Within the magistrate’s office of Lengshan County, Fang Xun sat at his desk, eyes closed in deep contemplation after spending time playing with his son.
A cherished son had just been born, and a promotion was imminent.
By all logic, he should have been content, patiently waiting for the coming spring to return to the capital.
Yet lately, perhaps due to the oppressive heat, his mind had grown increasingly restless, giving rise to thoughts of a different nature.
“The post of Registrar in the Ministry of Revenue under the Left Chancellor… it’s not exactly minor, but it’s far from significant.”
“Once I return to the capital, things won’t be like they are in the provinces. It won’t be easy to earn merit and secure another promotion in a short time.”
“If I were alone, it would be one thing. At worst, I could spend a few more decades struggling in officialdom. But now that I have Huan’er…”
“I can’t let him suffer alongside me.”
At the thought of the infant who laughed and cried in equal measure, a trace of warmth surfaced in Fang Xun’s eyes.
“Huan’er” was the nickname he had given his son. As for a formal name and courtesy name, he intended to seek his master’s decision after returning to the capital.
“With my master bestowing his name, his life will surely not be as turbulent as mine.”
“As for that foolish woman, Yu Niang…”
Fang Xun’s expression darkened instantly, though a hint of helplessness lingered beneath it.
They had spent many years together, especially during the lowest point of his life after being demoted. To say he felt nothing for her would be a lie.
“But that woman… it’s as if her mind has been clouded. She insists on clinging to unrealistic fantasies.”
“And yet, I can’t simply act against her. First, the Marquis of Changle has already issued me a warning. Second… I can’t have Huan’er grow up without a mother.”
The more he thought about it, the more agitated he became.
It was as if the scorching heat of Lengshan County had pierced through the protective array, searing straight into his heart.
Unable to remain seated, Fang Xun rose and began pacing back and forth across the study.
Only after a long while did he draw a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
“No need to bother with her for now. That foolish woman won’t stir up any real trouble.”
He sat down once more, his thoughts returning to the matter at hand.
“On the night Xiong Jin was captured, I personally interrogated him.”
“His reason for attacking the county office and seizing the Lengshan Venerable aligned with my expectations. It wasn’t for himself, but to help a junior break through to the next realm.”
“According to him, that nephew of his possesses extraordinary talent, rarely seen in a thousand years, and represents the true hope for the restoration of the Xiang Kingdom. That’s why he dared to mobilize such forces and risk everything to assault the Lengshan County Yamen.”
“He also carries the royal bloodline of the Xiang Kingdom. Even better, he is still young and only at the Mortal Physique Realm.”
“If I can capture him…”
The moment the thought arose, Fang Xun’s heart began to pound violently, like the relentless beating of war drums.
“The court seems to have uncovered the same information. In recent days, Black-Robed Envoys have been searching in secret. However, there’s still no news of that boy being captured.”
“If I can claim another merit…”
“Then my standing among my fellow disciples will be completely transformed. And Huan’er and I will enjoy a lifetime of wealth and security.”
The spark of that thought had begun as nothing more than a faint, flickering ember. Yet as Fang Xun continued to ponder, it swelled with the wind.
In but a few moments, it had grown into a roaring blaze.
Completely seizing his mind.
As for what Xiong Jin had said about his nephew’s extraordinary talent, Fang Xu paid it little heed.
“In Great Qian, the one thing we never lack is talent.”
“Back then, I too was hailed as a prodigy unseen in a hundred years. And yet…”
“Hmph!”
Some unpleasant memories surfaced, pricking at his nerves. Fang Xun let out a cold snort.
He was just considering whether to order Wu Kuang to lead men and conduct a preliminary search around Lengshan County—
When Wu Kuang himself walked in.
“Sir, there is a laborer outside the county office requesting an audience.” Wu Kuang said, his expression somewhat strange.
“A laborer? To see me?”
Fang Xun was about to wave his hand and dismiss the matter outright.
But as if recalling something, he paused briefly before saying, “Bring him in.”
Wu Kuang was slightly surprised, but he acknowledged the order and withdrew.
Not long after, a figure with graying hair and a limp slowly made his way inside.
“This cripple…”
Fang Xun glanced over and found him somewhat familiar.
After a moment, he recalled that this man seemed to be one of the two laborers who had first reported the Xiang Kingdom’s rebellion.
And not long ago, deep within the underground mines of Lengshan County, he had also seen this face.
As for the man’s name, he could not remember.
“You requested an audience with this official. What is your purpose?” Fang Xun’s sharp gaze fell upon Li Shun.
Li Shun immediately dropped to his knees, trembling as if overcome with fear.
“This lowly one is guilty… guilty…”
Through his halting explanation, Fang Xun gradually understood the situation.
During a previous exploration of the mine, this man had accidentally discovered a stalk of Lengshan Lord Grass, and secretly kept it for himself.
At the time, aside from a maid who had accompanied him, no one else knew of it.
Yet the man was far too timid. After hiding such a treasure, he had been unable to find peace, suffering day and night under the weight of his conscience.
After enduring it for so long, he could no longer bear it and had come to confess of his own accord.
“No wonder he looks so haggard,” Fang Xun thought with faint amusement.
“Take out the Lengshan Lord Grass and let me have a look.”
Li Shun trembled as he circulated the Spirit Division and Life Transformation technique, extracting the Lengshan Lord Grass from his dantian.
Wu Kuang reacted swiftly, catching it and passing it to Fang Xun.
“The quality is indeed quite good. Unfortunately, it still falls far short of Lengshan Venerable Grass.”
A thread of icy coolness spread through his hand, and Fang Xun felt his mind grow clearer as well.
Looking at the laborer below, who stood with his head lowered and body shaking, Fang Xun had originally intended to dismiss him as usual.
But then he suddenly recalled the recent abnormalities in Lengshan County.
“This laborer’s mastery of Spirit Division is quite impressive. And Lengshan Grass is on the verge of extinction…”
Fang Xun’s eyes shifted as he suddenly barked,
“You could have simply hidden this Lengshan Lord Grass. Why bring it forward today?”
“Don’t try to fool this official with that excuse of being afraid. If you were truly afraid, why wait until now!”
Li Shun’s body trembled violently, as if his thoughts had been exposed. He no longer dared conceal anything.
He immediately poured out everything in his heart.
“This lowly one has heard that in Great Qian, merits can be accumulated. From my previous report, I have gathered some merit. But it was not enough to be promoted in rank and escape my lowly status. Therefore…”
“I was still hesitant before. But with the weather growing hotter and hotter, I truly can’t endure it any longer!” Li Shun said, his voice tinged with a sob, recounting everything truthfully.
“So that’s how it is.” Fang Xun nodded slightly.
“Promotion in rank…”
He casually rubbed the Lengshan Lord in his hand.
Feeling that cooling sensation seep into his very heart, he pondered briefly.
“Such a trivial matter. Whether he is promoted or not depends entirely on a single thought of mine. As for this laborer…”
“He is skilled in cultivating Lengshan Grass. With the upheaval in Lengshan, the grass is nearing extinction, and its value will surely skyrocket. I can keep him by my side to tend this Lengshan Lord for me.”
“After a few years, I can sell it off.”
With that, Fang Xun silently made his calculations.