Chapter 49 Minister Song and I Shall Be Your Backing!

Zhao Chuanji, the Prefectural Vice-Administrator of Sunan Prefecture, personally came to Qihuang Street alongside the Censorate's Haixian envoy who had delivered the summons, arriving right outside Chen Zhi'an's courtyard to present the imperial court's reward.

This small alley was originally home to just a few dozen households. Now, in broad daylight, the sound of horse hooves, the prominent prefectural plaque hoisted high, and the Vice-Administrator loudly reading aloud the proclamation naturally stirred up quite a commotion.

Solemnly, Zhao Chuanji handed the scroll containing the name, achievements, and rewards to Chen Zhi'an, followed by a jade bi.

"Young Master Chen is of such a tender age yet already possesses a noble rank; truly extraordinary."

Zhao Chuanji looked at Chen Zhi'an with a warm smile. Chen Zhi'an bowed to him and said, "How could I dare accept the title of 'Lord' from the Vice-Administrator with merely an eighth-rank noble rank? I am only ashamed to have troubled the prefectural office."

Zhao Chuanji nodded at him, not daring to show even the slightest disrespect to Li Boduyu standing nearby.

Li Bodu watched this scene with cold eyes. Seeing Zhao Chuanji bow and invite him, he did not even glance at Chen Zhi'an, instead leaving together with the Vice-Administrator.

"If Young Master Chen has any leisure time, you are welcome to come to the prefectural office for tea. The Prefect was heavily engaged in official duties today and could not come personally, but he holds great appreciation for young talents like you."

Before leaving, Zhao Chuanji made a point of bidding farewell to Chen Zhi'an.

*Go to the prefectural office for tea? That sounds rather inauspicious.* While thinking this to themselves, Chen Zhi'an politely offered some conventional parting remarks and finally saw off Zhao Chuanji and the many armored guards from the prefecture.

Those armored guards possessed cultivation and were usually meticulous and stern, but today, they felt a touch of envy toward the youth before them.

So young, yet having already established a great merit and attained a noble rank—though not an actual administrative post, it nonetheless granted him the qualifications to enter officialdom. Compared to themselves, who toiled bitterly as petty runners and armored guards, it was infinitely superior.

"Just an eighth-rank noble rank—is it really worth the Vice-Administrator being this courteous?" Filled with doubt, they left Qihuang Street.

Thus, outside Chen Zhi'an's courtyard, only he and the Censorate Haixian envoy remained.

At some point, a blade of grass had appeared in the young man's mouth. He cupped his fists toward Chen Zhi'an and said, "My lord, Lord Chu is waiting on Dongfeng Street."

Chen Zhi'an was still unaccustomed to being addressed as "my lord," and upon hearing that Chu Muye was waiting for him, he set off alongside the Haixian envoy.

Though this man appeared frivolous, he was quite meticulous. He deliberately tied his black horse to a tree by the roadside and walked with Chen Zhi'an toward Dongfeng Street.

Chen Zhi'an initially wanted to remind him that times were troubled and leaving a horse tied here would surely attract covetous eyes.

Then, second-guessing himself, he realized that with such a massive spectacle today, all the neighbors had seen it; who would dare to steal an official beast?

The two of them walked out of Qihuang Street.

Many of Chen Zhi'an's neighbors at the corners and alleys wore beaming smiles and greeted him one after another.

"Zhi'an! What kind of merit did you achieve? What did the prefecture reward you with?"

"This is extraordinary! With the Vice-Administrator coming in person, you've truly brought honor to your ancestors, Zhi'an."

"I always said that surviving a great disaster brings subsequent fortune!"

...

The neighbors seemed even happier than Chen Zhi'an himself. Chen Zhi'an smiled as he replied, accurately calling out every single person's name.

The Haixian envoy beside him looked somewhat curious and smiled, saying, "I couldn't tell, but Young Master Chen is exceptionally well-liked."

Chen Zhi'an replied, "My late father was a private tutor on Qihuang Street for over a dozen years, teaching for more than a decade. The neighbors all know him well, and we've received much care from them over the years."

The Haixian envoy nodded gently. "Clearly a family of accumulated virtues. Educating and nurturing people carries immense merit. Young Master Chen... my name is Jiang Taiping, serving humbly as a Earth-rank Haixian envoy of the Censorate. If you ever come to Xuantian Capital in the future, look for me on Anshi Street, and I'll treat you to drinks."

Jiang Taiping was quite quick to warm up, chatting cheerfully with Chen Zhi'an.

Assuming Jiang Taiping was merely exchanging polite pleasantries, Chen Zhi'an casually replied, "Once I meet Lord Chu, I'll treat Lord Jiang to drinks as well. Sunan Prefecture's yellow wine is famous throughout the world."

To his surprise, Jiang Taiping nodded with a smile, "Very well. I've long heard that the yellow wine of Sunan Prefecture is mellow and smooth yet carries a lingering strength. Today, I shall gladly share in Young Master Chen's good fortune."

Chen Zhi'an was somewhat surprised. He had always heard that the Censorate's Fish-Dragon Guards and Haixian envoys were reincarnated demons, executioners descended to the mortal realm, each and every one as cold as frost and keeping people at a thousand paces' distance. He hadn't expected Jiang Taiping to be so cheerful.

The two made their way to Dongfeng Street, where the gates of Chu Muye's small courtyard stood wide open. Chen Zhi'an and Jiang Taiping stepped inside together to find that Chu Muye had already brewed tea and was waiting.

"Come, sit down, both of you."

Chu Muye gestured for the two to take their seats and asked Chen Zhi'an, "Where is the jade bi bestowed upon you by the imperial court?"

Chen Zhi'an took the jade bi out from his sleeve and handed it to Chu Muye.

Chu Muye examined it in detail before nodding and saying, "From now on, this jade bi will be proof of your identity. Once you go to Xuantian Capital, you can use this jade bi to enter and exit taverns designated for noble officials, and you can purchase property in Xuantian Capital without needing any special permits."

Curious, Chen Zhi'an asked, "Uncle Chu, with this noble rank and official standing, can I stay in taverns for free?"

A smile appeared on Chu Muye's face, but he did not answer.

Jiang Taiping, sitting beside them, laughed and said, "Staying at an inn naturally requires payment. It's just that the taverns specifically designated for officials are mostly quiet, clean, and luxuriously grand, and the inn attendants are well-versed in etiquette, making the stay much more comfortable."

"However, the lodging prices are correspondingly a bit higher."

Chen Zhi'an asked again, "Then with this jade bi, is purchasing property in Xuantian Capital any cheaper?"

Jiang Taiping shook his head.

"Then with this official standing of a Cheyi Lang, will the imperial court issue me a salary and an integrity stipend?"

Jiang Taiping shook his head again.

Chen Zhi'an's mouth twitched slightly. "Then what use is this official standing?"

Chu Muye lightly smoothed his sleeve, pouring tea for Chen Zhi'an and Jiang Taiping himself, and said, "Naturally, it is of great use. With this noble rank, you are no longer a commoner, but a meritorious subject. Anyone who wishes to kill you will have to think twice and weigh the consequences carefully.

More importantly... with this noble rank, you possess the qualification to enter officialdom, and you acquire a background that allows you to become an official in the future!"

Chen Zhi'an thought for a moment and said, "I've heard that high-ranking officials of the sixth and seventh ranks in Xuantian Capital are as numerous as the hairs on an ox, and heavy ministers of the third and fourth ranks are also quite common. Can a mere eighth-rank noble rank really make anyone wary?"

"It depends on who bestowed this eighth-rank noble rank." A glint flashed in Chu Muye's eyes. "If it were a routine reward from the Ministry of Personnel, an eighth-rank noble rank wouldn't amount to much in Xuantian Capital, nor even here in Sunan Prefecture.

Chen Zhi'an, take a careful look at your scroll."

Chen Zhi'an took out the scroll Zhao Chuanji had given him and opened it, seeing three characters clearly written at the signature line where the scroll had been issued.

"Song Xiqu."

He slowly read the name aloud and looked up at Chu Muye.

Chu Muye smiled slightly and said, "Do you know why an eighth-rank noble rank was able to warrant Sunan Prefecture Vice-Administrator Zhao Chuanji coming personally to read your name aloud?

Do you know why an eighth-rank noble rank scroll required an Earth-rank Haixian envoy of the Censorate to ride a Flowing Fire steed and wear a Guiyin long saber to deliver it personally?

Do you know who the person is who signed this scroll?"

Chen Zhi'an remained silent for a few breaths before saying, "Song Xiqu is the current Prime Minister of the imperial court."

"Not just the Prime Minister; Song Xiqu is the current Grand Preceptor, the Grand Academician of the Central Pole Hall, the Head of the Cabinet, and the Right Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate—a figure who truly governs the realm!"

Chu Muye's tone was low as he gazed at Chen Zhi'an. "So now you know why your eighth-rank Cheyi Lang status is somewhat more special?"

Chen Zhi'an remained silent.

Jiang Taiping looked at Chen Zhi'an with a hint of curiosity, seemingly unable to understand his silence.

Anyone else in this position would feel honored and proud, overwhelmed by the sudden favor.

Yet Chen Zhi'an's expression remained as usual as he lowered his head, a thoughtful look crossing his face, wondering what he was pondering.

After five or six breaths passed, Chen Zhi'an suddenly looked up and asked, "Uncle Chu, what do Prime Minister Song and you... want me to do?"

Chu Muye was slightly taken aback.

Jiang Taiping was also somewhat stunned, and then a hint of an amused smile appeared on his face.

This Chen Zhi'an truly was a peculiar person.

Prime Minister Song had bestowed a jade bi; an ordinary person would naturally be moved to tears of gratitude, wishing to repay the kindness in every possible way, yet Chen Zhi'an actually paused to question the motive.

Chu Muye pondered for a moment before standing up. He walked out into the courtyard and pointed to the clouds in the sky.

"Look, the clouds and mists in the sky are illusory and ethereal. The eight hundred million subjects of our Great Yu cannot touch these clouds and mists, and can only lift their heads to gaze up at them.

Xuantian Capital is the same. This magnificent and grand city may seem to be located in Zhongji Province, somewhere anyone can visit, but in reality, the reason Xuantian Capital is called Xuantian Capital is because to the vast majority of people in Great Yu, the capital is illusory and ethereal, just like the clouds in the sky, something they can only look up at in awe.

Xuantian Capital belongs to the aristocratic families and powerful clans, not to the common people of Great Yu."

At this point, he paused for a few seconds, turned around with a solemn expression, and continued: "If it were the past, our Great Yu wouldn't be in such a rush for reform.

It's just that now, the old Daxi has crumbled into pieces, and the realm's hegemon, Great Qian, is eyeing us like a tiger eyeing its prey. Once they swallow the twelve small nations of Yousang to the east, they will inevitably dispatch their armies to destroy the Chu State and Great Yu!

The realm may seem peaceful and prosperous on the surface, but our Great Yu is actually as precarious as a pile of eggs. If we do not reform and strengthen the country, within fifty years at most, this realm will belong to Great Qian.

The people of Yu will all become slaves of the Qian people, and fodder for Great Qian's mysterious sects... Chen Zhi'an, as a subject of Great Yu, why not gird your saber and step forward to serve as an official and repay the country!"

Jiang Taiping's eyes burned brightly, seemingly moved by Chu Muye's words.

Yet Chen Zhi'an remained lifeless and indifferent.

*Repay the country? Repay what country? I've only been here for two years, and now I'm supposed to become an ox or a running dog again?*

Chen Zhi'an muttered inwardly while a smile bloomed on his face. "Uncle Chu, for every person like me in Great Yu, there are probably eight million if not ten million. Saving the country is a matter for the lords in the imperial court to deliberate over; I'd rather not join the commotion."

*He's certainly influenced by Chen Shuijun.* Chu Muye thought to himself, though his smile remained unchanged as he said, "From the great Yellow Dragon River that nourishes all living things to the humble weeds that block the biting winds, as long as it is useful, it is repaying the country... You needn't carry such a heavy burden."

"Chen Zhi'an, your innate bone structure is exceptional, your talent extraordinary, and your future boundless. Great achievements await you.

It's just that... in today's world, cultivation resources and techniques are limited, and the vast majority are monopolized by aristocratic families, powerful clans, and mysterious sects. You now practice a second-grade profound technique, so naturally you can cultivate to the Flawless Jade realm.

Yet one day, when you reach the Flawless Jade realm and seek to break through into the Innate realm, you will need vast amounts of medicinal pills, a wisp of Innate Qi, and a first-grade profound technique.

When you finally manage to step into the Innate realm and wield Innate might, becoming an honored guest of high officials and nobles wherever you go, you will catch a glimpse of the [True Dao]. You will attempt to explore the [True Dao] and desire to advance even further.

By that time, you will need heavenly merit, divine abilities, fruits of True Dao, and divine-phase heavenly charts!

Chen Zhi'an, the path of cultivation is treacherous and arduous, yet wondrous beyond words. Rather than selling yourself to aristocratic families, powerful clans, or mysterious sects, you might as well do some good for the common people of this realm—that too can be considered repaying the country."

Chu Muye coaxed him step by step.

Hearing mentions of medicinal pills, heavenly merit, divine abilities, Innate Qi, and fruits of True Dao, Chen Zhi'an indeed grew somewhat interested.

Pressing his advantage, Chu Muye smiled and said, "I heard that Li Bodu went to see you today, presumably because he doesn't wish for you to go to Xuantian Capital.

The reason lies in that marriage contract in September; he's afraid you'll stir up trouble. If you don't go to Xuantian Capital, if you don't grasp the power and the whip capable of chastising the aristocratic families and powerful clans, how else will you ever keep the Li family and the Si family in check?"

Lowering his head, Chen Zhi'an concealed his gaze behind long eyelashes. "Even if Uncle Chu hadn't mentioned it today, I was planning to go to Xuantian Capital anyway."

"To throw your life away?" Acting precisely like a demonic tempter corrupting a mortal, Chu Muye continued, "With neither power nor profound cultivation, going to Xuantian Capital will only force you to tuck your tail between your legs. But given that you dared to draw your saber against Qitian, tucking your tail between your legs doesn't seem to be your temperament."

Chen Zhi'an remained silent, his thoughts unreadable.

"There's no rush," Chu Muye said once more. "When you arrive in Xuantian Capital, witness the grand atmosphere there, perceive the torrents that swallow human lives within the capital, and when you are frightened by those sights and torrents, you will naturally be able to make your decision.

By then... Prime Minister Song and I will be your backers, smoothing away the deep-seated grievances in your heart while also doing a tiny bit of good for Great Yu."

Chen Zhi'an was just about to speak.

Suddenly, the weather changed drastically. The three of them looked up, and Chu Muye's expression abruptly turned ecstatic.

His face flushed red as he stared at the sky.

Jiang Taiping, who had been sitting right beside Chen Zhi'an, drew a sharp breath.

"The Ninth Monument under the Dao... The realm has gained yet another person capable of inscribing their name upon the Ninth Monument under the Dao!"