The New County Magistrate Takes Office

"Duty is duty, and personal feelings are personal feelings."

Feng Wuyai waved his hand gently, interrupting Wei Qing before he could speak.

"Brother Feng is absolutely right," Liu Xinghe nodded in agreement, a sharp glint in his eyes. "Brother Wei, please don't be so formal."

"Snap!"

The green jade folding fan in Liu Yulong's hand suddenly broke. He stared wide-eyed at his father, his mouth twitching violently.

—Dad, what are you doing?

—I called him Brother Wei, and you're calling him 'younger brother'?

—This generational gap is so messed up, it could be a labyrinth!

"Cough, cough..."

Nangong Ruyan covered her rising smile with her sleeve, her shoulders trembling slightly.

The other disciples also lowered their heads, stifling their laughter. Some even pinched their thighs.

Unexpectedly, the elders from various sects began to imitate them:

"Brother Liu is right!" Xuan Yue Li suddenly chimed in. "Younger brother Wei, don't be so polite!"

"Exactly! Brother Wei deserves this gesture!" Zhao Santong joined the fun.

The expressions of the disciples present changed in unison. They had been watching the show just moments ago, and now they were all a generation younger.

"Hahaha!" Liu Yulong finally couldn't hold back his laughter and pointed his broken fan at everyone. "Everyone, how does that feel?"

He felt a surge of satisfaction. You guys were laughing at me, now it's your turn!

Seeing this, Wei Qing could only cup his fists and give a wry smile. "I accept your kind intentions, everyone."

Liu Xinghe glared fiercely at the others, thinking, Shameless, stealing my idea.

The others pretended not to see it.

Feng Wuyai changed the subject at the opportune moment. "The matter of the Blood Robe Gate should not be delayed any longer. If they escape, tracking them down later will be incredibly difficult."

"That's right," Liu Xinghe nodded solemnly. Then, he turned to Liu Yulong and said, "You and Brother Wei will return to Qingcheng first."

"After we eliminate the Blood Robe Gate, we'll come find you in Qingcheng."

"Ruyan, you go too."

"Yuan Ming, take your junior sister and wait for me in Qingcheng."

"Yes."

Everyone understood the unspoken intention and agreed in unison—this was clearly an opportunity for them to get closer to the Heavenly Realm Division's prodigy.

Soon, the group split into two:

The sect masters and elders transformed into streaks of flowing light, heading straight for the Blood Robe Gate;

While the young disciples, including Qin Shuang, followed Wei Qing, galloping their horses towards Qingcheng.

The sun began to set.

A carriage slowly stopped about a hundred meters from the gates of Qingcheng.

"My Lord, Qingcheng is just ahead."

The coachman, driving the carriage, looked at the city in front of them and spoke softly towards the curtain behind him.

As he finished speaking, The curtain was lifted, and a refined man poked his head out, looking at the distant city.

"We're finally here. Let's go, head straight to the yamen!"

The curtain fell, and Du Ziteng sat back in the carriage, unconsciously rubbing the bloodstains on his sleeve.

Bandits had been rampant along the way. If not for the coachman and his personal guards fighting to protect him, he would have died in the wilderness long ago.

Of the twelve personal guards, only two remained.

He was also very apprehensive about the place he was about to take up his post.

After all, Qingcheng had just experienced a demon invasion.

"Hmph, when I get the chance, I will slaughter every last one of those bandits."

Currently, his most important task was to take over as the Qingcheng county magistrate, appease the citizens, and stabilize the order in Qingcheng.

For now, he could only suppress his hatred.

"Giddy up!"

The coachman cracked his whip, and the carriage rumbled over the bluestone street, slowly entering the city gates.

"Steamed buns, Wu-style steamed buns, fragrant and delicious. Three coins, you won't get cheated, you won't be fooled."

"Candied hawthorn skewers! Sweet and sour candied hawthorn skewers."

"Freshly baked roast duck, try before you buy. If it's not tasty, it's free."

"Tofu..."

"I heard there's a treasure unearthed in the Black Mist Wasteland. A lot of martial artists have gone there."

"Who told you that?"

"My third great-uncle's son's eldest cousin's brother-in-law works for the yamen. Unfortunately, us common folk can only listen to such things for amusement."

"True. Come on, let's go to Xingyun Tower for a couple of drinks. Maybe we'll run into Lord Wei?"

"Heh heh, let's go!"

Du Ziteng gently lifted the carriage curtain, his gaze sweeping across the streets and alleys. Merchants were shouting, people were coming and going, and the faces of the common folk showed no sign of the panic that followed the demon calamity. Instead, there was an air of peace.

This was a stark contrast to the desolate scenes he had witnessed along the way.

"Strange..." he muttered softly.

"My Lord, is something amiss?" his personal guard asked in a low voice.

Du Ziteng frowned slightly. "According to my teacher's information, Qingcheng was significantly affected by the demon chaos this time, not to mention the collusion between local officials' families and demons."

"But why does Qingcheng look like it hasn't been affected by demon chaos at all?"

The coachman said softly, "When we get to the yamen, we can ask the county deputy. He'll surely know."

"Mm, let's go."

Du Ziteng lowered the curtain, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the official seal in his sleeve.

The carriage moved forward slowly. Along the way, the common folk stopped to look, whispering amongst themselves.

"Who is this distinguished lord?"

"Hey, who knows."

"Listening to the guards, it seems they're going to the yamen."

Some of the common folk couldn't help but whisper.

In a place like Qingcheng, only officials or powerful families and wealthy merchants could afford to ride in a carriage.

For ordinary people, let alone riding in one, just being able to touch it would be satisfying.

As they were discussing, the carriage had already stopped at the entrance of the yamen.

The coachman lifted the curtain. "My Lord, we've arrived at the yamen."

"Mm."

Du Ziteng straightened his robes and stepped down from the carriage. He looked up at the yamen's plaque, his expression calm.

The bailiffs on duty at the yamen saw the newcomers and stepped forward to ask, "May I ask why you are here at the yamen?"

Du Ziteng's personal guard stepped forward. "The new county magistrate, Lord Du, has arrived!"

"The... the county magistrate?" The bailiff was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly bowed. "Your humble servant greets you, my Lord! Please come in quickly!"

As he spoke, another bailiff had already rushed inside, shouting all the way, "County Deputy! The new county magistrate has arrived!"

Xingyun Tower.

Tonight, it was booked by disciples from various factions and sects.

After the battle in the Black Mist Wasteland, they had become comrades who had faced life and death together.

"Here, Brother Wei, I'll toast you. If you ever go to the Imperial City, I'll be counting on you to look out for me."

Liu Yulong was the first to raise his cup.

His previous disdain for Wei Qing had been completely crushed by the life-and-death trials in the Black Mist Wasteland.

When he witnessed Wei Qing斩灭 a sixth-rank demon with a single sword strike, he finally understood the vast difference between them.

Being able to befriend him was actually a step up for himself.

Wei Qing raised his cup and chuckled, "Brother Liu is too kind. No matter when, if Brother Liu goes to the Imperial City, I will certainly host you well."

His impression of Liu Yulong wasn't too bad. Although he was a bit arrogant.

But if a prodigy didn't have a bit of pride, they would lose their spirit.

The two clinked their cups and drank them down in one go.

"Brother Wei, this cup is for you!" Qin Shuang stood up, his eyes full of sincerity. "If you hadn't saved us, how could we have achieved this fortune?"

Nangong Ruyan echoed, "Ruyan also toasts."

"And me!"

"Count me in!"

The other sect prodigies raised their cups one after another.