Chapter 116: Dream Immortal, Sticky Rod Bureau
Lin Shou Zhuo looked at those first-rate experts personally welcomed by Lu Jing, squinting his eyes as he said,
“This negotiation meeting is actually the higher-ups wanting to consolidate the scattered Martial Path circles in Wuqing County and establish the Wuqing Stick Bureau.
First, to rectify the increasingly chaotic order in Wuqing County, and second… it’s no different from carving up territory, pulling in allies, and squeezing out outsiders.”
Hearing Lin Shou Zhuo say this, Chen Shun’an, Sun Xiao, and the others immediately felt relieved.
Very good, their Water Station was within the carved-up territory.
Golden ginkgo leaves rustled down with the wind, covering the pathway.
Chen Shun’an and the others casually found a long table set up by the pond, under the ginkgo tree, and sat down.
The pond water had lessened considerably compared to summer, making it appear even clearer, encompassing the frost-tinted red maples on the shore, the half-withered remnant lotuses, and the rugged fake mountains entirely within it.
It could be considered flowing cups along a winding stream, with fruits and snacks fully available on the tables.
Truly a stunning autumn scene.
Sun Xiao took two sips of the chrysanthemum tea prepared by the Martial Arts Hall and said,
“Practicing martial arts here makes one’s state of mind broaden; it’s much better than our Water Station, which is both damp and cramped.”
Cheng Bin said wistfully, “If I could bring Xiao Man here, strolling arm in arm, admiring chrysanthemums and autumn, that would truly be a worldly delight.”
“This simping（ fool）!”
Chen Shun’an and Sun Xiao both cursed inwardly in unison.
With nothing much to do on either side, a cool breeze blowing.
Chen Shun’an suddenly felt sleepy and immediately drooped his head, shrinking behind the long table, half-awake and half-asleep.
Last night’s all-night cultivation, plus the mental exhaustion from slaying the ear thief, quickly recovering.
His overall strength also slowly improving in this lazy state.
One could say sleeping till the western sky, who knew the Universe was vast in the dream.
“Look at Old Chen…”
Sun Xiao glanced over from Chen Shun’an, nudging Cheng Bin with his elbow.
Cheng Bin shook his head, merely turning his body to block Chen Shun’an behind him, providing cover for him.
Old Chen had seemed increasingly listless lately for some reason, always drowsy, even sometimes dozing off hard while standing in line to scoop water.
The two didn’t know why, assuming Old Chen was overworking himself at night.
No self-control…
On the other side.
Lin Shou Zhuo and the other first-rate experts were all gathered around the ancestral hall, sitting with Lu Jing, Nie Zheng, and others, verifying Martial Path secrets and discussing Sacred Dynasty affairs.
In their words, they held Lu Jing, this Martial Arts Hall chief instructor and Director, in the highest regard.
Lu Jing came from humble origins, merely a countryside lad, yet through multiple stepping stones, he rose to his current position, and moreover, cultivating《 Jade Flaw Imperfect Art》 polished his qi and blood physique almost to the pinnacle of the first-rate Martial Artist realm.
He had already transformed from a Martial Path upstart into a hero renowned in the region.
Especially after Lu Jing sparred casually with Nie Zheng, Yun Ruo, and several other Martial Artists, defeating them effortlessly without much effort, the crowd’s awe toward him became unspeakable.
However, the more this was the case, the more awkward the Water Station gang members on site, especially Zhou Qing and Lin Shou Zhuo, felt.
Lu Jing had been Zhao Guangxi’s trusted subordinate back then, one could say handpicked and promoted by him, the main pillar for blocking punches and holding the scene.
In the end, he sought a better lord, with his strength advancing by leaps and bounds; the resentment and old grudge naturally went without saying.
“Alright.”
Lu Jing clapped his hands, instantly drawing the attention of all the first-rate experts present.
Especially since Lu Jing had mastered some kind of sound-condensing thread technique, a strange door skill that disturbed the senses; the voices from the ancestral hall side didn’t leak out at all.
Even second-rate experts just one step away noticed nothing.
Lu Jing said, “With the mountain lord’s trust and County Magistrate Wang’s directive, I temporarily take charge of the Wuqing Stick Bureau’s overall affairs.”
“Of course, as everyone knows, this Wuqing Stick Bureau is merely imitating the Capital City’s Shang Yu Reserve Office, like a painted tiger that’s more like a dog; privately, we still each mind our own…”
Lu Jing smiled fully, cupping his hands and raising them to his forehead, saluting His Majesty.
Then, Lu Jing changed the topic, his expression turning solemn, an invisible pressure spreading out; the crowd felt their breathing become somewhat labored.
Lu Jing said coldly, “But without rules, nothing takes shape. The Wuqing Stick Bureau also divides into Inner Department and Outer Department. The Inner Department is the core, with leadership roles.”
“Every first-rate expert here enters the Inner Department and can recommend one quota, selecting the worthy and capable, then after Inner Department public review and vote, they can also join the Inner Department; overseas they’re all into so-called constitutional democracy now, so we’ll imitate that once.”
“The remaining second-rate experts form the Outer Department, capturing thieves and criminals, patrolling mountains and running errands.”
“Additionally, the higher-ups have decided to tap into the treasuries of all forces in Wuqing County, pooling resources: Water Station provides ‘Five Wheels Eight Treasures Immortal Water’, Pounding House provides ‘Changyao Pine Scented Rice’, fish gang provides various Precious Fish, and the Four Great Huo will provide ‘Stone Immortal Peach’ and other mountain treasures, several superior Martial Arts manuals.”
“Rewards based on merit, doing our utmost to cultivate more first-rate experts!”
At these words, the whole venue fell silent, many exchanging glances.
The Inner Department and Outer Department division upfront was acceptable.
The closer to the center of power, the more resources and benefits.
Squeezing into the first-rate experts’ circle was naturally a tremendous fortune for others.
To put it bluntly, even a little resource or insight leaking from a first-rate expert’s fingers was enough to be a treasure for second-rate Martial Artists.
But pooling resources, even throwing heavy money to forge more first-rate experts—it felt like preparing for war?!
But if preparing for war, where did this enemy come from?
Everyone initially thought it was just the Government Offices using the Guo Lu Society as a pretext to raise funds and levy manpower, but now it seemed there was more to it?
After all, a mere Guo Lu Society was strong, but not an all-out assault, far from warranting such a reaction from Lu Jing and the others.
Lu Jing looked toward Yuan Miao Zhu sitting not far away and said, “Yuan Miao Zhu, why don’t you explain?”
The crowd followed his gaze.
Yuan Miao Zhu was dressed splendidly today, in bright red Daoist robes, wearing a nine-beam Daoist crown, youthful face with white hair like a crane, sitting there truly like…
A charlatan.
But evidently, many ate this up, looking over with eyes full of awe.
Yuan Miao Zhu sighed softly, “A Great Demon has appeared in the Grand Canal. A true… Great Demon!”
Yuan Miao Zhu then recounted the events of the past few days: tracking the Snake Demon with Lin Shou Zhuo, Zhou Qing, and others, the Snake Demon’s gruesome death, and accidentally discovering another terror so great even the flounder-eyed fish didn’t dare leak it.
The crowd looked inquiringly at Zhou Qing.
Zhou Qing said lowly, “It’s true. Moreover, these past few days we’ve sent more manpower to search the waters near Banye Ferry Crossing, discovering a significant increase in the number of Demons appearing underwater.
A Great Demon’s movement must have omens, demonic flames soaring, countless followers, Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals leading the charge. Now it seems Wuqing County is facing a great calamity.”
At these words, everyone’s faces suddenly turned grim.
Zhou Qing was also a veteran first-rate expert, acquainted with many present.
Zhou Qing’s words had extremely high credibility.
But it had only been a short three hundred years since the last Flood Dragon passage flooded Wuqing County.
Why did it have to happen in our time?
As for fleeing…
Most first-rate experts here relied on Wuqing County’s provisions and offerings, enjoying various benefits, with the court reducing taxes and exempting corvée, no kneeling in court.
You’ve enjoyed all the benefits, and when trouble comes, you want to withdraw—it’s not that simple?
A single baojia system loomed before them, enough to dispel the cowardice in many hearts.
Die in battle, wrapped in horsehide or swallowed by Demons—at least the family is preserved, earning the name of a loyal and righteous lineage.
Flee, and it’s extermination of the whole clan, implicating nine generations, even ancestral graves dug up and corpses exposed!
Lu Jing scanned the crowd, seeing caution or worry in their eyes, and couldn’t help but say loudly,
“Everyone, we Martial Artists eat the ruler’s salary, bear the ruler’s worries. Having enjoyed the people’s fat and oil, we naturally must protect our homeland. Moreover…”
Lu Jing chuckled softly, “If we achieve great merit in slaying the Demon this time, the Four Great Daoist Academies have promised eight Year-end Grand Celebration quotas to our Wuqing County.”
“Year-end Grand Celebration?”
“Tongzhou City’s Four Great Daoist Academies—Yueshan, Aoshan, Fengchi, Longguang—all grasp the paths for Martial Artists to Enter the Dao through Martial Arts and Shed Mortal Coil and Ascend to Immortality. Usually only one or two quotas are released; this is really opening the immortal path wide?”
“Isn’t it obvious? The higher-ups are using Year-end Grand Celebration quotas to make us work like oxen and horses… whatever, it’s not like I haven’t done it before.”
The crowd buzzed with discussion, clearly piqued with interest.
Afterward, Lu Jing laid out specific regulations on Guo Lu Society gangsters possibly stealing corpses, underwater Great Demon, Year-end Grand Celebration, etc., drawing elite forces from major powers for different areas…
A makeshift organization gradually took shape.
Lu Jing spoke at the right moment, interrupting the noisy discussions: “Alright, with everyone here today, submit the names, cultivation, and backgrounds of those you wish to recommend for Inner Department quotas, and review them publicly while we’re at it.”
Everyone huddled and whispered.
Zhou Qing looked at Lin Shou Zhuo and said, “The Landlord has already instructed me to recommend He Qiang, and you to recommend Wei Feng.”
Wei Feng was the shopkeeper of a fresh water well under Zhao Guangxi, with second-rate late stage cultivation.
Hearing this, Lin Shou Zhuo frowned and said gravely,
“I want to recommend… Chen Shun’an.”
Zhou Qing narrowed his eyes and said, “This is the Landlord’s order.”
Lin Shou Zhuo puffed on his tobacco pouch, his ashen face showing an oil-and-salt-impervious stubbornness like a stone in a cesspit,
“I’ll personally apologize to the Landlord afterward.”
Zhou Qing said helplessly,
“Think it over, Chen Shun’an is only second-rate mid stage, strength insufficient, and over fifty years old; even if you submit the name, it might be rejected.”
Lin Shou Zhuo shook his head and said,
“Worth a try. Joining the Inner Department carries risks, requiring running around with us, exposed to wind and dew, combating Great Demons, but for Old Chen, it’s also an opportunity. Otherwise, without tremendous opportunity, he’s probably hopeless for first-rate realm in this lifetime.”
Precisely because Lin Shou Zhuo had suffered stuck at the first-rate bottleneck for years, he knew the hardships all too well.
Seeing Lin Shou Zhuo’s reaction, Zhou Qing said no more.
Recommendation lists were submitted one by one.
Outside the ancestral hall, those second-rate Martial Artists sitting along the pond, blowing in the autumn wind, were immensely curious about what this group of first-rate experts was secretly up to.
But they could only bide their time, idly picking at dried fruit and tea, chatting aimlessly with those beside them.
