Upon receiving the system mission prompt, Lin Xiao became even more determined to capture the Flower Plucking Bandit.
Having just arrived in Stability Prefecture, his first step was to build up his reputation.
Whether within the Jinyiwei Pacification Office, among Stability Prefecture's officials, or in the martial world, he had to make everyone know the name Lin Xiao.
With enough renown, it would greatly aid him in seizing power and taking control of Stability Prefecture in the future.
"However, there's no rush to capture that Flower Plucking Thief. First, I need to subdue my two subordinates. Having people under me will make things much more convenient."
"Besides, both of them are locals of Stability Prefecture. When handling matters, they can offer me some advice."
No sooner had he thought of it than he acted. Lin Xiao rose to his feet and left his office. Before he could ask around about where his two subordinates were, he saw a somewhat plump, fair-skinned middle-aged man walking over.
"May I ask if you are Lord Lin Xiao?"
Seeing the fair-skinned middle-aged man, Lin Xiao vaguely formed a guess.
"That's right. I am Lin Xiao. Who are you?"
"Oh my, it truly is Lord Lin! When I first saw you, I scarcely dared believe it. I never imagined Lord Lin would be so young. A hero truly emerges in youth!"
"At Lord Lin's age, coupled with His Majesty's favor, you will surely soar straight to the clouds, ride the yellow dragon to success, and enjoy a flourishing official career before long..."
Seeing the fair-skinned fat man still prattling on, pouring out flattery by the page, Lin Xiao cut him off.
"Enough. Tell me who you are."
The fair-skinned fat man hurriedly cupped his fists in salute. "Reporting to Lord Lin, this subordinate is Chang Le. I received orders that a new Banner Officer had taken office, so I came to report in."
"Oh? You are Chang Le?"
Lin Xiao nodded slightly. "Just in time. I was about to look for you and Xue Shan."
"Where is Xue Shan now?"
Hearing Lin Xiao ask, Chang Le's expression became somewhat strange. "My lord, are you truly going to look for Xue Shan?"
Lin Xiao frowned. "You and Xue Shan are my subordinates. Can I not look for him?"
Seeing Lin Xiao's displeasure, Chang Le hurriedly explained, "Reporting to my lord, it isn't that you cannot seek out Xue Shan. Sigh, let me speak plainly. Xue Shan entered the Ding Province Garrison Command ten years ago, but his temperament is too rigid. He does not understand flexibility at all, and he is extremely strict in his work. Many who worked alongside him voluntarily requested transfers."
"In the end, no one in the entire Pacification Office wanted to work with him anymore."
"Over time, Xue Shan became someone the entire Pacification Office disliked. Even if my lord finds him, he will not show you a pleasant face."
"I think it would be better to let him fend for himself, lest he needlessly upset you."
"Heh, there is such an interesting person? Then I must go meet him."
Lin Xiao had become somewhat interested in this Xue Shan.
Seeing that after all his effort, Lin Xiao still intended to find Xue Shan, Chang Le could not help but say anxiously, "My lo—"
"Enough. You should know where Xue Shan is now. Lead me there."
Knowing Lin Xiao had made up his mind to find Xue Shan, Chang Le did not dare say another word.
Though evening had already fallen, Stability Prefecture's capital remained exceedingly lively.
Especially now that brothels and other pleasure houses had opened for business, the laughter of warblers and swallows echoed everywhere.
"Oh, sir, come in and have some fun."
"Oh, this young master is clearly a dragon among men and a phoenix among people. My Chun Li is skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She will certainly satisfy you."
"Oh, Boss Yan, it seems you are not busy today..."
Lin Xiao and Chang Le passed through the bustling market district and arrived at the commoners' quarter of Stability Prefecture's capital.
The residential houses here varied in height, with dim candles burning inside. It formed a stark contrast with the splendor of the bustling district they had just passed through.
Before a somewhat dilapidated house, Chang Le said, "My lord, this is the place."
Lin Xiao nodded.
Understanding his meaning, Chang Le hurried forward and knocked on the door.
The instant the knocking sounded, a somewhat deep voice came from within.
"Come in."
Creak.
The courtyard gate opened with only a light push.
In the courtyard stood a bare-chested man, his face covered in stubble and steeped in despondency.
Yet his eyes were exceptionally resolute.
"Xue Shan, my lord has arrived. Why do you not come welcome him?"
Chang Le lowered his voice and spoke sternly.
Xue Shan had been practicing martial arts. Hearing Chang Le's words, he showed no reaction. He merely stopped his movements, lifted a bucket of cold water from beside his feet, and poured it over himself. Then he walked to the steps, sat down, glanced at Lin Xiao, and said nothing.
Seeing Xue Shan behave this way, Chang Le was so furious his teeth itched.
"Xue Shan, how dare you! My lord came personally to see you, yet you are so ignorant of propriety. Do you not even know how to pay respects?"
Despite Chang Le's rebuke, Xue Shan remained silent.
Seeing Chang Le was about to continue berating him, Lin Xiao spoke and interrupted him.
"You are Xue Shan?"
"Today, the Pacification Office issued orders. You and Chang Le are both Strongmen under my command. Looking at you, it seems you have encountered much injustice. Do you feel that you possess ability but have nowhere to display your strengths?"
"How about this? I will give you an opportunity. What you take pride in should be your martial arts. So long as you can defeat me with one hand, I will give you my position as Banner Officer. What do you say?"
"Hm?"
Lin Xiao's words finally drew a reaction from Xue Shan.
"My lord, you must not!"
Chang Le was startled.
Though Xue Shan was rigid in character, his strength was quite formidable.
Even many Chief Banner Officers did not possess martial arts as strong as Xue Shan's.
It was said that he had already reached the peak of the Acquired Realm, only one step away from breaking through to the Innate Realm.
"Enough. Stand to the side and watch."
Lin Xiao waved Chang Le away, then stood casually in the courtyard and looked at Xue Shan with a faint smile.
"You... do you mean that?"
Xue Shan finally spoke. His voice was somewhat hoarse and stiff, likely from having gone so long without speaking.
"Of course. Would I deceive you?"
"Good. I hope you will not go back on your word."
Xue Shan slowly rose. The strength of his peak Acquired Realm cultivation erupted, blowing the dust from the courtyard away.
Xue Shan suddenly leapt forward, bringing his saber down toward Lin Xiao's head in a Mount Hua Cleaving strike.
"Your momentum is not bad, but your strength is lacking."
Lin Xiao did not move. He casually extended two fingers and caught Xue Shan's saber between them.
After landing, no matter how Xue Shan exerted his strength, he could not pull the saber free from between Lin Xiao's fingers.
"I'll give you one more chance."
Lin Xiao released the blade between his fingers and lightly flicked its body. The immense force sent Xue Shan staggering back more than ten steps.
"You..."
Xue Shan's face flushed red as he stared at Lin Xiao in shock.
From that single exchange, he had already seen that the gap between his strength and Lin Xiao's was simply too vast.
If Lin Xiao wished to kill him, perhaps he would not even need a second move.
Yet Xue Shan was stubborn by nature. Though he knew he could not defeat Lin Xiao, he still charged forward once more.
Nine Suns Saber Technique.
This was the saber art passed down through Xue Shan's family.
There were nine forms in total. If one could master them completely, breaking through to the Innate Realm would be as easy as turning one's hand over.
However, Xue Shan's talent in martial arts was not particularly strong. Only in his thirties had he trained his Lineage's saber art to the seventh form.
Each form of the Nine Suns Saber Technique contained nine variations.
It could barely be considered a third-grade cultivation technique.
Martial cultivation techniques were divided into nine grades.
The first grade was the lowest, while the ninth grade was the highest.
However, eighth-grade techniques were possessed only by those superpowers.
For example, the Sword Pavilion, leader of the world's sword path, or the Imperial Dao True Qi of the imperial court's royal family.
As Xue Shan's saber descended, an invisible wall of qi appeared before Lin Xiao. No matter how Xue Shan exerted his strength, he could not penetrate it even three inches.
Boom!!!
Lin Xiao's true qi erupted, instantly blasting the saber from Xue Shan's hand.
At last, the saber embedded itself in the distant courtyard wall, trembling and humming without end.
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