Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

Chapter 170 Demonic Aura Appears, Three Woods Appear (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

In an instant, the forest became very quiet.

Seeing Zhao Xian and the other man looking over with a half-smile, Old Man Sun gave an embarrassed smile, thinking to himself how he could have such a dull-witted grandson!

What unusual activity is taking place at the foot of Tiger Head Peak?

Zhao Xian didn't mince words and immediately looked at Sun Gan and asked calmly.

With a slight thought, a crimson light flashed in Zhao Xian's pupils, and he also saw Sun Qian's cultivation level opposite him.

"The fifth level of Qi Refining is not bad among the Daoists of Shanghuting!" Zhao Xian thought to himself.

At this moment, Sun Gan also pondered for a few moments, then looked at Zhao Xian and said with a wry smile, "This old man knows a little about medicine. In my spare time, I take Afu up the mountain to collect some herbs."

"Tiger Head Peak is precipitous, and many rare medicinal herbs grow on it."

"Therefore, this old man is quite familiar with Tiger Head Peak."

"About half a month ago, when I came to Tiger Head Peak to collect herbs, I found some scattered animal bones in a secluded ravine on the northwest side."

"The tooth marks on the animal bone are clear, indicating it's very fresh!"

"This old man's cultivation is low, and seeing those huge teeth marks, I was quite shocked, so I hurriedly left!"

"As for any other unusual occurrences, this old man truly knows nothing about them; I hope you will forgive me, Sir!"

After saying this, Sun Gan bowed to Zhao Xian.

Zhao Xian was also quite surprised when he heard this.

When Zhao Xian suddenly asked the grandfather and grandson, he was just hoping for a lucky break, but he didn't expect to actually get some information.

"Where is that valley?"

Zhao Xian nodded slightly, then asked in a solemn voice.

"It's in the northwest!"

Sun Gan then pointed with his finger.

"Jiulang! I know that place well, let me take you there!"

On the other side, Sun Fu scratched his head and smiled at Zhao Xian.

Zhao Xian was the ninth child in the clan, and Sun Fu, as Zhao Xian's childhood playmate, naturally knew this.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Ah Fu!"

Zhao Xian immediately agreed with a smile.

Sun Gan, standing to the side, raised his hand and moved his lips a few times, wanting to stop Sun Fu, but Sun Fu had already walked excitedly to Zhao Xian's side.

"Sir, perhaps this old man should also come along?"

"Of course!"

Zhao Xian nodded and headed northwest.

The withered grass in the mountain forest was very lush. Sun Fu walked ahead, wielding his machete to clear a narrow path.

Zhao Xian followed behind Sun Fu, chatting with him from time to time.

As for Sun Gan, he was sandwiched between the group by Yang Zhi and remained silent the whole way.

"Ah Fu, I've rarely been home these past few years. What are our childhood playmates doing now?"

"What other work is there? Everyone's just toiling in the fields for a living!" Sun Fu replied casually, without turning his head. "Some are already dead!"

"Um?!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian showed a hint of surprise, but then sighed.

In this day and age, the death of a teenager is really not a big deal!

As if hearing Zhao Xian's sigh, Sun Fu, who was in front, turned around and grinned at Zhao Xian: "Speaking of which, my family should thank you!"

"During the New Year's Day celebrations, you recruited apprentices, and my three brothers also applied!"

"And that's how I got selected!"

"They even gave them a resettlement allowance, fifty talisman coins!"

"We exchanged fifty catties of millet, which just helped my family get through the lean season!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian smiled but did not say anything.

"A few days ago, my third brother asked someone to bring me one hundred talisman coins from the western countryside, along with a message saying that the twenty mu of land allocated to him had yielded a bumper harvest this year!"

"After paying half the rent, the remaining millet, besides enough for rations, is enough to exchange for some more talismans!"

"Yes, thanks to Sergeant Bingcao!"

Sun Gan, who was behind him, suddenly spoke up in agreement.

Sun Fu kept talking nonstop the whole way.

Zhao Xian did not interrupt, but listened quietly from behind as he talked about the changes in Shanghuting and the circumstances of his childhood playmates.

"Ah Fu, how many herbs do you know now? How good are your medical skills?"

Finally, Zhao Xian suddenly looked at Sun Fu in front of him and asked a question.

"I only recognize about a dozen kinds of herbs, and as for medicine, I can only brew some herbal remedies!"

When Zhao Xian asked, Sun Fu immediately replied with a smile.

"I'm short of a healer at my estate in Xixiang. It's a pity. If you knew more, I'd invite you to work at the estate with a monthly salary of two hundred talismans!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian smiled and replied.

"Two hundred talismans?!"

Upon hearing Zhao Xian's words, Sun Fu, who was in front of him, stopped in his tracks and looked at Zhao Xian with disbelief.

"I built a horse farm there, and the veterinarian there also earns two hundred coins a month!"

Zhao Xian then continued speaking.

"Grandfather, where are the two hundred coins?"

Sun Fu looked at Sun Gan behind Zhao Xian and said anxiously.

"So what? What can you do with your meager medical skills?"

Sun Gan raised an eyebrow, glared at Sun Fu, and then smiled at Zhao Xian, saying, "Ah Fu's medical skills are probably even worse than a veterinarian's!"

"It's alright! We can study for a few more years!"

"Lead the way!"

After walking for most of the day, the group finally arrived at the mountain hollow.

While Sun Gan and Sun Fu waited outside, Zhao Xian and Yang Zhi drew their swords and cautiously walked towards the mountain valley.

Looking at the gleaming ring-pommel sword, Sun Fu couldn't help but feel a hint of envy!

What man wouldn't love such a weapon!

Moreover, the ring-pommel swords in their hands were clearly treasured weapons!

After Zhao Xian and his companion disappeared into the lush forest, Sun Gan raised his hand and struck his beloved grandson.

"Snapped!"

The palm struck Sun Fu hard on the back of the head, making a crisp and loud sound!

"Grandpa, why did you hit me!"

Sun Fu looked at his grandfather with a puzzled expression and asked.

"Do you expect me to praise you if I don't hit you?"

"What nonsense were you spouting just now!"

"If it weren't for your nonsense, how could you and I, grandfather and grandson, have ended up in such a dangerous situation!"

Sun Gan looked at Sun Fu with a tone of disappointment and anger, and shouted sternly.

"Jiulang is already a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, what danger could he possibly be in?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Fu retorted defiantly.

"How dare you call me 'Ninth Brother'?"

"Snapped!"

Another clean slap landed on Sun Fu's head!

"He's an official! A high-ranking official!"

Leaving aside the earnest teachings exchanged between the grandfather and grandson, Zhao Xian and Yang Zhi had already ventured into the mountain valley.

Before long, the white bones scattered on the ground came into view.

"Sergeant, these teeth marks are definitely not from an ordinary beast!"

Suddenly, Yang Zhi picked up a piece of animal bone, pointed to the teeth marks on it, and said solemnly.

"There's an eerie atmosphere here!"

Zhao Xian glanced at the animal bones, then spoke with a very solemn expression.

"A demonic aura?!"

"Lord Zhao, what is the beast's cultivation level?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhi also stood up abruptly, looked around, gripped his ring-pommel sword tightly, and asked warily.

"The demonic aura is thin and dim, clearly left behind more than ten days ago!"

"But even this residual demonic energy is comparable to that of a late-stage Qi Refining demonic beast!"

With his nose twitching, Zhao Xian's expression grew increasingly solemn!

"Let's go! Get out of here!"

Standing up and looking around, Zhao Xian immediately and decisively gave the order!

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhi didn't hesitate at all and followed Zhao Xian, rushing towards the exit of the mountain pass!

Once they were out of the ravine, Zhao Xian immediately looked at Sun Gan and his grandson Sun Fu and shouted, "There are already demonic beasts lurking in Crouching Tiger Mountain; we should not stay here any longer!"

"Leave Wohu Mountain immediately!"

"ah?!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Fu immediately stood up in alarm, looking around as if a monster were lurking in the nearby mountains and forests.

"Walk!"

Without hesitation, Zhao Xian turned and walked out of the mountain.

The demonic energy left over from just over ten days ago was enough to rival that of a late-stage Qi Refining demonic beast. The owner of this demonic energy must have been at least at the peak of Qi Refining!

It's not much different from the tiger demon that Zhao Xian, Chen Sheng and others killed together back then!

Even with Zhao Xian's current strength, compared to that tiger demon from before, he is by no means a match for it!

The group moved swiftly along the way, and in less than half an hour, they had fled Wohu Mountain in a panic.

"Sun Gan, upon your return to Shanghu Pavilion, immediately report to the pavilion chief and strictly forbid any Daoist practitioners from entering the mountain without authorization!"

"Just say it's my idea, Zhao Xian's!"

After saying this, Zhao Xian and his companion went to meet Mu Chun.

Before long, the sound of horses' hooves thundered, and the three riders galloped away.

"Grandfather, let's~"

After watching Zhao Xian and the other two leave, Sun Fu looked at his grandfather.

"Go home quickly and report to the village head!"

The three of them ran all the way without stopping, and arrived at Wohu Village in just over half an hour.

Upon returning to his country home, Zhao Xian immediately summoned Zhao Hong and the other three.

Meanwhile, Zhao Hong and his three companions were still resting in the side room!

"How is the interrogation of Yan Jiabin's guests going?"

.

As soon as Zhao Hong and his companions entered the hall, Zhao Xian immediately asked a question.

"They confessed to everything, but it was just about bullying men and women; it has nothing to do with that major event!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hong immediately replied in a low voice.

"It seems the Yan family treats these guests well; they're all tough nuts to crack!" Zhao Xian's eyes flashed with a sharp glint upon hearing this. "Put in a little more effort!"

"Remember, make this an airtight case!"

"I will go there immediately! I will interrogate them again!"

Zhao Hong immediately stood up and agreed, then led Huang Zhong and the other three away.

As for the place where these guests of the Yan family were imprisoned, it was inside Chen Yuancheng's residence.

Since Chen Yuancheng left, no one has ever been to that mansion.

"Yang Jun, Ah Chun, you two go and rest for a while!"

Seeing that Yang Zhi and Mu Chun were still in the hall, Zhao Xian forced a smile and said lightly.

Upon hearing this, both men bowed and left the main hall.

"What level of demonic beast left behind the demonic aura on Crouching Tiger Mountain?!"

A soft murmur echoed in the empty hall.

The moon was high in the sky, the candlelight flickered, and several figures swayed like lightning!

"Were you, guests of the Yan family, involved in the theft of the spiritual rice more than twenty years ago?"

A chilling voice came from Zhao Hong's mouth. He stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the people in front of him with a gloomy expression!

"What?!"

"How could we, ordinary citizens, possibly know such things?"

Upon hearing the young man's words, the guests felt a tremor in their hearts and replied in trembling voices.

If one were to get involved in such a thing, wouldn't it be a disaster that would destroy one's family and clan?

How could they possibly admit it!

"continue!"

Zhao Bing, who was standing nearby, walked over with a leather whip in his hand. Drops of blood dripped from the tip of the whip, and some small barbs were still covered with tender flesh and blood!

The whip cracked in mid-air, and instantly, cries of agony rang out again!

In the corner, a candle, emitting a soft, clear light, flickers quietly.

Under the bright moonlight, the countryside was occasionally filled with the sounds of barking dogs, but this did not diminish the tranquility.

Before we knew it, the night had passed.

Several figures emerged from the house; the morning chill invigorated them.

"With these, I should be able to report back to my elder brother!"

Zhao Bing shook the bamboo slip in his hand, yawned, and said with a tired expression.

"Let's go back and report!"

Zhao Hong was also yawning repeatedly.

"The people inside~"

Zhao Duan then raised his head towards the inside of the room.

"With me here, each of you will have a bowl of nourishing soup to keep us alive!"

Zhao Ze also came out of the house. Upon hearing Zhao Duan's words, he immediately smiled and said.

"Thank you for your help, Uncle Twelfth!"

Zhao Hong cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Zhao Ze.

"We're family, no need for such formalities!"

"These people, relying on the Yan family's power, have a history of committing numerous evil deeds; they deserve this punishment!"

"If it weren't for the power and influence of the Yan family, I, as a local thief, would have arrested these people long ago!"

Zhao Ze chuckled softly, then sighed with a hint of helplessness.

"Once the Yan family is wiped out, Uncle Twelfth can finally apprehend the thieves in this Xiangting area!"

Zhao Hong chimed in with another comment, and then he, Zhao Duan, and the other two walked toward the courtyard gate.

Upon returning to the country house, Zhao Hong immediately handed over the confessions of several Yan family guests to Zhao Xian.

"Alright, everyone go and rest first!"

Zhao Xian unrolled a bamboo scroll and then said with a smile.

Upon closer inspection, a series of shocking crimes came into view.

Forcing women into prostitution and seizing land and houses are minor offenses compared to these crimes!

"Lord Song, look! These charges alone are enough to wipe out the Yan family!"

After reading two volumes, Zhao Xian's expression turned fierce, and he spoke in a stern voice.

Upon hearing this, Song Ming immediately stood up, picked up the bamboo slip in front of Zhao Xian, and began to read it carefully.

After a moment, Song Ming closed his eyes and began to calculate silently.

"If this charge is submitted, at least a hundred people in Crouching Tiger Village will lose their heads this time!"

When he opened his eyes, he said with great emotion.

"Kill! Kill them all!"

Zhao Xian slammed his hand on the table and shouted sharply!

"Team Leader Zhao is here!"

Suddenly, Mu Chun stepped into the hall and respectfully announced.

"Hmm, let him camp on the west side of the country house!"

Zhao Xian nodded slightly and gave the order.

"Now, all that's missing are those few important figures!"

"These confessions are from guests of the Yan family; we also need confessions from members of the Yan family!"

With a sigh, Song Ming then pointed out the inadequacies of these charges.

"We can have Zhao Hong and the others go again tonight!"

As night fell, the village pavilions and houses were bustling with activity.

Today, Zhao Ze, the village thief, sent his guards to invite Yan Zhen, the head of the Yan family, to gamble at the village gate.

Yan Zhen, as Yan Heng's cousin, was also somewhat famous in Wohu Township, though only for his bad reputation!

Yan Zhen, who considered himself of high social standing, was unwilling to come when Zhao Ze invited him.

But considering that the Zhao family of Yangpingli had also produced a high-ranking official, and that Zhao Ze had some influence in the village, he came as promised.

After the banquet, the group enthusiastically joined Yan Zhen in gambling.

Yan Zhen was very satisfied with the attentive service of Zhao Ze and the others, and couldn't help but think more highly of Zhao Ze.

The Zhao family makes sense, doesn't they?

When the moon was high in the sky, Yan Zhen, carrying a packet of talisman coins, left the village pavilion drunkenly.

Unfortunately, somehow, they ended up in front of a detached house without even realizing it.

The gate was wide open, swallowing everything like a black hole!

Seeing this, Yan Zhen was so shocked that he broke out in a cold sweat!

"Oh, where have we been? We've arrived at Chen Yuancheng's residence!"

"What a pity! Now that Chen Yuancheng has been promoted to the county level, this house is uninhabited!"

After rambling on and on, Yan Zhen turned to leave.

Unexpectedly, a hand suddenly landed on her shoulder, and then Yan Zhen felt everything go black before her eyes and fainted!

"This guy has always been arrogant and domineering in the village, and he's a second-rate fighter. He's definitely a tough nut to crack. Let's take care of his tendons first!"

"Okay!"

Several dark figures dragged Yan Zhen, who looked like a lump of mud, into the courtyard.

A moment later, Yan Zhen woke up groggily, feeling weak in her arms and extremely thirsty.

"Yan Zhen, the truth about the robbery of the spiritual rice back then has come out!"

Suddenly, a voice entered his ears. Yan Zhen shook his head and tried to open his eyes wide to look at the person opposite him: "What did you say, you scoundrel?"

"Snapped!"

With a crack of the whip, Yan Zhen felt a piercing pain all over his body and immediately let out a wail!

"Ah! Who are you! Why are you arresting me here!"

At this point, Yan Zhen finally realized his predicament and immediately shouted a question.

"More than twenty years ago, the Yan family robbed the sacred rice of Wohu Township, and the matter has been exposed!"

The chilling voice reached my ears once more.

"What?!"

The pig-like screams abruptly stopped!

"What did you say?!"

Yan Zhen asked, his face full of disbelief.

"More than twenty years ago, the Yan family robbed the sacred rice of Wohu Township, and the matter has been exposed!"

"nonsense!"

"Our family operates with integrity! How dare you make baseless accusations and slander our family!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Zhen broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly defended himself!

Don't let his arrogant and domineering attitude in the village fool you; he's still quite shrewd!

He is now around fifty years old, so how could he not know about the sensational case of the robbery of Lingmi rice back then!

If this label were placed on the Yan family, it would be a crime punishable by the extermination of the entire clan!

"Who are you? Why are you defiling my home!"

Coming to her senses, Yan Zhen looked at the young man in front of her and asked in a trembling voice.

"Yan Zhen, do you really not recognize me?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hong leaned closer to Yan Zhen and said with a smile.

Zhao Hong had accompanied Zhao Xian to the Yan family several times, and Yan Zhen had also accompanied him a few times. The two of them had met several times!

"You, you are~"

Yan Zhen also stared wide-eyed, looking the young man in black up and down.

"Zhao Xian's attendants!"

A few breaths later, Yan Zhen suddenly shouted loudly, a hint of panic on his face!

Looking at the young man in black before him, Yan Zhen then glanced around, scrutinizing the faces of the people in the room, before suddenly shouting, "Zhao Xian?!"

"Did Zhao Xian send you here?"

"What is Zhao Xian trying to do!"

Recalling what the young man in front of him had just said, Yan Zhen couldn't help but tremble!

"The rice has been stolen?!"

"Zhao Xian really thinks highly of the Yan family!"

"They dare to frame the Yan family for such a major case!"

Zhao Hong and the others smiled without saying a word. Seeing this, Yan Zhen suddenly gave a bitter laugh and muttered to himself.

"This isn't a frame-up; there's already evidence!"

"Yan Zhen, confess! It'll save you from more pain!"

Zhao Hong, speaking first, continued with a smile.

"Although I, Yan Zhen, am a coward who fears death, I can still distinguish between what is more important, myself and the Yan family!"

Yan Zhen grinned, looked around, and said with a wry smile.

"That's right! Zhao Ze is also a member of the Zhao clan in Yangping Village!"

"No wonder he invited me to gamble today; he was just trying to lure me out!"

"Zhao Ze, where are you? Show yourself!"

Now that things had come to this, Yan Zhen finally understood what had happened and immediately shouted loudly to the surroundings.

Deep down, however, he still clung to a sliver of hope, wishing that his roar would get out and be heard by others.

"There's a sound-silencing artifact here. You can shout at the top of your lungs, and no one will hear you!"

Suddenly, the door opened, and a burly figure walked in. He then closed the door and said calmly.

"Zhao Ze, why is your Zhao clan of Yangping Village slandering my family!"

Upon seeing the person who had arrived, Yan Zhen immediately roared and asked.

"More than twenty years ago, it was indeed your Yan family that plundered the spiritual rice!"

Zhao Ze sneered and shouted in a deep voice.

"impossible!"

Yan Zhen continued to roar.

"Let's get started!"

Zhao Ze stopped arguing with Yan Zhen and looked at Zhao Hong, giving him instructions.

In an instant, the wailing sounded again!

Chen Yuancheng's residence had been cleaned very thoroughly.

In the main hall, Zhao Xian, with a very respectful expression, served tea to each of the guests.

"Venerable ones, please have some tea!"

"Please sit down, Bozhang!"

Chen Sheng looked at Zhao Xian and said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian nodded slightly, then immediately took out several scrolls of bamboo slips and presented them to Chen Sheng.

"Master Chen, these are the confessions of Yan family guests and Yan Heng's cousin, Yan Zhen!"

"The theft of the spiritual rice was indeed the work of the Yan family!"

Chen Sheng nodded noncommittally, picked up a bamboo scroll, and began to read it.

Now that the two of them have arrived here, whether the Yan family admits their guilt or not, or whether they have any confessions, is no longer very important!

"Bozhang, has the Yan family made any unusual moves?"

Liu Mao, another Foundation Establishment cultivator who accompanied Chen Sheng, also looked at Zhao Xian for a few moments before asking with a smile.

"The Yan family hasn't made any unusual moves, but Zhao Xian has detected demonic energy lurking on Crouching Tiger Mountain!"

After hesitating for a few breaths, Zhao Xian decided to tell the two venerable ones about this matter.

"A demonic aura?!"

Liu Mao paused slightly, then asked, "The disturbances in Yunling are quite significant. Yunling lies west of Wohu Mountain, so it's not surprising that demonic beasts are appearing there!"

"What is the beast's cultivation level?"

"Reporting back to the two masters, Zhao Xian guessed that they were at least at the peak of Qi Refining!"

Zhao Xian immediately replied in a solemn voice.

"Perfected Qi Refining?"

"At least?!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Sheng and Liu Mao both pondered for a moment, their faces showing surprise.

"Bozhang, could it be that you've mistaken me for someone else?"

Chen Sheng looked up at Zhao Xian and asked tentatively.

"Lord Chen, the feeling I got from that demonic aura is definitely no less than that of the tiger demon we killed together back then!"

Knowing that Chen Shenghui would ask such a question, Zhao Xian immediately replied in a solemn voice.

"That's quite interesting!"

Chen Sheng pondered for a moment, exchanged a glance with Liu Mao, and a hint of interest appeared in his eyes.

"After we destroy the Yan family, the two of us will go with you to take a look!"

"Thank you, Master Chen!"

A demon beast at the Qi Refining Perfection level is quite valuable, whether tamed or hunted!