Chapter Five: The Demonic Thief of the Seal?

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In the courtyard behind the county magistrate’s office, within the reception hall, Yiheng and Magistrate Li sat opposite each other across a tea table. Beneath them, a charcoal brazier blazed fiercely, its orange flames dancing joyfully and casting a warm reddish glow upon their faces.

Magistrate Li raised his arm lightly and called out loudly towards the door, “Someone! Bring out the Qingming Mist Tea I have treasured for so long. Today, I shall let my worthy nephew Yiheng savor this rare and exquisite brew.”

Qingming Mist Tea, harvested from the summit of Mount Dayun, was a special tea carefully roasted by master tea artisans, affordable only to high-ranking officials and nobles. The magistrate’s modest stash had been purchased at great expense through his colleagues in the capital, intended for welcoming dignitaries, provincial governors, and imperial envoys.

Magistrate Li understood well that to solicit favors, one must offer generous gifts, sincere respect, and cater to others’ preferences.

“My dear nephew, you’ve returned at last. I have specially arranged this welcome feast to wash away the dust of your journey. From now on, make this your home. Though your elder brother is absent, your uncle remains here and will take good care of you,” the magistrate said, clasping Yiheng’s hand warmly.

Yiheng nodded slightly, withdrawing his hand from Li’s grasp with subtle restraint. His eyes revealed a faint inscrutable expression.

“I ask you, nephew, what are your plans moving forward?”

“For now, I have no other plans but to find the thief quickly, recover my master’s remains, and ensure he is laid to rest,” Yiheng replied.

Li set down his teacup, leaning forward with an earnest demeanor. “This matter cannot be rushed. Haste only spoils the broth. I have already instructed my constables to seek news of that thief. Should he dare appear in Beigu City, he will be like a turtle trapped in a jar, and news will surely reach us.”

A faint smile curved Yiheng’s lips, tinged with helplessness and mockery. Inwardly, he mused that relying on the magistrate’s constables would likely yield nothing but endless waiting.

He concealed his thoughts and nodded politely. “Thank you, Magistrate, for your concern.”

“We are uncle and nephew; no need for such formalities!” Li smiled broadly, gently grasping Yiheng’s arm and locking eyes with him. “Are you still angry with me? Not even willing to call me ‘uncle’?”

“That’s all in the past; no need to mention it. I just don’t know what to say,” Yiheng answered evenly, without revealing emotion.

“Very well… let everything take its natural course,” Li laughed heartily and reached out to pat Yiheng’s hand, only to grasp empty air.

After a moment, a woman entered carrying a teapot and tray. She gently poured tea into the cups before them with graceful ease. The fragrant aroma spread through the air.

“Nephew, have a taste of this delicate tea!” Li offered the cup to Yiheng.

Yiheng raised the cup, blowing softly on the rim, then took a small sip. The tea was slightly bitter but carried a refreshing fragrance, as if surrounded by mountain forests, cool and invigorating.

After a few sips, Li squinted expectantly. “Nephew, how is the tea?”

“Fine tea indeed. Truly, only your office could offer such a brew,” Yiheng said, nodding.

Inwardly, he reflected that when his master was alive, the teas he roasted were unmatched delicacies. During his three years of wandering, he rarely encountered anything comparable. The magistrate’s mist tea was only marginally better than ordinary varieties.

“Alas, it still cannot compare to the tea your master roasted. Since his passing, I have lost not only his tea but a dear friend,” Li sighed, lifting his cup for a delicate sip. The warmth and fragrance of the tea brought him a rare moment of peace, as if his recent worries faded away.

Yiheng lifted his eyelids slightly, inwardly amused. The magistrate had merely tasted the ordinary teas his master once made. Had he experienced the immortal brews, earthly teas would surely taste like dry grass to him.

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Li then reminisced about recent local affairs in Beigu City, sharing tales of common folk and his endeavors to fight for justice. Yiheng sipped his tea, occasionally nodding or offering brief replies. Time passed as the incense burned down.

Li reached out to grasp Yiheng’s hand on the table but was instinctively avoided. Embarrassed, Li smiled awkwardly and said, “Nephew, when your master was alive, he helped me solve several major cases. He was a hero, his judgment as skillful as the chief justice of the previous dynasty.”

Yiheng took a small sip before responding, “Since my master's death, only you remain concerned about him. That moves me somewhat. Especially your letter about his remains being stolen—otherwise, I might still be battling beasts in Lin’an City, unable to return here to Beigu.”

“Nephew, don’t be polite. Your master was a close friend. How could I ignore his remains being stolen?” Li’s expression darkened. “It’s hateful! Three years ago, your master was killed by a demon. If he were still alive, this city would not be plagued by such evil.”

Hearing the word “demon,” Yiheng abruptly turned to Li. “You say demons are causing trouble in Beigu City?”

“Yes! And I don’t even know what kind of demon stole my official seal. Didn’t I just mention it in the carriage?” Li replied.

Yiheng pressed, “You never said a demon was involved before.”

Li explained, “I feared your strength was limited and you wouldn’t be able to handle it.”

“No need to worry. I have my own methods,” Yiheng assured him.

Li looked down at the copper badge hanging at Yiheng’s waist and asked, “Nephew, I have a question. If my suspicions are correct, I’ll have you take charge of the stolen seal case.”

“Ask away,” Yiheng replied.

“A few days ago, I received a letter from a colleague in the capital. It mentioned a young man named Yiheng, highly favored by General Yu Qingjiang and esteemed by the cultivation sects. Nephew, is that you?” Li’s gaze locked onto Yiheng.

Yiheng nodded slowly. He was indeed favored by the general, but the cultivation sect’s interest was a thing of the past. He had declined joining any sect to return to Beigu City and investigate his master’s stolen grave. Now, he was just an ordinary demon hunter within the Exorcism Division.

By refusing the sect, he had likely antagonized some high-ranking figures in both the Exorcism Division and cultivation sects.

Putting aside these grudges, Yiheng relished his newfound freedom. Without sect constraints, he felt lighter. Even if trouble came, he was confident in his ability to handle it.

His master had taught him: “The heavens move vigorously; a gentleman should strive ceaselessly.” Since then, these words had been engraved in his heart, never forgotten.

Seeing Yiheng’s nod, Li suddenly grasped his hand with joyful excitement. “When your master was alive, he worried you’d never walk the cultivation path. Yet in just three years, you have become a cultivator, earned the general’s favor, and gained the sects’ attention. You truly have not disappointed him. If he knew, he would be proud.”

“Tell me, where is your study? I want to see it,” Yiheng said, withdrawing his hand once more and standing abruptly.

“Nephew, don’t rush. Let’s eat lunch first,” Li said, rising to place a hand on Yiheng’s shoulder. As he reached again for Yiheng’s hand, Yiheng slapped it away.

Annoyed, Yiheng said, “Li Magistrate, when will you stop these bad habits? You’ve grabbed my hand multiple times since we met. You may not mind, but I do.”

“Ouch!” Li quickly withdrew his hand, clutching the sore spot with a pained expression.

Yet hearing Yiheng’s words, he did not get angry but hurried to apologize. “I’m sorry—it’s just an old habit I can’t seem to break quickly.”

Yiheng snorted coldly, folding his arms.

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At that moment, the county assistant, disheveled from the outside, entered and nodded to Magistrate Li. Li’s face brightened. Turning to Yiheng, he said, “Since you’re eager to visit the crime scene, I’ll have the assistant escort you.”

Yiheng stood suddenly and slammed his palm onto the tea table with a sharp crack. The table split in two.

His gaze was icy as he said coldly, “Li Changchong, if I find you used demonic tricks to deceive me just to recover the seal, beware—you might lose a hand.”

He added, “I imagine the city’s beggars wouldn’t refuse a bowl of nourishing pork trotters and radish soup in the dead of winter. That’s a rare delicacy.”

His words carried an unintentional hint of menace, like a dagger suddenly flashing in the bitter wind, sending chills down the spine.

“You are my nephew; how could I deceive you?” Li said awkwardly, standing to ease the tension.

“Hmph! You tricked me plenty when I was young,” Yiheng retorted, turning to leave.

The county assistant glanced nervously at Li, who waved him off. “Take him to my study. Since he agreed to help recover the seal, I trust his intelligence will succeed.”

“That demonic claw in the study…” The assistant whispered as he produced a withered, unidentifiable claw, looking furtive.

“I am his uncle. Even if he discovers the truth, he won’t truly cut off my hand,” Li said confidently, unconcerned.

“What should we do with the claw?” the assistant asked, waving it.

“That claw? Of course, it’s for stewing radish soup—a rare tonic!” Li said gleefully, snatching the claw from the assistant with a greedy expression.

“Then, sir, I’ll take my leave,” the assistant sighed, bowing and turning away.

Li’s expression turned serious as he called out, “Fetch some rice from the storeroom and have the idle constables distribute porridge in the city. The beggars suffer this snowy day.”

“Understood, Magistrate. I’ll handle it immediately,” the assistant replied.

Li then rushed to the main gate, shouting after Yiheng’s retreating figure, “Hey, brat! My name is Li Changfeng, not Li Changchong. Your bad habits are endless—you can’t remember names and love giving people ridiculous nicknames.”

The mocking name “Li Changchong” echoed through the distant courtyard.

Sighing, Li turned back and collapsed onto a bench, reaching behind to wipe sweat from his undershirt. Gazing at the shattered tea table, he sighed deeply.

“That boy was once a harmless neighbor’s child three years ago. Now, after traveling abroad, he’s changed completely. Not only is he hard to fool, but his skills have grown formidable. Best avoid provoking him lest I end up beaten senseless.”

Recalling that moment, a chill ran down his spine as if a sharp killing intent had enveloped him, nearly freezing him in place.

Fortunately, having weathered years in officialdom, he managed to maintain composure. Others might have lost control entirely.

Li rose, pacing the room with a deepening frown. “Though I’ve finally persuaded him to help retrieve the seal, the theft of his master’s remains… alas!”