Longevity Martial Arts: Obtain Golden Affixes at the Start

Hong Lang took the oil paper package, but before he could even open it, Hongzao had already come over, opened her big mouth, grabbed a corner of the oil paper package, and with a flick of her head, the whole package of meat fell apart.

The pork belly chunks rolled onto the ground, and the red dates were chewed with gusto.

Wang Sheng stood aside, dumbfounded. He had slaughtered pigs for half his life, and this was the first time he had ever seen a horse eat meat.

Three pounds of meat, gone in less than the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, not even a scrap was left.

Red Date licked her lips, snorted, and nudged herself up Hong Lang's arm to his chest, stopping at the jade bottle at his waist, where she nudged him twice.

Hong Lang looked down and immediately understood that it was looking for the Blood Essence Pill.

Red Date had a miraculous encounter and had been reborn. Its skin, flesh, and bones were far superior to those of ordinary horses. Although the Blood Essence Pill was potent, it should be able to withstand it with its current physique.

Hong Lang was also curious about what would happen to a horse that had eaten the Blood Essence Pill.

"Alright, here's one for you." Hong Lang poured a Blood Essence Pill from the jade bottle and held it in his palm.

The jujube's large mouth immediately came closer, and with a flick of its tongue, the pill entered its mouth.

It held it in its mouth, tilted its head, chewed it a couple of times, then swallowed it with a gulp.

After a few breaths, it yawned widely, took a few steps, slowly walked into the yard, chose a spot, and lay down on its side.

Red Date's breathing gradually became long and even, and the muscles under its fur would twitch gently from time to time.

"Is this... refining the medicinal power?"

Hong Lang stood at the gate of the courtyard, stunned for a long time. Don't horses sleep standing up?

Horses' body structure allows them to enter deep sleep while standing, but lying down makes it difficult for them to get up in time when danger arises.

This is an instinct ingrained in our bones, yet the jujube just lay there like that.

"This is really strange..." Hong Lang muttered to himself.

……

It was late at night, in the study of Qiu Shanjin, the prefect of Zhaohua City.

The maid Shuangyue stood with her hands at her sides, quietly reporting the recent developments in various parts of the mansion.

"My lord, Mo Wentian sent his trusted aide to the capital to submit a petition to the Dali Temple, accusing the Black Wind Sect of breach of contract."

The Dali Temple, under the jurisdiction of the capital and controlled by members of the royal family, is responsible for handling various disputes. It is equivalent to the Supreme Court of a continent. All disputes involving contracts and documents can be adjudicated by the Dali Temple, which is full of experts.

To uphold the rules of the country, the Dali Temple is a place of strict laws, where favoritism and perversion of justice are not allowed, and it represents the image of the Heavenly Strategy Martial Saint.

The Black Wind Sect is a behemoth in Tianmu County, but compared to the Dali Temple, it's just a slightly larger grasshopper.

Once the Dali Temple's ruling is made, the Black Wind Sect dares not disobey.

"What was the result?"

"The Black Wind Sect leader personally went to the state capital and admitted that he had broken the contract first. He voluntarily gave up control over the three hundred disciples. Those disciples who had already entered the Tianmu County system will henceforth only obey Mo Wentian's orders and have nothing to do with the Black Wind Sect anymore."

Qiu Shanjin chuckled softly.

"What a Mo Wentian! In one battle, he not only killed Gongsun Qi and annexed Lingchuan County, but also removed the shackles from the Black Wind Sect. Qin Yan supported him to start an army just to have another pawn, but who could have imagined that this pawn would grow into a player on its own?"

Qiu Shan leaned back in his chair and said slowly, "Truly an outstanding person!"

Shuangyue knew that the Prefect rarely praised people.

The last time I heard him make such an evaluation of someone was when he was evaluating Meng Xingluo, the governor of Jinzhou.

"However, besides Mo Wentian's strategic planning, two other people played a crucial role in our victory," Shuangyue continued.

"Oh? Tell me about it."

Shuangyue recounted how Honglang rescued Mo Qiushui and how Zhou Liang used himself as bait to lure the enemy.

Qiu Shan chuckled, "Mo Wentian has a lot of talented people under his command!"

He narrowed his eyes and said to Shuangyue, "Send word to summon Zhou Liang to the manor."

Shuangyue was taken aback, then she understood.

The adults wanted to keep Mo Wentian in check.

Mo Wentian's momentum is too strong now. He has conquered two counties in succession and has gathered powerful figures like Zhou Liang under his command. If he is not restrained, he will sooner or later exceed the control of Zhaohua City.

As the prefect, Qiu Shan had to both employ people and guard against them; this was an instinct he developed after many years in office.

Shuangyue hesitated for a moment, then said, "My lord, this man is extremely loyal to Mo Wentian, I'm afraid..."

"Afraid of what? Afraid of not being able to win him over?" Qiu Shan chuckled. "What would I need him for? It's not like I want him to betray Mo Wentian."

Frosty Moon was taken aback.

"I only wish to see him, offer him a few drinks, and exchange a few intimate words. As for what happens afterward..." He paused, his smile deepening, "Who knows what will happen afterward?"

Frosty Moon suddenly realized.

The adults didn't want to turn Zhou Liang against his cause, but rather to plant a thorn in his heart.

It doesn't need to be too deep; just let Mo Wentian know that his men can be seen, rewarded, and used in Zhaohua City.

This thorn is stuck there; it doesn't hurt or itch, but it makes people more cautious.

……

The following day, Zhou Liang entered Zhaohua City.

"Your humble servant Zhou Liang greets Your Excellency the Prefect."

"Zhou Liang, do you know why I have summoned you?"

"I don't know," Zhou Liang replied truthfully.

"Zhou Liang, what is your current official position?"

"Your Excellency, I am currently the magistrate of Longxiang County, Tianmu Prefecture."

"Magistrate..." Qiu Shanjin's tone carried a hint of meaning, "It would be a waste of his talents to hold the position of county head."

Zhou Liang's heart tightened, unsure of what the prefect was trying to say. He could only cautiously reply, "I come from humble origins and have been greatly honored to have this position thanks to Lord Mo's promotion."

Qiu Shanjin laughed heartily upon hearing this.

"You are indeed loyal. What I admire most is loyalty and righteousness. If a suitable opportunity arises in the future, I will promote you."

Zhou Liang was stunned.

promoted?

His current official position is county magistrate. If he is promoted again... wouldn't he become prefect?

How could Zhou Liang, a rough and uncultured warrior, really sit in that position?

Zhou Liang quickly stood up and bowed deeply: "I am deeply grateful for your kindness, sir."

Qiu Shan waved his hand, gesturing for him to sit down. After chatting for a while, he served tea and saw the guest off.

As Zhou Liang walked out of the government office, he glanced back at the main gate, where the three large characters "Zhaohua Prefecture" shone brightly in the sunlight.

Mo Wentian treated him well, but if he really had the chance to become the governor of a prefecture, who would be willing to be a county magistrate for the rest of their life?

……

The news spread very quickly.

No sooner had Zhou Liang left Zhaohua City than a scout delivered the news to Mo Wentian.

Lotus stood beside Mo Wentian and said softly, "My lord, we just received news that Prefect Qiu Shanjin summoned Zhou Liang yesterday and they talked for a long time."

Mo Wentian slowly asked, "What do you think it means?"

Lotus thought for a moment: "This servant is dull-witted, but I feel that the Prefect's actions are somewhat unusual."

Zhou Liang was someone you personally promoted. For a prefect to suddenly summon a mere county magistrate and speak for so long… there must be some hidden purpose behind it.”

Mo Wentian smiled faintly; he knew perfectly well what Qiu Shan was planning.

He was telling everyone: I, Qiu Shanjin, can also use the people under Mo Wentian's command.

"I raised an army only a few months ago, and I've already captured two prefectures in succession, with nearly a thousand warriors under my command. If you were the prefect, wouldn't you be afraid of such speed?"

Lotus didn't respond, so Mo Wentian continued, "In the eyes of those in power, having a subordinate who is too strong is never something to be happy about. I am strong, and I can guard a region for Qiu Shanjin, which is a benefit."

But if I become too strong for him to control, then I'm no longer a knife, but the hand wielding it. Qiu Shan doesn't want a fierce tiger; he wants an obedient dog.

"My lord, what do you plan to do?" Lotus asked.

"Let him plant a thorn if he wants to. It's just one thorn; it won't even pierce my hand."