Yuling Road, Qingchuan Prefecture.

The vast Qingchuan Prefecture is the largest city in the entire Ze Province.

Since the Great Spirit abolished the majority of city walls, this strategically located capital has experienced explosive development.

Centered around Qingchuan Lake, it extends in all directions, reaching Jade Horse Forest, Wine Pot Slope, Chensan Temple, and Mingguang Phoenix Garden.

Each bustling and serene street, garden, and residential area is characterized by Qingchuan Prefecture’s distinctive style of gray tiles and gray walls.

The building belonging to the Ze Province governor’s office is located within Chensan Temple.

Originally, Chensan Temple expanded from a former well-flourishing Daoist temple.

Named after its founder Chen San, it has now developed into a large and bustling urban area.

At this moment, amidst the stream of people and carriages entering this town.

A beautifully decorated carriage, yet shockingly bumpy, with hardly any suspension, is proceeding at a steady pace towards the prefecture office.

Around the carriage are many other similar carriages, ox carts, and even donkey carts.

Many vehicles are laden with vegetables, fruits, grains, and even wine jars.

Along the pedestrian lanes on either side, passersby in brightly colored clothing can be seen, with every color except yellow and gold on display.

Zhang Rongfang even noticed some wealthy young women, partially revealing their busts, wearing dresses as colorful as peacocks, adorned with at least several pounds of silver and gold jewelry on their heads, shoulders, and necks.

“Here, our women value large busts and heavy jewelry as beauty. That’s why you see many dressed this way on the streets,”

Ding Rui explained with a smile in the carriage.

“Of course, being able to dress like this at least requires substantial family wealth.”

He glanced at a nearby street sign, which clearly read Parasol Street.

“Alright, this is as far as I go. From here on, you’re on your own, junior brother,” Ding Rui said softly.

“Qingchuan Prefecture is complex, but I believe with your skills, you’ll manage. This is, in fact, a small test.”

“A test? From the senior uncle?” Zhang Rongfang was taken aback.

“Naturally. Your performance here will mainly be about managing and operating local businesses. As for suppressing rebel forces and matters of martial force, you need not worry; we have experts sent to resolve them.

Additionally, while this place is safe and nothing to worry about, don’t assume it will be easier to manage than Citong. Because here is the most prosperous part of the entire Ze Province, and hitting any rich person in the street could potentially lead to entanglements involving the Jade Void Palace’s major families.

At that time, how you handle it, everyone will be watching. So, how you manage and showcase yourself depends entirely on you.

Don’t be reckless in using force,” Ding Rui said meaningfully.

After hearing this, Zhang Rongfang understood that things here were completely different from Citong.

If Citong permitted straightforward and direct action.

Here, you cannot simply turn against your own people, can you? The Twelve Sect Mansions associated with the Jade Void Palace likely have many people investing in properties within the province, not completely isolated from the world.

The real difficulty lies here. You can’t just kill and exterminate family relations, can you? After all, ordinary financial disputes don’t warrant such extreme measures.

“I understand,” Zhang Rongfang thought for a moment and nodded.

It seems that regardless of the situation here, everything must wait until his own people and trusted team arrive before he can proceed.

Relying solely on himself, even if confident in handling and resolving the situation, it would be impossible to establish a completely secure zone.

Therefore, no rush…

The carriage slowly pulled over to the side of the road.

Ding Rui got off the carriage and cupped his hands towards Zhang Rongfang.

“Junior brother, on this journey, if you encounter matters of safety, you may come to the Ding family to seek me, but for minor issues, try not to come. It might affect the Palace Master’s evaluation and attention.

Be careful, if you’re significant enough, even if you don’t become a Daoist on our side, you can still gain support from many sect mansions, effectively achieving the objective in a different way.”

He was clearly on Yue Dewen’s side, so his advice to Zhang Rongfang was sincere and heartfelt.

Zhang Rongfang felt it too, returning the gesture with cupped hands.

“I’ll remember, thank you, senior brother, for your protection along the way.”

“You’re welcome.”

Ding Rui laughed carefreely, turned away, and disappeared into the crowd, soon vanishing into an alley.

Zhang Rongfang watched him leave, observing the completely different style of dress on the streets here, a new sense of unfamiliarity and alienation surged in his heart.

Here, men favor wearing slanted shoulder garments that expose half of their shoulders; most are short and stout, with dark skin.

Combined with the attire of the women seen earlier, even ordinary women wear plenty of jewelry, and even cheap jewelry is used to adorn themselves so brightly.

Clearly, this is the custom here.

“Let’s go…” Zhang Rongfang closed the carriage door, instructing.

He needed to consider how to handle the situations Ding Rui mentioned just now.

Coming to this place, first to have a secure environment for cultivation, he must figure out how to gather money and resources.

*

*

*

Qingchuan Prefecture Office.

A team of reception officials, along with constables, officials, temporary deputies, and others, were lined up waiting for the soon-to-arrive newly appointed governor.

Among the crowd.

Two people stood out the most.

A man standing at the forefront, tall and broad-bodied, with a tuft of fine facial hair, he had a handsome scholarly appearance with slightly pale skin, a high nose bridge, suggesting some Huxi descent.

This person was Jin Yonghe, the Deputy Governor of Qingchuan Prefecture, from the Ze Province’s prominent Jin family.

Beside him stood another individual, tall and burly, with arms as robust as an average person’s thighs, skin dark as coal, evidently a figure of immense strength.

This man had round eyes, flared nostrils, and a head of tawny hair resembling a lion’s mane, making him particularly striking.

He was Shangguan Zhi, the prefect overseeing troops stationed around Qingchuan.

He also hailed from Ze Province’s foremost family, the Shangguan family.

“Brother Jin, I hear this new governor is a personally recognized Daoist by the Celestial Treasure Palace? Have you gotten any word?” Shangguan Zhi grumbled, picking his nose.

It was early in the morning, and he was forced to wait here, receiving some new governor.

If it weren’t for the newcomer’s impressive credentials, he wouldn’t care to get involved.

Wouldn’t it be better to embrace his lovely wives and concubines at home, resting and sleeping? Instead, he had to stand here like a fool waiting.

“Somewhat acquainted, not an easy character.” Jin Yonghe replied with a smile, “However, what does it matter how clever he may be? Alone here, everything requires our cooperation for orders to be relayed. It’s best to work together, take a step back, and handle things smoothly.”

“True, after all, we are all one family. It’s best for everyone if we get along well. Let’s see if we can make friends then.

This guy hails from the Celestial Treasure Palace, probably lacks martial prowess. We’ll see if he knows his place. If he does, we might offer him some benefits. If he doesn’t, then we’ll just cripple him and let him quietly serve as a confined prefect.” Shangguan Zhi said nonchalantly.

“Indeed.” Jin Yonghe nodded.

This is the current state of Qingchuan Prefecture.

No matter how skillful the new Zhang Ying Daoist might be, the essential point is that both of them represent top positions—the Shangguan family being the first sect mansion, still aristocrats with Spirit People experiences.

The other is a branch of the Jin family, related to the current Palace Master of Jade Void Palace. Even loosely tied, it’s quite overwhelming.

Such backgrounds make neither side conversational partners easy to provoke.

Meanwhile, the entire Qingchuan Prefecture administration centers on these two, divided into two factional interests.

As the two quietly conversed, suddenly from afar the street, a white carriage slowly approached amidst the flow of traffic and people.

Soon, the carriage gently halted before the prefecture’s entrance.

The carriage door slid open, and a burly, tall, robust man slowly emerged from inside.

The newcomer was dressed in a white Daoist robe, wearing a Qinghua Daoist crown, with bulging muscles, bearing no resemblance to the scholarly Celestial Treasure Palace.

Off the carriage, this man clasped his hands and saluted to the crowd awaiting to welcome him.

“I am Zhang Ying. My modest capacity does not warrant causing you esteemed colleagues such prolonged waiting.”

“Zhang Ying, Lord Zhang, after journeying arduously, the cleansing banquet is prepared. You and I are family, you hail from the same sect; since you’ve come, feel at home as if it’s your domain. Our Qingchuan is warm and hospitable, with beauty and fine wine plentiful! You’ll see by staying long enough.” Jin Yonghe stepped forward with a smile and spoke.

“I am Deputy Jin Yonghe. And this is Prefect Supervisory Lord Shangguan Zhi.”

Zhang Rongfang’s gaze swept around the two.

“Honored lords. The peace and stability of Qingchuan Prefecture will rely on your support in the days ahead!”

He solemnly clasped hands and bowed to both.

After mutual exchanges of false flattery and praises, they all entered the yamen together.

Then came a simple introduction to the yamen’s inner structure and major personnel.

Zhang Rongfang glanced casually, not listening attentively, as everything must be changed eventually.

After dinner, he dealt with numerous local wealthy merchant and clan representatives who were fittingly approached at the banquet.

The Deputy Jin Yonghe, representing local major families, presented a generous gift—a vast-prefect residence.

Located several miles away from the yamen, at the foot of the mountain.

Zhang Rongfang did not decline, accepting the gift. Considering it his foothold.

That night, he rested in the yamen, sealing himself off, directly entering rest meditation.

When night deepened.

Outside, on the street, the watchman knocked clappers.

“Dry weather, beware of fire.”

In his bedroom, Zhang Rongfang suddenly opened his eyes.

Looking at the open window, outside the sparse moonlight and stars blink, the shadow of trees swayed, and the wind was strong.

“This place… seems to be where my roots will be for many years to come.”

He got up, changed clothes, and donned a mask.

All operations completed in the dark corner, averting discovery.

In a short while, he restored back to his masked state.

Even his body shape slightly altered with a minor bone-shifting technique, changing his contours.

To avoid being identified by physique.

After finishing everything, Zhang Rongfang stomped his foot and abruptly burst through the window.

His body technique, at present, far exceeded the limits of ordinary humans, reaching the lower threshold of Grandmaster.

This kind of physical quality, paired with a special martial skill, makes evading the human eye not a difficult challenge.

In the Great Capital, he dared not act arbitrarily.

At Jade Void Palace, he remained weak, unable to move.

But here.

Zhang Rongfang felt empowered again.

Qingchuan Prefecture City is vast, larger and more prosperous than the former Wushan Prefecture.

One Jade Horse Forest alone is equivalent to the former Tan Yang City.

Not to mention there are several other districts.

Such an expansive area, naturally resulting intricate conflicts.

But once clarified, tremendous benefits follow.

Thus…..

How to realign, how to handle, demands cunning and wisdom.

Bang!!

Jin Yonghe’s bedroom wall collapsed.

Breaking through the wall, Zhang Rongfang stepped inside, looking at the Lord Deputy sheltering with a quilt.

This lord played quite extravagantly, as there lay three beautiful women on the bed, completely unclothed.

Staring at the bewildered Jin Yonghe.

Zhang Rongfang suddenly felt as ridiculous as stomping on retirement homes, kicking kindergarten.

“Who are you!? Daring to intrude…” Jin Yonghe’s words hadn’t finished, the figure before him flickered, leaving him petrified, he flipped over, wrapped his body in the blanket, lunged forward, rolling onto the ground.

His moves were bizarre, like a threadworm, swiftly evading Zhang Rongfang’s foot-stomp, then leaped up from the ground, retrieving a hefty black blade from the wall.

In an instant, Jin Yonghe’s entire Qi and Blood surged, body expanded, skin faintly blackened, exposing trace silver patterns.

“No matter who you are, since you dared stir trouble with this official today, you deserve to self-humiliate!!”

Jin Yonghe growled low, both arms wielded the blade, muscles bulged and surged, head-on a black shadow flashed with the blade’s light, slashing towards Zhang Rongfang.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep