I Have A Dual World Seal

Not to mention Lin Wan staying behind in Pharaoh Country to go through the motions—after Lu Zheng crossed over with the girls, less than two days passed before the five ladies of Five Beauties Manor came visiting Tonglin County again.

"Nothing much going on lately, right?" Liu Qingyan picked up a chopstickful of food for Hu Cai Niang and asked with concern.

"Nothing much." Hu Cai Niang replied.

"Third Sis really turned over a new leaf this time. These past few days, two scholars on their way to Yanzhou for this year’s autumn exam passed through, and Third Sis actually held back and didn’t sneak into their rooms." Bai Ting’Er said.

Hu Cai Niang turned around and knocked her chopsticks right onto Bai Ting’Er’s head. "Eat your food!"

Bai Ting’Er tilted her head and dodged. "I’m not wrong though, am I?"

"You are wrong." Yu Mingxin calmly picked up the topic. "When the second scholar left, he forgot a book. Third Sis sent it over to him."

Liu Qingquan, who was eating, suddenly brightened and immediately asked, "Really, really? How long did it take to deliver it?"

Everyone, "..."

Liu Qingyan’s eyes flashed, and two slender jade fingers landed right on top of Liu Qingquan’s head.

"Thunk!"

"Ow!"

Liu Qingquan covered her head, eyes drooping, and pursed her lips. "You still treat me like a kid. I’m already grown up, okay?"

"Hm?"

Feeling Liu Qingyan’s unfriendly gaze, Liu Qingquan decisively picked up a chicken leg and stuffed it into her own mouth.

"I was wondering why things got lively for a bit—turns out it’s this year’s autumn exam." Liu Qingyan withdrew her gaze and nodded.

"Some scholars in the county all went." Du Yueyao said. "The autumn exam is held once every three years, at Yanzhou, the seat of Lingbei Dao. It’s not close, so many people set off early."

Compared to the annual local exams, which are held directly by the state capital or major counties, the once-every-three-years autumn exam is only held at one place per Dao. For example, Lingbei Dao has only the Yanzhou exam hall. For scholars wanting to go sit the exam, the difficulty is no less than the ancient journey to the capital for the metropolitan exam in Hua Country.

Fortunately, Great Jing’s infrastructure is decent; official roads connect the state capitals, so even if you walk, you don’t have to trek alone through desolate mountains and wilds.

The two scholars Hu Cai Niang ran into were actually both locals, setting off from small places and heading to Yizhou Prefecture.

"Ever since Brother Zhu stopped sitting exams, I haven’t paid attention to exam matters for a long time."

Lu Zheng sighed, and right then Zhu Yushan’s voice came from the doorway. "Brother Lu, you said that on purpose for me to hear, didn’t you?"

It was Zhu Yushan and Li Hanyu, the couple, arriving at the door.

Lu Zheng laughed loudly, got up to welcome them, and realized that after not seeing him for a while, Zhu Yushan’s cultivation had deepened a lot—he’d already surpassed Li Hanyu.

Worthy of the man who used to keep providing him with Light of Fortune back then—his talent is impressive; he’ll definitely be a big shot in the future.

Liu Qingyan and Du Yueyao stepped forward, linked arms with Li Hanyu and led her to sit. Lu Zheng also arranged Zhu Yushan at a guest seat, and asked, "Didn’t Brother Zhu say you wanted to focus on cultivation? What, after too much stillness you’re seeking some movement—planning to take the exam?"

Zhu Yushan gave a bitter smile. "Brother Lu, don’t joke with me. I’m not even a Scholar—how am I supposed to sit the autumn exam?"

Everyone couldn’t help but burst out laughing at this.

Ever since Si Lingxi exposed the underlying color of Zhu Yushan’s fortune, his Dao heart almost shattered. Only in the end did he steady his heart spirit and decide to focus on cultivation first.

For the past two years he’s been quietly cultivating with a calm heart, and his Dao Practice has made great strides.

Purely in terms of growth speed, he can’t compare to heaven’s favored children like Li Lingyu, Yang Caiyi, and the others... but compared to people like Wang Xiaowan, Yuan Jing, Guangyue, he’s clearly ahead, almost catching up to Du Yueyao.

Li Hanyu laughed and spoke the truth. "A few days ago, a scholar rushing to the exam fell into the water. He happened to be spotted by patrolling Water Soldiers, who brought him back to the Water Mansion. He chatted with Zhu Lang a bit, and that scholar was far worse than Zhu Lang, so Zhu Lang felt a certain way and came looking for Brother Lu to drink and vent."

Everyone laughed again, and Lu Zheng filled a cup of huadiao for Zhu Yushan. "Brother Zhu, don’t get discouraged. Think of that Unparalleled Sword Immortal Lingxi mentioned—you’re a hidden talent in the wilds right now. When you eventually achieve success and come out of the mountains, your official rank will definitely be higher than his."

Zhu Yushan waved his hands repeatedly. "I can’t compare to that Unparalleled Sword Immortal at all..."

Si Lingxi, sitting to the side, looked at Zhu Yushan, nodded, and said, "In terms of talent, you’re not as good as him. But in terms of heart, you’re steadier. Cultivate properly and live a few more years—who knows, maybe someday the world will fall into chaos."

Everyone, "..."

Zhu Yushan, "..."

So I only get a chance at office when the world’s in chaos, is that it?

Zhu Yushan gave a bitter smile. "Then forget it. Man shouldn’t fight Heaven—I’ll just quietly be my hidden talent in the wilds. If the world falls into chaos, it’s the common folk who suffer in the end."

...

Zhu Yushan and Li Hanyu were simply bored out of their minds and went out wandering. After eating a meal at the Lu Family, they went to the County Government Office to visit the couple Ning Zhiqui and his wife. In the evening, Lu Zheng played host and invited both families to a banquet.

As it turned out, right in the middle of eating, everyone suddenly froze and looked together toward the north of the city.

"There are Ghosts making a move in the Netherworld."

"They’re actually affecting the Yin-Yang Road."

"The other side has experts—General Xin likely can’t hold them off."

"The Ghost Soldiers of the City God Temple have already formed ranks and entered the Netherworld to join the battle."

In a side room, a thread of Demon Qi suddenly appeared and instantly vanished—it was Yue Honghai, who had a good relationship with Xin Zhanting, unable to sit still and already heading for the City God Temple, ready to help.

Shen Ying’s eyes flashed and she nodded. "General Xin has requested aid from Taohua Temple. I’ve already sent the Eighteen Celestial Maidens over."

With Yue Honghai going, and the Eighteen Celestial Maidens bearing Jade Peach Blossoms joining the fray, ordinary Netherworld experts would already be enough to be taken care of.

Sure enough, after Yue Honghai and the Eighteen Peach Blossom Celestial Maidens entered the Netherworld, the aura on the Yin-Yang Road at the City God Temple quickly stabilized.

"Come, come, let’s keep eating." Lu Zheng raised his cup and called out.

Shen Ying sensed through the old peach tree for a moment, then nodded. "The other side’s already been suppressed."

"Mr. Yue is formidable." Ning Zhiqui couldn’t help sighing. "And the Peach Blossom Celestial Maidens as well—I never thought they’d possess such might."

Ning Zhiqui felt even more that his luck was good. Back then he met Lu Zheng, who saved him, and now, as an official, he’s come to Tonglin County. When something really happens, Lu Zheng and the others don’t even need to act—their subordinates alone can resolve matters that the county’s City God Temple can’t handle.

...

Obviously, this Ghost attacking the City God Temple wasn’t some thousand-year-old elder specter.

Before they’d even finished their meal, Yue Honghai returned with Xin Zhanting in tow.

Lu Zheng rose and, smiling, led Xin Zhanting to a seat. "Brother Xin, please sit. What happened today—who was so blind as to dare tug the tiger’s whiskers?"

"I have to thank Younger Brother Lu and Fairy Shen for sending people to help, hahaha!"

Xin Zhanting first offered his thanks to Lu Zheng and Shen Ying, then greeted everyone else. Only then did he sit, unceremoniously down a cup of wine, and let out a long breath. "Not long ago, a top expert in the Netherworld seems to have been taken out, stirring up a bout of chaos.

Originally, it was far from us here and had nothing to do with us. But just our luck, some powerful Ghost came from afar, entered the Chaotic Corpse Pool, and actually wanted to take Yelan Mountain to aid his Corpse Refining, so he ended up fighting me.

Thankfully I had Old Yue and the Peach Blossom Celestial Maidens helping me, or I really wouldn’t have been able to beat him."