Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

Chapter 168 A Warning Sign: The First Signs of Integrity

Chapter 168 A Warning Sign: The First Signs of Integrity (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Back in Xixiang, with nothing to do, Zhao Xian began to study the newly acquired "Gale Sword Technique".

Just as the vendor said, compared to the jade slips used to transmit techniques, these so-called books and sword manuals were indeed much simpler.

Fortunately, Zhao Xian had the help of the Golden Sun Cauldron, and within a few days he mastered the basics of this sword technique.

However, after mastering the basics, this sword technique became increasingly difficult to cultivate.

With Zhao Xian's current Qi Refining Level 7 power, he can only control the flying sword for about ten breaths, and is not able to fully perform the sword technique.

Therefore, to truly unleash this sword technique, the swordsman's cultivation level must be at least at the ninth level of Qi Refining.

After all, the amount of mana in the dantian of a ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator is four times that of a seventh-level Qi Refining cultivator.

Although he could not cultivate the "Gale Sword Technique", he could still continue to practice the basic sword control technique.

The more proficient one is in sword control, the smoother it will be when one switches to sword techniques in the future.

After resting for a few more days in Xixiang, Zhao Xian then regrouped his team and led them to the four eastern townships of the county, which they had never been to before.

During the march, while Zhao Xian was chatting with Song Ming and a few others, he saw his fourth brother Zhao Cheng and his second brother Zhao Ji quickly catching up with him.

"Fourth brother, second brother, what's the matter that you're in such a hurry?"

Upon seeing this, Zhao Xian immediately laughed loudly and asked.

"Ah Xian, the three of us have come to find Lord Song!"

Zhao Ji gave Zhao Xian a sheepish smile, then stepped forward and took the reins for Song Ming.

"Haha! Sergeant Zhao, no need for such formalities, just speak your mind!"

Seeing Zhao Ji's respectful attitude, Song Ming immediately smiled and said the same.

"hey-hey!"

Zhao Ji smiled, scratched his head, and looked at Song Ming: "On this trip home, both of my wives are pregnant. Since you are so learned and talented, I would like to ask you to name them!"

"Is this really true?"

Congratulations, Brother Zhong!

Before Song Ming could speak, Zhao Xian's face lit up with joy, but then he realized what was happening and looked at Zhao Cheng, "Fourth brother, could it be that you've also troubled Lord Song with this matter?"

"Haha! Jiulang, that's absolutely right!"

Zhao Cheng naturally spoke quite frankly.

"Not only the two of us, but also some of our clansmen's families are pregnant!"

"After all, we've already settled in Xixiang for half a year!"

Seeing that Zhao Xian and the others were quite surprised, Zhao Cheng continued.

"So many things have come up! I almost forgot about this!"

Zhao Xian slapped his forehead, looking quite regretful as he spoke.

"Ah Hong, Ah Duan, you two ride horses to Daqingshan Market and find Manager He to buy some tonics to help with pregnancy!"

"Hand it over to Liu Ping, then he can catch up with us!"

Zhao Xian then looked at Zhao Hong, Zhao Duan, and the other three behind him and gave the order without hesitation.

"Okay!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hong immediately responded.

"Kuro! There's no need for such a fuss!"

"Yes, Ah Xian, we've got some savings now!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Cheng and Zhao Ji immediately spoke up to stop them.

"Brother Zhong, what kind of wealth do you have?"

"There has been no harvest from the fields yet!"

"It won't cost many spirit stones!"

"They are all descendants of the Zhao family of Yangping Village, so naturally they need to lay a solid foundation from the womb!"

"Go and return quickly!"

After saying that, Zhao Xian nodded to Zhao Hong.

Without hesitation, Zhao Hong and his three companions spurred their horses and galloped away.

Traveling from the western countryside to the four eastern countrysides, one must also pass through Daqingshan Market.

"Thank you, Jiulang (Ah Xian)!"

Zhao Cheng and Zhao Ji could only thank him repeatedly.

With their combined wealth, buying some tonics would be more than enough, but with Zhao Xian's help, they could purchase some even better nourishing elixirs from Yunlan Pavilion.

The two then informed their followers of the news.

The Daoist people of Moxia, while resting at their camp, all bowed and thanked Zhao Xian.

With offspring, these people truly settled down in Xixiang!

The next day, the group crossed the county town and arrived at several townships in the east of the county.

For the next four months, they will be stationed in these four villages to conduct inspections.

Xu Dekun has taken office as the northern patrol commander. Now is the time for a new official to make a name for himself. Zhao Xian is naturally not so ignorant as to go to the four northern villages to inspect and station troops.

Isn't this stealing Xu Dekun's thunder and preventing him from establishing his authority?

When Xu Dekun first took office as a patrol officer, he must have been working tirelessly day and night, patrolling the villages and arresting thieves.

Therefore, Zhao Xian was not particularly concerned about the four northern villages.

With the arrival of Zhao Xian and his men, who hunted down monsters and apprehended bandits, the four villages in the east of the county gradually quieted down.

Meanwhile, another rumor began to circulate in the county.

The robbery of Lingmi rice in Wohu Township more than 20 years ago has taken a turn for the better!

The newly appointed county bandit clerk, Chen Yuancheng, has discovered clues left behind by the thieves and is investigating the matter!

The news caused quite a stir in Rongtai County.

When the spirit rice was robbed, more than a hundred people died, including two high-ranking officials, four outer disciples of the Yunlan Sect, and more than twenty county and township officials.

Finally, the incident alarmed the county, and several Foundation Establishment cultivators came to track down the thieves.

Unfortunately, after a month of searching, no useful clues were found.

Now, a newly appointed county bandit magistrate has found clues in just a few months?

Thinking about this, many people also harbor some doubts and quietly observe.

As for getting involved, I wouldn't even dare to think about it!

Getting involved in such a major case could lead to the destruction of one's family and clan!

When the news reached Zhao Xian's ears, in order to cooperate with Chen Yuancheng, Zhao Xian also showed great shock to the outside world!

He stated frankly that if Chen Yuancheng found any clues about the thief, he, as a sergeant, would lead his troops to capture the thief!

Subsequently, a large-scale manhunt for the bandits was launched in several villages to the east, and some old cases were even unearthed.

At this point, Zhao Xian realized that it wasn't just Wu De who was harboring bandits and using them to enhance his own power!

Others just didn't do as much as Wu De; they were just dabbling in small things!

But even this minor incident, falling into Zhao Xian's hands, naturally warranted punishment from him!

For a time, the surrounding villages were filled with panic. Some well-established families even sent people to see the county magistrate in hopes of forgiveness, but to no avail!

Zhao Xian did not intend to destroy these people's families and clans; he merely gave them a slight warning.

Not long after, the county official Gao Yuan arrived at Zhao Xian's encampment and secretly instructed Zhao Xian that he could stop.

As a close follower of Magistrate Gao Su, Gao Yuan's meaning naturally followed Gao Su's.

Zhao Xian then decided to stop while he was ahead and gave half of the gifts that the families had sent to Gao Yuan.

These were given to Gao Yuan, which was tantamount to giving them to the county magistrate.

With Gao Yuan accompanying him, Zhao Xian and the heads of several prominent families from the village brought up the matter at the banquet.

After seeing Gao Yuan off, Zhao Hong came to report his gains to Zhao Xian.

The demon hunters under his command have already saved up their monthly salaries for several years!

Zhao Xian was naturally very happy, but his happiness was short-lived. He then thought of the expenses for his and Zhao Hong's cultivation and couldn't help but sigh.

This windfall is unlikely to last long.

Time passed slowly, and before we knew it, it was already mid-September.

During this period, Zhao Xian spent his time either inspecting the villages or hunting in the mountains with the sons of prominent families and wealthy households.

This can be seen as a way to mend the various unpleasant incidents that occurred with the prominent families and wealthy households in the countryside.

Zhao Xian still had a number of official positions available, and while discussing the hunting trip, he secretly observed these wealthy young men.

Finally, he chose Yang Zhi, a wealthy young man of good character and cultivation, to serve as his subordinate.

The Yang family of Donglai Township is a family with a long history in the county. There have been Foundation Establishment cultivators in the family. However, this Foundation Establishment cultivator surnamed Yang did not have the opportunity to serve as an official above the Hundred Stone level.

The highest-ranking official the Yang family ever produced was the Eastern Patrol Officer, a high-ranking official with a salary of 100 shi (a unit of grain).

However, that was decades ago.

Today, the Yang family remains a prominent clan in Donglai Township, with some members serving as minor officials in the county, but their lineage seems to be dwindling in the county.

Zhao Xian's recruitment is also an opportunity for the Yang family!

After all, this sergeant had risen from a minor official to the position of sergeant in just two years.

Their abilities and opportunities far surpass those of ordinary people!

While stationed in these townships, Zhao Xian also attended a gathering of independent cultivators in Donglai Township.

It was no different from the Pinghe Small Meeting, and Zhao Xian even saw several familiar vendors at the Donglai Township market.

Although the gathering was lively, unfortunately, there was nothing worth buying at this gathering of independent cultivators in Donglai Township.

As for Zhao Xian's talisman-making skills, the only ones he can currently produce are mid-grade and low-grade Yellow rank talismans.

These are all spirit talismans with little offensive power, and they would be difficult to sell at this gathering.

After all, you can't expect a cultivator in the early or middle stages of Qi Refining to spend a low-grade spirit stone to buy a cooling talisman just for a moment of coolness!

In Zhao Xian's eyes, such people were all spendthrifts!

The talismans drawn by Zhao Xian were all sold to Yunlan Pavilion.

Only in the Daqingshan market would cultivators buy such spirit talismans that have little killing power.

As a result, Zhao Xian's friendship with Manager He of Yunlan Pavilion deepened.

While Zhao Xian was conducting his routine inspections and cultivation, as the scandal surrounding the Spirit Rice case grew larger, the Yan family, located far to the west of the county, finally made a move.

The moon is high in the sky, the bright moon hangs high in the heavens.

The cold wind howled, but it couldn't suppress the burning desire in the hearts of those hurrying along!

"Young master, the patriarch is resting in the main hall!"

Outside the main hall, seeing their young master walking briskly towards them, a servant immediately stepped forward to stop him.

"I have urgent business to attend to!"

Hearing the elegant music coming from the hall, the young master pushed aside the servant blocking his way and stepped into the hall in a few steps.

The hall was filled with faint music, and several maids dressed in thin gauze danced gracefully.

"Yan Su greets his father!"

The young man stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"Oh, it's Su'er. Why isn't she on duty at the village house today?"

The middle-aged scholar, seated at the head of the table, looked at Yan Su below the hall and asked with a smile.

According to custom, officials like Yan Su, who were not on days off, had to stay in their rural homes day and night.

But now that the law has been abandoned, no one follows these regulations anymore!

"I have important matters to report to my father!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Su immediately replied in a solemn voice.

Having served as an official in the countryside for more than half a year, Yan Su has unknowingly become more composed!

This scene, witnessed by Yan Heng at the head of the table, naturally pleased him greatly!

"He's composed enough, but lacks a bit of shrewdness!"

With a sigh in his heart, Yan Heng waved his hand, signaling all the maids and servants in the hall to leave.

Before long, only Yan Heng and his son Yan Su remained in the hall.

"Su'er, have you come here because of that widely discussed matter?"

"Father, it is indeed this matter!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Su immediately replied in a solemn voice.

"Although this incident occurred in Wohu Township, it happened decades ago. You've only been the township official for half a year, so it doesn't involve you!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Heng smiled and said.

"Father!"

Yan Su suddenly raised her head to look at Yan Heng and shouted loudly.

Seeing Yan Su's solemn expression and serious tone, Yan Heng's smile gradually faded away!

Suddenly, he picked up the wooden mallet on the table and gently tapped a bronze bell in the upper left corner!

"Ding!"

The bell tolled clear and long, echoing throughout the main hall!

If a Qi Refining cultivator were to use their Spiritual Eye Technique to observe the hall at this moment, they would discover that the main hall of the Yan family is now shrouded in a faint spiritual light.

"Soundproofing array!"

Who would have thought that this small, rural clan would actually set up a Yellow-Rank formation in the main hall?

Even the most ordinary low-grade yellow-rank formation, just to maintain the minimum intensity, would consume at least three low-grade spirit stones per month!

If used at full power, the spirit stones will be consumed even more rapidly!

Of course, the Yan family didn't even consider this insignificant low-grade spirit stone a threat!

"That incident happened more than twenty years ago. Over the years, the guests and servants who knew about it have all died one after another, and no one knows the inside story anymore!"

"My Yan family has absolutely nothing to do with that matter!"

"On the contrary, three members of my family died in that attack!"

"Our Yan family has also shed blood for this matter!" At this point, Yan Heng looked at Yan Su below, "This matter must never be mentioned again!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

After a long silence, Yan Su bowed and replied.

"Chen Yuancheng served as an official in Wohu Township for over two years. Could it be that he really discovered something?"

After putting his hand down, Yan Su looked at Yan Heng and said in a low voice.

"And that scoundrel Cao Miao, he's been a minor official in the countryside for over twenty years!"

"That's enough!"

Suddenly, Yan Heng shouted, his eyes fixed on Yan Su below, "Our family is safe and sound thanks to that lord!"

"Now that great man has perished in Yunling, and your elder sister has also fallen there!"

"At this critical moment, if we panic and show weakness, wouldn't we be defeated without even being attacked!"

"Yan Su, you're too good for being a lowly official in the countryside!"

"Next year, I will put in a good effort for you, and you will surely be appointed as the head steward of the entire village!"

"Alright, you can go now!"

After saying that, Yan Heng picked up the mallet again and tapped the small bell lightly, then turned and walked towards the inner hall!

After Yan Heng left, Yan Su sat upright in the hall for a long time until the crowing of roosters rose and fell before he got up and left.

Inside the main hall, Yan Heng leaned against the couch, unable to sleep all night!

"Qing'er, could it be that you really perished in the Cloud Ridge!"

Soft murmurs echoed in the inner hall.

Yan Heng's eldest daughter, Yan Qing, possessed a second-grade spiritual root. She cultivated in the Yunlan Sect for twenty years and had already established her Dao foundation before the age of thirty.

Although it is a low-grade Dao Foundation, it is still a Dao Foundation of orthodox methods, and he is an inner disciple of the Yunlan Sect.

Later, she attached herself to Master Mingxiao, a true disciple of the Yunlan Sect, and became his concubine.

As a result, the Yan family rose rapidly in Rongtai County.

Yan Su is Yan Heng's youngest son, and he has only met his elder sister a few times since he was a child.

Yan Su, who had returned to his country home, was unaware that his actions had already been noticed by those with ulterior motives.

In the following days, several unfamiliar Taoist priests came and went from the Yan family home.

At the Wohu Township Pavilion, a minor official wearing a red turban stuffed a small note into an iron pipe and tied it to the foot of a golden eagle.

"Go, go find your master!"

The official patted the bird's back and then handed the golden eagle over.

Donglai Village.

As dawn broke and the sun began to rise.

Several figures walked out of the house, ready to begin their unwavering morning exercise.

Suddenly, a huge bird of prey swooped down on the group of people in the courtyard!

In a flash, a young man brandished his spear, turned and swept it, forcing the raptor to land on the roof.

"Who do we have here! It's Xiao Jin!"

Another boy looked up, then chuckled and loosened his grip on the hilt of the sword at his waist.

"Get down!"

The boy called out, and the raptor immediately flapped its wings and landed on the weapon rack in the courtyard.

"It's here!"

Another boy stepped forward and took an iron pipe from the raptor's claw.

"I'll take it to my brother!"

Then he ran towards the main hall.

A moment later, a young scholar walked out from the hall. Buddha saw him slowly stretch his back and smile slightly at everyone.

"After you've finished your meal, come with me to Cloud Mist Mountain!"

I came to Yunwu Mountain again, but I didn't feel as rushed as last time.

The five of them rode their mounts at a leisurely pace towards the Cloud and Mist Mountain.

"Brother, look at the countryside and fields near Yunwu Mountain, how come they are so well-maintained?"

"Even the demi-humans on the street are this strong and powerful!"

Cheng Hong pointed to the neatly arranged fields in the distance and looked at Cheng Xian with a puzzled expression.

"The people of Lan Village at the foot of Yunwu Mountain are all members of the Chen clan!"

"I once heard Mr. Chen say that only members of the Chen clan with spiritual roots were allowed to reside in Cloud Mist Mountain!"

"For members of the Chen clan who lack spiritual roots, entering the interior of Cloud Mist Mountain is extremely difficult!"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Xian pondered for a few moments before explaining Lan to the four people behind him.

Suddenly, Huang Bi glanced at the several burly men who had slipped away from the others, and after they had walked a little further away, he looked at Cheng Xian and said solemnly, "Lan."

"Brother, these members of the Chen clan are quite powerful!"

"They all possess cultivation levels at the Tendon Refining stage!"

At this moment, Cheng Bingyi echoed with a comment.

"According to Chen Jun, all male members of the Chen clan without spiritual root aptitude must practice martial arts!"

"By the time they approach adulthood, most males can reach the skin-training stage!"

"With further opportunities and accumulated resources, advancing to the tendon and bone training levels is highly possible!"

"Do you know how many adult males like these there are in the Chen clan?"

At this point, Chengxian smiled and looked at the four people behind him, asking Lan with a smile.

"Brother, how many people are there?"

Several people pricked up their ears and listened intently.

"The Chen clan has thrived here for hundreds of years, with a total of one thousand households belonging to the Chen clan at the foot of Yunwu Mountain!"

"Enough to equal the population of half a township!"

"Men at the 'Muscle Strengthening' level can pull out five hundred men in one go!"

Sitting on the saddle, Chengxian looked around at the fields and spoke leisurely about Lan.

What hall?!

"There are so many halls!"

Upon hearing this, the group exclaimed in surprise!

"However, the Chen family could only have this many able-bodied people; any more and it wouldn't be inferior!"

"Similarly, the Zhu and Liu families, both prominent clans in the county, are in a similar situation!"

"In Rongtai County, most of the Lan people with the surnames Chen, Zhu, and Liu have connections with this family!"

Seeing the four people's shock, Chengxian continued to speak about Lan.

"When did our Cheng clan come to have so many members!"

Cheng Duan, standing to the side, said with great emotion, "Lan..."

"Take your time!"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Xian spurred his horse forward and ran over in small steps.

Cloud and Mist Mountain.

When I returned to the foot of the mountain, the open space in front of the mountain gate was much quieter than it had been a few months ago.

Two members of the Chen family stood on either side of the mountain gate, looking at Cheng Xianyi.

"The magistrate of Wohu Township has come to see the Venerable Chen Xi, with urgent news to report!"

Cheng Xian stepped forward, had the two Chen family cultivators bow, and then took out a token given to him by Chen Sheng, along with five low-grade spirit stones, from his sleeve and handed them to the two men.

Seeing this, one of the two stepped forward, took the token and spirit stone, and with a flick of his wrist, the spirit stone disappeared. His gaze fell on the token!

"It is indeed the Fourth Elder's token!"

After observing for a few moments, the Chen family cultivator smiled and said to the person behind him, while the cultivator guarding outside the mountain gate immediately turned around and walked into the mountain gate.

"Cheng Lanyou, thank you for waiting here!"

"Thank you, fellow orchid enthusiast!"

Cheng Xian immediately smiled and said.

With nothing else to do, Cheng Xianyi started chatting with the cultivator guarding the mountain gate.

A moment later, the cultivator who had entered the mountain gate to report came out with a servant.

"Fellow Daoist, please accompany me to pay respects to the Fourth Elder!"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Xian immediately bowed again and followed Shi Nong into the mountain gate.

Cheng Hong and his three companions then led their mounts to a nearby grove and waited quietly.

After entering the mountain gate, Chengxian moved swiftly along the way, and soon arrived at the elegant courtyard he had visited before.

The gate was wide open, and Cheng Xianyi did not hesitate, immediately stepping inside.

On his last visit, Chengxian had not seen Chen Xi’s family. According to Chen Yuancheng, Chen Xi had a son and a daughter. The eldest son had no spiritual roots and now lived at the foot of Yunwu Mountain.

As for the second daughter, she does possess spiritual talent, but she is already married!

Therefore, Chen Xi is the only one in the family!

Upon entering the courtyard, the gate closed automatically. There, under the tree on a stone bench, sat a refined scholar, holding a green bamboo scroll, studying it carefully.

"Chengxian pays his respects to Lord Chen!"

Taking a few steps forward, Chengxian bowed deeply.

"Bozhang, please rise and sit down!"

The scholar in the green robe put down the bamboo slips, looked up at Cheng Xian, and said with a smile.

"Thank you, Master Chen!"

Chengxian bowed again and sat down at the front.

"Lord Chen, this morning we received a message from Qiu Dao Chengze of Wohu Township: the Yan family seems to be making unusual moves!"

After saying this, Cheng Xian presented the note he had received to Chen Xi.

Without hesitation, Chen Xiyi took the note and examined it carefully.

A moment later, the note turned to ashes, and Chen Xi fell into deep thought.

Cheng Xianranyi remained silent and waited patiently.

"Bo-Zhang, what's your opinion?"