Chapter 144: Happy and Harmonious

In the end, Lu Bai decided against choosing a Treasure Artifact from the Evil Extermination Bureau.

The Treasure Artifact longswords in Bluestone City were all Tier Two Lower or Middle Grade, far inferior to his Cyan Cloud Sword.

Seeing his insistence, He Liangzhi didn’t press the issue.

After all, Lu Bai was only in the Inner Strength Realm. Even if he took a Tier Two Treasure Artifact, he wouldn’t be able to use it for the time being.

Lu Bai had the Eye of Illusion, making the Heart Mirror useless to him.

However, he did decide to take a Yin Soul Compass.

Besides pinpointing the location of Ghost Souls and other evil spirits, this Treasure Artifact could also collect a wisp of Ghost Qi as a mark, which would be logged in the Evil Extermination Bureau’s record of merits.

"There isn’t much to do here, so you just need to clock in every day."

He Liangzhi said, "We’ll be departing for Jingzhou City soon, so you should spend these next few days with your family."

Lu Bai wasn’t an official Evil Exterminator Guard yet, so the demands on him were not high.

He Liangzhi handed Lu Bai another book. "By the way, take a look at this *Hundred Ghosts Record* when you have time. Familiarize yourself with the ghosts and evil spirits inside so you’ll know what you’re dealing with in the future."

"Thank you, Brother He."

Lu Bai took it and flipped through it briefly.

Each page depicted a different type of ghost, with a corresponding description below.

’This is good stuff.’

Though it wasn’t a Martial Arts Technique, it would still be a great help to him.

By the time Lu Bai left the Evil Extermination Bureau, his appearance had completely changed.

He carried the Cyan Cloud Sword on his back and wore light armor of a profound black. His chest was embroidered with a Red Flame Pattern, and at his waist hung an Evil Extermination Order made from Centennial Peach Wood. On one side, the words "Evil Extermination" were written in cinnabar; on the other was the word "Guard."

The new attire perfectly accentuated Lu Bai’s tall and stalwart frame.

Having cultivated the White Tiger Stance and the Dragon Elephant Suppression Skill, Lu Bai’s gaze was as sharp as a torch, and he moved with a powerful, imposing gait. He already possessed a strong aura, and now, clad in the uniform of the Evil Extermination Bureau, his presence was even more commanding.

He hadn’t gone far from the Evil Extermination Bureau before he attracted countless gazes.

"Look, it’s the Black Hand Young Hero!"

"Don’t just shout whatever! He’s called the Black Hand Yama now. No one who crosses him lives. Governor Dou was powerful, right? He had the man arrested last night, and now he’s the one who’s dead. Spooky, isn’t it?"

"He really did join the Evil Extermination Bureau. That’s a meteoric rise."

"I heard he’s going to Jingzhou City to take up his post. Once he’s in the State Mansion, his horizons and connections will be on a whole new level."

"When you think about it, you really have to admire Elder Luo. Just look at his foresight and decisiveness."

-----------------

The members of the Luo Family hadn’t slept much the previous night either.

They had gone from initial anxiety and worry to excitement and elation after learning that Lu Bai was safe, the Prefect was dead, and rumors were flying everywhere.

Early this morning, Elder Luo had invited Madam Lu of the Wang Family over to chat and discuss the events of last night.

"Master Lu is back!"

Nearing noon, a guard at the gate suddenly shouted.

Everyone quickly rose to their feet.

Before the words had faded, Lu Bai appeared, fully equipped and striding toward them with purpose.

"What an impressive Evil Exterminator Guard!"

"He truly has the dignified air of a Yama!"

As they looked, their eyes lit up, and they marveled internally.

Xiaodie couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration, "Miss, Young Master Lu is so magnificent."

Luo Qing smiled and nodded.

"Brother Xiaolu!"

The two brothers, Luo Ben and Luo Xiao, hurried forward to greet him.

Luo Ben touched Lu Bai’s armor with a look of fascination, his eyes filled with envy. He whispered, "Xiaoxiao, we have to train hard in our martial arts so we can join the Evil Extermination Bureau in the future, too."

"Mhm."

Luo Xiao nodded as well. "With Brother Xiaolu there, he can look out for us."

"Mother."

Lu Bai entered and greeted everyone.

Only after Lu Bai had taken the seat of honor did everyone else sit down and begin asking questions.

Lu Bai briefly recounted the events of the previous night.

"To think that a Prefect of his stature was actually being controlled by the Witch Race."

"So, that means Lady Dou was the one pulling the strings behind everything that’s happened this past month."

Luo Mingzhao seemed to have thought of something and said suddenly, "Father, if that Lady Dou was from the Witch Race, then my little sister’s death might not have been an accident."

Hearing this, everyone in the Luo Family felt a jolt in their hearts.

"What do you mean?"

Lu Bai asked.

"Back then, Dou Kuan was like a man who had lost his mind. He suddenly became extremely cold toward my little sister and started spending every day with another woman..."

Luo Mingzhao recounted the old story.

Lu Bai pondered for a moment. "That must be it. After Lady Dou murdered your sister, your sister’s resentment was so great that her soul refused to enter the cycle of reincarnation. Lady Dou then raised her as an evil spirit."

Luo Ben blurted out, "Father, I told you I saw my aunt that night, but none of you believed me!"

The members of the Luo Family exchanged glances, a wave of fear washing over them as they thought back.

From the haunting at the Profound Iron Ore mine, to the evil spirit that came to their home and possessed Luo Ben, nearly causing a disaster, and then to the Xuanjian Sect’s arrival to seize the mine and Luo Mingzhao’s crippling...

This series of plots—any one of them could have meant the end for the Luo Family!

"Thankfully, we have Lu Bai."

Luo Mingzhao said with emotion.

"Yes, yes."

"It’s also thanks to Madam Lu for raising such a fine son."

Everyone chimed in, showering them with praise.

A thoughtful look crossed Elder Luo’s face. "Speaking of which, we also have Qing’er to thank. She’s the one who went to Liuxi Town to bring Lu Bai and his mother here. If it weren’t for Qing’er, Lu Bai wouldn’t have come."

"That’s right."

Madam Lu nodded as well. "Qing’er is such a good child. She was worried about my son and me, so she traveled so far just to come get us. Sigh, when you think about it, my Lu Family has wronged her."

"Madam Lu, what are you saying? You’re treating us like strangers."

"Exactly! There’s still a chance, you know."

"Of course. You can still become one family in the future."

Everyone chattered back and forth.

The more Lu Bai listened, the stranger it sounded.

He subconsciously glanced at Luo Qing.

Just then, Luo Qing happened to look his way.

Their eyes met for an instant before Luo Qing quickly looked away, lowering her head. A flash of panic crossed her eyes as she stood up. "Grandfather, I’ll let you all talk. I’m going for a walk."

Seeing Luo Qing’s reaction, Luo Mingzhao gave Luo Tianxiong a slight shake of his head.

He knew his daughter’s temperament; this matter couldn’t be rushed.

The two of them needed time.

And Luo Qing needed time to forget the past.

Lu Bai just smiled and let it go, not taking the matter to heart.

"Is the Black Hand Yama in?"

Just then, Li Tianxing’s voice came from outside the gate.

It was immediately followed by the voice of Bluestone Academy’s Dean Feng. "Is Lord Lu of the Evil Extermination Bureau here? Feng Yang has come to pay a visit."

Lu Bai chuckled, knowing the two were joking with him, and stood up to welcome them.

As he reached the entrance, he saw Li Tianxing and Feng Yang approaching side by side.

Feng Yang was even carrying a jar of wine.

"Xiaolu, congratulations."

Li Tianxing laughed. "Dean Feng is being quite shameless. He dug out that jar of aged wine he’s been hiding for over a decade, making me look cheap for coming empty-handed."

"Haha!"

Feng Yang roared with laughter. "Back then, I was still trying to figure out how to recommend Young Hero Lu to Jingzhou Academy so he could cultivate for a few years and maybe get a post at the Government Office if he was lucky."

"I never expected Young Hero Lu to go straight into the Evil Extermination Bureau. It seems my worries were for nothing."

"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Li, Dean Feng."

Lu Bai quickly expressed his thanks.

Feng Yang handed him the wine jar and sighed. "It’s just a shame I never had the chance to be your teacher. You have to have a few good drinks with me today. In the future, when you’re soaring through the ranks, I’m afraid we won’t get this opportunity again."

"Of course! We won’t go home until we’re drunk!"

Lu Bai accepted with a smile.