Crafting Equipment
Gao Yunyi slowly opened his eyes. Divine light shone in them, and his imposing presence was like a rainbow. At this moment, it was as if he had been possessed by the god of luck.
The time had come.
He stood up and pushed the door open.
He found a spot in the front courtyard with the best view and the most sunlight.
At this moment, his mind was free of distractions, his six senses were pure, and he was in better form than ever.
Azure light flowed, gathered, and took shape, all in one smooth motion. Then, under the astonished gazes of the servants peeking from the corners, Gao Yunyi waved his sleeve and swept back into his room.
Mystic Azure Dao Robe Quality: Fine. Defense: 25. Qi and Blood: 30 Level: 10 Sect: Azure Profound Sect Crafted by: Gao Yunyi.
"Hahaha... I did it! This Daoist master did it!"
Gao Yunyi looked at the green equipment in his backpack and threw his head back in wild delight, laughing like a madman. He was utterly different from the aloof, otherworldly figure he presented before others.
But he didn't care in the least, immersed in the joy of being alone.
After his burst of delight, Gao Yunyi immediately equipped the fine-quality Mystic Azure Dao Robe. His character's defense and health both rose a little.
His sense of security also increased considerably in an instant.
As for that piece of white-quality trash equipment, he would leave it in his backpack for now and use it as enhancement fodder later.
The Mystic Azure Dao Robe was styled after an ancient Daoist robe, but it was more fitted and attractive, with an added air of ethereal grace.
With this Mystic Azure Dao Robe, Gao Yunyi could finally hide the Nine Heavens Flowing Cloud Immortal Robe cosmetic.
Wearing the Nine Heavens Flowing Cloud Immortal Robe made him look like a human light bulb. It was too flashy and eye-catching. It was fine in a game, but in the real world, it would truly be social death.
Gao Yunyi's personality wouldn't allow him to parade through the streets every day in such a showy cosmetic.
From now on, he would only consider displaying the immortal robe again on certain special occasions, when he needed to show off his divinity before others.
Gao Yunyi looked down at the dark blue Mystic Azure Dao Robe he was wearing, but felt that something wasn't quite right.
Uh...
He had no shoes, and both his feet were bare.
Swish—
The Nine Heavens Flowing Cloud Immortal Robe appeared on him again.
Forget it. I'll wait until I've crafted some shoes.
Or I could ask County Magistrate Zhang for a set of clothes from this era. I just don't know if I can equip them like a cosmetic.
Gao Yunyi thought about it and felt that it might work.
This wasn't a game, but a real ancient world. He probably didn't need to follow every setting from the game.
Either way, I'll try it first.
"Tell the county magistrate to come see me."
Gao Yunyi pushed open his door again and called softly outside. He knew County Magistrate Zhang must have stationed someone outside to be on call at all times.
Sure enough, after hearing the immortal's command, a rustle of footsteps immediately came from a corner of the courtyard.
Inside the study,
The adviser had already finished writing the memorial and presented it to the county magistrate with both hands.
County Magistrate Zhang took it and looked it over, then nodded in satisfaction.
"Excellent. Your calligraphy is good, and the writing is beautiful too. Your talents are wasted serving as an adviser at my side."
The adviser said in shame, "My lord, you're too kind to this humble junior. If I truly wrote well, I wouldn't still be a mere licentiate, unable to pass even the provincial examination."
"Come to think of it, it is strange. Wenqian, you're clearly so talented, so why have you kept failing the examinations all these years?" County Magistrate Zhang asked in puzzlement.
The adviser gave a bitter smile. "Perhaps this humble junior's learning is too shallow for the examiners to think much of me. I've come to terms with it. I won't dream of passing the provincial examination anymore. I'll be content to stay at your side and serve as an adviser, offering plans and counsel."
"Rest assured, Wenqian. I certainly won't let you down." County Magistrate Zhang was somewhat moved and made him that promise.
After having the memorial sent off by swift horse, County Magistrate Zhang immediately stood up and gave an order.
"Summon Assistant Magistrate Li, Archivist Han, and the clerks of the six offices to see me in the third hall."
Since the immortal had handed him such a great achievement in governance, he absolutely would not disappoint the immortal.
Starting today, he would root out the corrupt practices in the county yamen, severely punish graft and corruption, and put an end to idle incompetence.
Then he would build bridges and repair roads, construct irrigation channels, provide relief to the poor, abolish all oppressive taxes and levies, judge cases impartially, and remain upright and incorruptible.
In short, he would be a good, honest official who did not covet wealth, pervert the law, show favoritism, or curry favor with the local gentry.
He would see to it that the people of Heyang County were truly well fed and clothed, and could live and work in peace.
This was the goal County Magistrate Zhang had set for himself, and the promise he had made before the immortal.
He was not yet fifty, still at an age for striving and struggle.
Before, he had known only how to rake in money and seek pleasure, living in a drunken dream without caring whether the people lived or died. But now, he had found a purpose in life again.
He sought neither promotion nor a steady rise through the ranks. He asked only that, a hundred years from now, he might leave a good name alongside the immortal in the county annals and on stone inscriptions.
At the thought, a surge of heroic spirit rose in County Magistrate Zhang's heart, and he felt as though his entire being had been elevated.
"My lord..."
But the adviser's hesitant voice soon pulled him back to reality.
"Hm?"
County Magistrate Zhang, still immersed in his pleasant fantasy, stiffened and looked at his trusted aide in puzzlement.
"Assistant Magistrate Li may not be able to come. He was badly frightened yesterday and still hasn't woken up," the adviser explained.
"He's been unconscious for a whole day and night and still hasn't woken up? Just how many shameful things did Old Li do in the past?"
County Magistrate Zhang said, at a loss for words.
"Forget it, never mind him. Tell the others to see me in the third hall."
"I'm afraid Archivist Han can't come either."
County Magistrate Zhang immediately said irritably, "What happened to him?"
The adviser replied, "Have you forgotten, my lord? Yesterday, Archivist Han went to calm the people gathered outside the county yamen. A brick came flying from somewhere and struck him, splitting his head open. After he fell, the rioting crowd trampled him several times and broke several of his ribs. Didn't you give him a few days off to go home and recover?"
County Magistrate Zhang slapped his forehead. So much had happened over the past two days that he had been too busy to remember it.
Now look: of the county yamen's three leading figures, one was unconscious and one was injured, leaving him, the county magistrate, to handle everything personally.
Even so, it could not stop his burning desire to govern diligently and care for the people.
"Then summon everyone else to the third hall. If any of them dare to be late, they can't blame me for showing no mercy," County Magistrate Zhang said angrily, slapping the desk.
"I..."
The adviser was just about to accept the order when an urgent shout came from outside.
"My lord, the immortal has called you to see him."
"Coming!"
The anger on County Magistrate Zhang's face and the authority he carried vanished in an instant. Like a courtesan hearing a favored patron call, he wiggled his enormous backside and rushed out of the study.
The adviser stared dumbfounded at his departing figure as it vanished through the doorway, and a wave of revulsion swept over him.