Adapting to Circumstances, Locals and Outsiders Contend

The large, luxurious bed with its two-zhang-wide span was engraved with various spiritual patterns that emitted a faint glow. The four layers of restrictions—"Clear Mind," "Seek Truth," "Leisurely," and "Poetry Dream"—were all lit up, yet it still creaked.

After mastering the "True Explanation of the Primordial Ancient Body of the Northern Night Palace," Sect Leader Kang Da was like a ferocious beast; even the Law Artifact embroidered bed could not withstand his immense power.

Even though it was difficult to carry a canopy bed, Fei Shuhe endured it all.

"I should have chosen the dowry from the one next to it, the one with the 'Mulberry Bud' restriction." Fei Shuhe's mind had just gone blank when this thought suddenly flashed into her head.

After a long while, the warm and elegant boudoir finally quieted down.

Fei Shuhe, panting heavily, stretched out her two fair and jade-like arms and hugged Xiong's back tightly. Her alluring eyes were more seductive than the silk thread at the corner of his mouth.

The wealthy young lady, however, still carried a hint of arrogance, and said in a soft mocking voice, "So what if you think you're something special? You only learned this little skill from that worthless person!"

Kang Dabao didn't argue, but angrily shouted, "Oh, I'm hungry, let me rest for a bit!"

The former's lips curled slightly, and he naturally obeyed.

Sect Leader Kang Da moved away from the woman's alabaster-skinned body, but Fei Shuhe didn't move first. She lay on the couch for a while before gathering her strength. She looked at Kang Dabao's innocent face and got angry. She glared at him with her beautiful eyes and let out a soft snort.

She looked as if she had just come out of a hot spring, her body covered in tiny, almost imperceptible water droplets. Sect Leader Kang Da offered to help her wipe herself off, but she pushed him away in a huff.

After entering the hot spring by the embankment, Fei Shuhe spent quite a while cleaning herself up. Then she changed into a new blanket, slipped into bed, and lay down to rest.

She closed her eyes, then remembered the red marks covering her body, while Kang Dabao's skin was completely unharmed.

Recalling the other person's rough, large hands from earlier, she raised an eyebrow and whispered coquettishly, "Like you've never had a full meal."

Kang Dabao took in his wife's shame and indignation without getting angry. Instead, he teased her, "It's like raising an army for a thousand days to use it for one!"

"Shameless!" Ever since the window paper and something else were torn apart, Fei Shuhe could clearly feel that Sect Leader Kang Da's skin had thickened considerably, at least when the two of them were lying on the couch.

"We haven't even had a chance to use the dual cultivation technique yet!" The young woman felt a little annoyed. It was Secret Method of pleasure obtained from Original Response Temple on Snow Mountain Circuit, a treasure that many noble ladies of the Fei Household had studied. Not only could it purify spiritual energy during the process, but it could also make both parties more joyful.

Nanny Sun had repeatedly reminded him beforehand, but he still forgot.

"It's all your fault!" Fei Shuhe somewhat embarrassed and annoyed. If some people hadn't gotten straight to the point from the very beginning, things wouldn't have come to this!

Completely bewildered, Kang Dabao chuckled and took the slap from his wife's chest, saying softly, "It's my fault, it's my fault! My dear, please rest well!"

"And you?! Who did you go to see this time?!" Fei Shuhe's face showed displeasure. She suddenly sat up from the couch, her red collar slipping down to reveal her fragrant shoulders and fair neck, a large expanse of snow-white skin, a breathtaking sight.

"We're not going anywhere; I'll rest with my wife."

Fei Shuhe could hardly see the movements of Foundation Establishment True Cultivator clearly. Before she could even cry out in surprise, she suddenly felt another burly man lying beside her.

"So this is what it means to share a bed." The young woman's heart gradually changed. She gently placed her soft hand on his thick palm and felt a sense of peace that she had not felt for a long time. Soon after, she fell into a deep sleep from exhaustion.

Sect Leader Kang Da closed his eyes, but his heart was not filled with the joy he had just felt. Instead, at this moment of mutual affection, he began to plot and scheme.

"From now on, there is no turning back. As for the Yue Household, all paths forward are blocked. We must produce a direct descendant of immortal beings as soon as possible to appease the Fei Household, and then seek help to strive for the prosperity of the sect. As for the New Cloud Alliance, the relationship between my family and Commander Tie also needs to be sorted out."

Two months later, in Xuanwei City and Cloud Horn Prefecture Court...

"Over the past two years, County Magistrate Kang has done an excellent job in Ping and Jin counties. In a short period of time, he has ensured that there are no corrupt officials, no unruly people in the countryside, full granaries, and complete tax collection. He is truly a rare talent and a capable official." Prefect Zhu Tong closed the performance evaluation records of the thirteen counties in the prefecture and praised him.

As a rising star in the officialdom, known for his "strictness" by his colleagues, Zhu Tong surprisingly offered a word of praise to Sect Leader Kang Da.

"The Ministry of Revenue shall be ordered to allocate a separate salary for Kang Dabao, making up the half-pay that was not fully paid in the past due to the country's difficulties, and thereafter he shall be paid the full salary, as an encouragement."

Although Zhu Tong spoke generously, in reality, Sect Leader Kang Da had only been an official for a few years, and making up for his past years' salary wouldn't actually cost more than a few Spirit Stone. It was less than what some officials in the state court spent in brothels and pleasure quarters in a year.

However, things cannot be judged by appearances. Although this amount of Spirit Stone is not much, it belongs solely to Sect Leader Kang Da, so it is more than just Spirit Stone.

The Registrar stepped forward to answer the call; such a beneficial and cost-effective task was naturally accomplished.

Kang Dabao was praised and rewarded by Zhu Tong during the court discussion, which made Sima Fei was present, feel proud. After all, as Kuang Liuting gradually gained power in recent years, many young talents from all over the country came to join him.

Yet no one else could receive such high praise from Zhu Tong, which is enough to demonstrate Fei Nanying eye for talent.

However, Tie Liuyun, who had always considered himself the Sect Leader Kang Da, could hardly feel any joy upon hearing his rival's praise.

Just a month ago, the first-grade top-quality emerald stone mine in Tanggu County, which Gunshilu had promised to the Chongming Sect, had already begun mining. At that time, Kang Dabao personally went to oversee the operation, with Ming Hui, the newly promoted Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Ming family, leading the Ming family cultivators as the main force to be responsible for the mining.

Despite not usually being fond of hosting banquets, Sect Leader Kang Da held a grand feast on the Ming Lineage's land that day because of the mining project.

Not only did senior cultivators like Ma Wenhan and Shan Sheng, whose lifespans were nearing their end, come to offer their congratulations, but even renowned veteran Foundation Establishment like Lang Yi and the Four Friends of Cold Mountain also came to offer their congratulations.

Their influence was not much less than that of the Tie Household.

This was something the Tie Household, who already held a dominant position, found extremely worrying.

In this way, Tanggu County, which was about to be completely controlled by the Tie Household, had already been blatantly stabbed by the guests from the capital, making Tie Liuyun feel extremely uncomfortable.

Therefore, when Tie Liuyun suddenly heard the name of Sect Leader Kang Da today, a sinister glint flashed in his eyes. "You dog, once the chain is loose, you'll bite."

Tanggu County had long been regarded as the private property of the Tie Household. Even if Kuang Liuting wanted to take it back, he would still feel resentful, let alone Kang Dabao, whom he had always looked down on!

Not only are Kang Dabao and Chongming Sect now hated by Tie Liuyun, but Tie Liuyun also plans to find an opportunity to thoroughly eliminate forces that are relatively close to the Chongming Sect, such as the Ming Household and the Kuai Household.

However, Kang Dabao is still "in the heart of Jian Zaibo," so Tie Liuyun cannot make a move.

"Mining is a tough job, but if you're willing to do it, then go ahead and do it. I'll reap the rewards without lifting a finger!"

Once Zhu Tong started speaking, he seemed unable to stop, praising Kang Dabao for bringing order and justice to Ping and Jin counties. To avoid suspicion, Sima Fei couldn't say anything, and Tie Liuyun, the original sponsor, parted ways with him. In the end, it was only after Gun Shilu and Qin Sufu spoke that Prefectural Governor Zhu's words were finally silenced.

If the conflict between the local and Hakka people in the state court was only in its nascent stages or even just beginning, then after Lady Yue gave birth to the eldest daughter of the Earl of Nan'an before the new year, the conflict between the two sides has almost come to the forefront.

After all, if a woman from a minor clan in a prefecture were to secure the position of the chief wife in the Earl's mansion, it would be a severe slap in the face to the powerful clans of the capital region, led by the Fei Household.

Therefore, only in court meetings like today's, which are held every quarter, can the two sides temporarily maintain a superficial harmony.

Tie Xishui, who was seated at the end of the line, received a glance from his Lineage and stepped forward, saying calmly, "Ahem, Prefectural Governor Zhu, the most important matter today is to find the Great Sun Raw Stone as soon as possible to help the Earl Core Formation, and do our utmost. As for some unimportant matters, let's discuss them after we've left."

"Ha, ignorant brat, how dare you step forward and interfere in important court matters? I think you don't need to come anymore, just stay and watch the storeroom for the Lord." As soon as he finished speaking, Meng Xuan, who was almost exiled back to Liangxi by Kuang Liuting, snorted and retorted to those who stepped forward.

Tie Xishui, however, grasped the crux of the matter and asked instead, "Then I would like to ask the clerk of the Ministry of Justice to say something. This humble official does not know, but for us officials now, what could be more important than Lord Core Formation?"

"This you." Meng Xuan had little contact with Tie Xishui, but he didn't know that the latter, despite his bald and messy appearance, was actually a clever and eloquent person.

"Alright, we are all ministers in the same court, let's not quarrel over trivial matters." Zhu Tong stopped the two with a smile, and then said, "The clerk of the archives is right. As for us ministers, there is indeed nothing more important than finding the resources for the Lord to Core Formation."

"Hypocrite!" Tie Liuyun thought to himself, completely unappreciative. This court meeting was chaired by Zhu Tong, and he was hoping for a full-blown brawl to break out so that the news would reach Kuang Liuting and make Zhu Tong look incompetent, thus embarrassing him.

The Great Wei of Household Affairs was a rare bureaucrat who wanted to do his job well. Ignoring the verbal sparring in the hall, he took over Zhu Tong's words and said slowly:

"These days, we've purchased some from auctions in nearby states. This Great Sun Raw Stone is something many True-Grade Golden Core cultivators can use; it's a genuine mid-grade Third-Tier Middle-Grade spiritual material."

For us, with our humble Foundation Establishment, to purchase this is truly difficult. Not only is the premium considerable, but the total amount is still far from meeting the Lord's requirements. At this rate, it will take us at least another ten years to complete this task."

The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop; everyone knew the official in charge of household affairs was being quite optimistic.

The reason is that the quantity of rare spiritual materials like the Great Sun Raw Stone circulating in the market is not constant. The Household Affairs Officer thought that he could accumulate them little by little through persistent effort, but if he really did that, the price of the Great Sun Raw Stone would only become more and more expensive and it would become more and more difficult to buy.

Let alone ten years, even if it were a monkey year or a horse month, it might be difficult to collect them all. Besides, judging from the eager look on his face, he doesn't seem like someone who can wait ten years.

"If Myriad Treasures Trading Company could open in time, that would be great. As local landlords, it would be much more convenient for us to have them go to the trouble of procuring essential spiritual materials for us."

Acting Sima Gun sighed, but Tie Liuyun seized the opportunity to retort, "Sighing is useless. Star-Picking Pavilion has already suppressed Myriad Treasures Trading Company's proposal. How can we, with our limited strength, possibly fight against the powerful? Sima, you should think about what's really going on."

"Ha, Assistant Commissioner Tie is doing a good job. The vast Demon Correction Office has hundreds of soldiers and experts, but they are just occupying positions without doing any work and have not accomplished anything."

Open your eyes and look! Cloud Horn Prefecture is still a place overrun by demons and monsters. The affairs of a peaceful place have fallen on the shoulders of a mere county magistrate with no power base or troops.

"Silence!" Sima Fei shouted softly. Acting Sima Gun's words were so harsh that Fei Nanying felt uncomfortable after hearing them, and even Prefectural Governor Zhu, who had been smiling warmly, showed a hint of embarrassment.

Suddenly struck by a swift blow from the Acting Sima Gun, Tie Liuyun was mortified. Just as he was about to retort, a deep, powerful voice boomed from outside the hall. "Which county magistrate has outshone my position as a deputy commander?!"

"Greetings, Your Excellency."

"Mmm," Kuang Liuting stopped the kowtows that had filled the ground, showing no sign of lingering. He disregarded the previous question and instead asked, "What are you all doing?"

"Reporting to Your Excellency, your servants are gathering the resources needed for your Core Formation. We've made some progress on most of the other resources, but we haven't found much information about the Great Sun Raw Stone, despite putting in a lot of effort."

"Great Sun Raw Stone?" Kuang Liuting showed no emotion, then took out a Great Sun Raw Stone the size of a human head. "I don't need one!"

"This is... this is..." many people exclaimed immediately, as this was far more than all the supplies they had painstakingly collected combined.

"Before coming here, I went to Ye Prefecture to help the direct line of the Yang Household train their Golden Core cultivator," Kuang Liuting explained calmly, noticing the doubts on his subordinates' faces.

"I almost used the Thunder Swallow Technique to kill that True-Grade Golden Core Yang Household's collateral branch. What a pity, if Patriarch Yang Household could afford the price, I might even have been able to extract that collateral branch Golden Core and sell it to him."

"A son of a wealthy family should not sit under a dangerous roof; Your Excellency should be careful when going out alone." Someone immediately offered this advice, Kuang Liuting paid no heed and continued, "Tell me, which county magistrate has rendered meritorious service in pacifying this region?"

"In the court's consensus, among the thirteen counties, Kang Dabao of Pingrong County is the most diligent. He received the imperial edict from the Sima Office and made great contributions to pacifying the region," Zhu Tong replied respectfully.

"Why is it that kid again?" Kuang Liuting did have some favor for Kang Dabao, so he didn't doubt him. He muttered to himself, "Since we've already obtained the most crucial Great Sun Raw Stone, I'll go to Pingrong County and see what kind of paradise Kang Dabao has created."