Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

"Why is Zhu Ran, the village headman, nowhere to be seen?"

Suddenly, Chen Sheng looked around the pavilion and asked in a deep voice.

"This~"

Chen Yuancheng hesitated for a moment, unsure how to answer.

Upon seeing this, Chen Sheng and Liu Yu exchanged a glance, and a hint of joy flashed in Liu Yu's eyes.

"Lord Chen, I ask you, where is the magistrate Zhu Ran?"

Liu Yufu looked at Chen Yuancheng again and shouted in a deep voice once more.

"Reporting to Your Majesty," Chen Yuancheng said with a bitter smile, his expression complex, "Lord Zhu... has not yet arrived."

"The people under your jurisdiction have suffered such a massacre. As the local official in charge of the village, I have not arrived here after several hours. Could it be that Yuan Cheng has forgotten to report to the village headquarters?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Sheng's lips curled up slightly, but he then asked with a puzzled expression.

"When the bandits launched their surprise attack, the lower official ordered Wang Yi, the head of the village, to ride to the village pavilion to seek help."

Chen Yuancheng sighed inwardly, knowing that Zhu Ran would likely face punishment this time, and had no choice but to tell her the truth.

"snort!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yu immediately snorted coldly and said without any restraint, "Xiangting is only a dozen or so li from here. Several hours have passed; even if we crawled, we could reach Shanghuting!"

"I think he must have been frightened by the sudden news of the bandits besieging the outpost, and was deliberately delaying!"

"Liu Jun, be careful what you say!" Chen Sheng's expression turned serious as he said solemnly, "Zhu Jun may have other important official duties to attend to, so we should not make any unfounded speculations."

"The front courtyard of the pavilion is in a mess. Your Majesty has traveled a hundred miles in the night. Please rest in the back courtyard first!"

Chen Yuancheng then interjected, speaking respectfully.

"We two have only arrived here ahead of time. After dawn, the county magistrate will lead the county troops to search for and wipe out the remaining bandits!"

Chen Shengfu said something else in a low voice.

Then, led by Chen Yuancheng, the two headed towards the backyard.

Throughout the entire process, neither of these two high-ranking officials lingered their gazes on the surrounding villagers for even a moment.

As the two county officials departed, the onlookers all wore expressions of awe, but Zhao Xian remained unmoved.

"Jiulang, let's cook some rice porridge together and share it with everyone to warm them up!"

Tingfu Liu Quan came over with a smile and greeted him. Zhao Xian also got up and followed him to the fire pit.

Sitting around the fire pit, the flickering flames dispelled the chill from Zhao Xian's body.

Gazing at the flames in the hearth, Zhao Xian's mind gradually calmed down. He concentrated and a pale golden light appeared before his eyes.

Owner of the cauldron: Zhao Xian

[Qi Yun: Floating White]

Lifespan: 16/86

[Spiritual Root: Fire Root (丙中火)]

[Cultivation Level: Qi Refining Level 1]

[Lucky Golden Pearl: 0]

【技艺】：基础箭术（精通：212/10000）、松鹤养元拳（精通：3/10000）、黑虎斗杀拳（熟练：27/1000）

His luck, lifespan, and cultivation level remained unchanged, but his proficiency in basic archery increased by a hundred points!

Last night, my quiver contained only thirty arrows, and there were still some left after the battle. How could my skill level have increased so much?

"Could it be that his mind was highly focused during the life-or-death battle that allowed him to make such rapid progress?" Zhao Xian wondered to himself.

"Kuro!"

But then Chen Yuancheng appeared outside the door, laughing, "What are you doing in the kitchen, Ninth Master? I've been looking for you everywhere! Come with me to pay your respects to the two lords!"

"Ting-kun, it's me~"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian was slightly taken aback, looked down at his tattered robes, and hesitated.

"Haha, Jiulang is still a bit thin-skinned!"

Chen Yuancheng quipped at the opportune moment, then said seriously, "Last night, Jiulang's arrows never missed their mark, slaying more than ten bandits and turning the tide. The two lords were also amazed when they heard about this!"

"How could I possibly slight you because of your attire! Please come with me to pay homage to the Lord!"

"I, Jiulang, will obey Tingjun's command!"

Having said that, Zhao Xian no longer hesitated and stood up to respond.

The two walked one after the other towards the backyard.

......

The backyard of the pavilion was quite quiet, with several dark red bloodstains on the ground.

Those were left by bandits who disguised themselves as travelers and infiltrated the inn last night. These bandits have all been killed with the help of the travelers.

Today, as the sun was shining brightly, the travelers did not continue their journey. Instead, Chen Yuancheng kept them there to rest in the pavilion.

"Ninth Brother, the two high-ranking officials from the county who just arrived are Chen Sheng, a thief under his command, and Liu Yu, a patrolman from the county."

Once inside the backyard, Chen Yuancheng slowed his pace and spoke softly to Zhao Xian.

"With Jiulang's intelligence, he should be able to guess the relationship between the thief Chen Jun and me."

"Is he related to Lord Ting?"

Zhao Xian replied in a low voice without hesitation.

"Jiulang is indeed intelligent!" Chen Yuancheng's eyes showed even more admiration. Then, he changed the subject and his tone became serious. "This time, the bandits' attack on the pavilion is the most serious case that has occurred in Rongtai County in recent years."

"More than a hundred bandits gathered in the mountains and forests, and Liu Jun, the patrolman, cannot escape blame."

"Kuroro, do you trust me?"

Suddenly, Chen Yuancheng stopped and stared intently at Zhao Xian.

"Since taking office as the head of the pavilion, Lord Ting has loved the people like his own children and imparted the Way to them. How could we not trust Lord Ting!"

Zhao Xian was startled and immediately made a solemn statement.

"In that case, when we meet the two lords, no matter what Lord Liu mentions, Jiulang must nod in agreement!"

"Remember, Lord Liu wears a black robe and a blue sash, with a precious sword at his waist!"

Chen Yuancheng then gave him a detailed series of instructions.

"I will remember this, Jiulang!" Zhao Xian nodded solemnly.

They quickened their pace and, a few breaths later, arrived at a quiet and elegant house.

"Reporting to Your Excellencies, Zhao Xian, a resident of Yangping Village, has arrived!"

Chen Yuancheng bowed respectfully towards the room and spoke softly.

"Please come in, Mr. Zhao!"

Then, a deep voice came from inside the house.

Upon hearing this, both men stepped onto the stairs and went inside.

A huge pearl was placed in one corner of the room, emitting a bright white light that illuminated the room as bright as day.

"Ninth Prince, why haven't you paid your respects to the two lords yet!"

Chen Yuancheng said with a smile from the side.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian's expression immediately turned solemn. He stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said, "Zhao Xian greets the two lords!"

"Kuroro, please get up!"

A scholar in a red robe on the left waved his sleeve, and a gentle breeze helped Zhao Xian up.

"Ninth Brother, I am Chen Sheng, the magistrate of the county, and this is Liu Yu, the patrol officer in charge of local security!"

"Greetings, Your Excellencies!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian bowed again.

"Jiulang, there's no need for formalities. Let me ask you, the village head Chen Jun said that you shot and wounded more than ten bandits last night. Is that true?"

Youjiao Liu Yu also spoke slowly and asked.

"It was indeed Zhao Xian who did it!"

Zhao Xian kept Chen Yuancheng's instructions firmly in mind and immediately replied upon hearing this.

"Where did the talismanic arrows come from?"

"This was a gift from my grandfather, placed before the pavilion where we rushed to provide aid!"

"Are the guard Zhao Ze and the commoner Zhao Zheng your relatives?"

"Zhao Ze is Xian's twelfth uncle, and Zhao Zheng is Xian's cousin!"

Zhao Xian dared not conceal anything and told the truth.

"In that case, I intend to recommend Zhao Ze to the county government as the thief of Shanghu Pavilion, and Zhao Zheng as the garrison commander of Shanghu Pavilion!"

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian was overjoyed and quickly replied respectfully.

Although the salary of a garrison soldier is meager, he still eats the government's food. My elder brother has just started a family. If he becomes a garrison soldier, it can be considered as establishing a career for him.

"It is my good fortune to have such an outstanding young man as Jiulang under my rule!"

"Once the county magistrate arrives with his troops, I will report to him and request commendation for Jiulang!"

Liu Yu stroked his beard, and a smile finally appeared on his dark face.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Xian bowed again.

"Your Excellencies, Lord Ting, and Lord Zhu the Steward have arrived!"

Just then, the voice of King Jia, the Thief Seeker, came from outside the door.

"Jiulang, please follow the King and withdraw for now!" Chen Yuancheng said to Zhao Xian upon hearing this, then looked at the two county officials and smiled, "I will go and greet Lord Zhu now!"

"snort!"

Zhao Xian had already slowly retreated, but only a cold snort was heard.