55: Unexpected Situation Blood Spirit Claws

Mangshan County, County Yamen.

Han Li’s figure appeared at the entrance of the County Yamen.

“Stop! The County Yamen is a restricted area; no unauthorized entry!”

As soon as he took a step forward, an yamen runner at the entrance immediately spoke up.

Han Li’s expression was normal as he looked at the yamen runner: “I am Han Li, a Disciple of the Qingyuan Sect. I wish to see the County Magistrate to deliver the bounty for the Imperial Fugitive.”

“Sect Disciple!”

“Deliver the bounty for the Imperial Fugitive?”

Hearing Han Li speak, the yamen runner was slightly stunned, but he quickly recovered, sizing up Han Li before saying: “Please wait. I need to go in and report.”

Han Li nodded, and the yamen runner turned and entered the County Yamen.

A moment later, the yamen runner came out, looked at Han Li, and said: “The County Magistrate is in the back hall. Please follow me.”

Han Li said nothing more, stepping forward to follow the yamen runner into the County Yamen... County Yamen, back hall.

A middle-aged man in brocade robes sat on a chair, drinking tea.

Han Li followed the yamen runner into the back hall and immediately looked at the middle-aged man in brocade robes.

He had a small mustache, small eyes, and wore a round cap adorned with a green gem.

He was portly, but his small eyes were very sharp.

From his aura, Han Li also sensed the presence of True Qi; this County Magistrate was also a Martial Artist.

This situation was common in the Wu Dynasty; most officials were Martial Artists, and even more martial arts masters were in the Wu Dynasty army.

“Sir, he’s here.”

The yamen runner stepped forward, bowing and speaking in a low voice.

The County Magistrate put down his cup, looked at Han Li, and then waved his hand: “You may leave first.”

“Yes.”

The yamen runner nodded, then turned and withdrew.

“Han Li, a Disciple of the Qingyuan Sect, greets the County Magistrate.” Han Li cupped his hands in a respectful salute, his demeanor neither servile nor overbearing.

The County Magistrate’s eyes scrutinized him, then he stood up: “Your aura is profound. If I’m not mistaken, you should be an Inner Sect Disciple of the Qingyuan Sect, correct?”

“Precisely.” Han Li nodded, then got straight to the point: “I have come to claim the bounty for the Imperial Fugitive.”

As he spoke, Han Li opened his hundred treasure sack, and with a flash of light, two large wooden boxes appeared before him.

Han Li then opened the two wooden boxes, revealing two blood-stained heads inside.

“Hmm?”

Looking at the two blood-stained heads, the County Magistrate’s gaze sharpened, and his expression became solemn.

“The Imperial Fugitive Bai Qiushuang, and Blood Wind Stronghold Leader Yang Feng; both have been slain by me. I have come to claim the reward,” Han Li stated.

The County Magistrate recovered, looked at Han Li, and a glint of sharpness flashed in his eyes.

“As expected of a Disciple from a major Sect. To be able to slay these two, your skill is extraordinary.”

The County Magistrate’s face broke into a smile.

“You flatter me, Sir. I was merely fortunate. Besides the reward silver, I also hope Sir can issue two certificates for me, so I can report back to the Sect,” Han Li said again.

The County Magistrate nodded: “No problem. I will process it once I verify it.”

Immediately, the County Magistrate called for someone to verify the items in person, then put them away and had someone prepare the certificates.

“Come, please sit for a moment. It will be ready soon.” The County Magistrate spoke. Han Li nodded and sat down.

“These two bandits were Late Stage Vein Opening Realm cultivators. For you to be able to slay them, your strength must be extraordinary. I also wish to ask, what about the other bandits of Blood Wind Stronghold?”

The County Magistrate looked at Han Li and asked.

Han Li: “The other forty-eight bandits have all been annihilated. Now, Blood Wind Stronghold should only be a pile of ashes.”

“Hmm?!”

Hearing this, the County Magistrate’s finger twitched slightly as he looked at Han Li: “You annihilated everyone at Blood Wind Stronghold?”

“Precisely.” Han Li nodded.

Receiving a second confirmation, the County Magistrate’s eyes flashed as he looked at Han Li.

He looked to be only fifteen or sixteen years old, yet this fellow was ruthless enough to completely annihilate them, leaving no one alive.

“Blood Wind Stronghold caused trouble in this region. For you to eradicate them, I, on behalf of the common people of Mangshan County, thank you.” The County Magistrate spoke.

“County Magistrate, you are too kind. Blood Wind Stronghold caused trouble in this region; their downfall was only a matter of time,” Han Li said.

“Hahahahaha, young man, you are not simple.” Hearing this, the County Magistrate burst into laughter.

“One Blood Wind Stronghold is not a big problem, but…”

The County Magistrate’s smile faded, and he suddenly spoke, but stopped halfway through.

Han Li looked at the County Magistrate, somewhat puzzled: “But what? County Magistrate, please speak freely.”

The County Magistrate looked at him deeply and said: “The power behind Blood Wind Stronghold should not be underestimated. If that power learns of this, there might be significant trouble.”

“Hmm?”

“The power behind them?”

Han Li looked at the County Magistrate, frowning.

“May I ask what force the power behind them refers to, Sir?” Han Li inquired.

The County Magistrate: “I know a little, and it’s no harm to tell you. This force is an evil cult, but it’s not in Qingzhou; it’s from Youzhou. According to the information I have, the force behind Blood Wind Stronghold might be the Blood Spirit Sect, an evil cult from Youzhou.”

“Blood Spirit Sect, one of the three great evil cults of Youzhou!” Han Li’s eyes narrowed as he murmured softly.

Hearing this murmur, the County Magistrate looked at Han Li: “You know about this force behind Blood Wind Stronghold?”

“I didn’t know it was them, but I’ve heard of this evil cult in the Sect. It’s one of the three major forces in Youzhou, with numerous followers, and they act ruthlessly, often killing people to take their blood for Cultivating evil techniques,” Han Li said.

The County Magistrate nodded gently and said: “Since you know about the Blood Spirit Sect, then I won’t say more.”

Han Li looked at the County Magistrate and said: “I still have to thank you, Sir, for the reminder.”

The County Magistrate smiled: “You eradicated this cancerous tumor for my Mangshan County, so I should be thanking you. Rest assured, I will not leak the news of you eliminating Blood Wind Stronghold. However, the Blood Spirit Sect’s power is vast and intricate, and they have supported other forces in Qingzhou. They might trace it back to you, so you need to be careful.”

“I will be careful. Thank you for the reminder, Sir.” Han Li nodded.

Then, his eyes darted, and he looked at the County Magistrate: “Sir, you said the Blood Spirit Sect also supported other forces in Qingzhou. Could you tell me a little about them?”

“Hmm?”

The County Magistrate looked at Han Li, his eyes slightly narrowed.

Seeing this, Han Li spoke again: “I won’t let you waste your effort, Sir. If you are willing to tell me, the reward silver for those two bandits will be considered my ‘consultation fee’.”

Hearing this, the County Magistrate’s face straightened: “What kind of person do you take me for? Someone who would covet your reward silver?”

Hearing this, Han Li was not annoyed, but smiled: “Sir, you misunderstand. I am merely ‘consulting,’ and this is my ‘consultation fee.’ There is no other meaning.”

“Hahaha, then I did misunderstand you.” The County Magistrate smiled, and Han Li also smiled. The two exchanged glances, their meaning unspoken.

“I do know of one. This is another group of bandits called Black Tiger Stronghold, located within Beichuan County. Compared to Blood Wind Stronghold, Black Tiger Stronghold’s power should be stronger, with over a hundred bandits. Their leader is known as Black Sky Tiger, and his strength is very formidable, at least several times greater than Yang Feng of Blood Wind Stronghold. Furthermore, among the bandits, there are two other leaders who, though not as strong as Black Sky Tiger, are comparable to Yang Feng of Blood Wind Stronghold.”

“Behind this Black Tiger Stronghold, according to my knowledge, there is also the shadow of Blood Spirit Sect support. As for whether there are others in Qingzhou, I am not clear.”

The County Magistrate slowly spoke, revealing the information.

Han Li committed every word to memory, forming a general idea in his mind.

According to the County Magistrate, Black Tiger Stronghold’s overall strength was very formidable, with over a hundred bandits and no fewer than two or three bandit leaders, which was incomparable to Blood Wind Stronghold.

“Beichuan County…”

Han Li noted down this place name.

Then he looked at the County Magistrate: “Thank you for informing me, Sir. I am immensely grateful.”

“Eliminating evil is paramount, and I always enjoy helping young people.” The County Magistrate laughed heartily… A moment later, Han Li received the certificates for the two missions. As for the reward silver, he did not go back on his word and secretly handed it over to the County Magistrate.

This information was very important to him.

Although he loved money, he knew when to save and when to spend.

The money he got from Blood Wind Stronghold made up for that bit of reward silver, and this trip was an unexpected gain.

“It’s getting late, Brother Han. How about we have a simple meal together?”

Having received the money, the County Magistrate’s smile became much brighter as he looked at Han Li and spoke.

Han Li gently shook his head: “Please forgive me, Sir. The journey is long, and I still need to return to the Sect to report and hand in my mission.”

“Alright, in that case, I won’t keep you. The next time you come to Mangshan, I must have a good drink with you,” the County Magistrate smiled.

“Definitely.”

“I will take my leave.”

Han Li cupped his hands, and after bidding farewell, he left the County Yamen.

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