Chapter 152 The Forbidden Marriage of the Wife, the Newly Appointed County Magistrate

Zuichunlou.

Lin Guolong, the magistrate of Qingning County, hosted a promotion banquet. The outer hall was reserved for various factions, prominent families, wealthy merchants, and numerous government officials and their servants.

A small table was set up in the inner hall to host a banquet for Li Xian and his family.

"Li Dalang, let's drink."

The beautiful concubine held a silver pot, pouring wine and serving food to the man, attending to him very attentively. Her beautiful eyes glanced at Li Xian almost imperceptibly.

The water rippled gently. Wu Weilang of Qingning County was indeed as handsome and extraordinary as the rumors suggested.

Thank you.

Li Xian, with impeccable manners, picked up his wine cup and congratulated him, saying, "Brother Lin, congratulations on your promotion!"

"Hahaha, congratulations to you too!" Lin Guolong clinked glasses, downed his drink in one gulp, and was in high spirits.

turn out to be……

After the Huanglong army was completely wiped out, tens of thousands of prisoners were incorporated into the government army. Lin Guolong was rewarded for his merits and was promoted one rank.

These days, the court is considering official appointments. Just two days ago, he was transferred and promoted to the position of magistrate of "Shenglin Prefecture" and "Luoci County".

Don't be fooled by the fact that both are counties.

Shenglin Prefecture was richer than Qiongtian Prefecture. Luoci County covered an area of ​​800 li, where the porcelain industry was thriving and water transportation was convenient.

It is far superior to Qingning County.

Although it was a lateral transfer, it was in reality a promotion. Lin Guolong's life became even more comfortable, and he might even need to add more concubines.

"Brother Li, although I am leaving, the magistrate of Qingning County will still be a member of the Lin family," Lin Guolong said with a smile. "At that time, I hope Brother Li will take care of me."

"Qingning County is thriving, and the new county magistrate will surely be satisfied," Li Xian said casually with a smile, without making any promises.

"What a pity, what a pity," Lin Guolong said. "It's a pity that I can't take all this from such a large courtyard. How about giving it to Brother Li?"

"These maids and servants will be at your command from now on. As for my beautiful concubines, if you take a fancy to any of them, I can give them to you."

"They've been clamoring for you to serve them personally for a long time."

Lin Guolong has a discerning palate and would never treat himself to a bad meal.

Although the concubines were married women, they were all quite charming. Having lived a life of luxury for many years and taken good care of themselves, their skin was fair and delicate, and they were all beauties in their own right.

Although he said this jokingly, he would not hesitate if Li Xian gave the order. He could always find another woman; it was better to befriend a young man like him as soon as possible.

Ultimately, this promotion was brought about by Li Xian.

He is quite generous and magnanimous.

The concubines, secretly anticipating the encounter, felt no shame or annoyance. Their eyes swept over him; this martial arts master was brave and handsome, and surely not lacking in that area. If they could truly have a passionate encounter with him in bed and experience the pleasure, their lives would not have been in vain.

Li Xian laughed and said, "I can accept the mansion; after all, no one will take care of it once Brother Lin leaves. But I'll pass on this favor to the beauty."

"Is it that Madam does not allow it?" Lin Guolong asked sarcastically.

"Ahem." Li Xian took a sip of wine and didn't answer. His wife's thoughts were hard to fathom, but she did indeed forbid him from indulging in lust and marriage.

This matter is shameful. Li Xian, a fine young man, is naturally very unhappy to be restrained like this, and he hopes that one day he can turn the tables. But for now, he still has to submit to his wife's tyranny.

"Alas, you are not fortunate enough. You'd better continue to follow me from now on," Lin Guolong said with a smile. The concubines were greatly disappointed, but dared not say anything more.

"Oh right, what about your grandmother?" Li Xian changed the subject.

"Her?" Lin Guolong said, "She's like a dragon, appearing and disappearing without a trace. We don't know where she is anymore."

"Come, come, come, let's have a good drink. I don't know when we'll meet again after this trip."

...

...

The next day, Lin Guolong, accompanied by his wives, concubines, servants, and guards, traveled to Luoci County to assume his new post. The procession was grand, with firecrackers and gongs blaring along the way, as if he wanted everyone to know of his promotion.

There was no leader in Qingning County, and Li Xian, as a military officer, was undoubtedly the best.

In the county, Li Xian's word carries immense weight.

Every day, countless people flock to his door, hoping to make his acquaintance and offer gifts. If one could establish even the slightest connection with Wu Wei, who in Qingning County would dare to bully him?

Li Xian, however, was exhausted from dealing with them. He simply declined visitors and focused on practicing martial arts.

Although receiving gifts from outsiders can generate a considerable income, even more than running a clothing shop, it brings constant trouble, with various favors to repay and trivial matters keeping one occupied.

It's not as secure and convenient to make money as running a clothing shop. Therefore, in addition to practicing martial arts every day, Li Xian would keep an eye on the clothing shop's situation.

Several stores were expanded.

The income is substantial.

[Proficiency +3]

...

[The Sword of Setting Sun and Fading Blood]

[Proficiency: 9199/12000 (Mastery)]

[Iron and bronze body]

[Proficiency: 2689/3000 (Mastery)]

Li Xian practiced diligently every day, and as the saying goes, diligence pays off, and his martial arts skills improved day by day.

On this day, he gathered his Qi in his dantian, causing the Qi lake to surge, accumulating into a deep pool, and eventually, all rivers converged into the sea. Finally, he accumulated a Qi lake of fifteen zhang (approximately 15 meters), and this quantitative change led to a qualitative change.

The Qi Lake churned and the mist rose, creating a wondrous scene. Li Xianqing's pure Qi soared to the sky, his body light and graceful, as if bathing in clouds.

Not long after.

The mist over the Qi Lake receded, transforming into a floating display of colorful light.

The internal energy of a martial artist cannot remain outside the body for long.

Once separated from the body, it will quickly dissipate. However, after the Qi Lake undergoes a qualitative change, the quality of the internal Qi reaches a higher level, merging with the universe and all things.

There are even more mysteries to it.

Strictly speaking, internal energy originates from martial arts, and martial arts originate from heaven and earth. When the energy lake accumulates to a certain level, it precisely indicates that the martial artist has cultivated martial arts, comprehended the universe, and gained some understanding.

This allows the internal energy to remain in the world for a longer period of time.

Li Xian clapped his hands in mid-air, channeling a sufficient amount of internal energy.

In the past, if one's internal energy left the body by one zhang (approximately 3.3 meters), it would inevitably dissipate, and even the most exquisite methods of circulating energy would be difficult to reverse this trend.

Today, the palm strike travels even further, reaching a distance of two zhang!

The difference before and after is almost like... a bookworm who used to shut himself away from visitors, studying poetry and books diligently, but because he was not good at speaking and had an introverted personality, he could not travel far, and when he did go out, he would be at a loss for what to do due to various situations.

Now he has become a cheerful and erudite scholar, skilled in conversation and eloquent. He has a broad range of interests and knowledge, and is more adaptable to his surroundings, moving about with ease.

Therefore, they went further.

If things go any further in the future, he might just use his silver tongue to swindle some beauties and treasures back.

"My strength has increased again, good... I'll accumulate little by little and improve step by step like this!"

"I heard from Madam that the next transformation of the Qi Lake will be thirty-two zhang. I still need to work hard! I must strive to take another step forward!"

"Now that my internal energy and blood have been fully mobilized, consuming this precious essence will have the best effect!" Li Xian felt his internal energy was abundant, his strength was great, and his energy was vigorous.

Open the Heavenly Box and cut off a gram of lean meat.

It swallows the essence of heaven and earth, digesting the precious substances.

Different martial artists have different constitutions, and their speed of digesting the essence of heaven and earth varies. When Li Xian first entered the realm of consuming essence, one gram of refined flesh could generate fifteen strands of the essence of heaven and earth.

After being strengthened, it becomes more than twenty strands.

Usually, three strands are left, but if you're lucky, you might leave four or five.

These strands of the essence of heaven and earth require two or three days to digest. Fighting with others, comprehending the universe, and practicing martial arts can accelerate this digestion process.

Li Xian is provided with by his wife, so he doesn't lack [essence] for the time being. His wife sometimes only starts working in the cauldron once every half month or so, not because she lacks essence, but because digestion takes time. Starting the cauldron too frequently would be a waste!

With dedicated practice, progress has increased again.

[You have digested a total of six strands of the essence of heaven and earth, increasing your mastery of the Essence Consumption Realm by 1.]

[Proficiency: 3/100]

...

...

It was the third day since Lin Guolong left.

The new county magistrate arrived, carried in a sedan chair by eight men, accompanied by hundreds of servants and dozens of guards. His presence was quite imposing.

Cao Yun lifted the carriage curtain and saw the city gate of "Qingning County". He frowned and said, "This is Qingning County. It's too poor."

He jumped out of the sedan chair and straightened his clothes. Gold bracelets, jade belt, brocade robes and leather boots—he was exceptionally wealthy.

Judging from his appearance... he was forty-six years old, not young. He had thick eyebrows, a large nose, plump ears, but thin lips.

He strolled into the city.

"Why is there no one to greet me? I, the county magistrate, have arrived, and no one is there to receive me. What kind of talk is this?" Cao Yun frowned and said when he saw that there was no one at the city gate.

"We must have arrived too quickly; the people in the county don't know yet," said the guard beside Cao Yun.

"Then why don't you inform them!" Cao Yun said unhappily. "This is really outrageous. Even if I didn't inform them in advance, anyone with a brain should know that I will definitely take office in a few days. Shouldn't they welcome me in advance, just in case?"

"With such a chaotic situation in the county, how can they possibly withstand the Yellow Dragon Army?"

Upon hearing this, the guard immediately rushed into the city. His steps were light and quick, demonstrating remarkable agility.

Officials at all levels in the county government, upon hearing of the county magistrate's arrival, came to greet him. Their attitude was sincere, while Cao Yun spoke sarcastically, his words full of criticism.

They refused to give up.

It wasn't until the guard reminded him, "Master, we've just arrived in Qingning and still need manpower. It would be best to keep a low profile."

Cao Yun then gave up.

Surrounded by a crowd, Cao Yunxing headed to the yamen (government office). People along the way watched, and local powerful figures in Qingning County also sent men to investigate.

The county town was bustling with activity.

"County Commandant Zhang, I've heard that there's a military officer in our county. Is that true?" Cao Yun asked casually.

"It's true."

The county magistrate of Qingning County was surnamed Zhang and named Yiheng.

"Let him come to see me," Cao Yun said casually.

“He…he…” Zhang Yiheng glanced at the official who was receiving them and said with a strange expression, “He is not here.”

"Not here? Then where is he?" Cao Yun stopped, frowned, and straightened his clothes. "I, the magistrate, am taking office today, and I am his superior. He hasn't even shown himself; is he looking down on me?!"

"No...it shouldn't be." Zhang Yiheng wiped his sweat. "Perhaps this military officer is too engrossed in practicing martial arts. I'll send someone to fetch him right away."

"Hmph!" Cao Yun said, "It's still two miles from here to the yamen. If he hasn't appeared before me by the time I get there, then he shouldn't bother coming!"

"Even if you come, I will not see you!"

He flicked his sleeves and strode away.

Zhang Yiheng glanced at his trusted confidant beside him.

The trusted confidant, a swift and agile constable, quickly went to inform Li Xian. Upon arriving at the Martial Guard Hall, he learned that Li Xian was not there.

The constable immediately returned to report. Upon receiving the news, Zhang Yiheng said with difficulty, "Lord Cao... Lieutenant Li is probably...unable to come."

Cao Yun narrowed his eyes. "Oh? You can't come?"

“He, he’s not in the Martial Guard Hall right now,” Zhang Yiheng said.

“I see…” Cao Yun laughed, “Well done, Commandant Wu. You’ve only just taken office and you’ve already dared to give me a hard time.”

“Your Excellency, you have misunderstood.” Zhang Yiheng hurriedly said, “Lieutenant Li probably didn’t mean that. As you know, Lieutenant Li deals with matters in the martial world, which inevitably involves a lot of travel.”

“It is perfectly normal that he is not in the hall.”

Cao Yun said, "Are you defending him?"

"I wouldn't dare," Zhang Yiheng quickly shook his head.

"No need to say anything more," Cao Yun said coldly. "I have been an official for twenty years and have seen all kinds of people. I have seen plenty of petty people like this who become arrogant and forget themselves once they have some power."

"Today, in full view of everyone, he showed me his power, and everyone saw it."

He strode into the government office.

With a wave of his hand, everything inside the yamen was moved outside.

“These things are too outdated. Now that I’ve taken office, there should be a fresh start. Change them all, change them all.”

Cao Yun pointed at the old objects in the government office, making a veiled criticism.

Zhang Yiheng realized that this county magistrate... had come to cause trouble!

(End of this chapter)