Merit-based card draws, quickly become a Heavenly Emperor

Soon, a wisp of white smoke rose into the air.

Fang Zheng stretched out his left palm and guided the smoke into the tiger head seal in his palm, which immediately took effect.

The evil spirits sealed within the tiger's head originally possessed only murderous malice and were completely incapable of communication.

But now, a faint, peaceful thought emanates from the seal.

"Thank you for your help, Qingyu bows in gratitude."

Fang Zheng slightly released the seal, and a wisp of red mist overflowed from the tiger's head, transforming into a human figure the size of a thumb.

Her features were exquisitely beautiful, with a face as lovely as a flower and as lovely as the moon, just like Liu Qingyu in her lifetime.

Since the incense for returning to life had limited time, Fang Zheng cut to the chase: "What exactly happened after you were kidnapped by the Cao family's scoundrel that day?"

Liu Qingyu's face showed a look of sorrow.

"That day, after my benefactor was knocked unconscious, I was kidnapped to the Cao family."

That scoundrel tried to take advantage of me, and I refused to be humiliated, so I threw myself into a well and committed suicide.

Amidst the earth spinning and the sky trembling, I smelled a strange fragrance, and then I awoke to find myself dead and transformed into a vengeful ghost.

I floated out of the well, killed the scoundrel and destroyed his soul, then lost my mind.

I remember nothing after that.

A strange fragrance?

Fang Zheng kept this in mind.

According to the "Scroll of One Hundred Demons," the newly born red-clothed demon was not as powerful as Liu Qingyu.

It should be noted that Li Yuanshan was an eighth-grade [Artifact Control] realm cultivator, yet he had to risk his life to trap Liu Qingyu.

Beneath the well in the Cao family's house, there must be a treasure that would greatly benefit ghosts.

However, this matter is currently unrelated to Founder Group.

He then asked, "You've already killed the scoundrel from the Cao family, so why do you still harbor such deep resentment?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Qingyu suddenly looked up, tears of blood streaming from her eyes.

"My father died under mysterious circumstances, and I exerted all my strength to pass the imperial examination so that I could become an official and find out the truth behind his death!"

Please, benefactor, help me!

"Speak," Liu Qingyu said, kneeling down in Fang Zheng's palm and bowing respectfully.

Fang Zheng asked, "Who exactly is your father?"

Your classmates at the academy all know that you moved to Yongqing County with your mother several years ago, where you were raised by her and have no father.

Liu Qingyu hesitated for a moment, then gritted her teeth and gave an answer that Fang Zheng had not expected.

"My father's name is Chu Tiankuo, and he is the Chief Supervisor of Yongqing County."

Fang Zheng narrowed his eyes.

Lieutenant Supervisor?

This is a rank of eighth grade official, second only to the seventh grade county magistrate in Yongqing County. He is responsible for supervising officials in the county and maintaining a clean and upright official style.

He asked, "As far as I know, Lord Chu has no family. How did you become his daughter?"

Liu Qingyu replied, "When my father was an official in his early years, he listened to slander and mistakenly killed a scholar. Later, he confessed and was stripped of his official position and exiled to the army, which separated him from my mother and me."

More than a decade later, he re-entered officialdom due to his military achievements, and by chance, he and we all came to Yongqing County.

We were able to recognize each other some time ago, and I learned that he was actually my father.

Fang Zheng frowned and asked, "Such a joyous occasion of reunion, why hasn't anyone heard a word about it in the county?"

Liu Qingyu said bitterly, "My father said that he offended too many people while punishing evil in Yongqing County."

At the time, they were secretly investigating an important case and dared not publicly acknowledge us.

But unexpectedly, just half a month ago, news suddenly came that he had died suddenly from an illness.

My mother was already seriously ill, and in her grief and anger, she passed away. Her dying wish was for me to find out the cause of my father's death.

At this point, Liu Qingyu was already sobbing uncontrollably.

Fang Zheng frowned, realizing he had been drawn into an unknown vortex.

What was initially thought to be just a simple case of a young thug committing murder turned out to be related to the death of the Superintendent of Justice.

He asked, "What case is Lord Chu investigating?"

Liu Qingyu shook his head and said, "I don't know, but it must involve county officials."

Fang Zheng remained silent for a moment, then said, "I already know about it."

Liu Qingyu, please return to my palm for now and try your best to control your evil intentions.

I promise you, I will do my best to investigate the cause of Lord Chu's death.

"I believe in my benefactor!"

Liu Qingyu gave a graceful bow, then transformed into a wisp of red smoke and disappeared into the tiger head painting in Fang Zheng's palm.

"A promise is a promise, and trustworthiness is increased by 1."

"Five virtues grow, card slots are activated."

Ignoring the prompt, Fang was pacing back and forth in the courtyard, deep in thought.

Chu Tiankuo was most likely murdered while investigating a case.

If the truth can be found out, not only will Liu Qingyu's resentment be resolved, but more importantly, such an act of promoting righteousness will surely bring great merit.

However, all of this needs to be considered carefully. At the very least, he needs to obtain an official position before he will have the status and qualifications to do these things.

Fang Zheng looked at the system again. So much had happened tonight. His five virtues had all increased, and the card slot had been activated.

The Five Virtues attribute can passively increase the effects of corresponding card series and the probability of drawing high-rarity cards.

Reaching certain values ​​will activate corresponding card slots, allowing you to place cards and significantly enhance their effects.

Fang Zheng glanced at his card collection and quickly made a decision.

Ren: [Psychic with the ability to see into the underworld]

Meaning: [The Secret Technique of Painting Tigers]

Etiquette: [Exquisite Hands and Painting Skills]

Wisdom: [Splashing Ink to Create Soldiers]

Letter: [Resurrection Incense]

After placing the cards, he nodded in satisfaction.

Combining [Masterful Painting] with [Tiger Painting Technique] and [Ink Splashing to Create Soldiers] already amplifies its power.

With the added enhancement from the card slot, he's no longer completely powerless.

There is much to be done next.

First, to obtain an official position; second, to investigate the case for Liu Qingyu; and third, to resolve the troubles facing the Cao family.

To succeed, both combat strength and strategic thinking are indispensable.

Fang Zheng returned to his study, spent his energy to draw a picture of soldiers in ink and hung it at the door. Then he unfolded the "Sailing on the Vast Sea" picture and began to contemplate it carefully.

[Visualization] is the ninth level of Taoist cultivation. It involves merging with the things that the Taoist lineage relies on in the dark, thereby tempering the spirit and soul.

Cultivation in this realm is relatively simple: one must study the "Azure Sea and Clouds" painting day and night, memorize its meaning, and cultivate more primordial energy.

When one's Yuan energy is abundant enough to emanate from the ancestral aperture between the eyebrows, one can attempt to break through to the eighth-grade [Object Control] realm.

However, one should not remain immersed in the state of visualization for too long when first entering it.

........

Fang Zheng fell into a deep sleep under the candlelight, and in a daze, he found himself in a solemn hall.

Inside the main hall stood an elderly man dressed in a blue official robe.

"Don't be alarmed, Fangzheng; it is I who have come to summon you in a dream."

Fang Zheng looked closely and realized it was Li Yuanshan, who had just been buried. He immediately bowed in respect.

"Greetings, Master Li! Congratulations on your successful completion of your mission and the bestowal of the Yin Register!"

He was also a little curious.

According to him, Li Yuanshan was a poor scholar in his early years. After failing the imperial examinations repeatedly, he gave up on the examinations and devoted himself to painting, making a living by selling his paintings.

He was quite talented in painting and was known as the "Painter of the Old Man". His paintings were very famous in the upper circles of Yongqing County and even Yan County, so he was able to live a life of comfort and ease.

What is truly admirable is that Li Yuanshan was generous and charitable, giving all the money he earned from selling his paintings to help the poor in the north of the city, thus gaining a great reputation among the people.

Even Fang Zheng himself had received financial assistance from Li Yuanshan.

I wonder what kind of opportunity this philanthropist Li had to become a seventh-rank underworld official after his death?