Starting with the creation of the Immortal Clan through the compilation of the family genealogy.

Chapter 8 The New Magistrate's Knife and Porridge
The main hall of Wufeng County Government Office.

An unusually somber and tense atmosphere filled the air.

The usual casual whispers disappeared. The constables stood ramrod straight, hands on their swords, their gazes fixed on the young yet imposing figure in the hall with either awe or curiosity.

Meng Xihong changed into a brand-new, crisply washed dark blue yamen uniform. The fabric was thicker than the ordinary constable's black robe, and the shoulders and cuffs were embroidered with cloud patterns representing authority in a dark thread.

The clothes he wore did not make him look bulky at all; on the contrary, they accentuated his broad shoulders and back, and the calm and imposing aura between his brows spread out silently.

He held no gavel, only a goose-feather waist saber, freshly drawn from the storeroom, its blade gleaming with a cold, eerie light. His large hand gripped the hilt tightly, his knuckles turning slightly white.

"Brothers." Meng Xihong's voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears, carrying a unique penetrating power.

"The blood from Black Wind Pass hasn't dried yet. Brother Wang's wounds still hurt. The wronged souls of our fallen brothers are still watching from heaven!"

His gaze slowly swept over every face in the hall, sharp as a knife, dissecting and crushing the slight disdain, hesitation, or wishful thinking that arose in the hearts of those present due to the new official's arrival.

"I, Meng Xihong, am here today to assume the position of Chief of Wufeng County, thanks to the recommendation of Chief Wang and the trust of the County Magistrate!"

He paused, his voice suddenly turning icy, like icicles falling to the ground, "I don't care how you performed your duties or how you acted before. From this day forward, remember three ironclad rules!"

"First, orders must be obeyed without question! No matter what I command, no one may hesitate or shirk responsibility, no matter if it's a mountain of knives or a sea of ​​fire! Anyone who disobeys will be punished with thirty strokes of the cane!"

"Secondly, mutual support! Comrades are brothers! Those who retreat in battle or fail to come to the rescue are considered traitors and will be executed!"

"Third, don't cross the line! Extorting money and accepting bribes are old news in government offices. I, Meng Xihong, am not a clay puppet who doesn't understand human relationships."

But if anyone uses this body to prey on the villagers, and I find out, I'll chop off their claws and throw them out to feed the dogs!

Every word was powerful and resounding, every sentence dripped with blood!

Especially that last sentence, coupled with the gleaming goose feather knife in his hand and the faint yet slightly stinging aura emanating from him, sent a jolt through all the constables, and a layer of cold sweat instantly seeped down their backs.

Several people who were not usually very clean turned pale and subconsciously shrank back.

"Did you hear me clearly?!" Meng Xihong shouted.

"Listen carefully!" The audience roared in unison, their voices louder and more unified than ever before.

"Good!" Meng Xihong's eyes flashed like lightning as he locked onto several old hands who were known for being troublemakers.

"Zhang Kui, Li Meng! You two take a team and set off immediately. Keep a close watch on all the entrances and exits to Black Wind Pass! I need to know what even a fly that flies in looks like!"

"Zhao Tian, ​​Sun Huowang! You two take another team and search every inn, gambling den, and brothel in the county! That thug is badly injured and will definitely need to find a place to stay and heal! Dig three feet into the ground and find him!"

"The rest of you, take turns on duty and strengthen patrols within the city! Report any suspicious activity immediately! Those who neglect their duties will be severely punished!"

Each instruction was clear and unambiguous, carrying an unquestionable determination to kill.

No one dared to be negligent or careless anymore. They readily accepted the order and quickly began to act according to the plan.

The entire county government office, like a long-dormant machine, was suddenly injected with powerful energy and started running with a roar, its target aimed directly at the lurking bloodthirsty venom!
Meng Xihong stood alone in the empty center of the main hall, slowly sheathing his goose-feather sword.

The cold touch of the knife handle cooled his boiling blood slightly.

The power held by the head of the yamen was heavy, but also a hot potato. This first step in establishing authority was successful. But the real test was yet to come—how to find and eliminate that thorn in his side!

[Daily Divination, Today's Hexagram: Minor Misfortune. An ominous sign lurks in the southeast, lingering bloodshed. It is advisable to remain patient and wait for opportunities; the overall fortune is moderate. Avoid: venturing alone into uncharted territory.]

“A hidden danger lies within the danger…wait and see…” Meng Xihong pondered the divination, his eyes flickering uncertainly.

It seems that taking the initiative is extremely risky. The thug is indeed like a leech, still lingering in the southeast, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

He needs patience, and he needs a large net.

Night fell, in the Meng family courtyard.

The enticing aroma of rice porridge wafted from the kitchen, mixed with a faint scent of herbs.

Bai carefully ladled the soft, well-cooked rice porridge into a bowl and sprinkled a few bright green scallions on top.

One-and-a-half-year-old Meng Yanqing sat on a specially made high wooden stool, her little hands gripping the edge of the table, her eyes fixed on the bowl in her mother's hands, her mouth practically watering. The courtyard gate creaked open, and Meng Xihong walked in, looking cold and exhausted.

His boots were stained with mud, and his brows were etched with a lingering solemnity.

"Pinch!" Meng Yanqing's eyes lit up, and she immediately stretched out her little hand, calling out indistinctly. Her little body twisted on the stool, trying to pounce on her.

Bai hurriedly put down her porridge bowl, went to greet him, and took the sword and the dew-stained outer robe that Meng Xihong had taken off.

As her fingertips touched his slightly cool skin and she felt the unyielding heaviness between his brows, Bai's heart clenched.

"You're back? Sit down and rest. The porridge is just cooked." She said softly, pulling Meng Xihong to sit down at the table and pushing the warm bowl of porridge in front of him.

Meng Xihong looked at the steaming, perfectly cooked rice porridge in front of him, then at his son across from him who was staring at him expectantly with his little mouth moving, and then turned to look at his wife's gentle yet worried eyes beside him.

The ruthless decisions made in the courtroom, the heavy burden on one's shoulders, the deadly threats lurking in the shadows... all the coldness and heaviness seemed to be quietly melted away by the steaming heat and aroma of porridge in this small kitchen.

"Hmm," he responded softly, picked up a spoon, scooped up a spoonful of porridge, but didn't put it in his mouth immediately. He blew on it first, then very naturally brought it to his son's lips.

"Qing'er, be good, open your mouth."

The little one immediately took a big bite of the spoon, his cheeks puffed out as he chewed, his big eyes squinting into crescent moons with happiness.

Seeing his son's satisfied expression, Meng Xihong's tense lips finally softened, revealing a tired but genuine smile.

He then scooped a spoonful for himself, and the warm rice porridge slid down his throat, carrying the simple sweetness of grains and his wife's silent care, instantly soothing Meng Xihong's fatigue.

"The government office... has a lot of work to do?" Bai asked softly, wiping the rice grains from her son's mouth while placing a side dish on Meng Xihong's plate.

"Hmm." Meng Xihong nodded, swallowing the porridge in his mouth. "I just took over, and there are so many things to deal with. The culprit... is still nowhere to be found."

He didn't mention the iron-fisted methods used to establish authority, nor did he speak of the ominous nature of the divination; he simply spoke the most straightforward words.

Bai paused for a moment, not pressing for details, but simply brought over the warmed medicine: "This is what Doctor Sun instructed, to invigorate the muscles and bones, and remove blood stasis. Drink it while it's hot." Her gaze fell on the scar on his shoulder, hidden by his clothes, her eyes filled with heartache.

Meng Xihong took the medicine bowl. The bitter smell made him frown, but under Bai Shi's gentle gaze, he still drank it all in one gulp.

As the medicinal soup entered my stomach, a warm current slowly spread, seemingly relieving even the deep pain in my shoulder blades.

"My lord," Bai's voice softened, trembling slightly, "I know you bear a heavy burden... Qing'er and I can't help you... We only beg you... to take good care of yourself..."

Since Meng Xihong took office, Bai has been worried about her husband who is shouldering heavy responsibilities every day.

Meng Xihong put down the medicine bowl, reached out, and placed his broad, warm palm on Bai's slightly cool hand, gently holding it.

He didn't utter any grand words, but simply gently stroked her skin with his fingertips, conveying a silent promise and strength.

"Don't worry." His voice was deep, carrying a reassuring strength. "For you, for Qing'er, and for our unborn child, I won't let anything happen to me. That thug... won't be around for long."

His gaze was fixed on the pitch-black night outside the window, his eyes sharp as knives, as if trying to pierce through the heavy darkness and lock onto the hidden bloodthirsty aura.

The divination suggests "waiting for a rabbit to run into a tree stump," meaning his trap has already been set.

He needs patience, like a hunter lurking in the darkness, waiting for the perfect moment to deliver the fatal blow.

In the kitchen, the dim, yellow light of the oil lamp gently enveloped the family of three.

After eating and drinking her fill, Meng Yanqing lay on her father's lap, her little head nodding off.

Bai Shi, supporting her back, was about to clear the dishes when Meng Xihong took them away. He gently placed his son in Bai Shi's arms.

“Let me do it, Madam. You go and look after Qing’er. She’s worked hard these past few days. Don’t do these rough jobs for now. I’ll find a couple of people to help out when I get my salary in a couple of days.”

"No one can cook as well as I can to suit your taste. Don't waste your money. Our expenses will increase again after the second baby is born."

"Yes, yes, their cooking is far superior to yours, but we can't let you get too tired, can we? Don't worry about money. Your husband is a second-rate martial artist; he can earn some extra money anywhere. Don't worry about it."

The night was still long. But the lights in the Meng family home shone warmly and steadfastly, as if silently proclaiming: no matter how turbulent the outside world may be, this place will always be a home away from home, a harbor, and a source of strength.

(End of this chapter)