Merit-based card draws, quickly become a Heavenly Emperor

"no."

Ning Xuejian, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but speak up and refute.

"These White Tiger Cult members dare to preach and commit evil deeds here; they must be in cahoots with your local officials—they're all birds of a feather!"

The official's expression changed. Realizing that Ning Xuejian lacked official rank, he immediately frowned and rebuked her: "Where did this wild girl come from, daring to slander an official of the imperial court?"

With a clang, Ning Xuejian drew her sword directly.

The official was so frightened that he took a step back, his face turning pale.

Fang Zheng sighed inwardly. Ning Xuejian looked aloof, but her temper was even more volatile than Guan Tieyi's.

Drawing a sword in front of so many people is incredibly reckless of an official.

But now is not the time to argue. He glanced at Ning Xuejian, his gaze steady: "Miss Ning, there is no need to be angry."

Ning Xuejian was about to retort, but Fang Zheng's gaze made her pause.

She stood there, sword in hand, but for some reason, her fearless spirit was suppressed. She didn't say anything more and put the sword away.

Fang Zheng then turned to the official and said, "If you're going to conduct a trial, do it now. I won't make things difficult for you."

He turned to Guan Tieyi and said, "Brother Guan, that Taoist priest is a heretic, violating the law by preaching here. There is ample evidence and witnesses to prove that he should be punished by having his tongue cut out."

"Go and carry out the execution."

"Lord Fang, this..." the official tried to stop him.

Guan Tieyi stepped forward, pried open the Taoist Yang's mouth, and brought his blade down.

With a muffled scream, Taoist Yang spat blood from his mouth and nose, half of his face was stained red, and he convulsed a few times before fainting on the spot.

The surroundings fell silent instantly. The people who had been shouting and cursing stared wide-eyed, their faces pale, and no one dared to utter another word.

They had never seen an official like this before, who could carry out executions so decisively and without uttering a single unnecessary word.

More importantly, their resolve began to waver.

The White Tiger Society has been operating in this area for a long time, and they revere Taoist Yang as a god. No one dares to disrespect the White Tiger Society.

But now they watched as Taoist Yang was beaten, arrested, and bound by official magic, and in the end, even his tongue was cut out.

The all-knowing and all-powerful White Tiger Holy Spirit, as they claimed, never brought any punishment.

In that instant, the once unwavering faith of the people who had been brainwashed by the White Tiger Society for many years cracked.

This is exactly the effect Founder wanted.

The official was also stunned.

He never expected that Fang Zheng, a mere passing official, would dare to overstep his authority and carry out executions.

He wanted to speak up and accuse Fang Zheng, but when he met Fang Zheng's gaze, he opened his mouth several times and then closed it again.

He knew in his heart that the Taoist priest Yang had given him a lot of benefits in private, and now that he was being dealt with in public, he couldn't escape responsibility.

But Fang Zheng's official authority made him dare not say another word. After all, his own background wasn't clean either, and this matter couldn't be discussed openly.

Fang Zheng didn't look at the official again, only saying, "Take the others back and interrogate them at your leisure."

After saying that, he turned and walked towards the door, with Ning Xuejian and Guan Tieyi following behind him.

The three pushed open the door of the inn and strode away into the wind and snow.

The hundreds of people behind him remained silent; no one dared to chase after them.

The official stood there for a while before he came to his senses and realized that his back was soaked with cold sweat.

Upon reaching the Cold Crow Pass, Ning Xuejian suddenly slowed her pace and, unusually, took the initiative to speak.

"Fang Zheng, I never expected you to be an official, let alone this kind of official."

I've traveled all over the country and met many officials, but you're the first one as young and imposing as me.

She paused for a moment, then said, "I have to go now. See you again in Cangwu County if fate allows."

After she finished speaking, she cupped her hands in greeting, turned around, and with a few leaps, her white dress was quickly swallowed up by the wind and snow.

Fang Zheng and Guan Tieyi continued on their way.

On the way, Guan Tieyi asked, "Sir, are we just going to let this matter drop?"

Fang Zheng smiled and said, "The atmosphere in Dinghu County was not formed in a day or two, and it cannot be rectified in a day or two either."

I am just a supervisor in a small county, and there are many things I am willing to do but cannot.

This time, it was Master Yang who provoked us, so we just happened to intervene.

It's still a long way off before we can reverse this long-standing unhealthy trend.

Guan Tieyi nodded and said nothing more.

Fang Zheng glanced at the prompts on the system panel and became even more wary of the White Tiger Society.

"Insightful observation, discerning the true nature of evil spirits, publicly confronting them, upholding justice and suppressing chaos, Wisdom +2, Etiquette +2."

"Capture the thief and kill the traitor, destroy the demon and purify the atmosphere. One party is temporarily safe, and the white power is +5."

Two mere ninth-rank White Tiger Society members were able to exchange for five strands of white skill, which is equivalent to fifty strands of gray skill.

Fang Zheng knew in his heart that this was not because the White Tiger Society was so strong, but because Master Yang was revered as a god in the hearts of the local people, and his roots were too deep.

He arrested the man in public, cut out his tongue and displayed it to the public, using irrefutable facts to awaken the deceived people, and only then was he able to gain such a great deal of merit.

A glimpse into the whole reveals the true extent of the power of the White Tiger Society. How many years has this society been operating in Dinghu County, and how many followers has it misled? It is truly not to be underestimated.

After a short rest, the two continued their journey at full speed.

Two or three days later, the terrain gradually rose and the trees became sparser. A mountain ridge appeared ahead, and a half-person-high blue stone boundary marker stood by the roadside.

The monument is mottled and covered with dark green moss, having stood here for who knows how many years.

Fang Zheng reined in his horse and dismounted. He brushed aside the snow to reveal four large characters: Cangwu County Boundary.

Just then, the light screen in front of me popped open, and white light spread out.

[The limited-time gacha pool "Cangwu Scenery" is now active as you enter this new territory for the first time.]

【Scenery and Scenery of Cangwu】

"One monument, one city, a century of rise and fall."

Opening hours: 60 days

Card Pool Tier: White - Rank 8

Pity System: Guaranteed Rank 8 White Card on the first 10-pull; Guaranteed Pity System within 100 pulls [Map and Gazetteer].

【Map and Map】(Peerless, Grade 8, White, Wisdom): A rare card. Within its jurisdiction, it is blessed by the fortune of heaven and earth, and its insight is as clear as the lines on the palm of its hand. In both offense and defense, it has the advantage of terrain, advances and retreats with a sense of proportion, and its wisdom and courage are both evident.

Fang Zheng was stunned for a moment. The previous card pools were all rank 9 gray, but this time it jumped directly to rank 8 white.

The rarity of the limited-time gacha pool has also increased along with the basic gacha pool, which is certainly a good thing.

He glanced at his merit balance. After buying the advancement card and fusion card last time, he had accumulated a few strands of white merit.

Adding the merit I gained from capturing Master Yang at Cold Crow Mountain a few days ago, it's just enough for a ten-shot combo.

Without hesitation, he raised his hand and tapped.

A flash of light appeared, and ten cards materialized on the screen: one white, two gray, and seven black.

【Hundred Soldiers Picture】(Treasure·Grade 8 White·Righteousness): Rare card, when unfolded, it can summon the phantom images of a hundred soldiers in the picture to fight.

【Cangwu County Chronicle】(Rare, Grade 9 Gray, Wisdom): Secret Card, recording major events and historical figures since the establishment of Cangwu County.

[County Officials Directory] (Rare, Rank 9, Gray, Letter): Secret Card, recording the list and resumes of officials who have served in Cangwu County in recent years.

【Cold Resistance】×2 (Common, Common, Black): Attribute card. Slightly increases cold resistance after use.

[Yuan Power Cultivation] ×1 (Collector's Edition Common Black Card - Benevolence): Cultivation Card, slightly increases Yuan Power Cultivation after use.

【Cultivation Technique Insights】×1 (Collector's Edition Common Black Card·Wisdom): Cultivation Technique Card. Slightly increases the insights into the specified cultivation technique after use.

【Divine Soul】×1 (Treasure·Common Black Card·Letter): Attribute card, slightly increases Divine Soul strength after use.

【Majesty】×2 (Rare·Common Black Card·Gift): Attribute card, slightly increases majesty aura after use.