Chapter 122: Returning Home in Glory

With a new direction in mind, Feng Boyuan was ready to return to the secret realm and embark on fresh experiments.

Before leaving, he returned the Qi-devouring centipede to Shang Lu.

“This creature is useless to us, but you can keep it. When you attempt to draw Qi into your body later, use it as a catalyst. The centipede has a strong instinct for devouring Qi and can help you better draw Qi inward during your practice.”

Shang Lu’s eyes lit up. He had originally planned to swallow the centipede whole. After all, with his internal organs temple and the deities of his spleen and liver, he was not afraid of any poison the centipede might have—it could even be a powerful tonic. Yet he had never imagined the centipede could assist in drawing Qi, and judging by Feng Boyuan’s tone, the effect would be significant.

He realized he couldn’t just eat it casually, lest he waste it. He even needed to find a way to catch more centipedes to prepare for future Qi cultivation.

“Here’s something else for you.”

Not only did Feng Boyuan return the centipede, but he also pulled a small, furry tail from his sleeve.

“This is a talisman made from the tail of a Xibian. You know the Xibian, right? A canine-like spirit beast whose fur has properties to ward off and neutralize poison. There was even a rumor once that the Xibian could enhance virility, which led to it being hunted to near extinction. Nowadays, they are very rare and can only occasionally be seen in remote high mountains.”

“This tail was found inside the secret realm. We’ve tested it; its poison-resistant and detoxifying effects remain intact. Since we have our own methods to avoid poison, we have no use for it. You should keep it for protection.”

“Thank you, Feng Witch Officer.”

A talisman that could ward off and neutralize poison was truly a valuable item. Shang Lu took the Xibian tail and examined it with curiosity.

The tail was about the length of a little finger. Though it had endured centuries inside the secret realm, it was well preserved, neither decayed nor damaged, and felt very smooth to the touch.

“How do I use this Xibian tail?” Shang Lu asked. After a pause, he added, “Does it really enhance virility? Don’t misunderstand me—I’m just curious.”

“How should I know if it enhances virility? I’ve never used it myself, but most likely it doesn’t.”

Feng Boyuan’s words left both Shang Lu and Du Feng somewhat disappointed, and also puzzled. If he hadn’t used it, how could he be so sure about its effects?

“As for the tail’s use, it’s simple. Carry it with you to ward off poison. If you want to detoxify, just hold it in your mouth.”

Shang Lu immediately tucked the tail into his bosom, keeping it close.

Feng Boyuan gave a few more instructions before demonstrating his ability to shrink space and vanish within a few strides from both Shang Lu and Du Feng’s sight.

“Let’s go. We should descend the mountain as well.”

Shang Lu called to Du Feng, mounted his official horse, and headed down the mountain.

He still needed to hurry back to Shuanggui Village to bring his parents into the county town.

Now that he had become the County Captain and was assisting Feng Boyuan in guarding the secret realm, he was bound to attract the attention of demons, evil spirits, and enemy spies.

Leaving his parents in Shuanggui Village could be dangerous.

Although San Niang could rush back in time with the help of the Old Master Temple if something happened, having his parents in the county town would put Shang Lu’s mind at greater ease.

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“Sir, when do you think we will acquire such extraordinary abilities?”

Du Feng also mounted his horse and rode behind Shang Lu, sighing with envy.

Whether it was Feng Boyuan’s spatial shrinking skill or Yuan Tianfeng’s earth escape technique, they all stirred his longing.

Shang Lu, too, was filled with ambition for these marvelous arts.

He encouraged Du Feng, which was also a way of encouraging himself: “Keep training hard. Once you enter the Witch Academy, you’ll learn these skills.”

“The Witch Academy...”

Du Feng sighed. He knew his own level, and understood that entering the Witch Academy was as difficult as ascending to the heavens. It would be better to learn some skills from wandering practitioners.

Though their skills were not as formal as those taught in the Academy, the cultivation requirements were not as high either.

The only problem was the heavy price they demanded.

At minimum, one had to bear at least one of the five defects or three lacks, and it was easy to attract evil spirits and cause trouble.

Du Feng shook his head, suppressing the thought for now.

The two of them rode on official horses and soon descended the mountain.

The horses were indeed extraordinary; even without paths in the mountains, they moved smoothly without any hindrance.

When the human-faced owl appeared earlier, the horses were not frightened. Instead, they seemed eager to confront it, showing great excitement.

Shang Lu doubted that if he and Du Feng hadn’t held the reins tightly, the horses would have charged straight at the owl.

Having official horses certainly made traveling much easier.

In the past, making multiple trips like this might not have exhausted a person physically, but it would have consumed a lot of time.

It was impossible to have as much time as he now did, enough to return to Shuanggui Village and bring his parents into the county town.

Riding smoothly, the two quickly arrived at Shuanggui Village.

At the village entrance, several people were chatting idly.

Seeing someone riding tall, sturdy official horses from afar piqued their curiosity.

Once they recognized it was Shang Lu, they grew surprised and whispered among themselves, wondering if Shang Lu had suddenly come into wealth to ride such magnificent mounts.

Then they noticed his light cyan official robe embroidered with a winged flying tiger.

“That doesn’t look like the clothes of a Constable, does it?”

“That’s an official robe! I saw the County Magistrate wear the same kind when he went on inspection in the county town!”

“Ah? Has Shang Lu become the County Magistrate?”

Two childhood acquaintances of Shang Lu couldn’t help exclaiming in astonishment.

The boy who used to pee in the mud and play less skillfully than them had actually become the County Magistrate?

This was a true government official! Although they used to argue and insult each other with phrases like ‘I’m your father,’ Shang Lu had really taken it seriously and become their parent in authority?

Those who recognized the official robe hesitated slightly and said, “It seems a bit different. The County Magistrate’s robe is embroidered with a phoenix, not a winged flying tiger...”

Shang Lu dismounted at the village entrance instead of riding into the village.

Seeing this, Du Feng also got off his horse, took the reins from Shang Lu, and led the horses behind him.

Passing by those villagers, Shang Lu smiled and greeted them warmly:

“Greetings, neighbors. Brother Zhou, Second Brother Xu, it’s been a while. How have you been?”

Zhou San and Xu Er responded with greetings.

Xu Er, emboldened, asked, “Brother Lu, weren’t you a Constable? Why are you wearing an official robe now? This is an official robe, right?”

“Our lord here is now the County Captain of Luoshui County!”

Du Feng proudly announced Shang Lu’s new position.

“County Captain?”

The villagers at the entrance were all taken aback.

To them, a Constable was already a figure to look up to.

But a County Captain was as lofty and unreachable as the sun in the sky.

Shang Lu smiled and nodded, “Thanks to the court’s trust, despite my humble origins, I’ve been promoted exceptionally to County Captain. But here in Shuanggui Village, I’m still your familiar Shang Lu—not some lofty official, so there’s no need for formalities...”

Before he could finish, those villagers suddenly turned and ran off.

What was going on? Shang Lu was a bit puzzled.

Why would they run upon hearing he was the County Captain? Were they afraid he would arrest them for some wrongdoing?

Just as he was about to have Du Feng chase after them to ask, he heard the villagers shouting as they ran:

“Uncle Shang, Aunt Wu, great news!”

“Brother Lu is back! He’s been promoted again!”

“Shang Lu has become the County Captain! Our Shuanggui Village has produced a great man!”

Seeing this, Shang Lu realized his triumphant return home was complete.

Unfortunately, Shuanggui Village was not made up of clans sharing the same surname, and the old Shang family was not a large clan that kept genealogical records.

Otherwise, he might have enjoyed the honor of a special page in the family genealogy.