Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 507 - 507 0348 Our County Master Has Already Assumed

Chapter 507: Chapter 0348 Our County Master Has Already Assumed Office_2 Chapter 507: Chapter 0348 Our County Master Has Already Assumed Office_2 “Brother Wu Tao, may I boldly ask your age and cultivation level? Are you willing to go with me to Lubei County? I must warn you upfront, our venture might keep us away from National Master Mansion for a significant amount of time. And if you choose to follow me, you must obey my commands. Any resistance will not be tolerated.” As Qi Tian spoke, his tone became icy cold.

Truthfully, Wu Tao was somewhat reluctant to follow Qi Tian. He enjoyed a high position and considerable power in the Sky Eagle Hall, leading a quite comfortable existence. Now, however, he was being transferred to a small place like Lubei County. He saw this as a demotion he didn’t really deserve. But when it came to saying “No”, he did not have the courage. After all, this assignment had been personally arranged by the Hall Master and monitored by the Great Elder. If he said “No”, he was sure to face repercussions. Keeping his current position and power would become questionable.

After weighing the pros and cons, Wu Tao clenched his teeth and said, “I respect the arrangements of the Great Elder and the Hall Master. I will go to Lubei County. As for my age, I am fifty-six years old today, at the Foundation Establishment’s seventh stage.”

Cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Stage generally live over a hundred years — living up to two hundred is not uncommon. When compared to the two hundred years’ limit, fifty-six is still considered young and can be described as ‘strong at the height of youth’. Luo Xia’s arrangement of having him at Qi Tian’s side was indeed sending a close and powerful aide.

Qi Tian bowed to Luo Xia and the Great Elder, remarking, “The day is growing late, and I need to take my leave.”

Chen Chen took out the necessary documents — the imperial appointment, the transfer order from the Imperial Master Mansion, and other essential legal documents proving Qi Tian’s appointment as Lubei County Master. He handed them all to Qi Tian, reminding him, “Qi Tian, during your time in Lubei County, if you have any needs—personnel or material resources—write to me at any time. I will do everything within my power to assist you. We cannot allow you to be mistreated in Lubei County.”

Qi Tian nodded, bowed one last time to Luo Xia and the Great Elder, and then left. Wu Tao and Zhang Lei hurriedly followed him out.

Qi Tian gave Wu Tao and Zhang Lei two hours to pack up, say their goodbyes, promising to wait for them outside the gates of the Imperial Master Mansion.

Two hours later, Qi Tian gathered his followers in the Imperial Master Mansion’s square, treated them to a lavish feast, and bought each of them a steed with a demonic beast’s bloodline. Then he climbed onto Hu Niu, and they all set off from the Imperial Master Mansion towards Lubei County in grand style.

The distance from the Imperial Master Mansion to Lubei County was no small trek, exceeding five thousand miles in a straight line. In Qi Tian’s previous lifetime, that would be equivalent to crossing through four or five provinces.

They rushed during the day and either camped out or found a place to stay at night. In this fashion, they traveled for over ten days before entering into East Lu Prefecture, where Lubei County was located.

According to the laws of Great Zhao, county masters and county masters, do not answer to prefecture magistrates, but out of common courtesy, county masters should pay their respects to the prefecture magistrate. This is especially true for county masters, as help may be needed between the two in various situations. On numerous occasions in the history of Great Zhao, county masters have sought assistance from county masters. And how to get things moving without establishing good relations in advance?

Although Qi Tian didn’t need help from the county master, nor did he need the prefecture magistrate to do anything for him, it was just a ceremonial visit, so he decided not to break this routine. And thus he went straight to Lu Mountain City, the county seat of East Lu Prefecture, after entering the latter.

First, Qi Tian went to pay respects to the prefecture magistrate of East Lu Prefecture, a man in his late forties. He was amiable, courteous in speech, welcomed Qi Tian’s appointment as Lubei county master, expressed his gratitude, and presented him with five thousand taels of silver as his travel expenses.

Five thousand taels were not much, but the most important thing was to demonstrate the attitude. For Qi Tian, this was enough.

The prefecture magistrate wanted to invite Qi Tian for a meal, but he politely declined. After leaving the prefecture magistrate’s residence, Qi Tian went straight to the County Master Mansion.

The County Master Mansion was an extension of the three National Master Mansions. In all areas of Great Zhao, some counties might not have county masters, but each county definitely has a county master. The county master’s duty is to ensure the safety of the people within the county, suppressing the monsters and demons, and ensuring the safety of the people. Of course, the county master also has another duty, which is to explore the resources within the county. If there are suitable ones, they must assist the National Master Mansion behind them to obtain these resources. In addition, if suitable cultivation talents appear within the county, they must also do their best to gather them and send them to the National Master Mansion for cultivation.

For these reasons, the three Great National Master Manors competed fiercely for the positions of Prefecture and County Masters. However, in recent years, the Imperial Master Mansion has declined, hence, the number of Prefecture and County Masters affiliated with it is the least, especially the Prefecture Masters, which only accounts for a mere five. In contrast, the Guardian National Master Manor has over a dozen, and the National Master Manor has more than twenty.

The Prefecture Master of East Lu Prefecture is Gai Xudong, who comes from the Guardian National Master Manor. He has just recently taken office. The previous Prefecture Master, who was under the National Master Manor, resigned for unknown reasons, leaving the post vacant, which was then filled by Gai Xudong.

Upon their arrival at the Prefecture Master Mansion, Qi Tian and his team presented their visiting cards, requesting to meet the master.

After glancing at Qi Tian’s visiting card, the doorman looked at him from the corner of his eye and said, “So you’re Qi Tian, the one who dares to beat the Prince’s Companion? Sorry, our Prefecture Master is busy with affairs and has no time to see you. Please leave.”

Qi Tian replied, “I have done what courtesy requires. If you refuse to meet me and then come and find trouble later because of this incident, I won’t hold back.”

“To threaten our Prefecture Master, you should have the ability,” the doorman disdainfully retorted.

Qi Tian did not linger in Lu Mountain City. After having a meal at a restaurant with his men, he continued on his journey.

After another day, Qi Tian and his group reached the border of Lubei County where there was a newly erected checkpoint on the official road. Every traveller passing through here had to undergo strict checks.

The mounts of Qi Tian’s group were either Golden Flur Tigers or demon horses with demon beast bloodlines. These extraordinary mounts would cause a commotion wherever they went. When Qi Tian and his group got to the checkpoint, the common people being checked were terrified, but the soldiers on the other side were ready with their bows drawn and swords out of their sheaths, as if facing an enemy.

“Master, something’s strange, shall I go ahead and check it out?” Wang Shuqing proposed.

Qi Tian nodded and said, “Go ahead and check. Guan Xun, display our banners.”

Guan Xun immediately took action, showing off the banners he had prepared for a long time. The most noticeable one was the large and conspicuous banner of Lubei County Master Qin.

Wang Shuqing moved ahead, loudly proclaiming, “To the officials across, our Master is the officially appointed Lubei County Master by the court, he is today taking office. Hasten to open the checkpoint and let our Master pass.”

“Nonsense, our county master has been in office for a while, and under his rule, Lubei County is thriving and the people live in peace. What kind of demon are you from, trying to impersonate the county master to cause disruption?” A military officer shouted back.

“You’re talking nonsense. Our master is the legitimate Lubei County Master. Who dares to steal my master’s official position before he takes office? Soldiers, open the checkpoint and let us pass. I must kill the bastard who stole the position,” Wang Shuqing retorted angrily.

“It appears to us that you are the impostors. I warn you, retreat immediately beyond the range of an arrow’s shot, otherwise don’t blame us for being rude.”