It was indeed Bao Renyi.
The dark-skinned lad had grown into a man.
Though he had become a disciple rather late, he was clearly well suited to the path of the Legalist School. In little more than a decade, he had risen from Nonbeing to become a Qi Refining cultivator of its arts, keeping pace with Hai Yannian, who had cultivated for twenty years.
He lived next door and had hurried over upon hearing the commotion. After they exchanged greetings and courtesies, Xuanming looked at Magistrate Bao, whose face radiated righteousness, and let his thoughts wander.
Though he had secluded himself deep in the mountains these past few years, he had not shut his ears to everything beyond his window, nor had he lost touch with Hai Fengming.
Sometimes his Primordial Spirit would leave his body to meet Hai Fengming late at night. They would drink tea and play chess, hold spirited discussions, exchange insights, or he would take away some spirit jujube tea. Sometimes they also exchanged Flying Sword Messages.
Just as mortal parents always boasted about promising children and grandchildren, Hai Fengming had often praised his two disciples to him, especially Bao Renyi.
Five years ago, the lad had passed the Broad Dharma Bureau's assessment and secured an official post. Three years ago, after two years of training, Bao Renyi had begun to distinguish himself and handle cases independently.
He was stern and impartial, fearless before the powerful, just and incorruptible. He acted according to the law and enforced it rigorously, upholding justice for the people. Against cultivators who abused their influence to oppress commoners, he struck with an iron fist and showed no mercy. Against cultivators who relied on their strength to bully weaker peers, he stood firm and refused to bend.
Within a single year, his