Chapter 207: Smile More (Begging for Monthly Passes)

"Young Master Lu's intentions, Minister Pei mentioned briefly in a prior letter."

In the quiet chamber, Zhang Rongzhi personally brewed tea for Lu Xingzhou and smiled, "Minister Pei hopes my reports on the spiritual energy of Xiazhou remain low-key, avoiding overly exaggerated wording. I understand. To be honest, even without instructions from Young Master and Minister Pei, I Zhang would not blow my own horn; turning this position into a hot commodity is not my intention."

Lu Xingzhou understood immediately. Zhang Rongzhi's proposal to relocate the prefectural seat was merely to enjoy the spiritual energy and resources nearby for himself, not to brag and attract others to fight for the position. Even if Pei Qingyan hadn't spoken, he likely would have written the "Xiazhou Spiritual Energy Investigation Report" low-key, limiting it to second-tier status.

With Minister Pei's instructions, it might be written even more low-key, perhaps even omitting any outlook on future developments.

Official matters are nothing more than this; to accuse one of deceiving the monarch is too early. It's merely adjusting some wording, yet the impression it gives is entirely different. Even if Gu Zhanting sent someone else to investigate, they could not find fault with his report.

"However..." Zhang Rongzhi lowered his voice, "Young Master Lu had best give me a hint: how much importance does Your Majesty attach to this? If another special envoy is sent for a secret visit..."

Lu Xingzhou said earnestly, "There will be a secret visit. My Lord Governor, please do not write anything too false; just submit it according to the current situation. Who knows what will happen in the future?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Rongzhi's impression improved greatly.

This was someone who could understand others' difficulties and think of the other party, not one of those who, relying on connections above, gave orders and created difficulties for others. Dealing with such a person was much more comfortable.

He poured another cup of tea for Lu Xingzhou and smiled, "In that case, I know what to do. By the way, does Your Majesty's intense concern for this place have anything to do with the Tianxing Sword Sect?"

"Of course it does. After all, the Prince Qi case, where a prince was deposed, was no small matter. Your Majesty feels guilt towards the Tianxing Sword Sect and wishes to support and make amends; this is well-known, so paying a bit more attention is quite normal."

Zhang Rongzhi smiled. Although Your Majesty spoke of supporting the Tianxing Sword Sect, there were no actual measures. Yet here, with the spiritual energy reviving, you still want to stay low-key to avoid Your Majesty's attention, showing that you are also guarding against Your Majesty.

But regardless, the imperial decree to support them is real. On the surface, no matter how much he tilts towards the Tianxing Sword Sect, it is following the Emperor's order, so he can do so with a clear conscience.

Indeed, Lu Xingzhou said, "Although Your Majesty's support has produced no actual measures yet, it still comes down to how the localities implement it. Previously, Governor Hao was a demon, so naturally he would not faithfully execute Your Majesty's will. Since Governor Zhang arrived, the development of the Tianxing Sword Sect has been visible to all, and we are all very grateful."

Zhang Rongzhi laughed out loud, "So, Young Master Lu's visit is for the Tianxing Sword Sect?"

Lu Xingzhou sighed, "To be honest, the Governor's sudden proposal to change the prefectural seat has indeed had some impact on us. We have only been established for half a year and are not yet stable; now we immediately face a struggle for the position of the leading power..."

Zhang Rongzhi naturally knew the changes in the factional landscape brought by the relocation of the prefectural seat, but previously these matters were not within his scope of consideration. For an immortal dynasty with strong imperial rule, local sects in such a remote corner, none even reaching second grade, were truly not worth the notice of such a high-ranking official.

But since the other party explicitly raised it, he indeed had to bear some responsibility. Zhang Rongzhi said, "As far as I know, Sect Master Shen is currently at the mid-stage of the third grade. The leader of the Dongjiang Gang, Shi Tielong, is also at this level. The number of third-grade cultivators under their banners might even be slightly higher for the Tianxing Sword Sect; their strength is roughly in the same tier. Now, if the Dongjiang Gang enters Xiazhou, you are the local snakes. Should you fear them?"

Lu Xingzhou smiled, "Our foundation is insufficient, and we have too few friends, so that is why we are seeking help from a good friend like the Governor."

Zhang Rongzhi laughed heartily, "With Your Majesty's decree of support above, and Young Master Lu's face below, whoever tries to trouble the Tianxing Sword Sect is trying to trouble me, Zhang Rongzhi. Young Master, do whatever you wish. If any external faction enters, I Zhang Rongzhi am not sitting in the Governor's seat just for fun."

The so-called "upright" and "unyielding" Governor was acting as if he desperately wanted to become sworn brothers.

Minister Pei's tiger skin was still useful...

With Zhang Rongzhi's attitude as a foundation, it would be difficult for the Dongjiang Gang or anyone else to stir up trouble.

Lu Xingzhou smiled as he took his leave, but his next stop was the Demon Suppression Bureau.

The prefectural Demon Suppression Bureau had also moved here. The Commander, Wan Cheng, was from the Huo family. During the Governor's demon case, Lu Xingzhou had once tricked him into a carriage using Huo Yu's token, and he had subsequently helped Shen Tang quite a bit. Since Lu Xingzhou entered the capital, news of constant conflicts between him and the Huo family arrived. Wan Cheng knew he had helped the wrong person before and was feeling quite aggrieved.

Seeing Lu Xingzhou visit, Wan Cheng's face was as sour as if Lu Xingzhou owed him eight million: "If the Seventh Young Master has no intention of returning to his ancestral clan, please do not come here to frame us again."

Lu Xingzhou smiled slightly, "Commander Wan helped us before. Did Grand Preceptor scold you?"

Wan Cheng remained expressionless, "Tricked by the Seventh Young Master's token. With Grand Preceptor's magnanimity, he wouldn't be too harsh, would he?"

"But can Grand Preceptor trust Commander Wan as much as before?"

Wan Cheng suppressed his anger, "Is the Young Master very proud?"

"Quite the opposite... Commander Wan has helped us before, our cooperation was pleasant, and I do not wish for Commander Wan to be marginalized." Lu Xingzhou blinked, "After all, the Demon Suppression Bureau is a department with independent authority. It shouldn't be too easy for Grand Preceptor and Marquis Zhenyuan to interfere in the Bureau's personnel matters and help Commander Wan maneuver, right?"

Wan Cheng said coldly, "So?"

Lu Xingzhou said, "Has Commander Wan not heard that I have a close relationship with Head Sheng?"

Wan Cheng: "..."

He had heard, yes, but what he heard was that you almost got her daughter pregnant, and that her daughter even cursed her own father to fall ill just to meet you in secret.

If Head Sheng had a list of people she definitely wanted to kill, you, Lu Xingzhou, might be number one. That would carry far more weight than the top spot on the Newcomer List. Who else but you?

This showed Wan Cheng was not as sharp as Zhang Rongzhi. Zhang Rongzhi could think that since Lu Xingzhou and Pei Chuyun were in such a situation, Minister Pei hadn't even broken Lu's legs. Yet Wan Cheng didn't think: why didn't Head Sheng break this yellow-haired ruffian's legs?

Lu Xingzhou sighed, "Commander Wan, do you not know that Head Sheng's feigned illness was intentional? She did it to find a pretext to search the city without raising suspicion, and ultimately caught a dead-soldier assassin?"

Wan Cheng felt a chill in his heart; this was indeed true. Lu Xingzhou pointed to his own nose, "That assassin was targeting me. Head Sheng went so far as to feign illness just to help me catch the assassin."

Wan Cheng: "..."

"The matter regarding Young Lady Sheng was entirely baseless nonsense to mislead the public. That day we were all at Dongjiang. Does Commander Wan not know that she and I have a purely comradely relationship?" Lu Xingzhou sighed, "However, the fact that Head Sheng and I cooperated closely is true. I even participated in the autopsy of that assassin. Is that something a normal involved party could do?"

Wan Cheng could not refute a single word from start to finish.

Lu Xingzhou patted his shoulder, "Regardless, even if I cannot help Commander Wan advance further, would recommending you be difficult? You must know that nowadays, even if Grand Preceptor asks Head Sheng for a recommendation, it might not be useful."

Wan Cheng was silent for quite a while, then said, "Just say it straight: what do you want to do?"

Lu Xingzhou said, "Nothing much. It's just that external gangs are detrimental to our local pillar sects; this is Commander Wan's duty, after all. You must know that in the past, it was Young Lady Sheng who did this in Xiazhou."

Wan Cheng: "..."Don't say any more. If anything happens, we will inform you. It is our duty to do so anyway."

"But it is not just me informing Commander Wan... If anyone comes to Commander Wan, I hope you will inform me."

Wan Cheng was silent.

Lu Xingzhou said no more, took his leave, as if leaving him time to think.

Not until they had gone far away did Ye Tinglan slowly walk to his side, "Returning to Xiazhou, you look like you are exhausting your mind to devise strategies and conduct diplomatic networking, which is very different from your performance in the capital."

Lu Xingzhou said, "Mr., looking at me in the capital, did you think I was like a prodigal son?"

"Yes."

"I could not exert myself in the capital; essentially, I was very suppressed, but it was hidden within romantic entanglements and not visible. I did try to pull on the relationship between Pei Qingyan and Sheng Qingfeng, but in the end, they each had their own reservations. What could I do? However, it was not a wasted trip. At the very least, this seemingly ordinary relationship, when placed in the local region, becomes top-tier resources."

Ye Tinglan nodded, then suddenly smiled, "Seeing you like this, I can finally understand why the Netherworld Hall and the Tianxing Sword Sect could rise under your assistance. It is not only because of ability, but also because of heart. From beginning to end, your journey to the capital was solely for Shen Tang; your purpose was always clear."

Lu Xingzhou turned to look at her smiling face and suddenly felt a bit dazed.

Ye Tinglan's smile vanished quickly, and she frowned.

Lu Xingzhou coughed dryly, "It wasn't entirely for Tangtang either. I still have my own desire to learn and improve. Please, Mr., guide me more."

Ye Tinglan said indifferently, "Since I agreed to be your mentor, I will not hide anything. You need not say more."

"But Mr., following me up the mountain was to observe Shen Tang; coming out with me is to observe me."

"So what?"

"Aren't you tired?"

Ye Tinglan fell silent, and only after a long while said, "You think so much about Shen Tang; do you think you're tired?"

"That is what I ought to do."

"Then these are also what I ought to do."

Lu Xingzhou was left speechless and fell silent.

The two walked side by side for quite a stretch, until they were nearly at Huishan, when Lu Xingzhou finally tossed out a remark: "Even if I consider so much, I don't short myself when it's time to rest."

Ye Tinglan sneered, "Of course; while thinking of Shen Tang, you're also being all sweet with Pei Chuyun and Sheng Yuanyao. If I hadn't come back to Xiazhou with you, I'd never have known the true face of the Judge."

Lu Xingzhou did not refute, only saying, "I merely drew conclusions from some past events. No matter how much official business one does, there's no need to mistreat oneself. Mr. can too."

Ye Tinglan did not answer.

Lu Xingzhou turned his head and looked at her once more, and finally said, "Smile more; it looks good."

Having spoken, he strode up the mountain.

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PS: Extra chapter added; begging for monthly tickets~

(End of this chapter)