When Lin Yi and Princess Consort Jing were the only two people left in Suqing Palace, the air instantly solidified.

Princess Consort Jing sat there nervously clutching the corner of her clothes, unable to know where to begin.

In contrast, Lin Yi was much more composed. He gestured for Princess Consort Jing to sit properly and spoke leisurely.

"There's no need to worry about what happened that night; I can solve everything, as long as you're willing to trust me. Your Majesty often praises you for being sensible."

Despite Lin Yi's assurance, Princess Consort Jing was still not at ease and asked hesitantly.

"Master Lin, but clearly His Majesty has never—"

She couldn't bring herself to say the rest of her worries, fearing that one day, if Your Majesty remembers, it would be all too late.

Lin Yi smiled confidently, leaned in close to Princess Consort Jing's ear, and whispered something.

After listening to Lin Yi's words, Princess Consort Jing's face finally relaxed. She didn't have to worry about this problem anymore.

Perhaps she didn't realize that her trust in Lin Yi had deepened unconsciously.

After leaving Suqing Palace, Lin Yi wasted no time heading towards White Horse Temple; after all, to get Bai Lu out, he still needed to greet Abbot Shi Yi.

But Abbot Shi Yi was well-prepared, having already selected the four major heads and the Eight Deacons; he knew that Lin Yi would definitely come.

"Master Lin, it has been a while since we last met, how have you been?"

At dusk, Abbot Shi Yi was waiting for Lin Yi at the gate of White Horse Temple, leading Bai Lu.

It turned out that Abbot Shi Yi had been well aware of Bai Lu's identity and what the four major heads were up to.

Since it was Lin Yi who took the initiative, cleaning up the temple's miscreants, he felt the need to properly thank Lin Yi.

As Lin Yi made his way, brimming with success, he also generously brought a big gift.

"Abbot Shi Yi, we meet again."

"Bring forth the gift this official has prepared—the King of Tin Staff—the Silver Flower Double Wheel Twelve Ring Tin Staff!"

"This official wants to present it to Abbot Shi Yi."

Indeed, Lin Yi had spent 200 million Heavenly Bead Coins at the Nine-Eyed Mall to buy this, thinking of giving it to Abbot Shi Yi as thanks for his care of Bai Lu in recent days.

If not for Abbot Shi Yi's tacit support, Bai Lu probably would not have been able to complete his task so smoothly.

Seeing the Buddhist holy artifact, the Silver Flower Double Wheel Twelve Ring Tin Staff, Abbot Shi Yi couldn't help but feel grateful: "Master Lin! To think you would give such a precious gift, this humble monk is unworthy."

The Silver Flower Double Wheel Twelve Ring Tin Staff was a sacred object of the entire Buddhist community. During the Dayu era, it had been said that only Tianzhu Country possessed such a treasure.

Who would have thought that today it would truly appear before him, ready to be given to him.

Yet Lin Yi mentioned casually: "During the Dayu era, only you are worthy of receiving this treasure. Don't you all agree?"

The disciples kneeled one after another, shouting to Abbot Shi Yi: "Please accept it, Abbot!"

Overwhelmed by his hospitality, Abbot Shi Yi excitedly accepted this valuable gift.

With the Silver Flower Double Wheel Twelve Ring Tin Staff enshrined as the temple's treasure, White Horse Temple could certainly become the number one temple of the Dayu era.

After receiving the gift, Abbot Shi Yi wanted to invite Lin Yi for dinner but Lin Yi courteously declined.

"Thank you for Abbot's kindness, but tomorrow is the Qixi Festival, and this official still has many things to prepare for."

Speaking of the Qixi Festival, Abbot Shi Yi took a closer look at Lin Yi's face, then said softly.

"The Qixi Festival is the festival for the people of Dayu. Since Master Lin is busy, I will not keep you. I wish Master Lin's desires be fulfilled on the Qixi Festival."

Abbot Shi Yi smiled with an unfathomable expression, and then glanced at Lin Yi again.

Some things, are better left unsaid.

At that moment, Lin Yi had not yet understood what Abbot Shi Yi had said, and was about to ask further when the abbot suddenly changed his usual demeanor.

He hurriedly urged, "Master Lin, it's getting late. If you don't descend the mountain now, you might miss out."

Pondering over Abbot Shi Yi's words, Lin Yi suddenly jumped up excitedly.

'Hehe, seems like I'm in for some fortuitous encounter. Taking the abbot's auspicious words to heart, I'd better hurry down the mountain and try my luck.'

Thus, Lin Yi led Bai Lu down the mountain, and White Horse Temple returned to its usual tranquility.

Night fell, and as Lin Yi and Bai Lu walked through the mountain forests, suddenly a woman's cry for help came from afar.

Instinct told Lin Yi there were mountain bandits!

"Bai Lu, hurry, follow me, over there!"

Lin Yi ran swiftly towards the direction of the sound, Bai Lu striving to keep up.

"Help, save me!" A young girl cried, her clothing nearly torn apart.

"Let go of that girl!"

Lin Yi casually picked up a stick and struck it at several unkempt men beside the girl.

They appeared to be abducting a village maiden, but Lin Yi didn't dare to use excessive force. A little lesson would suffice, lest a life be accidentally taken and bemoan the official uniform he wore.

"Save me, save me!" In her panic, the girl crouched on the ground, grabbing frantically until she finally clutched her own clothes, shivering as she wrapped them around herself.

"Ow, damn, that hurts! Who the hell did that, daring to hit me, brothers! Attack!" One of the burly men picked up an ax nearby and tried to chop at Lin Yi, who deftly raised his hand and the stick struck precisely.

In agony, all five bandits clutched their groins, writhing in pain on the ground.

"Bai Lu, quickly find some clothes to cover the young lady."

"You five wretches, daring to abduct a village maiden in broad daylight. If I don't teach you a lesson, more women will become victims in the future."

Lin Yi looked resolutely at the five scoundrels; he detested men who bullied women the most. His fundamental rule was to fight against such men wherever he encountered them.

The bearded man covered his painful spot, wailing, "Spare us, hero, we're not petty thieves."

"We paid ten taels of silver for this woman; the money has already been handed over. We just wanted to take her home with us as she's not yet accustomed, so we had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure and bind her."

"That's right, we're not kidnapping a village maiden. Besides, we only tore her clothes and didn't do anything else to her."

The five burly men retorted, each trying to absolve themselves of any responsibility.

Having witnessed Lin Yi's prowess, they wanted to save their own lives.

But Lin Yi would not tolerate such human trafficking, even in ancient times, it was inexcusable!

"Bai Lu, tie them to the tree; I'll interrogate them personally!"

At Lin Yi's command, Bai Lu skillfully bound the five men to a tree.

Tied to the tree, they felt uncomfortable. They had been fearful of Lin Yi's stick at first but now bore resentment.

"On what grounds are you to judge us? You're not the county magistrate, setting up a court like this is a violation of Dayou's legal code!"

"Right, violating the Dayou legal code!"

They seemed to have caught Lin Yi's liability, suddenly turning from aggressors into victims.

"Help! Somebody help!"

The five burly men, tied to the tree, began to call out loudly for help.

On one side was the girl's unsettled sobbing; on the other were the robust cries for help from the five men. Observing the ironic scene before him, Lin Yi couldn't help but shake his head.

...End of Chapter…

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