Chapter Sixty-Six: The Most Beautiful Sound Is That of a Check, Arrangements

Lin Yi wore an expression of embarrassment, looking genuinely innocent.

“No, listen to me, I just slipped a moment ago. It’s nothing, really. See you tomorrow. Don’t bother sending another avatar—I think we’re at odds, and I’d hate for you to lose another one over some trivial matter.”

“I… you… see you tomorrow…”

The Water Avatar of the River God of the Ling Tian River vanished completely.

It was only a water-based spiritual projection; had it been the true, corporeal form of the River God, his face would probably have darkened until it resembled the bottom of a burnt pot.

Even so, the barely suppressed rage in that final moment nearly caused Lin Yi to burst out laughing once the avatar faded.

*Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!*

The Godslayer Sutra turned another page, and a reward was issued.

“Sealed and recorded: Water Avatar of the River God of Ling Tian River. Reward: High-Grade Yellow Stage Body-Tempering Pill.”

“High-Grade Yellow Stage Body-Tempering Pill: Consume to temper the body, expel toxins, strengthen cultivation, and likely break through to the next level within the Yellow Stage.”

Once again, Lin Yi had reaped a High-Grade Yellow Stage Body-Tempering Pill.

Now in possession of two pills, he was utterly delighted.

He guessed that the River God of Ling Tian River wouldn’t be returning anytime soon. That old, crafty spirit would hardly keep coming back just to get fleeced.

Still, Lin Yi waited a while, just in case.

As expected, after the mist cleared, the River God did not reappear.

Lin Yi couldn’t suppress a sigh; it would have been wonderful if he’d returned once more.

Shaking his head, Lin Yi’s anticipation grew for the day when his hundred million would arrive.

He’d just run out of cash. All in all, Lin Yi’s assets now totaled several hundred million, but most of it was tied up in two villas, leaving him with just over a million in liquid funds.

Once that hundred million landed in his account, he’d be able to live large again.

He wondered if this Water Avatar was like the one from earlier—since the memory images it left behind were the same, nothing new, just a few more fleshed-out details.

Turning his head, Lin Yi looked to the side.

During the two episodes of thick mist, the crafty River God had obscured the surroundings, so that Zheng Guoqiang and the other middle-aged men couldn’t see what was happening inside.

Many people had already been frightened away by the earlier incident with the spectral soldiers passing through.

Now, some people stood at a distance, not daring to come any closer.

It was only when Lin Yi’s expression turned to one of joy, as he turned back around, that Zheng Guoqiang and the others pounded their chests in relief and cautiously moved closer.

One of the middle-aged men asked, “Brother Lin Yi, are you alright? What exactly happened just now? Why was there so much water mist? Were those armored ghostly figures back again?”

As the boss of Talented Scholar Garden, Zheng Guoqiang’s face was grim and anxious, clearly awaiting Lin Yi’s reply.

Lin Yi shook his head, letting out a hearty laugh.

“It’s nothing, just something else—it has nothing to do with those armored specters… Though, to be honest, there is indeed some trouble here, at least for now…”

The group began to converse.

Beneath the artificial lake lay a dilapidated Temple of the City God, with the City God himself inside it.

And if the River God of Ling Tian River counted him as a close friend, what good could that bring?

In Lin Yi’s view, the City God either harbored a demon seed within or was up to no good. Otherwise, the armored specters passing through wouldn’t have rampaged so recklessly.

If the City God were truly upright, he wouldn’t have guided the evil spirits in such a way, allowing spectral soldiers to rampage and harm countless innocents! Such chaos would only bring disaster to ordinary people.

Yes, this place was indeed dangerous.

Hearing Lin Yi’s words, those who already considered him a master immediately turned pale.

Given all that, Talented Scholar Garden was no longer fit for living. If they stayed any longer, it wouldn’t just be their families at risk—they themselves might die.

---

The armored specters had been seen by too many today. Even the most skeptical now understood: the blood-red mist, the rampaging ghosts and monsters—it was all real.

The tide of evil was rising, spreading throughout the world.

*Tap tap tap.*

*Tap tap tap.*

…

In the distance, some of those who had fled earlier began to return.

Dressed in mourning garb, these were the relatives and friends of the corpses in the coffins.

They lingered on the outskirts for a long time before finally daring to approach.

Hearing Lin Yi’s words, they all froze in place, too afraid to come closer.

But soon, the pretty young widow who had wet herself in fright earlier dashed over to Lin Yi, bowing and knocking her head to the ground.

“Master Lin Yi, you must kill these monsters! My husband is dead, I have no children, I’m all alone… I must avenge my husband, but I can’t do it myself. I beg you, Master Lin Yi, please help me…”

The sharp sound of her head striking the ground made Lin Yi’s heart ache.

For the first time, he realized that slaying demons and exorcising evil spirits truly meant something.

The widow’s example soon moved other bereaved relatives, who also knelt and bowed to Lin Yi.

Even Zheng Guoqiang bowed and said, “Brother Lin, you must save us at Talented Scholar Garden, you must avenge these people!”

*Rip!*

What stunned Lin Yi most was that Zheng Guoqiang, ever the magnate, tore off a check—five million!

So casual, tossing money around! It was almost too much to take.

Lin Yi’s eyes glazed over. This country boy was truly on a lucky streak today—money in the hundreds of thousands, millions, even hundreds of millions, fell into his lap as easily as breathing.

He was a bit numb from it all.

“Rest assured, everyone. The greatest virtue is in helping others. The matters of Talented Scholar Garden are now my responsibility! Some may have looked down on me earlier because of Zhang Qiang from Star Sect, but I’m broad-minded…”

*Rip!*

*Rip!*

…

“…”

The sound was identical to Zheng Guoqiang tearing his check!

Lin Yi glanced around; several wealthy neighbors who had scolded him earlier were now tearing off their own checks.

Lin Yi wanted to refuse, but the neighbors pressed the checks into his hands.

Glancing down, he saw that even the smallest was over two hundred thousand.

“Are they all this rich? No wonder Talented Scholar Garden is a villa district, home to the wealthy!”

Lin Yi realized that having rich neighbors wasn’t bad at all. The sound of checks being ripped from their books was music to his ears.

Not long ago, he’d agonized over spending just over a thousand yuan on a meal, forced to sell things begged off Li Zhancheng. Now, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions, and even hundreds of millions came at him with ease.

It was a world apart from his former life of poverty. Damn, cultivation truly was the way!

It cost money, sure—but it made money too!

Without another word, Lin Yi energetically called out to everyone, “Say no more, neighbors, you’re incredible! I shouldn’t take this money, but in our line of work, everything has its cause and effect. If I refused this token, it wouldn’t be right. So, I’ll take it. From now on, Talented Scholar Garden is under my protection!”

He gathered up the checks and addressed the crowd.

Lin Yi wasn’t lying—taking the money meant taking on the responsibility. This was cause and effect, a debt to be repaid.

Besides, slaying these monsters and evil spirits was something he intended to do anyway; now he’d get rewards from every angle. Why wouldn’t he accept?

---

Hearing Lin Yi’s words, many neighbors repeatedly thanked him, while Zheng Guoqiang nodded vigorously, promising even more generous gifts in the future.

The armored specters had left everyone shaken for so long that, even with Lin Yi present, some couldn’t shake the chill crawling over their skin.

Because the ominous energy still lingered, Lin Yi waved his hand, signaling that everyone could now leave.

The coffins could be taken away as well; there was no need to leave them here.

Zheng Guoqiang ordered his staff to tidy up the area.

Having seen the armored ghosts enter the artificial lake, no one was willing to keep the coffins here.

Lin Yi also declared that the artificial lake would henceforth be a forbidden zone, so the area was soon cleared.

He told the neighbors to take their coffins back home, setting them up as before.

Some worried about a repeat of the morning’s horror, when the chubby boy’s corpse was shattered, but Lin Yi had Zheng Guoqiang distribute intercoms to every household, keeping the main unit for himself.

Only then were people willing to withdraw, albeit reluctantly.

Otherwise, they’d have abandoned Talented Scholar Garden entirely, desperate to escape.

It was Lin Yi who gave them the courage to stay.

And, of course, the knowledge that their deceased loved ones would still be at risk even if they left—unless they could truly abandon all familial bonds, which most people simply couldn’t do.

Except for a handful who slipped away, the majority remained.

In their hands, the lifeline they clung to was the intercom, their only means of contacting Lin Yi.

The crowd dispersed, and Zheng Guoqiang also departed.

The three middle-aged men and Yang Wanshun’s family returned to Villa Sixteen.

Before leaving, they expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Lin Yi and wished him success in capturing the ghosts.

Now, by the vast artificial lake, only Lin Yi stood alone.

There were security cameras around the lake, but the earlier gale had shaken the lampposts violently, damaging many of the cameras.

Several staff members, shivering with fear, were busy reinstalling them.

This was at Lin Yi’s request—he’d not only asked for intercoms but also demanded access to all the community’s surveillance software, keeping his phone connected at all times.

These tools were vital to him. The technicians, glancing nervously around, just wanted to finish their work and leave as quickly as possible.

If not for Lin Yi’s presence, they would have fled long ago.

Soon, the cameras were back in place. Easy to install, they connected to the wireless network and recharged automatically.

Once finished, the workers left in a hurry.

One young man, before leaving, watched as Lin Yi’s fingers danced across his phone at astonishing speed, mouth agape—was this even human?

His speed was rocket-like, creating afterimages, as if his fingers were tracing circles of light.

Were Lin Yi not known as a master, the young man would have thought he’d seen a ghost.

“Hurry up—who are we to stare at a master? Let’s go!” urged one of the group, and they departed quickly.

The streetlights grew brighter, illuminating the night like day, while the ominous energy began to lessen.

Lin Yi took out his energy meter and measured the surroundings—the malign energy had plummeted from over a hundred points to just a bit more than twenty.