Chapter 379: County Magistrate

Outside the Zhang Family courtyard.

An elderly man with white, graying hair and a vigorous spirit rode a fine horse; behind him a burly man carried a sedan chair, and around them were one man after another dressed in constable uniforms, bearing long knives. They arrived at the gate of the Zhang Family courtyard and looked at the Zhang Family Members standing at the entrance, each with a look of curiosity on their faces.

Tang Anzhi dismounted from the fine horse, expressionless, and said, "Who among you is the head of this household!"

"Sir, it's me!"

Zhang Chengze stepped forward and said respectfully.

"The County Magistrate is right behind you; he may have something to say to you. Go welcome him!"

Tang Anzhi ordered.

"Yes, sir!"

Zhang Chengze replied, and was about to rise to welcome the County Magistrate, but after only a few steps his posture halted, and he said respectfully, "May I know how you wish to be addressed?"

"Tang Anzhi!"

Having said that, Tang Anzhi didn't glance at Zhang Chengze again, led the fine horse to the newly repaired stable, and instructed the onlookers nearby:

"Someone, prepare some food for this horse, premium fodder—never mind, give whatever you have!"

"Yes, Lord Tang!"

Zhu Lancui replied and called a few women away.

Zhang Chengze looked at Zhang Chengyong's shocked expression beside him and whispered, "What's going on, do you know this Lord Tang?"

"Brother, even though I've lived in the county seat for years, I'm just a small figure; how could I possibly know Lord Tang!"

Zhang Chengyong chuckled self‑deprecatingly, whispered, "This Lord Tang was the former Immortal Official of Qingyang County, and now serves as the Imperial Attendant to our County Magistrate!"

Tang Anzhi was originally the Immortal Official of Qingyang County. After years of stagnation, with only hard labor and no merit, and supposedly no patron behind him, he lingered in Qingyang County for decades with no chance of promotion. When he quit, the County Magistrate recruited him, and he became their family's Imperial Attendant.

The benefits, compared with those of a Qingyang County Immortal Official, are worlds apart!

Back then.

The so‑called "no chance of promotion, quitting" may sound nice, but the real reason is that they gave him a respectable position.

"The previous Immortal Official actually became the Imperial Attendant to our County Magistrate?"

Zhang Chengze was also startled.

The Immortal Official of Qingyang County and the County Magistrate of Qingyang County have different duties, but their status is actually equal. Tang Anzhi, a mere Immortal Official, went to serve as the Imperial Attendant in the Magistrate's household; this not only astonished him but also made him clearly aware of the unusual nature of this Qingyang County Magistrate.

In front of the sedan chair.

Wei Yuan stepped out of the sedan chair, looked at the respectfully dressed young farmer before him, frowned, and asked, "Are you the head of this household?"

Zhang Chengze nodded.

"Is your father Zhang Deben?"

Wei Yuan asked again.

Zhang Chengze nodded again.

Wei Yuan continued, "Has your father become the new Mountain God of Shizi Ling?"

Zhang Chengze nodded once more.

Wei Yuan looked at Zhang Chengze speechlessly, as if mute, repeatedly asking yet receiving only nods, not answers. Of course, he realized perhaps his own imposing presence frightened him into silence, and said:

"Take me to see your father!" "County Magistrate, please follow me!"

Zhang Chengze said respectfully.

Wei Yuan looked at Zhang Chengze in surprise, realizing he could—no, speak.

The Zhang Family Members scattered to both sides, leaving a wide passage. Zhang Chengze led Wei Yuan's party through it, striding toward the main hall, to the spot where Zhang Deben's coffin was placed.

"So this is our Qingyang County Magistrate, truly… truly affluent; I wonder how much he's eaten…"

A Zhang Family Member instinctively spoke, but before finishing, was struck by an older Zhang Family member, who scolded:

"Do you want to die? To dare say such a thing? If you want to die, find a rope yourself, end yourself, and stop harming our Zhang Village!"

Although

This scoundrel hadn't finished speaking, but from his tone it was clear he was a dog that couldn't spit ivory.

Speaking ill of others behind their backs is never good, especially when the target is their Qingyang County Magistrate, their superior. If he takes offense, a ruined magistrate is no joke.

This novel you...

"My fault, my fault, it's that I am a dog whose mouth cannot spit ivory!"

The struck Zhang Family Member was first stunned, then recovered, realizing perhaps an old habit resurfaced—liking to speak ill behind others' backs. Previously he said a lot, but no one held it against him; it wasn't a big deal.

But now the one speaking ill is their Qingyang County Magistrate, who hasn't gone far yet. If the magistrate is sharp‑eyed and sharp‑eared, or even those nearby are keen‑eared, hearing his words could jeopardize not just their family but the entire Zhang Village.

A Zhang Family Member hurriedly changed the subject, "You all say, our County Magistrate hasn't visited Zhang Village for decades. Why does he suddenly come to Shizi Ling now? What does he intend?"

"Who knows?"

The Zhang Family Members shook their heads. Though they knew the Qingyang County Magistrate's sudden arrival was definitely aimed at Zhang Deben, they pondered for a long time and still couldn't discern why the magistrate came for Zhang Deben.

Main hall.

Wei Yuan glanced at the coffin placed in the center, its surroundings formally arranged, likely buried only a few days ago, and said, "Zhang Liehu, please have your father come out for a moment; I have something to tell him!"

Zhang Chengze was startled.

Not only Zhang Chengze, but also Li Ping and Zhang Chengyong, who had followed, were stunned by Wei Yuan's words, not understanding why he said such a thing.

Did they not know his father/husband had already passed away?

Although he has become the Mountain God of Shizi Ling, without having refined the Mountain God Token, appearing in dreams is already a feat.

How could he appear in broad daylight?

Wei Yuan frowned, "What, Zhang Liehu, does your father not want to see me?"

"County Magistrate, these past days we haven't seen my father!"

Zhang Chengze forced a nervous smile, "If you wish to see my father, you can only meet him in a dream."

"The monsters that have taken over your Shizi Ling—aren't they already all dealt with?"

Wei Yuan snorted, seeing that whether it was Zhang Chengze or Zhang Chengyong or Li Ping, they all wore bewildered expressions, clearly not grasping the meaning of his words, and he spoke again:

"I heard that the Hundred House Lord of the Demon-Subduing Office who came to your Zhang Family Village solved the monsters of Shizi Ling for you, and even retrieved the Mountain God Token of Shizi Ling. Your father obtained the Mountain God Token—does that mean he can't even manifest it?"

(End of Chapter)