Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 205 Gives Commander Zuo a Shock

Nighttime, in the best restaurant in Tonglu County.

Magistrate Ximen, shielding those around him, specially hosted a banquet for Xu Xuan and Daoist Mao.

At this time, countless people outside wanted to find this rising political star, and even more wanted to find out the inside story.

For example, white lotus, white lotus, and still white lotus.

But Magistrate Ximen ignored them all; even in middle age, he remained as "polite" as ever.

His actions justify his long and unfulfilled tenure as county magistrate.

Tonight he's going to host a banquet for his benefactor.

"Please, Young Master Xu and Daoist Mao, drink this cup to the brim."

"Having seen the demons, I understand why the people on the shore are so afraid. If I lived there, I wouldn't be any better off. To be honest, even now I still feel fear."

Magistrate Ximen rambled on and on, much of it being things he couldn't easily tell those around him.

Perhaps only two people who have no connection with Tonglu could hear these things.

The fear of seeing the true form of a demon, the pride of inheriting the glory of one's ancestors, the exhilaration of being able to unleash one's full potential, and so on.

Of course, the most profound feeling is still the wariness towards the white lotus.

"Alas, the people of Tonglu have suffered many disasters. Isn't the Water God Temple's collusion with the White Lotus Sect a path to its own demise?"

Xu Xuan found it strange. Were the powerful families and imperial authority so afraid of this light-colored lotus?

Looks like those guys did the right thing after all.

"It is said that the imperial court sent the Left Commander of the Imperial Guards, who was in Jiangnan, to lead a small team to search for the remnants of the White Lotus here. They hope that the other party is a law-abiding person, otherwise they will suffer again."

Magistrate Ximen's concerns were not unfounded. The wealthy households in the city were most worried about a large army entering the city, as those soldiers were extremely barbaric and rude.

Xu Xuan was somewhat curious, "Left Commander?"

The son of General Zuo, who cooperated with Yu Gong and others to break through the White Lotus headquarters, was quite a celebrity back then.

I wonder if it's someone he knows.

Of course, we should still offer some advice, because if we get involved and it attracts retaliation from the White Lotus, the common people will be the most pitiful.

It's perfectly normal for Bai Lian to get into trouble; Guo Bei was just a bunch of lunatics causing trouble.

But there's a real Karmapa roaming around Jiangnan, who might be interested in coming to take a look, and if something happens then, it won't be good for anyone.

The relationship between the two sides had become quite close after this incident, so Magistrate Ximen found the advice very helpful.

Young Master Xu is kind-hearted and always thinks of the people. Moreover, he has many methods, but they are all righteous.

No wonder someone like that could become a teacher at Chongqi Academy at such a young age and receive such high praise from Headmaster Shen.

It truly lives up to its reputation.

He felt that he was missing such a good teacher and friend in his daily life. If he had become friends with Brother Hanwen earlier, Tonglu would have been a peaceful place long ago.

Xu Xuan was also very satisfied. Having many friends was one of the advantages; you could always get some information.

Then the banquet ended.

Under the cover of night, Xu secretly sneaked into the secret room where the white lotus was enshrined and left behind a very fresh aquatic scale, which came from the demon soldiers conjured by the black crocodile.

Day two.

As soon as it was light, the Taoist priest rode off on his blue ox with a carefree air, singing a grand song as he left.

"Taoist priest, please wait!"

"Why didn't you even say hello? Our hospitality is not to our liking."

Magistrate Ximen arrived breathlessly on horseback and blocked the city gate.

He offered various gifts to repay the kindness, but the Taoist priest refused them all. In the end, he reluctantly accepted the crocodile skin.

"Master, if there are more demonic threats, how should we find you?"

"That Qiantang Baoan Hall is owned by Young Master Xu; you can leave your letter there."

Magistrate Ximen said he would send them all away after they were skinned, and as for giving them as gifts, if he knew how, he wouldn't have ended up in such a state. Under the admiring gazes of the crowd, Master Mao left the city, leaving behind a legend.

"A true master."

Then Magistrate Ximen looked at Xu Xuan.

"Young Master Xu, please don't leave immediately. You helped me wipe out the Water God Temple's influence this time, so please give me a chance to repay you."

Xu Xuan pondered for a moment, realizing that the other party couldn't grant him a clear identity.

Please ask the other party to speak well of Chongqi when they reply to him.

Xu Xuan then gave several public lectures at a small academy in Tonglu.

As the top instructor of Chongqi, it was only natural for him to show off in a small place, and he also slapped the faces of many talented people in Tonglu.

"If you are confident, you can come to Chongqi Academy to take the exam for students from poor families. We do not distinguish between social status, but only look at academic knowledge."

While they were lecturing, they heard that the imperial army had arrived, so everyone went to see what was going on, and Xu Xuan was no exception.

Of course, he was pulled into the welcoming party by Magistrate Ximen.

According to the other party, it would be beneficial for Young Master Xu to have more interactions with important officials of the court.

It's heartwarming, but you've already ruined your career, and you're still acting as a guiding light for others?
Although there is no longer a distinction between civil and military officials, and most ministers are skilled in both, the current system of civil and military affairs is more complex.

But you don't know as much about the imperial court as I do.

He could only say it in a low voice.

"After General Zuo, the father of Commander Zuo, died in battle on the northern grasslands a few years ago, the Zuo family declined."

"The reason he was sent here is because the matter of Guo Bei happened to be in Jiangnan, while the White Lotus Sect has disappeared without a trace."

"Now there's also a White Lotus uprising in Tonglu, so he must be here looking for clues."

Magistrate Ximen was surprised and said, "So that's how it is."

Then came the utter embarrassment. She had wanted to help Young Master Xu out, but it turned out he knew more than she did. What a mess!

The group waited a short while before they saw the army arrive.

To be precise, what we first saw was smoke and dust, the atmosphere of war, and the billowing smoke of blood and gore.

As the human army approached, the vital energy of heaven and earth was scattered by the blood and qi, and even the spirits and souls became somewhat unstable.

The above refers to other cultivators; Xu Xuan's current feelings are not very strong.

After all these chaotic feelings subsided, they finally saw the general riding towards them with several soldiers.

His gaze was piercing, his brows were furrowed, and his eyes shone with a sharp light.

Clad in ancient, heavy armor engraved with animal-shaped patterns, he exudes an imposing and extraordinary aura, transcending the constraints of ritual and etiquette; it must have been passed down from his ancestors.

A row of swords stood behind him, their sharp aura unstoppable.

He rode a tall, powerful horse with muscular build, its mane flowing like a waterfall, and the sound of its hooves striking the ground with the force of thunder.

Behind him followed several trusted subordinates, each with a fierce aura, their movements forming a unified whole, creating a military formation.

After taking a few glances, Xu Xuan internally assessed the situation and concluded that it was inferior to Yu Gong's chariot force.

Including the leader, Zuo Qianhu, whose martial arts skills were indeed capable of slaying demons and evil spirits.

That alligator dragon would be no match for you in a one-on-one fight on the shore.

However, his aura is too upright, and he is not good at concealing his true abilities. Without guidance and protection, he is unlikely to have a good end.

One glance was enough to tell what kind of person this general was, and that they might cross paths in the future.

The commander on horseback also noticed the scholar beside the magistrate.

He was handsome and refined, with an extraordinary air about him. He remained unmoved even in the face of soldiers and horses, far surpassing most of the scholars he had ever met.

His gaze was a little strange; was it admiration?

(End of this chapter)