With half a game of chess, I vanquish all demons!

Zhao Yao held the pill in his hand, remaining silent for a long time.

His face twitched at the thought of the medicine's effects.

This elixir is called "Spring Dream Without a Trace," also known as "Bad Guy's Elixir." It does have the effect of increasing vital energy, but its main therapeutic effect is not increasing vital energy.

As the name suggests, this is not a proper elixir.

Rumor has it that before taking this elixir, one must first find a person of the opposite sex whom one desires, observe their appearance, absorb their energy, and entangle with their energy, so that one can meet them in a dream... and the dream will vanish without a trace.

Meeting in a dream is an exaggeration, but a vivid and illusory spring dream is certainly true.

But this room is full of young men. If they really take this pill, whose energy would they be collecting?

The students were all aware of this, so none of them dared to approach.

Zhao Yao broke out in a cold sweat when he thought of this.

Although he had the "Shattered Jade Chess" to his side and was confident that he would not be affected by the effects of the medicine, he still dared not take any risks.

Just as he was about to change his excuse to quietly put away the pill, the student who had gone to find the county magistrate's teacher returned with his men.

"Make way, make way, Dr. Yan from the teacher's family has arrived."

The student strode into the room and gestured to an elderly gentleman with a gray beard outside the door.

Seeing Doctor Yan approach, Zhao Yao deftly put away the "Spring Dream Without a Trace" charm and quickly explained:

"Sir, I don't have any illness, it's just that my vital energy is greatly depleted. Just give me one or two pills to replenish my vital energy."

"Hey~ Don't be afraid to seek medical help. Let me take your pulse first. Come on, give me your hand."

……Um?"

Dr. Yan put down his medical kit, frowned, and pulled Zhao Yao's wrist.

After taking his pulse, he found that it was indeed as Zhao Yao had said, only lacking in primordial qi.

Without hesitation, he stood up and strode out of the room.

Why did you just leave?

As the students watched him walk away, they hurriedly called out to the doctor's retreating figure, asking:

"Dr. Yan, where are you going?"

"Naturally, it's to obtain elixirs to increase this Mr. Zhao's vital energy."

Before Doctor Yan's figure had disappeared from the students' sight, two yamen runners who had accompanied Doctor Yan and had been waiting outside the door entered the side room.

They sniffed, exchanged a fleeting glance, and then simultaneously clasped their hands in a fist salute to the students, saying:

"The banquet is ready, gentlemen, you may now take your seats."

"You gentlemen, please rest assured that Zhao Junzi can be carried away by this humble servant."

Knowing that Zhao Yao was unharmed and would not miss the literary banquet, the students were relieved.

They tidied themselves up a bit and headed together towards the banquet.

"My...my elixir..."

"Oh, let's go."

Wang Deng looked at Zhao Yao with reluctance, wanting to get back the "Spring Dream Without a Trace" token, but was forcibly taken away by the two students in a bad mood.

In a short while, only two yamen runners and Zhao Yao remained in the side room.

A yamen runner walked up to the large communal sleeping area, turned his back to Zhao Yao, knelt on one knee, and bowed deeply.

A constable walked up to Zhao Yao, bent down as if to help him up, and said:

"Zhao Junzi..."

"No need for that, I just took a few strengthening pills..."

Zhao Yao waved his hand, pretending to be weak and panting, and slowly sat up.

"...able to get up on his own."

Upon hearing the first part of these words, the one who was about to help Zhao Yao froze.

The one kneeling on the ground trembled noticeably.

After hearing the second half of Zhao Yao's sentence, the two of them breathed a sigh of relief, and the one who was kneeling on the ground exaggeratedly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Seeing their expressions, Zhao Yaoqi laughed.

These two must have smelled the strange fragrance of "Spring Dream Without a Trace" on themselves and thought they had just taken this pill.

"What are you thinking! I didn't take that 'bad guy pill,' I took the health-strengthening pills that the government distributed to students."

Zhao Yao glared at the two of them, then immediately took out the complete "Spring Dream Without a Trace" and waved it in his hand.

"Hiss~ Why am I telling you this?"

"Alright, you two lead the way."

"Yes, yes."

The two constables chuckled awkwardly, nodded hastily, and darted out of the room to lead the way.

……

The banquet began, and the students ate their meals while chatting and exchanging pleasantries in a relaxed manner.

Zhao Yao arrived a little later, greeted the students, and took a seat in a corner.

Before long, a yamen runner, like a servant, came to Zhao Yao with both hands carrying a small wooden box:

"Master Zhao, Doctor Yan has obtained the elixir for you to increase your vital energy. However, this elixir has several contraindications..."

"Oh, no need to trouble yourself, I know."

Upon opening the wooden box, Zhao Yao saw two Great Rejuvenation Pills, raised an eyebrow, and refused the yamen runner's explanation.

Two Great Rejuvenation Pills seem a bit too generous.

The yamen runner said that it was obtained by Doctor Yan, but from whom did he obtain it? Naturally, it was from Zhou Yan, the former county magistrate's teacher.

From the banquet itself to the communal sleeping quarters, and then to these two Great Rejuvenation Pills. Could it be that my teacher, the county magistrate, is the kind of person who values ​​both ruthlessness and benevolence?

Zhao Yao put away the Great Rejuvenation Pill and was pondering when he looked up and saw a middle-aged man wearing a thin tin mask with prominent features and a standard smile walk out.

The tin-faced servant must be a servant of the county magistrate's teacher.

He bowed to the students and began to speak:

"Gentlemen, unfortunately, the magistrate has important matters to attend to and is unable to preside over the literary banquet."

"What's going on? Why isn't the teacher coming?"

"So, will today's literary banquet be the same as in previous years?"

The students were buzzing with discussion, and some even turned their attention to Zhao Yao, realizing that their plan to file a complaint was now off the table.

A middle-aged man wearing a thin tin mask ordered someone to bring over a woven basket.

He waited until the students quieted down before continuing:

"Gentlemen, please rest assured that today's literary banquet will be the same as in previous years."

The county magistrate will assign corresponding tasks to you gentlemen. If you diligently complete these tasks, you will be given various recommendations for future opportunities.

The middle-aged man spoke, raising his sleeve and extending his arm, pointing to the woven flower basket in front of him, and continued:

"These baskets contain the tasks that the magistrate has prepared for you gentlemen. Gentlemen, you may come forward and draw some."

As soon as he finished speaking, the eager students rushed forward and began to draw lots.

The woven basket was filled with tiny scrolls. Zhao Yao pulled one out and unwrapped it on the spot:

"In the three villages of Shanyin, Shanyao, and Shanyang on Huangyan Mountain, the list of centenarians is being compiled, and the accompanying military officials are responsible for recording the details..."

The students checked their respective tasks, while the middle-aged man wearing a thin tin mask pointed to the robust servants who entered from outside and stood before each student, saying:

"These strong servants were also prepared by the county magistrate for you gentlemen. During the mission, each of you will be served and protected by a strong servant."

The county magistrate has also prepared all the food, clothing, and other necessities for you gentlemen along the way…

Gentlemen, do you still have any questions to ask?

The students shook their heads.

"In that case, now that the banquet is over, the important task is to get to work. Gentlemen, you may now depart."

I hope that you gentlemen will diligently and conscientiously complete the tasks assigned by the county magistrate, so as not to fail his expectations.

The middle-aged man's tone became serious as he finished speaking.

All the students straightened up and bowed in unison.

"I will never fail my teacher's kindness."

Then, with a competitive spirit, the students hurriedly left, each collecting their luggage and, accompanied by their servants, quickly began their mission.

Zhao Yao was caught in the middle of it all, and had no choice but to do the same.

……

Wang Zhoucheng outside the city gate.

A burly servant, about three meters tall, carrying a large bundle, quietly followed behind Zhao Yao.

Zhao Yaoze frowned and abruptly stopped.

He stood there, turned around and looked back at the city tower.

On the city wall, Su Shangtao hurriedly crouched down to hide.

He said angrily:

"Something's not right with this kid. He can spot me even from this far away."

"You can't even watch the game from here anymore."

Without hesitation, he turned around, quickly walked down the city wall, and hurried home.

"Su Shangtao is spying on me!"

Zhao Yao felt a chill run down his spine, yet he was completely baffled.

"Why the previous murders and the current spying, when there was no enmity between us?"

Also, it seems like Su Shangtao is deliberately avoiding me, making it impossible for me to find out the reason.

Now I've been assigned this task again.

Accompanied by his servant, Zhao Yao walked on the road to 'Barren Rock Mountain', his thoughts racing.

"Hmm, the task given by the county magistrate teacher usually takes students about a month to complete. Should we take this time to escape from this place?"

The cause and effect of the previous life are mainly related to this inexplicable Su Shangtao, as well as his father and younger brother in the countryside.

Leaving the Yin Kingdom and Wangzhou County forever would be the perfect way to sever all ties.

And overseas...

Zhao Yao then recalled the benefits of everyone being able to learn martial arts on the front lines of overseas pioneering.

"If a strong servant is with you and you want to escape, you'll need to get rid of him."

Just as he thought of this, Zhao Yao's nose twitched slightly, and a thought struck him, causing him to stop in his tracks.

He turned around, looked at the burly servant appointed by the magistrate, raised an eyebrow, and said:

"It smells so good."

When did Brother Su start using perfume?