Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

A few days later, during his day off, Zhao Xian asked Chen Yuancheng for leave to go home.

After all, he still needed to bring the cow home.

Chen Yuancheng naturally agreed, but also entrusted him with an important matter.

"Mr. Chen, is this really true?"

Zhao Xian sat upright on the wooden couch. Upon hearing this, he couldn't help but ask in a low voice.

"That is certainly true! I am now the village magistrate, and although my annual salary is not very high, it is enough to support one or two guests."

Chen Yuancheng chuckled and joked, "What's wrong, Bozhang? Do you think I can't afford to support you?"

Zhao Xian blushed, then straightened his posture and cupped his hands: "The guest is a trusted confidant of the host. You have entrusted this matter to Bo Zhang, and Bo Zhang will certainly carefully discern the truth and ensure that no villains are allowed near you!"

Having said that, he rose from his seat, walked to the hall, and bowed to receive the order.

"Please rise, Bozhang. I'll leave this matter to you." Chen Yuancheng nodded. "I have two days off this time, and I also need to go home. I hope to see a suitable candidate when I return."

"Bo Zhang respectfully obeys Lord Chen's command!"

Zhao Xian bowed again and slowly withdrew.

Once outside the backyard, Zhao Xian could not hide his excitement.

Chen Yuancheng actually ordered him to select four personal guards from among the people of Shanghuting!

As for why they were chosen from among the Daoist people of Shanghuting, it was because the Daoist people of Shanghuting were deeply indebted to Chen Yuancheng and had always held him in high esteem.

"The four attendants must be brave and strong, and of good character," Zhao Xian thought to himself. "The former are relatively easy to choose, but those of good character are truly hard to find."

While he was thinking, he returned to his room, tidied up briefly, went to the stable, greeted the old herdsman, and led the ox away from the village.

Shortly after Zhao Xian left, a minor official sneaked out of the village house and disappeared without a trace.

......

Xiangting, a side courtyard of the Yan family.

A mat was laid out under a tree in the courtyard, and a young scholar sat upright on it, holding a bamboo slip and reciting aloud.

The official who had just left the country house stood respectfully before the table.

"What brings you here today, Mr. He?" Yan Su put down the bamboo slips, looked up at the clerk, and asked with a slight smile.

"Zhao Xian has just left his hometown to rest and recuperate, and has come to report to you, young master," the official replied, bowing immediately.

"Thank you for informing me, Mr. He." Yan Su nodded slightly.

The clerk repeatedly said "I dare not," and a servant standing nearby took out several spirit stones from his pocket and tossed them to the clerk, then led him away slowly.

"Ah Er, go and find Qi Yuan. I have important matters to discuss with you!"

Upon hearing this, another attendant beside him immediately bowed, accepted the order, and turned to leave.

Before long, a burly man with long, slender arms entered the courtyard. He was none other than Qi Yuan, a guest of the Yan family who had come in third in the village archery competition a few days earlier.

"Qi Yuan greets you, young master!"

He walked up to the table and respectfully bowed.

"Ah Yuan, Zhao Xian has returned home for his leave. I order you to secretly assassinate him. Do you dare?"

With his eyes fixed on the distance, Yan Su solemnly spoke.

"Qi Yuan has been treated kindly by his master, and he should naturally serve him!"

Upon hearing this, Qi Yuan bowed again and said in a deep voice.

"You shall immediately proceed to Shanghu Pavilion, seeking an opportune moment along the way to assassinate Zhao Xian!"

"Young master, is the patriarch aware of this matter?"

Qi Yuan nodded slightly, then took a step closer and asked in a low voice.

"I will inform my father of this matter myself!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Su's eyes flashed with anger, but he still spoke in a deep voice.

"Qi Yuan will obey your command, young master!"

After saying that, the burly man turned and walked out of the courtyard, disappearing from sight a few breaths later.

"snort!"

With a cold snort, Yan Su picked up the bamboo slips on the mat and began to read aloud again.

The spring breeze was gentle, the sunlight was soft, and the courtyard was leisurely and carefree, yet it seemed to harbor a biting chill.

......

From Xiangting to Shanghuting, it is about seventeen or eighteen li.

The ox moved slowly, and it was nearly noon before the man and the ox reached the vicinity of Xiahuting.

The spring sunshine was bright and the warm breeze was gentle. Even after walking ten miles, Zhao Xian's forehead was slightly sweaty.

The roadside forests are lush with vegetation, and occasionally birds flutter their wings and skim over the treetops.

As they walked along this section of the official road, Zhao Xian's expression gradually became more serious.

This place is three li away from Xiahuting and three li away from Qianting. It is a desolate place with no village in sight and no shop in sight.

In previous years, this place was often frequented by bandits and robbers.

Upon thinking of this, Zhao Xian's eyes suddenly flashed with a red light. He looked around and, seeing nothing unusual, led the ox forward at a brisk pace.

As Zhao Xian continued walking forward, his expression grew increasingly solemn.

"Whoosh!"

Suddenly, a soft sound came from the forest, and Zhao Xian fell backward.

An arrow grazed his face, the force of which stung his cheek.

With a swift movement, Zhao Xian leaped up, took the bow and arrows from the ox's back, and plunged into the forest beside the road.

The ox seemed to sense the approaching danger and also turned and ran away.

Ignoring the fleeing oxen, Zhao Xian drew his bow and arrow, his eyes fixed intently on the opposite mountain forest.

"Who goes there? Why do you want to harm me?"

Having served in the village office for just over a month and never made enemies, Zhao Xian's mind raced as a series of figures flashed through his mind, finally settling on a handsome scholar.

"Yan Su!"

What happened today must have been done by Yan Su!

After all, Yan Su had also coveted the position of the magistrate of Wohu Township, but unexpectedly, Chen Yuancheng snatched it away!

"Whoosh!"

A sudden warning bell rang in his mind, like a thunderclap from a clear sky, and Zhao Xian quickly rolled to the side.

"Snapped!"

With a loud bang, an arrow struck the spot where the person had just been hiding, its fletching trembling violently and its arrowhead sinking more than a foot into the ground!

"Qi Yuan!"

The image of that burly figure with long, slender arms flashed into Zhao Xian's mind, and he gritted his teeth and roared in a low voice.

"Whoosh!"

An arrow seemed to arrive at the sound, and Zhao Xian had no choice but to roll away again, gritting his teeth and keeping silent.

At this moment, Zhao Xiancai suddenly realized how ridiculous he had been!

The art of archery cannot be encompassed by a few dead targets standing dozens of paces away!

In terms of target shooting, Qi Yuan might not be as good as me, but when it comes to jungle combat, I can't even come close!

After the three arrows were fired, the distant mountains and forests returned to peace.

Zhao Xian hid in the forest, still not daring to show himself.

A moment later, a black turban appeared faintly from among the trees and grass, winding its way towards Shanghu Pavilion.

Meanwhile, in the opposite forest, a pair of sharp eyes were fixed on the black turban.

The arrow was pointed into the distance, and then a voice, barely audible, rang out: "Young friend Bozhang, on this day next year, I shall hold a banquet to commemorate you!"

Before he finished speaking, the arrow shot away like lightning.

"Pfft!"

The black turban was struck by an arrow and was pinned straight to the ground!

"not good!"

Qi Yuan was startled and immediately dodged to the side.

"Swish, swish, swish!"

Four arrows shot out in quick succession!

"Clap clap clap! Pfft!"

The sound of an arrow piercing flesh rang out, and a muffled groan escaped Qi Yuan's lips.

Looking up again, I saw a figure leap up from the opposite forest and rushing towards me!

Seeing this, Qi Yuan's face hardened. He gritted his teeth, pulled out the arrow from his shoulder, and, disregarding the bow and arrow beside him, covered his bleeding arm and ran into the depths of the forest. He disappeared in a few flashes.

When Zhao Xian chased him to this place, the mountains and forests were so dense with vegetation that he could no longer find him.

Looking around and confirming that no one else was there, Zhao Xian quickly picked up the bow and arrows on the ground and hurried along the official road towards Tiger Pavilion. He subconsciously used a lightness technique and soon disappeared at the end of the official road.

After traveling a mile or two, they saw a female cow leisurely grazing on tender grass by the roadside, completely unharmed.

"call!"

I breathed a sigh of relief, and my heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down.

Zhao Xian hung the bow and arrows on the ox's back, then stepped forward, took the reins, and continued home.

"The Yan family~"

A cold laugh vanished with the wind.