Chapter 237: The Examination of the Li Huo Dao Academy (Grand Chapter: Twelve Thousand)

One of Zhao Xing's Ten Thousand Methods incarnations delivered Zong Zong Shichang onto the boat, then scanned the officers of the Inspection Office.

Before arriving, he had reviewed the Juan Sect's records and found Zong Zong Shichang's arrest cited as "dereliction of duty."

But what kind of man was Old Master Zhao? One glance told him something was wrong.

When he arrived, he activated his Heavenly Eye Technique and saw the junior clerk outside the cell striking the door with an iron rod to disrupt Zong Zong Shichang's rest.

Instantly, his rage boiled over.

Wang Shiyan, who had come with him, also sensed something amiss and glared fiercely at He Xian.

Official dereliction of duty, by protocol, required approval from the official himself or the Prefectural Deputy He Xian to make an arrest.

He had never signed such a document; clearly, He Xian had done this himself.

In fact, Wang Shiyan didn't need to think—Song Ji had been recommended by He Xian.

He Xian already sensed trouble and immediately tried to speak.

But before he could, Zhao Xing, after delivering Zong Zong Shichang, erupted on the spot.

"Wang my lord, may I ask a few questions?" Zhao Xing looked at Wang Shiyan.

"Lord Yuanrang, speak freely," Wang Shiyan said. "Everyone else, out."

At Wang Shiyan's words, the other officials involuntarily withdrew from the Inspection Office, leaving only its own officers, Prefectural Deputy He Xian, and himself.

Zhao Xing was angry; Wang Shiyan naturally let him vent.

Otherwise, he'd never cultivate this connection.

"Where is Song Ji, Chief of the Inspection Office?!"

Song Ji, standing nearby, looked pale—Zhao Xing addressing him by name directly, before all the officers and clerks of the Inspection Office, made it clear he had no intention of sparing his face.

But Wang Shiyan offered no help, and seeing He Xian give a slight shake of his head, Song Ji had no choice but to step forward with gritted teeth.

"What does Lord Yuanrang command?"

"I am Official Sixth Rank Upper; you are Official Sixth Rank Lower. Why do you not bow before your superior?"

Song Ji felt a surge of anger and planned to merely offer a token bow.

But Zhao Xing's aura exploded violently, a crushing pressure surging forth—Song Ji felt as if facing a tidal wave, as if the sky itself had collapsed.

"Plop~" Song Ji involuntarily knelt down.

What is called "abusing power to bully"? This is abusing power to bully!

Song Ji was lower-ranked than Zhao Xing; he ought to bow—but whether he knelt or not was technically optional.

But Old Master Zhao was furious now, and he made Song Ji kneel to answer!

Song Ji struggled, but found he had no room to resist—he couldn't rise at all—and his heart trembled with shock.

Seeing Wang Shiyan say nothing to stop it, fear crept into him: Zhao Xing's background was far stronger than he'd heard at the banquet.

Wang Shiyan himself was slightly surprised.

This Lord Yuanrang was truly rather tyrannical.

At the banquet earlier, he'd been so amiable—nowhere near such lethal intensity.

But remembering the man's battlefield merits, Wang Shiyan understood.

Zhao Xing was genuinely furious—he'd originally assumed Zong Zong Shichang had mishandled flood control and thus committed dereliction of duty, hence his detention.

Given Zong Zong Shichang's usual nature, Zhao Xing had initially believed it.

Only when Wang Shiyan's scribe told him did he learn the truth.

That bastard Song Ji had classified drinking on duty as dereliction of duty, locked Zong Zong Shichang up for seven full days, fed him but denied him sleep—clearly retaliation!

Who was Zong Zong Shichang? He was Zhao Xing's trusted brother, entrusted with the care of his family—Zhao Zheng, Zhao Ruide, and Lady Cai all thrived under his watch, even Zhao Zheng being admitted to the Prefectural Academy.

How could such mistreatment of Zong Zong Shichang be tolerated?

Looking at Song Ji kneeling on the ground, Zhao Xing grew angrier by the moment.

He'd originally planned to question him using regulations—but seeing Song Ji kneel without a word, Old Master Zhao simply decided to act.

"You fucking—"

Zhao Xing kicked Song Ji square in the face.

"Crack~"

Song Ji's nose was instantly twisted sideways.

"Boom Boom Boom!"

Zhao Xing, like a street thug, leapt beside Song Ji and unleashed a frenzy of kicks.

Each kick avoided vital points, never truly crippling Song Ji—but each one sent searing pain through him!

"Ahh, ah! Ahh!"

Song Ji was a Sixth Rank martial cultivator; normally, even if he lost flesh or broke bones, he wouldn't cry out.

But now, he truly couldn't hold back.

The clerks and officers of the Inspection Office felt their scalps prickle.

Especially Liu Siliang, the patrol officer ordered to disturb Zong Zong Shichang's sleep—he nearly wet himself.

Because he didn't understand the politics behind it; he thought Zhao Xing meant to kill the man.

If the superior acted like this, what chance did a lowly clerk like him have?

After over a hundred kicks, Song Ji's face was swollen beyond recognition—Old Master Zhao finally lifted his head, his expression calming.

He looked down at Song Ji with indifference: "If you have a grievance, you may go to Fucheng and sue me."

"Ugh… I dare not…" Song Ji, beaten into a pig's head, still struggled to kneel properly.

Sue? For these injuries? At most, compensation.

Just from Wang Shiyan's attitude, he knew it was useless.

Zhao Xing glanced at the clerks of the Patrol Office; he did not make things difficult for Liu Silang.

He merely straightened his robes and said to Wang Shiyang, "I lost my composure for a moment; please, my lord, punish me."

Wang Shiyang asked in surprise, "What loss of composure? Did you see what Yuan Rang Hou did?"

The clerks: "No, no."

He Xian spoke up then as well, "Yuan Rang Hou merely came to inspect the Patrol Office and examined the prison formation."

Wang Shiyang's attitude once again refreshed Long Xiao's understanding of civil officials.

Had this been in the army, if someone dared to beat his brother, he would have drawn his blade and attacked.

But here, Wang Shiyang merely watched, even allowing Zhao Xing to do such a thing.

Why? Because Song Ji was not Wang Shiyang's man.

Besides, Wang Shiyang had also read the Juan Sect files.

The background and details had been explained to him clearly by the document official long ago.

Why did Song Ji imprison Zong Zong Shichang?

The reason was drinking during official duties; he was arrested under the charge of dereliction of duty to vent his anger.

What anger did he vent? Zong Zong Shichang, while managing flood control in Nanliu County, chose not to flood the downstream populace during the release of floodwaters, but instead damaged the Song family's fields.

But he was the Prefect; Zong Zong Shichang's actions aligned with Wang Shiyang's interests.

Great families like the Song possessed strong resistance to natural disasters; after the great flood, they would merely lose some money.

But if common people were drowned, left homeless, starved to death, or died of illness... how could he possibly rise in rank?

Wang Shiyang was heavily motivated by utility, but he was not necessarily a bad official; if forced to choose, he too would support Zong Zong Shichang's actions.

Besides, Wang Shiyang felt great disgust for Song Ji at this moment.

A perfectly fine banquet was ruined by this pile of dog shit, Song Ji, leaving a bad impression on Zhao Xing; let alone speaking up to help, Wang Shiyang felt like killing him.

"Zhao Xing, shall we walk elsewhere?" Wang Shiyang asked.

"As you command." Zhao Xing followed Wang Shiyang as they left the Patrol Office.

He Xian, following behind, sighed in his heart; he felt this matter was not yet finished.

This was merely venting anger; how it would end later remained unknown.

…………

The matter indeed was not finished; Zhao Xing had vented his anger, but how to conclude it, he needed to ask Zong Zong Shichang's opinion.

The True Body accompanied Wang Shiyang in inspecting the various institutions of the Prefecture, listening to Wang Shiyang discuss his ambitions and ideals.

The Clone was on the flying boat, accompanying Zong Zong Shichang.

"Shichang, the one who came with me is Yunxiao Hou Long Xiao; you have seen him before, but may not be familiar."

"As for Chen my lord, you have known him for a long time, so I shall not introduce him further. Chen my lord is now Yuanzhen Hou, also of official Sixth Rank Upper."

"What? Even that Xishan fellow has been ennobled as a Hou?"

Zong Zong Shichang had just finished washing up; he was still a bit dazed and completely failed to notice that Chen Shijie and Long Xiao had already entered.

"Ahem... cough..." Zhao Xing hurriedly reminded him.

"Ah, student... pays respects to Chen... Chen my lord." Zong Zong Shichang hurriedly bowed in greeting.

"Am I not that Xishan fellow?" Chen Shijie looked at Zong Zong Shichang with a half-smile. "Do not be insincere, Young Master Zong."

Zong Zong Shichang only wished to find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

"Boy, that fellow named Song something was beaten by Zhao Xing into a pig's head," Long Xiao said. "Do you feel satisfied? If not, I will help you beat him again tomorrow."

"Not satisfied!" Zong Zong Shichang said angrily. "That Wang Ba locked me up for seven days, seven days without letting me sleep; how is beating him once enough?"

"However, no need for Brother Long to exert himself; someone in my family can beat him. It's just a matter of paying some medical fees; I can afford it!"

"Don't," Long Xiao said. "Call me for such good times. I am a Sword Cultivator; I guarantee I will chop him a hundred times, and he will still end up with only minor injuries."

"Ah?" Zong Zong Shichang was stunned.

"If you are not satisfied, let Brother Long go," Zhao Xing said. "Your family members certainly cannot fight as well as him; they might lose control."

Venting anger is one thing, but killing people is not allowed.

There are many ways to crush the Song family.

"Oh, good, good." After Zong Zong Shichang answered, he suddenly realized something was wrong.

He suddenly slapped his forehead: "Damn, I remember now! How did you get ennobled as a Hou? And even official Sixth Rank! How many years has it been?"

"Also, you said he was beaten into a pig's head? I recall the Prefect and the Prefectural Vice-Prefect were both present then? You beat him right in front of them? Did they say nothing?"

Zong Zong Shichang's mind was full of question marks; he finally understood what was strange.

Zhao Xing and the other two were Sixth Rank, but that Song Ji was also Sixth Rank; did Wang Shiyang really give them that much face?

"We will explain in detail when we return. Were you not awake for several days and nights? Rest for a while first; when you wake, you will know." Zhao Xing smiled.

"Good." Zong Zong Shichang was indeed exhausted; he fell straight into sleep and entered the dreamland within moments.

…………

Nanyang Prefecture, Song Family.

Song Family head Song Song Chengde was lying leisurely under the grape vines enjoying the cool, while two maids were massaging his legs and shoulders around him.

Song Song Chengde's ancestors had produced a Fourth Rank official, but after experiencing two dynasties, the family gradually declined, compounded by constant division of the estate.

By his generation, only two Fifth Rank officials remained among his relatives, and they were serving as officials in distant places.

The only official power in the local administration was Song Ji, a Sixth Rank officer of the Patrol Office.

In recent years, continuous great floods had occurred; summers were wet and stifling, and they had encountered an unlearned and useless Zong Zong Shichang who constantly opposed their Song family.

Whenever there was nothing to do, he would come to the Song Manor to scold them twice, and even wander around their Song family ancestral lands.

Now that Zong Zong Shichang had been locked up, he could finally enjoy a few days of leisure.

"My lord, someone from the Zong Manor has arrived again." At that moment, a steward came to report.

"I will not see them!" Song Chengde snorted. "I must teach the Zong family's young master a lesson. He hasn't even grown his whiskers yet, yet he dares to lecture this old man, and even come to teach me principles."

"I will not see them, I will not see them! No matter how much gift they offer, I will not see them!"

"No, my lord, Zong Zong Shichang has already been released." The steward said urgently. "Second Master Song was beaten into a pig's head, and now the Zong Manor has come to demand justice."

"Zong Zong Shichang has been released, and my younger brother was beaten? The Zong Manor has come to demand justice?" Song Chengde was stunned first, then angrily scolded: "Fool! In broad daylight, what nonsense are you talking? How many ounces of horse urine did you drink to get this drunk!"

The steward, helpless, could only explain again and again.

After emphasizing it several times, Song Chengde finally believed it.

"Zong Zong Shichang has a classmate who served in the army for four years, and is now an official Sixth Rank and even ennobled as a Marquis?"

"The Fucheng's Sky Ship Bureau even dispatched a Radiant Sky Ship to send him back; Wang Shiyang is eager to curry favor. Hiss, what a massive background this must be." Song Chengde couldn't help but suck in a breath of cold air.

He immediately realized: "Quick, quick, prepare the carriage!"

…………

Ordinary families have no Earth Mirror and no way to dispatch Yin Spirits to send messages; all communication relies on carriages and horses.

Song Chengde was in Nanliu County. By the time he learned the news, investigated the situation of Marquis Yuan Rang from all sides, and rushed to Juncheng to handle it, it was already the seventh day after the incident.

And Song Ji, this official Sixth Rank Inspector Office Chief, had been beaten for a full six days.

Long Xiao, with nothing to do, woke up every day and took Shan Mao and Zong Zong Shichang to block Song Ji.

Moreover, he specifically chose to beat him on Song Ji's way to work.

After the beating, Song Ji, with a bruised and swollen face, still had to go to work.

Long Xiao even forbade Song Ji from taking leave.

If he dared to take leave, he would be beaten double.

That day, Long Xiao appeared again on the road passing the Inspector Office.

He caught Song Ji and hacked at him wildly.

An hour later, Song Ji was tattered all over, a pitiful sight.

"Marquis Yun Xiao, I am on my way home from work now, why are you beating me again?" Song Ji asked.

Long Xiao snorted: "You took leave yesterday, so you must be beaten even on your way home."

Song Ji wanted to cry but had no tears: "I, I was on my normal day off yesterday..."

Long Xiao looked at Zong Zong Shichang beside him: "Was yesterday the rest day stipulated by your Juncheng government?"

Zong Zong Shichang clapped his hands and said: "Yes. I saw you were in high spirits, so I didn't mention it just now."

"Never mind, it's already done." Long Xiao shrugged. "Anyway, I have nothing to do."

Song Ji: "……"

At this moment, Song Ji only wanted his older brother to come to Juncheng to settle this matter quickly. These past few days had been agonizing for him, more unbearable than being killed.

…………

On the eighth day, the head of the Song family, Song Chengde, came to the manor to pay respects to Zhao Xing.

"Commoner Song Chengde, pays respects to Marquis Yuan Rang, Marquis Yuan Zhen, and Marquis Yun Xiao."

Song Chengde knelt on the ground and kowtowed obediently.

Even though he held a civil rank, this was not the time to talk about such things.

"Why do you bow to me?" Zhao Xing pointed to Zong Zong Shichang beside him. "You have not offended me."

Song Chengde looked at Zong Zong Shichang and kowtowed to him again: "Worthy nephew..."

"Old dog! Who is your worthy nephew!" Zong Zong Shichang shouted. "Stop trying to get close!"

Song Chengde helplessly bowed again: "Lord Zong, I have offended you greatly before. Please instruct Lord Zong on how to make amends to make Lord Zong lose his anger."

Zong Zong Shichang clapped his hands and said: "Simple. You only need to agree to three things from me, and this matter can be settled."

Song Chengde knelt on the ground: "Please instruct this Lord Zong."

"First, you must cancel all the usurious loans your family has lent to the villagers of Nanliu County over these years. You old dog, when the flood came, you not only did not show empathy for the people, but took the opportunity to make a fortune and raise interest rates. Now, spit it all out!"

"Second, you bought people's fields at low prices. Now act as a benevolent person for once and give them back for free. Use the Yellow Registers from three years ago as the standard; whatever family it originally belonged to, return it to that family. Not more, not less. This young master is accumulating merit for you."

"Third, from now on, when I do things in Nanliu County, building dikes and arrays, if you need people, your family provides people; if you need money, provide money."

"I, this Pinghuai Order, say where to build, and I build. If that canal must pass through your side rooms, you must obediently demolish them. Understand?"

After Zong Zong Shichang finished speaking, he stared sideways at Song Chengde: "Can you agree to these three things?"

Song Chengde was already kneeling on the ground; what was there that he could not agree to?

Although it hurt his heart, he immediately agreed: "It can be done, it can be done."

He just felt some contempt in his heart. Zong Zong Shichang himself wanted neither money nor benefits, but gave it all to those commoners; his head must have been truly knocked badly.

Zhao Xing originally did not want to intervene, but his Bright Eye Method accurately grasped Song Chengde's psychological movements.

He immediately spoke: "Let your younger brother resign from his position as Inspector Office Chief himself, and this matter will be settled."

"What?!" Song Chengde's face immediately changed. "Marquis Yuan Rang, that cannot be... If you want money or treasures, my family can agree..."

Zhao Xing interrupted: "These past few days you have investigated from all sides; you must be clear about my background. I will ask you one question."

"Can your Song family withstand an investigation by the Fucheng Supervision Bureau?"

Song Chengde's breath hitched.

If the Fucheng Supervision Bureau came to investigate the Song family, even a single flaw could destroy the family.

Moreover, the Song family had more than just a single flaw. They dared not commit murder or arson, but there were countless instances of bullying and tyranny.

Zhao Xing, however, did not want to be a dog catching a rat and meddling in others' business, uprooting the Song family entirely over this small matter.

It was unnecessary. As long as Song Ji's position was cut off, the Song family would naturally decline slowly, and by then there would be plenty of people to swallow them.

Lord Zhao cherished his reputation and did not need to do this himself.

Of course, Song Chengde must know his place.

If he does not know his place, then he would not mind writing a letter to the Surveillance Office of Fucheng and bringing down the Song family right now.

"If there is no news tomorrow, it means you do not accept the dignity I am offering your Song family."

"If you do not make yourself dignified, then I will make you dignified."

"That is all I have to say; you may go."

Zhao Xing waved his hand, and a gust of wind directly blew Song Chengde out of the city gate.

Standing outside the gate, Song Chengde's face was pale.

He did not even dare to harbor resentment; he simply left silently to find his younger brother Song Ji and inform him of the final result.

If they accepted, the Song family would still have decades of breathing room to cultivate family members into officials.

If they did not accept, there would likely be an immediate threat of destruction.

…………

At the Mao hour the next day, Song Ji arrived at the Prefecture Office to submit his resignation and voluntarily stepped down from his post.

Since he was not retiring naturally and held low merit and honorary ranks, once he lost his office, his cultivation dropped all the way to the Eighth Rank from below.

But voluntary resignation was better than being stripped of office, for being stripped of office inevitably implied guilt.

When the cultivation and lifespan bestowed by the nation's luck were drawn away, it would be impossible to maintain the realm of the Eighth Rank.

The Song family chose the dignity offered by Lord Zhao; thereafter, they abandoned many interests in Juncheng and fully retreated to their ancestral home, Nanliu County. They went from being a great clan of the prefecture to a clan of the county.

"Within a hundred years, the Song family has no hope of rising again; people have luck, and families have luck too."

Zhao Xing stood on the city wall, looking south, where a pillar of luck light was shrinking rapidly.

He calculated with his fingers and concluded that within a hundred years, the Song family would find it difficult to achieve anything.

"With a single word, I decided the fate of a family."

"Who can decide my fate?"

Zhao Xing looked up at the sky, gathered his thoughts, and set out with the ritual officials and the procession.

He stayed in Juncheng for seven days, not solely because of Zong Zong Shichang's matter, but also because the procedure required it.

From Juncheng to Gucheng, it was much closer.

In less than two hours, Zhao Xing's procession, comprising more than twenty flying boats, arrived at Gucheng.

The magistrate of Gucheng had originally been Li Wenzheng, but this person had been transferred elsewhere three years ago for his merit in capturing followers of the Xuantian Sect.

The new magistrate was named Xu Donghui, holding the official Ninth Rank.

Xu Donghui led people out of the city five li to welcome them.

When Zhao Xing descended, he led the bowing and clasping of hands.

"We pay homage to Marquis Yuanrang, and congratulate Marquis Yuanrang on his triumphant return!"

"Congratulations to Marquis Yuanrang on his triumphant return!"

Zhao Xing quickly descended from the flying boat and helped Xu Donghui up.

"My lord Xu, please rise quickly; there is no need for excessive courtesy."

Although he was speaking to Xu Dong, Zhao Xing's gaze swept back and forth among the ranks of officials.

How could Xu Dong not know what Zhao Xing was looking for? He immediately stepped aside: "My lord Xue, please, My lord Xue, come forward."

"No need." Zhao Xing quickly pushed through the crowd and arrived before Xue Wenzhong.

At this time, Xue Wenzhong was still at the upper level of the official Ninth Rank; this was only after he was promoted upon becoming the chief official of the Imperial Agriculture Bureau.

Four years had passed without a meeting, and Xue Wenzhong had aged much more, for rising from the Ninth Rank to the official Ninth Rank added very little lifespan.

Moreover, the old Agriculture Minister had already extended his life twice.

Circling back and forth at the Ninth Rank meant only that small amount of luck bonus.

"Congratulations, Marquis Yuanrang." Xue Wenzhong, smiling, prepared to bow to Zhao Xing; although his hair was white and he had wrinkles and age spots, his speech was clear, and he could still hear well.

"Teacher." Zhao Xing quickly held Xue Wenzhong's hands. "Your student has returned to see you."

He did not kneel before Xue Wenzhong; his current status was too high, and kneeling before the Ninth-Rank Xue Wenzhong would shorten the latter's life.

"Good, good." Xue Wenzhong patted Zhao Xing's hand, smiling so widely his mouth would not close. "It is good that you have returned."

"Eh? My lord Chen is here too."

"Yes, he has returned too." Zhao Xing smiled and stepped aside.

"Old Agriculture Minister." Chen Shijie also hurried over to hold Xue Wenzhong's hand, preventing him from bowing. "It has been a long time since we met; are you still in good health?"

"Good, very good."

"Thanks to your favor, after you left, the chief position was vacated, allowing this old body of mine to be promoted and live a few more years."

Xue Wenzhong joked, "Since you have returned this time, you haven't been demoted again and come to snatch my position, have you? Hah?"

"Hahahaha." Chen Shijie could not help but laugh, and a round of laughter rose from around them. "Old Agriculture Minister, rest assured; I am not here to serve as an Agriculture official in Gucheng, nor will I come to snatch your position. You can rest a hundred thousand times easy."

"Good, good, good." Xue Wenzhong was delighted; clearly, seeing his outstanding student and old acquaintance made him very happy.

"Marquis Yuanrang, Marquis Yuanzhen, Marquis Yunxiao, Old Agriculture Minister." Xu Donghui clasped his hands and said, "Shall we return to the city to talk? This humble official has prepared a modest banquet to welcome all my lords."

"Very well, Teacher, let us enter the city." Zhao Xing took Xue Wenzhong's hand, and a vast procession of officials followed behind as they walked toward Gucheng.

…………

The welcome outside the city did not include family members; this was a regulation, because strictly speaking, Zhao Xing's return to his hometown was also considered official business.

Historically, no female relatives or kin had ever accompanied the party out of the city to welcome him.

If there were elders in the family who were at the end of their days and could not walk, would they really come out three li to welcome a grandson? There was no logic in that.

However, upon entering the city to attend the banquet, Zhao Ruide, Lady Cai, and Zhao Zheng were immediately seen.

"Adoptive father." Zhao Xing arrived before Zhao Ruide, knelt, and kowtowed. "Your son has returned."

Zhao Ruide stood on the steps and shouted loudly, "Is my son mighty on the battlefield?"

"Five million military merits!"

"A million battle merits makes one mighty! Excellent!" Beside him, a ritual official held a red tray bearing a row of wine cups. Zhao Ruide picked up one cup and drained it in a single gulp.

After finishing, Zhao Ruide asked again.

"My son has established outstanding merits; what rank does he hold now?"

"Official Sixth Rank Upper!"

"Excellent!" Zhao Ruide drank another cup.

"My son returns in glory; does Your Majesty have any rewards?"

"He has been granted the Hou Jue title, with the honorific 'Yuan Rang'!"

"Granted sixteen thousand five hundred mu of land, and a fief of one thousand six hundred fifty households."

"Awarded one 'Hu Jun' command baton, two Green-Eyed Dragon Lions, one Qilin Flying Boat, a pair of jade ruyi scepters... Merit has reached the tenth tier!"

Silence fell around them, broken only by Zhao Xing's voice reporting to his father.

This scene left everyone filled with envy.

For a father, this is perhaps the greatest glory.

After several rounds of drinking, Zhao Ruide's forehead veins bulged. He lifted his final large bowl and toasted the onlookers from all directions.

"My son is mighty! Ruide invites all of you to drink this cup with me!"

"Congratulations, Marquis Yuan Rang!" Congratulations from the crowd surged like a tide.

With this, the homecoming ceremony came to an end.

Next came the banquet.

Xu Donghui had not only set up a banquet inside the county government office; several streets outside were also lined with many flowing-seat tables.

He had set up a private room specifically for Zhao Xing's family and friends.

"Lady Cai, this is the list of treasures and gifts I brought back home." Zhao Xing handed a thick stack of treasure lists to Lady Cai.

Lady Cai wiped her hands and took it over with great care.

"This... so much..."

"The family does not need so much."

Four years had passed since they last met; seeing him again, Zhao Xing had soared to the heavens, truly making Lady Cai feel a bit unsettled.

She had not given Zhao Xing a kind look many times in the past; who knew if he would hold it against her?

Now that she held the gift list Zhao Xing had given, Lady Cai felt somewhat reassured.

With so much treasure, even if Zhao Xing scolded her a few times in the future, it would be fine.

Lady Cai hurriedly took Zhao Zheng's hand and said, "Zheng'er, why do you not pay your respects to your elder brother?"

Among Zhao Xing's family, the one who had changed the most was not Zhao Ruide or Lady Cai, but Zhao Zheng.

At this moment, Zhao Zheng was already thirteen years old.

Thanks to Zong Zong Shichang's good care, his food and drink were excellent, and having practiced martial arts for four years, he was now over one meter seventy-five tall.

His build had become sturdy; he was no longer that little brat who couldn't even shovel snow.

However, having not met for several years, he seemed somewhat reserved, and upon seeing Zhao Xing, there was a hint of unfamiliarity.

"I pay my respects to my elder brother!"

Watching Zhao Zheng perform the bow with rigid formality, Zhao Xing could not help but sigh; this was no longer the child who had used firecrackers to explode someone's outhouse.

"Get up quickly." Zhao Xing supported Zhao Zheng's shoulders and patted them. "Among family, there is no need for such formality."

"Speaking of which, you practice martial arts, so why do you get whiter and more tender the more you train?"

Zhao Zheng wiped his face and said, "Mother, look, I told you my elder brother would say that! You insisted on applying some powder to me."

"Ah, don't wipe it." Lady Cai slapped Zhao Zheng's hand, then took out a handkerchief. "You child, if you smear your face, how will you meet guests later?"

But it was too late; Zhao Zheng wiped left and right, mixing the lip color and foundation on his face, instantly turning into a calico-faced cat.

"Hahahaha." Zhao Ruide and Zhao Xing, father and son, immediately began to mock him mercilessly.

"Mother! Look, what do we do now!" The half-grown child, whose self-esteem was heavy, immediately grew anxious.

"Do not panic; let elder brother tidy you up."

Zhao Xing lightly rotated his fingertips, and a stream of water swept over Zhao Zheng's body.

Like a brush, it scrubbed his neck and face.

Then the wind blew; in a single breath, it dried all the water marks.

It also set Zhao Zheng's hairstyle.

Zhao Xing extended his right hand; a water mirror appeared in his palm, which he placed before Zhao Zheng.

"Look, aren't you much more handsome now?"

"Indeed." Zhao Zheng instinctively touched his cheek.

"Hahahaha." This narcissistic gesture drew another round of laughter.

"I'm not playing with you anymore! I'm going out to eat!" Unable to bear the embarrassment, Zhao Zheng ran to a nearby private room to pet cats.

Gucheng, Anping Ward, Zhao Xing's home.

"In the Northern Sea, there is an island. On the day of Li Dong, the water begins to freeze. Five days later, the sea begins to freeze. Five days later, a giant whale breaks through the ice and transforms into a Black Sparrow; a blue bird enters the water and becomes a purple snake. Five days later, subterranean fire erupts from the seabed."

Zhao Xing sat in the study, reading the Geography of the Nine Provinces.

It was now the Summer Solstice of the twentieth year of the Jingxin Era; he had returned a month ago.

For this month, every day was filled with social visits and networking.

Only today did Zhao Xing have the chance to idle and read a book.

"The higher-ups sent me to the Eastern Sea; I don't know exactly where in the Eastern Sea or what post it is," Zhao Xing thought silently.

His formal appointment had not yet arrived; his current status was that of a 【Pending Transfer Official】.

He held an official rank, but no specific duties or responsibilities.

"The Eastern Sea is too vast, far larger than Pinghai Prefecture; the place I go should be closest to Princess Youruo's territory," Zhao Xing thought silently.

He was still counting on the ten-thousand-year-old Black Turtle Shell the old witch wanted to give him.

After reading for a while, Zhao Xing went to the Chen Fu.

Swish~

Zhao Xing landed in the Chen Fu, where Chen Shijie and a woman were harvesting Tianyuan Pears in the pear orchard.

At this moment, Chen Shijie wore simple clothes; picking pears with Gui Niang, he looked just like an ordinary fruit farmer.

"My Lord Zhao," Gui Niang saw Zhao Xing's visit, immediately wiped her sweat, and prepared to bow.

"Sister-in-law need not be so polite," Zhao Xing smiled. "I am not here for the first time; I just want to chat casually with Old Chen."

"Ah, then I will go make tea for you." Gui Niang put down the fruit basket, turned, and left.

"What, can't you stay idle?" Chen Shijie did not turn his head, focusing on picking pears.

Clearly he had spells, yet he did not use them; he simply held a long-nosed pair of shears, stood on tiptoe, and pruned the branches.

"Huff~" Zhao Xing cast a gust of wind, blowing down the pears he could not reach.

"Why do you meddle in idle matters?" Chen Shijie tossed a pear over. "Do you think I cannot use spells?"

"I have obsessive-compulsive tendencies," Zhao Xing smiled. "You stand on tiptoe, straining for ages to reach nothing; it makes me uncomfortable to watch."

"Your state of mind is not yet refined enough," Chen Shijie said. "I have not cast a single spell for a month."

"Since it is a holiday, why not rest properly?"

"That is true." Zhao Xing then sealed his own Yuan Qi and joined Chen Shijie in picking pears.

"Where has Long Xiao gone?"

"He is fooling around with Zong Zong Shichang," Chen Shijie said. "Those two are quite well-matched in temperament."

"Most likely, Long Xiao simply never saw the bustling world before," Zhao Xing said. "Now that he has met Zong Zong Shichang, who knows how to play the game, it is as if a new world's door has opened."

"You speak as if you have seen it yourself," Chen Shijie sneered. "You have not even touched a woman's hand."

"..."

Zhao Xing had not even touched a hand, yet Zong Zong Shichang was about to get married.

In the twentieth year of the Jingxin Era, on the Summer Solstice, Zong Zong Shichang and Liu Muqing became engaged.

After pursuing her for several years, they had finally achieved a successful result.

Mid-July.

Zhao Xing went to the East Lake, opened his Heavenly Eye to scan the area, and found none of the wandering souls that had once granted him the fourth-grade East Lake Pearls.

Late July, he went to the Xue Fu to give the Old Minister of Agriculture longevity treasures.

He could not change Xue Wenzhong's official post, but the Old Minister of Agriculture had consumed very few longevity treasures.

Zhao Xing fed Xue Wenzhong longevity treasures in batches.

The Old Minister of Agriculture's complexion recovered visibly, and he looked somewhat younger.

Doing this, Xue Wenzhong could live at most another fifty-odd years; there was no way around it, as a ninth-rank official could live at most one hundred and fifty years.

If one truly wished to extend life, one still had to coordinate with an increase in official rank.

For this reason, Zhao Xing visited officials at the commandery, prefecture, and county levels more frequently.

To see if there would be an opportunity in the future to help Old Master Xue raise his official rank.

Early August, Zong Zong Shichang and Liu Muqing got married; her close friend Lu Qian was also present.

Zhao Xing had almost forgotten her; only upon meeting again did he recall that this young lady had once liked him.

Everyone has their own aspirations; they merely met at the banquet, exchanged a few brief words, and then parted.

Late August, Zhao Xing discussed moving house with his family.

"The land the imperial court bestowed upon me is in the eastern part of Pinghai Prefecture, covering over one hundred thousand mu, plus a fief; it yields several hundred taels in tax revenue annually, of course we need not rely on tax revenue for our livelihood," he had to say.

Because Zhao Xing still had to go to the Li Huo Dao Academy, and the holiday had only two months and a bit left.

"Move to such a distant place?" Zhao Ruide hesitated somewhat.

When officials take up their posts, bringing the whole family is common, yet Zhao Ruide was not very willing.

"Yes," Zhao Xing said.

Once Liang Wang rebels, the south will be the first to suffer.

Nanyang Commandery seems far from the battlefield, with a straight-line distance of only forty or fifty thousand li.

For high-rank warfare, this is truly not far; military warships could sail over and strike in just a few hours.

Madam Cai did not mind, but she worried about Zhao Zheng's schooling: "Next year he must enter Nanyang Academy; after we go, what will happen to his spot?"

Zhao Xing said, "Rest assured; once we arrive there, I can arrange for him to enter the Bi Shui Dao Academy, which is even better than this one."

"How much better?"

"..."

Zhao Xing was puzzled; did Madam Cai not understand the word "better"?

Seeing this, Zhao Ruide said, "Why ask such specific questions? Even if Xiong'er tells you, you will not understand."

Madam Cai smiled awkwardly. "Then I will go cook; you father and son decide."

"Must we go?" Zhao Ruide still did not want to.

"It would be best to go together," Zhao Xing said. Although the great formation of Juncheng was not easily broken and Nanyang Commandery was no strategic stronghold, he felt more at ease taking them along.

After all, neither Zhao Ruide nor Lady Cai possessed any self-defense capabilities, nor were they officials.

As for others like Xue Wenzhong and Zong Zong Shichang, he had separate arrangements for them in due time.

"Let me think about it some more," Zhao Ruide said.

"Very well."

…………

In the twentieth year of the Jingxin Era, early ninth month.

Zhao Xing had basically settled all matters in Gucheng.

On the tenth day of the ninth month, Zhao Ruide finally agreed to move.

On this very day, Zhao Xing found Chen Shijie and dragged Long Xiao, who had been playing until he was lost, to the Chen residence.

"The three of us should go to the Li Fire Dao Academy to obtain a permission," Zhao Xing said.

Chen Shijie and Long Xiao's new posts were also in the East Sea region; the three of them received identical handling results.

The East Sea was simply too far. Since Nanyang Commandery lay in the southwest of Pinghai Prefecture, the straight-line distance to the East Sea coastline exceeded three million li!

If they flew on a seventh-rank warship, the journey alone would take over a month.

Without securing the Li Fire Dao Academy's permission, even a round trip would be difficult for them.

"I have no problem. In any case, I intend to take Gui Niang with me this time," Chen Shijie said.

"I have even less of a problem," Long Xiao said. "I have no ties or burdens; I can leave at any time."

"Not necessarily," Chen Shijie said sideways, "The Misses at Huixiang Tower are your burdens, after all."

"What nonsense are you spouting!" Long Xiao said, his face red. "I only went to listen to songs! I did nothing."

"Right, right, right."

"……"

Zhao Xing smiled: "Alright, let's get down to business. Our transfer orders will arrive by the ninth day of the tenth month. The Military Department will grant us one month to travel."

"We must pass the exam before the first day of the tenth month. If we fail, we will have to take a boat."

"Once we pass, we can actually stay a bit longer."

Chen Shijie asked, "When do we leave?"

Zhao Xing said, "It is already the tenth day of the ninth month. Let us depart in five days. We will return after the exam to pick up the others."

Long Xiao scratched his head: "Which permission are we taking again? I've forgotten."

Zhao Xing introduced: "The Li Fire Dao Academy's permissions have five levels: Hundred Arts Mage, Dao-Transmitting Mage, Scripture-Regulating Doctor, Vice Dean, and Dean."

"A Hundred Arts Mage receives three free passage opportunities per year for private matters. If it is a Yuandegong Sect mission, no cost is incurred."

"A Dao-Transmitting Mage may use the Li Fire Divine Altar without cost, whether for public or private affairs."

"This corresponds to the level of True Disciples and Sect Guardians from the Ancient Sect Era."

"As for the Scripture-Regulating Doctor, Vice Dean, and Dean of a branch, they are roughly equivalent to Elders."

"Not only can they use it themselves, but they also have several opportunities each year to allow others to use it without cost."

Zhao Xing said, "We only need to take the Honorary Dao-Transmitting Mage exam. Family members can accompany us when using it. A single-digit number of family members is no problem."

Long Xiao asked, "Is it difficult? I fear exams the most."

Chen Shijie said, "The Hundred Arts Mage is not difficult. This position is simply a teacher at the Li Fire Dao Academy."

"It is merely teaching by the book. It requires broad knowledge, but not necessarily mastery."

"However, taking the Honorary Hundred Arts Mage exam still requires creating one's own technique, though the difficulty is lower."

"A Dao-Transmitting Mage must have their own unique understanding of the Dao, capable of creating at least one spell. Furthermore, the created spell's realm cannot be too low; others must be able to cultivate it to a high realm by copying it."

"This is quite difficult. As the saying goes, 'Those who imitate me die, those who learn from me live.' Many people's self-created spells are most powerful only in their own hands. If others follow the process to learn, the spell's power is only half, or even less than half."

Zhao Xing said, "Correct. The requirements for an Honorary Dao-Transmitting Mage are still quite harsh. We must leave some genuine substance at the Dao Academy."

Taking the permission exam is equivalent to a resource exchange.

You either teach there, or you leave a powerful spell there for future generations to study.

As for the Scripture-Regulating Doctor or Vice Dean, one must make a major contribution to the Li Fire Dao Academy to be granted such honorary positions.

Of course, the goal for Zhao Xing and the other two was only the 'Honorary Dao-Transmitting' level.

Long Xiao nodded: "Alright, I will prepare."

"Then let us set the gathering time for the Chen hour in five days."

"Very well."

…………

Five days later, at the Chen hour, Zhao Xing, Chen Shijie, and Long Xiao boarded a flying boat to head for Nanyang Commandery.

They transferred to a tower ship at the Nanyang Commandery Tower Ship Office and arrived at Dayuan Prefecture.

Dayuan Prefecture has a branch of the Li Fire Dao Academy.

"The Dean of this branch in Dayuan Prefecture is 'Dean Ji Qingshan'. He is a member of the Huang Shi Sect, the Son of Heaven's grand-nephew. He is two hundred and one years old and holds the Third Rank realm." After arriving at Dayuan Prefecture, the three walked and talked.

"What is the relationship between Dean Ji Qingshan and Liang Wang?" Long Xiao asked. "He won't deliberately make things difficult for us, will he?"

Zhao Xing shook his head: "I am not sure. He probably won't."

In his previous life, when Liang Wang rebelled, he had never heard of a figure like Dean Ji Qingshan.

Logically, if a Third Rank realm cultivator had joined Liang Wang's ranks, they would inevitably be well known.

However, Zhao Xing knew less about Dean Ji Qingshan than Chen Shijie did, because Yang An knew a Scripture-Regulating Doctor in this area.

Through several back-and-forth visits, he had learned a bit.

"This is not a matter of showing favoritism. We will take the exam based on our strength. There shouldn't be any problems," Zhao Xing said.

"What spell do you intend to leave in the Dao Academy?" Chen Shijie asked.

"Lei Ting Breaks Delusion Finger," Zhao Xing said.

This thunder technique was his own creation; it had now developed into a high-tier spell, though not yet perfected, reaching only the seventh-tier level.

The subsequent three transformations were not yet complete.

"What about you?"

Chen Shijie said, "I created a Earth Palace Technique myself, barely reaching the threshold of a high-tier third transformation."

Long Xiao said proudly, "I'll just leave a random Shenxiao Sword Art; that will be enough."

"Who asked you?"

"..."

Arriving at the gate of the Li Huo Dao Academy, Zhao Xing and the other two waited.

At this moment, they could only rely on Chen Shijie to contact the Doctor of Classics that Yang An knew.

His master Liu Tianning's name would not work here; it might even have a counterproductive effect.

Because Old Liu had challenged the Li Huo Dao Academy back in the day; of the seventy-two Dao Academies, he had fought nearly half of them.

If Zhao Xing revealed he was Liu Tianning's disciple, who knew what troubles might arise for no reason.

After waiting for about two quarters of an hour, a Daoist boy in yellow robes floated out.

"May I ask if the two my lords, Chen Shijie and Long Xiao, are present?"

"Indeed," Chen Shijie nodded.

"My teacher sent me to receive you two. And this is..."

"This is my colleague," Chen Shijie did not mention Zhao Xing's name. "He is also here to participate in the assessment."

"Please follow me." The Daoist boy asked casually, then led the three into the Dao Academy.

The palace style of the Li Huo Dao Academy was very ancient, and the buildings were all very tall, appearing magnificent and grand.

The pavilions within the Dao Academy were seven or eight meters high, and the winding corridors were even wider, wide enough for several carriages to run side by side.

"Although it is called the Li Huo Dao Academy, its internal spirit springs and lakes are no less numerous."

"The landscapes and architecture all subtly align with the Way of Yin and Yang, using earth and water to balance the fire pit of the Li Huo Divine Altar, preventing the fire from becoming too intense."

"This is only a branch academy." Zhao Xing surveyed the surroundings; it was still very different from the Li Huo Dao Academy he knew from his past life.

Quiet, peaceful, with an otherworldly immortal aura.

The Li Huo Dao Academy he knew, from that period when the Wu Di was on the throne, had been requisitioned by him and turned into a war machine.

Even the interior of the Dao Academy carried an air of grimness.

A fine immortal sect style was forcibly turned into a military camp style by the Wu Di.

"The Li Huo Dao Academy has a total of forty-nine Fire Spirit Mountains, but by the time of the Wu Di, thirty-two of them had been ruined." Zhao Xing pondered.

The cost of war was not small; with the Li Huo Divine Altar such a useful supreme treasure for transport, of course it would be requisitioned.

The Daoist boy led the three to board a flying boat within the academy, flying leisurely for two quarters of an hour before stopping before a two-hundred-meter tower.

"Honored guests, we have arrived," the Daoist boy introduced. "Ahead is the Dharma Transmission Tower."

"The Dharma Transmission Tower has a total of ninety-nine floors."

"Inside are contained the myriad spells left behind by predecessors."

"The first thirty floors contain only mid and low-tier spells."

"After the thirtieth floor, they are all high-tier spells."

The Daoist boy explained, "If the three of you wish to obtain an honorary title, you must leave your own created spell on the 'Dharma Wall' after the thirtieth floor."

"Note, it must be a newly created spell."

"If it is not self-created, no trace can be left."

"Honored guests, you may act according to the instructions within the tower; the many Dharma Walls inside can also guide you in comprehending the Dao. Look for a few more days, and perhaps you might create a new spell yourself."

"Thank you for guiding us," Chen Shijie clasped his hands toward the Daoist boy.

"You are welcome." After returning the bow, the Daoist boy boarded the flying boat and left.

There were many such guiding Daoist boys around, carrying guests on flying boats to the Dharma Transmission Tower.

Many people wish to leave their names in the Li Huo Dao Academy; even if they cannot obtain an honorary title, leaving a name below the thirtieth floor is worth boasting about.

Of course, most are students of the Dao Academy itself.

Among the graduation requirements for Dao Members in the Li Huo Dao Academy, one rule is that they must leave a new spell within the first thirty floors.

"So many people, but their realms are relatively low," Long Xiao surveyed the surroundings. "Most are low-grade; mid-grade are relatively few, and I haven't seen a single high-grade one."

"High-grade experts are not like Chinese cabbage; how could one meet them casually?" Zhao Xing laughed.

"The more half-full the bucket, the more it sways," Long Xiao pointed at those coming in and out. "With only a low-grade realm, what powerful Dao methods can they comprehend?"

Long Xiao's manner of commenting on Jiangshan immediately drew many glances.

"Can you keep a low profile?" Zhao Xing hissed. "Do all sword cultivators have such faults, liking to act ostentatiously?"

"Speak quietly; my identity is a bit troublesome. Don't cause trouble for me."

"Oh, then I won't speak." Long Xiao also lowered his voice. "I'll listen to you; low profile."

"Alright, let's go."

Having said that, the three entered the Dharma Transmission Tower.