Outside the rear gate of the Anping County Yamen, the wind and snow still raged.
Chu Bai stood alone with his hands behind his back, silently watching the carriage of Qian Shen, the former County Magistrate, vanish into the boundless curtain of snow.
Only at that moment did he truly understand how unfathomable the reserves of that colossal entity, the Great Zhou Immortal Dynasty, really were.
Even a seemingly mediocre, worldly County Magistrate in a remote little county town was a hidden dragon, concealing great wisdom beneath apparent foolishness as he quietly gathered strength for the Purple Abode Heavenly Examination.
"Magistrate Qian has his own path of patience and restraint. I, Chu Bai, have my own road to walk."
Chu Bai withdrew his gaze, brushed the snow from his shoulders, and strode back into the County Yamen's main hall.
Inside, the three young people—Su Mu, Zhao Tie, and Lin Xuan—were waiting stiffly where they stood.
Newly arrived, they looked around the imposing County Yamen, their hearts filled with excitement and a trace of unease.
"Sir."
As Chu Bai entered, all three immediately straightened their backs and bowed respectfully.
Chu Bai sat down in the grand armchair and looked warmly at the three subordinates he had carefully chosen. "The situation in Anping County is somewhat more complicated than we anticipated. Still, with me here, the sky won't come crashing down. Our first priority is to settle your appointments so you can take charge of the yamen's essential affairs with proper authority."
"All three of you are outstanding graduates of the Great Wall Prefecture Dao Academy and possess [White Ordination] immortal clerk status recognized by the Great Zhou Code. Under the regulations, I have the authority to promote you directly to substantive Principal Ninth Rank posts."
At those words, Su Mu and