Chapter 13

In the county government’s main hall, a middle-aged man dressed in blue official robes with a long saber hanging at his waist was currently sitting unrestrainedly on the main seat that originally belonged to Lord Magistrate. While Mi Ke who caught a cold yesterday night could only drag his sick body and sit on the seat that originally belonged to the official registrar. And Registrar Zhang who could only accompany by standing at the side now, his oafish face was not too happy about it.

Mi Ke took a look at that man seated in the main seat. That person was precisely Commandery Qingshan’s Warden Li. Although Warden Li still did not have the authority to dispatch him, this Warden Li was a genuine sixth-grade official; two grades higher than him, this magistrate. Furthermore, commanding the local wardens in the various counties of a commandery, there was the responsibility of defending the territory and giving peace to the people. To say that his authority was small, it was not small. To say that it was high, it was also very high. Because once he linked a certain incident to demons or cultivators, then even if it was the county chief, they could only look on helplessly and give him free rein on the matter.

He suddenly arrived at Tianqing County without prior notice. Mi Ke was naturally not prepared either. At this moment, although Mi Ke was confused, when he thought about Tianqing County’s peaceful days these past few years, coupled with that only three people died in the recent incident before the demon was swiftly eliminated, there was no reason to find fault. Moreover, Tianqing County was way more peaceful compared to other surrounding counties. There should be no cause for Warden Li to make trouble even if he wanted to.

Since he was not here to find trouble, Mi Ke suddenly thought of another possibility. During Chen Chao’s tenure in Tianqing County, he killed countless major and minor demons, maintaining the peace of the land. No matter what, no one else could compare. Could it be that the man in front of him came to Tianqing County presently to reward Chen Chao? Or, could it possibly be to promote him to be the warden of Commandery Qingshan and be in charge of a commandery?

Mi Ke pondered silently. If there were the case, then Chen Chao would be leaving Tianqing County. That would really be… something sorrowful.

Previously, Registrar Zhang was still wondering if his lord really had not thought about Chen Chao leaving. But if he knew what Mi Ke was thinking at this moment, he would definitely feel that he had a heart-to-heart connection with his lord again.

“Lord Mi, Tianqing County has been peaceful for several years. Now, an incident where a demon hurt people appeared again. Lord Mi mustn’t slack off. In Commandery Qingshan, there are countless pairs of eyes watching Tianqing County.”

Warden Li drank a mouthful of tea, looking calm and collected.

Mi Ke put on an attitude of humbly seeking advice. But in reality, this Lord Magistrate had already cussed him out god knows how many times in his heart. Even if a few people died in Your Father’s Tianqing County, it’s also much more peaceful than other county towns! Why don’t you go and think about how other counties should prevent demons instead of talking rubbish here?

But when he opened his mouth, it changed to: “Your Excellency is right. We’ll definitely be on 120% alertness. Protecting the territory and giving peace to the people is also our duty.”

Warden Li was very satisfied. Then, he sized up the surroundings and yearned for his own warden office in Commandery Qingshan. That was much better than this current lousy county government. It was just that the Great Liang Dynasty’s warden offices were at most only set up at the prefecture level. This kind of county town did not have such an office. Otherwise, he would not be waiting for Chen Chao in the county government, but would have gone directly to the warden office.

“No worries, this warden knows about Lord Mi’s ability. It’s just a pity that I have no power over Lord Mi’s career. Otherwise, I’d give Lord Mi a helping hand no matter what. Rather, County Chief Liu has some friendship with me.” “After heading back this time, I’ll definitely say a few words of praise about Lord Mi in front of him. By the year-end examinations, he’ll have to give Lord Mi a first-class grade no matter what.”

Warden Li casually talked and gave a grandiose promise. But, there was little credibility and it was not believable.

Mi Ke was considered a wily old fox in the officialdom too, he had long already given up the idea of climbing up. Hence, he did not follow up. Just as he was all smiles and wanted to speak, the court underling outside yelled out. After Mi Ke heard clearly, he immediately said, “Warden Chen is here. This lowly official will take my leave.”

He beckoned his hand. Registrar Zhang who was by the side understood his meaning and helped Mi Ke up. The two people did not wait for Warden Li to speak and already left the main hall.

A young man dressed in a black shirt with a saber hanging at his waist already entered the main hall.

Bringing with him some wind and snow.

The moment Warden Li saw Chen Chao, he had a look of displeasure and said with a frown, “As the Great Liang Dynasty’s warden, why aren’t you wearing official robes?” !

Chen Chao looked at this Warden Li whom he had never met before and raised his eyebrows. This was the first time that they were meeting and he was already taking him down a notch.

Chen Chao was neither obsequious nor haughty, clasping his hands as he said, “Following Great Liang’s laws, wardens at the county level get two sets of official attires every year. But ever since this lowly official assumed the post, I’ve never received any official robes before.”

Warden Li was stunned. Just now, he subconsciously wanted to intimidate this youth with a common officialdom measure. But, he did not expect that the other party rebutted him all of a sudden. In the warden system, the closer one got to a local area, the more unwelcome one was. This was old history. Everyone knew that many rules had long since ceased to exist. Normally, no one would latch on and not let go too. He himself was also aware of it. The reason why he spoke like this, was also to knock this subordinate whom he had never met before down a peg.

But, he did not expect that this youth was actually not willing to lower his head at all.

Before coming, he had once specially gone to retrieve Chen Chao’s files to read. But there were only sporadic bits of records on it. Generally, there was only one situation, and that was that this warden officials position was bought by the family behind this youngster and he directly took office. Normally, this kind of existence definitely would not accomplish anything while in office.

Previously, when Tianqing County had always been having peaceful days, over at Commandery Qingshan, they merely treated it as they concealed the matter of demons hurting people and did not report it.

But not long ago, they received news from reliable sources that this was all true.

Now that he took a look at this youth, Warden Li somewhat believed it.

The youth opposite had an exuberant blood vitality. The qi vitality flowed in his body without any signs of stagnation. Furthermore, his breathing was methodical. He had probably already touched the threshold of Spirit Platform Realm. At this age, it was already hard to come across.

If he could step into Spirit Platform and become a Spirit Platform martial artist, then he could even assume the position of Commandery Qingshan’s warden.

However, he was still too young.

In official circles, this kind of bad temper would encounter obstacles everywhere.

However, he could not quite figure out which family was behind this youth.

How many of the Great Liang Dynasty’s major families were surnamed Chen?

“Before coming, this warden has already read through your files, you deserve praise for your excellent performance. It’s rare for a county town to be peaceful. Just based on this, you’re better than the others under this warden’s command.” When he mentioned this, Warden Li had a grim expression. Just this year alone, there were two wardens under him who died in office.

These two people normally did nothing. They had always been timid and overcautious; just two slackers. In the end, they still ended up dead.

Chen Chao was silent.

He was thinking about the reason why this warden came here. A warden that was in charge of a commandery was not very impressive. In fact, if Chen Chao wanted to at this moment, he could completely kill this martial artist who had merely stepped into Spirit Platform Realm within a short time. But for such a long time, he had never seen this Warden Li before, why did he come today?

Could it be just for the sake of knocking him down a peg?

Chen Chao did not think that this was a good thing.

At least, it would not be so simple.

So ever since he came in, he never left a good impression on this warden. As the saying went — honest and kind people were easy to bully. Those who were not would become honest and kind… after a beating.

“Since Tianqing County is so stable and you’re also so capable, this warden has the intention to reassign you elsewhere.”

As Commandery Qingshan’s warden, although he did not have the power to assign these wardens under him a role, he still had the power to transfer the wardens under him to other county towns. This was a lateral transfer, he did not even need to ask anyone, he just needed to report it.

Chen Chao furrowed his brows. If it were normally, facing such a thing, he would naturally gladly give his consent. Tianqing County no longer had many demons. If he wanted skygold currency, he would have to think of a way. And other places still had demons, it was precisely a way to earn money. However, in the present situation, Chen Chao did not want to leave just like this.

Firstly, it was because Xie Nandu was still around. He had an agreement with her previously. This was very important.

The second was simpler. The situation elsewhere had always been the same. It was not in recent years. Why did he not have this idea before, but came to find him now?

The water here was very deep and the information that he got was little. It was the easiest to become the sacrifice of those big shots.[TL note: deep waters is a euphemism for a troublesome situation. Can be too many unknowns, too many big shots, too many schemes, etc]

“This lowly official has been here for a long time. I’ve already developed feelings for this place. Plus, Tianqing County isn’t too peaceful nowadays as well, there are demons hurting people from time to time. Under the present circumstances, this lowly official really can’t bear to leave. Abandoning the civilians in this county fills my heart with anxiety…”

Chen Chao had a sincere look; sincere emotions on his face. No matter who saw it would praise him to be a good official.

Warden Li sneered coldly in his heart. Having traversed the official circle for so many years, how could he not know what this young man in front of him was thinking?

Chen Chao had been paying attention to Warden Li’s reaction the entire time. Seeing him like this, Chen Chao knew in his heart that today’s matter most likely could not be resolved without spending some money.

Just as he was about to open his mouth again, Warden Li already slowly opened his mouth, “Since you have such love for the common people, don’t you know that the common people of the Great Liang Dynasty should all be protected by us?” “But, this warden takes into account that you find it difficult to leave this place, so I won’t force you to do something that you’re not willing to do either. But since you have feelings for this place, there just so happens to be something that concerns the safety of the local people that should be handed over to you.”

Warden Li had a look of composure, a slight smile on his face.

Sly old fox!

Chen Chao secretly cursed. He also knew that no matter what he did, he could not change anything. After all, he was holding the post of warden. No matter what, he would be kept in check by this old punk.

Warden Li had a solemn look as he said calmly, “These few days, that quarry that mined Xuanming Stone for the imperial court has already collapsed several times. This isn’t something normal. This warden has already received some news…”