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

"Master Zheng."

The commotion at the village entrance quickly attracted the attention of the martial arts practitioner on lookout. When he realized that it was people from a farmhouse, he hurriedly went to inform them.

When Chief Zheng led his entourage into Xiahe Village on horseback, Zhang Kun, the deputy chief of the military affairs office, was already standing in the center to greet them.

He quickly walked up to Chief Zheng.

"Why are you here?"

Manager Zheng asked the question in a calm tone.

"It's because the county government keeps sending messages here, saying that hunters in the village have seen monsters in the mountains near the village."

Zhang Kun answered honestly, showing none of the eccentricity he displayed in the martial arts room; he was completely different from his usual self.

Although he ranked among the top in the nine deputy heads of the office, and even some of the weaker heads were less powerful than him, otherwise Liu Ding's older sister would not have been so arrogant after taking office.

However, none of these methods worked in front of Master Zheng.

"it is good."

Manager Zheng nodded casually and then turned his gaze to the village elder who looked to be at least eighty years old.

The territory of the Great Zhou Dynasty was vast and boundless, and there were countless villages like Xiahe Village. Of course, it was impossible to send officials to manage every village, so the position of village chief, which was held by a person with great prestige in the local area, came into being.

As the name suggests.

One mile long.

Because those who can become village elders are generally older and more experienced in the village, they are often referred to as village elders.

Song Li once lived in the village, so he knew all too well the status of these village elders. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them local tyrants within the village.

But when facing government officials, he becomes all smiles, even with a hint of flattery on his old face.

"My lord, just yesterday, Old Zhang's second dog went hunting in the mountains and saw a gray rat that was seven feet tall and walking upright. He was so scared that he almost died of fright and is still in a daze."

"When I heard that this was a big deal, I immediately sent someone to invite the officials from the county to come over."

Old Li explained the matter clearly in just a few words.

Those who can become elders are all shrewd individuals.

He was even a spiritual practitioner.

Take this old man in front of us, for example. Despite his obsequious appearance, he has already reached the rank of cultivation.

He's already a top figure in his village.

They are also extremely experienced in their actions and words.

"You did a good job."

Manager Zheng nodded.

Some village elders are used to being kings and tyrants, and even think they can deal with monsters. That is foolish. Foolishness will not only kill themselves, but also the whole village and implicate the county government.

He despises self-righteous fools the most.

Done.

Then, Steward Zheng continued, "Our patrol is precisely to search for demonic beasts and protect the peace of this area. We will stay in the village tonight and search the mountains tomorrow."

"yes!"

All the agricultural officials accepted the order.

However, many people were secretly complaining. The mountains behind Xiahe Village were more than a hundred miles long, and searching the mountains would definitely be a tough job. Moreover, the dilapidated Xiahe Village was hardly comfortable.

But given Zheng's orders, they could only grit their teeth and endure it.

Immediately.

The village elder then instructed the villagers to accommodate the cultivators from the farmhouses and martial arts huts, allowing them to stay in the village.

"My lords, Xiahe Village is a small place with only thirty households, so we can only ask that you stay in this house temporarily."

A young man bowed and scraped as he spoke with a forced smile.

"It's alright, this place is quite clean, you may leave now."

Song Li entered the room.

Watching the young people busily tidying up.

I can't help but sigh.

Otherwise, everyone would want to take the imperial examination, at least for the young people in the village, it would be no different from ascending to heaven.

As the saying goes, it is easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality. He had never enjoyed true luxury in his past and present lives, so he didn't feel anything special about it.

Huo Zhun, however, hesitated outside the door for a long time before frowning and walking into the house.

Song Li saw through it but didn't say anything, and joked, "Brother Huo, this Xiaohe Village is more than a hundred miles away from the city. We may have to stay here for seven or eight days. It's too much to keep going back and forth every day."

Huo Zhun was helpless.

He had grown up in luxury, always being waited on hand and foot, and he really couldn't get used to living in a small village farmhouse.

Looking at Huo Zhun, Song Li understood why the grain collection officer in the farmhouse was a prestigious and powerful position, yet many well-off farmers were unwilling to take it.

"Since we're here, let's make the best of it."

......

......

The days of searching the mountains were not easy.

They stayed in the farmhouse and the military quarters for seven days.

"Brother Song, when will this ever end?"

Huo Zhun plopped down on the bed in the small cabin, which creaked loudly.

"The monsters are hard to find, so I'm afraid we won't be able to return anytime soon."

Song Li said.

With Steward Zheng personally overseeing the operation, he has already made it clear that he will not return to the farmhouse until a single demonic beast is slain.

He even heard that some people wanted to buy a monster to kill as a way to get by.

Upon hearing this, Huo Zhun became even more depressed.

Among the scions of aristocratic families, he was not actually one of the pampered types, nor was he afraid to fight to the death. However, this kind of dull, agonizing pain was simply unbearable for him.

The two were chatting on the bed.

Suddenly—

The curtain was lifted.

Huo Zhun was startled and was about to reprimand this impolite uninvited guest.

"Young Huo, your grandpa's here to see you."

Zhu Ran appeared in the room with her signature full beard and large face.

"Damn it."

Huo Zhun rolled his eyes when he saw it was Zhu Ran, and then leaned back on the bed.

Song Li smiled and said, "So it's Brother Zhu. What brings you here?"

Since the last banquet hosted by the county magistrate, he has had much more contact with Zhu Ran.

Zhu Ran: "I heard that Huo couldn't handle the situation in Xiahe Township, so I came to check it out."

Upon hearing this, Huo Zhun snorted coldly: "Tell the truth."

Zhu Ran then said, "Manager Wu and his workshop discovered traces of the monster in the nearby Baishui Village and tracked it all the way here, only to find out that you two were also here."

"Oh?"

Huo Zhunteng sat up abruptly from the bed.

The only way to avoid suffering is to catch the monster as soon as possible.

"Where is that monster?"

They ran away.

Zhu Ran shrugged.

"roll."

Huo Zhun collapsed back onto the bed.

Zhu Ran, on the other hand, looked at Song Li with a grin and asked, "Brother Song, I heard you killed a wolf demon. What happened to the corpse?"

"Why don't you forge some magical artifacts for me? I guarantee the price will be fair."

He had heard about Song Li killing the wolf demon a couple of days ago.

They had been eyeing the wolf demon's corpse for a long time.

Now that we've met, we have to ask.

Before Song Li could answer, Huo Zhun said impatiently, "Too late. That wolf demon has already been captured by Steward Zheng. Go ask Steward Zheng for it."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ran secretly sighed with regret.

"Brother Song, remember to give me money when you kill monsters in the future. I don't want wages; it's just for practice."

"Once I build the Spirit Mansion, Brother Song can stay there as he pleases."

Zhu Ran glanced at Huo Zhun again: "As for you, you must call him 'father'."

Huo Zhun was already familiar with Zhu Ran's temperament and was not surprised by it.

Song Li raised an eyebrow slightly.

"The Spirit Palace..."