Myriad Immortals

Three days later.

Zhong Xuan left at the exact time, arriving at the private room on the top floor of Zuixiang Tower before 5 PM.

Even with money, you might not be able to buy it here.

Wealth is secondary; the key is status.

It is said that several magistrates and assistant magistrates of Baisha County loved to come to this private room.

Zhong Xuan even heard in his early years that a secret passage was specially designed in this private room, just to facilitate the county magistrate's secret meetings with the courtesan.

Of course, all of the above are rumors.

Zhong Xuan only learned after he became a scholar that Magistrate Zhou had not been intimate with women for seven or eight years in order to practice his martial arts.

"Truly magnificent."

Zhong Xuan gazed at the ornately decorated rooftops and sighed with emotion.

For a mere constable like Yan Shuoting to host a banquet here, it's not just that he has a wide circle of customers, but he has also really gone to great lengths.

Upon reaching the second floor, the quick-witted waiter had been replaced by a pretty maid who gracefully led Zhong Xuan to the door of the only private room, where she stopped and waited.

Zhong Xuan entered the room.

Besides Yan Shuoting, there was also a middle-aged man who looked to be in his early forties.

Naturally, this refers to the official history of Baisha County.

"Greetings, Magistrate Jiang."

Zhong Xuan cupped his hands in greeting to the middle-aged man.

As a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations, he was not required to bow to the county magistrate; this was already a great courtesy.

Jiang Li, the clerk, was still feeling down because someone had died in the Black Prison, but seeing how polite Zhong Xuan was to him, his mood improved considerably.

In the county government, the county magistrate was undoubtedly the highest-ranking official.

Next came the county magistrate and the registrar, and only then did he, the clerk, get his turn.

In the official system of the Qing Kingdom, most of the clerks were actually not considered high-ranking officials, but this varied from person to person and from place to place.

He worked hard for half his life and finally managed to get the position of Registrar of the Ninth Rank.

Although it was the lowest of the nine ranks and eighteen grades, it was still a real official position.

However, some self-righteous scholars looked down on him as a crude and uncouth man, and now that he was being treated with courtesy by Zhong Xuan, the top scholar, he couldn't help but feel smug.

"Master Zhong".

People praise each other.

Zhong Xuan was polite, and Jiang Li naturally wouldn't be arrogant either.

This official, who held real power over criminal justice and public security, wasn't kind to everyone. It was because of Zhong Xuan's status as a government-subsidized student that he might become his superior after passing the imperial examination the following year.

He was being polite about Zhong Xuan's potential.

Yan Shuoting, the middleman, spoke up at the opportune moment: "Lord Jiang, Brother Zhong has long heard of your reputation and has actually been wanting to visit you for a long time, but unfortunately you have been too busy with official duties to have the opportunity."

When he heard that Zhong Xuan, who was quite famous in Baisha County, had asked to see him.

Jiang Li's mood immediately improved.

When you're an official, who doesn't want to be called upon?

"You little brat, don't flatter me."

Jiang Li chuckled and scolded, then looked at Zhong Xuan: "It's my fault that I only got to meet such an outstanding person as Brother Zhong today."

Quietly.

He then changed the way he addressed him to "older brother" or "younger brother".

He was even more aware that he should not mention his official position, which he often talked about.

With the host and guests getting along well, the atmosphere naturally became lively after a few rounds of drinks.

Jiang Li's cheeks flushed, and he exhaled the smell of alcohol from his mouth: "Brother Zhong, if there's anything you need, as your younger brother, I'll definitely do it for you if it's within my power."

Zhong Xuan glared at him:

"Vulgar."

"The older brother admires the younger brother's reputation for fairness and righteousness. Enough said, let's drink."

Now.

Even Yan Shuoting, the middleman, was taken aback.

"There really are picture titles."

Given Zhong Xuan's age and status, it suddenly seemed quite authentic.

Stunned for a moment, Jiang Li's interest was piqued even more, and before she knew it, she had drunk several more cups.

"Brother, I've heard about it. You made a great contribution when you killed the Black Witch Cult. The magistrate's memorial has already passed through the government office, and Fengqiao Post Station will send it to the capital soon."

"In addition, Magistrate Zhou also plans to reward those who participated for their contributions."

"The younger brother will definitely put in a good word for his older brother then."

Zhong Xuan put his arm around Jiang Li's shoulder and said, "Then thank you in advance, brother."

That night, there was an official who was specifically responsible for observing the battlefield and recording merits.

It's likely that his sneak attack on the Red-tailed Wolf was also recorded.

It went on until the early hours of the morning.

Zhong Xuan then left Zuixiang Tower.

Jiang Li originally planned to use the transfer order to open the city gates and send Zhong Xuan back to Xiahe Village, since the curfew was practically meaningless to him as a clerk, but Zhong Xuan resolutely refused.

Small things add up to a lot.

If you do too many things that break the rules, you will eventually be held accountable.

This is easier said than done.

Therefore, Zhong Xuan has always been a person who strictly adheres to the rules.

The Qing Kingdom is not currently in a chaotic era; in fact, the concept of rules and regulations is an excellent means for those in lower positions to preserve their lives.

Zhong Xuan also lived for decades before he came to understand this principle.

According to the teachings of ancient sages.

At seventy, though old age, one should not transgress the rules.

Only when you reach seventy can you have the right to be carefree.

He's only sixty; he still needs more practice.

Back in his room in the backyard of the Flying Eagle Martial Arts School, Zhong Xuan didn't cover himself with a blanket and fell fast asleep.

An unexpected advantage emerged from the dragon bone.

That means my alcohol tolerance has increased dramatically.

So even after drinking countless jars of strong liquor, Zhong Xuan didn't get too drunk and was even able to concentrate on practicing his skills.

One cannot live a solitary life; making friends and traveling are necessary, but one should not neglect the foundation of martial arts in the process.

In a short while.

All distracting thoughts were banished from his mind, and the scene of fighting the Black Witch Cult experts that night floated into his mind.

Martial arts practice should avoid stillness.

You can't become a grandmaster by just burying yourself in practice. Besides sparring with others, watching others fight is also a good method, especially watching masters exchange blows.

Not to mention veteran experts like Zheng Yue who specialize in bone training.

The fact that Magistrate Zhou and Dan Yun joined forces to kill Tu Yan brought him great benefits.

Zhong Xuan knew to strike while the iron was hot.

So I've been reviewing these past few days to improve my understanding of martial arts.

"Secret technique..."

The bizarre scene of the evil spirit Hu Tu Yan kept replaying in Zhong Xuan's mind. However, unlike the fear of others, he felt that the Black Witch Cult's methods were somewhat similar to the sword techniques of his master whom he had never met.

It has many merits.

"If I could obtain the methods of the Black Witch Cult, I would like to study them carefully."

Zhong Xuan would certainly not join the Black Witch Cult.

After all, the path of cults may be faster, but it is also more dangerous.

The right path may be slow, but it is steady and reliable.

He has a destiny that allows him to rise to great heights if he stays calm. His study of the Black Witch Cult's methods is merely an attempt to extract its essence and discard its dross.

......

......

This day.

Zhong Xuan received a message from the Flying Eagle Martial Arts School.

I had just entered Zheng Yue's shop.

Then he saw his senior brother smiling as he took out a huge white bone, as tall as a person, from under the cabinet.

"Junior brother, Zhou Sheng finally showed some generosity and gave our Flying Eagle Martial Arts School a big gift as a reward for our contributions."

Zhong Xuan stared at the enormous white skeleton and examined it carefully.

"This is... the bone of a red-tailed wolf?"