Chapter Six: The Magistrate Like a Puppet

“Traveling far from home, cultivating oneself is paramount.”

“No matter what, one must never neglect their own studies.”

Jiang Sheng pressed down the tumultuous thoughts in his heart and sat cross-legged atop Qingscreen Mountain. After swallowing a pill, he began his midday cultivation.

For the cultivators of Penglai, barring unforeseen circumstances, the morning and evening sessions were indispensable.

The more diligent cultivators would also practice at noon.

Although the midday sun was at its zenith, blazing with fierce radiance, ordinary cultivators would not absorb the sun’s intense energy at this time. However, drawing in the ambient spiritual energy or consuming alchemical pills was perfectly acceptable.

The purpose of these pills was precisely to facilitate continuous cultivation day and night.

Since ancient times, cultivators had to rely on gathering the morning glow at dawn and moonlight at dusk. Now, with the advent of pills, they could cultivate uninterruptedly through all twelve hours of the day. This was undeniably a monumental advancement.

The pill Jiang Sheng took was the Essence-Consolidating Pill, the most commonly used by Dao Foundation cultivators.

Moreover, the Essence-Consolidating Pills produced by Penglai were not only low in toxicity but also consistent in quality, without any risk of poison.

When cultivators traveled, no one would blindly trust pills or magical tools purchased from others.

Even pills that appeared flawless and exquisite could harbor hidden dangers.

Freelance cultivators had fewer options and almost no ability to discern pill quality. They had no choice but to seize pills from others or buy them at apothecaries, with no guarantee of safety.

In contrast, cultivators like Jiang Sheng, who hailed from an orthodox Xuan Sect, could purchase pills directly from their own sect.

This was a subtle privilege. Whether pills or magical implements, buying from one’s sect was always the safest, with no worries of hidden threats.

This period was perhaps the most peaceful since Jiang Sheng had left his sect.

Each morning, he would gather the morning glow and purple aura as the sun rose. At noon, he would consume an Essence-Consolidating Pill, and by night, he would absorb the moonlight’s subtle energy.

His cultivation steadily advanced. The Daoist temple halfway up the mountain was continuously repaired and already taking shape in a short time.

The people of Qingping Town busied themselves daily with temple repairs, but no one dared climb to the mountaintop to disturb Jiang Sheng’s cultivation.

Though a few hunters frequented the mountains, they all understood their limits and avoided interfering.

Cultivation demanded a tranquil mind. If the restless heart could not be restrained, if the wild thoughts could not be tethered, one could never truly progress or ascend the path to immortality.

Jiang Sheng’s calm demeanor had always been praised by the elders of his sect. Besides, he quite cherished this solitude, where he could cultivate undisturbed.

Alas, such days were always fleeting.

After a rare month of quiet cultivation, the people of Qingping Town finally came to seek him out.

That morning, Jiang Sheng was gathering the morning glow as usual. Before he could complete his session, Tian Guofu arrived, breathless, accompanied by several followers.

Seeing Jiang Sheng immersed in cultivation, Tian Guofu did not interrupt but quietly waited until he finished.

Only then did he say, “Daoist Jiang, the temple is completed.”

Jiang Sheng’s expression was serene, his gaze indifferent. “Built in just over a month. Town Chief Tian, your speed is impressive.”

Tian Guofu smiled awkwardly. “Everyone is grateful to Daoist Jiang for removing a great menace, so they worked swiftly.”

Jiang Sheng slowly rose, exhaled, then turned to Tian Guofu. “Grateful? Were you not cursing this poor Daoist in your hearts, then I should be the one to be thankful.”

Under Jiang Sheng’s penetrating gaze, Tian Guofu felt drenched in sweat, as if every thought was laid bare beneath those star-like eyes.

“W-who would dare, Daoist Jiang, you jest,” Tian Guofu stammered.

Jiang Sheng nodded. “You dare not, rather than you do not wish to.”

“The people of Qingping Town helped build the temple voluntarily after this Daoist slew the tiger demon in the mountains. This was not coerced.”

“I do not seek favors, nor do I expect you to hold a temple over me like a bargaining chip.”

Seeing Jiang Sheng steadily retreat, Tian Guofu grew anxious and hurried after him.

“Daoist Jiang, neither I nor the people of Qingping Town would ever seek to coerce you.”

“That’s good. If so, then you may all return down the mountain,” Jiang Sheng replied calmly.

Tian Guofu paused, said nothing further, and obediently led his men down.

Back in town, he recounted the outcome and sighed, “This Daoist Jiang truly has skill.”

“Many before him tried to slay the demons but were devoured by the tiger demon. Yet Daoist Jiang succeeded—proof of real ability.”

One wealthy gentleman grumbled, “What use is his skill if he won’t rid us of the demons in the Taiping River?”

“Remember, this year it’s our turn to offer six pairs of boys and girls,” an elderly scholar suddenly said.

“We cannot hire him because of our status; Daoist Jiang simply doesn’t favor us,” the scholar added.

Though unwilling, the crowd could not deny the truth.

Tian Guofu asked, “Then, sir, what do you propose we do?”

The old scholar stroked his beard and smiled, “Our newly appointed county magistrate of Qingshan said he wants to make achievements and eliminate the demons in Taiping River.”

“Why not inform His Excellency, ask him to send someone to invite Daoist Jiang? That would be fitting for Daoist Jiang’s status.”

The crowd nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, in Qingshan County, the newly appointed magistrate Zhang Qingyun was seething with anger.

“Since arriving in Qingshan, I never imagined I’d be so disrespected!”

Zhang Qingyun had hoped to make his mark after taking office.

At first, he received enthusiastic hospitality from local gentry and merchants, leading him to believe they would cooperate with his governance.

But he soon found that while they outwardly showed him respect, none of his decrees were enforced.

The gentry, deeply rooted in the region for decades or centuries, controlled everything, especially the annual river god festival. The townsfolk obeyed them unquestioningly.

The merchants colluded with the gentry, tightly controlling everything from the county office to shops in the city and towns.

There was no room for Zhang Qingyun to exert his authority.

Though they bowed to him superficially, the gentry were the true masters of Qingshan County.

This was a profound humiliation for Zhang Qingyun; his authority had been completely undermined.

Just as he was at a loss, a report arrived.

“Your Excellency, Tian Guofu, town chief of Qingping, has urgent business to report.”