At that moment, Wu Ming had only just arrived, so the more he said, the more likely he was to make a mistake. Better to keep quiet.
The old man seemed to have something to ask of him. It might even be a Side Quest. But with the threat of being wiped out hanging over his head, Wu Ming didn't linger. After asking for directions, he headed toward the county seat.
"This little town is steeped in Yin Qi. It gives me the creeps. This is no good place..."
He walked toward the sun for several miles. The mist gradually thinned, and only then did Wu Ming let out a long breath of relief.
Now he could see fields stretching all around, crisscrossed by country lanes, with the sounds of chickens and dogs carrying through the air. A few thatched cottages stood in the distance, their chimneys sending up wisps of smoke. There was nothing to worry about here.
After walking another dozen miles or so, he came upon a square walled city several miles around. Dark green moss covered its walls, and its gates stood wide open. The streets teemed with people, most of them pale and gaunt, and the whole place had a run-down air.
"Ten coins to enter!"
The Soldiers guarding the gate wore cold expressions. When they saw Wu Ming standing tall in fine silk robes, clearly no ordinary commoner, their eyes shifted slightly.
Wu Ming had nothing on him. The Main God Hall did offer exchanges for things of this sort, but merit was precious, so he hadn't paid much attention to such items.
Now, though, he had a little problem.
I was careless. If I'd known, I would've worn a scholar's robe and found a sheath for my Peach wood sword. Then I could've passed myself off as a Talented Scholar and claimed the privileges...
Wu Ming made a mental note of it. Rather than enter the city, he went to the notices posted nearby.
On one side of the city gate, notices were pasted in dense layers, their edges yellowed with age. Most were wanted posters, arrest warrants, or proclamations from the authorities.
In the middle hung a bright yellow announcement, which read:
"...In Black Water Town, under the jurisdiction of Black Platform County, demons run rampant and wild spirits multiply. This official is charged with protecting the borders and keeping the people safe... Yet the living and the dead belong to different realms. Therefore, I hereby summon capable people and extraordinary talents from among the common folk, as well as courageous and generous heroes, to deliver the people from their plight... Regardless of birth or native place, anyone who succeeds shall be rewarded with one hundred taels of silver and one hundred mu of good farmland..."
Beneath it were an unfamiliar era name, the month and date, and a square red official seal.
"One hundred mu of good farmland? That's worth another thousand or so taels of silver. A generous reward... But... Black Water Town?"
Wu Ming suddenly thought of the place he had just come from and laughed wryly. "After going around in circles, I still have to return to where I started..."
Without another word, he stepped forward and smoothly took the notice down, holding it in his hand.
"Huh?"
"Someone's taken the notice?"
In an instant, a crowd gathered around him, sizing him up with curiosity, astonishment, and even a hint of schadenfreude.
Judging by their reaction... the people who took the notice before me probably met with disaster!
Wu Ming's thoughts stirred, but his expression remained unchanged, his bearing composed.
Two clerks immediately came over to inspect him. They'd seen plenty of people, and could tell this young man was different from the handful of freeloaders who'd taken the notice before him. One of them said, "Have you really thought this through, sir? If you fail and the County Magistrate holds you responsible, no one will be able to save you!"
"Of course!"
Wu Ming replied with a smile, then followed the two clerks into the city. Naturally, he didn't have to pay the entrance fee.
Black Platform County was somewhat more prosperous than the countryside. The people didn't look particularly hungry or cold, and the streets were fairly clean. Rice shops, salt shops, tea shops, pawnshops, winehouses, inns, cloth shops, jewelry stores, brothels... They lined the streets one after another. Peddlers with baskets of wares also wove through the streets, calling out their goods.
They went without speaking until they reached the county yamen. Entering through a side gate, Wu Ming was led to a side room to wait.
A junior clerk said, "Inspector Wu will be here shortly. You'd better mind your manners!"
The County Magistrate was the head of the county, a Marquis of a Hundred Li. He wasn't someone a person could simply ask to see. A Patrol Inspector handled security throughout the county, rather like a modern-day police chief. The rank varied from dynasty to dynasty; some held Subordinate Ninth Rank, others Principal Ninth Rank. Either way, they had Official Status and were far above petty clerks.
"I understand. Thank you for letting me know."
Wu Ming cupped his hands in thanks, but got an eye-roll in return.
"Hmph!"
The clerk, who hadn't gotten the expected tip, snorted and shuffled away. Wu Ming immediately realized he'd offended a petty functionary. If the man decided to make trouble for him later, he could cause no end of hassle.
But Wu Ming wasn't a local. He was a visitor from beyond the heavens, and he didn't have a copper to his name. It hardly mattered.
Inspector Wu was clearly a busy man. Wu Ming waited for over half an hour before finally meeting him in person.
Of course, he hadn't been offered so much as a cup of tea or a snack in the meantime. That was the price of offending a petty functionary.
"This student, Wu Ming, pays his respects to Inspector Wu!"
When an official entered, Wu Ming saw a man seven feet tall, not yet forty, with dark, weathered skin and bright eyes. His features were sharply defined, and he bore an air of stern legal authority. Wu Ming knew at once that this was Wu Hong, the Patrol Inspector of Black Platform County, and bowed deeply in greeting.
Naturally, he couldn't say he had no name. Besides, he'd already used "Nameless" as his name, and the other Reincarnators would simply assume it was an alias.
When the false became true, the true could become false.
"Your name is Wu Ming? What makes you think you're capable of taking this notice? Hmm? Have you studied?"
Wu Hong's eye twitched when he saw Wu Ming merely bow instead of kneeling. Then, hearing him call himself a "student," he asked his question.
He was in charge of security throughout the county. Ruffians, rabble, even notorious bandits all trembled before him. He could make them round or flatten them as he pleased. Ordinary folk were expected to drop to their knees at the sight of him; anything less was disrespect.
Yet Wu Ming comported himself with proper courtesy and calm confidence, which earned him a little respect in Wu Hong's eyes.
Of course, Wu Ming's claim to be a scholar also had something to do with it.
Through every dynasty, so long as the empire remained agrarian, scholars had always received special treatment.
"I began my studies as a child. I'm ashamed to say I've earned no title; I only know a handful of characters..."
Wu Ming had some learning, but who knew what the Four Books and Five Classics were like in this dynasty? If he claimed to be a Child Scholar or a Talented Scholar, he would be exposed the moment anyone tested him. Better to say he only knew a few characters.
He had read the notice outside the city, and realized the written characters here were much the same as those of Great Zhou. There was no problem there.
"Even so, that's no small thing..."
Wu Hong nodded slightly, his expression softening.
Though Wu Ming wasn't even a Child Scholar, he came from a family of scholars and had received a scholar's education—a scholar in the making, at least. That was enough to earn him some leniency. Besides, this wasn't a formal occasion, and Wu Hong wasn't a seventh-rank County Magistrate, so he let the matter pass. "This notice is no trivial matter. Once you've taken it, you can't back out. Have you thought it through?"
"Please rest assured, sir! I learned breathing exercises from childhood, and my father was acquainted with a Daoist master who gave me a few spirit talismans. I'm confident I can handle a few little ghosts..."
Wu Ming saw that Wu Hong still seemed uncertain, so he continued, "I'm traveling because I've grown weary of studying. They say a thousand books are no match for ten thousand miles of travel, so I came out to broaden my horizons. I crossed Black Mountain to get here..."
That last bit came to him when he remembered how the people of Black Water Town had nearly fainted at the sight of him emerging from Black Mountain. In a flash of inspiration, he'd added it to his story.
"Black Mountain?"
Wu Hong's expression changed. He stared at Wu Ming for a long while before finally smiling. "The world is in turmoil these days. Since you can travel from place to place, you clearly have some Mysterious Art at your disposal. In that case, I'll submit your name."
"Thank you, sir!"
Wu Ming bowed deeply. Just then, the mission in his Sea of Consciousness suddenly changed:
[Successfully reached Black Platform County and took down the notice, Side Quest—Arrival (Complete)!] [Second Side Quest unlocked: Investigate!] [Mission objective: Having taken the County Magistrate's notice, you must uncover the truth behind the disaster in Black Water Town within seven days. Success will unlock the Main Quest! Failure will deduct one thousand minor merit points. If your merit is insufficient, you will be wiped out!]
Black Water Town?
Wu Ming sighed inwardly, his brow furrowing. So it really is connected to that town? But why go to all this trouble and send me to the county seat first?
Wu Hong asked, "Well, young man, you're a talent. I entrust the people of Black Water Town to you. The County Magistrate has ordered us to get results within seven days... Do you have any other requests?"
A servant brought tea, and their conversation drew to a close.
"Well... To deal with ghosts and demons, I'll need some materials, an altar, offerings..."
Wu Ming put on a troubled expression.
But in truth, he was broke and penniless.
"I'll tell the Public Account. Take ten taels of silver when you leave!"
Wu Hong frowned and lifted his teacup.
Wu Ming knew that was his cue to leave. He immediately rose, thanked him, and took his leave.
Outside the yamen, Wu Ming felt the five taels of silver in his robes and gave a cold laugh.
On the books, it was ten taels. But by the time the Household Department and the clerks at every level had taken their cuts, it had already been whittled down by half. That was just how things worked; no one could say a word against it.
And when Wu Hong said ten taels, the sum entered in the accounts might well have been twenty or thirty. There was no need to spell it out.
At least, since Wu Hong still needed him to do the job, he'd given him fine, pure silver—bright and gleaming, in a decent-sized amount. It was enough to keep a family of three going for a year, if they pinched every penny.
Now that I've taken the notice, I wonder whether the quests for Tu Yanghao and the others will change, fail, or whether they can take the notice themselves...
Wu Ming wandered aimlessly through the county seat, paying no attention to the tail that had followed him out of the yamen.
The authorities weren't fools. There was no way they'd let him take the money and walk off without a care. They were bound to follow him.
Nothing would happen for now. But if the seven-day limit passed, or if he showed any sign of trying to run... Well, heh...
"Still... The waters around Black Water Town seem awfully deep..."
Wu Ming didn't leave the city and provoke his two shadows. He kept an easy pace, though his brow remained tightly furrowed. "That Wu Hong! He's powerfully built, and his martial skills must be at least equivalent to the fourth level of the Body Refinement Realm in Great Zhou—an expert in Internal Strengthening... As Patrol Inspector, he could have up to a hundred constables and runners under him. Even if he's skimming the payroll, he'd still have twenty or thirty men at his beck and call. And with Official Status, he could greatly diminish the power of magic... And even if he can't handle it, he could call on the County Lieutenant. A county's garrison should number at least three to five hundred..."
"With forces like that, how could they still be unable to deal with some strange business in a little town?"
Wu Ming's brow furrowed.
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