Chapter 10

Li Jinglong did not answer. The shadow under the lamp paused for a moment, and Hongjun pushed the door open and went in.

"Get out." Li Jinglong said, "Who told you to barge into your superior's room?"

Hongjun scratched his head and could only push the door open to look inside. The Carp Demon stood at Hongjun's feet and put its head on the doorsill to look inside.

Li Jinglong made the bed, straightened up, and turned to glance at Hongjun.

"Did I cause you trouble?" Hongjun said, "Is it serious?"

Li Jinglong took a deep breath. Hongjun thought he was going to get angry again, so he hurriedly took a step back.

"How old are you?" Li Jinglong looked at Hongjun and asked.

Hongjun reported his age. Li Jinglong said in a low voice, "Keep your demon under control. If you sneak out and scare people, you can go home. Don't do it again."

The Carp Demon was snubbed and ran away. Hongjun said, "Don't drive me away. I'll be careful. I already have a home that I can't go back to."

Li Jinglong was startled. Hongjun felt bored, so he turned and walked through the corridor to the west wing.

The room was full of dust, Hong Jun did not have any bedding, so he had no choice but to make do with it for the night. He found a piece of wood and made do with it. Seeing a sheepskin hunting jacket on the board, he guessed that Mo Rigen must have covered him first. With the dirty clothes as his pillow, he lay down and slept.

The next morning, Li Jinglong stood in the middle of the courtyard. Around him were ten porters carrying large and small bags. He said, "Put them in the courtyard." Then he counted the money. Hongjun was very surprised. He went forward to take a look and saw that there were bedding, cotton wool, and other daily necessities, pots, bowls, ladles, and the four treasures of the study … Obviously, Li Jinglong had bought them.

"Wow!" Hongjun said, "Is this for us?"

"Public stall." Li Jinglong said expressionlessly, "Deduct it from your salary." Then he strode to the west wing, lifted his foot and kicked open the door of Atay and Qiu Yongsi's room. "Get the hell out here!" Why are you visiting a brothel in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?! "

Last night, the two of them had sneaked out for a stroll. After sleeping for less than four hours, they hurriedly scrambled out of the room, battered and exhausted. Li Jinglong asked everyone to carry the things back to their rooms and ordered them to gather as soon as possible to start cleaning and repairing the Exorcism Division.

Li Jinglong worked nonstop all day long. The four fellows and the fish would occasionally slack off, loafing about in the courtyard, singing, playing the zither, and making merry. They had nothing to do. After the painters and stucco finished painting the room and the pillars, they still had to stop and wait for Li Jinglong to finish tidying up the room. Finally, three days later, Li Jinglong's work was finished, and the entire Exorcism Division looked brand new.

There was a gold-plated statue of the Immovable Wisdom King in the front hall. The walls were covered with snow and red pillars, the doors and windows were repainted, and the courtyard was covered with moss. There was a low couch built into the main hall, and a tea set was placed upside down on the low table. Phoenix-Tailed bamboos were everywhere in the courtyard, rustling under the autumn sun. There was a cobblestone path in the front hall of the backyard, and there were a few red fish swimming in the pond. There was a wooden sign on the side with the words "Zhao Zilong" written on it. It was the residence of the Carp Demon.

The wind chimes in the corridor gently swayed, making a crisp sound. In the courtyard, a tall parasol tree that was more than seventy years old bathed in the sunlight, and the glazed tiles shone brilliantly. In the east wing was Li Jinglong's bedroom, as well as a study, a weapon room, a pharmacy, and other places. There were more than ten shelves of books in the study, as well as case records from when Di Renjie was still alive.

Hong Jun ran up and down the courtyard corridor barefoot. The floor was wiped clean and spotless. Everyone's rooms were replaced with floor-to-ceiling horizontal wooden doors for easier access to light. Each room was also decorated. In Mo Rigen's room, there was a tiger skin spread in front of the low table, and a large bow bought in the West Market was hung on it. Atay's room was covered with a rather exotic carpet, and everything was made of white jade and colored glass, extremely luxurious. Qiu Yongsi's room had a "Spring Outing Painting" hanging on it, and the tea set, vases, and other things were all jade-green in color, and were famous porcelain from the Yue kiln.

Only Hongjun's room had a couch against the wall, and the walls were empty. Li Jinglong picked up three calligraphy paintings and threw them to Hongjun, letting him hang them himself.

One was Zhang Xu's cursive calligraphy, one was Zhang Sengyao's "Hundred Birds Painting", and one was Li Sixun's "Golden Jade Mountains and Rivers Painting". Hongjun didn't know what was good for him, and didn't even know who the seal belonged to, so he casually hung them up. Looking at the "Hundred Birds Painting", he thought of the days in Dazzling Gold Palace, and couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity.

The Exorcism Division had been completely renovated, and it was the most elegant place in Chang 'an City. This alley was originally the residence of Yuwen Kai when the Tang Dynasty moved from Luoyang to Chang 'an. Di Renjie's disciple, Luo Jintong, bought it when Yuwen Kai was alive. The lighting and water were excellent, and now that it was renovated by Li Jinglong, it suddenly became everyone's new home.

"Done." Li Jinglong wiped his sweat and opened a tea set in the main hall.

Everyone's gaze towards him seemed to be different. At first, Mo Rigen, Atay, and Qiu Yongsi didn't agree with him. They didn't expect that Li Jinglong wouldn't change his mind, and let them do whatever they wanted. In the end, he even personally tidied up the rooms.

"Let me do it." Qiu Yongsi took it, and Li Jinglong also let him do as he pleased. The copper pot boiled water, and autumn came. Several people sat in the main hall and began to drink tea.

"I was thinking about it." Li Jinglong's face was still cold as he said in a low voice, "The Exorcism Division has just been restored. Everyone can take this opportunity to work together, get to know each other, and get to know each other better …"

Hongjun turned to look left and right, and saw that Mo Rigen, Qiu Yongsi, and Atay's expressions were somewhat unnatural.

Hongjun: "?"

"… But it seems that everyone here is a giant among men, and you've already become close friends." Li Jinglong continued indifferently, "Jinglong is just a mere mortal, and it seems that I'll be dragging everyone down in the future. I'm really sorry."

With Li Jinglong's words, everyone was very embarrassed.

Other than Hongjun, the other three people all looked down on him, a mere mortal. Li Jinglong also knew that his subordinates looked down on him, but he was already used to being looked down upon everywhere he went.

"Now, hand over the letter in your hands." Li Jinglong said, "Register it today, so that I can give Prime Minister Yang an explanation tomorrow."

"Elder, were you the one who sent the letter to us?" Mo Rigen asked.

Li Jinglong shook his head and said, "No, I was just about to ask, who sent this letter to you?"

That was strange. Li Jinglong had no reason to lie to them. Everyone discussed for a while. There must be someone who chose this moment to gather the four chosen people to come to Chang 'an in order to restore the Tang Dynasty's Exorcism Division.

But if that was the case, how could they explain Li Jinglong's arrival? Could they only say that it was a coincidence destined by fate?

Hongjun took the lead and handed the letter to Li Jinglong.

"Hongjun." Li Jinglong said, "Where do you live? Who are your parents?"

The Carp Demon poked his head in from outside the hall. Hongjun told Li Jinglong what he had taught him previously. He told him that his adoptive father was a cultivator from Taihang Mountain and came to Chang 'an to gain experience. As for Zhao Zilong, he was a carp that he accidentally met many years ago and adopted. There was no way that he was a traitor sent by the demon race.

Li Jinglong didn't ask much and just listened. Hongjun always felt that his lies had many loopholes that were difficult to justify, but Li Jinglong believed him without reservation.

Next was Mo Rigen. Mo Rigen was born in Shiwei. He also told Li Jinglong that he also came to gain experience. Hongjun heard that Mo Rigen seemed to be hiding a lot of things, but Li Jinglong didn't ask. He just wrote down Mo Rigen's name.

Atay was a Tocharian aristocrat who came to learn the culture of the Tang Dynasty. Qiu Yongsi's family lived in Hangzhou. He simply said that his family background was that of a scholar. He was ordered by his grandfather to come to the Exorcism Division to gain courage.

The following instructions were each simpler than the last. In just a few words, they floated over. After Li Jinglong registered, Qiu Yongsi finished brewing tea and distributed it to everyone. Everyone, including the Carp Demon, held a bowl of tea.

"In the future, wipe your feet dry before coming in. Don't step on the floor until it's wet." Li Jinglong instructed the Carp Demon.

"It seems that there are no more newcomers to report." Li Jinglong said.

Everyone quietly looked at Li Jinglong, guessing what he was going to say. Li Jinglong took a sip of tea. He didn't look at the four people in front of him. He muttered, "I don't know who summoned you, but I believe that although Di Gong is dead, he is still taking care of the Tang Dynasty. To be able to gather here with all of you today, it is fate in the underworld. "

As he spoke, Li Jinglong raised his head and looked behind the four people. He looked at the mural of Di Renjie on the east wall of the main hall with a complicated expression. The four people turned around and looked at the mural of Di Renjie.

"You're saying that Di Gong hid four letters and sent them many years after his death?" Mo Rigen said, "And summoned us here to revive the Tang Dynasty's Exorcism Division?"

"How is that possible!" Everyone looked at Li Jinglong with an expression that said, "Do you think I'm stupid?"

"This is … too illogical." Hongjun said with a blank face.

"The most illogical thing would be a fish with long limbs and leg hair on its feet." Li Jinglong turned his head and glanced at the Carp Demon without changing his expression.

The Carp Demon: "…"

"That's true." Hongjun accepted the fact quickly and nodded. "In comparison, the matter of sending letters after death is still somewhat understandable."

Everyone facepalmed and looked at each other. Since Li Jinglong said so, they didn't want to get to the bottom of it. You're the boss, so as long as you're happy.

"Tomorrow, this official will order a waist tag and official uniform for you." Li Jinglong said lightly, "You can submit your salary. It's up to you whether you want to stay or leave. There's still a day to consider. But once your name is submitted, you'll be an official of the imperial court. Regardless of whether you're a Han or a Hu, you'll be treated equally. "

Hongjun was already on a mission. He was thinking about when to look for the Chen family and his own flying knife. Hearing this, he nodded. Suddenly, he saw Li Jinglong staring at him as if waiting for him to express his opinion. He raised his eyebrows.

"I'll stay." Hongjun seemed to have a lot on his mind as he nodded.

Mo Rigen replied, "You'll stay."

Atay: "You'll stay."

Qiu Yongsi said, "You'll stay. But what do you have to do in the Exorcism Division? Chief Inspector, you have to give us some work. "

"There will be work." Li Jinglong said, "Prime Minister Yang said that as long as there are cases that the Six Armies and the Supreme Court can't handle, those that 'might' involve demons and ghosts in the process will be transferred to the Exorcism Division. Originally, I thought that before there were cases, you could walk around Chang 'an City. But since I said so, you won't be disappointed. You can start working in the afternoon." After saying this, he finished his tea and stood up.

Hongjun immediately said, "Chief Inspector, everyone … can you do me a favor?"

"No." Li Jinglong replied.

Everyone: "…"

"I know you want to find the demon that night." Li Jinglong said, "But now I don't know your abilities, and we've never worked together before. If we act rashly without any cooperation, we'll only cause more trouble. We'll deal with it later."

Hongjun was upset, but he knew that Li Jinglong's words were reasonable, so he could only nod.

Li Jinglong stood up and left the table. Everyone was dismissed, and today's matter was over. When he walked out of the hall and entered the East Wing, he suddenly felt relieved. He leaned against a pillar and panted, obviously still having lingering fears. Thinking that this group of powerful exorcists was actually defeated by him, he couldn't help but clench his fist and wave it. A rare smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Just as he raised his head, he suddenly saw Hongjun standing in front of him, looking at him with a puzzled expression.

"Chief Inspector, what were you doing just now?" Hongjun asked tentatively.

Li Jinglong immediately coughed and said sternly, "What now?"

"Can you do me a favor?" Hongjun looked at Li Jinglong and said, "I want to find …"

"I said, no!" Li Jinglong said unhappily.

"I'm not looking for demons." Hongjun immediately said, "You're familiar with Chang 'an. Just tell me where Chen Zi' ang lives, and I'll go by myself."

His fellow exorcists were not familiar with Chang 'an City, so it was useless to ask where Chen Zi' ang lived. They went from house to house to look for him. There were 600,000 households in Chang 'an, so it was impossible to find him. Now that Li Jinglong was here, he was his savior.

"Let me ask you a question." Li Jinglong looked at Hongjun and suddenly said, "You're a cultivator. Do you have any spells that can make people forget some things?"

"Spells?" Hongjun was confused by the sudden question. He thought for a while and answered, "No spells, but there's a kind of flower …"

Hongjun liked to behave atrociously on Taihang Mountain in the past. There were many exotic flowers in the back hall of Dazzling Gold Palace. He vaguely remembered that a plant from the Western Regions had been transplanted there.