The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror
Chapter 102 - 74 Taming_3

Chapter 102: Chapter 74 Taming_3

After all, for Xu Qing to return to Jiangning Prefecture and find a coachman was not a difficult task.

Yingtian Prefecture’s waters run too deep; temporarily beyond his grasp, he’ll wait for the provincial examination to return.

Only after this journey did Xu Qing realize why the ancients felt such sorrow upon leaving their hometowns. Being away from one’s own territory truly lacks a sense of security.

If he were in the city of Jiangning Prefecture, Xu Qing would feel an indescribable sense of solidity.

Because the territory was won by his own hands, with his subordinates and networks he’d woven, and his power was still growing and expanding.

Once at Yingtian Prefecture, all of this was gone.

Hence, the country does not allow local officials, even at the County Magistrate level, to hold positions locally for too long. After all, once they lay roots over time, it would cost dearly to move them.

Moreover, during periods of strong imperial power, local scholars and powerful families would be harshly cracked down upon.

Even if Xu Qing established his own power base, once the next Magistrate arrives, he would have to withstand new tests.

Surviving those would mean his roots were firmly set.

For instance, the salt merchants from Huainan have many tricks. There was a Huai State Magistrate who was not interested in gold, silver, or women; the salt merchants found out he liked calligraphy.

They asked him to inscribe shop signs and restaurant plaques, paying a thousand silver for each inscription.

It was enough to knock someone senseless.

And thus, he became a lapdog for the salt merchants.

After the banquet dispersed, Xu Qing excused himself for having matters to attend to with Inspector Wu, asking Academician Zhou to head back first and that he would follow later.

Inspector Wu’s official residence was not yet in order and was temporarily staying at the station with a separate courtyard and Embroidered Guard protection, truly safe.

Furthermore, Academician Zhou heard that Marquis Wuding and Eunuch Zhao were seeking the Governor’s help to mediate, so for the time being, they presumably wouldn’t cause trouble. Thus, after giving Xu Qing some instructions, he left him there with confidence.

After all, Academician Zhou urged Xu Qing to leave Yingtian Prefecture tomorrow, so it was only fair to give Xu Qing a chance to bid farewell to Inspector Wu.

...

...

"Teacher, please have someone detain Miss Su Lianqing under your name," Xu Qing said succinctly in their private meeting.

Inspector Wu didn’t ask for reasons initially and directly ordered Steward Qian to do so.

As an Imperial Censor, to have someone from the Imperial Music Bureau’s star Oiran stay over for the night was at most a small caprice of power, not a big deal.

Xu Qing then explained: "This woman has problems; after she arrives, Teacher, may I interrogate her?"

Inspector Wu smiled, "Gongming, you’re not going to..."

Xu Qing, aware of the Inspector’s misunderstanding, considered explaining but hesitated, recalling he had always shown no obvious weaknesses.

As the saying goes, if a person has no hobbies, they are not to be deeply associated with.

If he were someone else, would he trust someone without clear vulnerabilities?

With this thought, Xu Qing simply chose not to explain.

In this world, if you crave wealth and lust, showing no moral defects, those with ulterior motives might even suspect you of rebellion.

Like Song Jiang from Water Margin: not sleeping with the gorgeous Yan Poxi, instead mingling exclusively with the underworld, definitely marked as a rebel.

Insinuating to have found a flaw in his disciple, Inspector Wu felt smug. His disciple was perfect in every sense, sometimes scarily so.

Now, seeing his disciple’s youthful impulsiveness felt more reassuring to him.

When one’s rank rose high, the fear was losing judgment and control over subordinates.

He patted Xu Qing’s shoulder with a smile, saying, "Don’t worry, I won’t mention this to Mr. Zhou, and Gongming, you’re almost fifteen; it’s time to taste the pleasures of the world. But you must remember to restrain yourself."

In wealthy families, there were not a few young men whose virginity was lost in nocturnal emissions.

Moreover, Xu Qing was tall and robust; were it not for his delicate features, youthful corners of the mouth, and robes masking his physique, he’d be the spitting image of a stalwart warrior on the battlefield.

...

...

Su Lianqing was ready to leave; she was so fearful of Xu Qing now that she wanted only to put as much distance between them as possible.

Unexpectedly, before she could leave the station, she was stopped by Steward Qian, under Inspector Wu, who claimed the Inspector wished to see her.

With everyone watching, it was improper for Su Lianqing to flee.

Especially with Embroidered Guard experts nearby, even using her Dao Skill, it was easy to be discovered, bringing even more trouble.

If the Officials caught her, it meant all her connections would be ruined.

This was the rule of the Luo Sect for dealing with their essential undercover disciples.

Moreover, those close to her would also be punished by the sect’s laws unless she committed suicide publicly before being captured.

With no other choice, she returned to the station.

Others who saw didn’t take it to heart, assuming the Imperial Censor fancied Su Lianqing.

What of the Oiran from the Imperial Music Bureau?

She was just a prostitute after all.

When respected, you address her as Miss Su; disregarded, and commanded on her knees, it’s only to be expected.

Now, Su Lianqing could only hope it was truly Inspector Wu calling for her.

But she was taken to a secluded courtyard instead.

"Miss Su, we’ve met quite a few times now, haven’t we?" As she entered the room, Su Lianqing heard the familiar voice of Xu Qing.

She felt no emotion for the poem he recited earlier that evening under the clear, cold moon.

Now, Xu Qing opened the window, with moonlight shining over him like frost and snow, half light, half shadow, creating an outright terrifying atmosphere.

So much for a branch under the cold, clear moon.

He was the living embodiment of the Yaksha King.

Su Lianqing tried to stay composed, saying, "Indeed, since our last parting at Water Cloud in Jiangning, I have missed the young master dearly."

Xu Qing shook his head, "That’s not right, we didn’t meet there for the first time."

Struggling to smile, Su Lianqing replied, "Young master, it was there that we first met."

Xu Qing stepped closer to her, each of his footsteps seeming to fall upon the very rhythm of Su Lianqing’s heartbeats, while the oppressive energy of his Qi-Blood bore down, his eyes seemingly manifesting the Yaksha King.

A crane’s call exploded in Su Lianqing’s mind.

Her Divine Soul was severely oppressed and shocked.

Her legs turned weak, even feeling a damp coldness down below.

Xu Qing simply watched her, and after a long while he said lightly, "Our first meeting was at Golden Ray Monastery, I should even thank you, Sister, for speaking well on my behalf to the Lord."

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