Chapter 53: 52. Human Sentiment, Part 2

“Does Liao Yong qualify? Isn’t the minimum requirement for Xunzhaofang at least first grade?” Xu Tao raised an eyebrow.

“Barely, isn’t he about to be graded soon? I’m actually still hesitating whether to accept him or not.” Mountain Opening Daoist woke up and answered cautiously.

Everyone wants to join Xunzhaofang, mainly because it can recommend appointments to Thousand Households and Jixian Institute.

Most people come to Xunzhaofang just to make a stop, then enter the officialdom.

“Remove Liao Yong and add my person.” Xu Tao handed over a document.

“This… doesn’t conform to the rules, right?”

Mountain Opening Daoist hesitated a bit, as Liao Yong had given him quite a bit of money.

“Just do as I say. It’s a favor.” Xu Tao said impatiently.

“Alright, I understand.” Mountain Opening Daoist knew that his position was secure only thanks to the Xu family, so he could only comply.

He took a list from the drawer, found the last name of Liao Yong on it, and crossed it out heavily with a charcoal pencil.

Then he added Zhang Ying’s name from the document.

*

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*

Night fell.

Inside a disciple’s room at Mingjing Palace.

Zhang Rongfang stood on the empty ground in front of his door, looking up at the bright moon.

He thought of his master Zhang Xuan and his senior brother Zhang Xintai, unsure of how they are now.

Besides his biological sister Zhang Rongyu, Master Zhang Xuan and Senior Sister Zhao Dachong should be the only people in this world who gave him a sense of warmth.

And now, having arrived in Tan Yang, unfamiliar with the place and all alone…

“New here?”

Beside him, a young woman holding a wooden basin of water looked over curiously.

“No one has lived next door for a long time, and suddenly luggage moved in today. Turns out it was a junior brother who arrived.”

The woman smiled, her personality seemed rather outgoing.

“I’m Xia Rongrong, a local of Tan Yang. Since we’ll be neighbors from now on, please take care of me.”

“I’m Zhang Ying, from Huaxin County. Nice to meet you, Senior Sister Xia.” Zhang Rongfang clasped his hands in respect.

In the moonlight, he observed Xia Rongrong, who clearly lived in the disciple’s room of the Taoist palace but didn’t wear a Taoist robe. It was somewhat strange.

“It’s quite strange that I’m not wearing a Taoist robe, isn’t it?” Xia Rongrong smiled.

Her looks weren’t bad, with sword-like eyebrows and an oval face, bright and clear eyes, wearing a white waist-length dress, appearing quite pure.

Most striking was her long black hair cascading down her back to her waist, tied with white ribbons of equal length.

“It is a bit strange.” Zhang Rongfang did not deny.

“In Mingjing Palace, besides those holding positions or during fixed festivals and ceremonies, one doesn’t need to wear a Taoist robe usually.” Xia Rongrong explained.

“When you came over, did you notice that many of the Kun Daos weren’t wearing Taoist robes?”

Zhang Rongfang was taken aback, then recalled that it was indeed the case.

“I see. Thank you for explaining, Senior Sister.”

“You’re welcome.” Xia Rongrong quietly studied the man in front of her.

The robust upper body and streamlined muscles caused a strange glint in her eyes.

“Junior Brother, you’ve just arrived in Tan Yang, and you haven’t had a proper look around yet, have you? Why don’t I take you to explore the surroundings tomorrow? It’ll pass the free time.” She suggested.

“Uh… how could I impose?” Zhang Rongfang was a bit unaccustomed to her enthusiasm.

He had never encountered such a warm and friendly opposite sex and didn’t know how to respond at the moment.

“There’s nothing to feel imposed about. Since you called me Senior Sister, it’s only natural to help with small matters.”

Xia Rongrong laughed.

“Did you come here from Huaxin County to transfer registrations?”

“Yes, since Tan Yang is a big city, there should be more development opportunities. My elders arranged connections to get me here.” Zhang Rongfang nodded.

“There are more opportunities, but the competition is fierce. Young talents from everywhere are flocking to big cities.

In places like Tan Yang and the provincial capital, it’s the same.

In such places, if disciples under twenty-three years old do not reach second-grade within five years of entering the Taoist palace, they will be assigned to nearby counties.” Xia Rongrong’s smile faded a bit, and she sighed.

“Can’t you pursue Literary Cultivation?” Zhang Rongfang frowned.

“Literary Cultivation is harder. More people are vying for it. We Martial Cultivators are far fewer than Literary Cultivators. The threshold for pure Literary Cultivation is low, it doesn’t cost much, so naturally, more people practice it.”

Xia Rongrong sighed.

“By the way, Junior Brother, you haven’t found a job yet, have you?”

“Job? What do you mean by that? Aren’t there positions for appointments?” Zhang Rongfang was puzzled.

“With over three hundred Mingjing Palace Literary and Martial Cultivator disciples, where would there be so many positions? And the pay from the palace appointments isn’t enough. Without other work, you can’t even afford the monthly fees.” Xia Rongrong was surprised.

“You didn’t even know this?”

“…Please enlighten me, Senior Sister.” Zhang Rongfang really didn’t know. In Qinghe Palace, as long as you are a Martial Cultivator, everyone has a position.

The basic expenses of cultivation disciples were covered by the master. He never thought that here they would require disciples to pay.

“Practicing martial arts costs money, monthly fees must be paid, buying medicinal ingredients costs money. Without family support, you have to find a way to earn money yourself.” Xia Rongrong shook her head in resignation.

“If you’re third grade or above, the big families in the city would hire you as a teacher. Palace appointments, government appointments can earn you a decent side income.

But below third grade, it’s tough. Compete in martial arts arenas, take temporary jobs from trading firms, and occasionally, the masters in the palace might assign tasks with pay. Otherwise, you have to find a way yourself.”

She sighed.

“So many below third grade have gone to nearby counties and towns to take positions there. Though the countryside is backward, at least you can get a position, earn money, and progress. It’s better than wasting time in the city.”

Zhang Rongfang understood her point.

Third grade is a hurdle, if you vault it, you can settle down in the big city, but if you can’t, it’s tough.

“Work hard, in this small courtyard, we all start the same. Me, you, Shangguan Yi, and Xiao Hongcui who live over there, are all in the same situation.”

“Everyone’s ranked?” Zhang Rongfang was surprised.

“Of course, those who aren’t ranked don’t stay here.” Xia Rongrong nodded.

Chatting with Xia Rongrong gave Zhang Rongfang an initial understanding of Mingjing Palace.

The competition here was far more intense than he had imagined.

And the most realistic aspect was that, whether here or at Qinghe Palace, money was the most important thing.

Money was needed everywhere.

The Martial Cultivators aimed for the third rank, while Literary Cultivators aimed for Core Formation.

Luckily, although he appeared to be only first rank, his actual strength far surpassed this level.

Even third rank in front of him was nothing much.

Breaking through the situation shouldn’t be difficult.

Sure enough.

In the following days, Zhang Rongfang took on a temporary position in the Patrol Room and during a nighttime patrol, he caught a thief who often came to steal money and achieved a merit.

“Well done!” In the Patrol Room.

The Mountain Opening Daoist looked warmly at Zhang Rongfang before him.

“You’ve just arrived and already achieved merit; I’ll record this for you and later count it all together.”

He stood up and patted Zhang Rongfang’s shoulder.

“Your Body Technique is good, you should set an example, the capable should do more work. Additionally, I know you want to take up an external position.

Rest assured. Although you’ve achieved merit, you’re still a bit short of being able to take up an external position. I’ll help you record it for now and recommend you once there’s a vacancy.”

“Thank you for your care, Master.” Zhang Rongfang sincerely bowed.

He wanted to quickly enhance his status. Additionally, after some time, he’d be able to rank second rank.

For now, he would accumulate merits, so when the time came he could smoothly enter the Jixian Institute or the Thousand Households.

By then, he’d acquire official status, taxes would reduce significantly, salary would increase, making earning money much easier.

“Continue to perform well, don’t worry, I, Mountain Opening Daoist, might neglect others but can’t possibly neglect my own people.” The Mountain Opening Daoist laughed heartily.

“Then, Zhang Ying will take his leave.” Zhang Rongfang thanked and turned to leave.

The Mountain Opening Daoist watched him leave, gradually smiling softer.

“This young man, not bad.”

He pulled open a drawer, took out the arrest documents just completed.

These are documents issued by the government to various sects, for catching that thief, one could receive three hundred silver coins as a reward and record a small military merit.

The Mountain Opening Daoist casually took out a charcoal pencil and wrote the name of the catcher at the bottom of the document—Xue Wenyuan.

His nephew had wanted to take up a position at the Thousand Households for a long time, this merit came just in time.

Three hundred silver coins also conveniently served to cover the high-interest loan he took days ago.

Rubbing his chin whiskers, the Mountain Opening Daoist’s smile deepened.

“Alright, Xiaoyun, submit it to the government for reporting.”

“Master…writing like this, the Dormitory Master over there…” Xiaoyun asked doubtfully beside him.

“I’ve checked carefully, this person has no connection with the Dormitory Master, it’s merely returning a favor, the Dormitory Master doesn’t care about him.

Moreover, providing him with a transferred Daoist registration and temporary position is already a great benefit, what’s the big deal about taking a bit of merit?”

Being able to sit securely in the Patrol Room, the Mountain Opening Daoist had mastered who could be provoked and who couldn’t within this Dao Palace.

*

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Zhang Rongfang strolled leisurely within Mingjing Palace.

The entire Dao Palace was built around three divine temples, with a network of buildings, the disciples’ rooms were among them.

As he wandered, he kept thinking about ways to earn money.

Xia Rongrong had previously taken him for several tours outside, indeed seeing many martial arts competitions.

Those daring to step up had quite good accomplishments.

If he didn’t hide his strength, he could compete up there. But doing so would make him too conspicuous.

Therefore, finding a more discreet way to earn money became his pressing task.

Yet, after thinking it over, there seemed to be no solution.

’It seems it’s still most reasonable to quickly accumulate merit and take up an external official position. He had long heard that the lowest official position guaranteed a monthly salary of at least fifty silver coins. Buying medicine to increase attribute accumulation speed could also be used.’

“Money money money…alas…” Zhang Rongfang sighed inwardly. Without money, attribute accumulation would have to revert to the previous pace of one point every two months.

Too slow, too slow.

While feeling irritable.

Suddenly, Xia Rongrong appeared from the corner ahead, waving with a smile.

Zhang Rongfang approached and cupped his hands.

“Greetings, Senior Sister Xia.”

“Junior Brother Ying, you seem troubled, is it because of silver coins?” Xia Rongrong asked with a smile.

“Indeed, it’s not clear which channels to use to earn money.” Zhang Rongfang nodded, not hiding it.

Xia Rongrong understood as well.

At their level of Martial Cultivator, trying to stay in Tan Yang on one’s own was too difficult, too difficult.

“Why worry, Junior Brother? As the saying goes, the car will find a path when it reaches the mountain. Today coincidentally there’s a garden party, why not explore? You might make more friends, find more avenues.”

“Garden party?” Zhang Rongfang was hearing this name for the first time.

“Actually, it’s a gathering of many young ladies from wealthy families in the city wanting to meet the young talents from various sects.” Xia Rongrong whispered mysteriously.

“Junior Brother, imagine, if you can win the beauty and also solve your financial problems, wouldn’t that be perfect?”

“…” Zhang Rongfang was speechless, realizing instantly what this party was all about.

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