A prefect of the Third Rank is the highest-ranking official in a prefecture.
Prefect Li Duan appeared to be in his fifties. He wore a gauze hat, had a square face, three long wisps of beard, and a serious expression. He wore a scarlet robe with a round collar and wide sleeves, and a gold belt around his waist, exuding the air of a high-ranking official.
Li Duan was quite amiable towards Zhou Wuji, his usually serious face showing a touch of friendliness.
The main reason is that Zhou Wuji is Fourth Rank Hongshi, directly under the Heavenly Master's Manor. Although he is the highest-ranking official in a prefecture, he actually has no authority over Zhou Wuji.
Another point he noticed was that Princess Taihe treated Zhou Wuji with great politeness, even showing a degree of respect, always addressing him as "sir."
This shows that Princess Taihe valued Zhou Wuji highly. Naturally, she would not neglect Zhou Wuji.
Li Duan inquired in detail about the Battle of Golden Sands Fort, and then briefly asked why Princess Taihe had appeared at Golden Sands Fort.
Zhou Wuji explained everything clearly, especially regarding Princess Taihe, specifically pointing out that it was Wang Mingzhen's foolishness that led the princess into the military camp, thus putting her in danger...
Li Duan frowned upon hearing this. The children of the Duke of Anyang were truly ignorant of their own limitations and acted recklessly!
If the princess were to have an accident at Golden Sands Fort, he would inevitably be criticized for his incompetence in handling affairs, and his career would be over!
He then turned serious and said, "The Daoist priest defeated the barbarian bandits with his sword and protected Princess Taihe. I will certainly write to the court to request commendation for the Daoist priest..."
"I am ashamed; it was merely a matter of chance. It is thanks to the loyalty, bravery, and skill of the Fire Phoenix Army that this achievement was possible..."
Since the prefect was so polite, Zhou Wuji had to be even more modest.
Li Duan was even more pleased with Zhou Wuji. So young and accomplished, and having established a good relationship with Princess Taihe, yet he was so humble and gentle.
No wonder he has become famous in Jingyang over the past year; this Daoist Master Zhou's magnanimity is indeed extraordinary.
Such a person has limitless potential for future achievements.
Even if he doesn't necessarily use the other person, he should still show them more respect and attention.
Therefore, the highest-ranking official of Chunan Commandery personally escorted Zhou Wuji to the entrance of the hall.
When Zhou Wuji arrived at the side gate of the prefectural government, he saw a Black Tortoise Secret Guards waiting there.
The Black Tortoise Secret Guards bowed respectfully. "May I ask where you are going next, sir?"
Zhou Wuji knew it was Princess Taihe who had inquired. These past few days, the group had been traveling at high speed on horseback during the day, with many attendants watching, so he couldn't chat with Yin Le.
It's even more inconvenient at night.
How could Princess Taihe secretly meet with another man in her room? What kind of talk would that cause if word got out?
He said, "I'll go back to the Upper Court to rest for a few days."
Logically, he should have returned to Golden Sands Fort to meet up with Xie Lingyun.
However, with Xie Lingyun detaining Wang Mingzhen and suing Wang Zhenyuan, a fight between the two sides is inevitable.
As a Daoist priest of the Northern Pole Sect, he found it inconvenient to participate in the military's political struggles.
Having overly close personal relationships with Daoist sects and military leaders is also a major taboo.
Moreover, he had no power or influence; he could protect himself with his title of Master Hong, but he couldn't help Xie Lingyun in this struggle.
Before leaving Golden Sands Fort, Xie Lingyun also told him to go back to the Upper Court first and not to get involved in these messy affairs.
Upon Black Tortoise Secret Guards Zhou Wuji's words, she bowed and clasped her hands in greeting. "Your Highness has said that you will visit Daoist Zhou at the Upper Court in a few days."
Zhou Wuji smiled and returned the greeting, "I will be waiting for the princess in the Upper Court."
After exiting through the side gate, Zhou Wuji rode his horse directly back to the Upper Court.
Yang Tie Ying returned first and was waiting at the mountain gate. Seeing his master return, he hurriedly went to greet him, "Master, True Person Zhihua wants you to see her."
Zhou Wuji said slowly, "There's no need to rush. I'll go back to my room to change, wash up, and rest."
Yang Tie Ying was a little anxious. "Master and the True Person are looking for you, you'd better go quickly."
He wasn't particularly afraid of his master, but he was terrified of True Person Zhihua, even though Master Zhihua always seemed to be smiling and very amiable.
"Okay."
Zhou Wuji handed the horse to Yang Tie Ying. It was a fine horse from Xie Lingyun's army, and he would return it when he had the chance.
Keeping horses in a place like the Upper Court is really troublesome. Moreover, such good horses have no chance to run freely in the Upper Court, and they are all ruined.
Zhou Wuji arrived at the Yuheng Hall with familiarity with the place. The young Daoist priest bowed to him and led him to a side hall without him having to say anything.
In mid-September, the weather turned a bit cool, True Person Zhihua changed into a dark blue Daoist robe and added white footwear.
But she still lay lazily on the couch, holding a book in her hand.
" True Person." Zhou Wuji greeted him with a bow as he entered.
True Person Zhihua sized Zhou Wuji up and down, a half-smile playing on her bright face, "You saved the princess, but she didn't give you anything nice in return?"
Zhou Wuji shook his head. "You are wise True Person to judge, Princess Taihe indeed did not give me anything."
"I've heard that Princess Taihe is gentle and intelligent, and I adore her. I never expected her to be so stingy."
True Person Zhihua had never met Princess Taihe, she was, after all, True Person and would inevitably have some channels to know about royal secrets.
Of course, she was just joking with Zhou Wuji.
This time, Zhou Wuji's sword strike that defeated a thousand barbarian troops caused a sensation in Jingyang City.
If we wait a few more days, and let this news continue to spread, it will completely shake up Chunan, and even the state capital of Chuyang.
For hundreds of years, the barbarians had remained hidden deep in the Yue Ridge, with little interaction with Chunan, and the two sides lived in peace.
The sudden invasion of the barbarians shocked the entire Chunan Commandery, and a sense of panic gripped the people.
The army has been at the edge of the Yue Ridge for some time now, but there has been no news.
It wasn't until the Battle of Golden Sands Fort that the first major victory was reported.
This good news arrived just in time, greatly boosting the morale of Jingyang City and sweeping away the previous anxiety.
Zhou Wuji, who made the greatest contribution, was also the well-known Master Hong, which drew praise from everyone.
At the last Jingyang Dharma Assembly, Zhou Wuji had already attracted a large number of believers. This time, with the news spreading, even more believers came to the Upper Court to offer incense.
Many powerful and influential people also took the initiative to visit, offering large sums of money as incense money.
Abbot True Person Zhiyun was very pleased with this and specially summoned all the hall masters and chief monks, asking them to take this opportunity to promote Zhou Wuji and the Upper Court...
Although the various factions of the Upper Court were fighting amongst themselves, they all recognized Zhou Wuji in this matter, after all, it was an honor for the Upper Court, and everyone would benefit from it.
As soon as Yang Tie Ying returned, someone came to inform him that True Person Zhihua knew Zhou Wuji would also be returning soon, and immediately told Yang Tie Ying to go and fetch him.
Zhou Wuji agreed with True Person Zhihua's words, "Indeed, we should at least send some gifts as a token of our appreciation. This precious daughter of a noble family may not understand these social customs."
True Person Zhihua said calmly, "The palace is a place where everyone is shrewd. Taihe is favored, so she must be even more intelligent. Don't underestimate her, or you'll suffer the consequences."
She wasn't joking. Zhou Wuji really treated Princess Taihe like a little girl, it would easily cause trouble.
A princess always has a different status, a fact that Zhou Wuji must be reminded of.
She then chuckled, "Speaking of which, I've heard that Princess Taihe is still unmarried. If you were to win her favor, becoming her consort would be quite a good thing."
"Finding a Daoist priest as a son-in-law is quite a good idea." Zhou Wuji hadn't really thought about these things; he was just stating the facts.
The Northern Pole Sect does not prohibit marriage, but for the princess to marry a Daoist priest would violate customs and traditions, and would be a great disgrace to the royal family.
"It certainly didn't happen before, but it's not impossible."
True Person Zhihua then said seriously, "If you become the prince consort, then the identity of your True Disciple will absolutely not be given to you."
Zhou Wuji also said solemnly, "I am devoted to the Great Dao and will never become a prince consort!"
The title of "imperial son-in-law" sounds prestigious, but in reality, his position within the court's power structure is extremely awkward, and his married life is also very awkward.
In short, no one with any real ability would dream of becoming a prince consort.
True Person Zhihua nodded. "It's enough that you understand this principle."
She seemed to be joking with Zhou Wuji, but in reality, she was reminding Zhou Wuji make a mistake.
The main reason is that Zhou Wuji, has an outstanding demeanor, is multi-talented, and is also highly skilled in martial arts.
Most importantly, this kid is incredibly good with words; he can charm a child with just a few sentences.
Princess Taihe is probably not even twenty years old yet, and having had her life saved by Zhou Wuji Zhou Wuji, it's hard for her not to like him...
True Person Zhihua was truly afraid that Zhou Wuji would go astray, so he hurriedly summoned Zhou Wuji to explain the consequences!
"You have rendered another great service, and the sect leader will surely be pleased. Although the geniuses in our academy are strong, they are far inferior to you in terms of reputation."
True Person Zhihua got down to business, saying, "This time, our academy will at least give you a great merit."
"Don't touch those three major merits; they'll be of great use to you when you go to our academy next year."
"Yes." Zhou Wuji knew nothing about this academy, so of course he had to follow the instructions of True Person Zhihua.
"You have already done a great service; don't get involved in the barbarian affairs anymore."
True Person Zhihua cautioned, "The barbarians also have experts of the Third Rank or higher. You've made such a big splash; perhaps some barbarian experts are eyeing you. There's no need to take the risk."
Zhou Wuji replied again, "True Person Zhihua is very thoughtful; this possibility is still very high."
The powerful in Nine Provinces might be too proud to attack the weak.
The strong among the barbarians clearly have no qualms whatsoever...
In the prefectural government office, Princess Taihe sat in the pavilion in the back garden. It was late autumn, and the flowers and plants in the garden had withered, with only a small patch of bamboo still showing some green.
Fortunately, the carp in the pond were still very active, swimming back and forth in the water tirelessly.
Yin Le was starting to regret it. She should have spent more time discussing calligraphy and poetry with her teacher over the past few days, but now she had no chance to learn from him...
Suddenly, a figure descended from the sky and landed right in front of Yin Le.
Yin Le was not surprised but delighted. She greeted the teacher with a beaming smile, saying, "Teacher, you've arrived!"
The person who descended from the sky wore a silver crown, had long, sword-like eyebrows, and bright, sharp, somewhat narrow eyes; he possessed a heroic air mixed with a touch of dominance.
She wore a black robe with silver patterns and a long sword at her waist, dressed like a man, but the robe could not hide her slender figure.
Anyone who looked at her would know that she was a woman.
This person was Yin Que, the deputy commander of the Black Tortoise Secret Guards, and also Yin Le's martial arts teacher. In private, Yin Le always respectfully called her teacher.
Yin Que Yin Le up and down and breathed a sigh of relief when he found that her breathing was stable and there was nothing wrong with her.
She heard news of Princess Taihe on the way and, without hesitation, hurriedly flew to Jingyang.
Based on the aura of the treasure on Yin Le's body, they directly located Yin Le's position.
I heard you encountered barbarians at Golden Sands Fort, and I'm very worried.
Yin Que sighed softly, "If this matter gets back to the Heavenly Capital, I will inevitably be scolded by the Emperor."
"It's all my fault for running around recklessly. I've dragged Master into this mess."
Yin Le hurriedly tugged at her master's sleeve and acted coquettishly. She was too familiar with Yin Que and knew that her teacher was susceptible to this.
"Alright, you've had enough fun. Let's head back to Heavenly Capital." Yin Que couldn't scold Yin Le, so he could only end her trip as a small punishment.
Yin Le was prepared for this, and she nodded vigorously. "I'll do whatever the teacher says."
But then she added, "Teacher, I was saved by Master Hong of the Northern Pole Sect, and I owe him a great debt of gratitude."
"Before I leave, I must repay this favor, otherwise the Northern Pole Sect will laugh at me for being stingy as a princess!"
Yin Que nodded, "That's what we should do."
Having gained the teacher's approval, Yin Le said, "Teacher, do you still have that Azure Cloud Treasure Robe? Please give it to me as a token of my gratitude..."
Yin Que frowned slightly, feeling that the gift was a bit too expensive. But then she thought that Yin Le safe and sound, which was better than anything else.
Even a Azure Cloud Treasure Robe isn't worth comparing...