https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-153-Finally-Obtaining-the-Spirit-Artifact-the-Qiankun-Yiqi-Bag/12619137/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-155-The-Cultivation-Genius-Abandoned-by-the-Times/12619139/
Chapter 154: Warning from a Royal Descendant, the Young Man in Plain Clothes
"Yan Canghai pays his respects to Lu Xiao, young master."
The middle-aged man with phoenix eyes approached Lu Qing and revealed his identity with a smile.
Lu Qing's vision was already providing him with information about the man.
He saw a rather dense red light, with several words floating into view:
[Yan Canghai: County Master of Cang County, Royal Bloodline, carefree and unconstrained in nature, not bound by trivialities, extremely curious.]
[Cultivation: Great Success in the Post-Natal Internal Organs Realm, possesses various secret arts, especially skilled in sword techniques.]
[Originally a royal descendant, he was exiled from the royal capital due to his excessive curiosity and probing into forbidden matters.]
So he was the nominal ruler of the county.
After reading the information, Lu Qing understood.
However, he hadn't expected that the other party had quite a background as a royal descendant.
"County Master, is it because of that rogue in the market that you're looking for me?"
Lu Qing was not surprised that the man knew his whereabouts.
As the master of a county, if he didn't even have this level of intelligence, he would be too incompetent.
"Not exactly. That Chen Wencai has been taking advantage of the market to bully and defraud the common folk. I have already investigated the matter, so Young Master Lu need not worry," Yan Canghai said.
"Oh? Then may I ask how County Master plans to deal with that person?" Lu Qing asked curiously.
"Naturally, he will be imprisoned for a year, his property confiscated, and then expelled from the city after his sentence," Yan Canghai replied.
Lu Qing nodded. He didn't understand the laws of this world well enough to know if this punishment was heavy or light, so he refrained from commenting.
"But I heard that Chen Wencai was able to act recklessly in the market because of his brother-in-law, Wang Yi, who sheltered him. May I ask how County Master plans to deal with him?" Lu Qing continued.
Yan Canghai hesitated for a moment before answering, "Wang Yi, Chen Wencai's brother-in-law, has been a diligent and hardworking official for several years. As for Chen Wencai using his name to deceive and defraud others, Wang Yi claims to have been unaware of the situation. Considering his hard work and ignorance of the matter, I have decided to dock his salary for three months as a warning to others."
Lu Qing smiled but didn't comment on the appropriateness of the punishment.
He also didn't say whether this punishment was just or not.
"Since County Master has already uncovered the truth, I assume there's no need for me to stay. Please excuse me."
Lu Qing bowed slightly and prepared to leave with Xiao Yan in his arms.
Yan Canghai quickly stopped him, "Young Master Lu, I've prepared some wine and food at Yanfeng Tower. May I invite you to join me?"
Yanfeng Tower was the most luxurious restaurant in the county.
"Thank you for your kind invitation, County Master. However, I've already eaten, and I've been out for quite some time. I'm afraid my master will worry, so I must decline your generous offer."
However, Lu Qing directly refused and continued walking slowly toward Wei Mansion with Xiao Yan in his embrace.
He left Yan Canghai standing there, a look of regret on his face.
"Zhirui, why do you think he refused my invitation?"
After Lu Qing's figure disappeared, Yan Canghai suddenly spoke.
"He doesn't like you."
A figure appeared beside Yan Canghai, his expression indifferent. It was the young man in plain clothes.
"Why is that? I don't recall offending him in any way," Yan Canghai said, puzzled.
"He took a dislike to you when he heard how you handled Wang Yi's case," the plain-clothed youth said calmly.
"Was there something inappropriate about my punishment?"
"Yan Canghai, ask yourself this: do you truly believe that Wang Yi was unaware that Chen Wencai was using his name to defraud others in the market?"
The young man in plain clothes looked at his friend with a hint of ridicule. "If you truly believe that, then you've been living in a fool's paradise all these years."
Yan Canghai remained silent for a moment.
After a while, he spoke, "Wang Yi is a talented individual. Relying solely on the standard cultivation techniques distributed by the County Master's office, he has achieved perfection in the Qi and Blood Realm within just a few short years. If he were given more resources and time, who knows, he might even reach perfection in the Muscle and Bone Realm or even enter the Internal Organs Realm."
"You know that I have no one I can rely on right now."
"So, you're turning a blind eye and giving him a chance?" The young man in plain clothes shook his head. "Yan Canghai, you've truly disappointed me."
"I thought that being demoted to this remote Cang County would clear your mind, but it seems it has only made you more muddled."
"A mere perfection in the Qi and Blood Realm is enough to make you go against your own principles. With such narrow-mindedness, do you still dream of returning to the royal capital one day and reclaiming what was once yours?"
"Yan Canghai, when did your magnanimity diminish so?"
At these words, Yan Canghai's body trembled, and his face paled slightly.
The young man in plain clothes shook his head at the sight, his disappointment growing.
He turned and left, saying, "Since this Lu Xiao dislikes you, I advise you not to provoke him. Despite his gentle appearance, I can see that his killing intent is heavy. If you anger him, be careful lest he slaughters you without a second thought."
Lu Qing had no idea that such a conversation had taken place after he left.
As he returned to the Wei Mansion with Xiao Yan and Xiao Li, he saw Wei Xinghe and Madam Wei walking out from the back courtyard.
"Lu Xiao, Xiao Yan, you're back! Did you have fun?"
Madam Wei greeted them happily.
"It was quite an experience," Lu Qing smiled. "The city is indeed very different from our rural home; it's so bustling and vibrant."
"Auntie, we went to so many places, ate lots of delicious food, and even bought some books!" Xiao Yan excitedly added.
On their way back, Lu Qing had instructed Xiao Yan not to mention the incident in the marketplace.
"Lu Xiao, you bought books?"
Wei Xinghe noticed the books Lu Qing was carrying.
"Yes, books are hard to come by in the countryside. Usually, when I teach Xiao Yan and the others, I have to rely on my master's collection of medical books. It's rare for us to come to the city, so I took the opportunity to buy some books to broaden our horizons."
"Xiao Yan, you've started learning characters?" Madam Wei asked, surprised.
"Yes, Auntie! I know lots of characters already!" The little girl beamed with pride. "Not just me, Xiao Li knows them too!"
At this, both Wei Xinghe and Madam Wei were truly astonished.
Their gazes towards Xiao Li changed, as they couldn't believe that this little black beast could actually recognize characters.
However, Xiao Li tended to ignore those she wasn't familiar with. Facing their stares, she didn't even open her eyes, pretending to doze off on Lu Qing's shoulder.
Wei Xinghe put away his surprise and said to Lu Qing, "Since Lu Xiao loves books so much, our Wei Mansion also has a collection. If you're interested, feel free to browse in the study and see if there's anything you like."
Lu Qing's heart stirred. Books kept in the Wei family collection were sure to be extraordinary, and perhaps he would find the information he sought.
He readily nodded, "Then, Lu Qing thanks Wei Manor Lord for your kindness."
After some more chatting, Lu Qing learned that Wei Dazongtang was still at the Ma family and that his master had been invited by Wei Shanhai to discuss their insights into innate martial arts.
Madam Wei also invited Xiao Yan and Xiao Li to play in the back courtyard.
With nothing else to do, Lu Qing made an excuse and returned to his room to rest.
Once inside, he closed the door and took out the day's gains.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
