Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

Chapter 106 The Flames of War in Yunling (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)

The night was deep, and dark clouds obscured the moon.

Soldiers clad in armor stood atop the city wall, spears in hand, their eyes gleaming as they surveyed the withered, yellow forests in the distance.

The armor plates rustled as squads of soldiers patrolled back and forth.

Suddenly, a dazzling burst of light rose from the mountains and forests, and then crashed into the city wall at high speed like a meteor!

"Enemy attack!"

"Enemy attack!"

Upon seeing this, the soldiers on the city wall immediately shouted loudly.

The burly man standing guard beside the war drum immediately grabbed a drumstick the size of a fist and smashed it hard against the animal-hide war drum in front of him.

"Thump~ thump~ thump~"

In an instant, the sound of drums thundered, resounding through the night sky and spreading rapidly in all directions.

"snort!"

Suddenly, a cold snort came from the city wall, and then a figure appeared out of thin air in mid-air.

He appeared to be middle-aged, dressed in a moon-white Taoist robe, with a jade hairpin in his hair, his long beard swaying slightly in the wind, and his face as calm and composed as still water.

"King Chiyang, you truly haven't given up your treacherous intentions!"

The middle-aged cultivator stood on the void and shouted sharply.

Immediately, the middle-aged cultivator opened his mouth and spat out a beam of azure light.

The azure light flicked in mid-air, transforming into a magnificent sword light over a hundred feet long that directly met the heavenly fire meteor!

"boom!"

In an instant, as if struck by lightning, countless scattered spiritual lights shot out in all directions, and waves of energy swept across an area of ​​several miles.

A dozen miles away, a crimson figure gradually appeared in mid-air.

His hair was as red as blood, his nose was straight like a hook, his lips were thin like knives, his eyes gleamed with golden light, and he was tall and robust. He wore a red and gold brocade robe and stood with his hands behind his back.

A terrifying aura filled the sky, soaring into the heavens!

"Qiu Zhengyue, tonight is New Year's Day. I, the King, am presenting you, the garrison of Zhenyao Pass, with a grand gift according to the rites of the human race. Why do you insult me ​​like this?"

The red-haired giant smiled coldly and asked a question.

"Hmph! How dare a beast speak of manners!"

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged cultivator sneered, his eyes filled with mockery.

Upon hearing the word "beast," the red-haired giant's eyes were filled with murderous intent. He then swung his hand sharply towards the city gate, which was more than ten miles away!

"Men, kill!"

"Break through the demon-suppressing pass, and you can feast on its blood!"

"boom!"

In an instant, countless demonic energies rose from the mountains and forests, accompanied by the cries of birds and beasts that echoed through the sky.

"Whoosh!"

A dazzling, multicolored aura slowly rose from the city, enveloping the entire city gate within a protective array!

"Slay the demon!"

Wohu Township, Yangping Village.

As night fell, the moonlight was as white as frost, and a solitary moon hung high in the sky.

In the darkness, two points of red light suddenly appeared, then vanished in an instant.

Zhao Xian sat upright on the bed, took out a crystal-clear elixir, as red as jade, from the white porcelain bottle in front of him, and put it into his mouth.

The elixir melts instantly upon entering the mouth, erupting like magma in a flash.

Zhao Xian couldn't help but groan, then held his breath and focused his mind, secretly circulating his magic power to envelop the magma-like spiritual liquid and send it into his abdomen.

Strands of pure spiritual energy seeped into the meridians from within the abdomen, permeating the meridians throughout the body and merging into the flowing magical power.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhao Xian awoke from his meditation, feeling his magical power growing stronger, and a hint of joy appeared in his eyes.

"As expected of the Fire Jade Pill, which costs eighty low-grade spirit stones per bottle, it's far superior to the Essence Pill!" Zhao Xian sighed, a wry smile appearing on his face. "It's just a pity the price is too high!"

It was late at night. Zhao Xian glanced out the window and then went to sleep fully clothed.

The next morning, as soon as it was light, Zhao Xian got up early.

After a quick wash, I began my unwavering morning exercise.

Before long, Zhao Hong and his younger sister also came out of the house. Without Zhao Xian's permission, they each took a corner and began to practice their boxing techniques.

After breakfast, the family headed towards the grandfather's house.

Ji Fu Zhao Zhi and his family had already returned home, so the whole family naturally had to reunite at their grandfather's house.

Upon arriving at his grandfather's house and entering the courtyard, Zhao Xian greeted his aunt and uncle, then followed his father toward the main hall.

Except for Zhao Ji, who was not at home, everyone else was already there, sitting around the brazier, chatting and laughing.

"This year, our family's fortunes have improved significantly, all thanks to Ah Xian's efforts!"

Grandfather Zhao Mu looked around at everyone, his gaze landing on Zhao Xian, and then stroked his beard and smiled.

The others nodded in agreement.

"Our family's prosperity is not solely due to Ah Xian's efforts; it could not have been achieved without the capable management of our elders!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian immediately waved his hands repeatedly, speaking modestly.

"Haha, Ah Xian, there's no need for such modesty. I'm not yet in a coma, how could I not know that Ah Xian is the one who brought prosperity to our family!" Zhao Mu laughed loudly, making a joke, and then looked at Zhao Zhi beside him, "Fourth Brother, you travel around doing business, working hard all year round."

"I may not say it, but I am deeply concerned. Now that things are finally looking up at home, why not return home and settle down to farm?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhi scratched his head, glanced at Zhao Li, then gave a wry smile and shook his head.

Seeing this, Zhao Li immediately glared at him and shouted, "Fourth Brother, why are you looking at me like that! I've managed your fifteen acres of land very well!"

"I told you long ago, you travel around doing business, bowing and scraping to everyone you meet, barely making ends meet all year round. How can that compare to the comfort of staying at home!" Zhao Li's expression softened a bit as he continued, "And now, Ah Xian is an official in the village, and he's erased all of our family's land from the accounts. This year, we haven't paid a single grain of millet!"

"Your fifteen mu of land yielded over three thousand jin of millet!"

"This year, with all four of our oxen working together, we'll have more than enough to cultivate several dozen acres of land!"

"Isn't this much better than being a businessman outside the business world?"

"Moreover~" Zhao Li paused here, glanced at his father Zhao Mu, and seeing his solemn expression, did not continue.

Seeing the tense atmosphere in the hall, Zhao Xian broke the silence with a smile and said to Zhao Zhi, "Uncle, Lord Chen has granted me permission to advance further this year!"

"What?!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhi looked surprised.

If one were to advance further, one would be promoted from a minor clerk to a high-ranking official!

"My younger sister is now fourteen years old, and I intend to send her to the county school!"

Looking around at everyone in the hall, Zhao Xian continued with a smile.

"Xiaoyu is only of average aptitude, yet she's allowed to attend the county school?"

Upon hearing this, the eldest brother, Zhao Zheng, immediately asked in confusion.

"Although one must have a grade of C or above to attend the county school, one can also attend by paying one hundred spirit stones."

Zhao Xian immediately explained to everyone.

"One hundred spirit stones, more than ten thousand coins! Ah Xian, although you have some savings, this is still a huge sum of money!"

Zhao Li exclaimed in surprise, then hesitated for a moment.

"I still have some left, that's enough!"

Zhao Xian did not say much.

Upon hearing this, the people in the hall all had different expressions.

"Ah Xian, you are still young, with a bright future ahead of you. Don't ruin your life!"

Uncle Zhao Ren pondered for a moment, then looked at Zhao Xian and gave him detailed instructions.

"I will remember your words, Uncle!"

Zhao Xian bowed and thanked his uncle.

"I have complete confidence in Ah Xian's actions; he would never do anything so heinous!" Zhao Mu smiled calmly from the side, then looked at Zhao Zhi again, his tone now carrying an undeniable air of authority. "In a few days, Si Lang will sell his goods at a discounted price to the residents of Fanrong Village and stay home to cultivate the land!"

"I still have some possessions to give you, so you can buy an ox."

"I will obey my father's command!"

Upon hearing Zhao Mu's words, Zhao Zhi could only respond with a wry smile.

"Don't make things difficult for yourself; you'll benefit from it in the future!"

Zhao Mu said something pointedly.

As dusk fell, Zhao Xian and the others finally left their grandfather's house.

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, Huang Zhong and his sister Huang Xia returned to Yangping Village. They had not returned for two days, which made Zhao Xian very worried.

Seeing the two return, Zhao Xian also breathed a sigh of relief.

In the afternoon, Zhao Xian rode his horse away from home toward the country house.

After not seeing each other for several days, the village officials exchanged a few pleasantries with one another.

After chatting with several familiar officials for a while, Zhao Xian returned to his room.

After tidying up briefly, Zhao Xian went to the backyard to pay his respects to Chen Yuancheng.

"Greetings, Mr. Chen! Wishing you a prosperous and successful new year!"

Upon entering the main hall, Zhao Xian respectfully bowed to the figure in the hall and loudly offered his congratulations.

"Haha, it's been a few days since I last saw you, and Bozhang has even picked up this clever way of speaking!"

Chen Yuancheng looked at Zhao Xian with a smile and made a joke.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian stood up and said with a smile, "Seeing Chen Jun's radiant face, there must be good news coming soon!"

Zhao Cheng, Zhao Ji, and the others, who were sitting upright in the hall, smiled broadly upon hearing this.

.

Zhao Ji immediately spoke, looking at Zhao Xian, and laughed, "Ah Xian is so clever; nothing can be hidden from him!"

"Ah Xian, upon returning home this time, Mr. Chen has gained the favor of the Chen family and has already arranged a marriage between him and a noblewoman from the Liu family, a prominent clan in the county!"

Wang Cong, with his lively personality, couldn't keep his thoughts to himself, and immediately laughed.

Congratulations, Mr. Chen! Congratulations, Mr. Chen!

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian immediately bowed to Chen Yuancheng, his face filled with excitement!

Although the Liu family did not produce a prefect with a salary of 2,000 shi (a unit of grain measure) like the Chen family, the Liu family did produce several county magistrates with salaries of 1,000 shi.

His family background is among the best in Rongtai County, and even in Rong Prefecture!

As a member of a collateral branch of the Chen family, Chen Yuancheng's engagement to a woman from the direct line of the Liu family will surely lead to a brighter future in his official career!

As Chen Yuancheng's confidant, Zhao Xian was able to rise in rank and advance further!

"With the Liu family's help, Lord Chen might very well be able to wear an official seal and have several attendants this year!"

Zhao Cheng, who hadn't spoken yet, also opened his mouth with a smile.

"Haha!" Upon hearing Zhao Xian and the others' words, Chen Yuancheng immediately laughed loudly, "Bozhang, Acheng, I've only been the village magistrate for a year. If I want a promotion, I'll need to serve at least another year!"

"Don't mention it again! Don't mention it again!" Chen Yuancheng waved his hands repeatedly, then looked at Zhao Xian and joked, "But Bozhang, this year he should be able to wear the red turban with me!"

"Even if Bozhang were to hold a golden seal and purple ribbon, he would still follow Chen Jun's lead!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian immediately bowed again and said humbly.

"Drinking is forbidden in the village; tonight we will go to the side courtyard to celebrate with Mr. Chen!"

After taking his seat on the right, Zhao Xian pondered for a few moments, then smiled at Chen Yuancheng.

"Alright! Tonight, we won't leave until we're drunk!"

Chen Yuancheng also responded loudly.

Just then, a figure rushed into the hall, startling Zhao Xian and Zhao Cheng, who stood up and stood in front of Chen Yuancheng with their knives drawn.

"Yuancheng, Bozhang, it's me!"

When the figure stopped and uttered a familiar voice, Zhao Xian finally recognized the person.

"Lord Qi, what has caused such panic?"

He gestured for Zhao Xian and the other man to return to their seats, and Chen Yuancheng immediately asked in a serious tone.

"The Demon-Suppressing Pass has fallen into the hands of the demon race!"