Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

Chapter 156 Who Will Win the Prize? The Xu Family Joins Forces!

The next morning, the sun rose in the east.

After politely declining the earnest entreaties of the Song family father and son, Zhao Xian, Zhao Hong, and Zhao Duan each mounted their horses and swaggered away from Qiande Lane.

On the way back, Zhao Xian's gaze kept falling on Zhao Hong and Zhao Duan, a half-smile playing on his lips.

The two were still young, and their faces turned completely red when faced with Zhao Xian's meaningful gaze!

"The Song family is nothing more than a wealthy household in the countryside!"

"Don't be so restrained in your future actions!"

After offering a few casual words of advice, Zhao Xian spurred his horse and galloped towards the country house.

Last night, I mentioned to the Song family father and son that I would be going out to inspect the countryside today, and I was not just making things up.

When they arrived at the village, Zhao Zheng, Zhao Ji, Mu Chun and others had been waiting for them for a long time outside the official road.

Upon seeing the three return, everyone's gaze naturally fell upon Zhao Hong and Zhao Duan.

"Look, spending a night outside really makes a difference!"

As the elder brother of the group, Zhao Ji immediately made a joke.

"Ha ha!"

"Ah Hong and Ah Duan are still just children; how can they withstand such meticulous care from the Song family?"

"I think Ah Hong and Ah Duan are quite good; they ride their horses with such straight backs!"

"Haha! Ah Hong, how late did you go at it last night?"

Most of the people in the group were members of the Zhao clan, and they were all elders of Zhao Hong and Zhao Duan. So they were unrestrained in their use of vulgar language.

Upon hearing the jokes from the Zhao clan members, Zhao Hong and Zhao Duan immediately blushed, but then they remembered Zhao Xian's advice earlier.

Zhao Hong immediately cracked his whip, and with a broad smile, shouted to his people, "We fought for another hour after the rooster crowed three times before signaling the end!"

"Whoa!"

"This young man is truly extraordinary!"

Upon hearing this, everyone naturally began to joke around again.

After some playful banter, led by Zhao Zheng, the group left the village house and began their patrol of the village.

The news that Zhao Xian and his two companions had stayed overnight at the Song family's house naturally spread.

"Damn it! That old scoundrel Song Chen beat me to it again!"

Upon hearing this news, the wealthy villagers all cursed in unison, but then they began to ponder carefully how to invite Zhao Xian to their homes!

"My lord, I recall you are still unmarried!"

For a time, many people thought of this.

The Xu family of Xiangting.

Today was a day off, so Xu Dekun did not go to the country house and rested at home.

After hearing the news reported by the servants in his household, Xu Dekun couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head.

"Dekun, what's your opinion on this matter?"

Xu Daocheng, the head of the Xu family, looked at his eldest son and asked with a smile.

"Father, Zhao Xian is not someone who is easily seduced by beauty!"

"His mental fortitude is unparalleled among all the people I have met!"

"The Song family's attempt to obtain that county official position through this method is nothing short of wishful thinking!"

Upon hearing his father's question, Xu Dekun immediately answered without hesitation.

"So, in your opinion, who will ultimately get this spot?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Daocheng immediately asked again.

"The Xu family of Wohu Township!"

"Um?!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Daocheng was slightly taken aback, and as if he had misheard, he looked up at Xu Dekun and asked, "Which Xu family?"

"Of course it's our family!"

Xu Dekun immediately replied with a smile.

"Dekun, why did you say such a thing?"

"Cao Quan of the Cao family has already joined Zhao Xian's ranks, and Yan Su of the Yan family is quite at odds with Zhao Xian!"

"Of all the prominent families in the village, only the Xu family is left!"

"Father, Dejing has now come of age and his cultivation is quite good. In my opinion, we should have Dejing join Lord Zhao's forces!"

At this point, Xu Dekun stood up and bowed to Xu Daocheng.

"This matter still needs to be discussed with Dejing!" Xu Daocheng nodded slightly, then looked at the servants below, "Go and summon Dejing!"

A moment later, a burly monk with a sword hanging at his waist entered the hall.

"Dejing greets Father and Elder Brother!"

The monk immediately bowed to both of them.

"Dejing, Military Officer Zhao Xian is currently stationed in Wohu Township. He has a vacancy for a county official. Are you interested in joining his ranks?"

Xu Daocheng didn't waste any time and immediately looked at Xu Dejing and asked in a solemn voice.

"Could it be Lord Zhao, who quelled the demonic calamity?"

"That's him!"

"Your son is willing to follow Lord Zhao and continue to protect our homeland!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Dejing respectfully bowed and agreed to the matter.

"Very well, I hereby invite Sergeant Bing to the banquet tonight!"

Xu Daocheng did not delay and immediately looked at Xu Dekun and Xu Dejing and said with a smile.

Time flies, and a whole day has passed in the blink of an eye.

As night fell, the Xu family's house was brightly lit!

Inside the main hall, the host and guests mingled and drank, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Zhao Xian understood Xu Daocheng's intentions when Xu Dejing suddenly appeared at the banquet. He immediately took the initiative to recruit Xu Dejing and treated him with great courtesy.

Xu Dejing was also quite excited to see Zhao Xian being so approachable!

The Xu family had not produced a high-ranking official for decades. Now, Zhao Xian, a young and promising official, was treating him with great courtesy. Xu Dejing was naturally delighted and pleased with the treatment.

Thinking of this, Xu Dejing drew his sword from his waist and was about to demonstrate his swordsmanship to Zhao Xian!

"Haha! Since Little Xu is so inclined, Ah Hong, why don't you accompany him for a friendly sparring match!"

Zhao Xian looked down at Zhao Hong and immediately gave the order.

When Zhao Hong saw Zhao Xian give him a meaningful look, he immediately understood that Zhao Xian wanted him to cooperate.

"Clang!"

In an instant, a chilling light flashed, and the clash of swords filled the hall!

Xu Dejing has come of age, and although he does not possess any spiritual roots, his martial arts skills are quite formidable.

In Zhao Xian's view, Xu Dejing's martial arts cultivation was already close to the bone-refining level. With a little more bloody battle tempering, he might be able to step into the bone-refining level and become a first-class martial artist!

However, Zhao Xian doesn't have a single first-rate warrior under his command right now!

In terms of cultivation level, Zhao Xianmo's current highest level should be Zhao Cheng and Zhao Ji, but neither of them has yet reached the perfection of their tendon training.

Next should be Zhao Zheng and Huang Zhong.

Although Huang Zhong is young, his progress in martial arts is quite rapid!

It can be described as a latecomer surpassing the former!

"I wonder if the Xu family possesses a method for perfecting bone and tendon tempering!"

Judging from Xu Dejing's movements, he has at least reached the pinnacle of the Skin Refinement Perfection realm.

As for achieving perfection in tendon training, not a single trace of it has been observed.

"Ding ding ding!"

A series of metallic clanging sounds reached the ears of everyone in the hall, and sparks flew as the two men were locked in combat!

Seeing the two fighting so fiercely, a hint of worry flashed across Xu Daocheng's eyes, fearing that Xu Dejing might hurt Zhao Hong.

"Haha! These two lads are really getting heated!"

Seeing Zhao Xian staring intently at the two of them, Xu Daocheng immediately smiled and said.

"Excellent! Excellent!"

"Young people should have this kind of fiery spirit!"

As if understanding Xu Daocheng's concerns, Zhao Xian immediately praised him repeatedly.

Seemingly hearing Zhao Xian's praise, the two men in the hall fought even more fiercely.

Suddenly, a crisp sound rang out, and the ring-pommel sword in one of the men's hands snapped in two.

"middle!"

The other man gave a soft shout, and his sword was already resting on his opponent's neck.

"Excellent swordsmanship!"

Upon seeing this, Zhao Xian immediately said, "Good!"

"Young Master Zhao, at such a young age, already possesses such exquisite swordsmanship; it truly broadens our horizons!"

Upon seeing this, Xu Dekun also praised Zhao Hong.

It wasn't just for show; it was truly rare for Zhao Hong, at the age of sixteen, to have mastered a sword technique to such an advanced level.

"A good horse deserves a good saddle, and a fine sword should be given to a talented person!"

"Someone, go and fetch that finely forged Taizhou sword, Cold Snow!"

Upon seeing this, Xu Daocheng, who was seated in the main seat, also laughed loudly.

"Taizhou swords are unparalleled in the world!"

"Even a fine Taizhou sword would fetch at least 30,000 coins, Master Xu, quickly take back what you said!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian quickly spoke up to stop him.

The Xu family is quite wealthy, so the precious sword Xu Daocheng mentioned must be no ordinary Taizhou sword. This gift is rather generous!

Seeing this, Zhao Hong, who was standing to the side, quickly bowed and asked Xu Daocheng to retract his decision.

Seeing how polite and sensible Zhao Hong was, Xu Daocheng was naturally even more satisfied and would never take back his decision.

"Haha! It's nothing, just a mere weapon, not worth mentioning!"

Seeing this, Zhao Xian had no choice but to bow to Xu Daocheng and accept Xu Daocheng's kindness.

Now that Xu Dejing has joined Zhao Xian's ranks, the Xu family is now more closely tied to him.

A thought involuntarily surfaced in his mind, but this matter still needed to be discussed with Chen Yuancheng.

It was late at night, and Zhao Xian repeatedly declined Xu Daocheng's invitation to stay before returning to Wohu Village with Zhao Hong and Zhao Duan.

Upon returning to the country house, Zhao Xian saw that there were still lights on in the backyard, so he walked towards the backyard.

"Ah Hong, go and tell Song Jun to come to the backyard of the country house."

Turning back to Zhao Hong, who was holding and stroking the precious sword, Zhao Xian spoke.

"Kuro!"

Upon seeing Zhao Xian arrive, Zhang Wen and Wang Cong, who were in the courtyard, were quite surprised.

"Has Mr. Chen rested yet?"

Zhao Xian nodded toward the main hall and asked with a smile.

"Not yet!"

Wang Cong immediately replied with a smile.

"Um!"

Zhao Xian then walked towards the hall.

"Zhang Jun and Wang Jun, please keep watch here!"

Zhao Xian did not speak directly, but Zhang Wen and Wang Cong behind him understood. They immediately responded, picked up their long swords, and began to patrol the courtyard.

"Bozhang, why didn't you stay overnight at the Xu family's house?"

Upon seeing Zhao Xian enter the hall, Chen Yuancheng also spoke up jokingly.

"I have something urgent to tell Mr. Chen!"

After saying this, Zhao Xian sat down in the lowest seat.

A moment later, Song Ming, the military officer, also arrived.

"Ah Xian, what's the matter that requires such a rush?"

Upon seeing Song Ming arrive, Chen Yuancheng immediately asked with great curiosity.

"Mr. Chen, is Xu Dekun trustworthy?"

"We are outnumbered and outmatched in our plans to deal with the Wu family. Could we perhaps invite the Xu family to join us?"

Zhao Xian did not try to hide anything and immediately told the truth.

"The Xu family?"

Upon hearing Zhao Xian's words, Chen Yuancheng naturally fell into deep thought.

Song Ming then looked at Zhao Xian with a puzzled expression.

"I gave the last spot to Xu Dejing from the Xu family!"

Zhao Xian then added.

"I see!"

Song Ming immediately nodded and began to ponder.

Seeing this, Zhao Xian naturally remained silent and waited quietly for the two of them.

The lights were shining, but the hall was silent.

After an unknown amount of time, Chen Yuancheng finally raised his head and looked at Zhao Xian.

"With the Xu family's help, this matter is sure to succeed!"

"After all, the Xu family still has a Foundation Establishment cultivator!"

"Foundation Establishment cultivator!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian couldn't help but ponder for a moment.

"It's no exaggeration to say that the Xu family has been declining in power in recent years!"

"If we could acquire the Wu family's wealth, we could certainly make up for our family's financial losses!"

"Besides, Xu Dekun wants to become a western border patrolman; being merely a village assistant isn't enough for him right now!"

"He still needs to achieve some great feats!"

Although Song Ming was new to Wohu Township, he had been staying in the township office for the past few days and had read through all the township's records from previous years.

When it comes to understanding Wohu Township, neither Chen Yuancheng, the township head, nor Zhao Xian, a native of Wohu Township, can compare to him!

"We'll use Xu Dekun's future as bait!"

"Mr. Chen, only a personal visit from you will show our sincerity!"

After saying this, Song Ming looked at Chen Yuancheng, bowed respectfully, and said solemnly.

"In that case, I will follow Lord Song's advice!"

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