Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

Chapter 148 Wu De Cuts His Own Flesh (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Xixiang Village.

At noon, the official road in front of the village was bustling with noise, people and horses neighing.

The usually quiet country houses are now bustling with activity.

In the front yard of the country house, in the main hall.

A dozen or so figures stood in the hall, making it appear quite crowded.

Liu Chen, the village head, was the host of the village house, but he did not sit in the main seat. Instead, he was relegated to the first seat on the right.

On the left are several well-dressed and sturdy Taoist priests.

"Ah Xian, there are still seven or eight days until the deadline in January. Now that Xixiang has been settled, only Beiguoxiang and Pinghexiang remain."

"Uncle, before I left, I instructed Zhao Cheng and others to continue to quell the demonic disturbance in Beiguo Township. Beiguo Township should have been quelled by now."

Zhao Xian looked at Zhao Li, who was sitting to his left, and immediately said with a smile.

"We'll rest a bit today, and head to Pinghe Township first thing tomorrow morning!"

"Pinghe Township has seven pavilions under its jurisdiction, with a large number of Taoist residents, including many prominent families and wealthy households. One must proceed with extreme caution!"

Seeing Zhao Xian's words of advice, Zhao Li, Zhao Yi, and the others nodded in agreement.

After chatting for a while, Liu Chen tactfully got up to take his leave, leaving only Zhao Xian and his family members in the hall.

"Ah Xian, you killed the village official Wu Liang. How are you going to explain this to the county magistrate?"

Seeing Liu Chen leave, Zhao Li immediately looked at Zhao Xian and asked in a low voice.

"Uncle, you are unaware that the Wu family sent their retainers to assassinate me late the night before last!"

"Thirteen people, including three first-rate martial artists and ten second- and third-rate martial artists, have all been killed by Mu Chun and me!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian immediately recounted the events of the previous day when bandits attacked the village.

Upon hearing Zhao Xian's words, Zhao Li immediately slammed his hand on the table in front of him and shouted, "The Wu family has truly courted death by secretly sending guests to assassinate a high-ranking official!"

"Ah Xian, if we report this matter to the county magistrate..."

After saying that, Zhao Li looked at Zhao Xian and asked tentatively.

"Everything must wait until the demonic calamity subsides!"

Zhao Xian immediately shook his head and said solemnly.

"If that's the case, why bother resting for the night!"

"We'll head to Pinghe Township this afternoon!"

Zhao Li immediately stood up and said with great excitement.

"Uncle, there's no need to rush!"

"My followers have worked hard for more than half a month; they deserve a good rest!"

Zhao Xian smiled helplessly and gestured for Zhao Li to sit down, telling him not to be in such a hurry.

"Pinghe Township is one of the largest townships in Rongtai County, and its township head is a high-ranking official. Will we encounter the same situation when we arrive in Pinghe Township?"

Father Zhao Yi, who had been sitting there silently puffing on his pipe, suddenly spoke up and asked a question.

"In addition, most of the northern nomadic tribesmen who tour the four northern villages stay overnight in Pinghe village houses!"

"On land acquisition," Cao Quan added.

Upon hearing this, the faces of the people in the hall all showed a hint of solemnity.

After a moment of contemplation, Zhao Xian looked around at the people in front of him and a smile appeared on his face.

"Then let's see whose methods are better!"

Before he could finish speaking, Mu Chun strode in from outside the hall.

"Master, County Clerk Liu Yuan and Northern Patrol Officer Wu De have arrived outside the village."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian was slightly startled and immediately got up and walked out of the hall.

"Follow me to welcome Lord Liu!"

Before long, Zhao Xian and his entourage, surrounding a middle-aged scholar, strode toward the main hall in the front courtyard.

After everyone politely took their seats, a local official came forward to serve tea.

"Bo Zhang, in the past ten days, you have wiped out bandits in four different places and killed nearly a hundred demonic beasts. You have truly amazed me!"

Taking a sip of tea, Liu Yuan put down his cup, looked at Zhao Xian, stroked his beard, and smiled.

And in his eyes, there was also a hint of just the right amount of appreciation.

"Lord Liu, you flatter me. This is all thanks to the efforts of my followers!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian immediately offered a humble response.

"Haha, Bozhang is too modest!"

Liu Yuan stroked his beard and smiled, then his gaze fell on Wu De, who was opposite Zhao Xian, and he immediately let out a long sigh.

"Lord Wu, you are a patrol officer in the north, where bandits and monsters wreak havoc. The county magistrate has long harbored resentment towards you!"

"Without Bozhang's help to quell the bandits and demonic disturbances, the county magistrate would likely have already ordered your punishment!"

By the end, Liu Yuan's tone had become quite serious!

"Wu De is incompetent, causing the county magistrate great worry!"

Upon hearing this, Wu De immediately rose from his seat, knelt on the ground, and wept uncontrollably.

"Mr. Wu, please get up!"

After a few breaths, Liu Yuan regained his composure and then spoke calmly.

Wu De then stood up, but still stood respectfully below the hall.

"Now, with only seven or eight days left until the appointed month, the county magistrate is already eagerly awaiting Bo Zhang's good news!"

Liu Yuanfu looked at Zhao Xian again and said with a smile.

"Zhao Xian will certainly live up to the county magistrate's high expectations!"

"Within five days, we will surely quell the remaining local demonic disturbances!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian immediately rose from his seat, bowed, and replied.

"Excellent! Bozhang is indeed confident!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yuan's face lit up with joy, and he shouted loudly.

The reason for this is that Zhao Xian was recommended by Liu Yuan to the county magistrate. If Zhao Xian can complete the task of suppressing the demon as promised, it will also demonstrate Liu Yuan's good judgment in recognizing talent!

"Mr. Wu, you will spend more time patrolling Pinghe Township. The demonic disturbance in Pinghe Township will be dealt with by you and Bozhang together!"

Liu Yuan then looked at Wu De and suddenly spoke in a solemn voice.

"Everything revolves around Bozhang!"

Seeing that Wu De seemed somewhat surprised, Liu Yuan raised his voice and said.

"This humble official will obey the magistrate's command!"

Upon hearing this, Wu De immediately bowed and paid his respects.

"Bo Zhang, a total of 165 bandits from the four regions, including those who raided the village in Xixiang the day before yesterday, have been beheaded, including nine bandit leaders. Are there any omissions?"

"After asking about the land," Liu Yuan turned to Zhao Xian again and asked in a solemn voice.

"There have been no oversights; all the heads have been handed over to the local officials and presented to the county!"

Zhao Xian immediately bowed again and replied solemnly.

"One head costs one thousand coins, the bandit leader costs ten thousand coins, totaling two hundred and fifty-five thousand coins!"

Liu Yuan secretly calculated in his mind, then smiled and said.

Those in the hall couldn't help but change their expressions slightly upon hearing about these talisman coins.

Zhao Xian, on the other hand, remained calm, which made Liu Yuan think even more highly of him.

"Many of your followers practice martial arts, so the county magistrate instructed me to fetch some Qi and Blood Elixirs that are beneficial to martial arts cultivation!"

"This will serve as a substitute for the county's reward, but unfortunately, the county doesn't have many of these kinds of elixirs; it can only be worth 100,000 talismans!"

At this point, Liu Yuan looked at Wu De, who had remained silent to the side, and smiled, "The county magistrate has said that the remaining 155,000 talisman coins will be converted into low-grade spirit stones and paid by Wu De, the wandering official of the Northern Region!"

"Mr. Wu, what are your thoughts?"

After he finished speaking, everyone in the hall looked at Wu De, who remained silent.

"Wu De respectfully obeys the county magistrate's command!"

After a few breaths, Wu De's face darkened slightly, and he cupped his hands in reply.

"Fifteen mid-grade spirit stones and fifty low-grade spirit stones, Mr. Wu, thank you for your trouble!"

Zhao Xian then looked at Wu De, cupped his hands in a salute, and said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Liu Chen and the others in the hall all sighed for Wu De.

Fifteen mid-grade spirit stones, if exchanged for low-grade spirit stones, would cost at least 1,600 low-grade spirit stones!

Even with the Wu family's vast wealth and influence, it would be extremely difficult for them to come up with such a sum of spirit stones.

"Lord Wu, I plan to distribute rewards to my followers tomorrow; please send them over tonight!"

"Very well, I'll send it to Sergeant Tonight!"

Wu De looked at Zhao Xian and forced a smile as he spoke.

"Mr. Liu, it's getting late. Why don't you stay in the dormitory tonight?"

Seeing Liu Yuan stand up, Liu Chen, who was standing to the side, also stood up and said with a smile.

"I'm busy with official duties in the county; I need to return immediately!"

Liu Yuan shook his head, then looked at Liu Chen and said calmly, "The village was attacked. You, as the village head, weren't frightened, were you?"

"With bandits and monsters running rampant these days, I think you should return to your post in the county as soon as possible!"

Having said that, Liu Yuan's gaze swept over Zhao Xian and Wu De before him for a few moments, then he said calmly, "Starting tomorrow, quell the demonic calamity within five days!"

"I will obey Lord Liu's command!"

The two men immediately became serious and responded in unison.

"Take it carefully, don't disappoint the county magistrate!"

Liu Yuan then took out a storage bag from his sleeve and handed it to Zhao Xian. Zhao Xian accepted the storage bag with both hands, his expression respectful.

"Walk!"

With a flick of his sleeve, Liu Yuan immediately walked out of the hall.

Zhao Xian, Wu De, and others followed closely behind, respectfully seeing him off to the outside of the house, watching Liu Yuan mount his horse, and the county officials gradually disappear into the distance.

"Mr. Wu, deliver the spirit stones before nightfall!"

Zhao Xian turned to look at Wu De and immediately said with a smile.

"Gather at the village house at the beginning of Chenshi (7-9 AM) tomorrow!"

He gave one last word of advice, then turned and walked into the country house.

"snort!"

Upon hearing this, Wu De snorted coldly, his eyes flashing with chilling killing intent as he charged straight at Zhao Xian.

"Walk!"

Seeing Zhao Xian walk into the country house at a leisurely pace, Wu De also let out a low shout and left in a huff!

As for the fifteen mid-grade spirit stones and fifty low-grade spirit stones, Liu Yuan personally gave the order, so he naturally dared not be insincere.

Before nightfall, a young official wearing a red turban hurriedly entered the country house.

"This humble clerk, Wu Rang, pays his respects to Lord Military Officer!"

"What business does Lord Wu have with you?"

Zhao Xian looked at the young clerk below the hall and asked indifferently.

"I have come specifically to present the county's reward to the Sergeant!"

After saying this, Wu Rang took out an exquisite storage bag from his sleeve and presented it to him with both hands with great respect.

Mu Chun, who was standing nearby, immediately stepped forward, took the storage bag, and presented it to Zhao Xian.

After scanning the storage bag with his divine sense and confirming that the number of spirit stones was correct, Zhao Xian immediately took out all the spirit stones from the storage bag and then tossed the storage bag to Wu Rang.

"Why haven't I seen Wu Jian, who came with you a few days ago?"

The storage bag landed squarely in Wu Rang's hands, and Zhao Xian's words reached his ears.

Wu Rang stuffed the storage bag into his sleeve, then replied respectfully, "My cousin suffered a qi deviation during his cultivation the other day and has passed away at home!"

"What a pity!"

"Give him a proper burial!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian sighed with deep emotion and then offered a word of comfort.

"Thank you for your concern, Sergeant! Is there anything else you require of me?"

Wu Rang suppressed the surging hatred in his heart and respectfully replied.

"Alright, you can leave now!"

Zhao Xian waved his hand and then said calmly.

Upon hearing this, Wu Rang bowed again and respectfully withdrew.

Seeing that his footsteps were sometimes light and sometimes heavy, Zhao Xian knew that he must be extremely angry, but he just chuckled.

They didn't take it seriously at all!

"Once the evidence of Wu De's collusion with bandits is reported to the county magistrate, even if the Wu family isn't exterminated, they'll suffer greatly!"

"We'll use other methods then."

Suppressing his thoughts, Zhao Xian looked at his father, uncle, elder brother, and others present.

"I just took a look at the cultivation elixirs that Master Liu sent. Among them are one bottle of Tiger Strength Bone Tempering Pills, three bottles of Leopard Embryo Tendon Changing Pills, and ten bottles of Blood Qi Pills, each containing ten pills!"

"Ultimately, it was Zhao Cheng, Zhao Ji, and A Hong who did the annihilation of the bandits!"

"Now that Ah Hong and the other three are all close to the Tendon Refining stage, these Qi and Blood Pills are practically useless!"

"Then let them all be distributed as rewards to your followers!"

"As for the Leopard Embryo Tendon-Changing Pill, Zhao Cheng and Zhao Ji each received one bottle, and the remaining bottle was divided among the five squad leaders!"

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded slightly and offered no objections.

As for the Tiger Strength Bone Tempering Pill, it is suitable for martial artists at the bone-refining level, and its value is naturally not low, so it cannot be given away to others casually.

After nightfall, Zhao Xian hosted a banquet for the villagers outside the village house. The feast lasted until late at night before everyone dispersed to rest.

Zhao Xian also rewarded Mu Chun with fifty low-grade spirit stones, for which Mu Chun was very grateful!

Fifty low-grade spirit stones are enough to buy a yak and two acres of land for your family.

Mu Chun was the second son in the family, so he was naturally unable to inherit the family business. Following Zhao Xian was obviously the best way out for him!

Of course, poor families don't have much to inherit.

Since following Zhao Xian, Mu Chun has received continuous rewards from him, and now he has accumulated quite a lot of spirit stones and talisman money.

These coins aren't enough to make you a rich man, but they'll be enough to live comfortably for a few years.

The next morning, as dawn broke.

Zhao Xian still gets up for his morning exercise without fail.

After morning exercise and breakfast, the sound of horses' hooves could be heard outside the village house.

Clearly, Wu De has arrived as promised.

"Hurry up and pack your bags!"

Upon hearing the sound of horses' hooves, Zhao Li also shouted loudly.

A moment later, the villagers were ready and lined up in an orderly fashion on the official road in front of the village house.

Now, only about thirty people remain in the group of Daoists, but they are all very capable and have sharp eyes!

Even as he walked, he carried a subtle air of menace.

"I'd long heard that Zhao Xian's demon-hunting team was incredibly elite, but I never imagined they were this formidable!"

Wu De, perched atop his horse, looked down at a group of Daoist followers not far away, a hint of shock in his eyes!

"No wonder Zhao Xian was able to quell the demonic calamities in several villages so quickly. With such skilled Daoist practitioners at his command, what is there to fear in a one-on-one battle against even the most numerous demonic beasts!"

"If only I could have such skilled and capable Daoist followers under my command!"

With this thought in mind, a hint of greed gradually appeared in Wu De's eyes!

As soon as they arrived, several figures led horses out of the village house, then mounted their horses and rode forward.

"We greet you, Sergeant!"

When the people of the Dao saw the newcomer, they all shouted in unison!

The unified sound echoed beyond the country house!

"Within ten days, the demonic calamity in the surrounding villages was quelled. You gentlemen have rendered meritorious service in hunting the demons!"

"Each person will be rewarded with ten low-grade spirit stones! The squad leader will receive fifteen! The platoon leader will receive twenty!"

"Those who are injured, regardless of the severity of their injuries, will be rewarded with ten spirit stones!"

"Each person will also be given a Blood Nourishing Pill!"

Zhao Xian looked around at the Daoist people in front of him and immediately shouted loudly.

"We thank you, Sergeant!"

Led by Zhao Li and others, the Daoist people shouted in unison once again.

"Let's go, Pinghe Township!"

At this moment, Liu Chen and other village officials, along with Wu De, Wu Rang and others, were all dumbfounded!

Hundreds of low-grade spirit stones and dozens of Qi and Blood Pills were simply distributed!

"Only now do I understand why Lord Zhao's followers are so elite and capable!"

"With such a generous reward, how could the people of Dao not fight to the death for us!"

Liu Chen sighed, then looked at Wu De on horseback beside him and shook his head.

Compared to Zhao Xian, this northern border patrolman was indeed far inferior!