As an official, what's wrong with raising a few monsters?

Chapter 308 You are the Azure Flame Immortal

They're so cute even when they're small!

This fire looks so weak.

Seeing the immortal sweating profusely as he pinched his index finger, the little bird raised its head in disdain.

This guy dares to call himself a sage?

Then she'll have to be called Fuyao the Great Sage from now on.

"Oh?"

"When did the Great Immortal Qingyan acquire such abilities?"

Mingchen was very interested in this.

The magic in this world is very special, very idealistic.

There are many ways to obtain it.

It could be due to the guidance of a renowned teacher and diligent practice, or it could be due to one's own sudden enlightenment and inner inspiration, or it could be due to the assistance of ritual implements or props, or it could be bestowed by others... or it could be due to other reasons.

After my old ghost died, I somehow gained power through my own contemplation.

The old tree told him that spiritual practice is about cultivating the mind, and one should not be bound by techniques.

If you believe it exists, it exists; if you believe it doesn't, it doesn't exist.

A broad and upright mind is impervious to all laws.

Now, this charlatan, who is clearly a swindler, has received a special gift.

Mingchen felt that the green flame in this person's hand was most likely the result of the faith of these millions of people.

Qingyan knew that these people were extraordinary, and that he had probably already revealed all his secrets.

The reason they didn't say it openly was probably to give him a chance. He couldn't put on airs anymore, so he simply backed down and respectfully said, "Reporting to you, sir, it was half a year ago."

Mingchen raised an eyebrow: "Oh?"

"Does your fire have any special abilities?"

"No, it can only be used for lighting."

"Yeah~"

How many people believe in you now?

"Within a radius of ten miles, the villagers all treat me with great respect, and the number of them is impossible to ascertain."

"That's it..."

Qingyan lowered her head, not daring to look directly into Mingchen's eyes.

He felt immense pressure under the scrutiny of everyone's gaze.

Before I knew it, I was drenched in sweat.

Having been worshipped by the people for so long, he seemed to have become somewhat arrogant.

Now, as if a heavy hammer had struck him on the head, he had come to terms with reality.

The emperor is the most powerful person in the world!

He has seen so many sights, how could a commoner like him possibly imagine?
He actually thought he could fool the emperor; he's completely blinded by greed.

"Hahaha...good, good!"

Under such pressure, this person insisted that he was Qingyan, and he probably even fooled himself.

Mingchen suddenly laughed: "From now on, you will be the Azure Flame Immortal."

If so many people believe he is Qingyan, then he must be Qingyan.

Mingchen was also curious about what kind of future he would ultimately have.

Feeling bored during the trip, Xiao Xinyue, who was already in a bad mood, watched a magic show, which cheered her up.

He didn't care about the sorcerer's crime of deceiving the king, and waved his hand to dismiss him.

Qingyan trembled, never expecting to be spared. He quickly bowed and paid his respects.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Your Majesty..."

I was just about to leave.

Mingchen then added, as if offering a word of advice, "Great Immortal, let me give you a word of advice: some names can be borrowed, but some names cannot."

"You know best who you are."

"It will be too late to regret it when all hope is lost."

He swayed and nodded hurriedly, "Thank you for your guidance, sir. I understand, I understand."

This seemed to be a minor incident and did not affect Xiao Xinyue and the others.

The lie was not exposed, and the villagers were dispersed, but they still surrounded and protected the Great Immortal Qingyan. Everyone watched the grand procession disappear into the distance, their eyes filled with amazement, and they discussed it among themselves.

"Mingchen, do you recognize him?"

Xiao Xinyue and Mingchen still have a lot of tacit understanding.

She could see that Mingchen's expression was strange, and felt that this matter might be related to Mingchen.

Mingchen simply shook his head: "I don't recognize him."

This person is not bad.

Putting aside his talent, he is bold, intelligent, thick-skinned, and pragmatic.

He might not be good at being an official, but he's good at being a person.

These qualities are enough for him to shine.

"Oh?"

The little bird landed in his hand, and Mingchen tapped her forehead, saying with a smile, "Your Majesty, I have something to tell you..."

Mingchen briefly recounted the events that had occurred during his scientific expedition to Xiao Xinyue.

"what?!"

Upon learning the whole story, Xiao Xinyue was stunned: "It's you! You're the Azure Flame Immortal?"

She guessed that Mingchen was involved in this matter, but she never expected that he was the one who started it all.

What a coincidence.

The counterfeit has met its match with the real deal.

No wonder Mingchen spoke to that person in a tone that sounded like he was bestowing a title upon him.

Mingchen waved his hand at her: "It's just a scientific experiment. It's essentially the same as the magic trick he just performed. It doesn't count as a magician."

What's the difference between magic tricks and spells?
"Oh? Science..."

When creating those new things, Mingchen also called it science.

"Then show me!"

This person is really interesting.

I never expected him to do something so interesting during his scientific expedition.

They created will-o'-the-wisps to scare away the bandits.

His creativity is what this era lacks most; a special person shines especially brightly.

Mingchen shook his head: "The materials are hard to come by, it's very difficult to succeed."

"Humph!"

Xiao Xinyue rolled her eyes at him: "You're clearly just lazy!"

"That magician is using your name, don't you want to expose him?"

Mingchen is not one to suffer a loss. Given his personality, he will argue even if he is in the wrong, let alone if someone else borrows his name.

However, this time they were very open about it. Even after the other party left, they didn't completely expose the matter and even gave him the name.

This is not like him at all.

Mingchen shrugged: "I never thought such a reputation would spread."

He considered himself a cold and selfish person, thick-skinned, but not too hypocritical.

"Furthermore, I was just conducting an experiment at the time. I had no intention of saving people. I didn't even cut the ropes for them and left them to fend for themselves."

“Those who do not act out of their own conscience are not qualified to receive offerings.”

"The name 'Azure Flame' was created by the people and has been passed down to its current state thanks to their efforts; it has nothing to do with me."

Ultimately, it was just an unintended consequence.

Mingchen didn't care about the people here, nor did he want to help them out. He felt he had no right to ask them to wholeheartedly believe in him.

We are completely unrelated.

If it weren't for this magic trick, perhaps when another wave of bandits came, the people here would have been wiped out. The small folk belief would have had no time to blossom and would have been quickly submerged in the tide of history, without making a ripple.

The reason why incense is now so popular and the name of the Great Immortal Qingyan is revered by people from all around.

That was achieved through the magician's courage and wisdom; what happened afterward was no longer Mingchen's concern.

Those were a group of ruthless bandits who killed without blinking an eye; it took courage to stand up back then.

Perhaps the other party is a reckless and skeptical person who will rush up and slash him twice. If the Great Immortal Qingyan is destined to die, he will perish.

Those who risk their lives to protect others should be rewarded.

He deserves the respect of the people here.

In this chaotic world, there is no protection or regulation.

Beliefs, nurtured by rumors, grew wildly, forming a unique ecosystem here, where people found their own way to survive.

This person isn't a bad person, and what he talks about isn't heretical; it's more like some universal principles.

He did not lead the villagers to do bad things; the reputation he built protected the village, and at most, he only received some offerings.

This is what they deserve.

The people were doing well, and they voluntarily made offerings to him; few people were exploited.

Everyone helps each other.

Mingchen didn't want to break it.

He only needed to confirm one thing: whether this person had conspired with the bandits to set up a trap.

The facts do not seem to indicate otherwise.

The process and how many lies were involved are not important.

As a result, the villagers lived quite well under the protection of the lies.

There were no bandits raiding the area.

Since that's the case, let's just give him this name.

If you carelessly throw away a piece of trash and someone else carefully transforms it into a work of art, do you still have the right to try and get it back?

Mingchen is petty, but he still has some magnanimity. Of course, the more he is fawned over, the more easily arrogance will grow in him.

When he is arrogant, the people become uncomfortable and resentful. His lies may be exposed, and all his castles in the air will collapse.

He deserves it...

Finally, a word of advice to him: do not let him use this meeting as a golden ticket to further enhance his reputation by invoking the emperor's name.

"Besides..."

Mingchen shrugged: "The name 'Great Immortal Qingyan' is really awful."

Xiao Xinyue laughed and said, "Yes, yes, I think 'Invincible Starry Sea' sounds better."

Mingchen: ...

……

The more places you visit, the more likely you are to revisit them.

Xiao Xinyue did not choose the route of defection back to Yueyang, but there was some overlap.

The group proceeded to a transportation hub.

After passing this point, we'll soon reach Yueyang.

However, this place holds a special place for Mingchen and Xiao Xinyue.

Since I'm just passing by, I might as well go in and take a look.

Sitting on her horse, Xiao Xinyue looked up at the mottled city wall and the broken gate, and sighed with regret: "Our dynasty has lost a great talent!"

"Lord Zhang, the sun has already risen."

"But you can't see it anymore."

Wangyang County was once a rather prosperous city with a well-ordered atmosphere.

Now that the army has entered the city, all they see is desolation; the former glory is nowhere to be seen.

The city lost its protective umbrella and came into contact with the real world, allowing its people to learn what the world was like.

They will cherish the past even more.

Only then will they regret it and feel remorse.

But those who have passed away will never return.

Zhang Boxing.

Xiao Xinyue was a talented person who was quite a pity.

Wise rulers appreciate talented people.

This lowly county magistrate, at her lowest point, invested in three hundred light cavalry.

His talent, vision, temperament, and methods are all exceptional; he is a wise minister who can bring peace to the world.

Unfortunately, the old man endured a lifetime of hardship, but before he could flourish in his own time, he passed away in obscurity.

Perhaps I should have tried to dissuade him a bit, otherwise the old man would have left with her.

Now... in the new dynasty, full of vigor and high spirits, isn't it a completely different scene?

As for the city, in the end, even Lord Zhang couldn't save it.

When the Blood-Clad Army attacked, Zhang Boxing was killed, and this sudden turn of events did indeed cause the Blood-Clad Army to temporarily cease their attack. However, after the Blood-Clad Army left, they did not leave behind anyone capable of managing the situation.

Internal power struggles and external banditry further exacerbated the situation.

Without protection, the city rapidly declined.

There were few shops on the street, and few pedestrians. People were dressed simply and looked fearful and nervous. Where was the bustling and prosperous scene of the past?

It's just that Zhang Boxing has been managing the city for a long time, and its resources are strong, so it hasn't fallen into the state it was in when the northern border city fell into ruin.

However, things might get even worse in the future. But they might also be a little lucky; now that Qian Yuan has moved east, they are among the first cities to be recovered, and their lives will begin a new chapter.

As the procession moved along the official road, it occasionally attracted curious glances from passersby.

Mingchen glanced around the city, his gaze finally settling on the city center, where a statue stood quietly.

The old man with a goatee was dressed in an official robe, holding a long sword, gazing at the blue sky. He was thin but exuded a spirited and resilient temperament.

Zhang Boxing stood tall before the fierce, blood-clad soldiers, speaking out indignantly for all the people, even threatening suicide.

That heroic and impassioned figure, drawing his sword to commit suicide, is deeply etched in everyone's hearts.

His deeds have been passed down by word of mouth and are already known to all the people of Wangyang County.

It's always difficult for a person to see things from another person's perspective.

A county official who was stigmatized during his lifetime and criticized by the people for corruption and bribery, was posthumously honored by a statue erected by the people.

What is true cannot be false, and what is false cannot be true.

As time goes by, people will eventually see who truly cares for them and who truly deserves respect.

Although... it's a bit late.

The Immortal Jade Record shimmered with a soft, luminous light, and the old man with a long sword resting on his neck within the scroll seemed even more lifelike.

To be honest, in Mingchen's mind, the value of this city couldn't compare to that wicked old man, Zhang Boxing.

He can create even greater value.

Cities lost can be reclaimed, property and food can be recreated, and destroyed cities can be rebuilt...

It's such a pity that this person died for this.

Mingchen and Xiao Xinyue arrived in front of the statue.

The city was desolate and lonely; there were hardly any people to worship anymore.

But then another figure stood there, swaying unsteadily.

He was dressed in tattered clothes, emaciated, with a scraggly beard and filthy hair. He looked like a beggar, and seemed completely dazed and confused.

"I am Zhang Li, the son of Zhang Boxing!"

“You must respect me! My father saved you, you must repay me…”

"Give me money, I'm hungry, I want to drink..."

When he saw someone passing by, he would reach out his hand and call out to them. People would then keep their distance from him.

Until, several figures blocked out the sunlight.

He looked up, somewhat bewildered, at the person who had approached.

Time flows on, and the world changes.

The once spirited scholar who championed his father and believed he could achieve great things has now become like this.

His dignity and arrogance were bestowed upon him by his father. With Zhang Boxing dead, Zhang Li lost his title as the son of a county magistrate and became an ordinary young man.

The scholar, whose ambitions were as high as the sky but whose fate was as thin as paper, was raised by his father and had no talent whatsoever.

Flowers grown in a greenhouse cannot cope with harsh environments on their own.

Eating, clothing... all became problems.

Seeing the growing power of the Blood-Clad Army, he even considered going to join the Great Qi, which had forced his father to his death, but the Great Qi refused to accept him.

He returned dejectedly, unable to accomplish anything, and had sold his house. His savings dwindled, and he soon found himself homeless.

Occasionally, some common people would take pity on him as the son of the county magistrate and give him some food.

But gradually, everyone's lives got worse and worse, and they were too busy to even help others.

Moreover, this person didn't say a few kind words after accepting help, and even acted as if it were their due.

Zhang Li was homeless, fighting with stray dogs for food. As if possessed, he would stand guard in front of Zhang Boxing's statue every day, saying almost the same things, pointing at people and asking them to help him.

When the tide goes out, people will eventually be able to see who's swimming naked.

A corrupt county official sacrificed his life to protect the people.

And that righteous and loyal scholar who even sacrificed his own family for the greater good ended up living like this.

Even now, he has not escaped his father's protection.

He looked up somewhat blankly and saw a group of dazzling people who looked somewhat familiar.

But instinctively, he immediately bent his knees and knelt down.

Mingchen waved gently at him, his expression serene: "Young Master Zhang, how have you been?"

This person has changed quite a bit in the past few years.

Zhang Boxing is Mingchen's friend.

But his son was different; Mingchen never liked him anyway. Seeing him in such a sorry state, he refused to lend a helping hand.

At most, out of respect for the deceased Zhang Boxing, they didn't speak too harshly or take advantage of his misfortune to ridicule him.

"You... it's you..."

Mingchen's appearance is still quite distinctive.

Having been repeatedly tricked by him, Zhang Li was deeply impressed by him, and his muddled mind was jolted awake.

He remembered that these people were rebels back then.

The exiled princess, Xiao Xinyue!
These people have now gone to the west and established a prosperous country.

As if grasping at a straw, his eyes lit up, and he leaned closer to Mingchen and Xiao Xinyue: "Are you trying to recruit me into the imperial court as an official?"

Seeing him like this.

Xiao Xinyue and Ming Chen were both speechless.

Such self-confidence is rare in this world.

Some people may never have a clear understanding of themselves in their entire lives.

He knelt, constantly shifting his position towards Xiao Xinyue, shouting loudly with fervent eyes, "Your Majesty, I possess extraordinary abilities, but fate has been unkind, the world unjust, and I have been unappreciated. I believe Your Majesty will surely recognize my talent and give me a chance. You've forgotten, you invited me here years ago..."

When he learned of Xiao Xinyue's identity, he was so frightened that he ran back to find his father.

The guards around him blocked Zhang Li, who was becoming somewhat frantic.

Xiao Xinyue shook her head and sighed softly.

A tiger father and a dog son.

Lord Zhang has no successor...

She didn't look at Zhang Li, but simply bowed to the statue of Zhang Boxing.

When she was down on her luck, Zhang Boxing supported her and invested in the Three Hundred Light Cavalry. She remembered that kindness.

In a sense, Zhang Boxing was also a founding hero of the nation.

She instructed the people around her: "This man is the son of a meritorious official. Liu De has sent people to take care of his daily life. He doesn't need to live a life of luxury. As long as he has enough to eat and drink and can live a peaceful life, that's fine."

"Yes!"

(End of this chapter)