I defeated the saint with a parry.

"This is not something a junior like you should be thinking about. If the sky falls, there will naturally be people of higher character to hold it up."

Xu Huaixu did not want to say.

Xu Ling noticed it, but her curiosity only grew stronger.

Xu Huaixu changed the subject: "It's not impossible to know."

"Please speak, sir!"

"Go and take a look at the task Zhang Li is handling. Sometimes, you can't get things done with just your fists; your brain is just as important. If you can find out what kind of evil spirit is causing this and solve the case, I'll recommend you to the headquarters in Beijing. I'll tell you all about it then."

Xu Huaixu knew that Xu Ling was strong enough to not even fear cultivators at the Spirit Platform Realm, but martial prowess was only one aspect. He also needed to assess Xu Ling's competence, otherwise there were some things that could not be done without exception.

"Oh, by the way, this is your reward for the escort mission and the report."

He tossed him a storage bag: "The knife you have is a good thing. I won't give you the weapon, but I see you don't have anything to protect yourself, so I took the liberty of getting you a golden silk soft armor. It's also a spirit treasure, capable of withstanding a full-force attack from a Sea-Gazing Realm cultivator. If anyone asks, just say it's a personal gift from me."

"The evil cultivator at the Spirit Platform Realm that you killed was suspected of using tricks. If he were to encounter a more powerful cultivator at the Sea Gazing Realm, or be ambushed by a villain, he probably wouldn't be able to react at all. This armor is just right to protect the vitals."

"There are also some healing and life-saving pills: Rejuvenation Pill, Heart-Clearing Pill, and Bone-Growing and Blood-Activating Pill. Please keep them safe."

"Bone-regenerating and blood-activating pills?"

"It's a life-saving little thing. It can heal even minor injuries like broken arms or legs, restoring flesh and bone on the spot. The yamen doesn't have any in stock, so we've given you two. If you run out and want more, you'll have to find a way yourself. We don't lack other pills, though. You can exchange them for money or spirit stones at the yamen anytime you want; it's much cheaper than outside."

Xu Ling took out several jade bottles from his storage bag, as well as a silver soft armor. The soft armor felt excellent to the touch; as soon as he touched it, it slid down his skin and into his sleeve, quickly putting on itself and protecting his torso.

"Thank you, sir!"

This is a lucky boss!

Xu Ling's words of gratitude were extremely sincere, because his predecessor in Zhangye had never received such treatment; he was truly fortunate to have caught a lucky break.

"Don't worry, sir. It's just a case. You keep an eye on it. I'll go find Zhang Li right now and work with him to solve it." Xu Ling put away the storage bag, showing no intention of returning it separately.

After all, if your boss gives you a gift, there's no reason for you to take back the expensive packaging. If you're not thoughtful enough and go out of your way to return it, it will only make you seem clueless.

The leader has already given away Lingbao so readily, why would he need a storage bag?

The answer is certainly not lacking.

Xu Ling felt very reassured taking it.

"If there are any cases in the future, please don't forget me, sir."

(Please give me generously if there are any benefits in the future.)

Xu Huaixu understood the implication perfectly. He smiled and said, "You said it yourself. There are quite a few tricky cases in Fancheng. Just you wait and see."

After saying that, he didn't mention any benefits, and even picked up his teacup to drink tea.

It was clearly a gesture to see the guests off.

Xu Ling was dumbfounded, and tentatively asked, "Sir? The rewards for missions in Fancheng should all be this generous, right?"

"No," Xu Huaixu shook his head. "The reward system of the Demon Suppression Division is uniform throughout the entire Great Chu. There's no reason why it's different in Fancheng. What are you thinking?"

"Oh right, I mean, it was a personal gift from an adult."

"Well, that depends on whether the person doing the job knows how to do it."

"I understand, I understand, let's get to work right away."

Xu Ling tactfully took his leave, and Xu Huaixu watched his retreating figure, smiling and shaking his head.

After Xu Ling disappeared at the entrance of the courtyard, the shadow stepped out from the side: "My lord! After Xu Ling stayed at the inn yesterday, he did not contact anyone, did not even cultivate, and slept all night."

"With a talent for unrestricted meridians, cultivation is pointless; he might as well just sleep." Xu Huaixu wasn't surprised. "This kid's spirit and energy are no less than those in the Condensation Realm; it's just that his unrestricted meridians prevent him from drawing spiritual power into his body. When he understands that unrestricted meridians only limit spiritual power, not divine sense, and that divine sense is more useful than spiritual power, that will be his true beginning."

The shadow asked, "Doesn't this mean that a severed meridian isn't necessarily a dead end?"

"When did I say that! Others are others, but Xu Ling is Xu Ling. This kid has found a strange path somewhere, he doesn't need to cultivate at all, killing can strengthen his spirit and energy, how can others compare?" Xu Huaixu put down his teacup, got up and walked towards the outside of the pavilion, his figure slowly dissipating on the lake surface, and his voice had just been heard: "I had someone check his file in the Demon Suppression Division. When he was in Zhangye, his cultivation was stuck at the Body Tempering Realm for several years, and he didn't improve in any aspect. But after one escort mission, he killed two demons and became stronger all the way. If you don't understand, just continue to follow him. This mission will just verify my guess."

"If he has truly found his own path, then so be it; our Demon Suppression Division is precisely lacking such prodigies. But if he has been possessed, or is a demon, then you shall help me slay him."

"Shadow obeys!"

The two disappeared at the pavilion in the middle of the lake.

As soon as Xu Ling stepped out of the courtyard, Zhang Li was squatting there drawing circles and playing with the ants.

Fortunately, this senior brother was indeed reliable. He had the case files ready before he came to play with the ants and others.

"If Senior Brother Zhang goes on a mission, what about the paperwork?"

"Hey! Someone else will take over that mess, let's mind our own business."

Zhang Li clapped the jade slip in his hand and said, "I've already read the file."

He didn't look too good, so Xu Ling remembered Xu Huaixu's instructions and asked, "What's wrong? Is the case difficult?"

"This is indeed a tricky case. It was sealed as an unsolved case. I don't know why the garrison commander sent the two of us to investigate it again."

"Unsolved case?"

"I heard about this back then. It happened not far from Fancheng, about ten miles east of the city, in a place called Lijia Village. Half of the villagers disappeared, and the rest had nightmares."

Lijia Village?

Xu Ling turned around and asked, "Is everyone in this Li Family Village surnamed Li?"

"Indeed," Zhang Li recalled, then suddenly patted Xu Ling's arm. "What a coincidence! This Li Family Village seems to be a branch of that Li family. Back then, many people were terrified, and even the Li family couldn't do anything about it. In the end, it all came to nothing."

"Interesting. Let's go, senior brother, let's go check out the village first."

Zhang Li led Xu Ling out of the Demon Suppression Division. The two barrier beasts didn't give Zhang Li a friendly look, but they were all smiles at Xu Ling.

This puzzled Zhang Li even more.

Xu Ling then reminded him, "Next time you come to work, bring them some wine or braised meat as an offering, and they will naturally not treat you coldly."

"It's that simple?"

Zhang Li was somewhat skeptical: "This is one of the most powerful barrier beasts recognized for guarding the home. If it can be dealt with by braised meat, that's a bit of an exaggeration."

Believe it or not.

Xu Ling, in any case, did not lie.

The two needed to exit through the east gate of the city to reach Lijia Village, passing through Fanlou. Fanlou was busiest at night, but it was still early morning, and there was little sign of activity on the road. The vendors were all heading north of the city. On the lake where Fanlou, known as the most prosperous area, was located, various flower boats and decorated boats were moored, and even without the evening lanterns, one could imagine their bustling activity.

Those who stayed overnight on the pleasure boat last night are now leaving.

Xu Ling was met by a group of people, their clothes disheveled, reeking of alcohol, and with rouge smeared on their faces from who-knows-where.

"This new girl is really good; I'll order her again next time I come."