Lord Shenxiu
Chapter 32 Daoist Official

Chapter 32: Chapter 32 Daoist Official

Great Protector’s Mansion.

At the entrance.

Zhong Shenxiu followed Feng Xixi out, feeling suddenly relieved.

"I am, after all, just a resentful spirit equivalent to the Divine Power Realm... and within the Second Yan Han Empire, there are surely not too few real Sword Immortals or Primordial Pill Experts..."

He cautioned himself not to get carried away by pride.

"Su Daoshi."

Yet Feng Xixi said to Zhong Shenxiu, "Your exemption from military service has been approved by the Great Protector; from today on, you’re no longer a criminal."

"Thank you for your great kindness, Colonel," Zhong Shenxiu quickly said, expressing his gratitude with a bow.

He knew all too well the miserable life of a convict, discriminated against everywhere, with a ceiling above him that limited him to a minor official at most in his lifetime, with becoming a ranked officer being utterly impossible.

"It’s just a pity... the visible ceiling is gone, but the hidden one remains... Trying to obtain Daoist Skills for cultivation from the officials is still as difficult as ascending to heaven..."

Zhong Shenxiu sighed inwardly and heard Feng Xixi continue, "However... your position as a squad leader of the Xuanjia Iron Cavalry is no longer yours... But it doesn’t matter, I’ve recommended you for the post of Secondary Ninth Rank Evil Slayer Deputy Envoy, still under my jurisdiction. The appointment documents will be issued soon, and with this status, you can enter governmental martial arts schools without obstruction."

"Thank you, my lord."

Zhong Shenxiu’s face was filled with joy, without a hint of gloom.

Of course, he knew that the position of Black Armor Cavalry Commander was one of trust, and at the time Feng Xixi was merely placating him.

As a superior, the instinct to cut off ties after crossing the river was natural.

The fact that there was still a Secondary Ninth Rank official position to compensate him probably meant that Feng Xixi, being young, didn’t have the thick skin that came with age.

"Very good."

Seeing Su Daoshi’s attitude, Feng Xixi felt much more at ease and flicked out a key, "I have a small courtyard in Sweet Water Well Lane, I’ll give it to you as well."

’Rich tycoon, huh.’

Zhong Shenxiu thought to himself, ’Even though it’s just a house in a remote area, it’s at least in the city. This girl must come from a wealthy family.’

...

Sweet Water Well Lane.

Zhong Shenxiu opened the courtyard gate and saw a moderately-sized yard with a well and a plum tree.

"Congratulations to my lord on your promotion and fortune."

Huang Xie, who followed behind him, congratulated him with a cheerful smile, and promptly started looking for a broom to start cleaning.

"Let Shi Qi do such menial work."

Zhong Shenxiu thought for a moment, took out some White Emperor Coins, and handed them to Huang Xie, "Go buy some meat and wine, and give some to the neighbors. Since we’re new here, we should show some courtesy."

"Aye, my lord is truly thoughtful."

Since he learned that Zhong Shenxiu was to become an official, Huang Xie’s attitude toward him had become much more respectful.

Zhong Shenxiu knew that Su Daoshi’s friend would never return, and he felt a pang of melancholy.

He looked around the residence. It had many rooms, including the master bedroom, study, and main hall for the homeowner, as well as guest rooms, a kitchen, a stable, and even quarters for servants—all fully furnished.

Naturally, Zhong Shenxiu chose the largest master bedroom, which no one else contested.

When evening came, one man and two dogs enjoyed the purchased meat and wine. The two dogs were still bustling about, busy with something or other.

Zhong Shenxiu, on the other hand, started to practice his cultivation.

"The Spirit Turtle Breathing Skill has reached its peak, with no further benefits..."

"The ’Pastor’ profession is the same, forcibly taken up with nothing to show for it..."

"It seems that training any further is just a fool’s errand without acquiring new Daoist skills. I hope the official martial arts library will have some pleasant surprises," he mused.

He then thought about those two dogs.

Given his current status and position, teaching his personal soldiers the Qi Refining Technique wasn’t a big deal.

But Zhong Shenxiu still wanted to be cautious. By passing on the Primordial Qi Gong, no one could criticize him, and it also gave them a chance to stand out from the crowd.

After wandering around Fufeng City for a few days, Zhong Shenxiu finally received his detachment orders and appointment.

He put the detachment document away carelessly, but the position of a Secondary Ninth Rank Evil Slayer Deputy Envoy was somewhat interesting.

This was a Daoist Official!

In the Second Yan Han Empire, besides civilian and military officials, there was another category – Daoist officials, designated for cultivators who contributed to the empire. They were also known as ’Immortal Officials’ among the populace.

The biggest threshold among them was cultivation level.

Those above the Innate Level could serve as Secondary Ninth Rank or Standard Ninth Rank Evil Slayer Envoys, with the highest being the Standard Eighth Rank Law Enforcement Envoy!

Gang Sha Realm cultivators, having truly entered the path of cultivation, could, if willing to serve their country, be appointed as Secondary Seventh Rank Demon Suppression Deputy Envoys. After three years, they would be promptly promoted to the standard rank of Demon Suppression Envoy!

Superpower experts, upon entering officialdom, would start as Secondary Sixth-Rank Examination Deputy Envoys and could rise to the position of Standard Fifth Rank Golden Que Doctor!

As for Primordial Pill Masters? They were rare powerhouses within the Immortal Dao, beginning at least as Fourth-rank Five Talismans Spirit Officers!

Above the Fourth-rank Spirit Officer were positions such as Heavenly Master and State Preceptor, but the specific realms of cultivation required for these were not clear to outsiders.

"Such Daoist officials have a leisurely life and even receive a tribute for doing practically nothing. They rank above civil and military officials, but there’s no helping it... After all, this is a world where power lies within oneself. If it weren’t for the terrifying power wielded by the imperial family of the Second Yan Han Empire, they wouldn’t even be serving as Emperor."

Zhong Shenxiu changed into an Evil Slayer Envoy’s official attire, which resembled a Daoist robe but appeared fresher and more elegant. Adorned with an ivory waist badge, both Huang Xie and Er Ha were awestruck and loudly praised it.

Zhong Shenxiu couldn’t be bothered with these two fools.

Ever since he said he’d impart a Qi Refining Technique he stumbled upon to these two, he immediately earned two utterly loyal lackeys.

But being flattered like this daily was somewhat dull.

"Keep a good watch on the house; I’m off to check out the official martial arts library."

With that, he instructed them and left the courtyard on his own.

He had been looking forward to this visit for a long time.

In Fufeng Prefecture, there were many officials, and nobody was particularly surprised by a Secondary Ninth Rank Evil Slayer Deputy Envoy—the most they wondered about was how young and handsome Zhong Shenxiu was.

The journey was uneventful, and he didn’t come across any amusing or intriguing episodes, arriving soon at the official martial arts library.

The place could be considered a huge training hall. When military officials were promoted to certain key positions, they were required to study military texts and martial arts here.

Through such institutions, the Second Yan Han Empire firmly maintained control over the military.

After all, military officers could be reassigned during their promotion, eliminating their influence completely.

Moreover, it provided an excuse for isolation and investigation: whether one learned and advanced or went straight from studying to prison depended on individual fate.

Zhong Shenxiu showed his waist badge, entered the martial arts library without looking at the officials’ drills in the schoolyard, and headed straight for the collection of secret texts.

This place resembled a vast library, surrounded by water tanks guarded by specialized personnel.

Once inside, he saw the extensive space, with shelves upon shelves filled with military texts and martial arts.

In the outside world, the True Inheritance Mantras that ordinary martial artists could hardly obtain were abundant here.

Silence enveloped the area, broken only occasionally by the rustling sound of a few martial artists reading and flipping pages.

Zhong Shenxiu smiled and proceeded directly to the second floor.

Here, the martial arts were of an even higher grade, reaching the Innate Level. Skills like the Ten Directions Beast Skill were all amongst them.

As for Daoist cultivation methods? One shouldn’t even dream of them by day.