Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

Chapter 149 Hunting Demons in Pinghe (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)

The distance from Xixiang to Shahe Township is only about 20 li. The group set off in the early morning and arrived at Pinghe Township around noon.

The two high-ranking officials arrived together, and the village head of Pinghe Township, who was also a high-ranking official, came out of his village house and went down the steps to greet them.

The head of Pinghe Township had heard about what had happened in Xixiang in the past few days.

But having heard of him before, they dared not underestimate Zhao Xian, this military officer they had never met!

"This humble clerk, Yuan Wei, greets Lord Military Officer!"

Then a clerk wearing a bronze crown, with a rich face and a stout build, stepped forward and bowed.

"Please rise, sir. How can I, a humble student, accept such a great honor!"

Upon seeing this, Zhao Xian immediately dismounted and went to help Yuan Wei, the village head of Pinghe Township, to his feet.

"The name of Lord Zhao has been renowned throughout us for the past ten days!"

"With overwhelming force, they quelled banditry in four regions, beheading over a hundred and slaying dozens of rebellious demonic beasts, earning our utmost respect."

"Then Yuan Wei stood up, looked up at Zhao Xian, and offered another round of flattery, while a hint of surprise appeared in his eyes."

"This sergeant is indeed as rumored, so young and promising!"

He silently praised him in his heart, and then Yuan Wei immediately turned around and led Zhao Xian and his party into the country house.

As for You Weiwu and Wu De from the north, they only exchanged a glance and said nothing more.

Wu De, a guerrilla from the north, was stationed in Pinghe Township, and he was naturally very familiar with Yuan Wei.

But seeing Yuan Wei so close to Zhao Xian while being somewhat distant from him, he naturally didn't look too good. He immediately snorted and followed Zhao Xian and the others into the country house.

After entering the country house and proceeding to the main hall in the front courtyard, everyone politely declined each other's seats before taking their places.

Zhao Xian was no longer as rude as he had been in Xixiang, and his words and actions were now very humble and cautious.

Yuan Wei was somewhat surprised. He had thought that this sergeant, who had achieved success at a young age, must be somewhat arrogant.

Unexpectedly, they were so approachable, and talking to them was like a gentle breeze!

"Can such a talent emerge from the countryside?"

Suppressing his thoughts, Yuan Wei looked at Zhao Xian and introduced him to the various officials in the village.

Zhao Xian did not act arrogantly and treated him with courtesy.

Pinghe Township is one of the largest townships in Rongtai County. Its township head is a high-ranking official with a salary of 100 shi (a unit of grain), and there are also two township assistants, both of whom are officials in charge of food distribution.

Besides these three, there were as many as sixteen village officials.

After exchanging pleasantries, Zhao Xian then discussed the Pinghe demon disaster with Yuan Wei.

The seven villages under the jurisdiction of Pinghe are densely populated and have fertile land. There are no mountains or dense forests in the area; most of the land is cultivated farmland.

Another sandy river, more than ten feet wide, flows through the village.

It is precisely because of this sandy river that Pinghe was able to transport goods by waterway, and the small Pinghe Township also has a very busy dock.

This time, the demonic invasion was caused by most of the monsters that were causing trouble in the riverbed, and most of them have already been wiped out.

Only a few elusive monsters remained.

Upon hearing this news, Zhao Xian felt both excited and somewhat solemn.

There are quite a few wealthy households and prominent families in Pinghe Township. Wu De, a guerrilla from the north, used to be stationed in Pinghe. Those monsters that posed little threat and were easy to eradicate had probably been wiped out by him long ago.

Those left behind will surely be formidable monsters!

Seeing Zhao Xian lost in thought, Yuan Wei also fell silent and quietly sipped his tea.

Seeing Zhao Xian pondering, Wu De on the opposite side couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

"If the calamity of the Pinghe River were so easily resolved, how could we have allowed a mere brat like you to quell it!"

"I'd like to see how you deal with this scourge!"

Thinking of this, Wu De also picked up the teacup in front of him, wanting to taste the fragrant tea.

"Mr. Wu, you have served as a patrol officer in the north for many years and often inspect the villages in Pinghe. Today, please do your best to visit all the places in the village where monsters have appeared!"

"Tomorrow, based on Wu Jun's intelligence, we will begin slaying the demonic beasts!"

Zhao Xian smiled and looked at Wu De opposite him, then gave his instructions.

"It's not too late to go after lunch!"

After a few breaths, Zhao Xianfu said again in a very considerate manner.

"you!"

Upon hearing this, Wu De's face flashed with anger, and he was about to explode!

But then he suddenly looked around and saw that the other officials were all sitting upright in their seats, holding their breath. Although they did not look at him, Wu De knew that they must be eavesdropping!

"Zhao Xian! I will definitely kill you!"

His expression was unpredictable, but his heart was surging with murderous intent, which Wu De could barely suppress!

"Knowing that Lord Bingcao is about to arrive at Pinghe, the patrol officers have already ordered their subordinates to register and catalog the rebellious monsters!"

"Mu Di," Wu Rang, the young official behind Wu De, suddenly stood up and said respectfully.

"This humble official will fetch it for you, Sir!"

"Bring it here immediately!"

Zhao Xian nodded slightly, looked at Wu Rang, and said with a smile.

Wu Rang immediately bowed again, turned around and withdrew.

Zhao Xian then raised his teacup, looked at Yuan Wei and Wu De, and smiled.

The two men naturally raised their glasses in response to Zhao Xian.

"This tea is really good!"

After taking a sip of hot tea, Zhao Xian immediately praised it.

"Does Mr. Zhao not know the name of this tea?"

Wu De suddenly raised the corners of his mouth slightly, looked at Zhao Xian, and pretended to be puzzled.

"I come from a farming family and have never tasted any fine tea since I was a child."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian immediately answered frankly.

"If it weren't for the local officials Chen Jun, the western patrolman Liu Jun, and the county bandit clerks Chen Gong and Liu Gong, who promoted me from the countryside, Zhao Xian would probably be working the land at home right now!"

Zhao Xianfu then changed the subject, speaking with great emotion.

Upon hearing these names, the officials also became more serious.

These four men all came from prominent families in the county, far surpassing ordinary officials of the rank of 100 shi!

Of course, Chen Yuancheng, the head of Wohu Township, was not a high-ranking official with a salary of 100 shi (a unit of grain), but as the head of a township, he was not much weaker than a high-ranking official with a salary of 100 shi!

Wu De, who was opposite Zhao Xian, paused slightly upon hearing Zhao Xian's boastful display, then turned his head to look outside the hall and remained silent.

"My lord, what is the name of this tea?"

Zhao Xian looked at Yuan Wei, then asked with a smile.

"This tea is called Cloud and Mist Clear Tea, and it comes directly from Wohu Mountain!"

Yuan Wei cursed Wu De inwardly for being incompetent, then replied with a smile.

"I see!" Zhao Xian nodded slightly, then laughed heartily, "Haha! It's a pity that Zhao Xian has never done tea picking, otherwise perhaps the original master would have drunk tea that Zhao Xian personally roasted!"

"If I could drink tea personally brewed by Mr. Zhao, I would be incredibly fortunate!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Wei also offered a compliment.

At this moment, Wu Rang also took several scrolls of bamboo slips and entered the hall, respectfully presenting them to Zhao Xian.

Zhao Xian picked up a scroll of bamboo slips and immediately began to study it carefully.

A moment later, all four bamboo scrolls had been read.

"So, there are still four places in Pinghe Township where rampaging monsters have not been eradicated!"

"The first is the water monkey at Jiahe Pavilion, the second is the earth tiger at Fengde Pavilion, the third is the demonic ox at Guzhong Pavilion, and the last one is that evil dragon outside the dock, right?"

Zhao Xian looked at Yuan Wei and said solemnly.

"Exactly!" Yuan Wei immediately responded solemnly, then added, "Especially that vicious dragon, which attacks passing ships in the sandy river every few days, causing the most harm!"

"Wu Jun had also tried to hunt down that evil dragon many times, but each time it capsized his boat, tore up his trawl nets, and escaped!"

Yuan Wei glanced at Wu De below and said with a wry smile.

"Lord Wu, have you ever seen the true face of that evil dragon?"

After pondering for a few moments, Zhao Xian looked at Wu De and asked in a solemn voice.

Seeing that Zhao Xian and Yuan Wei had begun to discuss serious matters, Wu De dared not object and immediately nodded.

"I've seen most of its body above water before!"

"It is entirely black, about four zhang long from head to tail, with sharp horns on its head, four legs, and scales on its back that are harder than refined iron, impervious to swords and blades!"

Wu De made no attempt to conceal anything and immediately told the truth.

"Did this demon use any magic?"

Zhao Xian asked again.

"He once wielded water arrows to shoot at us. While the power of these water arrows couldn't compare to that of the Iron-Body Bow, it was still comparable to that of the Mulberry Wood Bow!"

"Ordinary leather armor simply can't stop it!"

Wu De immediately answered again.

"Besides that, it's about manipulating the waves to capsize ships!"

"Jiao~"

After hearing this, Zhao Xian pondered for a moment, recalling what his grandfather had once told him!

"The southern lands are teeming with dragons and snakes, who feast on blood and are adept at manipulating wind and rain, stirring up storms and waves!"

"To deal with such a serpentine creature, we must lure it with cattle and sheep, then bind its body with an iron net, block its retreat with a wall of fire, and then have all the soldiers swarm in and hack it to death with swords and spears!"

"Lure them with cattle and sheep~"

Zhao Xian murmured to himself, picked up the bamboo slip in front of him, and began to examine it carefully once more.

"I've got it! We'll use this demonic bull that's become a spirit!"

"That demonic ox seems to be a water buffalo, but it's being used as bait. I don't believe that evil dragon won't fall for it!"

Thinking of this, Zhao Xian was also somewhat excited!

Seeing the smile on Zhao Xian's face, Yuan Wei and Wu De exchanged a glance, somewhat surprised!

"Could it be that in just a few dozen breaths, this sergeant has already devised a method to slay this evil dragon?"

However, seeing that Zhao Xian did not speak, the two did not dare to ask.

A moment later, Zhao Xian looked at the two of them, about to say something, when suddenly a commotion came from outside the house!

Zhao Xian and the others then looked outside the house, only to see a group of people suddenly rushing into the house.

The leaders were none other than several teenagers dressed in black!

One of them immediately strode towards the main hall, followed closely by the others.

"Brother!"

The young man entered the hall and excitedly shouted to Zhao Xian.

"Ah Hong! What brings you guys here too?"

When Zhao Xian saw the person who had arrived, he stood up and stepped down from his seat to greet him, his face showing great surprise and delight.

"Elder brother, we have quelled the demonic scourge of Beiguo Village!"

Zhao Hong looked at Zhao Xian and immediately shouted excitedly.

"The demonic calamity in Beiguo Township has been quelled? So quickly!"

Yuan Wei and Wu De, who were behind Zhao Xian, were also surprised when they heard the black-clad youth's words.

"If the demonic calamity in Beiguo Township has been quelled, then only Pinghe Township remains!"

Thinking of this, Yuan Wei couldn't help but show a sense of urgency.

Pinghe Township was one of the top townships in Rongtai County, but now it has become the last township to suffer from the demonic calamity. Wouldn't that make me lose all face in front of the county magistrate?

Wu De, however, was filled with gloom. Beiguo Township had been pacified, leaving only Pinghe Township, which he and Zhao Xian had pacified together.

If the demonic calamity is quelled as scheduled, all will be well; if it is not accomplished, I fear even the county magistrate will not forgive him!

Even if the county magistrate didn't know what he had done, the mere fact that he had instigated his guests to assassinate a high-ranking official was enough for the magistrate to execute him!

Thinking of this, Wu De also desperately hoped that Zhao Xian would quickly quell the Pinghe demon calamity.

Where is Lord Song?

"Looking for land," Zhao Xian asked Zhao Hong urgently.

"That's it!"

Zhao Hong turned around, pointed outside the hall, and said with a smile.

Upon seeing several figures enter the house, Zhao Xian immediately descended the steps to greet them!

"Many thanks to Lord Song for quelling the demonic disturbance in Beiguo Village on my behalf!"

Before Song Ming could even bow in greeting, Zhao Xian had already prostrated himself completely!

"How dare I accept such a great gift from Lord Zhao!"

Upon seeing this, Song Ming immediately stepped aside to avoid Zhao Xian and bowed, then quickly stepped forward and helped Zhao Xian up.

"Song Ming greets Lord Zhao!"

Then, he took a step back and bowed to Zhao Xian.

Zhao Xian quickly helped him up and stepped aside to invite him into the room!

Before long, the group sat down again.

Zhao Xian also introduced Song Ming to Yuan Wei and the others!

"I have heard of Lord Song's reputation, and seeing him today, I can confirm that it is indeed well-deserved!"

Yuan Wei already had some impression of Song Ming, and now seeing Zhao Xian treating Song Ming with such courtesy, he also praised him.

"I just didn't know that Lord Bingcao was so familiar with Lord Song!"

After saying that, Yuan Wei showed a hint of curiosity.

Zhao Xian did not hide anything and immediately told the truth about how Song Ming took over his command and quelled the demonic disturbance in Beiguo Township!

"Lord Song has rendered a great service this time. When I pay my respects to the County Lady, I will certainly plead for Lord Song's reward!"

Finally, Zhao Xian looked at Song Ming with great solemnity and made his promise.

"I see!"

"Song Jun is indeed a man of great talent!"

Yuan Wei then spoke up again, praising him once more.

Upon seeing Song Ming arrive, Zhao Xian then told the group about the demonic calamity in Pinghe Township and his own thoughts.

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Song Ming calmly said, "The 'Earth Tiger' who caused trouble at Fengde Pavilion has already been killed by us!"

"Even their lair was burned to the ground!"

"A total of four large earth tigers and six smaller earth tigers were killed!"

"We originally planned to pay our respects to Lord Yuan here before heading to the pavilion in the valley to slay that demonic bull!"

After Song Ming finished speaking, Zhao Xian and the others also showed a hint of surprise on their faces.

"Song Jun acted so swiftly!"

Zhao Xian, standing to the side, remarked with considerable emotion.

"On behalf of the people of Fengde Pavilion, I thank Lord Song!"

At this moment, Yuan Wei also stood up and bowed to Song Ming.

"I dare not accept such a generous greeting from you, Lord Yuan! You have governed Pinghe Township for many years, and the people of Pinghe Township speak highly of you!"

"Yuan Jun's virtuous reputation has already spread throughout the surrounding villages!"

Everyone carried the bridal sedan chair. Having traveled extensively for many years, Song Ming was certainly not someone who didn't understand social etiquette. He immediately smiled and offered a few words of praise, returning the courtesy in return.

"In that case, time is of the essence, so let us not delay any longer!"

Zhao Xian rose and looked around at everyone in the hall, his face solemn as he said, "I request that Lord Song, along with Zhao Cheng and the others, proceed to the Valley Pavilion to capture that demonic bull alive!"

"Order Zhao Li and the others to go to Jiahe Pavilion and kill those troublesome water monkeys!"

"Yuan Jun, Wu Jun, and I prepared iron chains, ropes, oil, and all other necessary items in the village!"

"Do any of you have any objections?"

"We will obey Lord Zhao's command!"

Everyone stood up, cupped their hands in greeting to Zhao Xian, and shouted!

After lunch, everyone went about their own business.