Chapter 117: Promoted to County Lieutenant!

Shang Lu took a deep breath, steadying himself after the initial wave of surprise and excitement. With the aid of his burgeoning "mental core," he quickly burned away distracting thoughts, entering the state of "still water of the heart"—a realm many dream of but few attain.

Immediately, he began practicing the Five Spirits Technique and the Internal Classic Organ-Refining Chart. After a few cycles, a flash of red light bloomed within his mental core. As if struck by a sudden revelation, Shang Lu gained profound insights into both techniques. It was a magical feeling, akin to the legendary moment of enlightenment or having one’s "apertures opened."

Previously, there had been aspects of these two techniques that he had struggled to grasp, and he had encountered several points of confusion during his practice. He had originally intended to wait for Feng Boyuan to finish his current duties before seeking guidance. Although Feng had never practiced these specific techniques, his high cultivation level and broad perspective would surely have provided valuable advice. Yet, he never expected that with the help of his mental core, he would find the answers himself.

The mental core could actually enhance comprehension and wisdom! Shang Lu was pleasantly surprised. While increased insight and a sharper mind would not immediately boost his raw strength, they would be of immense help for all his future cultivation and learning.

Beyond changes in his blood energy and comprehension, Shang Lu discovered that his physical coordination and reflexes had also improved under the influence of his mental core. The heart is the "monarch of the organs"; with the enhancement of the mental core, his internal organs, limbs, and bones could execute the brain's commands better, faster, and more accurately. In terms of practice, every movement, every breath, and every strand of blood energy was used to perfection. In actual combat drills with Uncle Huai, he found himself responding with greater speed and precision, his control over his power becoming increasingly refined.

Shang Lu was already quite satisfied with the changes brought by the mental core, but that was not all. After finishing his exercises, he revisited his other martial skills, such as the Tiger Step Technique and the Raging Blade Art, and similarly gained numerous insights and discoveries. After some careful refinement, the afternoon arrived. Without resting, he consumed his daily portion of dragon-meat elixir and began to focus on breaking through his acupuncture points and meridians.

Driven and commanded by the mental core, his blood energy erupted with immense force. Not only did this make the clearing of points and meridians smoother than ever before, but it also significantly reduced the amount of blood energy consumed. Under the powerful surge of energy, his pericardium meridian and triple burner meridian were opened in one go.

With this, all twelve of Shang Lu's primary meridians were fully unblocked. The blood energy flowed through the meridians, completing a small celestial cycle, continuously tempering his points and nourishing his meridians, thereby strengthening his organs and bones. The blood energy itself was also enhanced and elevated throughout the process.

Having discovered the various wonders of the mental core, Shang Lu spent the next few days in seclusion, staying home to study his mental core, correct his training errors, and work on his extraordinary meridians. It was not until he was summoned to the county office by Feng Boyuan that he finally paused his retreat.

No, he corrected himself; it could hardly be called a "struggle." Because Shang Lu truly enjoyed this cultivation and was even addicted to it.

Upon arriving at the county office, Shang Lu was led to the main hall. Feng Boyuan was already there, seated at the head of the table, while the County Magistrate and the Chief Clerk were relegated to the side. When Shang Lu arrived, a seat was arranged for him. In the courtyard, the clerks of the six departments and the bailiffs of the three divisions were almost all present. Before Shang Lu arrived, they had been whispering, curiously speculating about the reason for such a grand assembly.

Seeing Shang Lu take a seat below the Magistrate and the Chief Clerk, they were all stunned. Although it was a lower position, it signified that Shang Lu was now qualified to sit alongside the Magistrate and the Chief Clerk. But wasn't he just a head constable? Why would he have such status? After a brief silence, the courtyard erupted in even more heated speculation.

Feng Boyuan did not keep them in suspense. Once Shang Lu was seated, he immediately invited the official from the prefecture to read the appointment for the County Commandant. The Magistrate and the Chief Clerk had clearly received word beforehand, as they showed no signs of surprise. However, what they truly thought remained unknown. The Magistrate was certainly pleased; since arriving in Luoshui County, he had been sidelined by the Chief Clerk and held little real power, so he did not fear that Shang Lu would usurp his authority. In fact, he welcomed the appointment.

The Chief Clerk, however, was undoubtedly dissatisfied. He was accustomed to holding absolute power and was naturally unwilling to see the authority over law and order divided. Yet, no matter his resentment, he dared not interfere, nor did he dare let the bailiffs or the local militia defy Shang Lu. This was because Shang Lu was backed by Feng Boyuan, who was in charge of developing the secret realm in Luoshui County. Currently, the development of the secret realm was the top priority; anyone or anything obstructing it would be dealt with severely.

Shang Lu’s appointment as County Commandant was intended to assist Feng Boyuan in securing the secret realm. Even in his arrogance, the Chief Clerk dared not court disaster on this matter. In fact, he had to cooperate fully. After all, he was still in a period of "making up for past crimes" and hoped to use the secret realm to secure a great achievement and secure a promotion.

Unlike the two county officials, the clerks and bailiffs in the courtyard were in an uproar upon hearing that Shang Lu had been promoted to County Commandant. That was a County Commandant! A true official! Although Luoshui County was not a prefecture seat or a large county, and the position was only a ninth-rank office, it was still an official rank!

Shang Lu, a mere clerk—who only a few months ago was a lowly servant waiting for death from his injuries—had suddenly soared into the sky, crossing the chasm between clerk and official to become a ninth-rank County Commandant! How could this not be shocking? Moreover, Shang Lu was one of their own; they had watched him climb up from a lowly constable! Consequently, amidst the shock, many of the clerks also felt a spark of hope. If Shang Lu could transition from clerk to official, did they not have a chance as well? In the past, it would have been impossible. But now, with the discovery of the secret realm and such a vivid example before them, they felt that perhaps a chance did exist.

As Shang Lu accepted the appointment document and turned to face the excited crowd, he couldn't help but mutter to himself, "It seems Feng, the Witch Official, is making such a scene to set me up as a model, giving the clerks of Luoshui County something to look forward to so they will work diligently..."

The difficulty of transitioning from clerk to official was extraordinary. It was almost impossible for this group of clerks in Luoshui County to actually get a taste of the "big cake" Feng Boyuan was painting for them. After announcing the appointment, Feng Boyuan proceeded to encourage the crowd, painting grand visions and urging the clerks to take Shang Lu as their goal, work hard, and strive for merit.

Once the promises were made and the visions painted, Feng Boyuan dismissed them. He then personally led Shang Lu to the office that had just been cleared for the County Commandant. On the way, Feng Boyuan told him, "Luoshui County never had a County Commandant before, so there is no dedicated office; we had to clear out the Dispatch Office. I hope you don't mind."

He then continued with his instructions: "Your primary task after taking office is to strengthen the patrols and surveillance of Luoshui County. Especially around Mount Yunhua—you must tighten security. Without my permission, no one is to approach! I have received news that the birth of a new secret realm in Luoshui County has spread, and neighboring countries may very well send people to cause trouble. I’ve looked into it, and Luoshui County was only a third-rate county; both the number of bailiffs and the local militia are insufficient. I have secured funding from the prefecture for you to recruit a batch of temporary staff and militia so you have more manpower to carry out your work better. Additionally, the imperial court has pulled two hundred men from the frontier army; they will arrive in Luoshui County within days! Once they arrive, they will also be under your command."

At this point, Feng Boyuan paused, looking somewhat concerned: "The frontier soldiers are accustomed to respecting only strength and have always looked down on local militia. Since you were promoted from a constable, they may refuse to obey you upon arrival. If such a situation truly arises, tell me, and I will back you up!"

Shang Lu shook his head. "If I truly let you back me up, it would only make them respect me even less. Since they revere strength, it’s simple. When the time comes, I’ll beat them into submission until they obey!"