Promise!

Chapter 231, Testing

Time flies, and another month has passed. As the saying goes, they studied together, fought together, and... After several experiences at the Immortal Pavilion, Zhuang Jin further integrated into the circle.

In the circle, Zhuang Jin had a good relationship with the unconventional Min Zhongmin and Bi Boyi, who were from the same prefecture city, because they often went to Dengxian Pavilion together. However, he was not too close to He Zhaoyi because the latter had a slightly lower bottom line.

It's normal for people to be close or distant within a circle.

Of the other four, Hong Baoshu was quite friendly, and later even exchanged wild purple bamboo fruits with Zhuang Jin. Their relationship was fairly good over time. Cen Zhanshan was too old, so there was a generation gap, but they were still on good terms. Feng Qingyin taught at Qingfeng Martial Academy and, apart from the monthly small circle gatherings, didn't concern himself with outside affairs, so they were just nodding acquaintances. Leng Kui was unlikely to attend the monthly small circle gatherings, as he often went into the Funiu Mountains to search for exotic beasts, fight, and challenge his own limits, so there was less contact between them.

As Zhuang Jin integrated into the inner circle, like a drop of water flowing into a stream, she remained unnoticed and truly blended in with the world.

It can be said that Zhuang Jin is now no different from the innate venerables from the state city. He looks inconspicuous and does not seem like a newcomer without a foundation or connections. Even if he encounters injustice or is manipulated, he cannot make a sound.

Of course, under the strategy of "blending in with the world and keeping a low profile", the overall threat level of the Suspended Heaven Division is "D-level". The state government and the three major families will not be so idle as to dig a pit to control him. Moreover, apart from the state government and the three major families, a dignified innate venerable is not someone that anyone can control.

The days passed peacefully until the first day of October, when Zhuang Jin accepted a two-striped Xuan Snake-level mission from the Xuantian Division.

As mentioned before, every three months, a task of the corresponding level must be completed to maintain privileges. Now that Zhuang Jin is a Two-Pattern Mystic Serpent Token holder, he naturally needs to complete a corresponding Two-Pattern Mystic Serpent level task.

However, since this kind of routine task was fine, Zhuang Jin didn't want to look for any excitement. So he chose the town defense task in the eastern part of the Fifth Ring Road, which required a Xuan Snake-level certificate, had the fewest contribution points, and was the safest option.

……

The eastern part of the Fifth Ring Road is the district seat.

"Street, neighborhood, capital, and above that is district? The duties of guarding the eastern district of the Fifth Ring Road... hmm, why does that feel a little familiar?"

After studying the situation, Zhuang Jin discovered that the duties of the garrison commander of the Fifth Ring Road East District were very similar to those of the ward and street garrison commanders in Diannan Prefecture. He thought to himself, 'I know this very well!'

However, upon closer examination, the underlying logic was found to be different.

In Yunnan's southern prefectures, families like the Shen family and the former Medicine King Gang recruited martial artists into their own households and then directly dispatched them to guard the city in the name of the family or power. In Cangzhou City, however, the Suspended Sky Bureau issued guarding missions in the form of tasks, and martial artists accepted the missions and went there, which is more like outsourcing.

'This outsourcing method is highly beneficial to the three major families!'

There's no need to recruit martial artists and bear the costs of supporting them; simply issuing missions is sufficient. Guarding these missions takes anywhere from a month to several months, and there's no need to worry about the kind of deeply entrenched and uncontrollable problems that once plagued the eastern part of Yunnan Prefecture. With a single Innate Venerable stationed in each region, these Venerables won't give face to any spoiled brats, effectively deterring aristocratic scions from acting recklessly. Post-mission assessments and evaluations are conducted, and the Suspended Heaven Bureau can hold anyone accountable for any problems that arise…

In extreme cases, the responsibilities and rewards for this type of mission are explained in advance, but if something happens to you during the mission, there is no compensation.

By enjoying the benefits without absorbing the drawbacks, Zhuang Jin finally understood why so many organizations in her previous life preferred outsourcing.

However, nothing in this world is all good and no bad.

For example, Zhuang Jin's two-striped Xuan Snake-level mission only offers two Xuan Snake Certificates and 100,000 contribution points per month. Do you really think that's enough to make a Xiantian Venerable like him risk his life? He might as well give up and go to sleep!

Zhuang Jin thought this way and did this way. Every day at the beginning of the day (9:00 AM), she would leisurely arrive and then at the end of the day (5:00 PM), she would leisurely leave.

The main responsibilities of the Fifth Ring Road East District Garrison are: 1. To conduct normal tax collection; 2. To maintain basic order and stability, and not to provoke public anger or resentment.

For these two points, he only needs to act as a mascot, and that's enough.

As for other things that can be done or not done, then don't do them. If you don't do them, you won't make mistakes, and you won't be afraid of the verification by the Heavenly Bureau. As for other issues that can be handled or not handled, then just ignore them. If you can't see them, they don't exist.

Zhuang Jin had no interest in taking on extra responsibilities. He genuinely believed that if he did even a little more, he would be doing a disservice to the relatively 'pitiful and meager' benefits he received for the task.

This policy of non-interference, which avoids affecting the interests of all parties, naturally prevents anyone from trying to provoke him or cause trouble for the governor of the eastern part of the Fifth Ring Road, resulting in a harmonious atmosphere.

Time flew by as Zhuang Jin checked in, ate, drank, cultivated, trained the purple kangaroo, and slept all night. Before he knew it, it was the end of the month.

October 29th.

During a break from his cultivation, Zhuang Jin went out for a cup of tea to relax. Just then, the steward came over to report.

"Lord Zhuang, a fight has broken out on the shore of Taiyuan Lake in our jurisdiction. This matter... may require your intervention."

After a month of stagnation, something finally happened?

Zhuang Jin also had the idea of ​​going out for a stroll to clear his mind, so he stood up and asked, "Oh, I wonder which family's playboy you are?"

"Lord Zhuang, this matter involves a Celestial Venerable."

"Is it?"

Zhuang Jin calmly turned around and sat down again, waving his hand with an expression that said, "What's it to me?": "If I remember correctly, there are precedents for this kind of thing. Send them to the Suspended Heaven Division!"

If it were just some spoiled brats, that would be fine. But if it involves innate abilities, getting involved is a huge loss, whether it's mediating, which is exhausting and pleases neither side, or having to do favors and save face yourself.

With only 100,000 contribution points a month, why risk your life?

"Yes, Venerable Zhuang, that's usually the case, but... Lord Zhuang, one of the people involved said that you are his brother-in-law."

'Oh, this really concerns me?' Zhuang Jin frowned as she looked over.

……

One of the people involved was Mu Bai.

Previously, after being toughened up by society, this kid finally came to his senses and tried to get close to him. However, Zhuang Jin felt that he was not familiar with this person and could not say that there was any affection between them. Naturally, he was too lazy to bother to find another spot to send this guy to Bailu Martial Academy. Out of consideration for this kid's cousin Mu Qingyuan, he simply said a word and sent him to Qingfeng Martial Academy, where Feng Qingyin was nominally teaching.

Today, Mu Bai took a day off and went out for a trip with his classmates. This kid is quite clever; he knows there are too many people in the inner ring that he can't afford to offend, so he didn't go into the area within the third ring road. Instead, he and his classmates went to Taiyuan Lake in the fifth ring road, which is under Zhuang Jin's jurisdiction.

As soon as he arrived, he somehow ran into Shangguan Yunchang. This guy was incorrigible, his sycophantic nature kicked in, and he got a beating.

"Well, the steward calling it a fight is really giving Mu Bai too much credit. He was just reporting it to Zhuang Jin and avoiding mentioning it. On his way here, Zhuang Jin heard the whole story and knew that Mu Bai running into Shangguan Yun Chang was probably not a coincidence. Shangguan Yun Chang was after him, and he had a pretty good idea of ​​why."

However, when he came over and saw Mu Bai's bruised and swollen face and pitiful appearance, his eyes twitched involuntarily, but he pretended not to know and stepped forward to greet her with clasped hands, saying, "Miss Shangguan, we meet again. I heard that this boy offended you, so I have come to apologize on his behalf."

"There's no need for apologies. The last two meetings were inappropriate. This time, I'd like to ask Brother Zhuang for some advice. Let's just let today's matter drop."

As Shangguan Yunchang spoke, she used her movement technique, "Floating Clouds Through Snow," which possessed a heroic spirit of "remaining calm amidst chaotic clouds" and a graceful movement like walking in the snow. In just a flash, she arrived in the lake.

'This woman has actually broken through to the third level of the Innate True Qi Realm.'

Zhuang Jin thought to himself, then stepped forward and followed.

Swish swish!
The two glided across the water, striking swiftly. In an instant, sword energy crisscrossed, and sword light, like bolts of lightning, raged, splitting the lake water into ravines several feet deep.

After about a hundred moves, the two roughly figured out each other's strength, and with a tacit understanding, they distanced themselves and drew their swords at the same time.

Wow!
Zhuang Jin twirled his Azure Lotus Sword, splitting into sixteen sword lights that rotated like gears, converging into a silver disc that bloomed with lotus flowers along the way.

Shangguan Yunchang rose up like a celestial being descending from the heavens. With a single strike of her Queyue Sword, a crescent-shaped sword aura swept westward, revealing the snow-capped mountains above, followed by the rising of a full moon.

boom!
The two sword energies collided, and the lake water surged up instantly, rising nearly ten feet into the air, exposing the silt at the bottom of the lake, which then turned into a torrential downpour.

At this moment, in Taiyuan Lake, countless blue lotuses fell on one side, and countless tiny specks of light, like moonlight or white snow, drifted down, causing the many spectators who were gradually gathering on the shore to exclaim in surprise.

The final blow was a draw.

Zhuang Jin knew, however, that although it seemed like a draw, she had actually lost.

Shangguan Yunchang had only recently broken through, while he had already completed 30% of the accumulation of the third level of the Innate True Qi Realm. However, such a result was not unexpected.

The Taixu Sword Technique is naturally inferior to the sword techniques and martial arts used by Shangguan Yunchang, and the same goes for weapons. The Qinglian Sword is quite good in Yunnan Prefecture, but to say that it is unparalleled in the world is self-deception. It is far inferior to Shangguan Yunchang's Queyue Sword.

"Miss Shangguan, why do you seem hostile towards me today?"

"You really don't know?" Amidst the falling blue lotus blossoms and the moonlight, Shangguan Yunchang sheathed her sword and stared into Zhuang Jin's eyes, asking with a half-smile.

"My first meeting with Miss Shangguan was at Tongfu Teahouse, and there was nothing unpleasant about it. The second time was when we wiped out the Freemasons. I got there before Miss Shangguan, and at the time, she didn't seem to be worried at all... Given Miss Shangguan's strong and capable nature, I don't think she will hold a grudge against me for what happened today."

As Zhuang Jin spoke, a perfectly timed look of doubt appeared on her face.

Shangguan Yunchang observed Zhuang Jin's subtle expressions, paused for a few breaths, and then suddenly laughed. Her smile was like a bright moon shining on a snow-capped mountain peak: "We have no grudges against each other. Just now... I was just joking with you!"

……

"Brother-in-law, I really didn't cause trouble today. After I went over, before I could even say a word, that female venerable one started beating me..." Mu Bai said aggrievedly.

"I understand. You go first!"

Zhuang Jin waved his hand, letting Mu Bai go, knowing that the boy's misfortune today was largely undeserved, and that Shangguan Yun Chang was after him.

Yes, he knows the specific reason.

After realizing that the token of the Suspended Sky Division might be problematic, Zhuang Jin certainly wouldn't speak ill of the three great families or the state government. In fact, he even subtly showed his appreciation and satisfaction with the system, mentioning it to Shangguan Yunchang a few times. Besides testing the waters, it was also laying the groundwork for future plans.

The initial plan Mu Qing made was to reach the Innate True Qi Realm, which was the first stage. The strategy was to blend in with the world and bide one's time.

The Innate Qi Realm is the second stage. The strategy for dealing with it is to remain unmoved and cultivate good relationships.

Even with Zhuang Jin's special circumstances and various advantages, once he reaches the Innate Corpse-Slaying Realm, he will inevitably face immense pressure. Mu Qing's best solution is... a marriage alliance!
—The reason why Chen Yun, Mu Qing, and Shen Xujun did not come to the city was not only because they did not want to become Zhuang Jin's weakness, but also because it was a prelude to this step.

Throughout history and across lifetimes, marriage has always been the best option for alliances—simple, direct, and effective. Zhuang Jin's bottom line is that, in order to alleviate pressure, she is even willing to marry into the family.

Since it's a marriage alliance, there naturally needs to be women from the three great families as targets. Shangguan Yunchang is the first choice for now. Zhuang Jin mentioned it intentionally or unintentionally, which was to lay the groundwork for the future.

'Shangguan Yunchang came so quickly, did she find out about my test? But how could someone of her level know about such a well-hidden eavesdropping incident?'

'No, Shangguan Yunchang is one of the seeds of the next head of the Shangguan family. In order to temper her heart in the mortal world, it's quite possible that Shangguan Yunchang will be involved.'

Zhuang Jin realized: 'Shangguan Yunchang's visit this time wasn't just revenge after learning of my repeated offensive remarks in private; she probably also suspects I'm an imposter and wants to use me as a pawn to gain merit and advance her own position as head of the Shangguan family!'

'This little vixen is really vengeful, and she's also quite clever and alert...' He suddenly felt a toothache.

Well, these two, one of them has even come up with all sorts of clichéd scenarios of chance encounters and conquest strategies, showing no shame whatsoever for being a kept man, wanting to arrange a marriage and become his son-in-law to reduce future pressure; the other is extremely wary, wanting to use the other as a stepping stone to gain merit, improve his ranking, and compete for the next head of the Shangguan family... Neither of them is exactly upright, so neither of them should criticize the other.

……

'Zhuang Jin's performance in the city wasn't absolutely perfect, without any flaws, but generally speaking, he made the right moves every step of the way.'

Upon reviewing her actions, Shangguan Yunchang realized that even knowing everything, if she put herself in Zhuang Jin's shoes and wanted to reduce the attention she received, the three major families wouldn't see her as a threat, and she wouldn't have done any better than Zhuang Jin.

'Today's test showed this person reacted normally, without any problems, but why do I feel something is amiss? Is this person truly as they appear?'

As Shangguan Yunchang recalled the scenes she had witnessed with Zhuang Jin, she couldn't quite believe it.

A thought suddenly struck her: the end of the year was approaching, and this year, on the eve of the Lunar New Year, there was a small-scale energy tide in the Funiu Mountains…

……

(End of this chapter)