I run a casino in the immortal realm.

Stepping out of the Sihai Casino, the cool night breeze on his face made Wei Jun feel as if he had come back to life.

Zheng Yifei walked ahead with steady steps. He only stopped after walking two streets and arriving at the entrance of a relatively quiet alley.

He turned around, pulled out the ten-thousand-yuan gold note that Manager Li hadn't dared to take earlier from his pocket, held it between two fingers, and handed it to Wang Bo.

"Brother Wang, thank you for making this trip tonight. Here's some money for the tea."

Zheng Yifei spoke casually, as if he were handing over a piece of waste paper, not ten thousand gold coins.

Wang Bo stared at the banknote that shimmered faintly with gold in the moonlight, and his breath caught in his throat for a moment.

Ten thousand taels of gold! He was a clerk in the county government, and his official salary was only a few hundred taels of gold a year. With the extra money he received from various people, he could only earn a few thousand taels of gold a year at most.

Zheng Yifei's one move was equivalent to several years' worth of his income.

Wang Bo's Adam's apple bobbed, and a smile instantly bloomed on his face, even bringing together the crow's feet at the corners of his eyes.

He didn't pretend to refuse, but instead skillfully reached out and took the gold note, then casually stuffed it into his wide sleeve.

"Brother, you're really too kind."

Wang Bo patted his sleeves, his tone becoming incredibly warm: "Don't worry, leave your friends' affairs to me. Tomorrow morning, I'll go to the magistrate and put in a good word for you. I'll make sure this matter is handled perfectly!"

"Then I'll have to trouble you, brother."

Zheng Yifei cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

The three of them went their separate ways.

The next day at noon, the sun was shining brightly. Zheng Yifei had just finished dealing with a few minor disputes at the police station when Wang Bo walked in, beaming with joy.

"Brother Zheng, come on, the magistrate is waiting for you in his study in the backyard."

Wang Bo lowered his voice and gave Zheng Yifei a wink.

Zheng Yifei understood immediately, straightened his black official robes, and followed Wang Bo through the front of the county government office to the back courtyard.

The backyard was very quiet and secluded, with artificial hills and flowing water, and exotic flowers and plants, which was completely different from the solemnity of the front office.

Wang Bo led Zheng Yifei to the door of a study with a plaque that read "Jingxinzhai" and gently knocked on the door.

"Come in."

A strong, resonant voice came from inside.

Wang Bo pushed open the door, stepped aside to let Zheng Yifei go in first, and then followed behind, closing the door behind him.

The study was spacious and bright, and decorated with great elegance. A faint sandalwood scent filled the air.

County Magistrate Liu Zhengyi, dressed in plain clothes, sat behind his rosewood desk, holding a cup of hot tea in his hand.

"This humble servant, Zheng Yifei, greets Your Excellency, the County Magistrate."

Zheng Yifei stepped forward and bowed.

"No need, please sit down."

Liu Zhengyi put down his teacup and pointed to the armchair next to him.

Zheng Yifei thanked him, sat down in the chair, and straightened his back.

Liu Zhengyi sized up Zheng Yifei a few times, then smiled and said, "In the few days since Constable Zheng took office, the Shunfeng Wharf has been much more well-behaved. Chief Constable Wan has also been praising you highly in front of me."

Are you getting used to this job?

"Reporting to you, sir, it is all thanks to your guidance and the training of Chief Constable Wan. I was merely doing my duty."

Zheng Yifei's answer was watertight.

Liu Zhengyi nodded, seemingly satisfied with Zheng Yifei's attitude.

He picked up his teacup, gently blew away the foam, and changed the subject: "I heard from Registrar Wang that you have a few friends outside who want to get identity tokens for Liuhua County?"

Zheng Yifei knew the main event was about to begin, so he leaned forward slightly and said, "Reporting to Your Excellency, my friends all came from overseas with me. They've been drifting outside the city and want to settle down in Liuhua County, but the procedures for obtaining their identities are a bit complicated."

"Rules are rules, and the Tianlong Dynasty has always maintained strict control over refugees."

Liu Zhengyi said slowly and deliberately, "However, considering your dedication to your duties, I am not incapable of making an exception. But I wonder what skills your friends have? Liuhua County does not support idlers."

Zheng Yifei answered truthfully: "My lord, my friends are all craftsmen. There are high-level alchemists, array masters, weapon refiners, and talisman masters. In addition, there are two sword cultivators whose skills are quite decent."

Upon hearing the terms "high-level alchemist, array master, weapon refiner, and talisman master," Liu Zhengyi paused slightly in his play with the jade thumb ring, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

Although Liuhua County is prosperous, it is extremely lacking in talents in various arts and crafts related to cultivation.

The market for elixirs, magical artifacts, and talismans is almost entirely monopolized by the three great families of Zhang, Li, and Zhao.

These three companies, being closely allied, drove up prices to an extremely high level. Even the county government had to be mindful of their demands when purchasing healing pills or array materials, which made Liu Zhengyi very unhappy.

If what Zheng Yifei said is true, this group of people entering the city will definitely break the monopoly of the three major families.

"Oh? Since you're all highly skilled craftsmen, why not just join one of those powerful families?"

Liu Zhengyi probed subtly.

"My lord, you are wise. Large families have strict rules and regulations. My friends are used to being idle and can't stand that kind of constraint. They just want to find a stable place to open a small shop and do some business."

Zheng Yifei then revealed his plan: "I intend to open a 'Treasure Pavilion' in the city once they are settled, specializing in buying spiritual materials and selling pills, array plates, and talismans."

"If you don't mind, sir, after this multi-treasure pavilion opens, I'm willing to offer you half a percent, no, ten percent, of my own shares as a token of my respect."

After listening, Liu Zhengyi smiled knowingly, leaned back in his chair, and tapped his fingers lightly on the table, making a "tap-tap" sound.

The study fell silent, save for the echoing sound of the knocking.

Wang Bo stood aside, eyes downcast, not daring to even breathe loudly.

After a moment, Liu Zhengyi stopped knocking and looked at Zheng Yifei, saying, "A 10% stake? Officer Zheng, you've got a clever plan. Do you know that the immigration fee for ten people is ten billion low-grade spirit stones?"

"With your 10% stake, how long will it take you to make up for this hole?"

Zheng Yifei remained expressionless: "What does Your Excellency mean?"

Liu Zhengyi held up three fingers, his tone leaving no room for argument: "Thirty percent. I want thirty percent of the shares in Duobao Pavilion. As long as you agree, the issue of the identities of those ten people is a matter of a word from me, and I can also decide to waive the fee of ten billion low-grade spirit stones."

Liu Zhengyi had calculated it very clearly. The immigration fee of ten billion low-grade spirit stones was just a one-off deal; it was better to do them a favor and bring these people in. As long as they were given the formalities to become local migrants, the higher-ups wouldn't be able to find out.

The 30% stake in Duobaoge guarantees real, long-term returns, with a steady stream of cash inflows in the future.

Zheng Yifei sneered inwardly. This magistrate really had a big appetite. But this was exactly what he wanted. By binding the magistrate with shares, he would have far fewer troubles in the future.

"Since you have spoken, sir, I will naturally comply. I will accept your offer of a 30% share."

Zheng Yifei readily agreed, then changed the subject: "However, I also have a small request."

"explain."

"My two sword cultivator friends are a bit too straightforward and not suited to greeting and seeing off customers in the shop. I would like to ask for your gracious request to arrange for them to work as two constables in the police station, under my command. This way, I will have two more capable assistants when I am on duty."

"Granted."

Liu Zhengyi nodded, his tone carrying a hint of warning: "Zheng Yifei, let me make this clear from the start: once your Duobao Pavilion opens, it will inevitably threaten the interests of the three major local families."

These three families are deeply entrenched in Liuhua County, and also have connections in the prefectural and county capitals. Any overt obstruction, such as official seizures or tax evasion, can be resolved by this official.

However, if they try to sabotage me behind my back or use any underhanded tactics, I won't intervene; you'll have to deal with it yourself. Are you capable?

Zheng Yifei met Liu Zhengyi's gaze, a slight smile playing on his lips, his eyes radiating a powerful confidence: "Rest assured, sir. As long as there are no problems on the official front, I will personally eliminate those treacherous villains in the shadows and will not cause you any trouble."

"Good! That's bold!"

Liu Zhengyi laughed heartily, picked up a brush from the table, and wrote a few lines on a blank document stamped with the county magistrate's seal. He then handed it to Wang Bo: "Wang, the registrar, take this order and go to the city gate to pick up the people and get their identity tokens sorted out."

"Yes, sir!"

Wang Bo accepted the order with both hands.

After receiving the warrant, Zheng Yifei walked out of the county government office, found a secluded corner, took out a communication talisman from his storage bag, whispered a few words, and then released spiritual energy from his fingertips. The communication talisman transformed into a streak of fire that shot into the sky and instantly disappeared into the horizon.