Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

Chapter 117 The Thief's Shadow Finally Appears (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

"Kuro!"

"Ah Xian!"

No sooner had the burly man finished speaking than several shouts came from behind Zhao Xian.

Immediately afterward, before Zhao Xian could turn around, several figures had already rushed to his side.

"Ah Xian, a few of us also want to go with you to hunt demons!"

The young man at the head of the group looked at Zhao Xian and said in a deep voice.

"This~"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian was naturally delighted, but the words of his fifth uncle, Zhao Zhong, echoed in his mind, causing him to hesitate for a moment.

"Ah Xian, as the saying goes, 'Brothers fight tigers together, fathers and sons go to war side by side,' so you can trust your clansmen!"

Seeing Zhao Xian's hesitation, Zhao De, Zhao Xian's great-uncle, assumed that Zhao Xian was unwilling to agree and immediately spoke up to persuade him.

"Uncle, I am naturally very happy that all my uncles and brothers have come to join us." Zhao Xian immediately gave a wry smile and looked at the village head Zhao Zhong behind him. "But just as Fifth Uncle said that day, there are no able-bodied men left in the village. What should we do if a monster attacks?"

"Ah Xian, I won't hide it from you." Hearing Zhao Xian's words, Zhao Zhong immediately looked up at Zhao Xian and the clan elder Zhao De beside him, his expression turning serious. "I don't trust those scions of powerful clans. In their eyes, we commoners are nothing more than stepping stones, used and then discarded!"

"But times have changed. Ah Xian, you are not yet twenty years old, yet you have already taken up the post of village assistant, a position among the lowly officials. Your future is limitless."

"Our people will not have lost their lives in vain following you, Ah Xian!"

As Zhao Zhongzheng was speaking, his grandfather Zhao Muyi walked up to Zhao Xian, nodded slightly, and said solemnly, "Xian, you should take these uncles and brothers in and lead them to make a name for themselves!"

"But~"

Recalling the desperate sight of his family weeping and wailing just moments before, Zhao Xian still hesitated.

"Ah Xian!" Uncle Zhao De suddenly shouted loudly, then glanced at Zhao Mu, before turning back to look at Zhao Xian, "Decades ago, during the great battle in Nanzhou, two able-bodied men from Yangping Village were summoned to the army, and in the end, only I, your grandfather, and your great-uncle survived!"

"A clay pot is bound to break at the well's edge, and a general is destined to die on the battlefield!"

"One hundred low-grade spirit stones for exemption from land tax—worth it!"

"Besides, back then, more than half of the able-bodied men in Yangping died or were injured, but our Zhao clan survived. Now that our population is thriving, why are you becoming more and more timid!" At this point, Zhao De looked at the group of people in front of Zhao Xian, "You who follow A-Xian to hunt demons must obey A-Xian's orders and protect A-Xian's safety!"

"Even if it means facing mountains of knives and seas of fire, you must walk ahead of Ah Xian and pave a path for him!"

"We will obey the elders' orders!"

Upon hearing this, the group bowed and greeted him in unison.

"Ah Xian, my Ah Zong will go with you too!"

A smile appeared on Zhao De's face. He then looked at Zhao Xian and said in a deep voice.

"Grand Uncle, my fourth brother has already followed Lord Chen, so my eighth brother will stay by your side and serve you!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian's expression immediately turned serious, and he refused.

"I'm just an old man living alone, why would I need anyone to serve me!" Zhao De shook his head immediately upon hearing this, then looked at Zhao Zhong and grinned, "I still have Ah Zhong!"

"I'll take care of Uncle!" Zhao Zhong nodded immediately, then looked at Zhao Xian, "Xian, Zong has come of age and is literate. He'll be fine as your scribe!"

"In that case, A-Xian agrees!" Seeing this, Zhao Xian had no choice but to solemnly agree. He then turned to the clansmen in front of him, bowed, and said, "My uncles and brothers, A-Xian will never let you down!"

Several clansmen returned the greeting with clasped hands.

The moon was bright and the stars were few; only then did everyone return home.

The next morning, after breakfast, Zhao Xian ordered Zhao Hong and the other two to summon all the clansmen who had requested to join the demon-hunting team the day before to the threshing ground.

After the evaluation, Zhao Xian ordered his uncle Zhao Li and his stepfather Zhao Zhi, along with Zhao Hong, to take these clansmen back to Shahe Township first.

He led his horse along the official road toward Wohu Village.

It was nearly noon when Zhao Xian finally arrived at Wohu Township.

After dismounting, Zhao Xian first straightened his red turban, then tidied his robes, and then led his horse into the shed.

The village guards at the gate of the village house naturally recognized Zhao Xian. They immediately gave a fawning smile and rushed forward to snatch the reins from Zhao Xian's hands.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Xian thanked him and handed him the reins before stepping into the country house.

Upon Zhao Xian's return, the village officials all greeted him with smiles and clasped their hands in greeting.

After greeting all the officials, Zhao Xian crossed the central courtyard and headed towards the back courtyard.

Upon arriving at the backyard, the fourth elder brother Zhao Cheng, the second elder brother Zhao Ji, and others were practicing martial arts.

Upon Zhao Xian's return, they exchanged pleasantries and greetings once again.

"Fourth brother, is Mr. Chen here?"

Zhao Xian raised his head towards the main hall and asked in a low voice.

"He's naturally in the main hall. What's wrong? Is something the matter?"

Seeing Zhao Xian's solemn expression, Zhao Cheng pressed him for an answer.

"My uncle, Zhao Cai, was killed while hunting a monster in Shahe Township the day before yesterday!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian gave a wry smile and told him the truth.

"What?!"

"How could this be!"

Zhao Cheng and Zhao Ji exclaimed in unison, and Zhang Wen and Wang Cong, who were standing nearby, also came over.

"That demonic beast has some history, and I'm unsure what to do, so I've come to ask Lord Chen!"

Zhao Xian immediately looked around at everyone and said in a low voice.

"Chen Jun is right here in the hall!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Cheng immediately stepped aside and gestured with his hand.

Zhao Xian didn't stand on ceremony and immediately strode forward.

A moment later, the two men sat alone in the hall, and all was silent.

"Jade Pearl Rice~" After a moment's thought, Chen Yuancheng looked at Zhao Xian and said seriously, "Does Xian know the different grades of spirit rice?"

"Of course I know!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian immediately responded solemnly.

Seeing the thoughtful look on Chen Yuancheng's face, Zhao Xian immediately continued, "Generally speaking, spiritual fields can be divided into three grades: superior, middle, and inferior. Jade Pearl Rice is an inferior grade spiritual rice and must be planted in inferior grade spiritual fields!"

"As for the crescent-shaped rice grown by us country folk, it is actually just a low-grade spiritual rice that contains only a trace of spiritual power."

""

At this point, Zhao Xian sighed inwardly.

"Those who feast on spiritual rice are not farmers."

Let alone Jade Pearl Rice, how many Daoist practitioners can have enough to eat every day, even with this second-rate Crescent Moon Rice?

"There are over a thousand mu of spiritual fields in Wohu Township, but only a little over one hundred mu of them are of inferior quality!"

"These hundred-plus acres of low-grade spirit fields are all under strict surveillance by the county!"

After a few moments of contemplation, Chen Yuancheng looked at Zhao Xian and spoke slowly, to which Zhao Xian nodded slightly in agreement.

"Besides the three major clans and many wealthy households in the village, perhaps only the Yan family knows how to cultivate high-grade spirit fields!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian's eyes brightened slightly. He looked at Chen Yuancheng and lowered his voice, saying, "Does Lord Chen mean that the Yan family has some low-grade spirit fields that they have been secretly hiding?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuancheng did not answer whether or not, but continued, "Jade Pearl Rice is also sold in the Daqingshan Market, priced at approximately three low-grade spirit stones per pound!"

"With Bo Zhang's current monthly salary, he can just afford one jin (500 grams)!"

Suddenly, Chen Yuancheng looked at Zhao Xian and said jokingly.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian gave a wry smile, but then abruptly stopped, looked at Chen Yuancheng, and said solemnly, "Perhaps someone else purchased the Jade Pearl Rice and is using it to feed the demon beasts at that place!"

"It's not impossible!"

Chen Yuancheng nodded slightly and said with certainty.

"Mr. Chen, what should Bozhang do next?"

"Use stillness to control movement!" Chen Yuancheng smiled faintly at Zhao Xian. Seeing that Zhao Xian didn't seem to understand the meaning of his words, he immediately explained, "A late-stage Qi Refining demon beast is quite valuable!"

"The thieves will not stand idly by and let you sell those three cubs!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian suddenly stood up, his face showing great shock!

"A night raid on the Shahe village?"

After a few breaths, Zhao Xian muttered to himself.

"Perhaps on your way to Daqingshan Market!"

Chen Yuancheng looked at Zhao Xian again and said calmly.

"Mr. Chen, since that's the case, I have no choice but to ask you for help!"

After a few moments of contemplation, Zhao Xian looked at Chen Yuancheng and said solemnly.

"I hereby order Zhao Cheng, Zhao Ji, and Zhang Wen to accompany you to Shahe Township!"

"Thank you, Mr. Chen!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian immediately bowed to Chen Yuancheng.

After a private conversation, Zhao Xian finally got up to take his leave.

Afterwards, Zhao Xian led Zhao Cheng and the other two away from Wohu Village.

As dusk fell, the group of four riders finally arrived at Shahe Village.

With medical treatment and a constant supply of spiritual rice and monster flesh and blood, the injured people gradually began to recover.

Second cousin Xu Hua's injuries were too severe, and he remained unconscious. Zhao Xian then ordered his uncle and stepfather to take some of the monster's remains to Daqingshan Market.

He exchanged for 100 low-grade spirit stones, which was just enough to buy two Rejuvenation Pills.

One pill was given to Xu Hua, while Zhao Xian kept the other for future use.

After taking the elixir, Xu Hua gradually regained consciousness, and his injuries were relieved.

However, he still needs to rest for more than a month.

The three cubs were entrusted by Zhao Xian to Huang Zhong, Zhao Hong and others to raise, and they are currently in the enclosure.

The three cubs were not easy to deal with; they ate only spirit rice every day, several kilograms a day, which caused Zhao Xian great distress.

The art of beast taming is truly not something that impoverished cultivators can master.

Before we knew it, more than half a month had passed, and it was now the beginning of May.

In the past two weeks, apart from the injured, Zhao Xian continued to lead the others to hunt monsters. They hunted several more monsters at the Qi Refining level, and the monster calamity in Shahe Township gradually subsided.

Unlike before, there are no longer frequent incidents of monsters eating people.

The thing Zhao Xian was worried about never happened.

After returning from Daqingshan Market, Ji's father, Zhao Zhi, did not go back to Shahe Township, but went straight back to Wohu Township.

My younger sister, Zhao Yu, was recommended by Chen Yuancheng and was able to take up a spot in Wohu Township to study at the county school, saving the cost of one hundred low-grade spirit stones.

Huang Zhong's younger sister, Huang Xia, naturally entered the county school because she possessed the Bing Shang spiritual root.

The two, accompanied by Zhao Zhi, along with Zhao Xian's mother, Zhao Xu, went to the county town.

Next to the house that Zhao Zhi rented, he rented another house for the mother and her two daughters to live in and attend school.

With this matter settled, Zhao Xian was relieved of one more worry.

On the sixth day of the fifth month, Zhao Xian left behind several Daoist practitioners who had difficulty moving around, and instructed Zhao Duan and Zhao Bing to take good care of them.

Immediately, Uncle Zhao Li led the rest of the group, swaggeringly loading the three cubs onto an oxcart and heading towards the county town.

Go on your way.

Before long, the group disappeared on the official road.

Opposite Shahe Village, much like Wohu Village, lies a vast open space where the village's main market is located.

Seeing Zhao Li and his group leave, a street vendor lazily packed up his stall, complained a few times to the vendors next to him, and then picked up his load and swayed away from the market.

Before long, the peddler disappeared down the country road.

At the same time, inside the Shahe Township House, a figure quietly walked to the central hall.

"Ah Xian, Ah Cheng, Ah Wen, and I are all ready!"

The visitor was Zhao Xian's elder brother, Zhao Ji. He was dressed as a minor official, his robes were too tight and looked rather awkward.

"good!"

Zhao Xian responded and quickly got up to follow him out of the main hall, disappearing into the side courtyard.

Shahe Township, reed marshes.

.

Because of the meandering and winding Shahe River, a vast expanse of reeds and rushes has been created within the territory of Shahe Township.

Within the reed marshes, the ground is covered with mud and swamps. People often venture in recklessly, only to become trapped in the mud and disappear without a trace.

Over time, few Taoist priests ventured into this reed marshland.

The demonic calamity in Shahe Township lasted for half a year, causing great harm to the local people, while this place seemed to be as if nothing had happened.

The sun was blazing when suddenly a figure appeared at the edge of the reeds.

The figure moved stealthily, looked around to make sure no one was there, and then plunged headfirst into the reeds.

A gentle breeze blew, and the reeds swayed in the wind without causing a ripple.

A moment later, in the heart of the reed marshes, inside a spacious and bright thatched cottage, the agile figure from before was kneeling on the ground.

"Everyone, I personally saw about twenty people walk out of the village house, escorting the three cubs, heading east along the main road."

"Is Zhao Xianke among them?"

Upon hearing this, the burly man in the main seat immediately asked in a solemn voice.

"To everyone's knowledge, no officials were mixed in!"

The kneeling man immediately spoke without hesitation.

"Please step back for now!"

After a few moments of contemplation, the burly man waved his hand, signaling the kneeling soldier to step back.

After the soldier left, only five strong figures remained in the hall.

"Everyone, we have been nurturing that earth dragon beast for several years, and now this young brat has stolen the fruits of our labor!"

"What should we do?"

Seeing the burly man in the main seat deep in thought and silent, the strong man with a knife in the second seat on the left immediately waved his arm and shouted loudly.

"Brother Wei, what's your opinion on this matter?"

After a moment's thought, the burly man did not look at the strong man with the knife, but instead looked at the scholar in the green robe at the first seat on the right.

"Master Liu, the demon-hunting team under Zhao Xian is not to be underestimated!" The scholar in the green robe replied in a deep voice.

"snort!"

"Bang!"

Before the scholar in the green robe could finish speaking, the burly man opposite him, wielding a knife, slammed his sword heavily onto the table, his face full of disdain. "Just adding to the arrogance of others!"

"Brother Wei, I have been rash; please speak frankly!"

The burly man glared at the strong man with the knife, then looked at the scholar in the green robe and continued to ask with a smile.

"These three demon beast cubs are worth about several hundred low-grade spirit stones. The only way for this group to sell them is to go to the Great Green Mountain Market!"

"If Master Liu insists on taking back the three cubs, the only solution now is to ambush them halfway!"