I Can Devour Spirits

Chapter 279 - 267: Rules of the Contest

West Main Street, inside a private room on the second floor of the Eight Treasures Building.

Fan Yuanhai was beginning to feel the effects of the alcohol, his eyes slightly red.

Tonight, although Zhu Qunxiang and the others were still clamoring to find Lian Ying, Fan Yuanhai did not go, because he wanted to meet an old friend.

Fan Yuanhai glanced at Jie Daohan, who was sitting across the desk from him. Jie Daohan had also drunk too much, and under the dim light, his sallow, pitted face had already flushed red.

Fan Yuanhai felt that Jie Daohan was not entirely there to reminisce.

After the case involving Xu Ruhu ended disastrously for him, the sect assigned him only marginal chores. At this rate, after three years as an Outer Disciple, his advancement to Inner Disciple seemed hopeless.

So, this time, upon returning to Xianggu County, he was intent on overturning the old case.

Though officially, the case had been closed, the true circumstances were still an unsolved mystery, something the sect’s higher-ups were well aware of.

Moreover, Fan Yuanhai believes that this case is related to the death of Jie Lei. Though Shen Yanliu closed it for political gains, Jie Daohan will undoubtedly continue to pursue it, unwilling to see his own nephew dead in vain.

Earlier during the dinner, discussing this matter with Jie Daohan confirmed Fan Yuanhai’s thoughts. Jie Daohan had indeed been pursuing the case secretly, although after half a year, he still had no leads.

Fan Yuanhai sighed, knowing that Jie Daohan had been entrenched in Xianggu County for many years, with countless informants from various shady paths. Yet, he, being the local figurehead, had found no clue about the case, which meant solving it seemed unlikely. Perhaps this was the work of a passing expert who had long left Xianggu County.

Knowing it was hopeless, Fan Yuanhai decided to let go. He hiccupped, looking at Jie Daohan, and said with a smile, "Chief Constable Jie, tomorrow is the Registered Disciple selection assessment. This triennial Talent Selection Conference is considered a major event. Will you participate?"

Jie Daohan sneered coldly, "Participate my ass!"

The triennial Talent Selection Conference attracts the county’s gentry and celebrities. As the county’s Chief Constable, Jie Daohan was supposed to be present.

Jie Daohan sighed, "The County Magistrate has assigned me official duties, and I won’t be in the county for the next two days. Whether I can make it back for the last day of the conference is uncertain."

The Talent Selection Conference lasts three days, but the most intense and exciting part happens on the final day.

Fan Yuanhai looked at Jie Daohan’s dispirited look, slightly astonished. When he first arrived in Xianggu County, he disdained Jie Daohan’s timid appearance, but after much interaction, he felt more sympathy for Jie Daohan’s predicament.

To be honest, working as Chief Constable under Shen Yanliu’s command must be miserable...

In early March, the chill of the earth had already dissipated.

The ice melted, and willow branches sprouted buds.

On this day, the gates of the County Office were crowded with people of all sorts, and the spring sunshine seemed particularly bright.

The triennial Martial Arts Selection Platform event is always considered a major performance for the people of Xianggu County, who lack entertainment, far exceeding the crude plays performed by the ragtag local troupes.

Moreover, it’s not just a show; sometimes people die.

The audience seats on both sides of the Martial Arts Selection Platform were already filled.

Many in the crowd below looked enviously at those seated in the audience seats, as being seated there meant being a person of status in the county.

Practically all the heads of major forces in the county were present.

Xia Zhongyang from the Yun Shui Bank, Ximen Yong from the Herbal Shop, Tao Jiusheng from the Weapon Shop, Jiang Heng from the Silk Shop, Luo Yuxi from the Fur Shop, Qiu Yan from the Black Tiger Martial Arts Hall...

The head of Yuan Shun Escort Agency, Ruan Fengshan, was absent, sending the newly appointed Chief Leader Xiao Zongting to observe the event...

However, those seated in the most prominent positions in the audience were not these individuals. Although they held some status in the county, at the Talent Selection Conference, they were merely supporting roles.

The first row at the center of the audience seats was occupied by Shen Yanliu, Li Xianjiang, Fan Yuanhai, Zhu Qunxiang, Lu Qingfeng, Wang Shanshan, and Lv Qingzhu.

They are the three-party inspectors of this Talent Selection Conference, representing the government office at the prefecture level, the government office at the county level, and the sect respectively.

The most conspicuous in the audience seats, however, was Ame sitting beside Lv Qingzhu.

Ame’s mountainous body occupied two seats alone, completely blocking the view of Qiu Yan and Luo Yuxi seated behind her, preventing them from watching the competition.

Yet, they only dared to be upset silently.

Li Xianjiang glanced at Ame from the corner of his eye but remained silent. Technically, Ame shouldn’t have a seat in the audience. But this is Xianggu County’s Talent Selection Conference, Shen Yanliu is the host, and since he wasn’t speaking up, it wouldn’t be proper for Li Xianjiang to say anything.

Shen Yanliu actually felt Ame shouldn’t be seated there, but seeing Lv Qingzhu and Ame both appearing as if it was justified, he swallowed back his words.

Shen Yanliu had long noticed the unusualness of the two. Ame’s hands emitted a faint bronze glow, and coupled with her massive form, it reminded him of a secret story he heard years ago.

Within the Taiyi Sect, there exists a Body Refining Cross Training Technique known as the Thirteen Forged Vajra.

This technique demands a very high cultivation talent, only those born with divine power could cultivate it.