American Comics: BOSS Invasion

One day, Qi Shan was enjoying the cool air in the pavilion at home.

A bookboy, about ten years old, came bounding in from outside the gate, panting as he shouted, "Young Master, Young Master, another strange case has occurred in town! The Master sent word back, saying you should go over there quickly!"

Qi Shan looked reluctant: "Is my dad showing off again after having a few drinks? He used to be a stable person, how can he not handle things at all now!"

His father, Li Renxiao, was a typical scholar, doing the things that scholars do, such as gathering together to drink and sing.

After having children, he restrained himself a little, but after Qi Shan couldn't help but display his special abilities.

Li Renxiao couldn't help but show off.

Although he wouldn't go as far as Fang Zhongyong's father, taking him everywhere to perform, he would occasionally call Qi Shan back to help when others had problems, and show off his special abilities.

Qi Shan's biggest regret now was letting time rewind and revealing his ability to read minds, making him like a shaman now.

However, he couldn't refuse his father's orders, and he was almost ten years old, so he should find a master to formally cultivate immortality and seek enlightenment.

"Alright, tell Uncle Lao Gen to bring the carriage out, and you go and check my things again, we'll leave immediately."

Qi Shan instructed, returned to his room to change his clothes, and when he walked out of the gate, the carriage was already waiting there. He greeted the wrinkled Uncle Lao Gen.

The carriage sped straight towards its destination.

In the carriage, Qi Shan assumed a comfortable posture and said lazily, "Tell me, what exactly is going on?"

"This time is different from usual, Young Master, you really wronged the Master.

This time, the County Magistrate came to the door himself."

In essence, life was very peaceful, with almost no waves. Except for the New Year and a few major festivals, the town was as calm as a lake every year.

The County Magistrate's yamen rarely handled a murder case throughout the year, mostly dealing with trivial matters.

Rumors often spread, one moment saying there were ghosts on the East Mountain, the next saying there was a fox demon in the West Forest, and traveling merchants often talked about fresh things from other places.

If their retellings didn't have too much exaggeration, then it was certain that this world was really like a version of "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio."

But there were also more absurd things.

Qi Shan had been inquiring about experts and predecessors, and had focused on asking about famous mountains and rivers, but had not received any definite news.

Some people said that there were indeed immortals on Mount Lao, while others swore that it was bare and empty, with nothing at all.

No one had heard of the Swordsman of Mount Shu, and there were very few cases of demons and ghosts causing trouble, which made Qi Shan a little depressed.

"Young Master, you don't know! A few days ago, on the official road outside our North Village, a prison cart passed by, escorted by a large group of soldiers. It was said that a high-ranking official who had committed a crime was being sent to the capital for public execution.

But just like that, as they passed by, the high-ranking official who was originally in the prison cart disappeared, leaving only a white fox inside the prison cart."

The bookboy, named Xiaodouzi, was a playmate Qi Shan had acquired when he was five years old. He had given him the name, and they had been together for many years. Although they were nominally master and servant, and had to be proper in public, they were very casual in private.

Qi Shan, after all, came from modern society. Although he could enjoy the services of others, he acknowledged that they were equal in personality.

Perhaps it was this attitude that made their relationship very good.

Hearing Xiaodouzi's words, Qi Shan gave a surprised "oh" and became interested.

"What did the escorting soldiers say?"

"Some people said that the prisoner was originally a white fox spirit, but he was too badly injured to hold on, and transformed into his original form. But the leading general of the escorting soldiers himself has magical powers.

He said that this white fox didn't have a trace of demonic energy at all, and couldn't possibly be a demon. He also said that someone must have used other methods to rescue the prisoner, and the reason for replacing it with a white fox was to mislead people."

Xiaodouzi sighed, shaking his head like an adult: "This group of soldiers are strong dragons crossing the river, and their official rank is two levels higher than our County Magistrate, so the County Magistrate doesn't dare to offend them at all.

But he didn't know what to do. Later, someone gave him the idea, and the County Magistrate thought of you, Young Master.

I guess he definitely wants you to see if that white fox is a human or a demon!"

"So that's what happened!"

Qi Shan nodded, then shook his head again.

His aversion to going out disappeared instantly, and he became interested in the escorting officer.

This kid has magic power, I must see if it's real or fake later. If he really has skills, I certainly can't let him go.

As for the case of the prisoner being replaced by a white fox, it was not difficult for Qi Shan at all. Since it was in full view of everyone, there were only two explanations: one was that there was a mole, who took action when others were not paying attention, quickly and without making any noise, so the prisoner disappeared.

The second was that someone intervened. Whether this person was a mage, a Taoist, or a demon, ghost, or god, being able to make a living person disappear into thin air must mean they were highly skilled.

Either way, Qi Shan was very interested.

The carriage quickly arrived at the county yamen. A yamen servant was already waiting there. Seeing Qi Shan get out of the carriage, he quickly cupped his hands, not treating Qi Shan as an ordinary child at all. There was even a hint of awe in their eyes, and they escorted Qi Shan and Xiaodouzi all the way to the back hall before dispersing.

Uncle Lao Gen went straight back home. Since they had already run to the county yamen, they would definitely send a car back later, so there was no need to wait here.

It was good to go back and tell Xin Niangzi, so as not to worry the mother at home.

The butler led Qi Shan all the way into the dining hall, where he saw three people sitting there in a grand manner.

Sitting in the main hall, the middle-aged man with the goatee was the County Magistrate.

The County Magistrate's surname was Ma, but no one knew his specific name.

Usually, he was only referred to as "Your Honor", after all, he was the local official, who would dare to call him by his name? The other two were Qi Shan's father, Li Renxiao, and a burly man.

From his short attire, hawk-like aura, and the long knife slung across his back, there was no doubt that he was a military general.

This should be the escorting officer.

The butler walked in and cupped his hands, saying: "Master, the eldest son of Li County Scholar has been invited."

The County Magistrate showed a look of surprise and hurriedly said: "Quick, invite him in!"