“You…”
Wu Hong looked at Wu Ming’s composed demeanor, clearly well-prepared, and nearly spat out a mouthful of blood in fury.
Originally, he was the official, and Wu Ming was just a commoner—truly possessing the power of life and death, easily manipulated, with Wu Ming unable to resist. If Wu Ming dared to resist, it would be outright rebellion, prompting waves of law enforcers and county guards to surround and suppress him, rendering any skill useless.
But now, with the mention of the county magistrate, the situation had changed.
At the very least, many methods could no longer be used against Wu Ming.
“Do you know the county magistrate? Let me see the letter…”
Wu Hong scrutinized Wu Ming up and down, speaking in a deep, muffled tone.
“Of course!”
Wu Ming smiled and casually handed over the letter.
Wu Hong took it, glanced through it quickly, and his heart sank, especially upon seeing the Daoist cursive signature at the end, causing his eyes to twitch: “It’s actually personally written by the Patriarch of the Zhengyi Sect…”
Zhengyi Sect was a major religious sect in Guzhu State, and its Patriarch was a Daoist immortal rumored to command clouds and rain.
Such a figure commanded respect even from the king, who had even considered appointing the Patriarch as the overseer of all Daoist sects nationwide.
The weight of this letter was immense. Seeing the calm young man before him, Wu Hong’s hands clenched tightly, tempted to destroy the letter, but ultimately dared not.
Moreover, judging from Wu Ming’s confident demeanor, even if the letter were destroyed, it wouldn’t matter much.
He was an experienced official, long trained in the art of politics. His eyes flickered, and he immediately switched to a smile: “I apologize for my previous rudeness, dear brother. I will immediately have someone announce your arrival!”
He wore a beaming smile, respectfully folding the letter and returning it.
Earlier, Wu Hong had been angry at losing face, and seeing Wu Ming as a rootless wandering Daoist, he had thought he could act as he pleased. But now the situation was different.
Even if he wasn’t particularly afraid, it was unwise to create a rift with the county magistrate over a minor issue.
Besides, he and Wu Ming had no serious enmity to begin with. At this moment, he lowered his guard, subtly showing signs of flattery and appeasement.
“Thank you, sir!”
Under such circumstances, an ordinary youth might have recited something like “Don’t look down on the young,” but Wu Ming merely smiled and returned the courtesy, creating a warm atmosphere between them, as if their previous conflict had vanished with a smile.
He certainly had ways to deal with a patrol officer, but as mentioned before, doing so would only cause trouble without any real benefit—something a wise person would avoid.
They addressed each other as “esteemed elder brother” and “esteemed younger brother,” their words overly affectionate, causing the two nearby officers to widen their eyes and secretly give them a thumbs-up.
Comparing themselves to these two, they realized why they remained where they were.
…
“This young sir, the county magistrate has invited you!”
Soon, a clerk came out and respectfully addressed Wu Ming.
“Well then, I’ll go first, Brother Wu!”
Wu Ming performed a dramatic farewell, and Wu Hong, equally skilled in such displays, patted his chest and said: “Dear younger brother, if you have any difficulties in Heitai County, just come find your elder brother!”
To a first-time observer, this scene might have seemed like the two were extremely close friends, almost ready to burn yellow paper and sacrifice a chicken to swear brotherhood.
“This humble one, Wu Ming, greets the honorable county magistrate!”
After entering the second hall, Zhang Zhengyi slowly emerged. Dressed in casual attire, this county magistrate looked like a well-read Confucian scholar, with a long beard adding dignity to his refined appearance.
“Hmm, rise!”
Zhang Zhengyi, seeing Wu Ming’s graceful and distinguished demeanor, secretly nodded in approval. He took the letter and read it carefully before asking: “The matter in the letter is trivial. How has the Grand Master been lately?”
“I haven’t personally met the Grand Master, but he has arrived outside Heitai County. The county magistrate can go and meet him!”
Wu Ming inwardly marveled at the influence of the Zhengyi Sect as he replied.
This Zhengyi Sect, a prominent Daoist sect in Guzhu State, had recently united much of the cultivation world through the “Zhengyi Alliance Oath,” clearly showing signs of unification.
“Sigh… Being a county magistrate comes with many unavoidable constraints. I was once a carefree person, yet now I find myself entangled in worldly affairs…”
Zhang Zhengyi sighed: “Many times, I envy those free-spirited cultivators who can roam freely…”
Considering Wu Ming as one of his own, Zhang spoke more casually.
Wu Ming also had some knowledge of the county magistrate’s background.
This man was gifted and from a family affiliated with the Zhengyi Sect, originally a promising Daoist candidate.
However, the Grand Master had once cast his fortune, predicting twenty more years of worldly success. Coincidentally, the Zhengyi Sect needed secular support, so he entered officialdom and became a county magistrate, ruling over a hundred-mile territory.
Now, despite enjoying wealth and status, his aspiration for Daoism had not diminished.
“County magistrate, your service to the people brings merit and blessings, which will surely aid your future cultivation!”
Wu Ming replied truthfully. With his spiritual eyes, he could indeed see some auspicious merit surrounding Zhang Zhengyi, indicating he had done some practical good for the people.
Cultivation within officialdom could also accumulate merit and fortune, benefiting both the afterlife and future Daoist pursuits.
“Indeed! What brings you here? The letter merely asked for convenience, without much detail!”
Though he had heard similar sentiments many times, Zhang Zhengyi’s brows relaxed, and he regarded Wu Ming more favorably, casually asking.
“It’s nothing major. I just wish to travel within the county and study the geography…”
Though Wu Ming spoke casually, Zhang Zhengyi’s brows furrowed.
As a peripheral member of the cultivation world, he naturally understood the significance of Heishan Jun and Heishan City God. He looked at Wu Ming deeply: “I will issue you an official document, ordering all officials to provide convenience!”
“Thank you, sir!”
This was an unexpected bonus. With this identity, many tasks would become easier.
Wu Ming immediately expressed gratitude. Seeing Zhang Zhengyi’s gesture of offering tea as a sign of dismissal, he took his leave.
At this moment, the county office was bustling with activity, people rushing about. As Wu Ming walked out, he encountered someone approaching, causing his pupils to constrict, and he let out a surprised exclamation.
“Do you recognize this official?”
The official wore a green robe, a jade belt around his waist, and a seal hanging from his chest. Particularly notable was the quail badge on his robe, indicating to Wu Ming that this was a ninth-grade civil official.
Of course, these details weren’t important. What mattered was that the official’s face bore a striking resemblance to Wei Shanchu from the underworld.
“Please forgive my bluntness, but may the honorable sir’s surname be ‘Wei’?”
Wu Ming’s heart stirred, and he smiled as he asked.
“Indeed… You…”
The official was even more astonished, halting his steps. Seeing Wu Ming’s refined and elegant demeanor and hearing him refer to himself as “this humble Daoist,” he began to suspect something.
However, he merely flicked his sleeve slightly, said nothing further, and walked away.
“Who was that official just now?”
Wu Ming, however, remained composed. He pulled aside a minor clerk, slipped him a few silver coins, and asked.
“That… That is our county’s chief clerk, Master Wei Shouren!”
The clerk weighed the coins in his hand, his face breaking into an even warmer smile as he spoke.
“Wei Shouren?!”
Wu Ming smiled faintly and entered a teahouse across from the county office. Ordering a pot of Yuhou Maofeng tea and a few pastries, he waited leisurely.
Sure enough, not long after, a person resembling a steward approached: “My master invites you!”
“Let’s go!”
Wu Ming left a few coins, followed the steward to a corner of the alley, and saw a carriage already waiting. The curtain slightly lifted, revealing Wei Shouren’s face.
“You seemed to recognize me earlier. What is it?”
Wei Shouren had changed into casual clothes, but some mysterious sense prompted him to ask directly.
“A few days ago, my soul entered the underworld and encountered someone named Wei Shanchu… Have you heard of him, sir?”
Wu Ming boarded the carriage, and with his spiritual eyes, he became even more certain, asking directly.
“He is my fourth-generation ancestor!”
Wei Shouren shivered: “You say your soul entered the underworld? Can you prove it?”
“No need for proof!”
Wu Ming smiled. This visit was merely to repay a favor, and a single hint would suffice: “Your ancestor had a message for you. He said that he once buried two jars of silver and gold under the third osmanthus tree by the east gate of your family’s old garden, in case of emergencies. You can go dig them up!”
Separated by life and death, communication was difficult. Wei Shanchu had been kind to him and Xu Ziquan, asking only for this one message.
“Two jars of silver and gold?”
Wei Shouren was even more surprised.
“Exactly. I see that your fortune is currently strong, but you lack financial resources. This will fill the gap. I’ve said all I need to say. The rest is up to you!”
Wu Ming smiled, then turned and stepped down from the carriage.
“Master Daoist, wait a moment!”
Wei Shouren was stunned, wanting to ask more, but found that Wu Ming had already disappeared around the street corner, leaving him to sit back with a sense of loss, his face deep in thought.
He indeed had an opportunity recently, but needed funds for bribes. He had been preparing to sell some farmland when this Daoist appeared.
“Could it be… that someone is trying to harm me?”
His first thought upon receiving unexpected kindness was suspicion. But then he reasoned: “After all, it’s my family’s property. I can dig and check. If it’s stolen goods, I can report it to the authorities. As long as I remain upright, who should I fear?”
Wu Ming, however, paid no heed. With the county magistrate’s official document and credentials, he could freely enter and exit the city gates, leisurely strolling through Heitai County.
“The ritual of Heishan Jun’s Dharma Realm…”
Indeed, as he walked a bit further, he immediately noticed something different.
In Wu Ming’s eyes, the human fortune of Heitai County had always been strong and self-regulated, with a vast legal net covering everything.
But now, a layer of mist had formed over it. Though it did not display any power, it quietly absorbed the souls of the deceased, their light flashing briefly before vanishing.
“This is probably directly sending them to the Heishan Ghost Kingdom…”
Wu Ming’s pupils constricted: “And it seems to have truly merged with the mountain and river’s energy, making it impossible to find any flaws! If this continues… the city god is in danger!”
Believers in the underworld also affect the world above.
If Heitai’s ghost city falls, it will inevitably shake the city god’s foundation in the human world—this is beyond doubt!
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