Ji Bochang and Ji Ba watched Chen Xun's expression with trepidation, but seeing him like this, they inexplicably felt relieved.

"Yes, with such strange events happening, I, as the town chief, tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep," Ji Bochang sighed.

Chen Xun chuckled, "Could the magistrate's office be haunted?"

Ji Ba was instantly terrified. He had said the same thing last night, and the town chief had been a bit upset. If Chen Xun said it, it might anger the town chief again.

But Ji Bochang's attitude and words left Ji Ba dumbfounded.

"There are immortals in this world, though elusive and hard for us mortals to meet, they do exist. Since there are immortals, it's normal for ghosts to exist too. Today, I will invite a Taoist priest to perform a ritual at the office," Ji Bochang said helplessly.

Ji Ba thought Ji Bochang would be angry, but for some reason, Ji Bochang found it hard to be angry with Chen Xun.

Chen Xun nodded, indicating that this was a feasible plan.

Ji Bochang continued, "But I feel guilty. Those three prisoners, though they made mistakes, didn't deserve to die. Now they've died in the magistrate's jail."

Chen Xun smiled but said nothing.

Seeing this, Ji Bochang stood up and said, "That's it then. I came to you today just to have someone to talk to, for some comfort. Chen Xun, I've already issued a gag order on this matter, so don't spread it around."

Chen Xun nodded, "Alright."

Afterwards, Chen Xun escorted Ji Bochang and Ji Ba to the courtyard gate and watched them walk away.

How could Chen Xun not know that Ji Bochang and Ji Ba came not just to talk, but to test him?

In truth, they harbored a slight suspicion of him. But it was only a slight suspicion, as in their eyes, he was just an ordinary man, incapable of such deeds.

No doubt, this case would remain an unsolved mystery for quite some time.

"Brother Chen, who was that just now?" Li Yuan asked curiously as she walked out of the house.

Chen Xun turned and smiled, "No one important."

"Oh," Li Yuan nodded obediently.

...

During lunch.

Chen Xun suddenly said, "Grandpa Li, I'm leaving Little River Town this afternoon. No need to prepare dinner for me."

Li Yuan's hand paused as she picked up food, then she silently continued.

Old Li looked up at Chen Xun in surprise, his eyes full of questions. "Chen Xun, why not stay a few more days?"

Chen Xun replied, "No, it would be too much trouble for you."

Old Li's eyes widened, "Nonsense, what's troublesome about it?"

Chen Xun shook his head and smiled, "Grandpa Li, no need to persuade me. I've made up my mind."

For Chen Xun, every moment of clarity after three years of madness was precious. He didn't want to waste this time and just wanted to wander and explore during these clear days.

During his madness, Chen Xun was like a rootless duckweed, drifting with the current.

And soon, he might go mad again, which would indeed trouble Old Li's family.

Old Li's lips moved, and he said softly, "Well... alright then."

Truth be told, Old Li was reluctant. Over time, he had come to see Chen Xun as part of the family.

Li Yuan silently ate her meal, then asked softly, "Brother Chen, when are you leaving this afternoon? Grandpa and I will see you off."

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Chen Xun smiled slightly, "I'll leave at the hour of Wei."

"Alright."

The lunch was rather subdued, lacking the usual laughter and chatter.

Chen Xun, however, felt little emotional turmoil about it.

Over the years, he had experienced countless farewells, including life and death.

Time quickly reached the hour of Wei.

With Old Li and Li Yuan seeing him off, Chen Xun walked to the outskirts of Little River Town.

Turning around, he looked at Old Li and Li Yuan, smiling, "Grandpa Li, Yuan Yuan, this is as far as you should go."

Chen Xun carried a bundle, containing clothes Li Yuan had specially bought for him. Unable to refuse, he had to take them.

Old Li tapped his smoking pipe and sighed, "Chen Xun, take care of yourself out there. I don't have much to offer, but here's a bag of biscuits for the road."

Saying this, he took a cloth bag from his waist and handed it to Chen Xun.

Chen Xun's eyes flickered as he took the bag, weighing it, and said, "Grandpa Li, this bag feels heavy... is it really just biscuits?"

Old Li hesitated, stammering.

Chen Xun smiled, opened the bag, and took out a pouch of money.

It was the money from selling the black tiger that Chen Xun had given to Old Li.

Chen Xun handed it back to Old Li, saying helplessly, "It's not much money, Grandpa Li, please don't refuse."

Seeing Old Li not taking it, Chen Xun pressed it into his hand, saying, "Just keep it for me, alright?"

Seeing Old Li trying to return the pouch, Chen Xun quickly turned and walked away, moving swiftly.

Old Li stopped, watching Chen Xun's retreating figure, clutching the money pouch tightly, smiling bitterly.

Li Yuan, who had been silent, saw Chen Xun leaving so abruptly, and her eyes instantly blurred. She took a few steps forward and shouted, "Brother Chen, safe travels!"

The figure raised a hand, waved, and gradually disappeared into the verdant mountains and fields.

Old Li and Li Yuan stood outside the town for a long time before turning back slowly.

Old Li glanced at his downcast granddaughter and sighed, "Yuan Yuan, Grandpa has long suspected that your Brother Chen might not be an ordinary person."

Li Yuan was taken aback, nodding silently. How could she not see it?

When Brother Chen was mad, it was one thing, but once he returned to normal, his appearance, demeanor, and behavior were far beyond ordinary.

Not to mention, his calm and composed demeanor when facing the town chief was something no ordinary person could achieve.

Back home, Old Li opened the money pouch in front of Li Yuan.

Seeing the contents, he was stunned.

Curious, Li Yuan leaned over, her eyes widening as she covered her mouth in shock.

Gold, gold coins... a whole bag of gold coins!

Upon closer inspection, there were about a hundred!

Old Li blinked his weary eyes, then hurriedly put away the pouch and rushed outside!

When Old Li, panting, reached the outskirts of town, Chen Xun was nowhere to be seen in the vast world.

Exhausted, Old Li sat down heavily, tears welling in his old eyes as he clutched the money pouch, murmuring,

"Good child, it's not worth it... Grandpa Li can't accept this hundred gold."

Chen Xun's departure seemed to cause little stir in Little River Town. Perhaps only after some time would people notice that the scholar named Chen Xun was gone...