Xu Xinnian: Why do I keep running into lunatics today?

In a small courtyard, Daoist Jinlian carefully put away the fragments of the Earth Book, her brows furrowed in silence.

Everyone in the Earth Book chat group is a person with great fortune, and he would not want to see any of them lose their lives.

"The struggle between the Celestial Person and the human is a matter for the elders. There is no need for the younger generation to fight to the death. If we don't intervene, given Li Miaozhen's stubbornness and Number Four's sharp edge, there will probably be one dead and one injured."

"It's inconvenient for our Earth Sect to get involved in the battle between Celestial Person. Number Six is not good with words, and Number One's identity is inconvenient. So let's just push Xu Qi'an out to mediate. Let him get involved in the battle between Celestial Person, reduce the hostile atmosphere between Li Miaozhen and Number Four. This way, we can give an account to the sect and avoid having to fight to the death again."

"However, his cultivation level is somewhat weak, and he is not yet qualified to intervene in the battle between Li Miaozhen and Number Four, unless he can cultivate to the point of having copper skin and iron bones in a short period of time."

It's really difficult to build up a body of steel and bronze in a short period of time.

Master Jinlian frowned for a moment, and after thinking for a long time, she still couldn't come up with a suitable idea, until a sharp meow came from the courtyard.

A moment later, an orange cat happily left, its tail held high.

Inside the room, Daoist Jinlian lay peacefully on the bed.

After breakfast, Xu Qi'an rode his mare, taking Zhong Li to the Nightwatchers's office.

"I can't guarantee you'll get into the Nightwatchers's Office, especially the Haoqi Tower," Xu Qi'an said, turning his head to Zhong Li beside him.

She didn't ride a horse, but followed the mare step by step, strolling leisurely as if taking a walk after a meal.

Xu Qi'an watched the Law Technique of shrinking the distance to an inch with envy.

Just as he stepped into the Nightwatchers's office, a silver gong player led a dozen bronze gong players out in a hurry, bumping right into Xu Qi'an.

The Yinluo stopped to say hello, noticed Zhong Li with disheveled hair and a linen robe, and asked, "Is this a Jianghu person who has broken the law? Why wasn't he tied up?"

Xu Qi'an was taken aback, and asked carefully, "What makes you say that?"

Yinluo explained, "You weren't on duty yesterday, so you didn't know. Duke Wei issued a proclamation yesterday, saying that in three months it will be the once-in-a-century battle between Celestial Person and Man."

"Before that, outstanding disciples from the Human Sect and the Heavenly Sect will first compete, a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle for many martial arts heroes."

"Therefore, many martial arts practitioners, drawn by its reputation, flocked to the capital to witness the decisive battle between the disciples of the Celestial Person and Human Sects. Colleagues in the government offices stood guard at the city gates, registering the martial arts practitioners entering the city and screening for any potential foreign spies."

Hmm? So Number Four and Number Two have such high status in the underworld? I had no idea. Maybe it's because I'm a second-generation eunuch. Xu Qi'an nodded and said goodbye to Yinluo.

He arranged for Zhong Li to stay at Li Yuchun's Chunfeng Hall, while he went to Haoqi Tower.

Zhong Li was the fifth disciple of the Supervisor, a fairly high-ranking position, but it was all for naught; she couldn't see Wei Yuan.

After being announced by a guard, Xu Qi'an went up to the tea room on the seventh floor.

Wei Yuan stood before the enormous geomantic map, still wearing the same unchanging blue robe, his hair simply tied up with a black jade hairpin, his hands behind his back, and his sleeves hanging down.

In terms of temperament, appearance, and talent, Wei Yuan was undoubtedly the best among the middle-aged and elderly people Xu Qi'an had ever met. As for the younger generation, in terms of appearance, Erlang and Nangong Qianrou were the best.

However, in terms of overall strength, Xu Qi'an felt that Xu Dalang was still superior and was the undisputed leader and champion.

"Your appointment letter is on the table. Take it to the Selection Department later to collect your official badge and uniform."

Wei Yuan did not turn around, but simply pointed to the table.

Xu Qi'an's gaze followed to the desk, and sure enough, he saw a promotion document stamped with Wei Yuan's seal.

The Nightwatchers's office was Wei Yuan's personal fiefdom; he could promote or demote whomever he wanted. Therefore, Xu Qi'an had no worries about his promotion to Silver Gong.

"Once you become a Silver Gong, you won't have to patrol the streets anymore; you can sit in the office and have more free time," Wei Yuan hinted. "You have good talent; you shouldn't waste your time on official duties."

This is the first time I've ever seen a boss like Xu Qi'an tell his employees, "You shouldn't waste your time on such trivial things as work." I just wish I had met such a good leader in my past life. I've been a hardworking corporate slave for almost ten years.

He picked up the promotion document, about to take his leave, when Wei Yuan said, "Don't rush off. The disciples of the Human Sect and the Heavenly Sect will soon have their decisive battle. The capital will likely be turbulent during this time, and there will inevitably be troublemakers and brawlers."

"I understand, I will maintain order in the inner city," Xu Qi'an replied immediately.

Wei Yuan nodded slowly and continued, "You had contact with Li Miaozhen in Yunzhou. What were your impressions of her?"

Li Miaozhen's identity as a disciple of the Heavenly Sect was revealed to Governor Zhang and Jiang Luzhong in Baidi City. After Xu Qi'an's death in battle, Governor Zhang sent a memorial back to the capital during the bandit suppression, elaborating on the outstanding contributions made by Li Miaozhen, a disciple of the Heavenly Sect, in the bandit suppression.

They earnestly requested the imperial court to grant her an official position.

The result was naturally rejected. Luo Yuheng was the Grand Preceptor of the Great Feng Dynasty, and the Human Sect and the Heavenly Sect were irreconcilable enemies. This was no joke.

My feelings for her... Xu Qi'an thought for a moment and felt that it could be summarized in one sentence: I took off my battle robe with the general, and spent a warm spring night in the boudoir.

"They're just two disciples, Duke Wei, there's no need to care so much," Xu Qi'an said.

"The attitude among disciples determines the attitude of their elders." Wei Yuan snapped out of his thoughts, looked at him, and said earnestly:

"The leader of the Heavenly Sect is a first-rank official."

Xu Qi'an was both shocked and unsurprised by this answer. Among the three major sects of Daoist School, the Heavenly Sect was the most powerful. The leaders of the Human Sect and the Earthly Sect were both second-rank. If the Heavenly Sect didn't have a first-rank leader, how could it be so powerful?

But wouldn't this mean that Luo Yuheng of the Human Sect would inevitably be defeated?

Xu Qi'an's chances of winning. He understood Wei Yuan's meaning: if this competition between disciples wasn't handled properly, the leaders of the Celestial Person and Human Sects would probably have to fight to the death.

First and second rank are the pinnacle of combat power in the world. Even the wise and powerful Wei Yuan dared not be careless. The Grand Master of the Great Feng capital, the Supervisor, was only a first-rank official.

"Duke Wei, there's something I haven't told you yet." Xu Qi'an intended to report the inside story of the Heaven and Earth Society.

Wei Yuan hummed in response but did not speak.

"That Li Miaozhen is a member of the Heaven and Earth Society and is in charge of Fragment Number Two. As for the disciple sent by the Human Sect, he should be the number one swordsman in the capital that you evaluated," Xu Qi'an reported.

This news caught Wei Yuan off guard. He left the geomantic map, returned to the table, and sat down, saying in a deep voice, "Tell me properly."

Xu Qi'an immediately relayed the chat history from the "Ground Book Chat Group" from the previous night.

"Your information is very timely." Wei Yuan nodded approvingly.

His "favoritism" towards this gong was complex and involved many factors. First and foremost was his character, meaning his integrity was trustworthy and reliable. Secondly, there was his talent; Xu Qi'an's demonstrated talent was worthy of his vigorous cultivation.

Then there's personality, which is different from temperament. Xu Qi'an is very good at getting things done; he's clever, slick, and knows how to flatter and fawn, but he also has his own principles.

Finally, he always manages to bring surprises to Wei Yuan, whether it's solving cases or providing current intelligence; he consistently demonstrates his usefulness to Wei Yuan.

Wei Yuan was relieved that this wasn't a sapling that was good for nothing and needed his constant support and care.

This is significantly different from those Lineage geniuses who are exceptionally talented but have terrible work and interpersonal skills.

"Try to cooperate with Daoist Jinlian as much as possible," Wei Yuan said abruptly.

Seeing Xu Qi'an's blank expression, he explained, "Jin Lian established the Heaven and Earth Society to search for the holders of the Earth Book fragments throughout the Nine Provinces. Her initial intention was to cleanse the sect and eliminate the demonic leaders."

Xu Qi'an nodded; he had personally told Wei Yuan Jinlian's motives.

"Then he certainly won't watch the holder of the Earth Book fragment perish, and will try his best to mediate. However, he is a member of the Earth Sect, and the Earth Sect has always maintained neutrality, making it inconvenient for them to intervene directly. He will most likely ask you for help."

"What can I do to help? Heh, heh heh." Xu Qi'an laughed, but his smile gradually froze.

Wei Yuan was unaware of his subordinate Little Silver Gong's boastful and arrogant behavior in the Earth Book chat group, so he didn't pay attention to Xu Qi'an's change in expression and instead said:

"The Western Religion is also approaching the capital."

Xu Qi'an was taken aback, wondering how Wei Yuan knew the Western Sect was coming to the capital. Then he realized that the Western Sect's large delegation visiting the capital of the Great Feng Dynasty would not have come unexpectedly.

This is similar to a meeting between two heads of state, where prior notification and appointment scheduling are required.

"It's the imperial examinations again, the Western religion again, and the conflict between Celestial Person and man again—it's going to be tough." Xu Qi'an felt a heavy weight in his heart.

Just then, the sound of gongs and drums suddenly came from downstairs, along with the faint shouts, "Fire! Fire!"

Fire?!

Xu Qi'an had been Nightwatchers for almost half a year, and this was the first time he had encountered something like this. The next moment, his heart sank, and he had a bad feeling.

"Lord Duke Wei, I must take my leave now."

He quickly got up, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and rushed out of Haoqi Tower in a panic. After looking around for a moment, he saw the officials and Nightwatchers carrying buckets of water, rushing frantically towards Chunfeng Hall.

A quarter of an hour later, the fire was extinguished by a gong-wielding official on duty at the yamen. Chunfeng Hall was reduced to ashes and ruins, but fortunately no one was injured or killed.

The gong-bearer was furious and ordered the Nightwatchers to investigate the cause of the fire.

In a secluded courtyard, Zhong Li, her hair scorched and curly, squatted on the ground. Her linen robe was burned through in several places, revealing her delicate skin.

"I was perfectly fine inside, and then the fire started. If you'd stayed a few hours, I might have been cooked," she said, still shaken.

"You're a fifth-rank Warlock, how could mere mortal fire harm you?"

Zhong Li said, "I just meditated, but my breathing went awry."

"."

Xu Qi'an couldn't bear it. "Let me take you to take a bath and change your clothes first."

At dusk, Xu Xinnian, having finished the first round of the imperial examination, left the examination hall. As he walked out of the gate with the students, he looked around for a moment and realized that his parents, elder brother, and younger sister had not come to greet him.

"Father and eldest brother should still be on duty, and it's inconvenient for mother and younger sister to travel alone," Xu Erlang comforted himself.

Carrying his book box, he planned to walk back home. Not forgetting to give himself a boost, he lightly slapped his thigh, stimulating his literary courage, and recited:

"Light as a swallow!"

An invisible force enveloped him, and as he walked, it was as if the wind was helping him, making him walk no slower than a horse-drawn carriage.

Suddenly, someone ahead laughed and said, "What a light and agile move!"

Xu Xinnian stopped and looked in the direction of the sound. Standing on the side of the street was a swordsman in a blue robe carrying a sword on his back. He had a handsome face and a free and unrestrained manner. He looked very young, but the strand of white hair hanging down on his forehead showed that he had experienced many hardships.

Before Xu Xinnian could speak, the swordsman in the blue robe laughed and said, "The first round of the imperial examination is over. According to my old habit, I will go to the Imperial Academy of Music with my classmates to drink and celebrate for the next three days."

"That was nine years ago. I imagine the courtesans of that time have grown old and faded, or perhaps they have found good husbands. I've heard that a Imperial Academy of Music has emerged who is skilled in both poetry and music, and whose fame has spread throughout the states. I'd like to go and see for myself."

"Brother, why don't we go together?"

Xu Xinnian listened quietly, with only one thought in his mind: This person is an idiot.

That overly familiar tone, as if they were old friends, and then he even winked at him. But Xu Xinnian was absolutely certain that he didn't know this guy at all.

What's going on today? Before entering, I ran into a strange monk, and after leaving, I encountered a foolish swordsman. Xu Xinnian ignored him and quickly ran away.

Boys need to protect themselves when they're out.

In the afterglow of the setting sun, crimson clouds hung on the horizon as Xu Qi'an led Zhong Li to the Imperial Academy of Music).

"I wonder if Fuxiang has recovered. Women these days are so weak; they catch colds so easily."

Xu Qi'an planned to bring Zhong Li over to see Fuxiang and get her diagnosed.

Zhong Li was still wearing a linen robe. After taking a bath, her hair was messy and spread out, covering her face.

Xu Qi'an guessed that she was an ugly woman, or that she had some scars on her face, which was why she didn't show her true face.

P. S.: I stayed up too late last night and slept until noon. Here's a belated update.

Update first, then revise.