Merit-based card draws, quickly become a Heavenly Emperor

Fang Zheng silently considered that his own cultivation was fundamental, so cards that would help with the cultivation of the Spirit Painting Path were the first priority for strengthening.

Secondly, his future official position is Supervisory Officer, and his skills in investigating cases and catching criminals must not lag behind and need to be strengthened.

As for cards related to the cultivation of the Ghost Path, with Liu Qingyu, a Ghost Friend with whom I share a deep understanding, there's no rush.

Therefore, Fangzheng selected the four cards, namely 【Accumulated Ink Forms Peaks】, 【Splashed Ink Forms Soldiers】, 【Masterful Painting】, and 【Photographic Memory】, as the targets for advancement.

The light flashed in succession, and forty more strands of white energy sank into it.

He paused for a moment, placed the upgraded [Dragon's Eye-Catching Finish], [Accumulated Ink Forms Peak], and [Masterful Painting] side by side, glanced at the conditions for fusion, and without hesitation, used the fusion card directly.

The three cards collided and contracted within the light curtain, then reformed, ultimately transforming into a new white card: [Finishing Touch +2].

In this way, this peerless card has been upgraded to the limit of an eighth-grade white card.

It not only combines the advantages of three cards, but also provides a stronger boost to artistic skills, and can save two card slots.

Fang Zheng placed the card into the Li De card slot, and then put the remaining cards back in their places one by one. The layout on the panel was finally rearranged.

He looked at the rows of neatly arranged card slots and nodded in satisfaction.

Ren (11): White Soul-Guiding Banner, Spirit-Communicating Eye

Yi (12): The Secret Technique of Drawing a Tiger, Drawing a Prison on the Ground (Yin Qi Shield, Soul Burning Fire, Ghost Howl Technique)

Gift (10): White - Finishing Touch +2, A Wake-Up Call

Wisdom (11): White - A clear mirror hangs high, White - Ink splashes to form soldiers (Unraveling the mystery, seeing through the fire, capturing shadows like lanterns, eloquent and persuasive)

Letter (10): White - Life and death are separated, White - I will never forget what I have seen.

Compared to the empty deck when I first entered officialdom, the card configuration on the panel now can be described as luxurious.

With this advancement, his strength and potential have increased immeasurably.

He was even more confident when he went to Cangwu County to take up his post as the Supervisory Officer.

......

With Lü Zhengfeng in charge, the handover of Yongqing County was handled very smoothly.

Fang Zheng carefully sorted through the books left by Li Yuanshan, picked out the useful ones, put them into the book box, and wrapped them tightly with oilcloth.

Just then, Guan Tieyi also returned to Yongqing County.

He was wearing a faded old shirt, but he looked completely different from when he left.

After resolving the mystery surrounding Chu Tiankuo's murder, the heavy gloom that had been weighing on his brow had completely dissipated, and he stood up straight, walking with a brisk and powerful stride.

Even more gratifying is that his martial arts cultivation has improved again, and he is only one step away from the eighth-grade Meridian Opening Great Perfection. His aura is soaring, like a knife that has been sharpened and re-sharpened.

Before Fang Zheng left, the two drank in the courtyard.

Guan Tieyi poured Fang Zheng a full bowl, then poured one for himself, tilted his head back and gulped it down. After wiping his mouth, he started talking non-stop.

"Brother Fang, I met my former superior from the army in the prefectural capital."

He put down his bowl and said, "That old general heard about Lord Chu's matter, and he also heard that I personally beheaded Lord Chu's corpse in order to have the state government thoroughly investigate."

He was so angry that he whipped me on the spot and called me a brute.

After scolding me, he secretly slipped me a bunch of martial arts elixirs and taught me a set of lethal sword techniques, instructing me personally for three days.

Fang Zheng, holding his wine bowl, didn't rush to drink: "Does it hurt?"

"It hurts." Guan Tieyi grinned, "But it was worth it."

The two clinked their bowls together and each drank their fill.

As the alcohol took effect, he became more talkative, reminiscing about his glorious days of fighting tigers and catching ghosts.

Guan Tieyi kept offering him bowl after bowl of wine. As the wine took effect, he put down his bowl, looked at Fang Zheng earnestly, and said, "Brother Fang, in this world, besides Lord Chu, you are the only one I admire."

Fang Zheng didn't reply, but filled his bowl, clinked it against Guan's, and said, "Brother Guan, come with me to Cangwu County."

I'll speak to Lord Lü.

Without saying a word, Guan Tieyi drank the wine in the bowl in one gulp, then placed the bowl upside down on the table.

"Wow!"

The officialdom in Yongqing County has now returned to normal, and I want to join Brother Fang in eliminating even more wicked officials.

The next day, Fang Zheng went to Lü Zhengfeng to report Guan Tieyi's transfer.

Guan Tieyi has now been dismissed from his official post and is now just a minor clerk. Personnel transfers can be directly approved by the Supervisory Commissioner.

Lü Zhengfeng didn't ask any further questions and approved it on the spot.

Fang Zheng also asked Lü Zhengfeng to bring back a batch of files about Cangwu County, including local customs, resumes of local officials, and recent government records, which were brought back box by box.

Having served as a supervisor for some time, he deeply understood the importance of intelligence.

The more you learn before taking up your post, the less passive you will be when you arrive.

After reviewing these files, he was no longer completely clueless about Cangwu County; he had a general idea of ​​what it was like.

On the day of his departure, the people of Yongqing County saw him off for ten miles outside the city.

Fangzheng's former neighbors pooled their resources to make a pair of "hundred-family boots," sewn together by hundreds of households, each contributing their own stitch. The boots were thickly and tightly stitched.

An elderly woman with white hair tremblingly handed the boots to Fang Zheng and said, "Young Master Fang, please put these on."

"Once you get there, do a good job as an official."

Fang Zheng bent down to change into the boots, which fit perfectly and felt solid and resonant on the ground.

These hundred-family boots are a rare treasure, protected by the people's wishes, and can only be worn by officials who are highly respected.

Once worn, evil spirits and demons cannot approach you, and you can walk as fast as a galloping horse.

Lu Zhengfeng, who came to see Fang Zheng off, didn't say much, only patted Fang Zheng on the shoulder.

"Lord Lü, fellow villagers, I am about to embark on a long journey."

"The road ahead is long, but we'll meet again!"

Fang Zheng bowed to the departing party, then mounted his horse, with Guan Tieyi following closely behind. The two rode north, heading northwest.

As the people waved to each other, a notification appeared on the system panel in front of Fang Zheng.

"A simple meal and a farewell party, a journey of ten miles—virtue shines brightly, adding one more of the five virtues."

.........

Cangwu County is located in the northwest and is under the jurisdiction of Dinghu Commandery. It is the westernmost county in Youzhou.

Even though Fang Zheng and Guan Tieyi traveled day and night, half a month had already passed by the time they entered Dinghu County.

It was already April, but the northern border region was still cold.

It started snowing last night, and by noon the next day, it had become a heavy snowfall.

Although Fang Zheng and Guan Tieyi both possessed martial arts skills, strong physiques, and abundant qi and blood, they still needed to wear warm clothing.

Fortunately, the post stations along the way were well-prepared, and since Fang Zheng was an eighth-rank official, he could take these at will.

In the territory of Dinghu County, Youzhou, at the foot of Hanya Mountain, there is an inn by the roadside.

This is the border area between Cangwu County and Chongshan County.

The snowfall was too heavy. Fang Zheng had heard from the people at the post station that this was the last place where they could rest before entering Hanya Mountain.

Further ahead lies the Yama Mountain, stretching over a hundred miles.

Normally it's fine, but when it snows, you have to eat and drink your fill before you can set off.

Guan Tieyi brushed the snow off his clothes, settled the horses, pushed open the door of the inn, and Fang Zheng followed him inside.