The spring sunlight was just right.


    Qin Yun lay back in his chair, sipping tea.


    "Xiao Shuang''s fame has been rising rapidly; she has made it into the top ten for the upcoming flower competition. In seven days, she will join the other nine famous courtesans on a painted boat for the final competition," Qin Yun said, shaking his head slightly. "But her fame hasn''t had enough time to spread; the true followers may still not compare to Qingqiu Xianzi and Xiangyi Girl. Getting into the top three will be difficult, let alone becoming the Flower Queen."


    The real competition for the title of Flower Queen would take place seven days later.


    At that time, the ten courtesans would board a painted boat to display their talents and vie for the title, each using their own methods to stand out. The crowds of onlookers would be enormous, and the top three would be determined by the end of the day, with the Flower Queen crowned. This would be a grand event for the entire Guangling County!


    "The star-patterned steel I acquired last time has been refined, and the materials I originally brought will only last a few more days," Qin Yun thought. "It seems I’ll need to make a large purchase to continue cultivating my life-bound flying sword. I cannot afford to stop. Once my life-bound flying sword is forged, my strength will increase greatly."


    "Hmm?"


    A deep tremor rumbled from the ground, something most people would not feel, but with Qin Yun’s sharp senses, his expression changed slightly. "So many people are coming to the Qin residence?"


    On the street.


    "It''s the County Magistrate!"


    "Quick, get out of the way, get out of the way!"


    "Move farther away."


    Whether commoners, thugs, wealthy merchants, or the children of noble families, everyone quickly moved aside, not daring to offend.


    In Guangling County, the County Magistrate was a figure of absolute power—an unquestioned ruler, akin to a local emperor!


    A luxurious carriage, drawn by two fine steeds, slowly advanced, surrounded by a large group of armored guards. Each guard exuded immense authority. Even a powerful demon like the old monster Chu Yong would think twice before daring to collide with the County Magistrate''s personal guard—doing so would result in utter annihilation!


    "Where is the County Magistrate going?"


    "The only notable place nearby is the Qin residence, but the County Magistrate has never been there before, has he?"


    "You don’t know? The second son of the Qin family, Qin Yun, is a legendary figure. The County Magistrate must be coming for him."


    "Even if you’ve entered the Immortal Gate, so what? The County Magistrate governs millions of people and has no time to be frivolous with just any cultivator."


    People murmured in low voices.


    ...


    At the Qin residence.


    Qin Liehu, his wife, Chang Lan, the eldest son, Qin An, and the second son, Qin Yun, were already waiting.


    Lady Chang Lan asked, puzzled, "Liehu, we’ve been in Guangling County for many years now, but the County Magistrate has never come to our home. Even if he wanted to see you, he would just send someone to summon you. Why would he come personally?"


    Qin Liehu lowered his voice, replying, "I don’t think he''s here to see me. It’s likely to see our son."


    "See Yun’er?" Lady Chang Lan was taken aback. "He just returned. Why would the County Magistrate come to see him?"


    Qin Liehu said, "How would I know? But Yun’er is only twenty-one, and has only recently entered the path of cultivation. There’s no reason for such an important figure like the County Magistrate to pay him special attention. But since he has come, it’s likely he wants something. Yun’er, if he asks anything of you, it’s probably not a small matter. You must be cautious."


    "Understood, Father," Qin Yun nodded.


    Qin Liehu gave a slight nod.


    In his heart, his son’s safety was always the most important.


    Qin Yun looked off into the distance. He could immediately tell that the luxurious carriage was no ordinary vehicle; the carriage itself emitted a strange glow, likely impervious to even strong bows and crossbows. Next to the carriage stood five individuals: an elderly man, a woman, and three others, all mounted on horses, with an extraordinary presence. Surrounding them were over a hundred personal guards, each emanating an impressive aura.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    "County Magistrate’s personal guard," Qin Yun thought to himself. "It’s said that half of the greatest experts in Guangling County are in the County Magistrate’s service. Though that might be an exaggeration, it’s not far from the truth. If I were to face the personal guard, I would have no choice but to run for my life."


    "Clop, clop, clop~~~"


    The carriage came to a halt.


    A middle-aged man dismounted first, followed by an elderly person whom he helped down carefully.


    "Qin Liehu pays his respects to the County Magistrate," Qin Liehu immediately bowed respectfully. His wife and two sons also bowed, with Qin Yun standing slightly behind, following suit.


    The hundreds of people around them stood in complete silence.


    The elderly man was clearly of advanced age, with gray hair and cloudy eyes. He looked at Qin Liehu and smiled, saying, "No need for such formalities. Today, I’ve come to visit the great hero and noble of Guangling County." His gaze shifted to Qin Yun, and he smiled again.


    "Great hero and noble?" Qin Liehu was puzzled. His son was a cultivator, but that didn’t make him a hero or a noble, did it?


    "County Magistrate, please come in," Qin Liehu said, not having time to think further. He immediately led the way.


    The group entered the residence.


    They arrived at the main hall.


    The elderly County Magistrate sat at the head of the table, with Qin Liehu and Qin Yun seated at one side. The other two middle-aged men sat on the opposite side.


    "Let me introduce," the County Magistrate said, pointing to the man nearest him in a green robe. "This is Brother Fang, who has temporarily taken up the position of commander of my personal guard."


    "Commander Fang."


    Qin Liehu and Qin Yun immediately cupped their hands in respect.


    Qin Liehu added, "Yun’er, Commander Fang is the greatest expert in Guangling County, and also a cultivator in the Innate Void Dan realm."


    "In front of Qin Yun, I’m not really much of an expert," Commander Fang said with a smile.


    "I’ve heard of two senior cultivators in the Innate Void Dan realm in Guangling County. One is Commander Fang, and the other is Master Mei Xia," Qin Yun said with a smile. "Commander Fang is stationed here to ensure the safety of the region, and I have great respect for him."


    There were only two cultivators in the Innate Void Dan realm in Guangling County, and one of them served as the commander of the County Magistrate’s personal guard! Across the land, nearly every county’s personal guard commander was an expert in the Innate Void Dan realm, showing how much the imperial court valued the position of "County Magistrate."


    After all, the imperial court was also concerned that the "County Magistrate" might be ambushed by demons.


    Thus, the military power under the County Magistrate’s command ranked first in the region—his forces numbered in the thousands and were well-equipped with powerful weapons. Second were the elite personal guards, only 600 in number, but each was an expert in their own right, with the commander being a master in the Innate Void Dan realm. Third came the constables from the Six Doors, who maintained order in the city.


    "You''re too modest," Commander Fang said with a smile. "I’m nothing compared to Qin Yun here, who truly ensures the safety of so many lives."


    "Both of you are being humble," the County Magistrate said, pointing to the scholarly middle-aged man sitting next to Commander Fang. "This is my son, Wen Chong."


    They exchanged pleasantries.


    Wen Chong immediately said, "Ever since I heard about Brother Qin Yun, I’ve wanted to visit. I’m glad I finally have the chance. Brother Qin, may I ask what the ''demon plague'' at the northern frontier is like? I’ve heard it’s truly terrifying?"


    "The northern frontier?" Qin Liehu was surprised.


    "Has Qin Liehu not heard?" The County Magistrate laughed.


    Qin Liehu looked to his son for an answer.


    Qin Yun sighed inwardly.


    He hadn’t wanted to worry his parents, so he had kept quiet about it.


    Wen Chong immediately added, "It’s my fault for asking."


    "Eventually, I’ll have to tell them," Qin Yun shook his head and said. "When I traveled the world, I reached the northern frontier to see the legendary front lines against the demon plague. But after seeing the horrors caused by the demons, I was enraged and joined the military. I stayed for three years."


    "Three years?" Qin Liehu was shocked. "You stayed at the northern frontier for three years?"


    "That place is brutal. Every day, there are many casualties, and the demons are constantly dying as well," the County Magistrate said. "To stay there for three years is no small feat. Truly impressive."


    Commander Fang added, "According to the imperial records, Qin Yun here has killed many demons."


    "It was the military''s work," Qin Yun shook his head. "It was a coordinated effort. It wasn''t just me."


    "To kill so many and survive is


    no small achievement," Commander Fang said.


    Qin Yun was taken aback, then nodded slightly. "Yes, surviving wasn’t easy."


    The friends who had joined him, whether to hone their skills, accumulate merit, or out of anger, had all come from all corners of the world to the northern frontier to fight the demon plague.


    In those three years, over half of them died in battle. Many others were heavily injured. Only two or three out of every ten managed to leave unscathed, and he had stayed the longest. Because of a promise, he stayed for three years before leaving!


    Scenes from those days flashed in his mind.


    The smiling faces.


    The madness in life and death.


    The heroic figures singing as they faced death.


    "Cultivators, seclusion is cultivation, the mundane world is cultivation, and the army is also cultivation," Qin Yun said softly.


    "Haha, Qin Gongzi is right, cultivation can be found everywhere. I came here today to meet a true hero like Qin Gongzi, and also to ask for a favor," the County Magistrate said with a smile.


    "Here it comes," Qin Liehu thought anxiously.


    "County Magistrate, please speak," Qin Yun said calmly.


    The County Magistrate smiled. "On the highest mountain in Guangling County, Mount Cangya, deep within the mountain, there is a spiritual fruit that will ripen in a little over a month. I would like to ask Qin Gongzi to retrieve the fruit for me when it ripens. Of course, you won’t go alone; there will be two others accompanying you. And I won’t let you leave empty-handed."


    Wen Chong immediately took out a thick stack of silver notes from his chest and placed them on the tea table beside Qin Yun. Qin Yun glanced at them; the top note was for a thousand taels.


    "Altogether, it’s one hundred thousand taels," Wen Chong smiled.


    Qin Liehu gasped in shock.


    One hundred thousand taels?