Chapter 94: One Month Later: Preparations and Progress—Lidong Has Arrived!

Leaving the Chen residence, Zhao Xing's heart was still somewhat shaken.

He hadn't expected to run into an old acquaintance here.

Nor had he expected Long Xiao to be on such good terms with Chen Shijie.

Even less had he expected that the place Chen Shijie wanted to take him was the Divine Might Army, which would later be struck from the rolls!

"Should I still go with Old Chen?"

Joining the army was definitely the plan—after all, his original plan had been to serve as a military agricultural officer.

To rise quickly in rank, the army was unquestionably the fastest route; with the advantage of foreknowledge, he was confident he could do very well.

"The Divine Might Army was once famous for a time, but later suffered crushing losses fighting the barbarian tribes, and even lost its formation."

"Wu Di's campaign against the barbarians was largely because his old man suffered a great defeat at the hands of the foreign tribes in his later years."

Zhao Xing recalled that he vaguely remembered Shenxiao Hou Long Xiao absolutely detested the barbarian tribes, though he didn't know if it was because of his experience in the Divine Might Army.

Long Xiao rose to prominence in the late reign of Emperor Jing, and was ennobled as Wu Hou for his meritorious service in the great campaign to pacify the barbarians during Wu Di's reign.

In Zhao Xing's plans for the future, Long Xiao was on his investment list.

If before Long Xiao rose to power, he himself was stronger, he'd lend Long Xiao a hand as an investment; if before Long Xiao's rise he was still weaker, he'd just follow Long Xiao.

"It's only the middle of Emperor Jing's reign now; after Jingxin there are still Dachi and Yongzhi—roughly another two hundred years."

Zhao Xing listened to Old Chen and Long Xiao chatting. The Divine Might Army had previously had a small reputation, but it was limited to a single prefecture and hadn't reached the point of being famous throughout the realm. Now it had only just been reactivated.

"There are benefits to getting on board now—the Divine Might Army has just been reactivated, and there'll be plenty of chances to earn merit. As for the future? Worst case I can just jump ship later—Long Xiao didn't exactly fare badly, did he?" Zhao Xing shook his head and stopped thinking about it; after all, there were still a few months before he had to decide.

He'd look into it some more; if his assessment at the time was that it wasn't worth going, Zhao Xing had plenty of other places to choose from.

For now, he still had to get past the Xuantian Sect hurdle first, and worry about everything else after smoothly becoming a full official.

Sanwan Town, Maple Estate.

Inside Maple Estate there was a rockery, and within that rockery a hidden passage had been dug, leading deep underground.

At this moment, in that deep underground space, there stood a small altar.

The altar stood within a pool of blood; the crimson blood covered half of the statue.

The two hall masters of Sanwan Hall knelt below, waiting.

Falcon Protector knelt beside the blood pool, worshipping the statue.

Chen Deshun and Wu Mei felt somewhat uneasy inside.

Originally this was not the time for a ritual, but a few days earlier they had received a warning from the Venerable.

After returning, they reported to the Protector.

Even the slightest stir was sensitive for those lying low; Falcon also took it seriously, so he immediately came to this altar to pray to the deity and ask about the specific reason for the warning.

"Gulong~" The statue emitted a faint red glow; the light reflected into midair, revealing the scene of Chen Deshun at the Niu family compound.

Then the divine statue quickly sank into the blood pool, and the strange phenomenon vanished along with it.

Falcon Protector devoutly bowed again, then slowly walked down from the altar.

"Protector… puh~" Chen Deshun had just started to ask what had happened, when he and Wu Mei were slapped flying by Falcon; they spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, and even had two teeth knocked out.

The two looked panicked, and after falling to the ground quickly crawled back over on their bellies to kneel respectfully.

"You two fools!" Falcon stared at them with a dark expression. "I sent you to Anping Town to scout—whatever did you do? Why was your identity exposed!"

"What?" Chen Deshun was greatly shocked. "We've been exposed?"

Wu Mei also wore a face of terror: "Protector, see clearly—we did nothing."

Falcon's gaze was cold: "Still dare to argue? The Venerable's warning means he sensed someone using secret arts to divine the two of you."

"What? How could that be…" Chen Deshun and Wu Mei turned pale with shock, completely at a loss as to why such a thing had happened.

They had both stayed in this underground altar for the past two days, sensing that things were somewhat serious—but they hadn't expected it to be this serious.

"Your identities can't be used anymore." Falcon snorted. "Enter the Blood Spirit Pool."

"Y-yes." The two walked into the altar's blood pool with some fear.

Falcon then beckoned, and a male and a female believer walked over from the side.

They were naked, and upon reaching Falcon they knelt respectfully: "Greetings, Protector."

Falcon said slowly: "Now is a critical moment; we need you to give yourselves for the great cause. In the future Xuantian will rebuild a Golden Body for you, and you shall enjoy eternal peace."

The man and woman gazed at the divine statue with fanaticism: "We would gladly die for Xuantian!"

Then they rose and leapt into the blood pool.

"Gulong~"

The blood pool emitted wisps of red light, and after a short while the man and woman walked out of the blood pool once more.

Falcon looked at the two: "For this next month, you are not to take any action—familiarize yourselves with your new identities."

"Yes." The voices of Chen Deshun and Wu Mei answered.

October 7th, Cold Dew.

The weather in Gucheng was gradually turning cold, and Xue Wenzhong's Huailiu Court was no longer a scene of spring—instead it had returned to the same seasonal rhythm as the outside world.

Xue Wenzhong pointed at the sky, and wisps of mist spread out from his surroundings.

"After Cold Dew passes three mornings, to cross the water one must seek a bridge."

"The pure, crystalline dew turns cold and on the verge of congealing—this is the seventeenth method from the 'Solar Terms Command.'"

"Cultivating the 'Solar Terms Command,' you will clearly perceive the yin of the earth's veins from this solar term, and many spells will therefore greatly increase in power, such as the Yin Wind and Ice Rain you cultivate."

"The Cold Dew solar term has seven signature seasonal signs, which can cause seven kinds of ordinary beasts to transform into strange beasts, and seven kinds of ordinary plants to transform into spirit plants; likewise they can cause strange beasts to degenerate and spirit plants to wilt."

"However, your master is of dull talent; with the Cold Dew solar term command, I can only achieve the 'Three Phases Transformation of Cold Dew.' It's enough in Gucheng, but if your ambition is to join the army, the Three Phases Transformation alone is somewhat insufficient. In the future you may consult Chen Shijie more often—he will surely be able to teach you how to use it."

Zhao Xing nodded. After transferring to become a full agricultural officer, he could cultivate the 'Solar Terms Command'; at that point, the spell range of an agricultural officer would greatly expand due to obtaining the official position of the dynasty blessed by fate—of course, this expansion was limited to within the territory of Great Zhou.

At the same time, the Solar Terms Command was not simply about fixing or altering the weather; it was accompanied by all sorts of wondrous abilities, such as amplifying spells, or utilizing the seasonal signs to bring about change.

This is applied even more broadly in military campaigns. When the army arrives at an unfamiliar wilderness, which meats are edible and which are not must be determined by the military Agricultural Officer.

But the world is vast and species are myriad; even a military Agricultural Officer may not be able to identify them all.

By using the Solar Terms Command, one can pick out edible things from the wilderness.

In the eyes of a military Agricultural Officer, there is only the difference between things that can be eaten directly and things that can be eaten with some effort.

In terms of specific spells, Xue Wenzhong had nothing more to teach Zhao Xing, so he could only talk about the "Solar Terms Command," which could only be mastered after becoming a full Agricultural Officer.

Zhao Xing also knew that he didn't have much time left with the old Agricultural Officer, so even though much of it was just common-sense platitudes, he listened very attentively.

On the ninth of October, Zhao Xing arrived at Chen's residence.

At this time, Chen Shijie was busily preparing traps.

Most of his pear orchard had been cleared out; he had even pulled up many saplings and planted several new kinds of plants instead.

Zhao Xing ran over curiously to take a look, and was instantly dumbfounded: "Are you planning to blow the Xuantian Sect sky-high?"

Chen Shijie said calmly: "The terrain and environment of Nanyang Prefecture are still a bit lacking; even if these things grow here, their power will be somewhat reduced."

Long Xiao said: "No worries, I also had some high-grade goods shipped over for you, one hundred sections."

Zhao Xing asked cautiously: "About what grade?"

Long Xiao held up one palm, and Zhao Xing's expression changed drastically: "I-Is this really okay?"

Chen Shijie spoke up: "We have no choice. Those two people in Sanwan Town are already dead, and the house has been burned down. These Huoxuantian Sect fiends are no simple matter; they are very alert. They must have changed their appearance."

Long Xiao laughed: "Don't worry, no problem."

Zhao Xing sighed and said: "When we act, I'll have to stay far away from the two of you, my lords."

After a pause, he added: "Could you spare me some of the smaller ones?"

"Hahaha, finding it useful, are you? Sure, no problem!"

October fifteenth, Zong residence.

Zong Zong Shichang handed a box to Zhao Xing.

"I searched for a long time and only found a third-grade superior Sandalwood Soul Box. I don't know if it's good enough for you."

Zhao Xing took it and looked: "It's good enough."

Zong Zong Shichang, despite the cold weather, was still showing off by waving his fan: "Besides storing some soul-calming pills, I don't know what else this thing is used for. Can you tell me?"

Zhao Xing laughed: "Don't ask. I don't want to say it, and don't force me to lie to you."

Zong Zong Shichang closed his fan: "Honest enough. I like that about you. Then I won't ask. Shall we have another drink today?"

Zhao Xing shook his head: "No more drinking. I need to prepare properly for the Start of Winter assessment."

Zong Zong Shichang said in surprise: "There's no need to be that diligent, is there? For Gucheng's quota now, you're already a certainty. Who could possibly compare to you?"

Zhao Xing gazed at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle: "A true strong person only ever competes with himself."

Zong Zong Shichang laughed and cursed: "Damn it, spouting that on the spot—you really know how to put on an act."

October twenty-third, Frost Descent.

The weather in Gucheng grew colder and colder; every morning when he got up, he could see a thin layer of frost on the ground.

During this solar term, Zhao Xing clearly felt that his 【Ice Rain】 spell and 【Yin Wind】 spell had been further strengthened.

Compared to Autumn Equinox, the spells' power had risen by at least thirty percent.

"Solar terms have a great influence on spells. Once I become full rank, the first task will be to cultivate the Solar Terms Command. It's equivalent to creating a suitable home-field environment for oneself." Wrapped in autumn clothes, Zhao Xing went to the back courtyard to take a look.

The Tianyuan pear tree had now been moved to a corner by him.

The effect of the Earth Vein Comprehensive Origin was now entirely nourishing several other plants.

The vegetable plot in the back courtyard had also been wrapped in a layer of cloud and fog concealment by Zhao Xing.

Outsiders couldn't see what was going on inside at all.

"Growth looks good." Zhao Xing went in and scanned around. "I hope we won't have to use these. Best if Old Chen and Long Xiao can handle it, and I just coast along."

October twenty-eighth.

"Huff—"

The fourth-grade Dao Transmission painting 'Underground Palace Phantom' suddenly burned up, signifying that the last chance for enlightenment had also been used up.

Zhao Xing looked at the panel.

【Boundless Underground Palace: Intermediate Spell】

【Progress: 8012/9999】

【Effect: Using the earth vein as a foundation, forge a Boundless Underground Palace, releasing powerful gathering force, stackable up to eight layers】

【Five Elements Earth Splitting: Intermediate Spell】

【Progress: 7215/9999】

【Effect: Earth veins surge wildly, erupting into the world, using random Five Elements earth vein power to attack.】

【Cloud Devouring: Intermediate Spell】

【Progress: 8523/9999】

【Effect: Intermediate cloud spell, can devour and absorb various types of cloud qi, and gain the effects of the devoured cloud qi.】

【King Di Zang Return to Origin · Human Dao: Intermediate Spell】

【Progress: 6536/9999】

【Effect: Set up an earth vein formation, absorb earth vein power, replenish vitality, the spell cycle is endless】

"In this one month, the four Dao Transmission paintings have all been used up, and the four spells have all made great progress." Zhao Xing pondered. "As for the other spells, apart from Sleep Bug, the rest are still the same as before."

This past month, he had selectively cultivated spells; among them, the four new spells had basically reached seven or eight turns. After all, with the Dao Transmission paintings as a foundation, the effect of spending money was still very fierce.

However, the spell Zhao Xing spent the most time on was actually the Sleep Bug spell from the introductory chapter of Great Dream Spring and Autumn.

【Sleep Bug: Intermediate Spell】

【Progress: Nine Revolutions (Complete)】

【Effect: Remotely extracts the Sleep Bug from the Life Soul.】

"The Sleep Bug inside this Sandalwood Soul Box has already turned so purple it's nearly black." Zhao Xing patted the box at his chest. "Now I'm afraid even Long Xiao and Old Chen couldn't withstand it—anyone hit by it would fall asleep on the spot."

On the first of November, the final solar month of Jingxin's fifteenth year arrived.

The clerks of the Agricultural Overseer Office once again grew busy.

Because Start of Winter was about to arrive.

The Four Seasons and Eight Solar Terms always required examinations—the second-to-last assessment before the new year.

The vast majority of people knew they had no hope of being officially appointed, but even if not for the examination itself, it was still tied to their stipend.

Who wouldn't want a bigger year-end bonus for the New Year?

The more it drew near, the more one had to put on a show of effort.

"Big Brother."

"Elder Brother!"

Chen Ziyu and Qian Dong caught up with him in the covered corridor.

"Qian Dong, Ziyu." Zhao Xing turned to look at the two of them. "Up so early today?"

"Big Brother, Ziyu and I have been up this early every day—it's you who's been getting lazy lately." Qian Dong said with a smile.

"That's right, Elder Brother. Where have you been lately? We can't even find you. Your house has been shrouded in mist and clouds lately too, and we have no idea what you're doing. Uncle Zhao said he wasn't seeing visitors, so we didn't dare go over and disturb you." Chen Ziyu asked.

"It's all for the Start of Winter examination." Zhao Xing had long prepared an excuse. "After all, I've only gotten four Top Grade A's this year, and my previous scores were only middling. Whether I can be officially appointed, I still don't have much certainty."

Of course, this was merely an excuse. After the Autumn Equinox Mountain-Opening, Ji Ming had specially selected him to participate in the Winter Assessment.

In other words, the quota reported upward by Nanyang Commandery was guaranteed to include him.

Li Wenzheng had also long since coordinated with Chen Shijie, insisting that Zhao Xing must pass—they'd fallen just short of directly saying, "Just leak the exam questions to Zhao Xing."

The county-level examination had its questions set by the chief official of the Agricultural Overseer Office, with Li Wen supervising. If these two colluded, even an idiot could pass.

Of course, this was also because Zhao Xing himself was strong. If Li Wenzheng and Chen Shijie actually reported some mediocrity up to the commandery, that would cause problems.

The recommender, the record, and one's own strength were all solid. What remained was to see how Zhao Xing performed in the Temple Examination.

The reason he said all this was simply an excuse to decline visitors.

"Elder Brother works so hard—no wonder you can do it." Chen Ziyu said admiringly.

"Next year when spring comes, I'll be waiting for the good news from Big Brother." Qian Dong said with a smile. "Ziyu and I offer our early congratulations to Big Brother."

"I'll borrow your auspicious words." Zhao Xing said with a faint smile.

"No more talking, Big Brother—the Old Agricultural Overseer is about to start his lecture, we're heading over first!"

On the fifth of November, the content and location of the Agricultural Overseer Office's Start of Winter examination were announced. On the same day, the year-end examination content and locations for the workshop, the Martial Office, the Weaving Office, and the Temple were also announced.

Chen Shijie, Li Wenzheng, Gongsun Yang, and the other chief officials of Gucheng's various departments had a sudden inspiration: they placed the examinations for martial artists, mechanism masters, agricultural officials, weaving women, ritual masters, and many other professions at the same location for a joint examination—the site being Anping Town.

After the examination content was announced, the clerks were full of complaints, privately cursing Chen Shijie and Li Wenzheng up and down for being unreasonable and coming up with nothing but crooked ideas.

But no matter how much they cursed, it couldn't change the decision of the two bigwigs. They could only prepare at full speed, striving to get ready for this bizarre joint examination.

On the fifth and sixth of November, large numbers of clerks arrived at Anping Town ahead of time and began inspecting the examination site outside the town—an abandoned forging workshop.

On the seventh of November, the sound of bells rang out from the county temple and the Gucheng Agricultural Overseer Office.

As if announcing to the common folk of Gu County that winter had begun.