Chapter 437: with translation of chapter title

"How could this happen?"

Zhang Deben let out a startled cry, his face full of disbelief; his affection for Wang Ruhai exceeded even the love he had for his own children.

It's not that Wang Ruhai is particularly accomplished—still young, he already became a juren—but his two sons: one stays by his side as an ordinary hunter, the other he sent to the county's martial hall to learn skills, yet learned little.

His love for Wang Ruhai surpasses his affection for his own children.

First, Wang Ruhai has been sensible since childhood; second, his younger sister's family is not well off. Wang Lin, like him, lost his parents early, had no support, and even took in Dongzhu, the unfortunate child.

If it weren't for his frequent assistance, the Wang family would have starved; at best they could only manage a meager meal of grass leaves every few days.

Because Wang Ruhai excelled in his studies, the court exempted their whole family from taxes, allowing them to barely enjoy a decent life.

Based on his knowledge of Wang Ruhai, he expects Wang Ruhai to take this imperial exam; while not a hundred percent certain of a top placement, there's at least an eighty percent chance. If Wang Ruhai makes the gold list, the whole Wang family will finally enjoy a good life.

No one could have imagined…

Wang Ruhai was unexpectedly attacked by a fierce beast on his journey to the capital for the exam, losing his life.

"Dongzhu, are you teasing uncle to make him happy, deliberately saying such terrifying words to scare him…"

Zhang Deben still refuses to believe it; the Wang family had finally been about to taste sweetness after hardship, and Wang Ruhai just leaves like that?

Even if Wang Ruhai were an ordinary person, he wouldn't want a white‑haired man delivering a black‑haired one in the Wang family; after all, Wang Ruhai is his nephew, and which uncle wouldn't love his own nephew?

Seeing Liu Dongzhu remain silent, how could Zhang Deben possibly not know that Liu Dongzhu's words were all true? Even if he is reluctant to believe, he must admit it, his face darkening as he says discontentedly:

"Dongzhu, such a huge incident happened in your family, why is there no one coming to tell me?"

Liu Dongzhu, looking dejected, said, "Uncle, we only learned of this matter a short while ago; we intended to inform you, but unexpectedly, the first news that arrived was the news of your passing!"

Zhang Deben also felt a deep sense of loss.

"Zhang, the Mountain God!"

Wei Yuan suddenly spoke, calling out Zhang Deben, drawing everyone's attention.

Zhang Deben frowned and asked, "Who are you?"

"I am Wei Yuan, the County Magistrate of Qingyang County!"

Wei Yuan felt some resentment deep down; he was the County Magistrate of Qingyang County, while Zhang Deben was merely a hunter under Qingyang's jurisdiction, yet he failed to recognize his own superior official.

Even though Zhang Deben had now become the Mountain God of Shizi Ling, a certain authority, in his eyes the Shizi Ling Mountain God could accomplish nothing.

Shizi Ling, an unremarkable mountain range, besides its large area, has no other merits; it cannot even spawn a single monster.

It is easy to imagine that its resources are limited; even the few treasures there are only considered treasures by ordinary eyes.

They hold no great value!

Thus the Shizi Ling Mountain God cannot be regarded as a powerful deity!

Only.

When he recalled the mysterious assailant who assaulted Tang Anzhi, almost taking his life and once holding him hostage, if that person had any regard for him, he would likely have had to answer with his own life right then.

That mysterious person is very likely linked to the Zhang family.

He could only endure his resentment toward Zhang Deben, daring not to show any trace of it.

"So the esteemed County Magistrate Wei has arrived. As my son told me, Magistrate Wei, you have come this time to discuss something with me; I wonder what it is?"

Zhang Deben replied calmly.

He was a simple hunter from Zhang Family Village, while Wei Yuan was the County Magistrate of Qingyang County; Zhang Family Village fell under Qingyang's jurisdiction. Logically, a hunter meeting his own superior official should at least show some respect, even if not overly deferential, yet at this moment he harbored no respect for Wei Yuan at all.

But he wasn't deliberately mocking!

It's not that, now that he has become the Mountain God of Shizi Ling, he disregards Wei Yuan, the County Magistrate of Qingyang.

Rather, over the years, Wei Yuan's actions have never taken Zhang Family Village seriously; when the village faced difficulties and appealed to the county office, the officials there never gave it any consideration.

The people of Zhang Family Village have never even seen Wei Yuan's face, let alone any official's.

In such a situation, not only him, but perhaps the entire Zhang Family Village, none would have any grievance against a county magistrate like Wei Yuan.

In the past.

If he were still an ordinary person, just a hunter, even if he harbored many criticisms of Wei Yuan deep inside, he wouldn't dare show them, having to feign utmost respect before Wei Yuan.

Because he is their superior official, even a single word can be used as a reason to bring someone's head down.

One who can bend and stretch is a true gentleman.

I still understand this principle.

Only.

This novel you

Now that he has become the Mountain God of Shizi Ling, over this three‑acre plot of Shizi Ling, he can be called the Earth Emperor.

Not to mention a county magistrate like Wei Yuan; even a governor would be powerless.

Naturally, he has no need to fear; if Wei Yuan's single word can cause someone's head to fall, there's no need to pretend before Wei Yuan.

"Zhang, the Mountain God…"

Wei Yuan, wary of the mysterious person, did not wish to clash with Zhang Deben, yet he was still dissatisfied with Zhang Deben's attitude and was about to rebuke him.

When trying to make Zhang Deben more respectful, he suddenly shivered all over, as if something had taken notice, causing the words at his mouth to be swallowed back.

"The mysterious person is still nearby?"

Wei Yuan's heart was flooded with endless fear, rising like a tide.

He worried that his attitude toward Zhang Deben might have displeased the mysterious person, prompting a change in demeanor.

Wei Yuan, with a flattering smile, hadn't yet spoken his conciliatory words when his peripheral vision finally noticed that the one spying on him was Lü Tu.

Lü Tu looked at him with an unfriendly expression, as if warning him of something.

Zhang Deben asked in confusion, "Wei Magistrate, what's wrong? If there's anything troubling you, feel free to speak!"

"Damn, you damn dog, are you trying to threaten me, preventing me from revealing the true situation of Wang Ruhai?"

Wei Yuan quickly grasped the threatening intent in Lü Tu's gaze; upon hearing Zhang Deben's question, he did not rush to answer, for the matter he needed to discuss with Zhang Deben could not be spoken in front of the crowd. As he was about to change the subject, his peripheral sight noticed a missing figure in the hall, and he hurriedly said:

"Lv Qianhu, have you seen my family's Tang Imperial Attendant?"

He couldn't help but curse inwardly, Tang Anzhi this beast, probably taking advantage of him and others not paying attention, sneaked away from here, obviously worried that Lü Tu would blame him for having improper thoughts toward Wang Ping'an, worried that Lü Tu might very well strike him down deadly, thus he fled at the first opportunity.

He was preparing to shift the blame eastward, not wanting Lü Tu to focus all his attention on him.

"You bastard, you're pretty fast, aren't you worried about running into that mysterious person again on the road?"

Wei Yuan couldn't help but curse inwardly.

(End of chapter)