```

This Cherokee off-road vehicle was already very old.

It was a complete jalopy, belching black smoke from the exhaust pipe whenever the gas pedal was floored.

From this, it was evident just how poor Jiuan County really was.

Even the official car assigned to a deputy county head was this deplorable.

This contrasted sharply with the fiery, flourishing Yannan City, making a stark contrast.

Yang Fei and Liu Dongliang also squeezed into the car, accompanying Liang Jiayi to Great Desert Ancient Town.

Liu Dongliang had never ridden in such a terrible car before.

He frowned, his refined suit collecting quite a bit of dust.

Liu Dongliang immediately used a wet wipe to carefully clean it off.

In comparison, Yang Fei appeared quite content.

He hummed the tune of "Moscow at Night" from his mouth, and surprisingly, it sounded quite beautiful.

The Grand Cherokee and another CRV off-road vehicle jostled on the rough mountain road.

The speed of the two cars was not very fast.

Behind the two vehicles, a van followed at a leisurely pace.

On the van, the Puppet King and the Sorcerer Demon King chatted casually.

They had long regarded Yang Fei as a fish on the chopping board.

However, even they weren't foolish enough to make their move at this time.

After all, Liang Jiayi was a deputy county-level cadre, and if something happened, they couldn't possibly escape.

The Grand Cherokee traveled over thirty kilometers along the winding mountain road, finally arriving at Great Desert Ancient Town.

Great Desert Ancient Town was a low and flat basin surrounded by majestic mountains.

The famous Haizi Snow Mountain stood sixty kilometers to the east of Great Desert Ancient Town, rising suddenly from the earth with steep and imposing peaks.

When the Cherokee stopped at the entrance of the Town Government Office.

Liang Jiayi could hardly believe this was actually a town.

To put it bluntly, this so-called town was essentially equivalent to a village.

A concrete road ran down the middle, relatively broad, flanked on both sides by low tiled houses.

Of course, there were a few new brick houses, but they were scarce.

Walking into the Town Government Office, a row of dark asbestos-tiled bungalows stretched ahead.

In the middle, a three-story red brick building clearly served as the office building of the Town Government Office.

The officials of the Town Government Office, having heard that the new secretary was arriving, had gathered to welcome Liang Jiayi.

Everyone stared at the young and pretty girl, surprised that she was the new appointee, and were momentarily dumbstruck.

After the leader of the Organization Department finished reading the appointment document, he tapped the table.

Only then did the audience start to clap, though it was a sparse applause.

Yang Fei noticed that in the eyes of several officials, there was a flash of disdain.

Someone sighed discreetly, clearly indicating their disappointment.

His senses were so sharp that he had already overheard the quiet discussions below.

"Another golden spoon secretary, our town is infamous for its poverty. Before major leaders take on promotions, they all come here to earn grassroots work experience."

"Alas, what can such a young girl do? It seems we can't count on her."

"After all, it's because we're poor. We can't keep talented people; everyone sees this place as a stepping stone."

…

Yang Fei thought to himself, it was clear that the people here were terrified of poverty.

For Liang Jiayi to make the economy soar here, it would not be an easy task.

Ever since getting out of the car, Liu Dongliang had been fidgety as if he had fleas under his soles.

He kept wiping his suit and the dust off his leather shoes with a wet wipe.

His behavior made Yang Fei laugh.

After the handover procedures were completed, the staff of the county organization department offered Liang Jiayi a sympathetic suggestion.

"Secretary Liang, the accommodation here is not very good. The leaders are worried that you won't be accustomed to it and have arranged a place for you to stay in the county."

"How about this, you work here during the day and go back to the county city to stay at night?"

"This way, you can take care of both life and work."

No sooner had the staff member voiced his suggestion than Liu Dongliang eagerly chimed in.

"Yes, Jiayi, I think what the comrades from the county have said is very on-point."

"Shall we go back to the county city to stay?"

Liang Jiayi didn't look at Liu Dongliang but instead glanced at Yang Fei.

"Yang Fei, are you willing to stay?"

```

Yang Fei smiled faintly and shrugged his shoulders.

"I'm willing, I'd even like to take a night tour of the Crane Pine Observatory and see the place where Long Ci practiced martial arts."

Liang Jiayi laughed sweetly.

"Great, I'd like that too. Let's go to the Crane Pine Observatory together tonight."

Liu Dongliang pounded his chest and stomped his foot.

"Jiayi, listen to me, you're going to catch a cold if you stay here."

Liang Jiayi gave Liu Dongliang a sideways glance.

"You go stay at the county guesthouse; I won't see you off."

Liu Dongliang was both worried and aggrieved.

But to him, such a poverty-stricken place was truly too frightening.

He didn't want to stay for even a minute.

The staff from the organization department tried to persuade him for a while longer.

However, Liang Jiayi was resolute in her decision not to go back to the county guesthouse.

With no other option, the staff from the organization department had to start the car, ready to return to the county town.

Liu Dongliang climbed into the organization department's car and waved to Liang Jiayi.

"Jiayi, you must be careful. I'll come to see you again tomorrow."

Liang Jiayi waved back politely, seemingly unconcerned.

Liang Jiayi's behavior subtly earned the respect of the cadres of Great Desert Ancient Town.

Over the years, no head of the town had ever volunteered to stay in this rundown mountain area.

But Liang Jiayi was the first.

In this respect, Liang Jiayi surpassed all the previous leaders.

The director of the Great Desert Ancient Town's office was a man in his forties named Huang Shilong.

Huang Shilong was a native cadre with a simple and honest face.

He was fairly meticulous in his work and arranged Liang Jiayi's room on the third floor of the office building.

Across the corridor was the secretary's office.

Yang Fei's room was right next to Liang Jiayi's, separated by a single wall.

After a lively moment, everyone dispersed.

Yang Fei found the gatekeeper to get clear directions to the Crane Pine Observatory.

He and Liang Jiayi walked together toward the Crane Pine Observatory.

The Crane Pine Observatory was not far from the town, about three or four kilometers away, on a low pine-covered hill.

At this moment, the moon was high in the sky.

Moonlight spilled like water, illuminating the sparse pine trees as if dressing the earth in a layer of silver gauze.

Looking at such beautiful scenery filled them both with delight and tranquility.

Yet, an ominous premonition subtly arose in Yang Fei's heart.

He felt an unsettling unease.

However, looking at Liang Jiayi under the moonlight, descending like a fairy Chang'e, his heart once again regained its clarity and calm.

Behind the two of them, the Puppet King and the Sorcerer Demon King followed at a leisurely pace.

Both of their eyes were calm.

Yet, under the moonlight, one could see the red flames burning in their pupils.

The Crane Pine Observatory was a simple quadrangle courtyard.

The gates were shut tight, and stone steps extended upwards in front of them.

It was apparent that the incense offerings here were not thriving.

Liang Jiayi knocked on the door, but inside there was only silence.

Yang Fei knocked vigorously on the brass ring of the door, and only then did footsteps rustling softly come from inside.

"Who is it?"

Following the question, a Taoist in his thirties opened the door.

He had earphones in his ears, listening to an MP3 player, and was humming along.

Liang Jiayi caught sight of the Taoist and felt a surge of familiarity.

"You ... are you Taoist Qingfeng? I've seen you in my brother's photos."

The Taoist was startled, removed the earbuds from his MP3 player, and looked at Liang Jiayi with confusion.

"Who are you?"

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