Linhe District has been quite restless recently. The town wall meant to keep refugees out was only halfway constructed when a major incident happened outside!
Patrol Chief Zhao Zhonghe, leading a group of government officials, headed outside the district. He saw clusters of refugees huddled together, scattered like a disordered chessboard, shrinking along the sides of the official road.
The light snow from a few days ago had not accumulated, and it all turned into a muddy swamp, which was irritating to look at.
Stepping through the muddy patches, Zhao Zhonghe strode forward as refugees in coarse clothing quickly moved aside to clear the way.
"A total of 106 victims, all of them died with their blood and energy completely drained. The Silver Seal Demon Hunting Captain from the Prefecture City has determined that these people were killed by some malevolent demon."
County Captain Dong, responsible for overseeing the construction of the wall, sighed. "The Prefect has already spoken. If we cannot solve this case and capture the demon in three days, we will allow these refugees into the district for shelter."
As Zhao Zhonghe inspected the emaciated corpses, he asked, "What does the Demon Hunting Bureau say about this? Are they also agreeing to let these unidentified refugees into the district?"
County Captain Dong pondered, "The Demon Hunting Captain is returning to the capital to report. They won't interfere much in local affairs. Before leaving, the captain only mentioned thorough investigations. If there isn't anything unusual, they will likely follow the Prefect's decision."
Zhao Zhonghe stood up, looking toward Linhe District where the construction was in progress.
Without any surprises, once the wall is built, Linhe District will only need an opportunity to transform into a county.
The Prefect must have considered these things.
"In my opinion, the Prefect may have already thought of bringing these refugees into Linhe, as it's a good opportunity to expand the population."
"However, which of the many chaos in the southwest was not caused by refugees? Those Celestial Heart Sect devotees are known for their trickery. If some of their people are among these constantly arriving refugees..."
Upon hearing this, County Captain Dong looked at Zhao Zhonghe in surprise. He always knew this constable was brave and exceptional, but he didn't expect him to be so meticulous.
"Chief Zhao, there is no need to worry too much. Let's just do our part. As for everything else... we should trust the Prefect's judgment."
Zhao Zhonghe neither agreed nor refuted. If he truly trusted the Prefect, he would not have come here for another look after the Demon Hunting Captain had already examined the place.
After all, a lowly voice carries little weight. Who would care about a constable's judgment?
"Where are you heading, Chief Zhao? How about a cup of tea at my place..."
"No need. My brothers and I got up early without even taking a bite just to come check things out. Since the Prefect and the captain have already made their decisions, we won't meddle further!"
"Guys, I'm treating you to some lamb soup today!"
The accompanying government officials, hungry and covered in mud, were somewhat resentful for not accomplishing anything. Hearing the chief's invitation instantly dispelled their discontent.
...
Besides the gambling dens and brothels, the liveliest place in Linhe District is the East Market Street, bustling with people. You can find everything from Strength Pills, Dog Skin Ointments, to street performers entertaining the crowd.
For more refined tastes, there are antique calligraphies, paintings, and various pets like birds, fish, and insects... In short, anything you can imagine is available on the Miscellaneous Street.
Xu Qing spent the entire morning and over two hundred taels of silver to collect most of the materials required to create an Iron Armored Wandering Corpse.
Of the needed items, only a hundred or so taels were for genuine materials; the rest were distractions to cover his true intentions.
At a stall selling animal pelts, Xu Qing inquired, "What kinds of hides do you have?"
The hunter, nailing deer hide boots, barely looked up before continuing with his work. "We've got roe deer skin, deer skin, and wolf skin. Some are at home, but if you want something, I can bring it in a few days."
Observing the hunter's bone ring, worn for archery, and his bear hide coat, Xu Qing could tell this man was indeed skilled.
"I need a rather particular hide. Do you have it?"
"What hide? As long as it's not human skin, I can get it."
"A hide from a mountain rat that has been alive for over ten years. Do you have it?"
Mountain rat hides are of a highly yin nature, essential for crafting an Iron Armored Wandering Corpse as mentioned in the Corpse Nourishing Scripture. The older the hide, the better the effect!
Hearing this, the hunter put down the boot and began to take Xu Qing more seriously.
"Mountain rat hides are rough. They don't make good material. You must have some other use for this, right?"
He continued without waiting for a reply, "I happen to have one. Someone else wanted it a few years back, but never came to collect. This was two or three years ago."
"I nearly lost my life for that hide, even lost two of my best hunting dogs. But since no one else wants it, I am willing to sell it to you for half the price that person offered: fifty taels of silver."
"How much?" Xu Qing was stunned. He thought the hunter was easy-going but didn't expect a price like fifty taels. The initial price must have been at least a hundred taels!
"You might not believe it, but I'm not good at business, and I don't overcharge. If not for the high offer back then, I wouldn't have risked my life for it."
"This hide was exchanged with my life. See these scars on my face? They were made when the mountain rat, feigning death, clawed at me. If I hadn't reacted quickly, my scalp would've been torn off!"
Seeing Xu Qing remain silent, the hunter added, "Tell you what, get ready with fifty taels, and the day after tomorrow, I'll bring the mountain rat hide and throw in a wolf hide. How does that sound?"
Xu Qing didn't haggle further. He had toured half the East Market, and this was the only place with the actual item.
Missing this chance could delay his plans significantly. Besides, fifty taels was not much to him.
After setting the date, Xu Qing continued to wander the East Market. As he reached the street's entrance, a few government officials, their boots caked with yellow mud, approached him.
Xu Qing tried to slip away, but the leading constable quickly stopped him.
"You look familiar. Do you have a tooth card or a travel permit?"
Seeing Zhao Zhonghe, whom he had met twice before, Xu Qing felt somewhat resigned.
For some reason, he always felt out of sync with this constable.
Like they were destined to clash.
Zhao Zhonghe inspected the card, noting the registered hometown and name. "Xiangyin County, Little Stone Village? What brings you to Linhe?"
At his side, a government official who had previously delivered corpses to the Funeral Shop recognized Xu Qing and vouched, "Chief, Shopkeeper Xu deals with funeral and burial services. I've been to his place in Underground Street, the area full of funeral shops..."
"Disgusting! Just my luck to bump into another undertaker right after dealing with those hundred and six dried-up corpses from outside. Seems like I'm fated to encounter the macabre day in and day out!"
Not just Zhao Zhonghe felt displeased; Xu Qing was also irked. After all, his treasured dog-beating stick was still on the constable's waist!
Thus, the two, who never saw eye to eye, parted on bad terms once again.
...
No matter the constant clashes with Zhao Zhonghe, life goes on. Xu Qing didn't rely on Zhao anyway.
He was more concerned about the mountain rat hide he would get in two days. With it, he could start advancing his Iron Armored Wandering Corpse. As for the dog-beating stick, he might as well consider it taken by a real dog!
Returning to the shop, it wasn't long before his neighbor, Wu Yaohua, came over with a fish.
"Look at this, a carp I got from a friend at the dock," Wu Yaohua said cheerfully. "My boy will be taking the scholar exams next spring. A carp jumping over the dragon gate is considered good luck. Thought I'd bring you one for some good fortune too!"
Looking at the fish, Xu Qing thought to himself that the Corpse Nourishing Scripture didn't say zombies couldn't eat fish. Maybe he should try some sashimi later.
Chatting with Wu Yaohua, the conversation naturally turned to the major incident outside Linhe District.
Over a hundred people had died overnight at the hands of a demon, a truly bizarre and frightening event!
"You deal with funerals and burials a lot. Be careful. Who knows what kind of malevolent thing is out there..."
Not particularly worried about the demon, Xu Qing's first thought was whether the government would send those hundred-plus corpses to him.
Then he thought about the Celestial Heart Sect members arriving in Linhe District.
After a moment's reflection, Xu Qing advised, "Old Wu, stay away from the dock for now. I heard from a broker friend that the place has been taken over by the Jinmen Gang, and they're clashing with the local sect. It's dangerous and you might get caught in the crossfire!"
"Is that true? Then I won't dare go to the dock anymore!"
Wu Yaohua, always cautious about his own safety, decided he wouldn't visit the dock again after hearing this!