Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

Chapter 146 Kill Him Tonight (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)

The sun rises in the east, its golden light shining brightly.

A lithe figure moved nimbly through the courtyard, surrounded by a blade of light as white as snow, impenetrable to any attack.

The rising heat continuously emanated from the figure's head, as if shrouded in clouds and mist.

In a corner of the courtyard, a fierce-looking servant stood respectfully to one side, holding a ring-handled sword.

After an unknown amount of time, the silver-white blade suddenly changed, the wind of the blade howled, swirling around him, extremely sharp.

Chop, slash, flick, sweep – no longer bound by techniques, the mind moves as one pleases, and the blade follows the will.

Each strike draws upon the surrounding spiritual energy of heaven and earth, with the faint sounds of wind and thunder hidden within the force of the strike.

In a moment, the blade's gleam faded, and the ring-shaped blade hummed softly.

The young scholar stood still, his posture calm and composed, exuding a sharp aura.

"Excellent swordsmanship!"

Suddenly, a cheer broke the silence in the courtyard.

The two people inside the courtyard looked up and saw a robust official standing outside the courtyard gate!

He was about eight feet tall, around forty years old, with a swallow's jaw and tiger's beard, and his imposing presence was intimidating!

Zhao Xian's gaze fell on the official's seal at his waist, and then he saw Liu Chen, the head of Xixiang, following closely behind him. He immediately understood who this person was!

"It must be Wu De, the outpost in the northern part of Rongtai County."

Upon realizing this, Zhao Xian remained silent, immediately turned around and tossed the ring-pommel sword to Mu Chun in the corner, then strode towards the hall.

He simply didn't bother to talk to the newcomer!

Seeing Zhao Xian turn around and slowly leave, completely ignoring him, the official's face immediately turned ashen!

Upon seeing this, Liu Chen, the local official in charge of the western countryside, immediately stepped forward, bypassing the high-ranking official, and shouted to Zhao Xian in the courtyard, "Lord Military Officer!"

"Lord Hyouso!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian immediately turned around, a smile appearing on his face, and looked at Liu Chen: "Today is not a day off, so why is Lord Liu here in my side courtyard instead of handling official business at home?"

"Haha~"

Liu Chen chuckled lightly, then bowed respectfully to Zhao Xian and said, "The northern border garrison commander, Lord Wu, has come here today to meet Lord Zhao."

"Since he has come to pay his respects, please invite him inside!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian chuckled lightly and turned to continue his ascent into the hall.

Even among high-ranking officials, there were distinctions in rank. The most prestigious were naturally the county magistrate's clerk and other trusted officials like the chief clerk.

The military officer was the county magistrate's touchstone for intervening in military affairs in the county, and naturally, he was also the county magistrate's confidant.

As for the border patrol, he was nothing more than a lackey of the county magistrate!

There is definitely a difference in quality between the two!

Liu Chen was an experienced clerk. He thought Zhao Xian was unaware of the intricacies of the situation and tried to trick Zhao Xian into meeting Wu De down the steps.

Little did anyone know that Zhao Xian, having received numerous instructions and heartfelt teachings from Chen Yuancheng and Cao Miao, naturally understood the intricacies of the county's officials!

Seeing Zhao Xian slowly walk into the hall, Liu Chen was stunned and stood there.

A few breaths later, Liu Chen could only force a smile and look at Wu De outside the courtyard gate.

Zhao Xian was not afraid of Wu De, and even killed Wu De's deputy Wu Liang in front of him!

But Liu Chen was merely a village official who was appointed to his post as a reward for his hard work. How could he possibly offend the powerful Wu family in the village, or this high-ranking official, You Wei Wu De?

"Oh"

"~

Suddenly, the gloomy look on Wu De's face vanished as quickly as ice and snow melting away, and he grinned and chuckled.

He then strode confidently toward the hall with the stride of a dragon and the gait of a tiger.

"This humble official, Wu De, pays his respects to Lord Military Officer!"

But Wu De strode into the hall, and without even glancing at the person in the main seat, he bowed deeply!

"Liu Chen greets Lord Military Officer!"

"Wu Jian, a garrison officer, pays his respects to the Military Commissioner!"

"Wu Rang, a garrison officer, pays his respects to the Military Commissioner!"

The three people behind Wu De also quickly bowed in respect.

"Gentlemen, please rise!"

A few breaths later, a gentle voice resounded throughout the hall.

"Mr. Wu, what brings you here today?"

Zhao Xian held a scroll of green bamboo slips in his hand, and without even glancing at the people below him, asked indifferently.

"May I ask, Sir, why was Wu Liang, the village head of Xixiang, executed?"

Wu Deqiang suppressed his anger and asked in a deep voice.

"Insulting the county magistrate!"

Upon hearing Zhao Xian's words, Wu De's anger momentarily faltered, but he then asked again in a deep voice, "Where is the village official Wu Cheng?"

"I am a military officer, summoning officials according to military regulations. If they do not arrive within three incense sticks' time, they shall be executed!"

"Is there an order from the county magistrate?"

"Heh~"

A soft laugh echoed in the ears of everyone in the hall.

"you!"

"Zhao Xian! The county magistrate ordered you to quell the demonic calamity within a month. Only three villages remain, and less than half a month is left!"

"I'd like to see if you can finish on time!"

"Walk!"

With a flick of his sleeve, Wu De stormed off in a huff!

"Wu Jun~"

Liu Chen shouted, and the two patrol officers beside him followed Wu De out of the main hall.

"This~"

Seeing this, Liu Chen couldn't help but smile wryly. He turned to Zhao Xian and said earnestly, "Lord Zhao, although you have risen to a high position at a young age and are full of vigor, you cannot humiliate your colleagues and subordinates like this!"

"Liu Jun! Go back and organize the village registers and records so that the next person in charge can check them!"

Zhao Xian put down the green bamboo slips, looked at Liu Chen, and smiled faintly.

"This~"

Upon hearing this, Liu Chen sighed deeply, cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Zhao Xian, and walked away with faltering steps.

Outside the country house, Wu De and several others mounted their horses, and the whips cracked in the air as the group of riders galloped away into the distance.

A moment later, Wu De tugged on the reins, and the mount slowed down.

The riders behind him also slowed down.

"Clang!"

Suddenly, Wu De drew his long sword from his waist and roared angrily, "You brat, you've insulted me!"

"How dare a mere brat humiliate me like this!"

"Your Excellency must kill him! Kill him!"

"Uncle, your nephew will return to the village and take that bastard's head!"

A rider stepped forward from behind and shouted in a solemn voice.

Having said that, the knight turned his horse around and prepared to return to his country home.

"No!"

"Come back here!"

Upon hearing this, Wu De immediately turned around and shouted.

"How can that lowly bastard's life be compared to that of my son!"

"Uncle, please make some careful plans!"

"Plan carefully!"

After saying that, Wu De took the reins and rode his horse further and further away into the distance.

Seeing this, the others behind them also spurred their horses and chased after them.

After an unknown amount of time, the group finally calmed down from their extreme anger.

"Kill him tonight!"

Suddenly, Wu De turned around with a gloomy expression and said.

"Uncle, you had a conflict with Zhao Xian at the country house today. If Zhao Xian dies there tonight, wouldn't it be clear that you were the one who did it?"

Upon hearing this, a rider behind him immediately stepped forward and whispered.

"Ah, you don't understand!"

Wu De shook his head, his expression extremely solemn!

"Zhao Xian was able to rise to the position of Military Officer because the County Magistrate needed someone to quell the evil disturbances!"

"This person could be Zhao Xian, or it could be someone else!"

"Nobody cares!"

At this point, Wu De paused, then continued, "Zhao Xian rose to the rank of a high-ranking official in just over a year; he must be incredibly talented!"

"Our family has already fallen out with them. If we don't act now, are we going to wait until they've grown strong enough to deal with us?"

"Now that he's resting alone in his country cottage, it's the perfect time!"

"Once these few days are over, and he reunites with his followers, eliminating him will be as difficult as climbing to the heavens!"

"But~"

When Wu Rang heard his uncle's words, he still looked somewhat hesitant.

"Ah Rang! You've become more and more like a coward like Liu Chen these past few years!"

Seeing Wu Rang hesitate, Wu Jian immediately shouted.

"Uncle is right! He's just a lowly sergeant; killing him is no big deal!"

"As long as it doesn't interfere with the county magistrate's important affairs!"

Upon hearing this, Wu De nodded slightly and looked at his two nephews behind him: "Life-and-death feuds cannot be as absurd and fantastical as the stories in folk tales, full of twists and turns!"

"If the urge to kill arises, act immediately!"

"Ah-Rang, Ah-Jian, you two must return to the family immediately and instruct the head of the household to invite several wealthy families from the village to a drinking party!"

"When the night is dark and the wind is high, A-Jian, you will take all the guests in your household, pretend to be bandits, and immediately attack the village house. Tonight, you must eliminate Zhao Xian!"

"As for me, I must keep my appointment with the village head of Pinghe Township!"

Do you two understand?

Wu De looked at Wu Rang and Wu Jian with a solemn expression.

"Nephew obeys!"

The two shouted in unison, then turned their horses around and returned to Xixiang.

After watching the two leave, Wu De and his entourage continued their journey towards Pinghe Township.

Tonight, the Wu family is drinking and making merry with the wealthy villagers, and Wu De is feasting with the village head of Pinghe Township. What does Zhao Xian's death have to do with him?

Thinking of this, Wu De's lips curled up slightly.

Once Zhao Xian dies, I will immediately take over the task of quelling the demon!

Time passed slowly, and before we knew it, the moon was high in the sky.

Side courtyard, main hall.

A figure lay sprawled across the hall, snoring loudly.

Clearly, Mu Chun resided in the main hall, while Zhao Xian resided in the inner chamber.

Suddenly, a figure appeared on the top of the wall, and then floated down lightly.

"Gurgle!"

A bird's cry came from the figure!

A few breaths later, several more figures leaped into the courtyard.

Before long, there were more than ten figures in the courtyard, each dressed in black and masked, holding sharp weapons!

The moonlight shone down like water, and the gleaming blade reflected the moonlight, making it extremely dazzling!

The leader tiptoed slowly toward the main hall.

"Even a lowly country bumpkin like him wears an official seal!"

Wu Jian cursed inwardly, imagining that he would soon behead a high-ranking official, and a sense of pleasure flashed through his heart!

As they got closer to the main hall, Wu Jian's breathing became heavier.

My heart was pounding like thunder!

"Pfft!"

Suddenly, a cold light pierced through the door and came into view!

"Pfft!"

With a muffled thud, an arrow struck Wu Jian squarely in the face!

"kill!"

Upon seeing this, the Wu family guests realized that the person in the hall had woken up. Ignoring Wu Jian's death, they immediately shouted angrily.

"Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!"

In an instant, several arrows whistled through the air!

In the blink of an eye, three or four people were hit by arrows and fell to the ground!

"kill!"

A thief leaped up the steps and then slammed the door open with a knife!

"Pfft!"

But what awaited him was a fireball poised to be unleashed!

"boom!"

In an instant, a deafening explosion resounded throughout the surrounding countryside!

Sparks flew everywhere, and thick smoke billowed!

"Bang!"

A figure whose upper body was charred like charcoal flew backward and crashed heavily into the courtyard, already lifeless!

"The fireball talisman is so powerful?"

Zhao Xian showed a hint of surprise!

His hands never stopped moving, and in an instant, several more arrows flew out of the hall!

"Thump thump!"

Several figures fell to the ground in response!

"Mu Chun, follow me and kill!"

"Clang!"

Zhao Xian abandoned his bow and drew his sword, charging out like a tiger descending a mountain!

"Ding!"

The sound of metal clashing rang out, and a thief stepped forward quickly, brandishing a knife to meet Zhao Xian in battle!

A tremendous force suddenly surged from the blade, and Zhao Xian grunted, but once again charged forward with his sword!

The blades changed, no longer clashing head-on as before!

The thief opposite us is a first-rate martial artist at the Bone Refinement level!

Although Zhao Xian was at the sixth level of Qi Refining and also practiced martial arts, his martial arts cultivation was only at the second-rate Tendon Refining level.

In terms of sheer strength, he was no match for the thief on the other side!

But Zhao Xian was not without a chance of winning!

That swordsmanship, which had reached a high level of mastery, was Zhao Xian's chance to win!

"Ding ding ding!"

Like rain pattering on banana leaves, the two clashed violently!

The thief wielded a ring-bladed sword with overwhelming momentum and relentless attacks. Wherever the blade passed, it stirred up wisps of sharp wind. He was truly a master!

Zhao Xian, however, remained calm and composed. He wielded his ring-blade with proper technique, yet he was able to block his opponent's deadly moves with exquisite moves, maintaining a very stable and secure defense.

Seeing that he couldn't break through after a long time, the thief became a little impatient and couldn't help but increase the force in his hands!

Seeing that the bandits were agitated, Zhao Xian remained calm and composed, even having the time to protect Mu Chun beside him.

Mu Chun is now only a third-rate martial artist. Although he has received a lot of guidance from Zhao Xian and has been through several battles, making him a good fighter among third-rate martial artists, he is somewhat powerless when facing second-rate martial artists!

Suddenly, the thief neither dodged nor avoided, but instead lunged forward, clearly intending to exchange injury for death!

Upon seeing this, Zhao Xian chuckled inwardly, lightly slashed with his ring-pommel sword, cutting through the thief's blade and striking his wrist!

Taking advantage of his excruciating pain, the ring-blade thrust forward and pierced through his neck!

"Rip!"

The ring-pommel sword turned around, slicing open half of the neck, and then collided with another ring-pommel sword!

"Ding!"

A soft sound!

The immense force struck, and Zhao Xian's face immediately turned pale as he staggered backward!

With a slight thought, another fireball flew out of his hand!

"break!"

But the thief neither dodged nor avoided, but raised his ring-pommel sword high and slashed fiercely at the fireball!

"Bang!"

In an instant, flames burst forth, and a ball of crimson fire rose into the air!

"Pfft! Pfft!"

Several cyan wind blades, each over a foot long, pierced through the flames and swept across the courtyard at lightning speed!

"middle!"

Suddenly, Zhao Xian raised his hand and unleashed another fireball!

Upon seeing this, the thief who had just cleaved the fireball turned and fled!

But how could he possibly escape faster than the incoming fireball!

"Bang!"

Another loud bang!

"kill!"

Before the flames had even subsided, Mu Chun had already charged forward with his sword!

Zhao Xian stood on the steps, holding a knife, lightly tapping a talisman in his hand, his face very wary!

That talisman was an earthen wall talisman, which could transform into an earthen wall to block one's way!

"Pfft!"

Before long, Mu Chun killed the last wounded bandit and walked towards Zhao Xian, his body covered in blood.

Are you injured?

"Master, Mu Chun is alright!"

"In that case, let us wait here until dawn!"