Chapter 295: Home
However, it was now daytime and there were many people in the city, so in addition to Camouflage, Lin Jin manipulated the clouds to increase their coverage.
And so, once Lin Jin entered the city, he invoked a spell to gather clouds beneath his feet. If there were too many people, the clouds would disperse to obstruct the vision of passersby. They surprisingly made it back to Lin Jin’s yard without much effort.
When he opened the door, the person inside was shocked.
This young woman dressed in green was Little Five and gathered around her legs were the fox cubs. They were first stunned to see Lin Jin before cheering and pouncing at him.
“Haha, don’t push, don’t push.” Lin Jin loved these little foxes dearly. The shadow wolf was also excited as he darted around left and right, wagging his tail.
“Cluck cluck cluck!”
Something jumped down from the roof. Lin Jin lifted his arms to grab Goldy.
“You little… you’ve gotten fatter again, haven’t you?” Lin Jin commented helplessly when he saw how Goldy was now a size larger than the average rooster.
While he had indeed gained weight, Goldy’s strength improved quite a bit as well.
“Master Lin!” Little Five hurried over to greet him. She was clearly happy to see him too. Lin Jin had White Ape carry the coffin in.
His yard was spacious enough so even with the additional occupant, it didn’t seem crowded.
“Zombie Cthulhu, stay here and recuperate for now. I’ll treat your wounds in a few days before handing you back to Old Coffin!” Lin Jin patted the coffin and then two knocks came back as a response.
By now the little foxes had gone to play with White Ape. On regular days, these creatures were the best of friends.
“Where’s Shang’er?” Now that Lin Jin’s cultivation level had improved, he could hear how many people there were in the yard. And Shang’er obviously wasn’t around.
“Big Sis has been busy helping out at the association recently,” Little Five answered.
Lin Jin nodded.
Shang’er had been curious about beast appraising and Lin Jin knew that. Hence, going over to help out suited her character.
Compared to the introverted Little Five, Shang’er was much more willing to come in contact with the outside world and events. Although they were sisters, their personalities were completely different.
It just so happened that Lin Jin needed to head to the association to report his return from absence. He could just meet Shang’er there.
He asked Little Five about their situation thus far and sure enough, everything went smoothly. After all, Lin Jin’s foundation was here in Maple City and he was close to many powerful factions. With the level-headed Shang’er to hold the fort, there was no need to worry about any problems.
Before he left, Lin Jin glanced around the yard. The little foxes were playing with each other, the shadow wolf was sunbathing, and Goldy was perched on White Ape’s head doing god knows what.
‘This yard is a little too small.’
As he left, Lin Jin had such a thought.
Previously, he only moved Shang’er and the group over from the mountains right before he left. Now that he was back, with so many people and creatures around, this house seemed a little cramped to live in.
“We should move,” Lin Jin mumbled to himself.
Now that White Ape and Zombie Cthulhu were in the yard, Lin Jin didn’t have to use Camouflage on himself anymore. After being absent for more than ten days, Maple City didn’t seem to change much. Some streets were empty while some were packed with people.
The roadside stalls and stores operated as usual.
Walking along, Lin Jin just happened to pass by a medicine hall. This establishment belonged to the Chen family and business used to be booming for them. Even before Lin Jin left for the royal capital, they still managed to get by. But now, Chen Medicine Hall seemed quiet. Glancing inside, Lin Jin was surprised to see not a single customer.
The shopkeeper and staff look sullen and it seemed like they wouldn’t be able to hold out any longer.
There were two families in Maple City who dealt mainly in medicine and pills. If one of them was suffering, the other one must be prospering.
Lin Jin smiled without giving it much thought as he continued toward the Beast Appraisal Association.
The association was still one of the liveliest places in Maple City, and it was no different today. A long queue stretched from the reception hall as many apprentice beast appraisers came and went. There were even many types of beasts sitting or lying down at their owners’ command as they waited. It was a lively sight.
Lin Jin was instantly recognized at the gates.
“Appraiser Lin!” an apprentice greeted at once. Although this apprentice was older than Lin Jin, he was very respectful.
Lin Jin smiled and nodded before entering the association.
After Lin Jin went away, a newly joined apprentice whispered in confusion, “Brother Chang, that person looks so much younger than you, probably just a few years older than I am. Why are you so respectful toward him?”
The slightly experienced apprentice stared back at him as if the younger man was an idiot. “Didn’t you hear what I just called him?”
Stunned, the young man pondered before exclaiming, “You called him Appraiser Lin… Ah, Appraiser Lin? Is he that youngest Rank 2 beast appraiser in Maple City?”
“Who else?” The older apprentice chuckled. “Appraiser Lin is now famous in our Maple City. Everyone knows about him. Not only is he skilled in beast appraising, even more superior than our chief as rumors say, but he’s also a member of the Friar Association. He even won first place in their disciple’s tournament. That battle back then, tsk tsk, marvelous!”
“Brother Chang, were you there too?” The young apprentice was awed.
“Ahem, ahem!” Brother Chang immediately changed the subject. “About this Appraiser Lin, he gained his success through hard work, and today, not only our chief but even Maple City’s city lord respects him. You have to work hard too.”
Lin Jin was more than familiar with this place as he made his way to his consultation hall.
Before he entered, he could see many people queuing outside his hall, not at all inferior compared to other official beast appraisers’ consultation halls.
Lin Jin didn’t go in immediately but stood at the door to watch.
Zhao Ying, Lu Xiaoyun, and Jia Qian just happened to be treating a pet beast together while Han Dong was appraising someone else’s pet beast.
Further back, Lin Jin saw Shang’er.
She was helping out here after all.
However, she had only just discovered beast appraising so there was obviously much for her to learn. Hence, she was helping out behind the scenes. Speaking of which, Lin Jin noticed that most of the patrons in his consultation hall were young men. This was only natural because Jia Qian, Zhao Ying, and Lu Xiaoyun were first-class beauties. With the new addition, Shang’er, who was even prettier than all of them, it wasn’t odd that the girls attracted so many young men over.
It was no wonder Han Dong was working alone in another corner. He most probably requested it.
Just then, Shang’er who was busy helping inside the consultation hall sensed something. Glancing over, she immediately saw Lin Jin outside who made a hushing gesture back at her.
Since everyone was busy, he didn’t want to disturb them now.
Shang’er’s eyes were sparkling with excitement but she was smart enough to know what Lin Jin was thinking so she stayed quiet.
Lin Jin passed her a message with a spell, asking her to continue helping out while he visited Chief Tan.
Shang’er nodded obediently.
Tan Lin had her own consultation hall where Lin Jin had visited many times now. The queue over here was just as long. Upon entrance, as he expected, he saw Tan Lin’s affiliated apprentices fronting the consultation hall.
Generally speaking, Tan Lin had many tasks to attend to due to her identity. Hence, regular cases were handled by her affiliated apprentices.
She would only appear personally if any troublesome situations arose.