Chapter 55: Order of the World, Part 2

In the next few days.

The Daoist temple continued patrols, relaxed on the outside but tense within.

The fourth night.

Inside the patrol room.

Mountain Opening Daoist let out a gentle breath. He looked at the commendation order just issued.

It clearly stated that to thank the patrol room for saving Li Huoyun, the Tan Yang State Office had granted an additional honorary position to Mingjing Palace.

“Good, good, good… This is really good….” Mountain Opening Daoist’s face blossomed with a smile.

This honorary position came at just the right time.

“Additionally, Li Huoyun himself sent a reward of three hundred taels,” Xiaoyun quietly reminded from the side.

“Money is a small matter. This additional honorary position, especially one related to criminal justice, is a significant responsibility. So many people are desperately trying to squeeze someone in there, but unexpectedly, we got one more.”

He skillfully took out a charcoal pencil and wrote the name: Xue Ning, in the recipient section at the bottom of the commendation order.

“Xue Ning has continuously sent me good things. This time, I’ll just do him a favor. This kid is lucky to come across such a good opportunity.”

Mingjing Palace often had various incidents, being a renowned sect in the martial world and a major faction in Tan Yang.

The experts in the palace would frequently go out to mediate disputes between different factions in the martial world.

Some gangs and families would occasionally visit, requesting Mingjing Palace to exert influence, such as rescuing someone officially.

Overall, Mingjing Palace was considered a prestigious sect that existed both in the official and martial realms.

“Master, since Zhang Ying has also made a contribution, shouldn’t we offer some benefits? Otherwise, people might suspect…” Xiaoyun softly reminded from the side.

“Benefits?” Mountain Opening Daoist flicked the commendation order, saying nonchalantly, “Let’s just increase his regular allowance by two taels this month.”

“Master, shouldn’t we consider promoting him?”

“Why promote him? If he gets promoted too quickly and leaves, where will I find such a capable subordinate? Instead, it’s better to hold him down to gain more achievements for me.”

Mountain Opening Daoist had it all figured out.

As for the reason for the constraint.

Just say it’s for the young man to gain more experience and accumulate knowledge.

“But if he finds out and refuses to act?” Xiaoyun worried.

“If he refuses, it will be dereliction of duty. The rules of the Daoist temple are strict enough to leave him with no choice but to make an effort,” Mountain Opening Daoist said with a carefree smile.

*

*

*

The nighttime rescue didn’t spread widely within Mingjing Palace.

The higher-ups intentionally suppressed such negative news to avoid disturbing stability.

So everyone just knew something happened that night, but nobody knew what exactly occurred.

Zhang Rongfang didn’t mind. He received the commendation from the patrol room and an additional two taels in his monthly allowance.

It’s better than nothing.

He also didn’t care, maybe the person he saved was just stingy, only willing to give a little money.

What he cares about now is accumulating credit, and soon enough, he might get another promotion.

He aims to climb swiftly to a higher position, gain more resources and power, and thereby access more advanced martial arts.

By then, money will naturally follow.

May 19.

Zhang Rongfang came out of the correspondence room after just writing a letter without an address, to send to his master and senior brother.

He wasn’t sure if it could be delivered.

The situation there had been rather strange.

He had encountered an attack from Qi Mountain on his journey. Judging from the weird actions of his master afterward.

It’s likely that Huaxin County and Qinghe Palace were about to experience some upheaval.

After all, Qi Mountain was under the jurisdiction of Tang Sha.

Collecting his thoughts, Zhang Rongfang walked along the small path to the left side of the temple towards the disciples’ quarters at the back.

At the Tai Chi Dojo in front of the temple, a group of bald monks in gray and red robes were conversing with Master Xuanxin and other high-level members.

From a distance, the atmosphere seemed somewhat solemn.

Zhang Rongfang just glanced and didn’t look further, heading back on his own.

On his way back, as he was about to reach his courtyard.

He suddenly slowed his pace, stopping in his tracks.

Before his courtyard gate stood a tall, slender young man in fine clothing.

Behind the youth, there were two robust guards, both armed with swords, looking quite impressive.

In these times, not every household could afford guards with the authority to carry swords.

Ordinary wealthy families, at most, allowed their household servants to carry sticks.

The elegantly dressed young man looked around with an uneasy expression.

He suddenly turned his head to see Zhang Rongfang approaching.

Immediately, a smile appeared on his face, and he hurried over.

“Brother Dao! Thank you for your rescue earlier! I am Li Huoyun! I came today to express my gratitude in person!”

Li Huoyun, although drugged at that time, wasn’t in a daze.

Instead, out of fear, his mind was clearer.

So, he realized that had Zhang Rongfang not sensed something was amiss and launched a sudden attack, forcing the villain to back off, he might have met a terrible fate.

Afterwards, it would have been hard to say what kind of fate awaited him.

After all, his father had made too many enemies in his life. Many would relish the chance to annihilate his entire family.

“Li Huoyun? Are you the one who was drunk that evening?” Zhang Rongfang carefully looked at the other party, suddenly remembering.

“Dao Brother remembers!?” Li Huoyun was delighted, clasping his fists and bowing earnestly.

“That night, if it weren’t for Dao Brother’s keen observation of something amiss, I fear I….”

“Just doing my duty, no need for thanks,” Zhang Rongfang nodded indifferently.

“May I ask where Brother’s hometown is? I hear your accent doesn’t seem to be from nearby Tan Yang?” Li Huoyun inquired.

“I’m from over by Huaxin County. To be honest, I haven’t been here long, and actually, if other senior brothers or sisters had been around, Brother Li would have been fine all the same,” Zhang Rongfang replied kindly.

“Indeed, when it comes to sheer martial prowess, Mingjing Palace has many experts, so there’s naturally no cause for concern. The crucial point is Dao Brother’s keen observation and his heart’s courage to act!” Li Huoyun solemnly stated.

“In my view, though there are those more skilled than Dao Brother in this Mingjing Palace, no one can match your keen observational skills!”

This praise was a bit much….

Even Zhang Rongfang felt his face heating up.

“Not at all, Brother Li overestimates me. The Mingjing Palace is filled with experts; how could a mere martial cultivator like me compare?”

“Dao Brother need not belittle yourself. With your keen, cautious, and decisive nature, Mingjing Palace might quite likely have a place for you in the future.

No, perhaps even the Great Dao Teaching across Pingyu Road will spread your name far and wide…” Li Huoyun remarked with a sigh.

“That’s too much, Brother Li praises me too highly,” Zhang Rongfang quickly waved his hand.

Then, Zhang Rongfang invited Li Huoyun into the courtyard to sit on the stone stool and rest.

The two chatted a bit, mainly Li Huoyun was curious about Zhang Rongfang’s daily routine.

Mostly he asked, and Zhang Rongfang answered.

After seeing the simple room Zhang Rongfang lived in, Li Huoyun sighed inwardly.

“Dao Brother truly dedicates himself to martial arts, without distractions; I’m genuinely impressed, truly impressed!”

Thinking of how Zhang Ying still lived in such a small room after getting three hundred taels as thanks, maintaining such austere living conditions.

He even willingly gave away his father’s judicial appointment to someone else.

Such noble character….

Made him admire even more deeply.

“This hardly counts as austere,” Zhang Rongfang chuckled, indifferent.

From their chat, he learned that Li Huoyun’s family background seemed quite remarkable.

This person talked about many things that common people revered casually, often displaying a bold demeanor.

“Dao Brother needn’t be modest, I’ve seen many true experts, and they mostly share one common trait. That is, they can endure solitude.”

Li Huoyun sighed.

“These kinds of experts often don’t care about wealth, beauties, or fine wine; they only need what is sufficient around them.”

He looked at Zhang Rongfang, contemplating persuading him to take a judicial position with his father, since the judiciary needed someone bold, detailed, and decisive.

If Zhang Ying was willing, he could certainly ease his father’s burden considerably.

But knowing Zhang Ying even gave away the previous appointment to someone named Xue Ning.

He realized this person might not aim for this.

After all… not caring about three hundred taels, why would one care about thirty taels monthly judicial position?

He pressed these thoughts back into his heart.

After chatting more with Zhang Rongfang, they grew quite familiar and even started calling each other brother.

Not long after, seeing the time was late, Li Huoyun stood up to take his leave.

The two walked to the courtyard gate together.

Li Huoyun turned to clasp his hands in salute.

“Brother Zhang, no need to see me off. If you have time, please come to Fengyang District, Huai Jing, to visit the Li Mansion. I will welcome you graciously!”

“Huoyun is too kind. If I have time, I certainly will,” Zhang Rongfang returned the gesture.

Though others might just say a few polite words, he naturally wouldn’t take it to heart.

Then, Li Huoyun, with his two servants, turned to leave down the alley.

Zhang Rongfang watched his back until it disappeared, then returned to the courtyard.

Feeling the dry money pouch, he sighed; these days, trying to earn money on one’s own was really hard.

He went to the stone stool and brushed away the leaves on the stone table.

Suddenly, fast footsteps came from behind.

He turned around and saw Li Huoyun panting heavily, running back, leaning against the courtyard gate, looking at him earnestly.

“Brother Zhang, although I know you might refuse, I can’t rest without asking you directly.”

“What matter is so urgent?” Zhang Rongfang wondered.

“I wanted to ask, since Brother Zhang doesn’t want a judicial position, why not come to my Li family and be my martial companion!”

Li Huoyun said earnestly.

“I know Brother Zhang might not care about money, but having someone as keen and decisive as you by my side, would let me sleep much more peacefully.”

Zhang Rongfang was momentarily stunned. Never mind being a martial companion, he keenly sensed something in the other’s words.

“You mentioned, what judicial position?”

“It’s the judicial appointment my father previously gave to Mingjing Palace observatory!” Li Huoyun replied. “Brother Zhang transferred it to someone named Xue Ning, didn’t you?”

He sighed, “That Xue Ning must be Brother Zhang’s close friend, for you to transfer such an appointment to them.”

Thinking about this, he admired Zhang Rongfang’s noble character even more.

Zhang Rongfang squinted his eyes slightly, feelings flashed across his mind.

But on the surface, he remained calm.

Showing warmth, he said to Li Huoyun, “I haven’t even heard what reward you mentioned earlier, Huoyun.”

Li Huoyun was slightly stunned, then realized something.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep