The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror
Chapter 174 - 102: Refining the Flying Sword

Chapter 174: Chapter 102: Refining the Flying Sword

After some time, Xu Qing returned to Jiangning Prefecture.

With the money from this business and the backing from Su Lianqing who took over the remnants of the Lotus Sect, even after deducting the offerings meant for King Lin and the money spent on the Golden Light Spell from Golden Ray Monastery, he still had a surplus.

With adequate funds, his influence developed both swiftly and steadily.

However, a new County Magistrate had taken office, surname Zheng.

Originating from the Jin Yang Zheng family, though not a direct descendant, merely a collateral branch.

Such descendants from shattered noble families are abundant in the Great Yu Dynasty today.

In the Middle Ages, even if they fell into poverty, they were at least landlords. Today, with the excess of scholars, their family conditions decline swiftly.

Therefore, County Magistrate Zheng’s goal in coming to South Zhili was very simple: to amass wealth.

But when Xu Qing returned from Yingtian Prefecture, he learned that County Magistrate Zheng had been assigned to govern Qingshui County in Jiangning Prefecture through connections with Duke Wei Mansion.

Magistrate He even sent Guard Wang to hint to Xu Qing that if it were official business, he could not suppress County Magistrate Zheng.

However, Magistrate He was unaware that Duke Wei had sent the Sect Leader of Eagle Claw Sect to kill Xu Qing.

Xu Qing knew very well that while this man ostensibly came here to make money, he likely had a mission assigned by Duke Wei.

"The strong dragon cannot suppress the local snake; it’s merely a matter of exchanging blows when they come."

Though Duke Wei Mansion is formidable, hurting them would make such a large family become cautious.

Xu Qing was not unprepared for this.

Besides his cultivation, he had begun to consecrate the "Peach Wood Sword."

The consecration method of the Peach Wood Sword is complex yet not complex.

Apart from the traditional method of pouring one’s heart’s blood into it to establish a spiritual connection, it also requires understanding its rhythm of breathing.

This sword is special in this regard.

Ordinary magic artifacts are often inert.

The Peach Wood Sword is different; it is made from a whole piece of thunderstruck wood.

Thunder itself follows the Dao of creation.

It harbors vitality born from thunder, coupled with generations of consecration by the Lotus Sect, it possessed a unique life. Its breathing method is very special, existing between Divine Soul and flesh.

And under the owner’s consecration, it can absorb the essence of sun and moon.

If Xu Qing were not cultivating the Golden Light Spell, which abundant Qi-Blood produced daily, he surely could not withstand the consumption of consecrating the Peach Wood Sword.

The Great Elder of the Lotus Sect used an Evil Skill that drew Qi-Blood essence from young men and women to supply the Qi-Blood needed for the sword’s consecration, maintaining his body near its peak condition.

But it was only close.

He hadn’t practiced Internal Martial arts; the internal damage to his organs was irreparable. As time passed, for those martial artists who didn’t practice internal refinement, no matter how young they appeared on the outside, the aging of their internals wouldn’t slow down.

For cultivators, the true phase of renewal from the old to the new only begins at the Internal Martial arts stage.

Moreover, many internal injuries require the realm of Internal Martial arts for complete recovery.

Of course, there are also highly skilled doctors who can achieve the repair of internal injuries through medical means. Such doctors are even rarer than Internal Martial Artists.

Each could be regarded as a master of the craft.

Skilled doctors are often martial artists as well; their medical techniques are not mystical but focus on practical operations and a deep understanding of the human body.

Thus, good doctors can easily switch careers to become formidable assassins, proficient with poisons as well.

In the Great Yu Dynasty today, doctors who can be considered masters often don’t belong to the Imperial Hospital.

Because doctors of the Imperial Hospital, who often treat important figures, tend toward conservatism in medication and encounter relatively fewer cases, their accumulation of experience suffers.

And capable civilian doctors who enter are often ostracized by those of the Imperial Hospital.

The current Emperor favors Taoists because among them, there are many well-versed in medical principles, even more capable than the doctors of the Imperial Hospital. Moreover, one significant reason is that Taoists, being outsiders, are less likely to be infiltrated.

The Emperor is known as the "lonely sovereign" precisely because there are always people scheming around him.

There are always treacherous subjects plotting against me, which is said in jest but also true.

High places are exceedingly cold.

The more one masters imperial politics, the more suspicious they become of those around them.

If Xu Qing can’t cultivate to the level of Martial Saint in the future, he will certainly be equally paranoid.

Fortunately, he has the bronze mirror to better predict fortunes and misfortunes for himself.

But if one day, the Qi fortune appraisal of the bronze mirror goes wrong, will Xu Qing still believe in it?

In the end, nothing in the world is truly reliable; the only reliable entity is oneself!

Days pass by, and soon it’s the time of spring blooming.

In the courtyard, the parasol tree becomes lush with green.

Probably because Xu Qing cultivates the Golden Light Spell daily, and his abundant Qi-Blood, his yang energy makes the Old Wutong Tree particularly vibrant this year.

At the same time, the Purple Emperor Meridian is just a tiny distance away from being fully opened.

But this is a difficult barrier, and he must not be impatient.

Apart from this, the spiritual fox flesh given by King Lin was also completely consumed.

Thus, the progress of Xu Qing’s Martial Arts cultivation has slowed down a lot.

Having gotten used to the aid of spiritual medicine, returning to normal cultivation levels was quite frustrating.

Xu Qing suppressed the irritation in his heart, continuing his daily routine cultivation diligently.

In cultivation, there are times of vigorous progress, and times of steady, continuous efforts.

Regardless, having the bronze mirror, he saw feedback.

Furthermore, his cultivation progress was indeed not slow. In less than a year, he could already be considered an accomplished cultivator, surpassing others by ten or twenty years of accumulation.

At this time, it was also good to stop and refine his skills.

Xu Qing stood in the courtyard with his hands behind his back, the Peach Wood Sword floating beside him.

With his current Divine Soul Power, he could normally control the Peach Wood Sword, but it was not nearly as swift as the Great Elder of the Lotus Sect.

Additionally, there was another benefit after successfully refining it.

Previously, the Peach Wood Sword was extremely heavy, comparable to metal.

After refining, its weight gradually disappeared from Xu Qing’s soul perception.

This is also a characteristic of a Magic Artifact after being refined.

Xu Qing focused and controlled the Peach Wood Sword, beginning to perform various sword techniques.

Because there was no need to use his hands, the Flying Sword had much more freedom than ordinary swordsmen wielding a sword.

"The great path is simple; the way of the Flying Sword is the same. If I can spot the opponent’s flaw, a sword flying straight to the vital point can immediately determine victory or defeat."

"It carries a bit of the notion that all martial arts in the world cannot be broken; only speed is unbreakable."

"Unfortunately, if it encounters a martial artist with strong Qi-Blood, their vigorous energy can directly suppress the Divine Soul thoughts in the Flying Sword. However, against lower-level martial artists, the Flying Sword is much more effective."

Within ten steps, the Flying Sword is fast; within ten steps, it is both fast and accurate.

At the thought from Xu Qing, the sword flew erratically towards the branches of the Old Wutong Tree. Although it seemed chaotic, it actually trimmed the appearance of the tree brother, akin to cutting hair.

After a while, Xu Qing looked at his work with satisfaction, as if the Wutong Tree was greeting him.

The fallen branches and leaves should not be wasted; after drying, they can be used for grilling, giving a special woodsy fragrance, which is very delicious.

...

...

"Master, a young master from the Golden Ray Monastery has come, saying that Zheng San, the long-time follower of the County Master, took an incense money voucher to the Golden Ray Monastery to retrieve the incense money. The monastery has already given the money, but the other party claimed the amount was incorrect and asked for more incense money. The abbot Yan Kong also complied, but after sending the other party away, he sent the young master to inform you, seeking your opinion." Xu Fu reported to Xu Qing.

He is now the steward of the courtyard, with the poultry yard’s matters already handed over to Qiu Xiang for accounting.

Mr. Xu does not keep idle people around; everyone must work.

Of course, if the servants around him are too idle, then they are always contemplating about their master.

Meanwhile, Xu Qing was in deep thought, and on the other side, Qiu Xiang also came back and reported that the poultry yard encountered trouble, starting with chicken plague.

To be honest, the profit from the poultry yard isn’t much; the key is a steady small income.

Moreover, the poultry yard also provides meat to the Prefecture School and County School, so the scholars studying in Jiangning Prefecture have a very good impression of Xu Qing.

In addition to the Recovery Society, his nickname as timely rain is now highly esteemed among the scholars.

It’s normal for the poultry yard to have chicken plague.

Although Xu Qing asked them to pay more attention to this aspect, when many things are put into practice, there are always inadequacies, and even if everything is done well, mishaps can occur.

"But the timing is too coincidental."

The incense money business of the Golden Ray Monastery actually serves a similar function to a bank. Moreover, with the backing of the Recovery Society, those who come to pay are usually merchants friendly towards Xu Qing or local forces.

If this business can’t continue, it essentially signifies a problem with Xu Qing’s local credibility.

...

...

"Gongming, now both the County School and Prefecture School are spreading rumors that the chicken meat you sent is from chickens with plague. Everyone is very worried," said Yan Shan, who had also come.

What he mentioned was the worst-case scenario Xu Qing had anticipated.

Rumors, if not clarified, will only become more tainted by misrepresentations.

Moreover, it was likely that soon many would find excuses to withdraw their incense money from the Golden Ray Monastery.

At this point, Xu Fu and Yan Shan were somewhat anxious.

Xu Qing, however, smiled and said, "Their actions are slower than I expected. The bandit suppression is almost over, and only now do they come. They are indeed too timid."

In fact, Xu Qing had anticipated that they would cause trouble during the bandit suppression.

Therefore, he had already set a trap.

Establishing customs during the suppression of bandits was the largest event in South Zhili staged by the Court. The authorities were watching.

As long as the other party caused disturbances, Xu Qing could escalate the matter, and it might backfire on them.

Unexpectedly, the suppression of bandits went extremely smoothly.

"It seems I overestimated their courage to confront the Court."

"Since they are afraid, what is there to be afraid of?"

Xu Qing was very calm; what was destined to come would eventually arrive.

"Weizhong, you’re a Scholar and qualified to be a litigation master. Write a petition for me."

"Who do you want to sue? Should it be submitted to the Government?"

"No, this petition should be submitted to the County Government. I am suing Zheng San, the follower of County Magistrate Zheng."

"Ah," Yan Shan was startled.

How is this different from a person from below suing an official in court?

Xu Qing simply said, "Write it."

...

...

County Government.

County Magistrate Zheng looked at the petition in his hands and slammed the table in anger, "This person is simply lawless. Does he think my sword is not sharp enough?"