Chapter 105: Moral Arch, Unexpected Windfall (Request Subscription)

"Magistrate Ma?"

Li Rui immediately recognized the leader as Ma Fu, the jail warden of the county government office.

"Brother Li, congratulations, heartfelt congratulations."

"The county government office reported your and Zhang Yang’s slaying of the demon beast to the imperial court; we never expected His Majesty to be overjoyed and specially granted this memorial arch to show imperial favor."

Li Rui bowed deeply:

"Thank Your Majesty’s imperial grace."

Though the plaque was issued by Qinghe County’s government office, the authorization came from the imperial court—or rather, the Emperor himself.

Ritual propriety must not be neglected.

Normally, one was expected to kneel in thanks, but since Li Rui was already seventy, and Yu State revered filial piety, a man of seventy need not kneel before the Emperor.

Thus, he was excused.

Magistrate Ma hurried forward, helping Li Rui rise, and said with envy:

"Brother Li, this is Qinghe’s very first memorial arch bestowed by the Emperor—a glorious honor for your ancestors."

In ancient times, ritual propriety was paramount.

Not just anyone could erect a memorial arch.

Generally, arches fell into three categories: merit arches, moral arches, and those marking academies or temple gates.

Merit arches were awarded to civil and military officials who had rendered great service—typically those of rank three or higher—but sometimes extraordinary deeds with high propaganda value were also specially honored with an arch.

The other category available to individuals was the moral arch.

These were typically granted to respected locals or those of exceptional virtue.

The so-called chastity arches, commonly mentioned among the people, were awarded to women.

Li Rui gazed at the two characters on the plaque: “Yi Yong.”

These two characters carried immense weight.

The plaque itself was merely symbolic; what truly mattered was the stone arch to be erected after death, inscribed with “Yi Yong” and detailing one’s life deeds.

Just one such arch standing before the gate.

Though of little practical use,

it elevated one’s prestige immensely, its reputational value incalculable.

If placed within a family, it was truly a glorious honor for the ancestors—a symbol of status, rank, and honor.

Qinghe County’s government office issued one arch nomination per year.

But these arches were valid only within Qinghe.

Over the years, every major household in town had one—nearly useless.

But Li Rui’s arch was different: the key lay in the rectangular stone slab embedded in the arch, inscribed with the words “Chi Jian”—meaning the Emperor had approved its construction.

Imperial-bestowed arches were generally classified as Yu Zhi, En Rong, Sheng Zhi, or Chi Zao.

Yu Zhi meant the Emperor personally ordered its construction; En Rong meant the Emperor proposed it and the family built it; Sheng Zhi meant an official imperial edict commanded its construction; Chi Zao was the lowest rank, granted by the Emperor’s verbal approval with the family building it themselves.

Even so, this was unique to Qinghe.

No wonder Magistrate Ma, as county government office’s jail warden, was envious to the point of burning.

Had Li Rui had a family, his clan would have instantly risen to become Qinghe’s most prestigious lineage.

Alas, he was alone, with no kin.

After accepting the plaque, Li Rui exchanged a few more pleasantries with Magistrate Ma.

Only after careful inquiry did he learn that the demon beast had been slain jointly by him and Zhang Yang, yet only he received the plaque.

No other reason.

Simply because Li Rui was old.

Such arches were recorded in the official gazette and sent to every county in Yu State.

The public reaction would be extraordinary.

A seventy-year-old man fighting demon beasts and opposing the Ghost Ming Sect—what excuse could the young have for not striving?

What was this called?

Little practical effect, but immense propaganda value.

In short, Li Rui had become famous.

Magistrate Ma held Li Rui’s hand and chattered on for a long while.

Finally, Li Rui understood Magistrate Ma’s meaning.

When Li Rui had once been poor and redeemed his freedom, Magistrate Ma had witnessed it—technically, his name could be inscribed on the arch’s life record, and Magistrate Ma wanted precisely that: his name on the arch.

So that when future generations of Qinghe people came to admire Li Rui’s imperial arch, they would also see his name.

A clever workaround.

A name etched in history!

Which scholar could resist the temptation of being remembered in history?

Seeing Li Rui nod in agreement, Magistrate Ma departed, satisfied. The officials had all left.

The Heaven and Earth Alliance disciples who had come to watch now gathered around.

They chattered excitedly among themselves.

Li Rui picked up the plaque, shut the door, and returned to the courtyard.

Yang Yong and Wang Zhao stared at the plaque in Li Rui’s hands, swallowing hard.

Back when they were with the Zhu family, they had always treated such things as stories—never imagining Li Rui would actually achieve it.

"Old Li, we’ve shared life and death all these years—uh, could you also carve my name on it?"

"Master, I want to too."

Li Rui looked at their hopeful eyes and sighed: "Add them. Both of you."

He stroked his chin.

Suddenly, he felt he had discovered the true use of the arch.

=9+book_bar

There were surely many in town who shared Magistrate Ma’s idea.

"Charge a hundred taels per name?"

"No, too cheap!"

"But if the price is too high, no one will buy it."

"Maybe turn it into an auction?"

As Li Rui pondered how to monetize his honor—

A line of small characters appeared before his eyes.

【Congratulations, Host! Achievement completed: “Fame and Glory—Beginner Stage”—Minor Fame Achieved.】

【A man’s name, a tree’s shadow; one’s reputation matters above all. A true man must earn glory and pass it on for ten thousand generations. You have received the Virtue Arch and are now known throughout the land—keep striving.】

【Task “Minor Fame” completed. Reward calculation in progress.】

【Task rating: C.】

【Obtained 20 Achievement Points!】

【Name: Li Rui】

【Age: 70】

【Talent: Wu Bone, Exceptional Comprehension, Spirit Eye】

【Technique: White Ape’s Cloak Blade, Nine Mystical Spirit Sky Diagram】

【Achievements: 20/100】

Li Rui stared at the increased achievement points, unable to suppress a smile.

Never mind monetizing it.

Just these “20” achievement points were already a windfall.

"Who says reputation is useless?"

"I say it’s very useful indeed!"

News of Li Rui’s imperial-bestowed arch spread quickly through every alley and street of Qinghe.

What was a local virtuous elder?

Compared to Li Rui, the town’s great families looked utterly weak.

Before any major clients came to request autographs, Li Rui was inundated with young men eager to become his adopted sons.

They vowed to serve him faithfully for life—a situation both amusing and exasperating.

Li Rui did not rush to build the arch.

After all, he currently lived in Heaven and Earth Alliance housing.

The sign above read “Li Residence.”

But if Li Rui left the Heaven and Earth Alliance, he could hang “Wang Residence” or “Zhao Residence.”

Erecting the arch at the Qinghe branch was clearly inappropriate.

After much thought, he decided to wait until he acquired his own residence.

Though the arch had not yet been built, its inscriptions were already heavily pre-booked; the highest bidder was the Zhu family, offering a staggering one thousand taels—a sky-high price. Though others later offered three hundred taels, they paled beside Zhu Ping’s bid.

Not everyone was qualified to have their name inscribed on the arch.

In the end, a single archway earned three thousand taels.

Even this was the result of Li Rui’s restraint.

(End of Chapter)