Chapter 63: Will-o'-the-Wisps Harming People?

Perhaps because it was a rare opportunity to mock Shi Sheng, Si Nan's laughter continued unabated for quite a long time.

Shi Sheng remained indifferent for a moment, then looked at Ye Liuyun with a deadpan, sincere expression.

"My lord, may I beat him to death?"

Hearing this, not only Ye Liuyun, but the entire group of Embroidered Uniform Guards behind him burst into knowing laughter.

However, no one continued to tease them further.

...

After several days of journeying, they finally arrived at their destination: Shuihe County.

When Ye Liuyun led the Embroidered Uniform Guards into the county, many passing townspeople cast curious and probing glances. Perhaps it was the first time they had ever witnessed so many Embroidered Uniform Guards in person.

"Greetings, My Lords!"

Not long after, the magistrate of Shuihe County, having received word, hurried out to welcome them with a retinue from the yamen.

Especially upon catching sight of Ye Liuyun at the very front, the magistrate's smile became exceptionally ingratiating.

"You must be exhausted after traveling such a long distance, My Lord. I have already ordered a banquet to wash away the dust of the journey for you."

Ye Liuyun did not refuse. He merely waved his hand, signaling the magistrate to lead the way.

Shuihe County was remote and far from the imperial capital, making the magistrate an absolute monarch within his own domain. As a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guards, Ye Liuyun could easily execute this magistrate on the spot and face no consequences as long as he provided a plausible pretext. Thus, the magistrate's obsequious behavior was entirely expected.

While Shuihe County was not large, the meal prepared at the tavern was surprisingly decent.

"Please take your seats, My Lords."

The magistrate beamed, politely gesturing for Si Nan, Shi Sheng, and the others to sit.

Yet, no one moved.

It was only after Ye Liuyun took the primary seat and gestured to the others that anyone moved.

"Sit."

With Ye Liuyun's permission, the guards uniformly took their seats.

This brief exchange caused a fleeting flash of embarrassment on the magistrate's face, but he quickly recovered, fully aware that Ye Liuyun was the absolute center of gravity among these men.

"My Lord!"

Seated beside Ye Liuyun, the magistrate first motioned for his subordinates to present a heavy chest. Then, raising his wine cup, he addressed Ye Liuyun.

"Shuihe County cannot compare to the imperial capital; there are not many places for My Lords to amuse yourselves here. These funds are some modest savings of my own. I hope My Lord will graciously accept them so that you may thoroughly enjoy your stay in Shuihe County."

With that, he signaled a servant to lift the corner of the lid.

Inside lay neat rows of neatly stacked gold bars.

Savings of his own? Exactly how much was a magistrate's annual salary that he could save such a fortune?

Some things required no explanation; those who understood, understood.

"We have been dispatched on official orders to resolve the troubles in Shuihe County. How could we indulge purely in self-indulgence and pleasure? Do not speak of such things again."

With those words, Ye Liuyun glanced at Si Nan.

Understanding instantly, Si Nan accepted the chest of money with a beaming smile.

"Understood, perfectly understood!"

Seeing Ye Liuyun accept the money, the smile on the magistrate's face grew even wider.

No wonder so many Embroidered Uniform Guards jumped at the chance to handle cases outside the capital—the hidden profits here were truly substantial.

...

Returning to the inn specifically arranged by the magistrate, Si Nan opened the chest and stared at the gold within, unable to resist a sigh of amazement.

"There really is a fortune here. I never imagined a magistrate in such a small backwater could extort this much wealth."

Just how much fat of the common people had been scraped away to accumulate this?

"Hmph, such a person is completely unworthy of being a magistrate!"

Shi Sheng let out an indignant, cold snort, his impression of the magistrate sinking to the lowest possible depth.

Yet unfortunately, Shuihe County was merely a microcosm. Countless similar abuses occurred everywhere, impossible to eradicate completely.

"The usual rules: keep half, and take the rest to be distributed among the brothers."

In truth, with Sheng Lanzhi managing the estate back home, Ye Liuyun was hardly short on money. But naturally, he couldn't just hand over every single coin to his subordinates and keep nothing for himself; that would make him a fool.

"Got it!"

Half of the sum was still a massive amount. Si Nan nodded happily.

...

Having just arrived in Shuihe County, Ye Liuyun did not rush into action. Instead, he rested for a night.

It was only the next day that he gathered his men and had the magistrate guide them through the streets of Shuihe County to get a sense of the situation.

"Will-o'-the-wisps! The will-o'-the-wisps have appeared again!"

"Could those really be the vengeful spirits of the dead?"

"How terrifying. I don't even dare step outside at night anymore."

Along the way, Ye Liuyun overheard many townspeople discussing the phantom fires with fearful expressions.

It appeared that while he was resting at the inn last night, another ghost fire incident had occurred within the county.

Noticing Shi Sheng walking quietly beside him without a word, Si Nan bumped his shoulder with a grin.

"Well? Were you scared out of your wits?"

"Scram!"

Shi Sheng had heard the townspeople's murmurs as well and naturally understood that Si Nan brought this up solely to mock him.

He glared irritably at Si Nan and couldn't be bothered to respond.

"Hehe!"

Si Nan was unbothered, finding the reaction rather amusing.

"How many times has this will-o'-the-wisp phenomenon occurred?"

As the conversation turned to the pending case, Ye Liuyun regained his serious demeanor.

"I wouldn't dare conceal anything from you, My Lord!"

Seeing Ye Liuyun inquire about the matter, the magistrate hurriedly replied.

"To tell the truth, these ghost fires first appeared over a month ago. Very few people saw them back then, and they rarely occurred. At first, not many believed it. But recently, the fires have been appearing practically every single night."

Initially, the magistrate had intended to resolve the matter himself, but he was entirely at his wits' end. As the situation escalated and people began to die, he had no choice but to report it to the Embroidered Uniform Guards.

"At first, the ghost fires didn't actually harm anyone. But on one occasion, the townspeople organized themselves to try and scatter the flames, only to be touched by the fire, which instantly engulfed them in blazing heat. On a few other occasions, people witnessed someone walking along when flames suddenly erupted from their body, burning them alive."

As the death toll climbed, the townspeople grew increasingly anxious and unsettled.

The magistrate himself was now terrified; after all, wealthy as he was, he only had one life. If he died, he would lose everything.

"Is that so?"

Ye Liuyun nodded thoughtfully.

Had people already been burned to death by these phantom flames?

Just as Ye Liuyun continued walking in deep contemplation, a sudden commotion from ahead interrupted his train of thought.

"Talismans of peace! Secure your safety! With my peace talismans, your life will be safeguarded, and ghosts and gods will not dare approach!"

Looking into the distance, a young man was standing there holding a whisk, with numerous paper talismans displayed before him for sale.

"That is?"

The moment his gaze landed on the man, Ye Liuyun froze in surprise.

Assuming Ye Liuyun was curious about the young man's identity, the magistrate promptly offered an explanation.

"My Lord, that young man calls himself the Daoist Priest Yun Sheng. He arrived in our Shuihe County a little over a month ago. At first, we thought he was merely a charlatan, but later people discovered that with his protective talismans, those ghost fires seemingly couldn't come near them."

Ye Liuyun remained silent.

The reason for his astonishment was the trait banner hovering above the young man.