Merit-based card draws, quickly become a Heavenly Emperor

Fang Zheng stopped laughing and said in a steady voice, "Well done, White Tiger Society. I'll remember this."

I appreciate Master Yang's kindness.

As for whether I believe in your White Tiger Holy Spirit or join your White Tiger Society, I have no interest.

He put down his glass, stood up, and said, "Let's go."

Guan Tieyi stood up and stayed close by. The two of them, one in front of the other, pushed open the door of the inn and walked into the vast snow.

A customer's cursing voice came from behind: "You ungrateful brat! You ignorant child, you'll regret this!"

If you're lucky enough to survive, I guarantee you'll come back crying and begging Master Yang!

.........

Two horses walked slowly through the snow.

Fang Zheng and his companion had entered the territory of Han Ya Mountain. The area was densely wooded and the roads were winding. It was already difficult to travel when it wasn't snowing, and it was even more difficult now.

"My lord, that Taoist priest was clearly preaching in public. The imperial court has long prohibited this, so why is the local government turning a blind eye?"

The White Tiger Society is definitely not a sect recognized by the imperial court; it is an evil and heretical sect and cannot be tolerated.

Guan Tieyi's voice came through the wind and snow, carrying suppressed anger.

Fang Zheng nodded: "That makes sense."

However, Dinghu County is located in a remote area and has been difficult to govern since the beginning of its expansion, making its situation different from other places.

These heretical and unorthodox practices are deeply entrenched here, and eradicating them completely will not be a task that can be accomplished overnight.

Guan Tieyi remained silent for a while after hearing this, and did not ask any further questions, but only gripped the hilt of his knife.

After walking for a while, Guan Tieyi looked at the vast white forest ahead and asked, "Sir, are there really demons in Cold Crow Mountain?"

Fang Zheng shook his head: "Although this place is remote, it is a necessary route."

Normally, there are no demons or monsters on the main roads, but wild animals might be.

Unless someone has ulterior motives and deliberately set a trap.

Fang Zheng was naturally referring to the Taoist priest Yang from the inn earlier.

He was very perceptive and could see through the other party's tricks at a glance.

Setting up a trap to lure passersby and force them to believe in the so-called White Tiger Holy Spirit is a tactic that's nothing new.

If you believe them and take the protective talisman, you will not encounter demons when crossing the Cold Crow Mountain.

If you don't believe and don't take it, you're bound to encounter a demon.

If nothing unexpected happens, those demons were also arranged by Master Yang.

Knowing all this, Fang Zheng naturally had nothing to fear.

If the other party really dares to come, he wouldn't mind arresting that Taoist priest Yang and sending him to the authorities.

However, he also knew that the Taoist priest dared to act so recklessly because he must have something to rely on. Even if he was arrested and handed over to the authorities, he might still be able to get away with it in the end.

Fang Zheng is currently only an eighth-rank supervisor, and has not yet officially taken office. He is not qualified to handle matters concerning Dinghu County.

The two continued riding slowly. After a while, the wind and snow suddenly intensified ahead, and a strange roar came from the snow.

"They're here!" Guan Tieyi was already on guard. He dismounted, one hand on his sword, alert to his surroundings.

Fang Zheng did not dismount; his eyes shone with divine light, his insightful gaze already fully revealed.

In the wind and snow, a dozen figures were closing in from all sides.

Fang Zheng initially thought it was a person, but soon realized something was wrong.

These people were lifeless, and the wind and snow did not even try to stop them.

It's a corpse puppet.

Puppets made from corpses feel no pain, are fearless of danger, and possess immense strength.

The person controlling them can operate them remotely from a great distance, and even if all these corpse puppets are destroyed, the mastermind behind them cannot be found.

Liu Qingyu's voice echoed in his heart: "My benefactor, let me test the power of the Soul-Guiding Banner."

She has been enamored with the Soul-Guiding Banner ever since she obtained it.

Especially after the cards were upgraded, she put in a lot of effort in the underworld to add a newly entered eighth-rank cursed ghost and nine ninth-rank perfect wandering ghosts.

With this banner, she has already made a name for herself on the brink of death.

Fang Zheng was about to nod when a thought suddenly struck him, and he turned his gaze forward.

Amidst the wind and snow, a graceful figure in white descended from the treetops, landing right in the center of the group of corpse puppets. She drew her longsword, its light sweeping across the scene like a bolt of lightning.

"Wait a minute," Fang Zheng said to Liu Qingyu in a low voice.

Liu Qingyu put away the Soul-Guiding Banner, hiding it in his palm. Fang Zheng then gestured to Guan Tieyi, signaling him to be on guard.

He then secretly activated the ink-splashing technique to create soldiers. Four ink soldiers silently emerged from the snow and entered the battle from the flank, forming an encirclement around the woman in white.

The woman in white was a master swordsman; every strike hit a vital point, never missing its mark.

The four ink soldiers roamed the flanks, harassing and finishing off enemies, their coordination flawless.

Soon, the dozen or so corpse puppets were wiped out as easily as cutting melons and vegetables.

A system notification appeared in front of Fangzheng.

"Exterminate evil spirits and protect the people, White Merit +1."

The woman sheathed her sword and turned around.

She was only in her early twenties, tall and slender with a slim waist and long legs. Her eyes and brows were extremely alluring, and her features were as delicate as jade carvings, but her temperament was very cold.

Fang Zheng glanced at it with his clear mind, and a slight thought crossed his mind.

This woman possesses a powerful aura, even more robust than Guan Tieyi.

Guan Tieyi received benefits from his superiors in the army and was only one step away from achieving the Great Perfection of the Eighth Rank Meridian Opening.

This young woman has already reached the eighth-grade Meridian Opening stage, which is truly remarkable.

It seems that the world is indeed a vast place where hidden talents abound.

Fang Zheng cupped his hands in thanks to her: "Thank you for your help."

My name is Fang Zheng. I am a scholar from Yongqing County. I am traveling with my elder brother to Cangwu County to broaden my horizons.

May I ask your name, young lady?

"Ning Xuejian, a traveler from another state, has come here."

As the female warrior spoke, her gaze lingered on Fang Zheng for a moment. "Just now, when I passed by the Cold Raven Ridge Inn, I encountered the White Tiger Society members causing trouble, and I sensed something was amiss."

It now appears that those so-called "demons" were merely puppets controlled by humans, and the White Tiger Society was most likely behind it all.

She paused, "I plan to go back to the inn and expose those people's true colors in public."

I see you two have some skill; if you have the guts, come with me.

After saying that, she turned around and disappeared into the wind and snow with a few leaps.

Fang Zheng and Guan Tieyi exchanged a glance. They were both government officials and had never had much contact with martial arts practitioners.

Ning Xuejian's free-spirited and unpredictable manner is typical of a martial arts practitioner, and she is not like an official cultivator.

Guan Tieyi smiled, and Fang Zheng shook his head. They squatted down and removed the control talismans from the back of the dozen or so corpse puppets' heads.

Fang Zheng took the talisman and looked at it, saying, "Originally, I was in a hurry to take up my post in Cangwu County and didn't want to get involved in things here."

However, the other party acted arrogantly and even used corpse puppets to cause trouble. It was only because they encountered us that they were able to do this. If it were someone else, many innocent people would probably die.

As an official, how can I ignore such a matter?

Upon hearing this, Guan Tieyi understood Fang Zheng's implied meaning and immediately asked with delight, "What does Your Excellency intend to do?"

"Go back and arrest them."

The two put away the talismans, mounted their horses, and rode back the way they had come.

In a sheltered mountain hollow, Ning Xuejian was indeed waiting by the roadside.

Seeing Fang Zheng follow, she curled her lips slightly: "At least you have some courage."

Fang Zheng cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to her: "I am willing to join hands with Lady Ning to punish evil and uphold justice."

.........