Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

Chapter 140 Song and Ming Travel Together (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)

The order has been given, and there is no reason to change it.

Suppressing the demonic disturbances in six villages within a month seems extremely difficult, but in Zhao Xian's eyes, it is not an impossible task!

Now, eight or nine days have passed since he entered Yulin Township. His father, Zhao Yi, and his uncle, Zhao Li, leading a group of Taoists, must have already wiped out the monsters in Yulin Township.

In order to lure out the monster, Zhao Xian, under Chen Yuancheng's guidance, invested a lot of resources.

They bought dozens of the Demon-Attracting Incense sticks alone, spending a total of three hundred low-grade spirit stones.

With the help of this spiritual fragrance, demonic beasts below the Foundation Establishment stage will have nowhere to escape.

As for besieging and killing the demonic beasts, there's no need to worry about that; my father and uncles are no novice.

Zhao Xian summoned Zhao Cheng, Zhao Ji, Mu Chun, and others, and then made the county magistrate's order public.

Everyone was overjoyed to receive this good news!

Following Zhao Xian was simply a way of hoping that he could secure his position as the Chief of the Army!

With Zhao Xian's protection, everyone naturally benefited immensely!

"Mu Chun, we are still not entirely sure where Zhao's group of Daoists is currently located!"

After a moment's thought, Zhao Xian looked at the burly man in the crowd and said in a deep voice.

"Please give your orders, Master!"

Upon hearing this, Mu Chun immediately responded solemnly.

After Zhao Xian was promoted to the rank of Baishi Dali (a high-ranking official), Mu Chun and Zhang Gong both changed their titles and implicitly considered themselves Zhao Xian's retainers.

Zhao Xian was naturally very satisfied. Followers and retainers were not the same thing. The former could resign and leave, but the latter bound themselves firmly to their master.

"You shall ride your horse north of Yulin Township, search for their whereabouts, and convey the county magistrate's order to them!"

"If my uncles or the others encounter any difficulties, come to me immediately!"

Zhao Xian's expression turned serious, and he immediately gave the order.

"I will obey the master's command!"

Upon hearing this, Mu Chun immediately bowed and accepted the order, then quickly walked towards the door.

"The rest of you, today you shall follow me to wipe out the monsters wreaking havoc in Shangbei Township!"

After Mu Chun left, Zhao Xian looked around at everyone in the hall and said solemnly.

"I will obey Lord Zhao's command!"

Upon hearing this, everyone unanimously agreed.

The next morning, the sun rose.

After the meal, Zhao Xian sent Zhao Hong to invite Ren Shuo, the village steward, and Song Zheng, the village assistant.

After exchanging greetings, the three took their seats.

"I've invited you two here today because I have a request!"

After pondering for a few moments, Zhao Xian looked at Ren Shuo and Song Zheng, and then said with a smile.

"Sir, please speak frankly if you require anything!"

Upon hearing this, Ren Shuo immediately responded with a smile.

"You two are also aware of the county magistrate's order; time is of the essence, and there is no time to delay!"

"I wish to wipe out the monsters in Shangbei Township as soon as possible, but I am quite unfamiliar with the various pavilions in Shangbei Township. I would like to borrow someone from you two to guide us!"

After saying that, Zhao Xian looked intently at Ren Shuo and Song Zheng.

"Lord Zhao, this is no problem at all. I can find an official from my hometown who is familiar with Shangbei Township!"

Upon hearing this, Ren Shuo felt relieved and immediately smiled and said.

Upon hearing this, Song Zheng, sitting below, felt a slight stirring in his heart. His master intended for his eldest son to serve as an official under this sergeant.

Now that the eldest son is still hesitant, it would be better to take this opportunity to have him work with this sergeant for a few days.

If, at that time, the eldest son still does not approve of this sergeant, then his own father will have nothing to say!

Upon thinking of this, a glint flashed in Song Zheng's eyes, and he stroked his beard and smiled, saying, "The officials in the countryside are busy with official duties. I have a candidate in mind. I wonder what you think, Officer Bingcao?"

"Oh? Please speak, Mr. Song!"

A hint of curiosity rose on Zhao Xian's face, and he immediately smiled and said.

"My son, Song Ming, traveled extensively throughout the countryside in his youth and is very familiar with the roads and terrain!"

Upon hearing this, Ren Shuo understood that the Song family was intentionally trying to get his eldest son involved with this sergeant!

Since arriving in Shangbei Township as a magistrate, Song Zheng and the Song family behind him have been very cooperative in their actions. Why not do them a favor?

Moreover, Song Ming, the eldest son of the Song family, is quite well-known in this countryside and is not a mediocre person!

Upon thinking of this, Ren Shuo immediately burst into laughter and looked at Song Zheng: "I also favor Song Ming, but I'm afraid you, as his father, won't let go!"

"Zhao Jun, Song Ming, a member of the Song family, is known for his talent in the surrounding villages. Although he cannot compare to Zhao Jun's youthful achievements, he is still a promising individual!"

Ren Shuo then turned to look at Zhao Xian, praising Song Ming highly.

"In that case, we would trouble Lord Song to summon the eldest son, prepare his own mount, and accompany us to quell the demon!"

Zhao Xian didn't care whether the two had any ulterior motives. As long as Song Ming could get things done, he immediately smiled and agreed.

With this matter settled, the three discussed some other things before Ren Shuo and Song Zheng got up to leave.

As the sun rose in the east, Zhao Xian and his men had already prepared their horses and were about to set off when a lone rider arrived outside the village.

"Song Ming from Shangbei Township pays his respects to Lord Bingcao!"

A young scholar dressed in a light blue robe dismounted, strode forward, and bowed to Zhao Xian.

"Please rise, Lord Song!"

Zhao Xian didn't presume to do anything, and immediately stepped forward to help Song Ming up, carefully examining him.

He was tall and handsome, with fair skin, clear eyebrows and bright eyes, and a faint smile on his face. His every move was very elegant.

Song Ming, on the other hand, also looked up at the young official in front of him, a hint of surprise on his face.

He had a gentle face but no arrogance. I thought that someone who had achieved success at such a young age would be very arrogant and domineering!

But who would have thought he would be so approachable!

At first glance, both of them were very satisfied.

"Lord Song, the county magistrate has already issued an order for me to quell the demonic disturbances in the six villages within a month. Time is of the essence, so I will not stand on ceremony with you!"

Zhao Xian showed a hint of apology on his face, and then returned the greeting with a cupped hand.

"The military officer acted swiftly and decisively, wiping out bandits and dozens of rampaging demonic beasts in just a few days. In Song Ming's view, the task of pacifying the demons was more than half completed!"

Upon hearing this, Song Ming smiled calmly, then changed the subject, continuing, "As the saying goes, 'He who travels a hundred miles is only halfway there at ninety,' and the remaining demonic beasts won't be so easily wiped out!"

"That's exactly right!" Zhao Xian smiled wryly, a hint of helplessness on his face. "The remaining demonic beasts are extremely difficult to find, but time is very tight. The difficulty lies precisely in the search itself!"

"I wonder if Lord Song has any advice for me?"

Zhao Xian looked at Song Ming and asked humbly.

"The county magistrate's concern about the monsters wreaking havoc on the people is aimed at securing the autumn harvest. As long as we can stabilize the autumn harvest, it will be a great achievement!"

"Sergeant, we should focus all our efforts on eliminating those monsters that are encroaching on the spirit fields and farmland!"

Upon seeing this, Song Ming immediately spoke in a serious tone.

"That's what I thought too!"

Zhao Xian looked at Song Ming, nodded slightly, and a hint of surprise appeared in his eyes.

Only now, as someone directly involved in this situation, did I understand the county magistrate's intentions. This Song Ming was merely a country scholar, yet he was able to guess the county magistrate's thoughts.

Upon thinking of this, Zhao Xian also felt a slight urge to test him.

"Song Jun's words have struck a chord with Zhao Xian. Now, I wonder what Zhao Xian should do?"

Zhao Xian bowed to Song Ming again and asked in a deep voice.

"Send a message to the heads of each pavilion: investigate the whereabouts of the demonic beasts within your pavilions, harass them, and prevent them from escaping!"

"Then order the prominent families and wealthy households in each village to gather their forces and slay the monster!"

"If this proves too difficult to resolve, then let the sergeant lead the troops to annihilate them!"

After saying that, Song Ming looked at Zhao Xian with a hint of expectation on his face.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian sighed inwardly. If Song Ming had said this six months ago, it would have been a brilliant strategy!

Now, it's too late!

However, it is quite remarkable that a young scholar who has not yet become an official has such insight!

Upon thinking of this, Zhao Xian also revealed a slight smile.

"Everything Lord Song said is a feasible strategy, except for one point that is unacceptable!"

"Which point?"

Song Ming's expression immediately turned serious, and he asked in a deep voice.

"If it were six months ago, when I was the military officer, I would certainly have followed the strategy of Lord Song!"

"Lord Song, time is of the essence. Please lead us to the North Pavilion first!"

Having said that, Zhao Xian mounted his horse and spoke solemnly.

Song Ming's expression froze slightly for a moment, then he gave a wry smile: "I was reckless! I hope the sergeant will forgive me!"

"It's alright, a few days of training with me hunting demons will be enough!"

A few breaths later, the group of nine riders sped off north of the village!

North Mountain Pavilion.

Shanbeiting is the northernmost pavilion in Shangbei Township, and further north lies the territory of the county.

Located at the border of two counties, Shanbeiting is not particularly prosperous. Six miles below the pavilion, there are only about three hundred households of Daoist people, most of whom make a living by farming.

There is only one place where the monsters causing trouble at Shanbei Pavilion are located: on a low mountain in the northwest of the pavilion, there is a flock of blue-red peregrine falcons.

The highest cultivation level among these demonic birds was only at the mid-stage of Qi Refining, but their advantage lay in their large number, numbering over a hundred!

They frequently descend the mountain and invade the sacred fields of Shanbeiting.

The spiritual fields of Shanbeiting are less than a hundred acres in total, how could they withstand being devoured by these demonic birds!

The thunderous sound of horses' hooves echoed, but Zhao Xian and his entourage did not head towards the pavilion on the north side of the mountain.

Instead, they went straight to the low hill.

On the way here, knowing that Zhao Xian and the others' target was that group of demonic birds, Song Ming also explained to Zhao Xian and the others in detail the origin, habits and weaknesses of that group of demonic birds!

This greatly surprised Zhao Xian and the others!

When they reached the foot of that low hill, Zhao Xian immediately ordered Zhao Ji to go and investigate!

"Sergeant, those demonic birds are still on the cliff; they seem to have already built their nest!"

Before long, Zhao Ji came to report.

"Most blue-and-red peregrine falcons are ordinary birds; it's not surprising that a few occasionally become demonic beasts!"

"But such a large group of demonized Azure-Crimson Falcons must have had quite a journey!"

Song Ming glanced at the distant hills, then spoke solemnly.

"Circumstances?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian pondered for a moment.

With a slight thought, a golden light flashed in his eyes, and he looked up at the distant cliff.

But then, wisps of thin demonic energy gathered into a very thick demonic aura that shot into the sky. Within this gray-black demonic aura, there was a trace of pure and spiritual energy, standing out like a crane among chickens, which was very eye-catching!

"There really is a spirit on that cliff!"

A hint of surprise flashed in Zhao Xian's eyes. He was about to continue his investigation when a sharp pain shot through his eyes!

"With such low cultivation level, even if I wanted to borrow the power of the Golden Sun Cauldron, I wouldn't be able to sustain it for long!"

At this moment, Zhao Xian also felt a sense of urgency regarding his Qi Refining Level 6 cultivation. He should break through to the late Qi Refining stage as soon as possible!