I Can Devour Spirits

The hawk settled on the man’s shoulder, then tilted its neck back and swallowed the field mouse into its stomach.

The man extended his calloused hand and gently stroked the hawk’s head.

The hawk closed its eyes contentedly, rubbing against the man’s rough palm.

The man affectionately said, "Little Grey, there’s work to do! It’s going to be tough on you again."

The hawk seemed to understand and let out a soft cry.

The man securely fastened a bamboo tube containing a secret message to the hawk’s leg, then patted its back to signal it to take off.

The hawk rubbed its head against the man’s face, suddenly spread its wings, flapped twice, and with a kick of its legs, shot into the sky.

In midair, the hawk began circling, ascending in circles, and when it became a barely discernible speck in the man’s eyes, it abruptly accelerated, flying in a certain direction...

On this day at dusk, a rather luxurious carriage swayed toward the East City Gate of Xianggu County.

Two days prior, the County Government Office had issued strict orders for thorough inspections of passing vehicles, with any suspicious individuals to be reported to the County Government Office immediately.

The luxurious carriage was quite conspicuous, causing the gate leader, Chen Lingde, to become immediately alert.

The carriage driver was a boy as thin as a monkey. When the boy saw Chen Lingde looking at him, his face immediately broke into a flower-like smile.

Chen Lingde, leading his men, stopped the carriage, and as the curtain was lifted, a chubby, round face popped out—it was Ximen Kankan.

Upon seeing Chen Lingde, Ximen Kankan laughed, "Isn’t it Old Chen? It’s been three years. How have you been?"

"Ximen... Young Master Ximen?" Chen Lingde was slightly taken aback upon seeing Ximen Kankan’s familiar smiling face.

Ximen Kankan, accompanied by another young assistant, jumped down from the carriage.

Ximen Kankan looked at the strict inspection stance of the government constables at the city gate and asked, "What’s going on? Is entering the city so stringent now?"

Chen Lingde sighed, "It’s been unstable these days."

Ximen Kankan replied with an "Oh," nodded, and didn’t say more. "Go ahead and inspect, the carriage is empty. I’ve just come back to take a look. It’s been three years since I last returned to my hometown."

Chen Lingde laughed, "The Ximen Family’s business has moved to the Prefecture City. Why are you not enjoying life in the Prefecture City, and instead returning to this backwater?"

Ximen Kankan said, "No matter how good the Prefecture City is, it’s still not home! I grew up here; in my heart, Xianggu County is my home."

Ximen Kankan’s words touched Chen Lingde’s heart.

He lifted the carriage curtain and found it indeed empty inside.

Chen Lingde came over, inspecting the two young assistants beside Ximen Kankan, both of whom seemed unfamiliar to him.

These two young assistants were actually Shen Mizi and Liu Shushan in disguise.

Liu Shushan was from Ruyang Prefecture, naturally unknown to Chen Lingde. Although Shen Mizi had spent three years in Xianggu County, she was disguised as a young assistant with a thin layer of pine wax on her face, giving it a somewhat waxy hue; how could Chen Lingde recognize her?

Chen Lingde chuckled, "Didn’t Shi Kang come back with Young Master Ximen?"

Shi Kang was Ximen Kankan’s close companion since childhood, something Chen Lingde was aware of.

Ximen Kankan replied, "Don’t mention it. Since I joined the sect three years ago, that boy has taken on a bunch of responsibilities and simply can’t leave. These two young assistants were bought by my father in the Prefecture City. I found them agreeable, so I brought them along to serve me."

"Is that so?" Chen Lingde examined the two young assistants once more.

Ximen Kankan took out a silver note from his sleeve, slapped it onto Chen Lingde’s hand, and laughed, "For you and the brothers to have tea, we haven’t seen each other in three years, consider it a greeting."

Chen Lingde accepted the silver note, saw the denomination, and immediately beamed with joy, saying, "How kind of you, Young Master Ximen!"

"No worries!"

Chen Lingde turned to the government constables inspecting the carriage and said, "What needs to be checked has been checked, allow them through."

"Old Chen, see you next time!"

"Until next time!"

Ximen Kankan turned to Shen Mizi beside him and said sternly, "Little Shen! Are you not going to assist this young master onto the carriage?"

Seeing Ximen Kankan’s manner, Shen Mizi felt a surge of irritation, wanting to kick his plump face, but since there were many eyes on them, she had no choice but to draw back the carriage curtain and help Ximen Kankan onto the carriage.

However, as Ximen Kankan boarded, she gave his thigh a vicious pinch.

Ximen Kankan grimaced in pain but dared not make a sound.

Chen Lingde stood at the city gate, watching as Ximen Kankan’s luxurious carriage entered the city, his indifferent face showing no expression.

Chen Lingde instructed his deputy, "Keep a close watch on the city gate. I’m heading to the government office."

Three years ago, Ximen Kankan was already a Registered Disciple of the sect; now, it’s quite possible he’s an Outer Disciple. Such a figure entering Xianggu County, he must report to the government office.

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