Rebirth As a Fatuous and Self-indulgent Ruler

Shi took out an ingot of silver from his pocket. It would take the hunter half a year to earn so much money!

The hunter swallowed his saliva. “Sir... I... I admit that I want the silver, but I’m not a greedy man. That place is really dangerous. Don’t go there.”

Hearing that, Shi began to like the hunter, so he smiled. “Don’t worry, we are from the imperial court and came here to deal with a case. That place is so strange. For the sake of people’s safety, we have to go and have a look.”

“What? You’re from the imperial court?” The hunter’s eyes widened.

“Yes.” Shi smiled. “So, please take us there.”

This time, the hunter didn’t refuse. “Okay, okay, I’ll take you there. That place is so strange. If there are really ghosts there, can you ask exorcists to expel them?”

Ghosts? Shi sneered in his heart. He didn’t believe that there was any ghost in the world!

However, seeing that the hunter was so scared, Shi smiled. “Of course, if there are really ghosts, they’ll surely be extinguished.”

“That’s great!” The hunter became very happy and took Shi and the others to the mountain.

While they were walked, Shi asked, “Is there anything else strange on the mountain besides that hollow?”

“Well... This...” After thinking carefully, the hunter shook his head. “I don’t think so. I often come here and found nothing else strange... But I think the mountain must have been cursed. Otherwise, why did all the people who had been here have accidents after they went back?”

Instead of answering this question, Shi said, “Since you think this mountain is cursed, why do you still come here to hunt? Are you not scared?”

“Of course I’m scared. I dare not go there now, but I have no other way.”

“My whole family is counting on me. I have to come here!”

Shi felt a little sad. After a pause, he said, “You found that strange place, which is meritorious. The imperil court will reward you.”

“Really?” The hunter was surprised. He scratched the back of his head. “Actually, I didn’t do anything...”

This was really an upright young man. Shi thought.

After a long walk, they finally arrived at the place that the hunter found.

“That’s it,” said the hunter, pointing down from above.

Knowing that it was not appropriate for the hunter to stay, Shi said, “You two send him back.”

“No need, no need.” The hunter waved his hands. “It’s downhill. I know the way.”

Shi smiled. “Let them see you off. They happen to have something to do at the foot of the mountain.”

“Alright...” The hunter said embarrassedly, “Well, I’ll go with them.”

After two Shadow Guardians took the hunter down the mountain, Shi beckoned and another six Shadow Guardians appeared.

“Check it out,” Shi said, “Bring all the people on the mountain here.”

“Yes.”

Shi stood at the same place. Three Shadow Guardians surrounded him and the rest went to that hollow of the mountain.

Shi did not go down. In fact, on the way there, Shi had taken two kinds of herbs without trace. At this moment, the herbs were just on him.

As for the hollow, he would just wait for the result.

After two whole hours, those Shadow Guardians came up from the hollow.

One of the Shadow Guardians reported the information to Shi.

They found a lot of animal bodies down there. Although the bodies were buried underground, they were all dug up by the Shadow Guardians.

The animals had lost all the blood and their eyes were closed, but there was something bulging in their hearts. The Shadow Guardians carefully dissected an animal and then a lot of bugs came out from its heart.

Those little bugs looked weird and moved very fast. The Shadow Guardians were alert, so the bugs didn’t get into their bodies.

One man caught some bugs and put them into a jade bottle.

At present, there were still many animal bodies down there.

They didn’t find any human or the weird wind the hunter said.

However, there were a lot of human footprints in the hollow, which was certain.

Some other things were also found. The Shadow Guardians reported one by one and Shi listened quietly. Then, he said, “Take two animal bodies back. As for the rest... burn them.”

“Yes.”

“Go through the mountain.” This was the second order from Shi.

“Yes!” The Shadow Guardians responded.

Once Shi got to the foot of the mountain, a Shadow Guardian reported, “Five people were killed in an attack, but the hunter is fine.”

Shi’s eyes flashed with coldness. “They must be furious.”

He asked two Shadow Guardians to accompany the hunter to go downhill, because he was worried that those evil people would attack the hunter. In addition to the two Shadow Guardians in broad daylight, there were still three who were invisible.

Because of that, those people didn’t hit the mark. If there were only two Shadow Guardians, the hunter might have been killed.

Shi said coldly, “That family can live in the government for a period of time.”

“Yes.” The Shadow Guardians immediately went to arrange it.

After leaving the mountain, Shi went to the Ministry of Punishment to meet Hu Qingyuan. Shi told Hu about the situation there and also ordered Qiu Ming to help him thoroughly investigate it with his men.

After all the work was assigned, Shi went back to the mansion. He took Zhang Yuan away and left another imperial doctor. Three more Shadow Guardians were also sent there.

“The Shadow Guardians brought back two bodies from the mountain. Examine them in the palace.”

“Yes.” Zhang nodded at once. Of course, he wouldn’t refuse.

Shi found an abandoned palace and transformed it into a place like laboratory. Several assistants and two imperial doctors were also sent to help Zhang and the Shadow Guardians had been protecting them. Then, Shi went back to Qiankun Palace without worry.

Long had finished handling this day’s memorials. When he walked out of the room, he happened to see Shi coming back from outside.

“Oh? You came back so early. I thought you’d be back in the evening like before.”

“No. We got some information today.” Shi smiled.

“Oh? Tell me. What did you find?”

Shi told Long everything that happened on this day.

Long’s face darkened. “They’re audacious! How could they do such evil research?”

Shi nodded. “Though the mountain pass has been closed, it is not a barren mountain and there are many wild animals in it. I’m afraid that we can’t go to the mountain now. I’ve ordered the Shadow Guardians to do the dangerous work.”

Long sighed. “Qingzhou, well done.”

Shi held Long’s hand. “I’ll take a bath. It’s so dirty.”

“It’s okay.” Long smiled. “Don’t worry, Qingzhou, I always like you.”

Shi retracted his hand. “It will make me feel better.”

“All right.” Long didn’t stop him and nodded. “Go ahead, I’ll wait for you to have dinner.”

“Okay.” Shi answered softly and went to the bathroom.

After Shi left, Long pressed his lips tightly. Those evil things were really like zombies.

Shi said that the first time he saw them was at the border with the Northern Barbarians. Long thought it would be the Eastern Darkness. Currently, the Northern Barbarians had been defeated and they were suing for peace. Maybe, something could be done...

However, this matter must be well planned. Otherwise, it might not work...

There were too many things involved, including the problem concealed by the Northern Barbarians...