Chapter 15: A Strange Case in Jingxin, The Mysterious Xuantian Demon

It was just after taking the Jia exam once that Zhao Xing noticed a significant change in the attitude of his colleagues at Zhouwei. Many people began to approach him warmly as he walked out of the back courtyard.

Zhang San mentioned there was a wrestling match and invited Zhi to watch. Li Si suggested joining a friend's drinking party for a couple of drinks. There was even a Great Uncle who invited Zhao Xing to listen to music, albeit awkwardly... "What is your name again?"

"I'm Huang Siping from Huang Family Bay," said a tall, somewhat imposing man with a slight bow, "Brother Zhao, no need for formalities. I'm actually a year younger than you."

"Ah, Brother Huang, forgive my slip of the tongue," Zhao Xing replied, glancing at the top of Huang's head, thinking he didn't look younger at all.

"Brother Zhao, it's understandable if you don't remember me," Huang Siping smiled, "Would you be interested in joining me at Brother Li's music gathering?"

"Which Brother Li?" Zhao Xing asked, slightly puzzled.

"Of course, it's Li Chengfeng, known as 'The Gentleman of Zhi Wind,'" Huang Siping explained. "Brother Zong and others who made the First List in this exam will also be there."

The so-called music gathering was just a euphemism for a party with women. Li Chengfeng and Zong Shichang, both from wealthy families, often invited people over, hired singers and dancers, and sometimes spent the night with them.

"All expenses are covered by Young Master Li or other Young Masters, including the fees for the singers..." Huang Siping spoke with a hint of implication.

Zhao Xing understood immediately; they were inviting him to a party with women, weren't they?

"Please thank Brother Li for his kind invitation, but I have other plans and can only join next time," Zhao Xing declined politely. It wasn't that he was pretending to be virtuous; if Chen Ziyu or Qian Winter invited him, he would definitely go. But Li Chengfeng and Zong Shichang were rivals; how could he go?

Getting drunk and then being set up with a singer, who turns out to be a Liang family woman (a courtesan), and then being reported to the county magistrate... Zhao Xing immediately thought of the pitfalls players encountered in his past life.

"That's unfortunate, we'll invite Brother Zhao again next time," Huang Siping said with regret, noticing Zhao Xing's expression seemed genuine. He had already made plans in his mind and left after a polite bow.

"How did it go?"

"He declined, saying he had other commitments."

"Hmph, with so many people on the First List accepting the invitation, does he think he's so great that Brother Li or Brother Zong has to personally invite him?"

"You can't say that; after all, he's not very familiar with us," Huang Siping reported back to Li Chengfeng. Before the host could speak, many people had already started discussing Zhao Xing's character.

Li Chengfeng felt a bit displeased but maintained a smile, "I intended to make friends with him but was afraid of being too abrupt, so I asked Brother Huang to invite him. I didn't expect he wouldn't be moved... No problem, we'll invite him a few more times, and maybe he'll come."

After Li Chengfeng finished speaking, people around him praised his magnanimity, making Zhao Xing seem a bit pretentious.

However, the topic quickly shifted, and Li Chengfeng and Zong Shichang didn't dwell on it. After all, it was just one Jia exam; it wasn't enough to establish any significant prestige.

"Brother, you just took the Jia exam once and already have so many friends. Congratulations, congratulations," Qian Winter said with a hint of sarcasm as he watched Zhao Xing walk out from the crowd.

"Exactly, if this continues, I'm afraid Brother will forget about us," Chen Ziyu added with a touch of irony.

Zhao Xing chuckled, understanding their feelings. It was like thinking you were best friends with someone, only to find out they suddenly had more close friends...

"Don't worry, with your sarcastic tones, I couldn't forget you even if I became a ghost."

"..."

"Do you have any plans this afternoon?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Yes, Ziyu and I plan to go to the Eastern Suburb for some extra classes," Qian Winter replied. "Where are you going, Brother?"

"To the Temple."

"Brother is going to practice Method again?" Chen Ziyu's eyes showed a bit of admiration. How long had it been since he learned Rising Wind and Thunder?

"Just going to give it a try," Zhao Xing nodded slightly. Although it had only been a week, the Dao Embryo Pill had significantly changed him, increasing his Gathering Essence efficiency by a large margin.

Of course, this was also due to the improved diet at home.

So, although he hadn't reached the third stage of Gathering Essence, his [Walking Cloud] Magic Arts had reached five turns, and [Thunder Strike] Magic Arts had reached three turns. With this foundation, he could attempt to grasp [Rainfall].

"Then we won't delay Brother's time. Let's go, Ziyu, we can't be idle either. Let's head to the Eastern Suburb!"

"Yes!" Chen Ziyu nodded heavily, seemingly inspired by Zhao Xing's progress.

Watching the two leave together, Zhao Xing also headed towards the county office.

"Walking Cloud, Rising Wind, Thunder Strike, and Rainfall are a series of Magic Arts and the core skills of the Sinoong profession. Now I'm just missing the [Rainfall] Magic Arts. I hope Cao Zhenjun will be helpful this time."

Mastering one more Magic Arts would give him a better grasp of the exam, increasing his chances of becoming a full-fledged official.

In the short term, it would benefit his promotion, as Zhao Xing's main goal now was to become a Ninth Grade Sinoong.

Why was he so eager? Because Zhao Xing's long-term goal was immortality, but to achieve that, he first had to survive the Dynasty Edition and wait for the Renaissance Edition.

The Qi Luck of the Wang Dynasty could extend the lifespan of officials! Otherwise, he would have become a 'freelancer' long ago.

Entering the county office, a familiar voice called out.

"Brother Zhao, is that you again?"

"Brother Pang, yes, it's me," Zhao Xing replied, looking at Pang Fei, who had handled his previous document review.

"You're here again..." Pang Fei looked at Zhao Xing's application document and couldn't help but be surprised, "How long has it been, and you're ready for Method again?"

"Just trying my luck," Zhao Xing said modestly.

"No way, Brother Zhao will surely succeed," Pang Fei congratulated, "The Department of Agriculture's great figures don't approve Method documents lightly, I'll just..."

"Make way, urgent orders from the Martial Office, make way!" Suddenly, a loud voice came from outside the door, followed by the hurried footsteps of soldiers.

Zhao Xing looked over in confusion, only seeing the backs of a team of armed officers.

"Brother Pang, what's going on? Why are so many brothers from the Martial Office mobilized?"

"Cooperating with the county's investigation," Pang Fei suddenly lowered his voice, speaking mysteriously, "This matter is related to the Department of Agriculture. Recently, in the twelve counties of Nanyang County, many Sinoong officials have mysteriously disappeared. Isn't that strange?"

"Sinoong officials disappearing?" Zhao Xing was taken aback, "Have they figured out the reason?"

Pang Fei shrugged, "That's what they're investigating. I don't know the details. Brother Zhao, take a rest, and I'll deliver your application."

"Thank you."

Zhao Xing sat on a chair, furrowing his brows, carefully recalling his past life's experiences. He had lived through the Emperor Jing period, but he had never been to Valley City, nor had he been to Nanyang County. However, this didn't stop him from recalling some key events.

"During the Emperor Jing period, there was a strange case where many Sinoong officials were abducted by a group calling themselves the Xuantian Sect demons... But wasn't this supposed to happen during the Great Zhi years? Why is it happening in the Jingxin years? Could I have remembered wrong, or did this plot start being planned from the Jingxin period?"

(End of Chapter)