I Have A Dual World Seal-Chapter 681: Conveniently Eliminating the Demon

Early the next morning, Ning Zhiqui and Yi Xiaoqian went out and saw Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan already waiting in the hall.

Lu Zheng looked refreshed, Liu Qingyan's graceful face radiant, making Yi Xiaoqian purse her lips into a smile, and she pulled Ning Zhiqui to sit aside.

"I was tired yesterday and overslept this morning. I apologize, Brother Lu." Ning Zhiqui cupped his hands in apology.

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "Not late at all; we just got up early. After all, it's not courteous to make guests wait. Actually, we also just got up."

That morning, Lu Zheng was still holding Liu Qingyan's warm and soft body while sleeping when she shook him awake, saying they should get up early, so Ning Zhiqui and the others wouldn't wait too long.

"Let's have breakfast first, then I'll take you to the County Government Office," Lu Zheng said, "I'm on good terms with the County Magistrate, County Captain, Chief Clerk, and others, so I can save you some trouble."

The night they broke into Ghost Manor, Ning Zhiqui entered without hesitation and faced a crowd of ghosts alone, showing remarkable courage and character. Lu Zheng didn't mind helping him.

Lu Zheng was an outer disciple of White Cloud Temple, helping the Tonglin County Government Office solve several problems. He also gifted Scorpion Wine to county officials, allowing the officials to restore their vigor.

Despite his profound cultivation, Lu Zheng was humble and polite, earning considerable respect at the County Government Office.

Yi Xiaoqian showed a happy expression. Although she had cultivation, she could at most protect Ning Zhiqui from abnormal harm, but was helpless in the complex and shady dealings of officialdom.

Ning Zhiqui wasn't a fool, knowing the difficulties of taking office alone, and even though his master sent him under the jurisdiction of his fellow disciple Du Yuru, he couldn't rely on others for everything; many matters had to be handled by himself.

If someone familiar and reputable or acquainted with officials at the County Government Office could help, things would become much easier.

However...

"Is it convenient?" Ning Zhiqui asked worriedly, fearing that Lu Zheng would be burdened with favors or ostracized by older county officials because of this.

Lu Zheng laughed heartily.

After initially being weak and an undocumented resident, he cautiously gifted County Government Office twice. In recent years, officials came to visit him, sometimes even if he wasn't present, and brought gifts.

His return gifts included modern liquor and wellness pills made by Liu Qingyan.

Where could you find such a humble, courteous, and generous abnormal person?

Thus, both Lu Zheng and Renxin Hall were regarded highly by County Government Office officials, so introducing a friend to the County Magistrate was no big deal.

Moreover, Ning Zhiqui, still young and under the Minister of Rites, clearly had a promising future. Even if officials lacked desire to support him, they wouldn't disfavor him.

Unless... well, what of it?

With his involvement, even if there were some minor grudges, they should feel somewhat embarrassed and intimidated.

...

After breakfast, Liu Qingyan met up with Du Yueyao at the door and went to Renxin Hall together. Yi Xiaoqian, obviously, couldn't accompany Ning Zhiqui for his appointment handover, so she followed Liu Qingyan, saying she would offer some helping hands.

Lu Zheng took Ning Zhiqui for a walk leading to the County Government Office.

"Greetings, Young Master Lu. Greetings, County Magistrate Ning!"

Early in the morning, Chief Liu and Chief Clerk Li were waiting outside the County Government Office. Seeing Lu Zheng accompany them, they immediately showed great enthusiasm, greeting them warmly.

"The County Magistrate, County Captain, and Lord Wang are all waiting in the rear hall, please hurry!"

"After you, Brother Ning," Lu Zheng smiled.

"Thank you, Brother Lu!" Ning Zhiqui cupped his hands in polite reply.

Entering the backyard of the County Government Office, they saw three people chatting in the rear hall. Two were in official attire, and the older man was in casual dress, the soon-to-be-retired County Magistrate Wang.

Lu Zheng greeted the three, establishing some backing for Ning Zhiqui, then County Magistrate Wang took Ning Zhiqui to handle official tasks, leaving Lu Zheng to chat with the County Magistrate and County Captain.

Initially intending only a brief visit, Lu Zheng hadn't warmed his seat when Chief Liu rushed in to report.

"Sir, the two murders in Xiahe Town yesterday involved demons."

"Hmm?" The County Magistrate and County Captain reacted, instinctively looking at Lu Zheng.

"What's going on?" Lu Zheng asked.

Chief Liu quickly replied, "Three days ago, a town resident drowned in Firefly River, presumed an accident by the town. Unexpectedly, another died the night before, prompting the report to the county.

This incident could still be accidental; the deceased had drunk at night, possibly losing footing due to drunkenness. Thus, I dispatched two constables to investigate.

They just returned saying another died last night, and they discovered abnormal qi at the scene."

Saying this, Chief Liu took out an Observation Talisman, where one corner of the talisman paper had burned, almost reaching the core runes.

Lu Zheng curiously remarked, "Three murders, so audacious?"

Chief Liu nodded repeatedly.

"Since it's coincidental, may I ask Chief Liu to lead the way to let me see for myself?" Lu Zheng smiled.

Being present and having vouched for Ning Zhiqui, there was no need reporting the matter to the Anomaly Suppression Bureau, especially with Light of Fortune potentially available. Even small benefits are worth it.

With Lu Zheng present, County Captain Li also rose and said, "I'll go too."

Then County Captain Li instructed Chief Liu to assemble a squad of constables, extravagantly providing horses, and thus they swiftly headed to Xiahe Town.

...

Xiahe Town, along Firefly River.

It's just a simple small river, measuring no more than six or seven zhang at its widest, only three zhang deep. While several have drowned here, no demons were previously involved.

Thus, town folks initially thought it was night bandits, and the County Government Office hadn't considered demon involvement.

"Young Master Lu, your thoughts..."

"Nothing to see; just a demon newly gaining spirit."

With impressive cultivation today, Lu Zheng sensed residual faint demon qi immediately upon arrival and recognized it as a recently awakened weakling.

It's unclear whether it bore a grudge or had cognitive issues, killing three and remaining—how desperate it was to elude detection by humans' abnormal inspectors!

"Ah?"

County Captain Li and Chief Liu were bewildered.

Lu Zheng smiled faintly. His "Profound Turtle Water Control True Spirit Secret Technique" had reached moderate accomplishment, allowing him to use water as a medium to quickly sense a demon underwater hiding beneath the river using water to obscure demon qi.

Then, it felt surrounding currents abruptly out of control, adhering to it, as a force surged within, subduing it.

Then, it was whisked from its burrow, ascending.

Moments later...

Everyone saw a large yellow eel, roughly a zhang long, suddenly break through the water, splattering onto the riverside.

"Sorted," Lu Zheng said mildly.