Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

Chapter 145 What Can You Do to Me? (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

"Liu Chen, the village head of Xixiang, pays his respects to Lord Bingcao!"

The leader of the group, wearing a bronze crown and with a precious jade pendant at his waist, entered the hall and immediately bowed to Zhao Xian.

"Mr. Liu, which famous wine are you drinking tonight?"

Zhao Xian sat in the main seat, looked down at Liu Chen, the magistrate of Xixiang, and asked with a smile.

"Invited by the prominent He family of the village, I, a humble official, went to a banquet. Unable to refuse their hospitality, I could only manage a few drinks!"

"The wine we're drinking is a famous brew from Taizhou!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Chen immediately bowed and said in a low voice.

"Alright, Mr. Liu, step aside and take a good look!"

Zhao Xian glanced at the village head of Xixiang and then said indifferently.

Liu Chen was not from a prominent family, but rather a county official. He served as a clerk in various departments of the county for more than twenty years before being rewarded by the county magistrate and appointed as the head of the western township.

The position of village magistrate is a lucrative one. This village magistrate can easily acquire at least a hundred acres of fertile land for his family!

A hundred acres of fertile land is the foundation of a small family.

As a local official with no connections, he was often hampered by the powerful clans in the village.

There's no point in making things difficult for him!

Upon hearing this, Liu Chen immediately stepped aside, and Zhao Xian did not invite him to sit down, so he naturally dared not sit down either.

He had served as a county official for many years and was very cautious in his actions; otherwise, he would not have been allowed to become the village magistrate.

Before long, several more figures arrived late, and the hall was already filled with officials of all ranks.

"Master, the time has come!"

Suddenly, Mu Chun stepped forward and said in a low voice.

"Have Liu Chen call the roll!"

Zhao Xianwei closed his eyes, gripped the hilt of his sword, and spoke calmly.

"Mr. Liu, please call out names from the roster!"

Mu Chun immediately handed the rolled-up bamboo slip on the table to Liu Chen, the magistrate of Xixiang, who was sitting to the lower left!

Liu Chen took the bamboo slip, took a deep breath, and turned to look at the officials behind him.

He had served as the head of the Xixiang government for more than three years and knew all the officials in the office. With just a glance, he knew who had not arrived!

"Village Assistant Wu Liang, Village Clerk Wu Cheng!"

Both of them came from the Wu family, a prominent clan in the village!

When I left the village house, I saw Wu Liang instruct Wu Cheng to stay and keep watch. Now it seems that Wu Cheng must have gone to the Wu family to inform Wu Liang, and he has not yet returned.

By this time, Liu Chen also understood that Zhao Xian's visit today was not for the purpose of quelling the demon!

They're clearly here for Wu Liang!

It seems that Zhao Xian must already know that the progress of the Xixiang demon-suppression is slow, and that Wu Liang is the one causing the trouble!

The hall fell silent; not a sound could be heard.

After a few breaths of silence, Liu Chen heard a crisp "click" that broke the silence in the hall.

That was the sound of a ring-pommel sword being drawn!

Liu Chen immediately came to his senses, unfolded the bamboo slips, and solemnly asked, "Where is the village official Chen Jia?"

"Your subordinate is here!"

Immediately, a figure bowed and greeted them.

"Where is Chu Shang, the local official?"

"Your subordinate is here!"

'

'

Before long, everyone in the hall had responded!

Where is Wu Liang, the village official?

No one answered. All the officials held their breath and were so quiet in the hall that you could hear a pin drop!

Where is Wu Liang, the village official?

Upon seeing this, Liu Chen immediately shouted again.

But still no one answered!

Where is Wu Liang, the village official?

"Lord Liu, I am late, please forgive me!"

Suddenly, a somewhat shrill voice broke the silence in the hall.

Then a clerk, about forty years old, wearing a red brocade robe and a bronze crown, strode into the hall!

"Greetings, Mr. Liu!"

The newcomer bowed to Liu Chen, then looked at the young scholar in the main seat: "And who is this?"

"How dare you! Why don't you immediately pay your respects to the Sergeant?"

Upon seeing this, Mu Chun immediately pointed his halberd at Wu Liang and roared angrily!

"Who are you, daring to point fingers at my lord!"

Before Wu Liang could speak, a servant stepped forward from behind him, holding a ring-handled sword, and angrily rebuked Mu Chun!

"Clang!"

But then Mu Chun suddenly drew his sword, his eyes wide with rage, and leaped down!

The blade, as white as snow, slashed through the air and fell straight towards the servant!

When the attendant saw that Mu Chun dared to draw his sword in front of so many high-ranking officials, he was immediately startled and his movements naturally slowed down by a third!

Shouldn't they put on an act, give their lord a reprimand, and then each of them withdraw?

How did things come to this?!

Unfortunately, in that instant, the outcome was already decided!

The servant only saw a streak of silver-white light slash through the air before everything went black and he was gone!

Clang!

The head fell to the ground and rolled several times!

"Pfft!"

Blood gushed from his neck like a fountain, shooting up nearly ten feet high before falling back down.

In an instant, Wu Liang, the village assistant, was the first to be hit and was drenched in the splashed blood!

The other officials were also splattered with blood.

The village foreman Liu Chen dodged quite quickly. As Mu Chun shouted angrily, he had already quietly moved back several steps, with only a few drops of blood splashing on the toe of his shoe.

"What a pity, the main hall in the front yard will have to be demolished and rebuilt again!"

Liu Chen stared at the blood on the ground, pondering this in his heart.

"You! You! You!"

But then he saw Wu Liang, the village official, pointing at Mu Chun, trembling with anger and uttering incoherently.

"Zhao Xian, I'm going to kill you!"

Suddenly, Wu Liang looked sharply at Zhao Xian, who was in the main seat!

He had never been insulted like this before!

Do you know who I am?

Zhao Xian looked down at Wu Liang, who was covered in blood, and asked with a smile.

"You country bumpkin! You dare wear an official seal?"

Wu Liang wiped the blood off his face, his eyes wide with anger, and glared at Zhao Xian, cursing!

"The county magistrate is truly blind to appoint such a lowly wretch as a sergeant!"

"So what if I'm late today! What can you do to me?!"

"Wu Liang, it's one thing that you're late, but why are you spouting nonsense here!"

Upon hearing Wu Liang's words, Liu Chen's expression changed drastically. He immediately stepped forward and shouted loudly.

Wu Liang's expression changed slightly, but he still firmly shouted, "Your servants are killing people indiscriminately; as their master, you won't escape either!"

"I will immediately report this to the border guards, and you will be thrown into prison!"

After saying this, Wu Liang prepared to leave, already planning to kill Zhao Xian as soon as his elder brother Wu De returned!

"stop!"

Suddenly, Zhao Xian slowly stood up and looked down at Wu Liang.

"Wu Liang, whether you dislike me, Zhao Xian, or deliberately disrupt the pacification of the demons, you should never have insulted the county magistrate!"

"The county magistrate has raised me from the countryside, his kindness reaching even the mountains, making him my lord!"

"If I don't capture you today, how will I ever face the county magistrate again!"

"Mu Chun! Take this guy down!"

Zhao Xian suddenly shouted, and Mu Chun, who was already prepared, immediately stepped forward and slashed at Wu Liang's neck with his ring-pommel sword!

"Zhao Xian!"

When Wu Liang saw Mu Chun charging towards him with his sword, and was also covered in the hot blood from earlier, he was terrified and stood frozen in place, unable to move!

"Pfft!"

The blade, as white as snow, sliced ​​through the air and landed squarely on Wu Liang's neck!

In an instant, the scene in the hall was exactly the same as before!

"Mu Chun is incompetent, allowing this scoundrel to insult the patriarch! I beg the patriarch to punish him!"

But then Mu Chun turned around, knelt on one knee, and bowed.

Get up!

Zhao Xian said calmly.

"Continue with roll call!"

He then looked at Liu Chen, the village headman, and said indifferently.

Where is Wu Cheng, the local official?

"Your subordinate is here!"

A figure knelt on the ground, cold sweat pouring down his forehead, and responded in a trembling voice.

"Before three incense sticks have burned, execute him!"

Zhao Xian said without looking up.

Upon hearing this, Mu Chun immediately stood up, drew his sword, and walked towards the official!

"My lord, I know I was wrong!"

"Your subordinate knows his mistake!"

Upon seeing this, Wu Cheng was so terrified that he collapsed to the ground, crying out loudly!

"cut!"

But then Mu Chun grabbed the man's hair and yanked it back with a loud shout!

"Pfft!"

He placed the ring-pommel sword against his neck and slashed hard!

In an instant, Wu Cheng was already silent!

Mu Chun was merely a third-rate martial artist, while Wu Cheng was already a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator, and Wu Liang was even a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator.

But once it loses its courage, it's no better than a chicken!

In the blink of an eye, the three people in the hall died, and their corpses lay there, their blood splattered all over the main hall.

"It's late, everyone should go and rest!"

Zhao Xian looked at the crowd standing in front of him and then said calmly.

"I will obey Lord Zhao's command!"

Everyone bowed and accepted the order, then hurriedly went outside.

Meanwhile, Liu Chen, the village head, looked at Zhao Xian with a complicated expression, as if he had something to say!

But in the end, he simply bowed, sighed, and turned to leave.

He didn't utter a single word from beginning to end.

His own subordinate was killed right in front of him, as easily as killing a chicken!

No matter what happens in the future, I've done my job as a village magistrate!

Back in the main hall of the backyard, Liu Chen looked around and sighed again.

Fortunately, I have accumulated a hundred acres of fertile land in the three years I have been here. After resigning from my post, I can go home and enjoy my grandchildren, which is not bad!

"Boom!"

The sound of hurried hooves rang out again outside the country house, but Liu Chen seemed not to hear it at all, only shaking his head and sighing as he went back to rest.

It has absolutely nothing to do with me anymore!

Many people couldn't sleep that night.

That night, some people slept very soundly!

As the sun rose, Zhao Li and his entourage got up to prepare breakfast.

After breakfast, the head of Xiping Pavilion and others came quickly towards them.

"Ting-kun, why are you up so early today?"

Zhao Li looked at the head of Xiping Pavilion and grinned.

"I've been delayed by official business these past few days, I hope Mr. Zhao won't mind!"

Upon hearing this, the head of Xiping Pavilion smiled nonchalantly, then stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"Um?"

Seeing this, Zhao Li, Zhao Yi, and Cao Quan were all somewhat surprised.

Why is this fellow being so polite today?

Could it be?

"But has Lord Zhao already arrived in Xixiang?"

Cao Quan immediately stood up and asked with a smile.

"Haha! It is indeed Lord Zhao who has arrived!"

The head of Xiping Pavilion immediately replied with a smile.

Seeing the expressions on Zhao Li's and the others' faces, he understood that the people in front of him might not know about that matter.

"Last night, Lord Zhao arrived at the village and summoned all the village officials to the village. If they did not arrive within three incense sticks' time, they will be executed!"

"Wu Liang, the village assistant, and Wu Cheng, the village official, were both beheaded by Lord Zhao and their heads displayed to the public because they failed to arrive in time!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Li and the others also showed a hint of shock on their faces!

Was a lowly official in charge of food rations really executed by Zhao Xian like this?

"Zhao Jun's actions are indeed swift and decisive!"

Upon hearing this, west Pingting Qiu Dao behind him also hurriedly and respectfully replied.

"Where is the Sergeant now?"

Upon hearing this, Cao Quan immediately asked in a solemn voice.

"They must still be resting at the country cottage!"

The thief pondered for a few moments, then replied with a smile.

"Where did you learn this news from?"

Zhao Yi suddenly spoke and asked in a deep voice.

"This morning, all the officials in the village dispersed, and we in each of our posts are already aware of this matter!"

Upon hearing this, the head of Xiping Pavilion immediately replied in a solemn voice.

"Captain Zhao, please lead your men to the village immediately. The Wu family will not let this matter rest!"

Cao Quan looked at Zhao Li and said with an extremely solemn expression.

"Okay!" Zhao Li replied, and immediately prepared to turn around and organize the team.

"No!"

But then Zhao Yi grabbed Zhao Li's sleeve and said, word by word, "We can't go back!"

"If Ah Xian doesn't come to see us, it means he wants us to continue fighting the demons!"

"The county magistrate ordered Ah Xian to quell the demonic disturbance within a month. Half a month has passed, yet Pinghe Township, Xixiang Township, and Beiguo Township remain unfinished!"

"We must quell this calamity in the three villages for Ah Xian in the remaining time!"

Zhao Yi looked at the people around him and said solemnly.

Upon hearing this, the head of Xiping Pavilion couldn't help but look at the taciturn and burly man in front of him with new respect!

Ordinary rural folks wouldn't have such insight!

"To be honest, he is, after all, the father of that sergeant, and is far superior to ordinary Daoist citizens!"

"Please, Pavilion Master, lead us to quell the rampaging monsters within the pavilion as soon as possible!"

"good!"

Upon hearing this, the head of Xiping Pavilion immediately responded solemnly.

As the sun rises in the east, the faint aroma of fragrant rice wafts from the country house.

Before long, a local official brought food to Zhao Xian and Mu Chun.

.

It's simple and straightforward, with nothing fancy about it.

After Zhao Xian and Mu Chun finished their meal and rested for a while, Zhao Xian continued to hone his martial arts skills in the courtyard.

He had no intention of leaving Xixiang Village.

Wu Dena and his ilk are capable of even harboring bandits to enhance their own power. If I were to leave this village, I would surely be ambushed and killed by the Wu family!

Rather than putting oneself in danger, it is better to stay in the countryside and cultivate oneself properly.

After more than half a month of traveling and working hard, I haven't been able to seriously practice my martial arts skills.

A flash of golden light appeared in Zhao Xian's eyes, followed by a golden screen.

Owner of the cauldron: Zhao Xian

[Fortune: Light Red]

[Spiritual Root: Fire Root (丙中火)]

[Cultivation Level: Qi Refining Level 6]

[Lucky Golden Pearl: 10]

【技艺】：六阳诀（大成：10218/100000）、基础箭术（大成：33167/100000）、松鹤养元拳（大成：2967/100000）、追风斩灵刀（精通：9994/10000）

Since being appointed as a military officer by the county magistrate, the number of these lucky golden beads has increased dramatically to ten.

Previously, whether he was an official or promoted to a village assistant and entered the ranks of officials who made a living by fighting, the increase or decrease of the luck gold beads was only between one or two.

In this light, the difference between a high-ranking official and a lowly official who only eats a small amount of food is indeed like heaven and earth!

Moreover, ever since Zhao Xian put on the seal, he has vaguely sensed a profound power hidden in the bronze seal at his waist.

That power, though restrained, was enough to terrify Zhao Xian!

While pondering, Zhao Xian recalled the power summoned from the bronze seal on his body when the bandit Cao Chen Sheng and the patrolman Liu Yu killed the demon tiger!

That power was mistaken by the demonic tiger as being at the Foundation Establishment stage!

"Once I've secured my position as a military officer, I'm confident I'll be able to command this force!"

Thinking of this, Zhao Xian couldn't help but feel a little excited!

Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, Zhao Xian lowered his gaze and landed on the skill category.

"The Wind-Chasing Spirit-Slaying Blade technique is nearing completion; today I will master it!"