Earning Five Thousand Taels of Silver!

County Magistrate Wang Lichuan saw that he understood, so he added, "Since that is the case, spend the next two months cultivating diligently and strive to break through to a Ninth-Rank Martial Artist! As for the conflict between you and the County Assistant, with me here, he won't dare to do anything to you."

Lu Feng heard this and showed a look of gratitude, "Yes, thank you for your care, Lord Magistrate. This subordinate will not let you down."

After the two finished speaking, the Strategist led Lu Feng to a room that had been prepared for him.

Although this room was not very large, it was fully equipped with furniture and daily necessities.

Not only were there a desk and a bookcase, but there was also an Iron Man Post for martial arts practice.

Strategist Wang Jun looked at him and said, "Captain Lu, this room will be your office from now on. If you need anything, you can tell me at any time."

Looking at the room before him, Lu Feng guessed that this had been specially prepared by the County Magistrate for the new Captain.

"Very well, then I will have to trouble you, Strategist Wang," Lu Feng said with a smile.

"Hehe, you are too polite, Captain Lu. If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."

Having said that, the other party left the room, leaving Lu Feng alone.

Looking at the brand-new furniture, Lu Feng walked over to the desk in a few strides and sat down.

From now on, he would have his own private office in the County Yamen. This was much better treatment than what the other three Captains received.

After a brief inspection of the study's furnishings, Lu Feng decided to pay a visit to Chief Clerk Lu Yan.

Although this man was a neutral official in the County Yamen, he had indeed helped him quite a bit.

Now that he had successfully been promoted to the position of Captain, it was time to thank Lu Yan.

Having made up his mind, Lu Feng left his room, went to the Chief Clerk's room, and knocked on the door.

"Subordinate Lu Feng, here to pay respects to Lord Chief Clerk."

In less than three breaths, the door slowly opened, and Chief Clerk Lu Yan appeared before him.

"Hmm, come in and speak," Lu Yan said.

Seeing this, Lu Feng didn't waste any words and stepped inside.

Once the two were seated, Lu Yan actually poured him a cup of tea.

From this, it was clear that Lu Yan's attitude toward him today was noticeably different from the last time.

After pouring the tea, Lu Yan spoke slowly, "Captain Lu, this tea of mine was sent from the Commandery City. Taste it and see how it is."

Lu Feng picked up the teacup and took a sniff. A faint, refreshing fragrance immediately drifted into his nostrils. He then took a small sip, and that fragrant sensation instantly filled his entire mouth.

"Mm, good tea!" Lu Feng nodded.

Seeing him say this, Lu Yan revealed a smile on his face. "Hehe, since Captain Lu likes it, I shall gift you two jin to enjoy properly."

Lu Feng initially wanted to decline upon hearing this, but in the end, he nodded and accepted it.

"Many thanks for your reward, Lord. My primary purpose in coming here today is to thank you for your previous help."

Lu Yan seemed to have already guessed the reason for his visit, so he spoke up, "Whatever you have achieved today is entirely due to your own efforts; I merely lent a hand in passing! Now that you have taken the position of the new Captain, you must surely know the County Magistrate's intentions. I wonder, do you have confidence in the upcoming Martial Examination?"

Since the other party asked so abruptly, he must have known the County Magistrate's purpose for establishing the new Captain position all along.

Although Lu Feng already knew about the Martial Examination, he still understood too little about the martial artists of this world.

He was even a complete novice when it came to martial arts knowledge.

Therefore, he dared not guarantee what kind of results he could achieve in the Martial Examination two months from now.

"Lord, regarding the Martial Examination, I can only say that I am confident in meeting the qualifications to participate. As for what kind of results I can achieve, I cannot say for sure," Lu Feng said frankly.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yan did not show any disappointment; instead, he appreciated him even more.

"Hmm, neither arrogant nor rash, open and honest—not bad, not bad at all!" Lu Yan said with approval. "I have served as the Chief Clerk in Qinglu County for four years, and it is rare to see a young martial artist with your talent!"

Lu Feng smiled helplessly. "You flatter me, Lord. I am merely speaking the truth."

"Since you have already prepared yourself mentally, I can rest easy. If you have anything you don't understand or anything you need in the future, you can come to me. This can be considered my contribution to Qinglu County."

Seeing the other party say this, Lu Feng felt a surge of joy.

Now that the County Magistrate Wang Lichuan and the Chief Clerk were both on his side, it would not be so easy for the County Assistant Zhou Yongsi to move against him.

Furthermore, the County Lieutenant Li Muyuan also had intentions of winning him over, so the days ahead should not be as difficult as they were before.

After chatting for a while longer, Lu Feng stood up to take his leave.

Leaving the Chief Clerk's room, he headed straight to the County Yamen's Registration Room.

His purpose in coming here was to find Old Li to collect the five thousand taels of silver he had won from his bet.

As soon as he entered the room, he saw Old Li writing something with a dark expression on his face.

The other Yamen Runners in the room immediately stood up and saluted upon seeing Lu Feng.

"We greet Captain Lu!"

Seeing this, Lu Feng waved his hand casually. "There is no need for such formalities, colleagues. Just treat me the same way you did before."

As they spoke, Old Li looked up and saw him, but his already dark face grew even darker.

But now that he held the status of a Captain, even if Old Li was unhappy, he dared not offend him to his face, so he stood up and offered a salute.

Lu Feng sized the man up for a moment, then stepped forward and said, "Old Li, you should know why I have come here, right?"

Hearing this, the corners of Old Li's mouth twitched. Finally, he sighed and said, "Sigh, a bet is a bet. Naturally, I know the reason for Captain Lu's visit."

Seeing the other man was so straightforward, Lu Feng didn't waste time. He took the betting wooden plaque from his pocket and handed it over.

Although gambling was not illegal in the Great Yan, one still had to keep a low profile inside the County Yamen.

Old Li accepted the plaque, then opened a cabinet to the side and took out fifty one-hundred-tael Banknotes, handing them over.

"Captain Lu, these are the Banknotes you won. Please count them."

Lu Feng took the Banknotes and carefully counted them, finding everything to be in order.

He then left the Registration Room with a smile.

The reason Old Li could produce so many Banknotes at once was that he had someone backing him.

Otherwise, how could a mere Yamen Runner in the accounts department dare to run a gambling ring inside the County Yamen?

As for the person behind this old man, Lu Feng had known for a long time: it was the Chief Clerk, Lu Yan.

Five thousand taels was not a small sum, but for Lu Yan, it was nothing.

This Lu Yan appeared to be merely the Chief Clerk of Qinglu County, but in reality, he was a member of the Lu Family from Baiyue County.

The Lu Family was one of the three great noble families in the county seat; not only was the family's financial power immense, but their connections were also extremely vast.

After obtaining the Banknotes, Lu Feng returned to his room, leaned back in his chair, and began to ponder.

Now, he was neither short on money nor required to go out on patrol; he only needed to practice his martial arts daily and fulfill the requirements of the County Magistrate.

In this way, his life had suddenly become quite comfortable.

But upon closer reflection, things were not that simple.

Those who had wanted to harm him before were all still there—for instance, his Uncle's family, the Caobang Gang, and the County Assistant, Zhou Yongsi.

Although these people dared not move against him openly now, they might still plot against him in the shadows.

If he wanted to avoid being ambushed, he had to continue improving his strength.

Thinking of this, Lu Feng decided to continue practicing Peiyuan Gong.

He sat on the chair, closed his eyes, and began to circulate his cultivation technique.

[You have circulated Peiyuan Gong once, Proficiency +1]

[You have circulated Peiyuan Gong once, Proficiency +1]