Chapter 140: Promoted to Deputy Hall Master! Taking Office!

One month later.

Early morning, the morning sun was just rising.

Near the city gate of Changping County.

A dense crowd of people stood there, and at the very front were Lu Zhangsheng, Qin Ruobing, and several other Deputy Hall Masters.

The gazes of the crowd looking at Lu Zhangsheng were filled with awe.

Everyone in the city had long since received the news that someone from the Prefecture City would be arriving today, not only regarding Lu Zhangsheng's appointment but also the arrival of a new County Magistrate.

Therefore, everyone had been waiting here since early morning.

"Creak..."

In the distance, at the end of the official road, two magnificent carriages were driving rapidly toward the city gate, facing the morning sun.

The drivers were two gray-robed elders with quite fierce auras; they were clearly martial arts experts.

Before long.

The carriages arrived in front of Lu Zhangsheng and the others and came to a stop.

At this moment, several men jumped down from the carriages.

The leader, wearing a scarlet official robe and sporting a goatee with a majestic face, was the new County Magistrate.

Behind him was a tall, middle-aged man with eyes like lightning, who was the expert sent from the Prefecture City to announce the appointments.

"Haha... I have kept all you colleagues waiting for a long time."

County Magistrate Yan Jinfeng laughed heartily.

He was quite satisfied that everyone had been able to wait for him here.

"Magistrate, you are too kind."

Everyone cupped their hands repeatedly, wearing smiles.

They did not dare to be arrogant in the face of the Magistrate's polite words.

"Let Magistrate Yu read the appointment first."

Yan Jinfeng then stepped aside.

As he spoke, he also looked at Lu Zhangsheng, his eyes showing a hint of something unusual.

He had long heard of this genius from Changping County back in the Prefecture City.

The middle-aged man nodded at the Magistrate with a smile before slowly walking forward.

He unfolded the appointment document in his hand.

And began to read it aloud.

"Lu Zhangsheng of Changping County possesses extraordinary talent and has rendered distinguished service; he is hereby transferred to the Prefecture City to be appointed to the position of Deputy Hall Master..."

Signature: Liang Jinghui.

As soon as the words fell, everyone around was shocked.

They cast their gazes toward Lu Zhangsheng in front, their eyes filled with disbelief.

No one had expected that Lu Zhangsheng would be transferred directly to the Prefecture City.

They had thought he would spend a few years transitioning in Changping County.

This was a direct promotion of two ranks, a step up to the heavens.

Even Lu Zhangsheng was stunned.

One had to know that a County Deputy Hall Master was only a From Seventh Rank official, while in the Prefecture City, it was a Seventh Rank position, on equal footing with the County Magistrate.

He had not expected to be transferred directly to the Prefecture City either. There were quite a few Pseudo-Innate experts in the Prefecture City; when had he caught the eye of Hall Master Liang? This left him quite puzzled.

Only Qin Ruobing, standing to the side, remained indifferent, as if she had known about this long ago.

"I congratulate Hall Master Lu."

Yan Jinfeng cupped his hands with a smile.

He did not want to offend this "dragon crossing the river" who was about to leave.

"We pay our respects to Hall Master Lu."

The crowd reacted quickly and immediately offered their congratulations, their loud voices resounding through the clouds.

"You are all too kind."

Lu Zhangsheng smiled faintly and returned the salute.

His white robe fluttered in the breeze, making him look extremely carefree.

On the periphery, Fang Qing and Yue Wanting, mother and daughter, saw this with eyes full of excitement.

In less than a few short years, Lu Zhangsheng had attained a high position; from now on, he and ordinary Demon-Suppressing Envoys would be in two different worlds.

Everyone on the field was filled with envy.

Afterward, the crowd exchanged a few words before turning and leaving.

At night, the stars were scattered across the sky.

Inside a magnificent hall of the Demon-Suppressing Division.

Lu Zhangsheng and Qin Ruobing sat on chairs.

"The new County Magistrate has quite a good relationship with the Prefecture City noble families."

Qin Ruobing said softly.

"It doesn't matter; when I transfer away, I will give instructions to my subordinates."

Lu Zhangsheng smiled faintly.

He naturally understood what she meant.

After he left, the Sanhe Gang and other affiliated forces would likely be suppressed by him; this was unavoidable.

No County Magistrate would allow a single gang to dominate the city.

"Did Sister Qin know about today's transfer order long ago?"

Lu Zhangsheng turned his head to look at Qin Ruobing, his eyes quite puzzled.

"I will go to the Prefecture City with you; tomorrow, please trouble yourself to protect me..."

Qin Ruobing smiled sweetly, making one feel as if bathed in a spring breeze.

She directly defaulted to this matter.

"Sister Qin is going to break through?"

Lu Zhangsheng's expression shifted slightly, and he felt quite worried.

He guessed that she might have been stimulated by Zhao Yuanjing's siege and intended to force a breakthrough in her realm.

"It is just a physical breakthrough, don't worry."

Qin Ruobing answered with a smile.

She had accumulated contribution points for many years and could just happen to exchange them for a Millennium Snow Lotus to allow her physical body to break through.

There were only two paths for a martial artist to break their physical body through to the Innate level.

One was to break through to the Innate level directly and use the Heaven and Earth Origin Qi to wash the body; even if the breakthrough ultimately failed, the physical strength would still skyrocket.

This was also considered a Pseudo-Innate expert.

The other was to use spirit medicine over a thousand years old to nourish the physical body and allow it to break through to the Innate level.

This was also the route chosen by most geniuses and Heavenly Prides.

As a daughter of the imperial clan, she still had the privilege of exchanging for spirit objects.

"Then I congratulate Sister Qin in advance."

Lu Zhangsheng smiled.

He no longer felt any worry in his heart.

Breaking through to the Innate level was quite dangerous, and with Qin Ruobing's strength, it was difficult to succeed in one go.

However, if it was just breaking through the physical body using spirit medicine, there was no danger.

The next day.

Early in the morning, Lu Zhangsheng stood guard at the entrance of Qin Ruobing's hall.

And there were quite a few Demon-Suppressing Envoys guarding the front.

Such a posture surprised many martial artists in the city.

They were all secretly guessing.

Only three days later, Qin Ruobing came out of seclusion.

When Qin Ruobing, in a purple long dress, stepped out of the hall, Lu Zhangsheng's eyes shifted slightly.

A powerful sense of oppression radiated from her physical body.

Clearly, the breakthrough had been successful.

"Thank you."

Qin Ruobing smiled sweetly, her charm overflowing.

After her strength broke through, her demeanor became even more compelling.

"Let us head to the Prefecture City in three days; from now on, Sister Qin might have to 'work' under you."

She looked at Lu Zhangsheng somewhat mysteriously.

Lu Zhangsheng also felt a bit strange; he hadn't expected Qin Ruobing to also be transferred to the Prefecture City, though he didn't know what her position would be.

Afterward, the two exchanged a few more words, and Lu Zhangsheng turned and left.

When Lu Zhangsheng left the Demon-Suppressing Division and was walking on the street, a black-clothed man in front greeted him with a respectful face.

"Lord Lu, Gang Leader Yue invites you to visit."

He did not dare to be negligent toward his own gang leader's great backer.

"Lead the way."

Lu Zhangsheng carried his hands behind his back and nodded faintly.

Afterward, the two walked all the way to the Haisha Gang's base, in front of a magnificent hall.

Lu Zhangsheng pushed open the door and stepped inside.

He saw Yue Wanting in a white dress standing in the room, her expression somewhat anxious.

"Young Master, you are transferring away, so how should we act? I heard the new County Magistrate is not easy to deal with..."

Seeing Lu Zhangsheng arrive, Yue Wanting seemed to have found her backbone.

"It doesn't matter; you should not expand further for now. This Seat will return when there is time, and the other party will also have some misgivings."

Lu Zhangsheng's expression was as calm as water.

He naturally understood Yue Wanting's subtext; it was nothing more than fear of the Magistrate's suppression.

This was also unavoidable.

As long as he could continue to rise in the Prefecture City, the other party would naturally not dare to go too far.

"Young Master is still missing a maid; let Shulan go to take care of Young Master."

Yue Wanting smiled gracefully.

The two were quite far apart, so she naturally had to plan ahead.

If they didn't keep in touch for a long time, their friendship would likely fade; sending Yue Shulan to the Prefecture City was something the mother and daughter had already discussed.

"Hmm."

Lu Zhangsheng's expression was a bit strange, but he did not refuse the other party's "good intentions."

Afterward, the two exchanged a few more words, and Lu Zhangsheng turned and left the hall.

Three days later.

Early morning.

East of Changping County, on an open space.

More than a dozen carriages of various sizes were parked near the city gate, and there were quite a few people around to see them off.

Even the two Deputy Hall Masters, Xiao Tianci, were present.

"Take care, everyone."

Lu Zhangsheng smiled and cupped his hands at the crowd, then rode a tall horse and galloped forward.

"We respectfully send off Lord Lu."

The crowd cupped their hands repeatedly, their faces full of awe.

Qin Ruobing walked side by side with Lu Zhangsheng, and the two gradually drifted away.

Behind them followed a large number of carriages.

Everyone watched Lu Zhangsheng's receding back, unable to help but feel moved.

"This departure is likely a dragon entering the vast sea."

Someone who could rise in just a few short years was definitely no ordinary person.

Just as Lu Zhangsheng and the others were rushing to the Prefecture City, outside Qingning Prefecture City, in an underground space.

In the center of the hall was a large blood pool, emitting a nauseating odor.

A black-robed elder sat on the blood pool. His whole body was rolling with baleful Qi, and the sense of oppression was extremely astonishing.

Kneeling in front of the elder was a woman in red, who was none other than Zhao Yuanjing.

"Reporting to Protector Jiu, your subordinate has failed."

Zhao Yuanjing was full of unwillingness, clenching her fists tightly.

"A genius martial artist appeared in Changping County, which caused your subordinate to fail to breach the county city."

She did not beat around the bush and stated the reason directly.

"Genius? Hmph... There are quite a few geniuses in Qingzhou, but they are nothing more than ants. This Seat will send experts..."

Jiuchen looked disdainful.

"Go down and receive your punishment yourself."

He had killed quite a few so-called geniuses; as an expert who had been Innate a hundred years ago, he naturally wouldn't take them seriously.

"Your subordinate obeys."

Zhao Yuanjing gritted her teeth and slowly stood up to walk backward.

She did not dare to disobey the orders of Jiuchen, an Innate expert.

She had been punished several times because of this person, Lu Zhangsheng, which made her heart increasingly twisted.

Three days later.

Lu Zhangsheng, Qin Ruobing, and the others arrived at the Prefecture City Demon-Suppressing Division.

And settled down in the family compound.

Fang Qing and her younger brother also followed to the Prefecture City.

"What a large courtyard."

Looking at the new home in front, Fang Qing was full of surprise.

Inside, there were not only gardens and small hills but also various bonsai, ponds, and everything one could wish for, as if it were a fairyland on earth.

Many birds were flying in the courtyard, presenting a scene full of vitality.

"The treatment of a Prefecture City Deputy Hall Master is indeed extraordinary."

Fang Tao was also full of admiration.

Just looking at the living conditions, it was many times better than the county city.

Lu Zhangsheng smiled faintly.

He wouldn't pay too much attention to some external objects.

After settling all their belongings, they officially moved in.

Over the next few days, Lu Zhangsheng had been practicing martial arts in the courtyard, and the news of Lu Zhangsheng succeeding as one of the ten Deputy Hall Masters of the Prefecture City instantly spread throughout the entire Prefecture City.

It caused an uproar within the Demon-Suppressing Division.

One had to know that every Prefecture City Deputy Hall Master was a top expert who had broken through to the Innate level physically, and their Martial Dao True Intent was unfathomable.

There were even a few who were at the genius level.

Many people questioned why a county city martial artist should hold such a high position.

In the eyes of the crowd, giving him the position of an Inspector was already the limit.

There were even some martial artists who ran to the Hall Master and knelt for a long time, seemingly demanding an explanation.

However, Liang Jinghui did not offer any explanation.

This made many martial artists within the Demon-Suppressing Division even more "restless," seemingly wanting to pull Lu Zhangsheng down immediately.

The benefits brought by a Deputy Hall Master were still too astonishing.

Inside his own courtyard.

Lu Zhangsheng sat on a chair, quietly sipping spirit wine, his face full of contentment.

He didn't care at all about the disturbances outside.

Besides practicing martial arts at home, he was working hard at mining.

This had already become his daily life.

Over the past few days, Lu Zhangsheng had also received information from Qin Ruobing.

Her position was to be an Inspector under him.

This made Lu Zhangsheng feel extremely strange.

He hadn't expected that after arriving in the Prefecture City, the two of them would have swapped positions.

He couldn't help but guess that it might have been her request.

With Qin Ruobing's strength, it was not enough to become a Prefecture City Deputy Hall Master.

Inside a magnificent hall of the Demon-Suppressing Division.

Liang Jinghui, the Hall Master, sat at the head, and sitting below was Qin Ruobing.

"Niece Qin, I have already given him the opportunity; if he cannot hold this position, he cannot blame others."

"This is already an exceptional promotion; if it weren't for his talent, it would have been impossible for me to agree..."

Liang Jinghui waved his hand with a smile.

He naturally knew about the rumors outside, but he chose not to come forward.

This was also the first test he gave Lu Zhangsheng.

If he couldn't even suppress his subordinate Demon-Suppressing Envoys, how could he convince the crowd? If he was pulled down by others, he could only blame his own lack of strength.

Qin Ruobing bit her lip and said nothing more.

She knew she had done her best, and what the other party said was true.

Countless people in the Prefecture City were eyeing this position.

Many Pseudo-Innate experts were in the position of Inspector and naturally would not submit to Lu Zhangsheng, this parachuted newcomer.

The ten Deputy Hall Masters held a very transcendent status in the Prefecture City; besides some Innate experts and the Hall Master, it was these people.

Naturally, it caused countless people to compete for it.

The next day.

Noon.

Lu Zhangsheng was practicing martial arts at home when a black-clothed man suddenly arrived, carrying a large tray in his hand.

It was filled with various spirit objects.

"Lord Lu, these spirit objects are this month's offerings."

The man smiled and placed the tray on the stone table before turning and leaving.

Looking at the items in front of him, Lu Zhangsheng's expression shifted slightly.

These spirit objects were worth at least two thousand Source Energy Points.

And this was only the tenth Deputy Hall Master; if he were ranked first, it would likely be even more astonishing.

With so many resources, it was more than double that of the county city.

"The Prefecture City's resources are indeed abundant."

He couldn't help but think to himself.

Afterward, Lu Zhangsheng put away all the spirit objects in front of him, and after absorbing them, he increased his Source Energy Points by two thousand one hundred.

Just at this moment.

Footsteps came from the entrance.

A woman in a white dress walked gracefully toward the courtyard; it was Qin Ruobing.

"Your subordinate pays respects to Lord Lu."

Qin Ruobing bowed gracefully and teased with a smile.

With their identities swapped, she also found it somewhat amusing.

"Sister Qin, please don't mock me."

Lu Zhangsheng smiled.

The two had always had a very close relationship, and he didn't put on any airs.

Qin Ruobing put away her smile: "Regarding your becoming a Deputy Hall Master, I am afraid there are quite a few people with ulterior motives who want to pull you down."

"Especially those from the three great families; you must be very careful."

Her tone was quite solemn.

The Shentu, Ouyang, and Nangong families were deeply rooted in the Prefecture City.

They also had many connections with the county families.

"I understand, thank you, Sister Qin."

Lu Zhangsheng smiled faintly, feeling quite grateful.

When he arrived in the Prefecture City, he had also learned about the current situation.

The entire Prefecture City's top forces were composed of the three great families, the six major sects, the Demon-Suppressing Division, and the Xuanjia Army.

In the shadows, there was also the Heavenly Demon Gate hidden.

These forces had been entrenched in the Prefecture City for hundreds of years, with extremely deep foundations.

Experts were emerging one after another.

"These six major sects seem somewhat restless?"

Lu Zhangsheng asked again.

"Hmph... These fence-sitters naturally obey when the Imperial Court is strong, but in the last ten years, behind some of the Heavenly Demon Gate's affairs, there have been faint shadows of them..."

Qin Ruobing's tone was grim.

She had also received internal intelligence and was naturally quite clear about these things.

The two also understood the intentions of the six major sects; it was nothing more than wanting to take advantage of the chaos in the world to gain some benefits.

Hearing this, Lu Zhangsheng also felt a sense of vigilance.

The situation in the entire Prefecture City could be described as intricate and complex.

A moment of carelessness could lead to death and the dissipation of the Dao.

He prepared to lie low for a period of time before doing anything else.

Afterward, the two exchanged a few more words, and Qin Ruobing stood up and took her leave.

Over the next few months.

Although Lu Zhangsheng had officially taken office as the tenth Deputy Hall Master of Qingning Prefecture, he appeared to be ignoring affairs.

He focused on practicing martial arts in his own courtyard and went to the Shiwan Dashan to mine at night.

His days were very simple.

Even the rumors outside were intensifying.

In the Tenth Hall, it was rumored that Lu Zhangsheng, this Hall Master, could not suppress his subordinates and let the three Inspectors handle daily affairs.

Even Yue Shulan and Tong Yuhua were becoming somewhat anxious.

Lu Zhangsheng, however, was as steady as Mount Tai, still ignoring the rumors outside.

For him, strength was the foundation.

He needed to mine enough spirit objects in a short time to allow his strength to transform again.

By then, a pair of iron fists would be enough to shatter all doubts.

To argue now would only be a disgrace to his status as a Deputy Hall Master.

This day, at noon.

Tenth Branch Hall, inside a hall.

Two young men sat on chairs at the head, their expressions quite smug.

"The newly appointed tenth Deputy Hall Master is nothing more than this; he hasn't made a move in months."

Shentu Hong mocked.

As a direct descendant of the Shentu family, the position of Deputy Hall Master should have been his.

He hadn't expected someone to be parachuted in.

"This is good; everything will be handled by us, and then we will pull him down."

A cold glint flashed in Ouyang Xiao's eyes.

This person had killed his affiliated forces in Changping County, which had long left him dissatisfied.

The two had long been prepared to make trouble for him.

They didn't believe the other party could keep hiding at home and not take office.

Even many martial artists in the Prefecture City were secretly waiting.

They all wanted to see when Lu Zhangsheng, this Deputy Hall Master, would make a move to establish his authority.

A storm seemed to be approaching.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 141 =====