Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Before coming, Bai Zhizhi had been cocky thanks to his array of magical treasures and cultivation base, but now he was feeling a bit deflated.

When Jiang Lin returned and saw his drooping ears, clearly not as spirited as before, he asked, "What's wrong? Is it the food or the place you don't like?"

Bai Zhizhi looked at Jiang Lin: "You brought me here—are you planning to put me in a zoo?"

If this man dared to say yes, he would definitely find a chance to escape. Just humans couldn't stop him.

Jiang Lin couldn't help but smile: "Of course not. Why would you think that? As for your future, we'll respect your wishes. Is this your first time in the human world?"

Bai Zhizhi nodded.

Jiang Lin: "Do you have any other clan members here?"

Bai Zhizhi shook his head.

Jiang Lin: "Can you read?"

Bai Zhizhi wanted to say he could read, but he didn't recognize the writing used here, so he shook his head again.

With no relatives, no friends, and couldn't read a single word—when he thought about it, he wasn't much different from that fox demon who had to beg for a living by performing.

Jiang Lin: "For now, you'll stay with me. Once you have the ability to live independently in the human world, we'll make further arrangements. What do you think?"

As long as he didn't have to become a zoo exhibit, Bai Zhizhi thought it was fine, so he nodded demurely: "Alright."

Glancing at the registration form Bai Zhizhi had just filled out, Jiang Lin said, "Let's formally get to know each other. My name is Jiang Lin, and I'm the head of the East City Brigade of the Folklore Management Bureau. Nice to meet you, and welcome to the human world, Bai Zhizhi."

Bai Zhizhi looked at his outstretched hand. Although no one had taught him human world etiquette, such a straightforward gesture didn't really need teaching.

Bai Zhizhi raised his hand and shook his hand in return.

Unlike his own cool fingertips, this human's palm was warm, and the moment it wrapped around his hand, it was an unfamiliar sensation.

Before he could linger on the feeling, Jiang Lin let go.

"This is the main bureau of the Administration. We usually only come here when there's business. Come on, I'll take you to where you'll be staying so you can familiarize yourself with the route. I'll teach you the rest gradually. Someone already gave you the basics, right?"

Bai Zhizhi nodded.

Jiang Lin: "You can learn other things slowly, but there's one thing you must remember: never hurt ordinary people. Never use your cultivation to hurt anyone. If someone bullies you, you can fight back, but you cannot use demonic power."

Bai Zhizhi: "What happens if I do?"

Jiang Lin: "It'll harm your cultivation. Spiritual energy is scarce now, making cultivation difficult. It's a huge deal you've taken human form. There's no need to hinder your own progress over a moment of anger. Humans have short lifespans and don't live long. As a demon cultivator, you've already obtained the blessings of heaven and earth. There's no need to stoop to the level of mere humans."

Although he knew that Jiang Lin was saying this to persuade him not to use demonic power casually, Bai Zhizhi thought he had a point. Mere humans weren't worth using demon power on.

With all the necessary paperwork completed, the Administration would register Bai Zhizhi's identity in the human world. Jiang Lin prepared to take him away.

Lin Xiaoyang saw them coming out and grinned as he approached: "Brother Jiang, all set?" He then looked at Bai Zhizhi: "He..."

Jiang Lin: "He'll be staying with me until you fully understand human society. You all should take good care of him too."

Lin Xiaoyang agreed readily: "No problem!"

He then said to Bai Zhizhi, "I'll treat you to good food and drink. The human world is loads of fun!"

Jiang Lin also said to Bai Zhizhi, "His name is Lin Xiaoyang. He's also on our team. If there's anything you don't understand or need help with, you can always come to him."

Bai Zhizhi nodded, looking meek and agreeable, like he'd go along with anything.

Just as Jiang Lin was about to lead them back, a group radiating arrogance walked in from outside.

The one at the front was very tall. Although he had black hair, he had blue eyes, and his appearance was different from the humans Bai Zhizhi had seen since arriving in this world.

But since the demon race came in all sorts of weird shapes, Bai Zhizhi wasn't particularly curious about others' appearances. However, these people were extremely arrogant—even more so than the Heavenly Clan—with their noses in the air, domineering and haughty.

As this group entered, the entire administrative hall fell silent. Some people even looked tense. Seeing this reaction, several of the newcomers became even more brazen.

Bai Zhizhi stayed behind Jiang Lin, curiously observing. He sniffed the air, tilting his head in confusion. These people didn't have the aura of cultivators, but they weren't ordinary people either, and there was no demonic energy. Strange.

Jiang Lin had just led Bai Zhizhi out of the office and was standing in an inconspicuous spot, but the leader spotted Jiang Lin immediately.

A smile that didn't reach his eyes crossed his arrogant face: "Captain Jiang, what a coincidence."

Jiang Lin replied calmly: "Mr. Hull. May I ask what brings you to the Bureau today?"

Hull smiled disdainfully: "Your Chinese rules are way too many. I'm really uncomfortable here, really unhappy. I think the issue of Spirit Soil distribution should be reconsidered."

At these words, the already tense staff grew even more anxious.

Jiang Lin's expression didn't change. He said indifferently, "Then I won't disturb Mr. Hull's business."

Lin Xiaoyang grew anxious. The distribution of Spirit Soil—originally, due to the strained relations between the two countries, they already received a meager amount. Now with this change, it was really going too far.

Seemingly not expecting Jiang Lin to react this way, Hull raised an eyebrow slightly.

The young man with short light golden hair standing behind him gave a soft whistle, his gaze falling on Bai Zhizhi, particularly interested in his ears: "A Chinese demon? Quite pretty."

Hull glanced sideways. This person had been hiding behind Jiang Lin earlier, and Jiang Lin's flunky had been in the way, so he hadn't seen him. Now that he was in plain sight, he was indeed stunning, but more importantly, he was a demon. Chinese demons—they had only heard of them, never seen one.

Demons meant demon cores and demon blood.

Hull gave an enigmatic smile, and the blond immediately understood his intent, directly saying: "Spirit Soil isn't non-negotiable. If you make us happy, we might give you a bit more."

Jiang Lin stepped forward slightly, completely shielding Bai Zhizhi behind him: "How Spirit Soil is distributed isn't something just a captain like me can decide. The director is inside. Do as you please."

With that, Jiang Lin took Bai Zhizhi's hand and made to leave. But the group led by Hull immediately surrounded them.

Lin Xiaoyang quickly stepped forward to block them: "What do you think you're doing?!"

Seeing this, other Administration staff also moved forward: "Mr. Hull, I've already told the director why you're here. The director is waiting for you in his office."

The blond man clicked his tongue impatiently: "What's the hurry?"

He moved closer to where Bai Zhizhi was: "Pretty Chinese demon, huh? Want to come with me? Cultivation resources are scarce these days. If you follow me, next time I'll take you into the Spirit Realm."

Bai Zhizhi didn't move. Instead, he asked Jiang Lin: "Are they ordinary people?"

For a moment, Jiang Lin didn't grasp the meaning behind Bai Zhizhi's question, but he answered his question: "They're adepts—a type of cultivator, just with a different cultivation system from ours."

Bai Zhizhi said, "Oh, so they're not ordinary people, right."

Jiang Lin barely grunted in agreement when the next second, a scream rang out. The blond was covering his face with one hand while instinctively throwing out a fireball with the other.

Bai Zhizhi slapped the fireball away. Such weak fire power wasn't even as strong as his fire spirit stone toy.

After the fireball was dispersed, Bai Zhizhi continued lunging at the golden-haired man, aiming to give him another claw swipe.

Jiang Lin reacted swiftly, grabbing Bai Zhizhi around the waist to hold him back while raising his other hand to block an attack from Hull beside him.

Lin Xiaoyang, usually carefree and laughing, didn't mess around when it came to a fight. Seeing them all brawling, he figured Spirit soil can wait—let's brawl first.

Not everyone in the Management Bureau was a Cultivator; there were ordinary people too. Those without combat skills immediately backed off and hid, while the Cultivators charged directly into the fray against Hull's men.

Jiang Lin held Bai Zhizhi tight with one arm, scared he'd lash out again, while using his other hand to fend off Hull's attacks.

Watching Hull's guys recklessly causing chaos with their Adept powers, Jiang Lin used his spiritual power to shut down their abilities, then kicked them down one by one while holding back his own guys who were getting too hyped up: "Stop! Lin Xiaoyang, come back!"

At the same time, he shot Hull a warning look: "Anyone else makes a move, and I won't be so nice!"

There was still a gap between Adepts and Cultivators. Even though the Adepts outnumbered them, their chances against Jiang Lin were slim, especially on enemy turf. Hull had no choice but to call a halt.

Both sides stopped, leaving only the golden-haired man sitting on the ground, clutching his face and covered in blood.

Hull's face went cold: "Captain Jiang, don't you owe us an explanation for what happened today?"

Bai Zhizhi, still locked in Jiang Lin's grip, twisted his head to glare at Hull, who was demanding an explanation: "Rude remarks and frivolous behavior—serves him right for getting beaten to death."

If he wasn't new here and trying to keep a low profile, he'd have ripped that golden-haired guy's head clean off with one claw!

Author's note: