The Hidden Immortal

Chapter 53 Looking to the Future

Sitting in the third position, Song Jingmin was strong with bulging muscles and sharp eyes like an eagle.

He was a third-rank martial artist at Zhenwei Martial Arts School, second only to Cao Yuanhui.

Upon hearing this, Song Jingmin scoffed, "They're just country bumpkins. I ran into them when I was young, and kicked several of them to death."

"There may be a water god of pine and willow, but to say that they are favored by immortals and gods is utter nonsense. What ability can a bunch of feathered beasts have?"

"They are nothing more than a disorganized mob, as vulnerable as clay chickens and earthen dogs."

Song Jingmin was Cao Yuanhui's last disciple, but he was very talented. In just twenty years, he reached the same level as his master.

A third-rank martial artist can live to at least eighty or ninety, which is much longer than the lifespan of ordinary people.

He is 48 years old this year, and his experience and vitality are at their peak.

There is still a chance to be promoted to the second rank, and living past a hundred years would not be a problem then.

This made Song Jingmin's reputation at Zhenwei Martial Arts School grow higher and higher, and he became increasingly arrogant and domineering.

When he spoke, no one else dared to object.

Cao Yuanhui's brows twitched slightly; he was displeased with Song Jingmin's words, but he did not show it.

He simply said, "I fear it would be embarrassing if I didn't obey the county magistrate this time. I'm thinking of taking out some silver and distributing it to the various towns. What do you think?"

This was naturally done to silence others and appease the county government.

To avoid people saying that Zhenwei Martial Arts School only cares about making money and doesn't care about the lives of ordinary people.

Older people value their reputation more than anything else.

The other disciples, including Cao Yuanhui's youngest son Cao Mengzhun, all nodded in agreement.

Taking a few dozen taels of silver from each person is not a problem for them.

However, Song Jingmin glanced at Cao Yuanhui, and a flash of disdain crossed his eyes.

Master is getting old after all; his blood and energy are failing, and he's become timid.

The martial arts school was not the county government's private army, so how could it be expected to serve the county magistrate?

If we have to spend money on such a small thing, people will laugh us to death if word gets out.

But he did not refute it to his face and, like the others, agreed to take out the money.

Seeing this, Cao Yuanhui breathed a sigh of relief. He was really afraid that his little apprentice would jump out and talk back at this time, which would be difficult to handle.

He smiled at Song Jingmin, showing his inner comfort.

On the surface, Song Jingmin was all smiles, but as soon as he stepped out of the martial arts school, he started humming.

His second son, Song Yuanshan, who had come with him, asked, "Father, are we really going to give dozens of taels of silver to those lowly people? Master is being too kind. They're not relatives or friends, why should we care about them?"

As Song Jingmin walked, he said, "He was afraid the magistrate would cause trouble later, but he forgot that his surname is Cao, and he has ruined the reputation of the martial arts school for no reason. The older he gets, the more timid he becomes, which makes people look down on him."

Song Yuanshan chuckled and said, "Then we'll wait until you advance to the second rank, and then our family will set up our own household."

The Song family is doing very well now; people from over a hundred miles around come to visit them, and they have taken on over a hundred disciples.

However, these disciples, who were taught by the Song family, had to have 60% of their earnings given to the martial arts school.

Moreover, even after completing their training, they would still use the name of Zhenwei Martial Arts School.

Song Jingmin had long had this idea, but seeing his master Cao Yuanhui so timid today, he couldn't help but sneer: "Why set up your own school? Zhenwei Martial Arts School is not Cao Family Martial Arts School. It doesn't matter whose surname it takes."

Song Yuanshan was taken aback, then realized: "You mean, you want to seize the martial arts school?"

"The next two generations of the Cao family are useless good-for-nothings. If the martial arts school falls into their hands, it will be ruined sooner or later."

Song Jingmin said, "Only in my hands can it be carried forward and developed!"

Song Yuanshan immediately became excited upon hearing this: "When does Father plan to do it?"

"No rush, let that old man's vitality decline for another two years!"

Song Jingmin's eyes were cold; he didn't care about anything like betraying his master or ancestors.

In martial arts practice, those who have attained mastery are your teachers.

When you get old, you should consciously move to the back.

Song Jingmin has studied and practiced diligently for many years; how could he be willing to always be a stepping stone for others?

Anyone who talks nonsense or gossips behind people's backs should be beaten to death.

In this small county town, who dares to go against the Song family!

A few days later.

Zheng Xiuwen personally visited Songguo Village to present Chu Xun with a reward.

In addition to fifteen mu of fertile land, there was a shop in Pingshui Town, three zhang deep, selling rice seeds, farm tools, cloth, etc.

There are two other rewards that are most precious!

One of them was that Chu Xun was promoted from a junior guest to a senior guest!

In a county, only the most respected and benevolent people who bring blessings to their neighbors are qualified to become honored guests.

The previous one passed away two years ago, and unexpectedly, it fell to Chu Xun.

Another item is the plaque personally inscribed by Tang Shijun.

【De Bi Zi Li - Gong Zhao Xiang Lü】

[A gift from Prefect Tang Shijun to Chu Xun, a respected local resident of Songguo Village]

When the goods were delivered, Zheng Xiuwen specially said, "It's all thanks to you. This time, my unauthorized troop deployment and subsequent demotion and investigation were postponed by Lord Tang until after you were rewarded for your merits. Otherwise, I wouldn't be the magistrate today."

Tang Shijun did this so that he could pass on the favor of bestowing this reward to Zheng Xiuwen.

This further demonstrates how much he values ​​Chu Xun.

Otherwise, it wouldn't matter at all whether a dignified county magistrate wanted the favor of a local notable.

Even the most distinguished guests are still just ordinary people.

"Your Excellency's compassion for the people is the only slight flaw; I'm sure Lord Tang will handle it properly," Chu Xun said.

Zheng Xiuwen smiled, waved his hand, and said no more about it.

Some things can only be discussed in passing, never mentioned openly.

Two successive county magistrates paid a visit to the house, and the prefect even presented a piece of calligraphy to ward off evil spirits.

Legend has it that the crows kept by Master Chu had heads bigger than human heads and claws sharper than a woodcutter's knife; one bite could crush a person's head.

Rumors spread everywhere.

Chu Xun could only smile wryly after hearing this, without offering any further explanation.

Zhang Sanchun and Lin Qiaoxi specially brought Huan'er and Xi'er to their home to offer their congratulations.

The whole family was chatting happily inside, except for Huan'er.

As Chu Xun went outside, he saw Huan'er staring intently at the bright and shiny plaque above the door, looking at it again and again.

He walked over and asked, "What are you looking at?"

"Let's see what the future holds," Huan'er said.

Chu Xun was taken aback, thinking that Huan'er would say she wanted to see the prefect's calligraphy.

"What future?" Chu Xun asked curiously.

The boy looked at his uncle, his voice full of youthful vigor.

"In the future, my calligraphy will also bring such glory to my family."

He inherited his mother Lin Qiaoxi's beauty, and at a young age, many families had already hired matchmakers to propose marriages for their daughters.

Sunlight streamed down, illuminating his handsome face, as if a thin layer of shimmering light had been applied to it.

Huan'er smiled.

Chu Xun smiled too.

Huan'er greatly admires her uncle.

Because he was so capable, he also raised many very large crows.

Chu Xun also liked his nephew very much.

Because it's just like the person I fantasized about when I was young.

Not long after, news came from the county.

Li Zhaoming, the registrar of Zhangnan County, is temporarily serving as the county magistrate.

Zheng Xiuwen's transfer order arrived shortly afterward. Due to a slight bias in his handling of the refugee situation, he was demoted to the position of registrar of Zhangnan County.

His position was in charge of arresting prisoners, and his salary was reduced from eight shi of rice per month for a seventh-rank official to three shi of rice per month for an unranked official.

When the news spread, everyone in the county sighed with emotion.

Lord Zheng was acting in the best interests of the people of this county, yet he was punished for it; this is truly unjust.