"As the only 'Grandmaster' in Qiu Dragon Mansion, Qin Yuxian already has the Sixth Rank Official Reputation of the Imperial Court. If he were to take on an official role, he could at least hold an important position in the Prefecture City, either as the Prefectural Deputy Magistrate or Prefectural Commander, which would be more than sufficient."

Qin Yuxian looked at Shangguan Yun with slight surprise. Even in the Prefecture City, he would be quite deferential to the Magistrate; it was unexpected that this Baojiao County Magistrate could speak so calmly and confidently. His opinion of Shangguan Yun rose a notch.

"To put it plainly, County Magistrate," Tan Chongrui began, "I've summoned Medicine King Hall to the county government office today. In your presence, Grandmaster Qin and I, Lord Tan, intend to meet with their representatives to discuss the implementation timeline for the new system and to get their commitment." Tan Chongrui was completely at ease, not wasting any more words.

"I don't know about the others in the county government office, but I, Shangguan Yun, can take a stance now."

Shangguan Yun said with a light smile, "As for the new policies that Lord Tan plans to implement, this county fully supports them. If you need people, we'll provide people; if you need authority, we'll grant authority. In short, we will follow Lord Tan's lead."

Qin Yuxian and Tan Chongrui were both somewhat surprised. They had not expected Shangguan Yun to be so decisive. But they also sensed the hidden message in his attitude.

Who are the others?

Immediately, several names flashed through their minds.

County Magistrate?

County Magistrate?

In any county, prefecture, state, or province of the Daji Dynasty, it was almost impossible for the first, second, and third in command within the officialdom to be completely united. Those with strong leadership could keep their subordinates in check. Without it, even a County Magistrate might find their deputies outwardly complying due to official rank, while covertly causing all sorts of difficulties and defying orders. Essentially, it came down to a struggle over interests and power.

The key point was, Shangguan Yun did not seem like a man with weak authority. Before coming here, they had investigated. Shangguan Yun was appointed as the Baojiao County Magistrate over five years ago, and in these five years, he had almost completely consolidated his control over all personnel matters in Baojiao County.

As if seeing what the two were thinking, Shangguan Yun turned around with his hands behind his back, looking out of the courtyard. "After all, Baojiao County is a crossroads for nine counties, with many intricate and deeply rooted forces. No one knows what powerful backing someone might have. I can manage the county's affairs at most, but what the Imperial Envoy is about to undertake is a major matter with extensive implications. Hence, a problem arises. Some people previously listened to me because I am a seventh-rank County Magistrate. But what if, secretly, someone with a much higher official rank and title gives them orders from behind the scenes? Who do you think they would listen to then—me, or someone in a higher position?

"Therefore, I, Shangguan Yun, can only guarantee my personal full support for the Imperial Envoy's new policy, and I will cooperate in every way possible. But as for others and any backstage maneuvering, that will require you, My Lord, and you, Grandmaster, to find solutions."

After Shangguan Yun finished speaking, he waited for the two to respond.

Suddenly, a report came from outside. "Reporting to both Lords and the Grandmaster, the shopkeepers and masters from Medicine King Hall have arrived."

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Yun, Tan Chongrui, and Qin Yuxian all looked out of the courtyard simultaneously. They saw six people approaching, the tall figure of Elder Yang Luochen being very noticeable. However, both Shangguan Yun and Qin Yuxian's gazes simultaneously turned toward the young man beside Yang Luochen.

"Is this Chen Ku, who has recently become very famous in our county?" Shangguan Yun spoke not to the others but singled out Chen Ku, even taking the initiative to walk closer to him.

Yang Luochen and the others had come prepared to bow and pay their respects, but before they could, they saw Shangguan Yun approach them, stopping primarily in front of Chen Ku, looking at the young man with a mixture of curiosity and scrutiny. Although the other party was smiling as he spoke, Chen Ku couldn't help but feel an intense sense of threat, as if the man was eyeing him with ulterior motives. Shangguan Yun's eyes were as dark as ink. Chen Ku faced the white-clothed County Magistrate before him, locking eyes.

「All of a sudden.」

[Shangguan Yun's suspicion towards the Diagram Master has suddenly risen; he seeks to test, which is disadvantageous to the Master.]

Chen Ku immediately felt something was wrong. He then sensed the County Magistrate's eyes were like bottomless pools, attempting to drag his entire psyche into them.

[The Diagram Master is being subjected to a spiritual influence from Shangguan Yun. This is unfavorable to the Master.]

Almost at the instant the Transformation Diagram sent its warning, Chen Ku's blood ran cold with alarm, and the Spiritual Heavenly Eye at the center of his brow throbbed, burning hotly beneath his skin.

His gaze contains spiritual mana...

Chen Ku was greatly shocked, not having anticipated that the County Magistrate would employ such tactics upon their first meeting. He quickly rallied his full attention, circulating all his spiritual power to resist the other's spiritual scrutiny.

In that instant, under Shangguan Yun's spiritual influence, Chen Ku felt like a fisherman in a vast sea, clinging to a small boat amidst tumultuous waves, struggling to maintain control of his vessel. A single mistake could see him engulfed by the waves, his boat overturned, his mind left defenseless.

"Chen Ku!" At that moment, Yang Luochen also sensed something amiss. With a deep shout, he stepped in front of Chen Ku and said, "Follow me to pay respects to Official Shangguan."

With a bow of his hand, he happened to block Shangguan Yun's line of sight. Chen Ku instantly felt as if invisible bindings had been released. His heart pounded, and his mind churned violently.

Shangguan Yun! He's indeed a master of Divine Power! But why resort to such tactics upon our first meeting? What's this 'sudden suspicion' about...?

At that moment, thousands of thoughts flickered through Chen Ku's mind as he speculated:

Is it because of Zhao Yuyan and the incident with Zhao Chuanzu? Or because of that Supreme Level Mountain Roar Tsunami Seal? Did he connect it to me back then?

But the Transformation Diagram didn't warn me then. Could this have been a sudden whim on Shangguan Yun's part just now?

Fortunately, I'm not carrying the Qilin Blood Gu Transformation, nor do I have the scent of Xu Family blood on me. The Zhao siblings aren't with me either, so I don't carry the Zhao Family's scent. Otherwise... if he had detected any of that, would he have attacked me on the spot?

While Chen Ku was speculating, feeling a mix of fear and anger, a voice came from not far away.

"County Magistrate Shangguan, as the leader of a county and a Great Martial Man of the Five Realms, you scrutinize a young man with spiritual probes upon your first meeting?" Qin Yuxian stood atop the hall steps, arms crossed, and spoke indifferently. "Whatever your intentions, it doesn't look too good."

Not to mention, he already intended to give Chen Ku a Martial Exam Gold Token. Additionally, as a Grandmaster, he couldn't stand such bullying of a junior.

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Yun smiled with his hands behind his back. Whether it was because Yang Luochen had shielded Chen Ku or because of Qin Yuxian, his eyes reverted to their previous clear and restrained state, and he spoke softly, "There's no other reason. I simply heard that Young Shopkeeper Chen achieved the feat of a Third Realm cultivator killing a Fourth Realm one using the technique of Spirit Witness. Since I also have some understanding of this path, I thought to test Young Shopkeeper Chen's abilities. As expected, his reputation is well-deserved; genuine talent lies beneath it. At seventeen, with Third Realm Peak cultivation, he possesses Spiritual Merit comparable to a Fourth Realm Martial Practitioner. Not bad at all."

After Shangguan Yun said this, the three shopkeepers from Medicine King Hall were slightly startled, then ecstatic. They didn't dwell on the implications and were inclined to believe his explanation, though they were greatly surprised that Chen Ku had already reached the Jade Skin Peak of the Third Realm in his cultivation!

When did he make another breakthrough?

However, neither Yang Luochen nor Qin Yuxian believed a word. Yang Luochen, especially, had clearly sensed that Shangguan Yun's spiritual power was about to thoroughly scrutinize Chen Ku, inside and out, in an instant—there was no notion of testing his abilities at all.

Chen Ku felt it most clearly, but since they were in the county government office and the other party was the County Magistrate, he could only suppress his anger for now. After calming himself, he spoke faintly, "Thank you for the compliment, my lord."

In his heart, he was already vowing:

Just you wait. From today onward, I'll be watching you. One day, I'll settle this score.

Last time, I eliminated the remnant soul of a Seventh Rank City God and obtained Third Realm Dragon Qi of the Nation's Fortune. If I manage to take down Shangguan Yun one day, I wonder what realm of Dragon Qi of the Nation's Fortune I'd get?

Shangguan Yun knew nothing of Chen Ku's thoughts and turned to Qin Yuxian and Tan Chongrui, saying, "Grandmaster Qin and Lord Tan, I have other matters to attend to. As for the issues between you and Medicine King Hall, I will not be involved. I shall take my leave first."

After he finished speaking, he smiled at Chen Ku one last time and then walked away with his hands clasped behind his back.

Following behind him, Counselor Sui You also smiled at the group, bowed, and then departed with him.

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