Hearing this, Shen Bai's hand, which was holding his teacup, paused slightly. He then drained the cup before asking, "Did something happen?"
'Normally, Zhou Qing wouldn't bring up this kind of thing when he came to visit. This must be something important.'
Zhou Qing nodded. "The Observatory will be here any day now. The County Magistrate has been tearing his hair out lately."
'The Observatory?'
Hearing that name, Shen Bai had a moment of realization.
The Great Zhou Country was divided into five administrative levels: Capital, Road, Prefecture, State, and County, with County being the lowest.
The Observatory, however, was a special department.
The Observatory was established right after the founding of the Great Zhou Country.
It oversaw the affairs of the Jianghu above and managed supernatural matters below.
Anything related to the Jianghu or the supernatural fell under the Observatory's jurisdiction.
And now, with the dynasty in turmoil, the Observatory had been given another duty: the annual inspection.
They would visit all of Great Zhou's officials, whether in a Capital City or a small county town.
The scope of the inspection was straightforward, covering everything from the officials' civil and military competence to the governance of the surrounding area.
All these factors would be combined into a specific score.
This score would then be reported to the Emperor in the Imperial Palace, who would make the final judgment.
Promotion or demotion, reward or punishment.
For the many officials of the Great Zhou Country, the Observatory's annual inspection was a matter of life and death.
And what Zhou Qing had just described was one of the methods used by the Observatory's inspectors.
They would disguise themselves as commoners to ask the local people about their true thoughts and the actual state of affairs.
Shen Bai noticed his tea had grown cold. He had Zhang Chaofeng refill the pot with hot water before saying, "Don't worry. Since you hold a post here in Shengyun County, I naturally understand how these things work."
Navigating the Jianghu wasn't just about fighting, killing, and settling grudges; it was also about understanding the ways of the world.
Shen Bai had connections in the Government Office, so handling these matters well would help Zhou Qing's career there.
It was also about showing the County Magistrate proper respect.
Zhou Qing nodded. "In that case, I'll be going. I still have a lot of shops to notify. If something goes wrong, the County Magistrate will come down on us, and I'll be in deep trouble too."
Seeing that Zhang Chaofeng had just returned, Shen Bai whispered a few words in his ear.
A moment later, Zhang Chaofeng came back carrying two strips of cured pork.
"They'll just go to waste if we don't eat them anyway. Old Zhou, take these home with you."
These two pieces of cured pork were not to be underestimated. With the dynasty in turmoil, many commoners could only afford to eat meat on special occasions, like holidays or festivals.
It was only because Shen Bai ran a pawnshop with good business that his own livelihood was secure.
Zhou Qing didn't refuse; their relationship was beyond such formalities. He took the cured pork and left the Shen Family Pawnshop.
After Zhou Qing left, Zhang Chaofeng finished sorting out the day's accounts.
Life at the pawnshop was always like this: organizing the books, manning the counter, and double-checking the accounts at night.
"Shopkeeper, I might have to make a trip home tomorrow," Zhang Chaofeng said, setting the ledger aside.
Shen Bai swirled the teacup in his hand. "Didn't you say you had a few more days? Did your wife decide to visit her parents' home earlier than planned?"
Zhang Chaofeng had mentioned this a while ago, and Shen Bai had already approved his leave.
He was just making a casual reply today.
Zhang Chaofeng sighed helplessly. "A woman's heart is a needle at the bottom of the sea. They're as slippery as eels, and even more fickle."
Shen Bai nodded. "Then don't come in tomorrow. There's a lot going on in Shengyun County recently, so be careful on your way there and back."
Zhang Chaofeng agreed.
Shen Bai yawned, ready to go back and continue his Liver Blood Sword Dance.
Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed from outside the pawnshop door.
Shen Bai looked toward the sound and saw Cheng Shuang, dressed in yellow, walk in with small, hurried steps.
Seeing her, Shen Bai familiarly pointed toward the rear courtyard, signaling that they should talk there.
Cheng Shuang didn't waste any words, silently following Shen Bai to the rear courtyard.
In the rear courtyard.
Shen Bai sat on a stone stool and gestured for Cheng Shuang to sit before speaking.
After sitting down, Cheng Shuang said, "I'm about to set off for Fenglin State to report back to the Five Immortals Sect."
Shen Bai nodded. "That's good. After all, Fenglin State is much larger than Shengyun County, and safer too."
Cheng Shuang opened her mouth as if to say more, but then hesitated.
Shen Bai gave her a curious look. "If you have something to say, just say it. I don't like it when people beat around the bush."
Cheng Shuang said helplessly, "If you ever go to Fenglin State and have the time, you can visit the Five Immortals Sect. You helped us a great deal this time, so the Five Immortals Sect will surely welcome you with open arms."
Don't be fooled by the fact that he only eliminated a minor Five Heart Sect Leader; this matter was extremely important to the Five Immortals Sect.
Ultimately, it was because the Five Heart Sect Leader was a traitor to the Five Immortals Sect.
If he had continued his evil deeds, the Five Immortals Sect would have been affected, one way or another.
Therefore, Shen Bai helping to resolve this major problem was of immense benefit to the Five Immortals Sect.
Shen Bai chuckled. "If I have the time, I'll naturally pay a visit."
For now, Shen Bai had no plans to go to Fenglin State.
There were too many strange things in this world, and with the dynasty currently in turmoil, Shen Bai felt that staying in this small county was an excellent choice.
"Then I'll be on my way."
Cheng Shuang stood up and left the rear courtyard.
Shen Bai watched her back until she disappeared from view, then looked away.
'Time to start grinding.'
To him, the matter with the Five-Heart Sect was just an interlude. He was simply paid to solve a problem for someone else; it didn't stir any strong feelings in his heart.
Having lived two lives, only a truly shocking event could move him.
Before long, the sound of Shen Bai practicing his sword forms could be heard from the rear courtyard.
...
「A day and a night passed in a flash.」
During this time, Shen Bai went out to eat, then decocted and drank a dose of medicine. Afterward, his Skill Level in the Blood Sword Dance slowly increased.
While Shen Bai was grinding his Skill Level, he was also thinking about the source of Evil Qi.
But for now, he couldn't find a stable supply.
These things were related to unlocking his Divine Power and its qualitative transformation, so besides grinding Skill Level, they were Shen Bai's top priority.
The next day, just as the sky was beginning to brighten, Shen Bai yawned and rested in his chair for the time it takes an incense stick to burn.
Once his Essence, Qi, and Spirit had somewhat recovered, he prepared to go out for breakfast.
The breakfast stall wasn't far from the pawnshop. It was a place Shen Bai frequented, and the locals all knew him quite well.
"Shopkeeper Shen, the usual?"
The waiter, a cloth draped over his shoulder, asked with a smile after wiping the table clean.
Shen Bai nodded and said, "The usual," then waited patiently.
Before long, the food was served.
Shen Bai ate while listening to the conversations of the common folk around him.
But just then, a figure caught his attention.