Above the Great Dao
Chapter 419 - 204: Heroes Face Many Hardships, Not Allowing the White Hair to Signify Defeat

Chapter 419: Chapter 204: Heroes Face Many Hardships, Not Allowing the White Hair to Signify Defeat

Chen Shi, reuniting with an old acquaintance in a foreign land, couldn’t help but feel overjoyed. He quickly strode forward, smiling as he said, "Master Zhuge, it’s been more than half a year since our hasty parting at Huangpo Village. We haven’t seen each other for so long! Where have you been advancing your career these days?"

He had a deep impression of Zhuge Jian.

Zhuge Jian had once investigated a case involving Chen Shi, who was, of course, the criminal and it was his first offense, detected by Zhuge Jian.

Later, Zhuge Jian resigned from his post and left Water Buffalo County, and for a long time, there was no news from him.

Chen Shi had felt guilty for a while, blaming himself for involving him.

When Zhuge Jian met him, he was also very happy and said, "Initially, I was not too happy working in Water Buffalo County, so I took the opportunity to resign because of your case. After that, I rested for a while and sought jobs in several counties near Xinxiang. It was tough to find one, but fortunately, I found a job in Xinxiang County. However, before I could take up the position, the Zhao family collapsed, and the County Magistrate was dragged out and beheaded. My position was also lost."

Chen Shi fell silent, sensing this matter had something to do with him, as his grandfather had eliminated the governor of the Zhao family, leaving the Zhao family without a foundation, and thus they were accused by the court and executed.

The County Magistrate of Xinxiang at that time was also from the Zhao family and was beheaded as well.

"Doesn’t the new County Magistrate recognize this position?" he couldn’t help but ask.

Zhuge Jian glanced at him and said, "The new County Magistrate was also beheaded." frёeωebɳovel.com

Chen Shi fell silent again.

The new County Magistrate of Xinxiang County was named Geng Chun, the magistrate’s wife liked to eat goose, and the murderer who beheaded the magistrate couple was surnamed Chen, a countryside student just reporting to the literary academy.

Zhuge Jian continued, "I thought to myself, better keep my distance from trouble, so I went to Lei County. I still had some savings from my earlier salary, so I considered leveraging it to get a position in the Lei County government office. With my abilities, I am sure to stand out in Lei County. I feel different from those from noble families; I truly have abilities and can excel anywhere. Chen Shi, why don’t you ask what happened next?"

Chen Shi dryly asked, "What happened next?"

Zhuge Jian sighed, disheartened, "Then the County Magistrate Yan of Lei County was beheaded."

Chen Shi felt uneasy.

Zhuge Jian looked rather listless, staring blankly ahead. After a moment, his eyes slowly moved as he said, "I must have terrible luck to face these repeated setbacks. But I’ve spent all my money; I can’t live without money, can I? I thought, I couldn’t blend in Xinxiang, maybe if I just leave? Chen Shi, quickly ask what happened next."

Chen Shi blinked, "What happened next?"

"Then I went to Gongzhou and worked as a trusted aide under Vice General Xia. Although I was not an official, being close to Vice General Xia, he would surely promote me to be Captain someday!"

A glimmer of hope sparkled in Zhuge Jian’s eyes, which soon dimmed, "The old Madam Xia’s grand birthday was approaching, and Vice General Xia asked me to buy some Resurrection Pills from Yudou as a birthday gift for her. On my way back from Yudou, I saw Gongzhou City enveloped by the Demon Domain."

He seemed to age a few years, steadied himself, and said, "By the time the Demon Domain dispersed, not to mention Vice General Xia, the Xia family of Gongzhou was gone, and the border military suffered countless deaths and injuries. Fortunately, I met the young master in Yudou. He thought highly of me, and upon my arrival, he recommended me as the archivist of Yudou, responsible for investigating serious cases."

Chen Shi hesitantly said, "I didn’t know your circumstances were so twisted. It’s my fault..."

Zhuge Jian shook his head, "You can’t blame yourself for that. I wasn’t happy in Water Buffalo County, but the magistrate of Xinxiang County wasn’t much better. County Magistrate Geng was an Evil Spirit; if I had discovered it, I would have taken him down myself. Count Magistrate Yan of Lei County condoned Jiao Long’s atrocities, drowning countless people on both river banks; if I had found out, I would have clashed with him too. As for the Demon transformation in Gongzhou, it was an old monk turned into a demon, what does this have to do with you?"

Chen Shi stayed silent for a moment, then said, "I’m relieved to hear you think this way."

Zhuge Jian glanced at him and said, "The young master has shown me great kindness. When I was in dire straits, he offered me a position. Although my cultivation as a Golden Core had stalled, the young master also gave me a Wind and Thunder Yu Step Divine Spell to aid my cultivation and help me advance further. I hope to break through the Golden Core to reach the Nascent Soul stage. The young master’s kindness to me is immense."

Chen Shi nodded, "In your time of need, the young master’s help was like sending charcoal in snowy weather. You are a person of gratitude and loyalty, naturally grateful."

Zhuge Jian said, "It’s been half a year since I had any income. Having finally found a position in Yudou, I don’t want to leave and drift around anymore."

Chen Shi sighed, "You’ve suffered too much in this half year."

Zhuge Jian fell into silence, then after a long pause, said, "But my resignation is already laid out at the Marquis Zheng’s desk in Yudou."

Chen Shi looked at him in astonishment, not understanding why he would resign from the hard-earned position.

Zhuge Jian smiled faintly, and said leisurely, "Although I, Zhuge Jian, am not a great person, I have always had a scale in my heart to weigh right and wrong. The case in Rouge Lane, you handled it well, doing things I wanted to do but didn’t dare to. You left me no faults to pick, and I couldn’t arrest you. I don’t want to wrong the young master, nor do I want to arrest you, so it was best to resign from the post of archivist."

Chen Shi was moved inexplicably, and said, "Brother Zhuge, it’s I who have dragged you down..."

"It has nothing to do with you."

Zhuge Jian chuckled, "It’s just a matter of principle. I am destined not to be wealthy. Perhaps if I were a bit more ruthless, I might have risen high and fast long ago."

Chen Shi admired him greatly; such people were indeed rare.

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