from the government office, as well as the local gentry and wealthy households from the county, had mostly skipped breakfast and were waiting early at the city gate.

By this time, they stood with aching legs and growling stomachs, and only when the sun had risen high did they suddenly see an inconspicuous carriage slowly approaching from the distant official road, flanked by a few lightly armed cavalry.

Upon seeing the cavalry in official attire and boots, Qin Shuban immediately shouted to the drummers and suona players behind him, ”The Magistrate has arrived, play with full spirit.”

Suddenly, the dense and rapid drumbeats, along with the piercing suona sound, resonated at the city gate.

Everyone was full of anticipation and rejuvenated, but just then, they saw that the carriage stopped abruptly in the distance.

After a moment, a cavalryman galloped over and reined in the horse before the crowd, looking down at them arrogantly without dismounting.

Qin Shuban frowned and immediately signaled for the drumming and suona to quiet down.

The man gazed at them and said, ”Please disperse, everyone. Colleagues from the government office, proceed to the County Office for an audience. As for the gentry, the Magistrate is weary from travel and shall meet you another day.”

Having said this, he waved behind him, and the coachman and cavalry slowly proceeded, entering Xianggu County directly through the city gate.

Unfortunately, these people, who hadn’t eaten breakfast, eagerly waited there yet couldn’t even catch a glimpse of the new County Magistrate, truly making their warm welcomes met with cold receptions.

The faces of the gentry and wealthy households turned sour, feeling that the new County Magistrate displayed hostility right from the start, making him unlikely to be easy to deal with.

As for Qin Shuban and the constables, they had already hurriedly left the city gate. After all, they were instructed to report to the County Office, and they couldn’t keep the Magistrate waiting.

As the government office personnel departed, the gentry, wealthy households, and musicians all grumbled as they dispersed...

The crowd had just dispersed from the city gate when, about half a stick of incense later, three ox carts wobbled over from the official road.

The arrival of these ox carts startled the city guards, almost surrounding the newcomers.

Because on two of the ox carts were piled corpses, with the first cart’s bodies covered in crawling blood threads.

This day, Zhang Yufu was the city guard captain. Upon seeing Shen Mizi, Xiao Yu, Ximen Kankan sitting on the last ox cart, he refrained from acting immediately.

At this point, Zhu Qunxiang had already jumped off a carriage and presented the Taiyi Order directly.

Zhang Yufu then recognized the person as one of the Sect Envoys of the Supervision Selection Conference.

The once-every-three-years Talent Selection Conference was a grand event in the county, and even during his off-duty hours, Zhang Yufu attended and had noticed Zhu Qunxiang.

However, Zhu Qunxiang, usually attentive to his appearance, now looked disheveled with torn clothing, which was why Zhang Yufu failed to recognize him at first glance.

Zhu Qunxiang said, ”Leave two city guards here, the rest have been requisitioned by me, the Sect Envoy. Escort these bodies to the County Office.”

Zhang Yufu clasped his fists and said, ”Yes, I obey the Envoy’s orders!”

He instructed the team to surround the two ox carts and found two pieces of black cloth to cover the bodies, preventing public panic.

With the bodyguards surrounding the two ox carts, Zhang Yufu led the group towards the County Office.

Even though the bodies were covered tightly with black cloth, the onlookers had no idea what the carts, surrounded by a team of constables, carried.

But the figures of Shen Mizi, Xiao Yu, and their companions were immediately recognized.

During the Talent Selection Conference, Shen Mizi, Xiao Yu, and Xia Shuangshuang were the most talked-about topics.

Now, seeing these new Registered Disciples returning disheveled, conjectures quickly spread on the streets and alleys...

Zhang Yufu led his escorts with the two ox carts directly through the County Office’s main gate, stopping not far from the government office’s main hall.

The new County Magistrate, Sun Qian’s personal guards, were stationed at the entrance of the main hall when they suddenly saw a group entering through the County Office gate, driving two ox carts.

Ding Xingxing, the head of Sun Qian’s personal guards, came forth brandishing his blade and shouted angrily, ”Where did these ox carts come from, driving into the government office? Do you think this is a marketplace?”

Ding Xingxing shouted as he glared angrily at the constable captain, Zhang Yufu.

Zhang Yufu was about to speak when Zhu Qunxiang stepped forward, brandished the Taiyi Order, and declared, ”I am the Sect Envoy! I have urgent matters and need to see your Magistrate!”

Ding Xingxing, upon seeing the Taiyi Order, was momentarily stunned and immediately turned back into the County Government Office’s main hall.

En route, Zhu Qunxiang already enquired with Zhang Yufu and learned that the new County Magistrate had entered the city early that morning.

Sun Qian, in his early thirties, with a dark complexion and lean frame, sported a goatee on his chin. His eyes were restrained with a glint of wisdom, and he moved with steady, powerful strides, giving an impression of cunning competence.

He descended from his carriage and went into the back courtyard of the County Government Office, freshened up, changed into his official robe, and then strolled into the main hall of the County Government Office.

Sun Qian was seated in the main hall, with the clerks and constables of the government office already respectfully standing below, having awaited his arrival for some time.

Sitting at the desk, Sun Qian scanned the people below with his gaze. Just as he was about to speak, a commotion erupted outside the main hall doors, accompanied by two bovine bellows.

His expression darkened, and just as he was about to express his displeasure, Ding Xingxing entered briskly from outside.