After just one examination for the Jia rank, Zhao Xing noticed that his colleagues around him had become much more enthusiastic. As he exited the back courtyard, many began to engage him in conversation.
Zhang San mentioned there was a grass-fighting performance and wanted to invite him to watch. Li Si said a friend had organized a drinking party and asked if he would like to join for a couple of drinks.
There was even an uncle who invited Zhao Xing to listen to music, but feeling a bit awkward, he asked, "What was your name again?"
"I'm Huang Siping, from Huangjiawan," said a man with high cheekbones and a slightly balding head, cupping his hands and looking somewhat melancholic. "Brother Zhao, please don’t use honorifics; I’m a year younger than you."
"Uh, Brother Huang, I apologize for my oversight." Zhao Xing glanced at his head, thinking it didn’t seem like he was younger than him.
"Brother Zhao, it’s normal for a distinguished person like you to forget. I wonder if you would like to accompany me to Brother Li's music gathering?" Huang Siping smiled.
"Which Brother Li?" Zhao Xing asked, somewhat puzzled.
"Of course, it’s the Li Chengfeng known for his 'Gentlemanly Aura,'" Huang Siping replied. "And also my cousin and other colleagues who made the Jia list in this minor examination."
The so-called music gathering was just a euphemism for a gathering with women. Li Chengfeng and Zong Shichang, both from affluent families, often invited people over, hired some songstresses to perform and dance, and then spent the night with them.
"All expenses will be covered by Young Master Li or the other young masters, including the fees for the songstresses..." Huang Siping spoke very subtly.
Zhao Xing understood perfectly; it was an invitation to a gathering with women.
"Please thank Brother Li for his kind invitation, but I have other arrangements and can only accept next time."
It wasn’t that he was being pretentious; if it were Chen Ziyu or Qian Dong inviting him, he would have gone without hesitation.
But Li Chengfeng and Zong Shichang were his competitors! Could he really go?
After getting drunk, they might arrange for a songstress, but that songstress could very well be a respectable woman (not registered), who might then go to the county office to file a complaint... Zhao Xing immediately recalled the underhanded tactics he had encountered in his previous life as a player.
"That’s truly unfortunate; I’ll invite Brother Zhao again next time," Huang Siping said regretfully. Seeing Zhao Xing’s expression seemed to mirror his own, he had his own calculations in mind, cupped his hands, and took his leave.
"What happened?"
"He declined, saying he had something else to attend to."
"Hmph, with so many people invited to the Jia list, he’s acting all high and mighty. Does he expect Brother Li and Brother Zong to personally invite him?"
"That can’t be said; after all, they aren’t very familiar with each other."
Huang Siping relayed the news to Li Chengfeng, and before the main party could speak, many began to comment on Zhao Xing.
Li Chengfeng felt a bit displeased but maintained a smile on his face. "I intended to befriend him, but I was afraid of being too abrupt, so I asked Brother Huang to invite him. I didn’t expect it to be unsuccessful... No matter, I’ll invite him a few more times; perhaps he will come."
After Li Chengfeng finished speaking, everyone below praised his generosity and grace, which made Zhao Xing seem somewhat aloof in comparison.
However, the topic quickly shifted, and neither Li Chengfeng nor Zong Shichang took it to heart.
After all, it was just one Jia examination; it wasn’t a significant threat.
"Brother just took the Jia examination once, and he already has so many friends. Congratulations!" Qian Dong said, looking at Zhao Xing as he walked out of the crowd, his tone somewhat sour.
"Exactly, if this continues, I fear that both Little Dong and I will be forgotten by our elder brother," Chen Ziyu chimed in with a hint of sarcasm.
Zhao Xing smiled; he understood their feelings. It was like thinking you were each other's best friends, only to find out that the other suddenly had a few more close buddies...
"Don’t worry, with the way you two are acting, I wouldn’t forget you even if I were a ghost."
"…"
"Don’t you have anything to do this afternoon?" Zhao Xing asked.
"I do. Ziyu and I plan to go to the East Suburb for a retest," Qian Dong replied. "Where are you going, Brother?"
"To the Temple of Divinity."
"Are you going to receive the law again?" Chen Ziyu looked at him with admiration. How long had it been since he learned to summon wind and thunder?
"I’m just going to give it a try," Zhao Xing nodded slightly. Although it had only been a week, the Dao Embryo Pill had made a significant difference for him, and his Gathered Essence efficiency had improved greatly.
Of course, this was also due to the improved meals at home.
So, although he hadn’t reached the Gathered Essence Third Level yet, the [Xingyun] spell had already reached the fifth transformation, and the [Dalei] spell had reached the third transformation. On this basis, he could attempt to master the [Buyu] spell.
"Then I won’t delay you any longer, Brother. Let’s go, Ziyu, we can’t be idle either; let’s head to the East Suburb!"
"Mm!" Chen Ziyu nodded vigorously, seemingly inspired by Zhao Xing’s progress.
Watching the two leave together, Zhao Xing also headed towards the county office.
"Xingyun, Qifeng, Dalei, Buyu are a series of spells and the core skills of the Agricultural Affairs Bureau. Now I’m still missing the [Buyu] spell; I hope True Lord Cao can be generous this time."
Mastering another spell would increase his chances of passing the examination, and the hope of being confirmed would be even greater.
In the short term, it would be beneficial for his confirmation. Zhao Xing’s primary goal now was to become an official in the Agricultural Affairs Bureau at the Ninth Rank.
Why did he think this way? Because Zhao Xing's long-term goal was immortality, but to achieve this, he first had to survive the dynasty version and wait for the revival version.
And the Fortune Dynasty could extend the lifespan of officials! Otherwise, he would have long since become a 'freelancer.'
Upon entering the office, a familiar voice rang out.
"Brother Zhao, it’s you again?"
"Brother Pang, indeed, it’s me." Zhao Xing looked at Pang Fei, who had handled his previous document approval.
"You’re here again..." Pang Fei looked at Zhao Xing’s application document and was momentarily taken aback. "It hasn’t been long; you can receive the law again?"
"I just want to try my luck," Zhao Xing said modestly.
"Not at all, Brother Zhao will surely succeed," Pang Fei congratulated him. "The officials of the Agricultural Affairs Bureau don’t casually approve law transmission documents; I’ll just..."
"Make way, urgent orders from the Wu Ban Fang, make way!"
Suddenly, a loud voice came from outside, followed by hurried footsteps.
Zhao Xing looked over in confusion, only to see a group of armed officials passing by.
"Brother Pang, what’s going on? Why are so many brothers from the Wu Ban Fang mobilized?"
"Cooperating with the county’s investigation," Pang Fei lowered his voice suddenly, looking somewhat mysterious. "Speaking of which, this matter is related to the Agricultural Affairs Bureau. Recently, many small officials from the Agricultural Affairs Bureau in Nanyang County have mysteriously disappeared. Isn’t that strange?"
"Small officials from the Agricultural Affairs Bureau disappearing?" Zhao Xing was taken aback. "Have they figured out the reason?"
Pang Fei shrugged. "Isn’t that what they’re investigating? I don’t know anything else. Brother Zhao, please rest for a moment; I’ll go submit your application right away."
"Thank you." Zhao Xing sat in the chair, frowning deeply, carefully recalling his experiences from his previous life. He had lived through the Jing Emperor's era, but he had never been to Grain City, nor had he been to Nanyang County. However, this didn’t prevent him from recalling some key events.
"During the Jing Emperor’s reign, there was a strange case where many officials from the Agricultural Affairs Bureau were abducted by a group of demons claiming to be from the Mysterious Heaven Sect... But shouldn’t this have happened during the Great Governance years? Why is it occurring during the Jingxin years? Am I remembering it wrong? Or was this plot already being planned during the Jingxin calendar?"
(End of Chapter)