Inside the backyard garden.
Wu Ming was lying on a bamboo chair, having Li Xiuyun help him massage his shoulders. He glanced sideways at Wu Zhi, who was wearing casual clothes and busily correcting official documents, and smiled slightly.
Recently, perhaps due to a sudden sense of crisis, Wu Zhi had spent considerable time accompanying him. The couple had been harmonious and affectionate, enjoying a very pleasant life together.
However, this caused a backlog of official paperwork, forcing Wu Zhi to work from home. She had become quite busy every day and, seeing Wu Ming’s leisurely state, often complained bitterly, even suggesting she should appoint him as a governor or something similar just to keep him busy too.
“Reporting to Young Master and Madam!”
At this moment, a Huofeng Guard hurriedly entered: “Someone has come to the manor requesting an audience!”
“Hmm?”
Wu Zhi paused her brush dipped in cinnabar, her eyebrows lifting: “What kind of pass token does he carry?”
As a Jiedushi (military governor) managing countless affairs daily, she certainly couldn’t meet just anyone off the street.
“He has no token!”
“Oh?” Wu Zhi actually showed some interest: “You’ve been with me for many years and should know my rules. If you still brought him here, this person must possess extraordinary skills.”
The Huofeng Guard knelt: “I don’t know, my lady. But when others saw his eyes, their fighting spirit vanished completely…”
“The soldiers under your command are elite warriors who’ve survived countless battles. If someone can suppress them with Daoist techniques right in front of them, he must have reached the level of a Zhenren (True Man) cultivation…”
Wu Ming opened his eyes and slowly spoke.
“Since he’s a Daoist Zhenren, he surely wouldn’t come here just to amuse me. Let’s see him then!”
Wu Zhi waved her hand: “Bring him over!”
With Wu Ming by her side, she felt absolutely no concern.
…
Moments later, a young man dressed in black-and-white hemp robe, his hair tied in a Daoist topknot, entered calmly. Upon seeing the garden scenery, he gave a start: “Compressing heaven and earth into an inch, this is the work of a master craftsman!”
He stepped forward, and upon seeing Wu Zhi, immediately performed a Daoist bow: “This humble Daoist, Jian Yuanzi, pays respects to Governor!”
“Jian Yuanzi, which sect do you belong to, and what business brings you to visit our garrison?”
Wu Zhi asked casually.
A tremendous aura of authority suddenly descended, causing Jian Yuanzi’s cheeks to break into a cold sweat: “My master instructed that I must begin cultivating the Dragon Qi. I am merely a pawn in this experiment… Alas… My master’s kindness can only be repaid with my life!”
He knelt with a thud: “This humble Daoist naturally comes out of admiration for the Governor’s prestige, wishing to join your ranks and follow in your illustrious footsteps!”
“Oh? You want to join me?”
Wu Ming found this quite interesting.
Now that Wu Zhi’s reputation had spread far and wide, countless people wanted to join her. However, some already had fame throughout Dingzhou, while others came through referrals from acquaintances, complete with recommendation letters and credentials.
In fact, this was also an unwritten rule forcing talented individuals from humble backgrounds and reclusive sages to fall into the nets of aristocratic families, otherwise they would never attain official positions.
Of course, under Wu Zhi’s administration, there was a third path—civil service examinations—which also marked a major breakthrough of old rules.
But people like Jian Yuanzi, who directly recommended themselves, were indeed rare.
At this thought, Wu Ming instinctively activated his Heavenly Eye, and immediately made a new discovery: “Hmm? This aura… seems to be…”
“Correct, please accept this humble Daoist into your service!”
Jian Yuanzi’s lips carried a bitter smile.
Frankly speaking, if time permitted, he wouldn’t have chosen such a direct approach—it was extremely prone to failure. Even if he succeeded by luck, he would be seen as someone who gained favor through flattery, inevitably drawing much hostility.
If he had proceeded gradually, leveraging existing connections, he could have minimized this impact and ensured the safest course.
“Unfortunately, my master’s orders… and our sect has already been pushed to the brink. We don’t have the luxury of time to plan carefully, so we must act forcefully…”
Jian Yuanzi sighed inwardly and finally revealed his prepared bargaining chip: “Our sect has developed two informants within Dingzhou City, and we’re willing to contribute one thousand taels of silver and ten thousand shi of grain supplies to the Governor!”
“Oh? Your sect seems to be quite determined!”
Precious metals no longer impressed Wu Zhi, but the mention of informants and grain supplies did move her slightly, though she also wore a faint sneer.
This Daoist sect was so eager for quick success—if they hadn’t encountered Wu Zhi, they might have been slaughtered like pigs fattened for slaughter. Hiding one’s wealth has always been a timeless truth. How else could one flaunt their wealth before a powerful warlord who held life-and-death authority?
Wu Ming, watching from the side, also found this quite amusing: “Indeed, Daoists do seem a bit eccentric… Could it be an elite product from their blessed mountains and hidden caves?”
In terms of political scheming and intrigue, either of the two present could easily manipulate Jian Yuanzi like a puppet.
Though Jian Yuanzi didn’t know why, his spine suddenly felt chilled, giving him a premonition of impending misfortune.
“Well then, since you sincerely wish to join me, I shall accept these offerings!”
Wu Zhi waved her hand and looked toward Wu Ming.
Clearly, regarding matters involving the supernatural, she still preferred to entrust everything to Wu Ming’s supervision.
Otherwise, judging from the few Daoist retainers previously maintained by the Wu family, who couldn’t even deliver messages to the Dragon Palace efficiently, it would indeed be quite troublesome.
“Husband, everything is left to you!”
With a light laugh, Wu Zhi gracefully departed, leaving behind the anxious Jian Yuanzi.
“This person is said to be Wu Zhi’s husband. I wonder what kind of talent he is… Fortunately, the Governor has already left. I can now use my magic to take a closer look…”
Jian Yuanzi felt uneasy in his heart. Suddenly gritting his teeth, he activated his Four Symbols Spirit Eyes to observe Wu Ming.
“Eh?”
Who would have guessed that his spirit eyes, which could penetrate the Governor’s fortune and never failed, could only see a layer of mist when looking at Wu Ming.
Startled, Jian Yuanzi couldn’t help but exclaim.
“There’s no need to show off your half-baked aura-viewing techniques anymore… If I had counterattacked just now, your pair of eyes would have turned into two bloody holes!”
Wu Ming chuckled lightly and spoke slowly.
“So you are also a cultivator!”
Jian Yuanzi said solemnly, many previous puzzles now finding explanations.
Yet now, looking at Wu Ming, who appeared like an ordinary man, his eyes filled with shock.
Even his master, a Xiantian expert of the Four Symbols Sect at his peak, would give him a slight sense when concealing his power, but now, Wu Ming looked like a completely ordinary mortal, showing no abnormality whatsoever.
“To deceive my Spirit Eyes requires the great ability to gather into form or scatter into mist. Could this person be a Xianren (Immortal)? No! Impossible…”
Jian Yuanzi’s mind raced when he suddenly heard Wu Ming’s voice again: “You’re from the Four Symbols Sect, aren’t you? That White Tiger Metal Killing Qi of yours can’t fool anyone!”
At these words, Jian Yuanzi was instantly struck like by lightning, unable to speak for a long time.
He looked into Wu Ming’s eyes.
The other’s expression was calm, his gaze gentle, yet Jian Yuanzi felt that his entire being was completely exposed before Wu Ming.
“The Four Symbols Immortal is dead! You Four Symbols Sect members coming here, are you trying to prop up the Dragon Throne again? Or do you have other intentions?”
Hearing Wu Ming directly mention the tragedy of his sect, Jian Yuanzi’s face changed again.
“Never mind, you don’t need to speak… I’ll see for myself!”
Wu Ming chuckled lightly and beckoned to Jian Yuanzi. After all, the Four Symbols Immortal had originally died at his hands. If any clues were discovered, it might bring some trouble.
His hand was as white and smooth as jade, the skin taut and elastic, full of vitality. Yet when Jian Yuanzi saw this hand reaching toward him, he felt the entire world pressing down upon him. The White Tiger Spirit Sword and Metal Killing Sword Qi, which he had long since refined to perfection, showed no reaction at all. He couldn’t help but cry out in alarm: “Earth Immortal’s Domain? You’re an Earth Immortal? No! Even compared to my ancestors, this domain power is…”
Jian Yuanzi gave a bitter smile, withdrew his techniques, and offered no resistance.
After all, he knew well that before such an Earth Immortal, with his mere Zhenren cultivation level, he absolutely had no chance of resistance. Recklessly attacking would only invite ridicule and greater calamity.
Buzzing!
His body involuntarily floated into the air, unable to even move a finger, let alone draw upon his magic.
“You didn’t resist? Good, I like smart people!”
Wu Ming praised, then flicked his sleeve. Dense, radiant light, almost tangible, surged into Jian Yuanzi’s seven orifices.
“Ahh…”
Jian Yuanzi’s face twisted in pain as countless memories surfaced in his dazed mind.
“No… Don’t think about that!”
He screamed inwardly, but to no avail. The more he tried not to recall, the clearer that event appeared in his consciousness.
In a quiet chamber, the Four Symbols Sect Leader’s face was twisted with hatred, muttering his grand plan: obtaining the Dragon Qi’s protection, inciting rebellion to establish a kingdom, seizing heavenly fortune, and finally suffering the backlash…
“Hehehe…”
Who knew how long had passed, Jian Yuanzi slumped to the ground, drenched in cold sweat, his heart filled with utmost terror, hoarsely whispering: “You… you can directly access my Yuan Shen memories…”
“Hehe… A ruined sect dares to harbor such ambitions, plotting to seize my family’s foundation. Tell me… how should I deal with you?”
Wu Ming’s smile carried a teasing edge.
“I’m no match for you, so I’ll accept whatever punishment you deem fit…”
Jian Yuanzi gritted his teeth, his voice filled with hatred.
“That would be too lenient for you… Besides, it seems your fellow disciples and members of the Four Symbols Sect merely wish for peaceful lives, and it’s just your sect leader who insists on his own way, right?”
Wu Ming stroked his chin thoughtfully: “You’re lucky. Others usually like to kill a chicken to scare the monkeys, but I prefer the opposite—kill the monkey to scare the chickens! Let’s go!”
With one grab, Wu Ming lifted Jian Yuanzi, who felt as light as a feather, and quickly flew out of the manor, speeding toward a certain location.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The howling wind blew fiercely. Unable to summon his true energy to protect himself, Jian Yuanzi’s eyes turned red and teared up: “Where are you taking me?”
“Obviously to your Four Symbols Sect’s temporary base, to pay a visit to your master, the Four Symbols Sect Leader, and have a little chat…”
Wu Ming smiled calmly, his eyes carrying a strange glint.
The last remnants and savings of a heavenly cave sect should bring me a little surprise, shouldn’t they?
At the very least, there must be no shortage of rare spiritual flowers and seeds—better than me searching slowly on my own.
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