Heaven's Formula

He looked at Li in surprise, "That cat...didn't die of illness?"

The latter seemed to have expected him to ask this question a long time ago, "Even as a human, it is difficult to have any thoughts of resistance when you know your time is approaching, let alone a cat? I want to impress it , ordinary encounters are not acceptable."

Then the answer is ready to come.

Only pain can make living beings unforgettable in the shortest time.

It was tortured to death.

And the perpetrator didn't aim to kill it, but prolonged the painful process as much as possible - if it was just slaughtered, it wouldn't make the fox demon say "ordinary encounters are not okay".

"Could it be... Tian's wife did it herself?" Xia Fan felt some hairs on his back.

"It's not very likely," Li's answer made him feel a little relieved. "If the raccoon cat died at the hands of Tian's family, it would be too late to escape before it was alive. How could it still be wandering around the house leisurely after death? In addition...then The woman's feelings for the cat should be sincere."

"That's good." Xia Fan raised his head and took a big sip of tea. As for who killed Ah Hua, I'm afraid he has no way to verify it, and he can't track it down for a cat. After all, for people in this era, Cruelty and killing of animals is nothing at all, not to mention legal punishment, and it will not be condemned morally.

But if you think about it carefully, what if the real purpose of the perpetrator is not to torture Lihuamao, but to murder Tian's wife?

This person knows that if he inflicts enough pain, there is a chance that ordinary creatures will perish and become evil spirits, so with a little bit of targeting, the first scourge of evil spirits must be the living people of the Tian family.

No... these thoughts are too conspiracy theories, there should be no such coincidence.Xia Fan shook his head and put all distracting thoughts behind him. Since the perpetrator could not be found, the above guesses could only be guesses forever and could not be confirmed.

Suddenly, a sentence Li said before rang in his ears——

"It's the cause, but not necessarily the culprit."

Had she thought of that then?

If Ru Qiu really died of physical weakness, no matter whether it was intentional or unintentional, the person who tortured the cat would be considered a murderer.

After solving this sudden "haunting" incident, it was almost midnight, and even Xia Fan felt a little tired.He yawned and signaled to the fox demon, "It's getting late, let's rest today."

Li nodded, got up and walked towards the back room.

When approaching the door, Xia Fan stopped her again, "Also, today's matter...sorry."

"Oh?" The fox demon glanced at him with interest, so the alchemist would also apologize to the demon.For some reason, her mood suddenly improved a lot.But this cannot be easily revealed, otherwise the other party will think that he is too easy to compromise, and he must be deeply aware of today's problems.

"You didn't do anything wrong, so why do you need to apologize. As you said, I helped you, not them. This is just to repay the previous life-saving grace—"

"That's not what I'm talking about." Xia Fan's answer surprised her, "Obviously we helped the Tian family together, but in the end I was the only one who got their thanks. But the real meritorious person can only be second to none." Behind the scenes, in other words, I monopolize the gratitude you deserve."

"What..." Li was stunned for a moment and then looked away, "I don't care about human beings' thanks."

"I care. One day, I hope people can know that it is the demon who helped them; one day, when you help others, you don't have to hide in the dark." Xia Fan looked into her eyes and said softly, " With this connection... Humans will also take the initiative to help the demon."

Chapter 43 任免令

Early the next morning, Xia Fan was awakened by a knock on the door.

Wouldn't someone be fooled by the master to find him to solve the supernatural problem?

After a long journey and being busy until midnight yesterday, he just wanted to sleep in.

"Which one?"

Through the door panel, Xia Fan rubbed his eyes and asked.

"Excuse me, is this Mr. Xia? I'm an errand in the county government. I'm here to send a message to Mr. Xia."

Fenghua county government servant?

His heart skipped a beat, and he subconsciously glanced at the back room. Could it be that the fox demon was exposed?But soon he vetoed this guess. If a demon was really involved, the person who knocked on the door would definitely be an alchemist from the Privy Council, so the county government would not go into this troubled water.

Even so, Xia Fan still opened the door ajar and blocked the door with his body. "What message?"

The visitor wore a black scarf on his head, a navy blue slit gown, and a red belt around his waist. Judging from his attire, he was indeed an official.He cupped his hands and made a bow, "Congratulations, Mr. Xia, for passing the examination. Your letter of appointment and dismissal has been sent to the county government. Please follow me so that the county magistrate can hand over the document to you in person."

So fast?Didn't it mean that it would take half a month?

Xia Fan couldn't help being a little surprised. When did Qiguo's logistics system become so efficient?The results of the bachelor's examination should be sent to the Gyeonggi Privy Council first, and then the appointment and dismissal orders will be distributed to the local Privy Council after distribution according to the results.Being able to arrive at Fenghua County at the same time as him, it is not an exaggeration to describe it as a godsend.

"Hold on."

After returning to the room, Xia Fan explained to the fox demon, and then followed him to the county government office.

"By the way, what's the name?"

"Just call me Li Xing."

"How do you know that I live in this inn?" Xia Fan asked casually.

"Hahaha, Mr. Xia didn't know something. The adult who sent the appointment and dismissal order emphasized that the document must be handed over to the examiner as soon as possible. We didn't know much about Mr. Xia. At that time, we only knew two things." Li Xing stretched out two fingers , "First, you have not arrived in Fenghua County; second, you are not on the household registration list and have no fixed residence. So I thought of a way and notified all the inns in the county in advance. Report to the county government."

"So that's the case, but if I don't live in a hotel, but choose a homestay..."

"Then we have nothing to do." Li Xing smiled, "This is how we do business. There are orders from above, so we just do our best. As for success, it depends on luck. Fortunately, this time, my luck is not bad. Of course, even if you are not found, young master, you will report to the county government sooner or later, at most a few days later. Who can say that a few days later is not the 'first time'?"

Xia Fan couldn't help but look at him more.

This person is really interesting, I am afraid he is not an ordinary official.

At the very least, articulate and orderly speech is beyond the reach of ordinary low-level yamen servants.

After arriving at the county government office, Li Xing opened the main door directly and led him in.

It was the first time for Xia Fan to set foot on Daqi's official territory. Just as he was thinking about what kind of etiquette he should adopt when facing the magistrate, a middle-aged man in a green robe and a cape greeted him.

This person is undoubtedly the parent officer of Fenghua County.

Before Xia Fan surrendered, the other party grabbed his arm, "I am the county magistrate of Fenghua County, Yang Guangrong, and finally I have waited for the young master. You don't need to be polite, Mr. Xia. This is not a formal occasion, so there is no need to walk away sternly." The officialdom."

"Master Yang—"

"Hey, just call Yang County Magistrate." He waved his hand, "I am an official, and Mr. Xia is also an official. Why do you need to be so ridiculous?"

Isn't it true that Zhixian is so approachable?Xia Fan was very surprised. Although the alchemist had an official title, the new recruits were equivalent to the eighth rank, and the county magistrate was also the seventh rank.The difference between the first level is indeed small, but there is still a difference between high and low. The other party is not arrogant and can be said to have a noble character. It is obviously abnormal to be so familiar.

"This is Mr. Xia's letter of appointment and dismissal. Please keep it well." Yang Zhixian beckoned, and someone beside him immediately brought a bag forward.

"Can I open it and have a look?" Xia Fan asked.

"Of course." He smiled, "There are scissors in the main hall, it's better to go inside and see."

Xia Fan naturally agreed.This bag feels like it is made of cowhide, and the seal is stitched tightly, and it is really difficult to open it by hand.Using waterproof and moisture-resistant leather to make the file bag instead of the usual wrapping paper or cloth can be regarded as a side display of the strength of the Privy Council.

Twist off the sealing thread, open the mouth of the bag, and the seal inside is also torn—this proves that no second person has ever opened the bag.Pulling out a piece of snowflake paper, Xia Fan directly skipped the foreshadowing and jumped to the final area of ​​appointment and dismissal.

"After receiving this order, I will immediately work in Shenzhou Jinxia City..." He said silently, and at the same time, a sense of familiarity came to his mind, why the name of this place is so familiar, as if he has heard it somewhere.

"Excuse me, where is Jinxia City?" He simply asked the county magistrate.

"Ahaha... It seems that Mr. Xia is not very familiar with Shenzhou." Yang Zhixian chuckled, "Jinxia is in the east of this county. It is not far away. It can be reached in a day by riding a fast horse. It is also from Shenzhou. capital."

The county... the east?

Shenzhou...the capital?

The fragmentary knowledge of geography in Xia Fan's mind was instantly strung together—the boundary of Fenghua County seems to be Shenzhou, and the Privy Council he wants to work in is not some nameless "township office", but Is the ruler of a state!

No wonder he felt familiar when he saw this place name.

Before settling down in Fenghua County, he had been wandering around the territory of Shenzhou with Master Cheap for quite a while.

Wait, is this also the reason why the magistrate is so polite to him?

Jinxia is not only a city, but also the core of Shenzhou, and its administrative level is much larger than that of a county.The grade can only indicate the rank of the official, and cannot reflect the internal attributes such as position and power. Coupled with the characteristics of the Privy Council, it is not incomprehensible for the magistrate to treat him like this.

"Xia Fan?"

Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind him.

Xia Fan turned his head, and Wei Wushuang's amazed and joyful expression came into his eyes.

"Isn't this Mr. Wei from the Big Bowl Grain Shop?" Yang Zhixian bowed his hands to him, "Finally invited you too."

Wei Wushuang was overwhelmed and bowed again and again, "See you, Mr. Yang, I didn't expect you to remember me, my father asked me to say hello to you..."

The magistrate was not as familiar with Xia Fan as he was with Xia Fan, but nodded slightly after receiving the gift, "Treasurer Wei has a heart."

"His appointment and dismissal order also came?"

"That's right, the same as you. Both of you will become members of the Shenzhou Privy Council."

"Shenzhou?" Wei Wushuang said in surprise, "It's great, it's so close, and we're still with Brother Xia!"

Xia Fan took a surprised look at Yangzhi County. They were all alchemists who were going to take office in Jinxia City, but his attitude was quite different. Could it be that the reason he thought was not accurate?

The latter didn't seem to notice this at all, and happily clapped his hands and said, "If there are evil spirits in this county in the future, I hope the two of you will take care of them."

Chapter 44 重浴阳光

……

"So we're on the road again?"

After listening to Xia Fan's narration, Li shrugged.

"It is indeed a bit unexpected, but this way, we can also deal with the Privy Council sooner."

"Okay, I'll go and pack my things."

"Wait," Xia Fan called to stop her, "It's boring and stuffy to be lying in the compartment all the time packing 'luggage', do you want to be my 'sister from the same school' and come with me?"

Li Weiwei was startled, and turned around in an unbelievable way, "You let me walk with you in broad daylight? Under the gaze of outsiders?"

"You don't want to hide for the rest of your life, do you?" Xia Fan said naturally, "Even if we are together to avenge the Privy Council, the price is too high."

"Do you know that if someone finds out—"

"I'm sure you won't be able to become an alchemist, and maybe you will be investigated why there is a fox demon in the same family." He followed the other party's words and continued, "So just don't be discovered. I remember you said that the demon has no evil spirit. something like that?"

"Of course not!" Li hugged his chest, "I don't even know where your weird idea came from. Could it be that animals have a fishy body odor, and monsters also have a similar smell? As long as the situation is not urgent, we will also clean it regularly. Body, don’t make it sound like only human beings love cleanliness!”

After finishing speaking, she pulled up her collar, lowered her head and sniffed, "If you don't believe me, come and smell it?"

"No, I believe it." Xia Fan said decisively, "If you think about it carefully, the tail can be covered with a robe, or tied tightly around the waist, and the biggest flaw is only the ears on the head. At that time, it was normal for women to wear cloaks and black veils, and it was actually not easy to see through."

Of course, another key point is that the fox demon does not need to rely on his own strength to deceive everyone. With his help, ordinary people dare not question the judgment of the alchemist.

Li was silent for a while.

"If you think it's not safe to do so, there's actually an easier way—you can turn into a fox, right?"

Compared with appearance, Xia Fan thinks that this is the biggest difference between humans and demons.It was this trick that he used to bring Li into the carriage without telling the coachman.According to Li himself, not only can she become an ordinary fox, but she can also transform into a giant fox. At the same time, her strength and speed will increase several levels.It's just that both types of changes need to consume gas, so they can't be used as normal.

This drastic change in body shape is difficult to explain with his familiar common sense, and can only be temporarily attributed to the magic of Qi.

"and then?"

"Then I'll make some disguises for you, such as dyeing your hair yellow and painting dark circles around your eyes, so that you look almost like a dog. Although you can't speak, at least you don't have to be stuffy in the car—" Xia Fan stopped suddenly, he felt There was an extremely dangerous aura in the opponent's eyes.

"Just follow the first method," Li Cai said after a while, "if you think there is no problem."

……

Half an hour later, two carriages stopped at the entrance of Yingsong Inn.

"Brother Xia, I'm here." Seeing Xia Fan appear, Wei Wushuang waved quickly, "I need my help to carry things like luggage—"

However, in the middle of speaking, his shouting stopped abruptly.

I saw a tall slender woman walking out from behind Xia Fan. Although she was wearing a black gauze hat, she couldn't see the face below clearly, but judging from the exposed pointed chin and the looming red lips, she could already tell Feel her extraordinary beauty.

Wei Wushuang looked at the woman in surprise and curiosity for a while before looking at Xia Fan, "Brother Xia, I wonder if this is..."

"Let me introduce, she is my master's new student named Li." Xia Fan spread his hands and said, "And this person is Wei Wushuang, a candidate who was in the same period as me, and her office is also in the same city."

"Nice meeting, hello." Li stretched out his slender hand, pushed aside the black veil in front of him, and said with a slight bow.

At that moment, Wei Wushuang saw a pair of eyes as deep as night.

He subconsciously looked away, took a step back and bowed his hands, "You, hello...It's a pleasure to meet a girl..."

Xia Fan almost didn't laugh out loud, this guy was acquainted with him when he had a relationship with him, but he didn't expect to be so clumsy in front of the fox demon.

"Ahem, what my master means is that he wants me to take her out to gain insights, and teach her spells by the way." He made up a reason casually, "When she goes to take the scholar's examination three years later, she will Not without confidence. In short... this time Li will go to Jinxia City with me."

"I see." Wei Wushuang immediately agreed, "She can already feel Qi?"

"Well, Junior Sister started a few years later than me."

"Why have you never heard Brother Xia mention it before?"

"You didn't tell me how many relatives you have in your family."

"Uh, I was reckless. But Li's name... is so unique. Does it only have a first name but no surname?"