I just passed the imperial examination, what the heck is this "Celestial Official System"?

"Brother Song, Steward Zheng asked me to bring you the ritual implements."

"This Mind-Clearing Mirror is considered extremely good among ninth-grade magic artifacts; even the deputy head of a martial arts sect might not be qualified to obtain it."

"Manager Zheng said it's absolutely worth the price of that wolf demon's corpse."

Zhao Hui took out a breastplate from his pocket: "Brother Song, you definitely won't lose out."

"Even if I don't trust Manager Zheng, how could I not trust you?"

Song Li took the breast-protecting mirror and examined it carefully.

I've seen many offensive magical artifacts, but this is the first time I've seen a defensive one.

It's important to understand that offensive magical artifacts can't save your life in critical moments. Cultivators prioritize cultivating their life force before pursuing immortality, so the ability to preserve one's life is extremely important.

Therefore, defensive magical artifacts are often more valuable than offensive magical artifacts, sometimes even twice as valuable.

He channeled spiritual energy into the heart-protecting mirror.

Then I saw a faint white light enveloping my hand.

Zhao Hui was also seeing a defensive magic artifact for the first time, and he only felt it was novel. He repeated what Steward Zheng had said: "Steward Zheng said that this Mind-Clearing Mirror is enough to withstand a strike from a ninth-grade Qi Gathering cultivator. It once saved his life."

Song Li played with it for a long time.

He was very satisfied with the Mingxin Mirror.

Hearing Zhao Hui's words, he was even more surprised.

The ninth-grade Qi gathering is a completely different concept from the ordinary ninth-grade, and its strength is many times greater.

If a person with such a clear mind can withstand a strike from a ninth-rank official, then their value must be extremely high.

It's clear that he profited from this deal.

The workshop clerk had no intention of profiting from the wolf demon corpse, and certainly wouldn't exchange it for a mysterious defensive artifact like the Mind-Clearing Mirror.

Manager Zheng is a good person to work with!

Put away the Mirror of Enlightenment.

Song Li chuckled and stared at Zhao Hui: "It's done?"

Instead of having his own servant deliver the treasure, Master Zheng sent Zhao Hui to deliver it, and the meaning behind this was quite clear.

From darkness to light.

Zhao Hui blushed and said, "I can't hide it from Brother Song. Wei'er and I plan to settle things in three months. Remember to come for the feast then."

"By the way, you have to be my son's godfather."

"certainly."

Song Li readily agreed.

Or rather, Zhao Hui's future father-in-law had already recognized his unborn grandson as his godfather.

Zhao Hui smiled smugly: "Brother Song, Steward Zheng gave me a Qi Gathering Pill, which I just got into grade a few days ago."

This wasn't the treatment we received before.

Obviously.

Manager Zheng didn't want his precious daughter's husband to be someone who wasn't even a cultivator.

If nothing goes wrong, as long as Manager Zheng is willing to invest, it's not impossible to promote Zhao Hui to the eighth rank.

Again.

Master Zheng would never have considered that his precious grandson's father's cultivation level was too low.

In this way...

So, is it... a case of the father gaining status through his son?

Zhao Hui has finally found the right path.

......

......

Three days have passed.

Seven or eight farm officials and dozens of guards and servants gathered in front of the farmhouse.

The day arrived for Chief Zheng to inspect the city.

"Let's go."

Master Zheng skillfully mounted his horse and said casually.

Then.

It was just the sound of horses' hooves clattering.

"Brother Song, it's a pity that we were on duty that day and didn't get to see your esteemed presence."

Huo Zhun and Song Li rode side by side behind Chief Zheng.

The other agricultural officials followed behind the two on horseback.

As for the servants, they could only walk alongside their horses.

There's a common saying in Shannan County that a minor official only feels like an official when he leaves the city.

"Brother Huo, please stop flattering me."

Song Li smiled.

At the same time, I felt the Mind-Clearing Mirror hidden under my clothes. I didn't know what material it was made of, but it wasn't cold at all. Instead, it gave me a warm feeling.

Huo Zhun's eyes then turned to worry:

"A demonic beast descending from the mountain is not a good omen."

If the previous prison break by the demon race was a matter for the upper class and did not affect ordinary people, then the demon beasts coming down from the mountain is a different story. If one is not careful, a tragedy of trying to save the village and destroying it will occur.

Zheng, the clerk, has already reported this matter to the county magistrate.

I heard it's not just farmhouses.

The leaders of the other parties were also required to patrol the city.

The Great Zhou Dynasty has enjoyed peace for too long. If a massacre were to occur, the evaluation of Shannan County would likely plummet.

Not only the county magistrate, but everyone's promotion will be affected.

Just as the two were talking.

Suddenly, a soft call came from behind.

Song Li looked ahead.

Then they saw a troop of cavalry marching at the end of the official road, and the distance between them kept getting closer.

Such a dwelling, like a farmhouse, can only be described as being on horseback.

Only a force like the one on the other side, where both men and horses are fully armored, can be called a cavalry.

"When did Shannan County acquire such a formidable elite force?"

Song Li was alarmed.

The people in the farmhouse also showed expressions of worry.

If it weren't for Manager Zheng's actions, they would have avoided this place like the plague long ago.

After an incense stick has burned.

The two teams finally met and saw each other's faces clearly.

"woman?"

When Song Li saw the leader's appearance, he was even more surprised.

Although the woman was covered in armor and her features were more striking than those of an ordinary man, her gender was still discernible.

The Great Zhou Dynasty valued the Way.

Therefore, there was not much difference between men and women, and both could enter officialdom through the imperial examinations.

There were even quite a few female officials in the capital.

However, most female cultivators work in government offices such as the Department of Rites and the Department of Alchemy, and there are very few like the woman in front of us who are skilled in armor and fighting.

"let."

Then, Zheng, the steward, slowly uttered a single word.

The farmhouse's horse team decisively retreated off the main road.

After watching the cavalry depart, he returned to the official road.

"It turns out that it was Lady Gong from Huanglong Prefecture who came to our Shannan County."

Huo Zhun recognized the female commander's identity.

"Is she very famous?"

Shannan County is a thousand miles away from Huanglong Prefecture, and there is no information about the prefectural officials in the book, so Song Li did not know anything about Huanglong Prefecture.

"I'd say it's fairly well-known."

Huo Zhun gave an ambiguous answer.

"Is that so?"

Song Li was even more puzzled.

Huo Zhun said, "It should be said that she has a very famous master."

"Master?"

"Yes, Lord Lu of Huanglong Prefecture."

"Lord Lu?!"

"Two Heavenly Officials!"

"He actually came."

Before Song Li could speak, a farmer standing beside him overheard their conversation and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

"Exactly."

Huo Zhun nodded, his eyes filled with longing: "Lord Lu is in charge of both the Martial Arts and Crafts departments, holding both seals and making outstanding contributions."

"Alright, let's continue on our way."

Master Zheng tightened his grip on the reins.

The appearance of demons in Shannan County is a major event. We had heard that Huanglong Prefecture would send someone to inspect the area, but we never expected it to be Lord Lu's disciple.

The group from the farmhouse continued their journey.

soon.

On both sides of the official road, rows of houses could be seen, with wisps of smoke rising from their chimneys from time to time.

Farmers can still be seen working busily in the fields.

A peaceful and harmonious scene.

of course.

Only those who have done farm work know that these things have nothing to do with happiness.

As the patrol route through the farmhouses continued, we arrived at Xiahe Village, which is quite far from Shannan County.

From afar, you can see a red and black flag on the archway of Xiahe Township.

Upon seeing the black flag, Huo Zhun raised an eyebrow slightly:

"Have the martial arts instructors arrived too?"