Chapter 18: Dongchang Prefecture Yamen

The shopkeeper felt something was amiss. Ordinary people would thank heaven and earth just to have one of these precious Medicinal Pills.

Why did it feel like Lin Mo was pulling them out wholesale?

A flash of greed crossed his eyes. The fact that the other party pulled out Medicinal Pills so casually—did it mean there were still many left in his Storage Pouch?

That fleeting glimpse of greed was caught by Lin Mo. Frowning, his gaze locked onto the shopkeeper like lightning:

"Hmm?"

Clearly demanding an explanation!

The shopkeeper instantly snapped back to reality, cursing himself internally for letting greed blind him. The man had a grand alchemist behind him; was a petty shopkeeper like himself tired of living?

Forcing a smile, he said, "Fellow Daoist, this is the shenfeng boat, and here are 150 Spirit Stones. Consider the remainder a gift from our shop. Should you have good goods in the future, please remember to visit us again."

Lin Mo casually put away the Spirit Stones and said with an indifferent look, "Since you know how to conduct yourself, I'll drop by again if I get the chance."

The shopkeeper nodded repeatedly with an apologetic smile.

Leaving Baiyun Pavilion, Lin Mo ducked into a small alley.

His back was completely drenched in sweat. If his Aura had wavered just now, the shopkeeper would likely have sent people to murder him for his treasures!

Although the probability was low, if they dispatched a Foundation Establishment grand Cultivator, he would be in deep trouble.

He silently warned himself that the Cultivation World was not like the inside of a Sect. Walking outside in the future, he must be extra cautious, especially about not revealing his wealth!

This was no place to linger. Lin Mo headed straight to the nearest flying boat transit station.

Flying boats were everywhere in the Cultivation World, with routes connecting major hub countries.

These routes were all controlled by the Cultivation World's top financial consortium, the Fallen Gold Chamber of Commerce. It was the sixth largest faction in the Cultivation World outside of the Five Immortal Sects.

However, in cultivation, wealth alone was useless without strength. Every year, the Fallen Gold Chamber of Commerce had to pay a massive protection fee to the Five Immortal Sects.

Although flying boats were slightly slower, they were safe and steady, saving both Spirit Stones and spiritual energy.

After all, if a Cultivator flew on a sword over long distances, they would be exhausted before reaching their destination, let alone fighting upon arrival.

Taking a flying boat to the State of Lu cost only five Spirit Stones for a second-class ticket. If Lin Mo flew using his own flying Magical Artifact, it would consume at least a dozen Spirit Stones.

Flying boats offered four types of tickets: first-class, second-class, standing room, and hanging tickets.

The cheapest were hanging tickets, costing only one Spirit Stone per ride. One could hang on for as far as they wanted and untie the rope to disembark at any time, though the astral winds in the sky were agonizing to endure.

Just as Lin Mo's flying boat took off, someone below kept waving and shouting, "Wait for me! Wait for me!"

Unfortunately, Lin Mo was inside the second-class cabin and couldn't hear Liu Ruyue's cries at all.

Liu Ruyue had inquired about Lin Mo's whereabouts before leaving. However, it was only natural for a girl—especially a Fairy—to doll herself up before going out.

Who knew this flying boat would depart so fast? Couldn't it wait for a girl?

Taking off and landing consumed the most spiritual energy for a flying boat, so whatever Liu Ruyue said was useless this time.

But since she was determined to teach Lin Mo a lesson, she grit her teeth and piloted her own flying Magical Artifact to trail behind the flying boat.

Inserting Spirit Stones one after another into her flying Magical Artifact, Liu Ruyue was driven nearly mad with anger, yet there was nothing she could do to Lin Mo.

Upon arriving in the State of Lu, Lin Mo jumped straight off the flying boat entrance and then piloted the shenfeng boat directly toward the Dongchang Prefecture Yamen.

Tasks accepted by Outer Sect Disciples were coordinated through local yamens, while imperial tasks were reserved for Inner Sect Disciples, who could deal directly with the royal family.

Of course, there were occasional exceptions—such as refining a set of dentures for an old lady, which didn't require an Inner Sect Disciple's intervention.

Not long after Lin Mo started flying, he noticed a little tail following behind him.

Realizing it was Liu Ruyan, he didn't pay much mind to it. He would just find a suitable opportunity to shake her off.

A mere yellow-haired girl was not worth his concern.

Liu Ruyue was only at the tenth level of the Qi Refinement Stage, same as Lin Mo. With his vajra pill, he feared no Cultivator of the same realm.

At the Dongchang Prefecture Yamen, two saber-bearing guards stood at the entrance, with an elderly man at the twelfth level of the Qi Refinement Stage standing before them.

Lin Mo greeted, "Fellow Daoist, is this the Dongchang County Yamen?"

The old man cupped his fists and said, "I have been awaiting you for a long time, Fellow Daoist. I am Ma Zhen. May I ask your name and Sect so I may verify your identity?"

After accepting a task, the Sect would contact the county yamen so they could verify the Cultivator's identity.

Lin Mo had no need to lie: "I am Lin Mo, from the Jade Maiden Immortal Sect."

Although he was an Outer Sect Disciple, members of the five major Sects were inherently superior. Ma Zhen showed goodwill once more, saying, "So you are a Disciple of one of the Five Holy Lands. I have checked the roster; everything is in order. Tomorrow we hunt demons; I wonder if Fellow Daoist needs to form a team?"

Lin Mo mulled over it for a moment before saying, "Allow me to ponder this matter; I will give Fellow Daoist an answer tomorrow."

Although demon-slaying tasks were safer with more people, Lin Mo felt that Ma Zhen was being a bit overly enthusiastic.

They had barely spoken a few sentences before he brought up teaming up, showing seemingly zero guard against Lin Mo. Such a person was either a fool or had ulterior motives.

Ma Zhen glanced at Lin Mo's Storage Pouch: "That works too. Get a good rest first, Fellow Daoist. It won't be too late to decide before setting off."

The county yamen had long prepared a courtyard for Cultivators to rest, flanked by rooms on both sides.

Right in the middle of the courtyard sat a stone table with several stone stools, where three Cultivators were drinking together.

Sensing their presence, Lin Mo realized that the highest cultivation level currently present was Ma Zhen at the entrance, at the twelfth level of the Qi Refinement Stage—just one level short of reaching Great Perfection in the Qi Refinement Stage.

The Cultivator raising his glass beckoned to Lin Mo, "Fellow Daoist, how about coming over to share a drink with us?"

Lin Mo sensed them again; the strongest among the three was only at the eighth level of the Qi Refinement Stage, and one female Cultivator was merely at the fifth level.

Since they were all weaker than him, Lin Mo felt much more at ease.

A smile appeared on his face as he said, "Then I shall respectfully comply."

"I am Li He."

"I am Zhao Gang."

"This humble woman is Wang Ying."

All three said in unison, "Greetings, Fellow Daoist."

Lin Mo returned the greeting, "I am Lin Mo. Greetings, Fellow Daoists."

A gust of wind blew past, stirring a few strands of Wang Ying's hair. The young woman lowered her head with a smile, possessing quite an enchanting charm.

A few apricot blossoms peeked silently from the corner of the wall. Petals lifted by the gentle breeze drifted into Wang Ying's hair, onto the stone table, and inside the wine cups.

Zhao Gang spoke first, "Fellow Daoist Lin, Wang Ying is my Dao Companion, and Li He is my Junior Brother. On such a fine occasion and scenery, meeting you is indeed a blessing. We should drink a full cup!"

Lin Mo raised his cup and clinked it heavily against theirs, spilling splashes of wine into each cup.

Gulping down the wine in one go, he remarked, "Fellow Daoist Zhao and Fairy Wang are truly a match made in heaven, and Fellow Daoist Li is quite distinguished as well."

Just flattery; Lin Mo had been lingering in the Outer Sect of the Jade Maiden Immortal Sect for so long that he was already a master at it.

The three seemed to be led by Zhao Gang. After drinking, he began recruiting Lin Mo again: "Fellow Daoist Lin, on this demon-slaying expedition, for the sake of our safety, why don't we team up to hunt the wolf demons? Joining us will also be Fellow Daoist Ma Zhen at the gate, who is a grand Cultivator at the twelfth level of the Qi Refinement Stage."