Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

Upon opening the porcelain bottle, a single elixir rolled into the palm of the hand. It was the size of a soybean and resembled a piece of jade or crystal.

The elixir rolled several times in my palm, releasing a mist of spiritual energy and a refreshing fragrance of herbs and trees.

Without having time to examine it closely, Zhao Li pried open Zhao Zheng's tightly closed lips and put the elixir into his mouth.

The elixir melted instantly upon entering his mouth, and in a flash, Zhao Zheng's pale, bloodless face regained a touch of color, and his previously faint aura gradually stabilized.

"call!"

Seeing this, Zhao Li breathed a sigh of relief, slumped down in the courtyard, and looked at Zhao Xian and Zhao Ji. His heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally relaxed.

If any of Zhao Zheng, Zhao Ji, or Zhao Xian, the three sons and nephews, were to die at the hands of that bandit leader, how could Zhao Li have the face to return to Yangpingli and see his father and brothers again!

"Ninth Brother, we..."

At this moment, Zhao Ze, the thief, stepped forward, a look of shame on his face.

Zhao Ze was intimidated by the bandit leader's fierce power and failed to step forward to save him in time, so he naturally felt guilty now.

"It's alright~"

"That bandit leader is truly fierce, a formidable opponent even among first-rate martial artists. Even if Wang Jia were here, he probably wouldn't be a match for him."

Zhao Li waved his hand dismissively.

"Aze, cut off the heads of all the thieves, and we'll discuss the matter further when Lord Ting arrives!"

"Furthermore, immediately send a soldier to Wenmao Village to fetch a doctor!"

Looking at Zhao Ze, Zhao Li repeatedly gave him instructions.

"good!"

Zhao Ze responded and immediately turned around to give the orders, acting with great efficiency.

"Cough cough, Brother Zhong, how are your injuries?"

Zhao Xian coughed violently a few times, looked at Zhao Ji who was also leaning against the courtyard wall, and asked with a smile.

"This guy truly lives up to his reputation as a first-rate martial artist. With a sudden burst of power, he actually managed to shatter both of my arms."

"It takes a hundred days to recover from a broken bone; I'm afraid I'll need to rest for several months."

Zhao Ji gave a wry smile, then looked at Zhao Xian and asked, "Sanlang, how are your injuries?"

"I should only have suffered internal injuries, and I need to recuperate for more than a month."

After saying that, Zhao Xian touched his ribs and applied slight pressure, and a sharp pain came.

"Ali, these are the spoils of war from you four uncles and nephews!"

Another Taoist priest came over carrying a pile of weapons, and said with a look of awe.

Thank you!

Zhao Li smiled, cupped his hands in greeting, and then took the pile of weapons to examine them carefully.

"Wow, the ring-handled swords these bandits are all top-notch!"

Zhao Li drew out one of the ring-pommel swords, examined it from head to toe, and couldn't help but praise it.

"What is its value?"

Zhao Xian, standing to the side, also asked with a smile.

"Both of these are 30-strength ring-handled swords, estimated to be worth two thousand coins."

"The bandit leader already possesses thirty-six ring-handled swords; they are truly formidable weapons!"

Unlike Qi Refining cultivators, Qi Blood Warriors cannot wield magical artifacts, but they can nurture their weapons to make them capable of countering magical artifacts.

Weapons are also classified into different grades, generally into sharp weapons, precious weapons, and divine weapons.

Weapons are classified according to the number of times they are tempered in the furnace, such as thirty-six-times tempering, seventy-two-times tempering, and one hundred-times tempering.

The ring-pommel sword used by the bandit leader in front of us is a thirty-six-times-forged weapon, which can be considered a low-grade weapon.

"Thirty-six refinements are worth ten thousand coins!"

Under the moonlight, the gleaming blade shimmered like ripples on clear water, bright yet chilling.

"In that case, this ring-pommel sword belongs to my uncle, and the remaining two ring-pommel swords will each be given to my elder brother, one for each of us!"

After a moment's thought, Zhao Xian smiled and said.

"Those two thieves were shot and killed by you, Jiulang. My elder brother and I cannot accept them!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ji immediately shook his head and said...

"That is not true. If it weren't for my uncle and two elder brothers risking their lives to save me, I would have already died at the hands of the bandit leader."

"Brother, please don't refuse!"

Zhao Xian naturally refused Zhao Ji's refusal.

"Erlang, you and Zhao Zheng each take one of those two ring-pommel swords."

"As for this weapon, forged thirty-six times, it is like a pearl covered in dust in my hands. Since Sanlang is going to accompany Tingjun to take up his post in the township, this sword can be Sanlang's personal sword to enhance Tingjun's prestige!"

Uncle Zhao Li pondered for a moment, then spoke in a low voice.

"As for the remaining wealth, it belongs to me."

"That's quite a lot: a finely forged short sword, two short daggers, and a few hundred loose coins. That should be enough!"

The two could not refuse their uncle's request and had no choice but to agree.

Before long, the physician from the pavilion arrived.

At the doctor's instruction, the other villagers carried Zhao Xian and the other injured to the back room and took good care of them.

Lying on his bed, Zhao Xian looked around and counted carefully. Including himself, there were eight wounded people, but fortunately none of them died.

Although the bandit leader was brave, most of the Taoist priests guarding the pavilion tonight were also second-rate martial artists.

Even if they are outmatched, they will not be killed by the bandit leader in one blow.

"The New Year's Day is a time for family reunion, and to our great fortune there have been no deaths!"

With a sigh, Zhao Xian felt a wave of weariness wash over him, his eyelids drooped, and he fell into a deep sleep.

......

When I woke up, it was already the afternoon of the next day.

Uncle Zhao Li did not stay by the bedside; instead, his second brother Zhao Hong stayed by his side.

"Big brother, you're awake?"

Upon seeing Zhao Xian wake up, Zhao Hong could not hide his excitement.

"Ah Hong, what are you doing here? Where is your uncle?"

Zhao Xian asked with a puzzled expression.

"My uncle, father, and other relatives are listening to Lord Houting discuss matters in the front yard. I have come here to take care of my three elder brothers."

Zhao Hong immediately got up, walked to the table, picked up a wooden bowl, and poured a bowl of murky medicinal soup from the earthenware pot.

"Brother, this is the medicinal soup that was prepared earlier."

Zhao Xian felt extremely thirsty, and disregarding the bitterness of the medicinal soup, he took the wooden bowl and drank it in large gulps.

After drinking the medicinal soup, he handed the wooden bowl to Zhao Hong. Zhao Ji, who was standing nearby, had already woken up, so Zhao Hong served Zhao Ji another bowl of medicinal soup.

A moment later, footsteps were heard, then darkness fell in front of the door, and a familiar figure walked into the room.

"Greetings, Mr. Ting!"

Upon seeing the newcomer, Zhao Xian immediately struggled to his feet and bowed. Zhao Hong and Zhao Ji, standing beside him, also bowed in greeting.

"Jiulang is injured, there's no need for such formalities!"

Chen Yuan raised his hand in a gesture of greeting as he was established.

"Because of Yuan Cheng, you gentlemen are all injured. I feel ashamed and ask that you accept my bow."

"Tingjun, there's no need for that!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian and Zhao Ji, among others, hurriedly tried to stop him, but Chen Yuancheng still insisted on bowing respectfully.

After standing up again, Chen Yuancheng seemed to know the worries in Zhao Xian and the others' hearts, and immediately said solemnly, "The county bandit Cao Chenjun has arrived at the pavilion."

"This matter is of great importance. Once the investigation is completed and everything is confirmed, I will give you all an explanation."

"We will follow Lord Ting's instructions and earnestly hope that Lord Ting will take good care of himself!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian and the others also shouted in unison.

"If it weren't for Tingjun's gift of the rejuvenating elixir to A-Xian, A-Zheng would surely be in grave danger!"

"We thank you, Lord Ting!"

Uncle Zhao Ren, father Zhao Yi, and others also bowed to Chen Yuancheng to express their gratitude.

"It was just a coincidence, but I'm very fortunate to have been able to save Ah Zheng's life."

Chen Yuancheng chatted with everyone for a while before stepping out of the side room.

With the help of several members of the Zhao family, Zhao Xian and Zhao Ji got up and returned home.

Once outside the pavilion, Uncle Zhao Li had already prepared an oxcart, which was covered with several layers of straw mats.

With the help of several people, Zhao Xian and his companion boarded the oxcart and then headed towards Yangpingli.

My elder brother Zhao Zheng is seriously injured and needs to be carefully treated at the pavilion for several days.

When they arrived at Yangpingli, their mother, Zhao Xushi, along with their aunts and other relatives, came out of the village gate to greet them. Seeing the two of them in such a state, they wept for a long time.

"Several months ago, your father, along with your uncles, attacked the enemy in the middle of the night and were seriously wounded. They recuperated for more than three months. Now, you and your brothers are wounded again."

"Our family has done our utmost in preparing for the enemy, and we will never do it again!"

Auntie cried repeatedly, and Mother Zhao Xu nodded in agreement.