The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror
Chapter 77 - 66 Utmost Sincerity_2

Chapter 77: Chapter 66 Utmost Sincerity_2

Similarly, Xu Qing also assessed the level of danger involved when King Lin sought his cooperation.

King Lin: "Gongming is indeed a decisive man, so I’ll get straight to the point. I have a lucrative business deal to discuss with you."

Then King Lin shared his idea.

He intended to double-cross.

Having heard it all, Xu Qing realized that the people involved in the action were related to the Garrison Eunuch of Tianjing and others, who were influential figures in South Zhili. King Lin truly had the audacity to think of gobbling up the reward without doing the work.

Because they needed to take the water route to the little island on Black Water Lake, the protection of the Inspection Office was required.

That was also the reason why King Lin came to Xu Qing for help.

After all, Inspector Li was in charge of that area.

Xu Qing fell into deep thought.

King Lin’s offer was not small; upon completion of the task, there would be a thousand taels of gold.

The matter was risky, but Xu Qing saw no reason to refuse.

No other reason.

He was a disciple of Inspector Wu, and Inspector Wu had gone to Yingtian Prefecture to investigate Eunuch Zhao and others, which was a naturally antagonistic position.

If King Lin succeeded, it was possible that evidence of Eunuch Zhao and others’ crimes could be unearthed from the island.

This would be killing two birds with one stone.

The crux of the matter was that time was extremely tight.

After King Lin finished outlining his plans, he did not rush things and simply looked after himself, drinking and eating meat.

There wasn’t a lack of meat in the mountains, but spices were scarce, and the beef was well-prepared by the cook.

Especially the soy beef from the Songhe Building, considered a unique delicacy in Jiangning.

Ever since Lin Tiansheng went up the mountain, he had seldom had the chance to enjoy it.

He ate the beef, looking at Xu Qing, feeling somewhat complex inside. At Xu Qing’s age, his parents were still alive, and he would occasionally go to the city to feast with them. He did not have the imposing presence he had now, but thinking back on it, he couldn’t help but feel melancholic.

In one’s life, just how great an achievement is needed to fill the growing emptiness within?

Upon reflection, he realized that he was not as joyous now as he was in his youth.

But the past was no longer within reach.

As the ancients said, "I would like to buy cassia flowers and share wine with you, but that is incomparable to the carefree days of youth."

Now, memories of youth surged up suddenly, and it felt as if there was a storm in his heart.

Ah, it was probably because he had recently crammed in some poetry and essays by scholars, which led to such sorrow.

He had to admit, the classical poetry and essays left by the ancients, even to a rough fellow like him, could touch the heart.

"How many passes do you require?" Having made a decision, Xu Qing spoke softly.

King Lin had cleared the second floor, so there was no worry about being overheard.

However, Xu Qing still subconsciously lowered his voice.

King Lin: "Seven should suffice."

"Only seven men?" Xu Qing was quite surprised.

King Lin: "If I didn’t possess such ability, how could Black Wind Village have established itself on a vital path like Qixia Mountain. Brother Gongming, I’m not bragging, but had I been born into a Military Family, even as a marquis of ten thousand households, what would that count for?"

He regretted this.

Ordinary people could change their destiny through the Imperial Examination. As martial individuals, they could not compete with the scions of Military Families in their pursuit of achievements.

Even when they made meritorious contributions, they would be usurped by others, reduced to mere bridal costume makers.

It could be said that the upward mobility channel for lower-tier warriors was nearly non-existent.

Even if one passed the military examination and became a Martial Arts Scholar, it took years just to be appointed to a position. Upon filling a post, one would be stuck in a barren, desolate place where birds wouldn’t even defecate. By the time one’s seniority increased, one would have aged considerably.

Martial artists are not like Civil Servants, who grow more valuable with age.

Once past their prime, aspiring to achieve great deeds was a case of the spirit being willing but the flesh being weak.

Therefore, across the Southeast, among the ranks of low-level Military Family, there were many who took to the sea to become pirates. With luck, they ended up like the bearded guest of the previous dynasty, establishing their own island kingdom, alone and unchallenged.

This was the zenith King Lin, with his background, could imagine for his achievements.

Xu Qing smiled upon hearing this: "If one day I am entrusted with the governance of the land, I will certainly secure a proper status for the Heavenly King."

"I’m afraid I can’t wait that long."

"We scholars may start as humble countrymen by day, but ascend to the Emporer’s administration by night. In my lifetime, I will strive relentlessly, ensuring not to keep the Heavenly King waiting too long."

He saw King Lin’s ambition and simply decided to draw a pie in the sky.

Whether you eat it is up to you, but drawing it is my affair.

King Lin laughed heartily, "Then I’ll wait."

Although he didn’t believe it, Xu Qing’s willingness to say such things showed his sincere intention to cooperate.

However, King Lin preferred to have his destiny in his own hands; if there were an opportunity, he certainly wished to involve Xu Qing in accomplishing something significant.

Unfortunately, it was not an era of chaos, not a place for martial exploits.

After all, he surnamed Lin is also a person who craves chaos.

Xu Qing immediately discussed with King Lin the best route for traveling by water. Here in the Government Office, they could still issue real identity plaques; everything was real, only not registered in the Yellow Book.

Thus, when King Lin and his men travel by waterway, entering Black Water Lake, their identities can be fully catered for with a one-stop service.

Without this convenience, reaching the small island would either involve passing through the Navy’s patrolled territory or other water strongholds, significantly increasing the risk factor.

The saying that murder and robbery are never simple matters.

Without the cooperation of the White Path, many things on the Black Path cannot be accomplished.

The power in this world often comes down to the fact that achieving certain things may be difficult, but to ruin your affairs, it’s just a matter of words.

King Lin is also watching Eunuch Zhao prepare to scuttle the ship, ready to jump onto Xu Qing’s boat.

Only by playing both sides, Black and White, can one grow stronger.

Xu Qing, knowing King Lin’s decision, was even clearer that the biggest danger of Inspector Wu taking office was now alleviated.

Why does it feel like protecting Inspector Wu’s appointment is like obtaining scriptures from the Western Heaven?

Xu Qing bid farewell to King Lin, and they agreed on a time to collect the route guidance and identity plaques.

He then gave Master Fayue a portion of incense money. He didn’t give any to Guard Ma; having some time free, inviting someone to drink flower wine would be enough.

He has always been the type to discuss money with those he is less close to; with closer relations, talk less about money and tie up direct interests and be done with it.

For specific affairs, Xu Qing naturally ordered Xu Fu to find Guo Zhuang and Guo Li, the two brothers, to handle them.

Xu Fu genuinely has the makings of a born steward.

He is tight-lipped, capable, and also has a talent for practicing the Crane Form Skill.

He was originally a medicine gatherer from Lingnan, and from birth, he learned to identify herbs. Although he didn’t systematically learn medical skills, his knowledge of medicinal materials surpassed that of many doctors.

Moreover, eating the herbs from the mountains all year round gave his body an indefinable potential, which was brought out through the practice of the Crane Form Skill.

Due to Xu Fu’s talent in this area, Xu Qing even handed over the task of ordinary medicine making to Xu Fu for practice.

This guy has patience.

Now, the Rehmannia Pills that Guard Ma and his men are taking are all made by Xu Fu.

However, as tasks multiply, Xu Qing also needs to find a few more stewards, otherwise, it would be difficult to manage his subordinates’ affairs.

In the future, when the orphans raised by Yihe Hall grow up, Xu Qing will be even more relaxed.

Cultivation of talent must start from a young age, which also ensures loyalty.

Unknowingly, the time for Inspector Wu to take office had arrived.

Xu Qing took advantage of this time to double down on practicing the Beng Fist.

Even without King Lin, there were definitely other assassins from the Garrison Eunuch’s side, one must be cautious.

Actually, Xu Qing was also aware that there must be Embroidered Guards secretly monitoring the vicinity of the County Government Office.

But whether these people could save Inspector Wu at a critical moment was questionable.

...

...

The ancients say, a pavilion is where you bid farewell.

For every ten miles, you find a long pavilion and for every five miles, a short one.

Magistrate He led the local elders to escort Inspector Wu for fifteen miles, alternating between long and short pavilions, which was considered the fullest extent of courtesy.

Furthermore, there were elders who wept as they saw off their old parents and presented an umbrella of the masses.

This was following the procedure.

If a County Official leaves office without an umbrella of the masses, it definitely would not be a trivial matter and would surely affect their reputation.

Yan Shan, thanks to Xu Sanyuan’s recommendation, was placed at the forefront of the escort, with a rank higher than one of his clan brothers from the renowned eight talents of Jiangning.

This is the disparity brought about by life choices.

Who made Yan Shan follow the right person.

As Inspector Wu and his party walked out of sight, Magistrate He covered his sleeve.

Yan Shan was close and smelled a hint of ginger.

He saw tears flow from the Magistrate’s eyes, the emotion of sadness overflowing,

"The time-worn road by the pavilion tears at the heart with separation; I have made you all witness my weakness."

This was Magistrate He’s brilliant performance.

With so many people present, who would dare say his relationship with Inspector Wu isn’t solid!

At this moment, someone looked towards Xu Qing, and couldn’t help but sarcastically ask Xu Sanyuan, "At the time of parting, why is Friend Xu distracted?"

"As the mountain is about to hide my respected teacher’s figure, I was thinking, how nice it would be if this mountain could be leveled."

"Such words are of the utmost sincerity and sentiment," Magistrate He couldn’t help but sigh.

The one who asked was struck as if by lightning, standing there stunned.