Chapter 1229: The Consequences of Eavesdropping

"The new governor of Zhouhai Commandery has taken office, requiring all county magistrates of Zhongshan Commandery to attend a meeting at the commandery office tomorrow?" Man Gu received the notice just after finishing a busy day's work and getting off duty.

He is currently handling affairs for both the previous governor and the one before that, and has been busy these past few days.

Fortunately, he has two senior brothers helping him here, which allows him to leave work on time.

"Finally, a new governor has arrived." Man Gu sighed, having seen two governors change in just a few days—truly not easy.

Man Gu thought for a moment, then informed Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou about the meeting notice, hoping they would accompany him to the meeting tomorrow.

Normally, when county magistrates go out, they bring attendants or government office runners to attend to them and ensure their safety.

"Going to the meeting together? Indeed, Junior Brother Man, you are at the Void Refining stage, and while it's fine within this county's small territory, going beyond the county city could be dangerous."

This means Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, who are on night duty hunting female ghosts, cannot rest after their shift ends and must still accompany Man Gu to the meeting during the day.

Although those at the Tribulation Transcendence stage would not feel tired even after 180 days without rest, Man Gu was still deeply moved.

……

Quyi County enjoys peace and good governance; the two newly appointed constables encountered nothing all night, and after their night shift ended, they accompanied Man Gu to Zhongshan Commandery.

A few days ago, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou came to Zhongshan Commandery to resolve the matter of the Hundred Sword Alliance, but that was at night, and the streets were cold and deserted, with no one in sight.

Upon arriving in Zhongshan Commandery during the day, it was quite lively; although Quyi County has been thriving under Man Gu's governance these past years, it remains only a county town and cannot compare to Zhongshan Commandery.

At the gate of the governor's office, they encountered several county magistrates who had come for the meeting—some in sedan chairs, some in carriages, all appearing imposing; only Man Gu and his two companions had come on foot.

Although Man Gu had come on foot, no county magistrate dared to look down on him; the magistrates alighted from their sedan chairs or carriages, all greeting him with smiling faces.

Having arrested two governors in three days—even the second governor was taken to jail on the very day he took office—this record would make anyone who saw it feel shocked.

"Lord Man, long time no see, your dignified bearing remains as before."

"Lord Man indeed handles affairs with swift and decisive efficiency, not tolerating even a speck of sand in the eye—truly a model for us all!"

"Disciple of the Wen Dao Sect, top scholar of the Golden Examination, Lord Man simultaneously holds two identities—truly enviable."

Man Gu also returned the courtesy: "Man Mou will surely maintain frequent communication with all you lords in the future."

Upon hearing this, several county magistrates were frightened and hurried into the governor's office—best not to communicate too much, or else even if nothing happened, they might stir up trouble.

Man Gu scratched his head, thinking it shouldn't be so—he had spoken exactly as the chief clerk taught him; why was their reaction different from what the clerk had said?

"Never mind, let's go in." Man Gu, ever open-minded, saw no need to dwell on things he couldn't understand—it would only waste mental effort.

Entering the governor's office, Man Gu went into the council hall, while Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, as attendants, could only wait outside.

Besides Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, there were also attendants and government office runners brought by other county magistrates, so it wasn't lonely.

"Then I'll trouble you two senior brothers," said Man Gu, "I don't know how long this new governor's meeting will last—you two can wander around the commandery."

Lu Yang waved his hand with a smile: "No need, no need—we came along specifically to protect you; how could we leave?"

Inside the council hall, Man Gu had just sat down when a unfamiliar county magistrate approached him.

"Lord Man, thank you."

"Who are you?"

"I am Yang Dinghai, the newly appointed county magistrate of Guyuan County."

"Ah, so you are Lord Yang," Man Gu said, clasping his hands in greeting, "I wonder what this thanks is for?"

"Lord, I dare not accept such praise. Originally, Zhang Tongheng served as governor, leaving the county magistrate position in Guyuan County vacant. Both I and Liu Wangzhi could have become magistrate, but Liu Wangzhi is very skilled at ingratiating himself with Zhang Tongheng, so his chances were higher. As a result, Lord Man, you sent people to arrest both Zhang Tongheng and Liu Wangzhi, giving me the opportunity to become county magistrate."

Man Gu suddenly understood: "Ah, that explains it. Duty calls—no thanks needed."

"Lord Man, if you ever need my help in the future, just speak up—I will do my utmost to assist."

After chatting a while longer, Man Gu found it strange: "We've been talking this long—why hasn't the governor arrived yet?"

The two senior brothers were waiting outside, and he still wanted to finish the meeting early.

Not only had Man Gu been waiting a long time, but other county magistrates also felt the wait was excessive—why was the Zhongshan Commandery governor late for his first meeting?

"A new official burns three fires upon taking office—is this meant to intimidate us?"

……

Outside the council hall stood a man whose attire and appearance clearly marked him as the governor.

Upon hearing the discussion inside the council hall, Governor Zhou revealed a faint smile.

He had served as a functional officer in Huangzhou, overseeing personnel transfers, wielding great power—even governors treated him with courtesy when they met.

He came to Zhongshan Commandery to serve as governor, but it was merely a gilding of his resume; once his qualifications were sufficient, he would naturally be promoted further, rising to a higher rank.

His current achievements are inseparable from his cultivation method.

His method is somewhat special, functioning similarly to the Buddhist power of knowing others' thoughts, but not as strong—it only allows him to eavesdrop on others' conversations. He is shrewd, able to discern interpersonal relationships from talks, thereby sowing discord or navigating situations to his advantage, profiting from it.

His lateness was precisely to listen in on the county magistrates' conversations, as well as those of the government office runners outside the council hall, seeking useful information.

"It's about time to go in." Governor Zhou said with a smile, regretting only that he had not heard the conversation between Man Gu and the two companions he brought.

Suddenly, the conversation between the two people brought by Man Gu transmitted into his ears.

"I feel the Heavenly Emperor Lord's Devouring Dao Fruit is quite formidable—it can even devour others' Dao Fruits, meaning he could possess several Dao Fruits?"

"Guan Shanhai's Imprinting Dao Fruit is also formidable—if given the chance, he might even create a new world."

"I also don't know what kind of Dao Fruit we two could condense, or what heaven-defying effects it might have."

Governor Zhou stared blankly for a moment—what had just happened? He felt as if a segment of memory was missing.

"It's about time to go in." Governor Zhou said with a smile, regretting only that he had not heard the conversation between Man Gu and the two companions he brought.

The conversation of the two people brought by Man Gu transmitted into his ears again.

"Ying Tian Xian's Tribulation Dao Fruit controls the heavenly tribulation—just thinking about it is awe-inspiring."

"Immortal Jiu Chong's Yin-Yang Dao Fruit takes the world as a chessboard, bestowing yin and yang attributes, annihilating all things."

"We don't know which of them is stronger."

"Why does the governor keep eavesdropping on our conversation? Does he understand it? Dao Fruit knowledge might have a forgetting effect, right?"

"I don't know—if he wants to listen, let him listen; anyway, he won't remember it."

Zhou Junshou was dazed for a moment, what just happened, always feeling like a segment of memory was missing.

"It's about time to go in."

"This fruit..."

"Why hasn't the Junshou come yet?" Man Gu became increasingly anxious, having waited from noon until afternoon, nearly three shichen passed.

Other county magistrates also had some complaints about Zhou Junshou.

"I'll go find the Junshou."

Man Gu opened the council hall doors, seeing Zhou Junshou with vacant eyes, standing in a daze.

"Junshou my lord, why are you standing here?"

On Zhou Junshou's first day in office, a new official sets three fires upon taking office, the first fire burned onto his own head, he was made to stand in punishment at the council hall door for nearly three shichen.