County Magnate

Spring Festival had passed, and the fourth year of Ping An was gone forever. In the blink of an eye, it was the fifth year of Ping An.

Early morning, just before the sun was about to rise.

Wu Ming stood at the top of the pavilion, his expression solemn, his lungs expanding, breathing in the direction of the east. Amidst the rising clouds and mist, a faint trace of purple qi descended.

When the first ray of dawn broke through the sky, Wu Ming dared not move further. A glow flashed across his face as he activated his internal cultivation technique, transforming this trace of morning purple qi into golden nectar and jade liquid, which he swallowed in three gulps.

"With the body of an Innate Martial Artist as my foundation, this internal cultivation technique has allowed me to break through obstacles with ease, progressing bravely and without any difficulty..."

Half an hour later, Wu Ming slowly finished his practice. He silently observed his inner state and saw that within the chaos, the illuminated area of his sea of consciousness had expanded by a fraction. Knowing he had made further progress, he nodded with satisfaction.

Immediately, a hint of gloom reappeared on his face:

"The second day of the second lunar month, the dragon raises its head! The Dragon Gate Gathering!"

Time was becoming rather tight.

"Sister Wu Qing returned to the Daoist Academy immediately after the New Year to prepare, she must have had some premonition too!"

"It's a pity... Even though I've crossed the threshold and my progress is rapid, to participate in something like this, I still feel inadequate, like rowing a boat in a raging sea; one wrong move and I'll be shattered to pieces!"

"And the only way to rapidly increase my strength is within the Main God Hall!"

Wu Ming gave a wry smile, "Which of those Reincarnators isn't constantly worried about their missions? It's rare to find a fool like me who's eager for it to start!"

He then went downstairs and entered a tunnel.

Filth and Yin energy swirled around, causing Wu Ming to frown slightly.

The light was dim. After walking a few more steps, they reached the depths and found a building resembling a dungeon.

Screams and the sounds of whipping continuously emanated from under the door.

"Greetings, Young Master!"

The dungeon door opened, and Wu Tiehu, a sinister grin on his face, walked out. Seeing Wu Ming, he paused for a moment before quickly bowing.

"Mm, how is the person inside?"

Wu Ming inquired.

He had thoroughly studied the layer of mystical light on Wu Tiehu. This was an anomaly where the heavens corresponded to the stars, with the light of a certain malevolent star from the heavens residing within him. He was destined to achieve something significant in the future.

Of course, it was only a trace. If it were truly a celestial mandate, his destiny would be truly limitless.

However, even with just a trace, it was not something his original destiny could restrict. In times of chaos, it provided a stage for heroes to display their talents. His original rank as a captain was insufficient to contain it; when the opportune moment arrived, he could become a general.

The path of destiny is not immutable. A true Son of Heaven is the master of destiny, capable of altering others' destinies with the fortune of the nation. The saying 'one heaven and two earths' refers to the descent of celestial stars and the terrestrial dragon's energy, which can also alter one's disposition...

Wu Ming understood this point clearly.

Even in times of chaos, destinies like 'flood dragon,' 'true dragon,' or 'hidden dragon' were not innate.

At most, one might be born with a slight innate advantage. If the world was peaceful, it would be useless, and one might even languish their entire life.

Only by aligning with the grand trend of the world, receiving the will of heaven and the energy of the earth, and being gradually refined during growth, would one soar like a dragon in the sky once the grand trend was achieved.

Otherwise, if there were several more people like Wu Ming, wouldn't they all be discovered?

This Wu Tiehu was also like that.

Possessing a trace of malevolent star light merely gave him a better foundation than ordinary people. He was naturally hot-tempered and exceptionally brave. If he continued to associate with his current crowd, he might end up at the execution ground.

But once he held a military position and wielded authority, he began to evolve, immediately becoming different!

Even with the expansion of his authority and fortune, he could attract more of his corresponding star, becoming a true celestial mandate!

I wonder which malevolent star he corresponds to?

Wu Ming knew that the power of the stars was vast and boundless. For every trace of mystical light born, there were not one thousand, but eight hundred such individuals in the world!

If it were a famous malevolent star, there could be tens of thousands!

With so many seeds, it was like casting a wide net with little return. Those who perished midway were ignored, while those who fared well received further investment until the final true star mandate was determined, signifying the descent of a celestial being.

It's somewhat similar to the path of contending for dominance. Judging by Wu Tiehu's aptitude and destiny, to attract the true malevolent star, he would need at least the status and fortune of a seventh-rank official, enough to discern the true form. To truly correspond to the stars and receive support from the true mandate, becoming a third-rank or even first-rank general is possible...

But... rumor has it that these civil and military officials who correspond to stars are omens of chaotic times, meant to assist the true Son of Heaven... Could it be that this world... is truly about to descend into great chaos?

Wu Tiehu was naturally unaware that Wu Ming had thought so much during his brief moment of distraction. He bowed and replied, "The usual. Old Ma Si also said that he probably won't be able to get much information, and besides, he won't live much longer..."

"Mm!"

Wu Ming entered the dungeon and saw a figure of flesh and blood lying on the ground, his legs broken. He was breathing more than he was inhaling.

His ashen eyes moved upon seeing Wu Ming enter, revealing a face covered in scars and utterly haggard – it was Yu Cheng, an attendant from the Zhou Family!

Upon seeing Wu Ming, the man's body convulsed.

"Mm! Seeing me enter, and seeing my Wu Family unharmed, you should have given up hope, right?"

Wu Ming said indifferently, watching a flicker of despair appear in Yu Cheng's eyes.

"You are an intelligent person, so you must have guessed that you have been abandoned by the Zhou Family... To tell you the truth, the Zhou Family has already compiled evidence of your crimes and disowned you! Your family and children have all been thrown out, severed completely..."

"Although there's some clandestine care, you are also a child of the household. You should understand the principle that warmth fades when people leave. With such superficial care, how much affection can remain if the main family forgets?"

Wu Ming spoke slowly, while Yu Cheng's eyes flickered.

"I won't hide it from you. You're as good as dead. This is your last chance..."

"If you can give me any information that interests me now, I can send some silver to your family and take care of them discreetly..."

"You can choose not to believe me, but if you want to protect your family, this is your only choice!"

After coldly delivering these words and laying out the harsh reality before Yu Cheng, Wu Ming turned and left.

Reaching the ground and breathing in the fresh air, he sighed slowly.

"Young Master, Yu Cheng is dead. This is what he wrote down last!"

After a while, Wu Tiehu appeared behind him, presenting a piece of white paper with a few distorted lines of text written on it.

"Mm, you've worked hard. Go to the accounting office and collect fifty taels of silver. As for that Ma Lao Si, reward him twenty taels! And the rules, you remember them, right?"

Wu Ming said casually. Wu Tiehu, however, became solemn, a shiver running through him. He loudly assured, "Young Master, rest assured. If even a single word leaks out, I will immediately kill Ma Lao Si and present his head as an apology! Then I will commit suicide to atone!"

After dismissing Wu Tiehu, he returned indoors.

Wu Ming's expression was calm. He lit a fire starter and burned the paper. Recalling the information on it, he sighed again, "County Magnate... the Wang family?"

The only piece of information Yu Cheng had guarded until his death, only to offer it in exchange for his family's fate, was this.

Unfortunately, for Wu Ming, it wasn't good news.

The mastermind behind the Zhou family in the county was none other than the County Magnate of Chu Feng Commandery, the Wang family, who had resided in the prefectural city for generations!

Wu Ming rubbed his temples, and a stream of information appeared.

The Wang family had lived in Chu Feng Commandery City for generations, rising to prominence a hundred years ago. Today, they had thousands of clan members, occupied two hundred qing of land, had an army of servants, and a sea of maids. Their power network spread throughout all eight counties of the commandery. They were a true County Magnate, a powerful and influential clan!

Of course, the most crucial point was that the head of the family a hundred years ago was the Prefect, Wang Zhong!

The one who built dams in the gorges, erected a monument to suppress the White Flood Dragon, and turned the harm of the Angry Dragon River into benefit. He was grateful to the county's people, who erected a shrine in his honor. After his death, his spirit was said to have become the City God of the Yin Division's prefectural city, Wang Zhong!

"Wang Zhong, the Prefectural City God, the White Flood Dragon, the second day of the second lunar month, the dragon raises its head... The Dragon Gate Gathering! It all connects!"

Wu Ming gritted his teeth, a cold sneer on his face.

The strength of a County Magnate was at least five times that of the Zhou family, and their influence was extraordinary.

Not to mention, there was also a City God of the Yin Division silently presiding, enhancing his Yin virtue and fortune!

Undoubtedly, this was a terrifyingly powerful opponent!

Boom!

A muffled thunder seemed to flash through space.

Wu Ming was startled, then opened his Spiritual Eyes, and was shocked again.

He saw that after obtaining information about this mastermind, a dense layer of black energy had appeared near his own fortune, clearing away the mist.

This black energy surged, even forming black clouds, carrying a sense of overwhelming destruction.

"Black clouds press down on the city, threatening to crush it!"

Wu Ming's mind suddenly conjured this line.

When fortune arrives, all forces unite; when fortune departs, heroes are powerless. The way of fortune is to make one's senses confused and disoriented, obscuring the truth.

Especially, doctors cannot heal themselves, and laws cannot be applied to oneself.

Before breaking through this barrier, one could not see this dense Calamity Qi. It was only when it erupted, when it was irreversible, that one could understand a little.

"No wonder they say the Qi Watching technique is a chicken rib!"

Wu Ming gave a wry smile, knowing that with his current fortune, the hope of withstanding this black cloud was extremely slim.

Even, not to mention himself, Wu Qing was also in some uncertainty.

With her noble destiny, she might be able to protect herself, but her fortune would likely be greatly diminished, and her future was truly unpredictable.

"As Heaven's movement is ever vigorous, so must a gentleman ceaselessly strive for self-perfection!"

Wu Ming pondered, silent for a moment, then suddenly recited.

"Heaven's secrets are a single thread. Even in the face of a great calamity, there is a sliver of hope! Furthermore... is a County Magnate so formidable? Since they've decided to target my family, they can't be allowed to remain!"

Immediately, a fierce look appeared on his face:

"I will go to the commandery capital first to observe the fortune. As long as there is a flaw, I can break it with my methods!"

However, at this moment, a piece of information suddenly appeared:

[Ding! Respected Reincarnator Gengshen 69, Main God Apostle! Your mission will begin three days later at Zi Shi. Please prepare!]

[This mission is a medium-sized mission! Scene size: Medium!]

[Mission difficulty: Hong!]

[Main Quest Description: ...]

Wu Ming was stunned, then burst into laughter: "Excellent timing!"