Chapter 59: 58 Temporary Leave, Part 2

Zhang Rongfang pondered quietly.

Actually, he acknowledged that although he had apprenticed under Zhang Xuan, he wasn’t truly a direct disciple of Zhang Xuan, therefore he hadn’t been bestowed with a Daoist title yet.

Now that he’s at the second rank, he could have the qualifications to apprentice within Mingjing Palace and be granted a Daoist title.

But….

“Many thanks to Uncle Master for the guidance, but I have already apprenticed earlier, so I’m not considering this for now.”

The old Daoist nodded: “Alright, you may go back and rest, and consider your future path. For some disciples, Mingjing Palace is just a starting point.”

“Yes.” Zhang Rongfang bowed and departed.

Outside Spirit Official Hall, someone was already waiting.

The person was dressed in a brown leather vest, with a pure black robe underneath, a belt with yellow jade and gold fish pattern wrapped around the waist.

Long hair was fastened with jade bean pod hairpins.

Upon seeing Zhang Rongfang emerge, the person quickly stepped forward.

“Brother Zhang Ying, how was it?”

“It went well.” Zhang Rongfang smiled slightly.

The person in front of him was Li Huoyun, whom he had previously rescued.

“Really passed? Good, good, hahaha, I knew with Brother Zhang’s skills, this mere second rank would be as easy as walking!”

Li Huoyun laughed heartily.

His voice was big and broad, and such words immediately drew side glances from the surrounding Daoists.

This Daoist palace was filled with many Daoists who were striving madly every day to break through to the second rank.

No one wanted to be assigned and dispatched to other counties and towns.

Upon hearing Li Huoyun’s words, a wave of unfriendly gazes immediately focused on them.

“Time is of the essence; we must head to the Criminal Division immediately. I’ve mentioned the previous incident to my father, and he asked us to report directly.” Li Huoyun seemed indifferent to the attention from others.

“Thanks a lot, Brother Huo Yun.” Zhang Rongfang chuckled.

He was now following Li Huoyun’s connections.

He was no fool; why wouldn’t he use the connections he had, instead of venturing alone?

Even if he moved to other departments, being unfamiliar with the people and places, what would it change? Compared to having someone looking out for him in the Criminal Division, advancement would definitely be slower elsewhere.

The two immediately packed up their belongings, went together to the Patrol House to register their transfer applications, and thanks to Li Huoyun’s assistance, the new head of the Patrol House didn’t make things difficult.

Having a vacant position among his subordinates allowed him to place one more of his own people, and pocket more money.

He couldn’t have hoped for more.

A few formalities completed the resignation process, and Zhang Rongfang turned around to look at the main entrance as he left the Daoist Palace.

From the outside, Mingjing Palace looked peaceful, filled with rich Daoist charm.

Who could have thought that this place is just a facade, its insides nearly rotten?

However, he would return – the Flame Emperor Talisman and the Soul-Stabilizing Talisman were yet to be obtained; leaving just like this wouldn’t be worth it.

“Brother Zhang, get in the carriage.” Li Huoyun opened the carriage door with a smile.

“Thank you.” Zhang Rongfang nodded, stepping forward to sit inside the carriage.

The white carriage, inscribed with lines of foreign text, slowly began moving as the driver urged the horses forward, heading into the distance.

And as the carriage left, a figure stood by the window of a private small building facing Mingjing Palace.

A round and plump figure leaned by the window, gazing at the departing carriage.

The figure turned, revealing Wanyan Road’s face full of flesh.

“I never thought… I never thought that eating less rice and bread would really be effective…”

She went along with the idea just to try, reducing her intake of rice and bread while increasing her daily activities.

Unexpectedly, over these days, her weight had indeed reduced a bit.

Although not much… but if she continued, maybe….

“Miss, I’ve inquired about the things you wanted.” Xia Rongrong said somewhat helplessly from behind.

“Speak.” Wanyan Road turned, looking at her.

“Junior Brother Zhang Ying has now moved out of the courtyard and taken a position at the Criminal Division of the government. The person who was just with him is Criminal Division Chief Li Ran’s son, Li Huoyun.” Xia Rongrong replied.

Mentioning Zhang Ying, she felt a slight pang of envy.

This person had only taken an extremely short time from entering the courtyard to leaving it.

Going from first rank to second rank, he quickly achieved it.

Thinking back, it’s likely Zhang Ying was already about to break through before even arriving.

“No wonder Zhang Ying didn’t want to attend the gathering before. For someone with such skill and martial talent, naturally, they wouldn’t want to participate in the previous garden party.” Wanyan Road sighed.

She lifted her head to look at Xia Rongrong, asking again.

“Rongrong, are you sure, since moving in, wasn’t Zhang Ying either practicing martial arts or on patrol every day?”

“Absolutely sure. Apart from morning and evening lessons and patrol duties, Junior Brother Zhang Ying used almost all his free time to practice martial arts.” Xia Rongrong affirmed with a nod.

She had seen many people within Mingjing Palace trying to stay by breaking through to the second rank, but truly diligent ones were indeed rare.

Most people were constantly thinking about how to make money, exploit junior disciples, please mentors, and get better positions or assignments.

Because most people knew that being able to stay depended on cultivation as a basic requirement, but more importantly, it was about the mentors’ attitudes.

Upon hearing this, Wanyan Road felt she had a deeper understanding of those words from the previous day.

On that day, the words Zhang Ying spoke to her might have been his true thoughts.

It was also the first time Wanyan Road faced such direct criticism from someone.

The feeling of being pointed out and exposed for her nature was a sting she couldn’t forget.

The burning humiliation on her cheeks was unforgettable.

“Alright…..” she responded somewhat gloomily. “Given this, Zhang Ying truly has the right to look down on those who lack determination.”

Yet, Zhang Ying has determination, but does that mean Wanyan Road lacks it?

’Just wait….’ staring into the direction where the carriage departed, Wanyan Road’s gaze slowly solidified.

She looked forward to succeeding in losing weight and standing before Zhang Ying again.

By then….. she eagerly anticipated what expression that poker-faced Zhang Ying would have.

“Miss Wanyan, your favorite five-spice pig’s trotters are ready.”

A soft and sticky voice came from her personal maid behind her.

Gulp.

Wanyan Road’s mouth began to secrete a lot of saliva frantically, but…

She suddenly raised her hand.

“Enough! Don’t bring it over.”

Behind her, Xia Rongrong and the personal maid were immediately taken aback.

“But, isn’t this what you requested, Miss?” the maid said in astonishment.

“Just because it’s made, do I have to eat it!?” Wanyan Road scolded angrily. “Can’t I just smell the aroma!?”

“…”

“…..”

The two women were speechless.

Seeing the tears rolling in Wanyan Road’s eyes, and her swallowing throat.

Both of them couldn’t help but be slightly moved.

Such willpower…. Xia Rongrong suddenly looked forward to seeing what Miss Wanyan would look like if she truly succeeded in losing weight.

*

*

*

Tan Yang’s Department of Prisons.

In the southernmost district of Tan Yang, there is a cylindrical area, resembling a small fortress.

This is the most ominous place in the entire Tan Yang and also the dungeon where various criminals are held, the place where cases are ultimately sentenced.

After criminals are given a verdict in the court hall, they are escorted here to determine which punishments will be used according to their crimes.

At this moment, in front of the grey-black gate of the Department of Prisons, between two grotesque stone lion statues.

A white carriage slowly decelerated and stopped.

The coachman quickly got down, opened the carriage door, and let the person inside come out.

Li Huoyun and Zhang Rongfang got off the carriage one after the other, looking toward the gate of the Department of Prisons.

“This is known as the most terrifying and sinister place in Tan Yang.” Li Huoyun no longer had a smile on his face.

It’s not that he’s in a bad mood, but rather this place, whenever one comes here, there’s no reason to be cheerful.

“Let’s go, I’ll take you to meet my father first,” Li Huoyun exhaled, “Honestly, even though my father is the boss here, and I’ve come here countless times, I still don’t like it.”

Zhang Rongfang nodded in understanding.

He just stood in front of the gate, and he could see the faint traces of blood that hadn’t been cleaned at the entrance.

He could also faintly hear the subtle screams and cries of pain coming from inside.

He looked ahead, only to see the upper part of the gate engraved with a ferocious ghost head.

The ghost opened its mouth wide, displaying sharp teeth, facing everyone ready to enter.

Entering the gate was a form of intimidation.

Immediately, Li Huoyun stopped talking and walked towards the gate.

As the two approached the gate, a soldier wearing a bamboo hat stepped forward and bowed to Li Huoyun.

Then, without saying a word, he led them through a small door on the bottom right of the main gate.

Inside the gate, there was a flat white stone road.

The road led straight to the main hall’s entrance.

On either side were two small square areas.

What caught Zhang Rongfang’s attention was that these squares were filled with rows of wooden racks.

The racks were filled with various black metal instruments.

Some were whips with metal threads intertwined, some were large pots resembling copper furnaces, some were high-backed chairs filled with knife holes, and some were large wrench-like objects.

All sorts of strange things were placed on rack after rack.

“These are the usual torture instruments we use. Just recently, with the good weather, they’ve been taken out to air and polish to prevent them from rusting,” the soldier leading them explained with a smile.

“So that’s how it is.”

Zhang Rongfang nodded, feeling the soldier’s smile was somewhat twisted and odd.

Li Huoyun beside him did not speak; he remained silent.

“This Daoist, from your accent, you’re not from around here, are you?” the soldier asked softly.

“Yes, I am from over in Huaxin County,” Zhang Rongfang replied frankly.

“Huaxin County? There were rebel troops over there recently; it’s not peaceful.” The soldier nodded and said, “I’m afraid that after the rebellion is suppressed, a batch of insurgents will be brought over.”

“Huaxin County has rebel troops?” Zhang Rongfang’s heart stirred.

He suddenly recalled his master’s and senior brother’s unusual behavior before he left; could it be….?

“Yes, not only Huaxin County, but also several other nearby counties have had incidents. It’s said even several county supervisors near there have been killed. Now our local garrison has already been dispatched there.”

The soldier responded, his face carrying a hint of flattery.

“Alright, we’re here. You two can go in by yourselves. The prison warden is inside.”

Li Huoyun and Zhang Rongfang were now standing in front of the entrance to the main hall.

The shadows inside were cast down, engulfing half of the entire hall.

In the area shrouded by shadows, a tall dark figure was quietly sitting behind a desk.

As the two approached, the dark figure raised his head, a pair of eyes like copper bells swept over Li Huoyun, then fell on Zhang Rongfang.

“Mingjing Palace Zhang Ying?” a deep male voice emanated from the dark figure.

“Mingjing Palace Zhang Ying, greets the prison warden,”

Zhang Rongfang stepped forward, clasping his fists and bowing to pay respects.

As the Great Spirit Venerable revered both Buddhism and Daoism, there was a custom where monks and Daoists could greet officials without kneeling.

The dark figure slowly stood up, walked around the desk, and approached Zhang Rongfang.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep