In a small courtyard, Daoist Jinlian put away the Earth Book fragment, furrowing his brow in silence.
Every member of the Earth Book chat group was a person of great fortune. He was unwilling to see any of them come to harm.
“The conflict between Heaven and Human is a matter for the elders. There’s no need for the younger generation to fight to the death. If no one intervenes, given Li Miaozhen’s stubbornness and Number Four’s sharp temperament, I fear one will die and the other will be injured.
“My Earth Sect can’t conveniently interfere in the Heaven-Human conflict. Number Six isn’t good with words, and Number One’s identity is inconvenient… It seems we should push Xu Qi’an forward to mediate. Let him intervene in the Heaven-Human conflict, reducing the hostile atmosphere between Li Miaozhen and Number Four. This way, we can account for the sect’s interests without needing to risk lives.
“However, his cultivation is somewhat weak. He’s not yet qualified to interfere in Li Miaozhen and Number Four’s battle, unless he can cultivate Bronze Skin and Iron Bones in a short time.”
Cultivating Bronze Skin and Iron Bones in a short time was indeed quite challenging.
Daoist Jinlian frowned in worry, pondering for a long time without coming up with a suitable idea, until a shrill cat’s meow came from the courtyard.
…Shortly after, an orange cat happily left, its tail held high.
Inside the room, Daoist Jinlian lay on the bed, his face serene.
…
After breakfast, Xu Qi’an rode his mare, taking Zhong Li to the Constabulary Office.
“I can’t guarantee you’ll be able to enter the Constabulary Office, especially the Tower of Righteousness,” Xu Qi’an said, turning his head to Zhong Li beside him.
She wasn’t riding a horse, but walked step by step next to the mare, strolling as if taking a leisurely after-meal walk.
The Ground Contraction technique, huh… Xu Qi’an watched silently, secretly envious.
Just as they entered the Constabulary Office, a Silver Gong leading a dozen Bronze Gongs hurriedly came out, bumping into Xu Qi’an.
The Silver Gong stopped to greet him, noticing Zhong Li with her disheveled hair and linen robe, and asked, “Is this a martial artist who’s broken the law? Why isn’t she bound?”
Xu Qi’an was stunned, carefully saying, “What makes you say that?”
The Silver Gong explained, “You weren’t on duty yesterday, so you don’t know. Minister Wei issued an announcement yesterday that in three months, there will be the once-in-sixty-years Heaven-Human conflict.
“Before that, outstanding disciples from the Human Sect and Heaven Sect will compete first. For many martial artists, this is a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle.
“Therefore, many martial artists have come to the capital, eager to witness the battle between the disciples of Heaven and Human Sects. Our colleagues are stationed at the city gates, registering incoming martial artists and screening for potential foreign spies.”
Hm? So Number Four and Number Two have such high status in the martial world… I hadn’t noticed at all. Perhaps it’s because I’m from a different background… Xu Qi’an nodded and bid farewell to the Silver Gong.
He arranged for Zhong Li to stay in Li Yuchun’s Spring Wind Hall, while he went to the Tower of Righteousness.
Zhong Li was the Guardian’s fifth disciple, her status quite noble, but it was useless – she couldn’t see Wei Yuan.
After being announced by the guard, Xu Qi’an ascended to the seventh floor tea room.
Wei Yuan stood before a massive topographical map, still in his unchanging cyan robe, his hair simply tied up with a black jade hairpin, hands behind his back, sleeves hanging down.
In terms of temperament, appearance, and talent, among the middle-aged and elderly men Xu Qi’an had met, Wei Yuan could be considered the foremost. Among the younger generation, in terms of appearance, Second Young Master and Nangong Qianrou were at the top.
But in terms of overall ability, Xu Qi’an felt that Xu Dalang was still a cut above, undoubtedly the outstanding one, the leader.
“Your appointment letter is on the table. Take it to the Ministry of Personnel later to receive your relevant waist token and official attire,” Wei Yuan said without turning around, merely pointing at the desk.
Xu Qi’an’s gaze followed to the desk, indeed seeing a promotion document bearing Wei Yuan’s seal.
The Constabulary was Wei Yuan’s one-man show. He could promote or demote whoever he wished. Therefore, Xu Qi’an had no worries about his promotion to Silver Gong.
“After becoming a Silver Gong, you won’t need to patrol the streets. You can preside over cases and have more time at your disposal,” Wei Yuan hinted. “Your talent is not bad. Your time shouldn’t be spent on official duties.”
This is the first time I’ve seen a boss tell an employee “you shouldn’t waste time on trivial matters like work”… Xu Qi’an only regretted not meeting such a good leader in his previous life, diligently being a corporate slave for nearly ten years.
He picked up the promotion document and was about to say goodbye when Wei Yuan said, “No need to hurry off. Soon the disciples of the Human Sect and Heaven Sect will battle. The capital is likely to be unsettled during this time, with inevitable disturbances and brawls among martial artists.”
“This subordinate understands. I will maintain order in the inner city,” Xu Qi’an immediately said.
Wei Yuan nodded slowly and continued, “You’ve had contact with Li Miaozhen in Yunzhou. What’s your impression of her?”
Li Miaozhen’s identity as a Heaven Sect disciple had already been revealed to Governor Zhang and Prosecutor Jiang in White Emperor City. After Xu Qi’an’s “death,” Governor Zhang sent another memorial to the capital during the bandit suppression, detailing the outstanding contributions made by Li Miaozhen, the Heaven Sect disciple, in suppressing the bandits.
He earnestly requested the court to grant her an official position.
Of course, the result was rejection. Luo Yuhen was the National Preceptor of Great Feng, and the Human Sect and Heaven Sect were like water and fire. This was no joke.
My impression of her… Xu Qi’an thought for a moment, feeling one sentence could sum it up: I undressed with the general, passing a warm spring night in the hibiscus tent.
“They’re just two disciples. Why is Minister Wei so concerned?” Xu Qi’an asked.
“The attitude between disciples determines the attitude of their sect elders,” Wei Yuan turned to look at him, his tone serious:
“The Sect Leader of the Heaven Sect is of the First Rank.”
Xu Qi’an was both shocked and unsurprised by this answer. Among the Three Sects of the Dao, the Heaven Sect was the most aggressive. The Sect Leaders of the Human Sect and Earth Sect were of the Second Rank. If the Heaven Sect didn’t have a First Rank, how could they be so dominant?
But in that case, wouldn’t Luo Yuhen of the Human Sect be destined to lose?
Xu Qi’an didn’t care about Luo Yuhen’s chances of winning. He understood Wei Yuan’s meaning: if this competition between disciples wasn’t handled well, the Sect Leaders of Heaven and Human might end up fighting to the death.
First Rank and Second Rank were world-class peak combat strengths. Even the brilliant Wei Yuan didn’t dare to be careless, and the Guardian, Great Feng’s trump card in the capital, was also only of the First Rank.
“Minister Wei, there’s something I haven’t told you yet,” Xu Qi’an decided to report the inside story of the Earthly Association.
Wei Yuan made an “mm” sound, not speaking.
“That Li Miaozhen is a member of the Earthly Association, holding the Second Fragment. And the disciple sent by the Human Sect should be the one you’ve evaluated as the capital’s top swordsman,” Xu Qi’an reported.
This news was unexpected to Wei Yuan. He left the topographical map, returned to sit at the desk, and said in a deep voice, “Tell me everything.”
Xu Qi’an immediately recounted the chat log from the “Earth Book Chat Group” last night.
“Your information is very timely,” Wei Yuan nodded in appreciation.
His “fondness” for this Bronze Gong was complex, with many factors. First was character, that is, trustworthy and reliable personality. Next was talent; Xu Qi’an had shown talent worth cultivating.
Then there was personality, which differed from character. Xu Qi’an’s personality was very accommodating, clever, slick, knowing how to flatter and curry favor, but also having his own principles.
Lastly, he always brought surprises to Wei Yuan, whether in solving cases or providing intelligence like now. He consistently demonstrated his usefulness to Wei Yuan.
It pleased Wei Yuan that this wasn’t a useless sapling needing constant support and care.
This was markedly different from those family geniuses with superb talent but utterly lacking in practical and interpersonal skills.
“Try to cooperate with Daoist Jinlian,” Wei Yuan said out of the blue.
Seeing Xu Qi’an’s confusion, he explained, “Jinlian established the Earthly Association and sought out Earth Book fragment holders across the Nine Provinces with the initial intention of cleaning house and eliminating the corrupted Sect Leader.”
Xu Qi’an nodded. Jinlian’s motives were something he had personally told Wei Yuan.
“Then he certainly won’t watch the Earth Book fragment holders be eliminated. He’ll try to find ways to mediate, but as a member of the Earth Sect, which always maintains neutrality, it’s inconvenient for him to intervene directly. He’ll likely ask for your help.”
“What help can I offer? Heh, hehe…” Xu Qi’an’s smile gradually stiffened as he laughed.
Wei Yuan didn’t know about his subordinate’s boasting and bluffing in the Earth Book chat group, so he didn’t notice Xu Qi’an’s change in expression. Instead, he said:
“The Western Religion will also arrive in the capital soon.”
Xu Qi’an was stunned, wondering how Wei Yuan knew the Western Religion was coming to the capital… Then he realized, of course, a large delegation from the Western Religion visiting the capital of Great Feng wouldn’t just show up abruptly.
It was like heads of state meeting; they would need to notify in advance, schedule a time, and so on.
“The Spring Examination, the Western Religion, and now the Heaven-Human conflict… It’s going to be tough,” Xu Qi’an felt a heaviness in his heart.
Just then, the sound of gongs and drums suddenly came from downstairs, banging loudly, along with faint shouts of “Fire! Fire!”
A fire?!
Xu Qi’an had been with the Constabulary for nearly half a year, but this was the first time he’d encountered such a situation. The next moment, his heart sank as he had a bad premonition.
“Mi-Minister Wei, I’ll take my leave now…”
He quickly stood up, cupped his hands in salute, and rushed out of the Tower of Righteousness. Looking around frantically, he saw clerks and constables carrying water buckets, rushing madly towards the Spring Wind Hall.
…
A quarter of an hour later, the fire was extinguished by a Gold Gong on duty at the office. The Spring Wind Hall was reduced to ashes and ruins, but fortunately, there were no casualties.
The Gold Gong was very angry and ordered the constables to investigate the cause of the fire.
In a secluded courtyard, Zhong Li, her hair singed, squatted on the ground. Her linen robe was burned through in several places, revealing her delicate skin.
“I was sitting quietly in the room, and I don’t know how it suddenly caught fire. If you had been a moment later, I might have been cooked…” she said, still shaken.
“You’re a Fifth-Grade Occultist after all. How could mere mortal fire harm you?” Xu Qi’an asked.
Zhong Li said, “I was meditating earlier and had a mishap with my qi circulation.”
“…”
Xu Qi’an felt sympathetic: “Let me take you to bathe first and change your clothes.”
…
At dusk, Xu Xinnian, having finished the first round of the metropolitan examination, left the examination hall. He emerged onto the street with the flow of students pouring out of the main gate. He looked around for a moment, surprised to find that his parents, elder brother, and sister hadn’t come to meet him.
“Father and elder brother probably haven’t finished their shifts yet, and mother and sister can’t travel alone…” Xu Xinnian consoled himself.
He carried his book box, planning to walk back to the mansion, not forgetting to cast a buff on himself. He lightly patted his thigh, activating his literary talent, and recited:
“Light as a swallow!”
An invisible force enveloped him, and as he walked, it felt as if the wind was assisting him, moving no slower than a carriage.
Suddenly, someone ahead laughed and said, “Well done, light as a swallow!”
Xu Xinnian stopped and looked towards the voice. By the roadside stood a sword-carrying gentleman in a blue robe, his face handsome and unrestrained. He looked very young, but that strand of white hair falling over his forehead hinted at the vicissitudes he had experienced.
Before Xu Xinnian could speak, the blue-robed swordsman smiled and said, “The first round of the Spring Examination is over. Following my habits from back then, the next three days would be spent drinking with classmates at the Courtesans’ Quarter to celebrate.
“That was nine years ago. I suppose the top courtesans from back then have aged or found good husbands by now. I hear there’s a new top courtesan in the capital’s Courtesans’ Quarter, excelling in both poetry and music, her fame spread across all provinces. I’d like to see for myself.
“Brother, why don’t we go together?”
Xu Xinnian listened quietly, with only one thought in his mind: This person is an idiot.
That overly familiar tone, as if they knew each other well, and moreover, moreover, he even winked at him… But Xu Xinnian was absolutely certain he didn’t know this fellow at all.
What’s going on today? Before entering the exam, I met a strange monk, and after coming out, I bump into an idiot swordsman… Xu Xinnian didn’t engage, quickly running away.
Boys need to protect themselves when out and about.
…
In the glow of the setting sun, with crimson clouds hanging on the horizon, Xu Qi’an brought Zhong Li to the Courtesans’ Quarter.
“I wonder if Fuxiang’s illness has improved. Women in this era are frail, easily catching colds.”
Xu Qi’an planned to bring Zhong Li to see Fuxiang and give her a diagnosis.
Zhong Li still wore the linen robe. After bathing, her hair was disheveled, hanging loose to cover her face.
Xu Qi’an guessed she was an ugly woman, or perhaps had some scar on her face, which was why she didn’t show her true appearance.