Chapter 205: The New County Head Takes Office

"It seems this brother isn't too familiar with the Huang Family Village incident," Bi Jie said, noting Yan Jing's raised head.

"That's perfectly normal. Huang Family Village always kept a low profile, and the higher-ups locked down the news about that event."

"I'll give you the short version."

"It happened about eight years ago."

"Huang Family Village was a Domain situated next to a place called Paima County, right by a large river."

"It held exactly forty-nine households, with a strict limit of three people per household. Since the village was founded, they established a rule: neither the total population of the village nor the number of people in any household could increase or decrease."

"If there were too many, one person had to be chosen to leave the village."

"If there were too few, a child had to be born within a year."

"If anyone broke this rule, their entire household would be banished from the village. Then, a son and daughter from two random households would be married off to form a new household and fill the vacancy."

"Forty-nine households corresponded to forty-nine types of cultivators. As for how these cultivators passed down their lineages, we don't know. All we know is that the people of Huang Family Village were abnormally... strong."

"Strong?" Yan Jing asked in confusion.

"Yes, very strong," Bi Jie confirmed.

"In what way, exactly?" Tiger chimed in from the side. "Were their Tiers all very high?"

"No," Bi Jie explained. "It's because the people there could fight above their tier."

"A Second Tier could fight a Third Tier, and a Third Tier could fight a Fourth Tier."

"That strong?" Tiger asked in astonishment.

Even as strong as Yan Jing and the old man were, fighting a Third Tier while at the Second Tier back in Old Sin City had been incredibly difficult.

"Exactly," Bi Jie nodded.

"A certain big shot once took an interest in Huang Family Village for that very reason. But when he finally reached the village entrance, he abruptly stopped in his tracks and chose to turn back."

"'Something is wrong inside.'"

"After returning to the Lake, that was the only thing he said. He absolutely refused to mention anything else about Huang Family Village."

"This incident only added to the village's mystique."

"However, the turning point came one day, eight years ago."

"On that day, a rift tore open in midair above Huang Family Village."

"Rumor has it that the large river next to the village surged with monstrous waves. Violent winds and torrential rain swept through the sky, accompanied by lightning and thunder. The world went pitch black, as if divine punishment had descended."

"Some even say that on that day... the prefect of East Lake Prefecture... arrived in person."

The moment Bi Jie finished speaking, rumbling thunder echoed in the sky outside the door. Bi Jie hurriedly clamped a hand over his mouth, signaling everyone with his eyes to stay silent.

Only after several seconds did the thunder fade.

Bi Jie let out a slight sigh of relief and continued, "Then, the entirety of Huang Family Village was sent into that rift."

"Next, East... that person used a certain method to project an image onto the water Across the Lake, allowing some of us at the Lake to see what was happening in the Surface World."

"Although we couldn't contact Huang Family Village, it seemed they had formulated a plan before they went over. They chose to lie low and gradually encroach upon human territory."

"It went very smoothly at first. Many humans in that region were secretly erased, while others were incited to rebel. But ultimately, a killing cultivator couldn't hold back and ruined everything."

"What no one expected was the massive battle that followed."

"Originally, the strongest person from Huang Family Village was a Fourth Tier, who, according to the rumors, should have been a match for a Fifth Tier. Unexpectedly, they were killed by two human Fourth Tiers working together."

"The strength displayed by the rest of the Huang Family Village didn't seem as overwhelmingly powerful as imagined, either."

"Fortunately, the Domain that Huang Family Village descended upon this time was completely brand new, and they didn't expose that the Lake was behind them. So, through certain methods, we still managed to establish a good relationship with the humans there and sever all ties with Huang Family Village."

"It's just that this friendly human-relations treaty had only been in effect for a few years before this Advisor Yan caused such a massive disaster."

"Heh, you can only say the world is unpredictable."

After rambling on for quite a while, Bi Jie still managed to steer the topic back to Advisor Yan.

After finishing his tale, he looked at Yan Jing and Tiger, who had listened with great interest, then glanced over at the old man with a smug smile. "Old Liu, I remember you had just left the Lake for over half a year at the time. You missed such a good show, didn't you?"

"Heh." Surprisingly, the old man didn't bicker with Bi Jie.

"Hey, something's wrong with you. Why aren't you arguing with me?" Bi Jie asked in confusion.

"Get to the point!" The old man glared at him. "If we're talking about the county head, talk about the county head. What's all this nonsense about Huang Family Village or Red Family Village!"

"Oh, right! The county head!" Bi Jie clapped his hands together. "I got sidetracked, I got sidetracked."

"Like I was saying, the current county head is a product of history! A puppet propped up by humans!"

"Such a puppet can't accomplish anything! Naturally, he can't investigate Bai Qiu, either! Even as a scapegoat, he isn't qualified!"

"Would Bai Qiu believe that a puppet is investigating him?! Would he care about someone who's still unconscious and half-dead? The man hasn't even been able to speak a single word yet!"

"So, our top priority right now is to find a brand-new scapegoat!"

"Who do you guys recommend?"

Bi Jie spread his hands. Resting in his palms were slips of paper containing the names of all the possible candidates this time.

Without a second thought, Yan Jing picked up Landlord Lin's name. "I vote for Lin Changgui! I think he's what the people expect!"

Seeing this, Tiger also raised his hand. "Indeed! I also vote for Lin Changgui!"

"Lin Changgui!" The old man didn't hesitate either. Everyone knew that the mastermind behind the deaths of the Mei Family and Luo Family back then was, first and foremost, Lin Changgui.

This could be considered taking revenge for his young master.

"Alright, he's the one!"

Just like that, the county head position, which had been fiercely fought over for months, was decided by three people in this tiny shop.

Half an hour later, Liu Ye and Bi Jie arrived together at the Lin Estate on North Street.

Hearing of their arrival, Lin Changgui personally welcomed them at the door. He wore a red outer jacket over a long black-and-gold gown.

"I am Lin Changgui, courtesy name Fuxiu. Greetings, my two lords."

"What era are we in? There's no need for all that. The emperor lost power ages ago." Bi Jie waved his hand dismissively. "We came over this time to congratulate Big Landlord Lin."

"Congratulate me for what?" Lin Changgui paused, a bad premonition welling up in his heart.

"Congratulations to Big Landlord Lin for being elected as the county head of Bianliu County. From now on, you are County Head Lin!" Bi Jie laughed heartily, then waved his hand. "Men, help County Head Lin change into his uniform. He takes office today!"

"Wait! Wait, wait, wait!" Lin Changgui threw off the two men who lunged at him, panic etched across his face. "I-I'm not the county head! Have you two lords made a mistake?!"

Everyone knew that Liu Ye and Bi Jie had been stirring up trouble for Bai Qiu recently. For something this bizarre to suddenly happen right now, Lin Changgui naturally refused to accept it.

"No mistake, no mistake at all," Bi Jie chuckled. "Landlord Lin, you are the county head. Weren't you fighting to the death with Wei Nantian for it back then? How could we be mistaken?"

"No, no, that's not right!" Lin Changgui looked at the county head's riding jacket and top hat held by the two men beside him. The very thing he had once craved now felt incomparably dangerous. He shouted at the top of his lungs in a ragged voice, "Across the Lake mandated it: whoever has the most ballots is the county head! Unless the sitting county head dies in office, there can't be a new one!"

"You can't just ignore the rules!"

Lin Changgui's eyes were full of vigilance.

He was heavily injured. For him, this county head position was no longer a good gig. In such troubled times, it felt more like a death warrant.

"We are acting exactly according to the rules!" Bi Jie's face darkened. "The previous county head died just half an hour ago. According to the coroner cultivator's autopsy, the fatal injuries were sustained during that massive battle a few days ago. And the vast majority of Wei Nantian's injuries were inflicted by your own hands."

"Are you going to defy the Lake's appointment?" Bi Jie leaned forward menacingly.

Lin Changgui immediately shrank back.

"No! No, I wouldn't!"

He quietly swallowed hard.

Looking at the outfit the attendants offered him once again, a ruthless glint flashed in his heart.

'Fuck, it's just a county head position!'

'I've wanted the position for a long time anyway!'

'Now it's being delivered to my door. As long as I survive this hurdle, I, Lin Changgui, will have the final say in Bianliu County!'

'I'll wear it!'

After a flurry of rustling clothes as he changed, Bi Jie looked at the newly outfitted Lin Changgui and clapped loudly. "Lord Lin truly looks like a man of outstanding talent! No wonder you could become the county head of Bianliu County! I hope that from now on, Lord Lin will do everything for the people!"

"Thank you, Inspector Bi and Inspector Liu, for the promotion. I will certainly do everything for the people!" Lin Changgui swept his hand out gracefully, feeling much of his previous tension dissipate.

But right at that moment, three figures darted out from the side.

"Report!" Old Master Liu shouted. "This lowly one runs a small shop on North Street. Lately, I have personally witnessed Bai Qiu conducting unethical business, murdering for wealth, and butchering the common folk! I implore Lord Lin to seek justice for us!"

Lin Changgui's brow twitched. He took a deep breath, sensing that something was wrong.

Just as he opened his mouth to speak, Tiger yelled out, "Report!"

"This lowly one heard that Bai Qiu has recently been involved in multiple murder cases. After meticulously investigating for days, I have finally found his flaw! I beseech County Head Lin to seek justice for the people of Bianliu County!"

Lin Changgui's body trembled. He saw it now; this was a setup.

His face instantly turned a shade paler. He tried to speak again, but then Yan Jing finally spoke up.

"Report!"

"This lowly one recently happened to see Bai Qiu smuggling precious Ancient Relics! This is a crime absolutely punishable by death! But located in such a remote backwater, where did Bai Qiu get so many Ancient Relics?! I urge Lord Lin to track down their source! Once you do, you will secure your foothold in Bianliu County! Even at the Lake, there will be a place for Lord Lin!"

As Yan Jing's words landed, a fierce, murderous glint suddenly erupted in Lin Changgui's eyes. But a split second later, upon seeing Bi Jie and Liu Ye standing nearby, that murderous intent instantly vanished. An instant later, his legs gave way.

Cold sweat poured down his back.

He saw it with crystal clarity now: this was a setup.

It was more than just a setup.

It was a fatal trap.

Simply because... the Ancient Relics that Bai Qiu had shipped out were dug up right from his, Lin Changgui's, own land.

'But... how could this be... how did this get exposed?!'

'Did Bai Qiu sell me out?!'

His mind was already in complete disarray. The county head uniform he wore seemed to be radiating heat, scorching his very soul.

Then, he noticed a faint, barely discernible smile beneath the hood of Yan Jing's robe.

Instantly, his heart clenched.

'It's over.'

'This is a test.'

'And I just fell right into it!!!'