Chapter 74: Vigil (1/2)

Lin Mu felt strange about the clerk's words. He thought that he may be lying at first, but then looking at his face made him think differently. Though he thought he should listen to the complete story first.

”The report about the spirit beast was given by a mercenary to the second vice-captain. The second vice-captain thus issued the order to close the town and the routes leading to it. But later, when he didn't return, the other guards went to talk with the town head about the mercenary who gave the report. The town head told them that the mercenary who reported it disappeared too and they can't find him.” The clerk explained.

”Is that why mercenaries are standing outside the town center?” Lin Mu asked.

”Yeah, they're angry that more of their mercenaries disappeared and the town head is not responding to their complaints.” The clerk answered.

”And what does the second vice-captain look like? Because I don't think I've seen him before.” Lin Mu asked his main question.

The clerk did not seem like he minded Lin Mu's question and just spoke honestly.

”Oh, let me just get the identity register. We have portraits of all the town's cultivators in it.”

”I didn't know there was an identity register for cultivators.” Lin Mu said curiously.

”Oh no, it's actually for all people that the town head considers important, there are other normal people in it too that are not cultivators.” The clerk answered and then went away to get the register.

'This is news to me. I didn't know that there was something like this.' Lin Mu spoke inwardly.

”It is technically necessary. Every establishment needs to keep a record of important people.” Xukong spoke in Lin Mu's mind.

”I guess the portrait will make it easier to identify the man than just by a vague description.” Lin Mu spoke to himself.

The clerk soon returned with the register and showed it to Lin Mu. He flipped it to the page where it showed the second vice-captains portrait. Lin Mu saw the portrait and instantly recognized the man. The person that tried to kill him yesterday was the vice-captain.

”Han Xu?” Lin Mu muttered the name written on the register.

”Yes, that's the vice-captain's name.” the clerk responded.

Even after completing his main task, Lin Mu still felt curious about the situation, thus he decided to get more information.

”I also heard that some guards and townsmen disappeared.”

The clerk did not straight away answer Lin Mu's query, but instead looked at his coin pouch. Lin Mu understood this and pulled out another silver coin before passing it to the clerk, who swiftly hid it in his sleeve.

”We have some contradicting statements about that. Some people say that they saw the townsmen enter the town safely, while the guards say that they never returned. As for the guards, we don't know what happened, but the current theory is that they saw the beast and went after it only to never return.” The clerk spoke.

”That is strange.” Lin Mu muttered.

Having got his share of information, Lin Mu was ready to leave. He gave another silver coin to the clerk and then left the building. Upon leaving, he saw that the mercenaries were still standing there and were not budging at all.

While leaving, Lin Mu felt a gaze at the back of his head and turned around but did not notice anyone specific. Pushing the thought to the back of his mind, he walked away. Half an hour later Lin Mu returned to his house.

As soon as he entered his room and closed the door, senior Xukong spoke in his mind.

”You were being followed. Though it seems they stopped before they entered the residential district.”

”Was that the gaze I felt on me?” Lin Mu asked

”It seems like it, though they did not follow you all the way, they're wary of something.” Xukong replied.

”Could it be related to the attacks? Because we know that three more teams of those men were out there and that the townsmen we say yesterday disappeared as well.” Lin Mu spoke.

”We'll have to wait and watch. Though I recommend that you focus on extending the range of your spirit sense as it will help you in sensing other people. The longer your range is, the easier it will be for you.” Xukong advised.

”Yes, senior.” Lin Mu accepted.

Before starting his practice, Lin Mu decided to cook some food. Half an hour later he had eaten his food and was ready to start his cultivation session. But suddenly he heard someone knocking at the gate.

Lin Mu walked out and opened the gate. Upon opening it, he found his neighbor standing outside the gate. It was the same neighbor he had talked to earlier in the morning.

”Did you need something, Xiao Lu?” Lin Mu asked.