Supreme Martial Venerable: Starting with the White Ape Cloak Hammer skill point allocation

Jiangzhou Prefecture.

Zhuo Wangsun, accompanied by his steward, hunched over and with a forced smile, stuffed a bag of silver into the hand of a clerk.

A seventh-rank official, who wouldn't even make the cut in the governor's office, was now utterly arrogant in front of Zhuo Wangsun.

He weighed the item in his hand, a smug glint in his eyes.

"Since you're so sensible, I'll give you a few more pointers."

The clerk said, "Do you know what the prefecture has the least shortage of?"

That's what you call the county magistrate.

Jiangzhou has 176 counties, and every year there are 176 county magistrates. Over the years, if you throw a brick out of the prefectural city, you can hit a county magistrate.

A county magistrate might be someone important in your small place, but in the prefecture, he's nothing!

Your son offended the Pang family of Shenbing Valley by stealing a woman from the Pang family's young master. You're lucky he wasn't beaten to death on the spot.

You want to get him out of jail? Unless you can get in touch with the Divine Weapon Valley.

"I know the manager in charge of purchasing at Shenbing Valley..."

Zhuo Wangsun whispered that he had also tried to persuade the other party, but the other party refused to budge.

"What can a mere steward do? In the entire Divine Weapon Valley, there are only a handful of people who can make the Pang family back down. You'll have to find an elder of Divine Weapon Valley."

"That's what the official said."

"I'm just a businessman, how would I know such important people?"

Zhuo Wangsun smiled wryly.

The elders of Shenbing Valley are all prominent figures in Jiangzhou, and they are all honored guests of the governor.

Zhuo Wangsun was a figure in Gaoshan County, but not quite a big shot.

"If you have no connections, then bow your head."

The official sneered, "Didn't the Pang family say that as long as you hand over all your family property and your son kowtows and apologizes in public, they will spare your son's life?"

Zhuo Wangsun swayed, and if the steward hadn't supported him, he would have fainted on the ground.

"Zhuo Wangsun, you only have one chance. You must cherish it. Which is more important, your two sons' lives or your family fortune?"

"That's what the clerk said."

"I'll do it!"

Zhuo Wangsun uttered two words, then collapsed into the steward's arms, unable to support himself any longer.

…………

"You wait here, the Prefect will be here shortly."

A well-dressed attendant led Zhou Yuan into a room, arranged a seat for him, and said...

Three days prior, he had been notified to prepare for an audience with the Prefect.

Every year after the county-level military examinations concluded, the prefect would inspect the counties under his jurisdiction.

It was also customary to receive and encourage the county magistrate.

Zhou Yuan had assumed that the Prefect would meet him at the county government office or a restaurant, but he never expected it to be a private courtyard.

This is a small courtyard house. The environment is quiet and peaceful, with lush potted plants everywhere, showing that it has been carefully designed.

It was just like the private kitchen dishes that Zhou Yuan had seen in his previous life.

Compared to his surroundings, Zhou Yuan's specially changed new clothes made him look out of place, like a nouveau riche.

A single potted plant here would probably cost tens of taels of silver.

Fortunately, Zhou Yuan had lived two lives, so he didn't cause any discomfort.

Just as he was surveying his surroundings, footsteps sounded.

Two more people were then brought in by the well-dressed attendant.

"Hey, isn't this the newly appointed county magistrate?"

A man greeted them with a grin, looking rather nonchalant.

The other person had a cold expression, as if to say, "Keep out."

Zhou Yuan was familiar with both of them: Gao Da and Wang Chao.

"In previous years, the Prefectural Governor only met with the County Magistrate. This year is an exception. If the Prefectural Governor has any objections, he will meet with the top three candidates from the county."

The attendants arranged the seating, and Gao Da and Wang Chao also sat down.

In this year's county-level examination, Zhou Yuan came in first place, Wang Chao came in second, and Gao Da came in third.

Zhou Yuan knew that these two were actually no less capable than him. If Wang Chao hadn't conceded defeat, the county magistrate would have been a different story.

As for Gao Da, Zhou Yuan always felt that he hadn't tried his best; he was too busy making money during the exam!

"Hey, Magistrate, you're being a bit inconsiderate. I've been busy lately and haven't had time to visit you, so why don't you take the initiative to come find me?"

"Gundam said with a grin."

Zhou Yuan: "..."

On the day of the exam, Gao Da was bribed to deal with him. He promised to give Gao Da more money, and Gao Da voluntarily conceded defeat, allowing him to win the match.

The money hasn't been cashed out yet.

I'll come find you later.

Zhou Yuan said, somewhat exasperated.

Three hundred and fifty taels of silver—that's more than all his possessions combined.

How to raise the money for Gundam is still a troublesome matter.

"That's right. Don't keep me waiting too long, or I'll come knocking on your door, and that won't look good for you, the county magistrate."

"Gundam said with a grin."

Wang Chao looked at Zhou Yuan, then at Gao Da, and wondered a little when these two had become friends.

However, he was always a man of few words, and even if he was curious, he was too lazy to ask.

Just then, footsteps sounded, and a middle-aged man strode in.

"Whose face looks bad?"

The newcomer laughed heartily and said, "Are you complaining that I'm late?"

Zhou Yuan and the other two quickly stood up. Even the usually carefree Gao Da abandoned his frivolous demeanor and clasped his hands in a fist salute.

"Greetings, Your Excellency."

The three of them said in unison.

Zhou Yuan stole a glance at the Prefect.

Prefect Yue Zichuan, a disciple of Elder Luo Baiyan of Shenbing Valley, is a martial arts scholar and the undisputed leader of Mianlong Prefecture in Jiangzhou.

The county magistrate of Gaoshan County and Pang Yunlong, the commander of the city guards, are already very important figures to ordinary people, but they are just small fry in front of Yue Zichuan.

Under normal circumstances, 99% of the people in Gaoshan County will never have the chance to meet such an important person in their lifetime.

Although Wang Chao and Gao Da came from much better backgrounds than Zhou Yuan, they still dared not be presumptuous in front of such important figures.

"The Prefect is not late; we are the ones who arrived early."

Wang Chao cupped his hands in greeting.

Zhou Yuan glanced at him strangely. Could this icy-faced man with such a violent temper have this side to him?

Indeed, human relationships and social niceties are everywhere.

"Please sit down."

Yue Zichuan pressed down with both hands.

The three of them waited until he sat down before they sat down themselves.

"Wang Chao had already broken through the barrier twice three years ago, but he suppressed his cultivation and honed his martial arts skills in order to advance his martial arts studies."

"Gundam, your Five Thunder Palm technique has surpassed your master Gu Liwu, even surpassing his own."

Yue Zichuan's sharp gaze swept over the three of them like a hawk, and he said in a deep voice, "I have heard of your two names before, and I thought that the county magistrate of Gaoshan County would be one of you two."

Unexpectedly, the crown was ultimately taken by Zhou Yuan, who was relatively unknown.

Can anyone explain to me why this is?

Zhou Yuan frowned slightly. Why did those words sound so unfriendly?

Gao Da and Wang Chao's expressions also changed slightly.

"Your Excellency is wise. Although Zhou Yuan is not well-known, his martial arts skills are solid, and I am ashamed to admit that I am inferior to him."

"Gundam said."

"What makes you feel inferior to him isn't his strength, but rather his wealth, isn't it?"

Yue Zichuan chuckled and said coldly.

"You dare to cheat in the county-level military examination? You have some nerve!"

Yue Zichuan slammed his palm on the table. The cups, plates, and bowls on the table did not move, but a large, palm-shaped hole was punched into the tabletop, with the edges charred black.