Martial Saint through Reading

"And this one?" Fu Chang pointed to another character.

"River."

"This one?"

"Water."

"..."

Fu Chang continued to point out dozens of characters, and Chu Ming answered each one accurately.

"Haha, excellent, excellent! Lord Liuu, Lord Feng, this time you’ve made a great contribution!"

At that moment, Liu Sitong and Feng Yuan were equally thrilled.

They had originally believed that Chu Ming possessed astonishing talent and an incredible ability to decipher Ancient Shell Script.

But they’d never dared imagine that Chu Ming could, in one night, decipher hundreds of characters from the opening of the Mountain Scripture.

Consider that these few hundred characters had originally required the combined efforts of several renowned literary scholars, led by Shen Yu, taking three to four days to decode.

In other words, Chu Ming’s talent in Ancient Shell Script surpassed that of several scholars working together!

Fu Chang picked up his writing brush and made a few strokes on the desk’s paper.

He then took up the seal and suspended it in midair, looking at Chu Ming, saying, "Do you know what it means when this seal is stamped?"

Without waiting for Chu Ming to reply, the suspended seal pressed down, and he continued, "This recommendation document is now effective."

"Thank you, my lord." Chu Ming bowed respectfully.

"Don’t thank me just yet. Although I, Lord Liuu, and Lord Feng are jointly recommending you, this document must be sent to Xirong County, discussed, and only then will your appointment letter be issued."

"If all goes smoothly, it should take about two days."

Racing with swift horses, the recommendation document would reach Xirong County in one day; once approved, the appointment letter would take another day to return—this was the fastest possible.

Chu Ming also saluted Feng Yuan and Liu Sitong.

He had two days to further improve his strength.

After advancing his Body Refining Technique to the Strong Bone Realm, his qi and blood condensing speed had increased again; in two days, he should be able to condense the twelfth strand of Qi and Blood Power, and attempt to break through the Strong Bone Realm.

At the same time, he could use these two days to exploit reading’s fifth great ability, "Nothing Escapes the Eye," and read many more books.

Fu Chang rose from his seat, walked beside Chu Ming, and said with a soft smile, "Don’t worry, there will be no surprises. The post of Librarian is yours and yours alone."

"Librarian?" Liu Sitong and Feng Yuan’s expressions changed slightly.

"Haha, with Chu Ming’s talent, how could I use a Standard Ninth-Grade Clerk to brush it aside?" Fu Chang said. "Our Baiyuan County hasn’t recommended an official for more than ten years, and the Librarian post has been vacant for just as long."

Fu Chang said no more, but Liu Sitong and Feng Yuan already understood why the County Magistrate had suddenly tested Chu Ming.

On the recommendation document, the recommended position likely wasn’t specified to begin with.

If Chu Ming hadn’t won County Magistrate Fu’s approval, the document would have just listed Standard Ninth Grade; after deciphering the Mountain Scripture, he’d be promoted one rank and assigned Senior Ninth-Grade Clerk—Librarian!

Shao Pengshu and Tan Hong, who had been silent on the side, were equally shocked.

The young master from Instructor Fang’s family—his talent was extraordinary; his starting point was Senior Ninth Grade.

When they considered their own paths, starting as junior constables with no rank, it had taken them more than ten years and risking their lives for merit to reach Eighth Grade—Arresting Captain and Criminal Captain.

And that was only because, some time ago during the blood cult incident in Liuu Town, Instructor Fang’s strategy had earned them great merit; otherwise, Tan Hong would still be a Deputy Captain at Standard Ninth Grade.

"Thank you, my lord." Chu Ming’s gaze became intense. He hadn’t expected the County Magistrate to recommend him as Senior Ninth-Grade Clerk—Librarian.

Fu Chang waved his hand, his tone suddenly cold and incisive. "Those filthy affairs of the Chu Family, I know all about them. But whether it’s the County Yamen investigating or the Criminal Defense Bureau arresting, evidence is essential."

He looked at Shao Pengshu and Tan Hong, then at Chu Ming: "I will have your mother’s death investigated."

"Judicial Officer Shao, I give you five days."

What Fu Chang referred to, was none other than the death of Chu Ming’s mother.

The original host was a useless illegitimate son; his mother was merely a maid, and no one cared when she died.

But now, things were different—Chu Ming has risen to become the genius capable of deciphering the Mountain Scripture. Though only Senior Ninth Grade for now, his future is beyond estimation.

The mother of Baiyuan County’s Senior Ninth-Grade Clerk dying under unknown circumstances—Fu Chang, as County Magistrate, had to take action.

Shao Pengshu was shaken by the words, his expression subtly shifting.

"What’s wrong, is it difficult?" Fu Chang’s voice was commanding.

Shao Pengshu looked troubled; he took a folded paper from his breast, handing it to Fu Chang. "My lord."

Fu Chang frowned slightly, accepted the paper, and his expression grew increasingly grave as he read.

The previously relaxed atmosphere suddenly became tense and oppressive.

Liu Sitong and Feng Yuan watched curiously, secretly guessing what was written on that page.

"Lord Fu, this document was personally issued by Lord Luo," Shao Pengshu added.

Fu Chang lifted his eyelids, his face even more grave. "Are you certain?"

Luo Lin, Prison Chief of the Criminal Defense Bureau, Senior Seventh-Grade Official—equal in rank to the County Magistrate, though not a civil servant.

Shao Pengshu cast a sidelong glance at Chu Ming, replying, "I’m sure."

"Hmph!"

As soon as he finished, Fu Chang swept his sleeve fiercely, snorted coldly, and barked, "Well done, Chu Family. How dare you act so!"

He then masked his anger, looking at Chu Ming with slight apology. "Your mother’s case will take some time. Not too long—The Criminal Defense Bureau will definitely give you an answer."

Shao Pengshu followed with, "Young Master Chu... Chu Ming, rest assured."

Chu Ming cupped his hands to Fu Chang and Shao Pengshu. "Thank you, my lords."

He could guess what was written on that paper—likely something related to the Blood Evil Sect.

The Criminal Defense Bureau had found traces linking the Chu Family to the Blood Evil Sect, but probably lacked enough evidence, and didn’t want to alert them over the small matter of the original host’s mother.

Fu Chang paused, looked at Liu Sitong, and said in a solemn voice, "I recall there’s an empty mansion in West City?"

"Yes, my lord, there is," replied Liu Sitong.

"Good, then give it to Chu Ming."

Unable to fully investigate Chu Ming’s mother’s case, Fu Chang could only help him in another way.

Mansion?

"Thank you, my lord."

Chu Ming’s heart stirred slightly.

Whether a mansion or a small courtyard, it made little difference—what mattered was an independent place to stay. It would make many things much more convenient.

"Judicial Officer Shao, I won’t concern myself with the Chu Family for now, but if Chu Ming is harmed because of it, you are the one I’ll hold responsible!"

If the Chu Family learned that the illegitimate son they abandoned more than a year ago was about to become an official, they might, from fear or resentment, do something reckless.

To Fu Chang, Chu Ming was just a thin, weak youth; if unprotected, he might perish on the way.

"Don’t worry, Lord Fu. From today, I will have men guarding Chu Ming!"

No need for Fu Chang to say it—Shao Pengshu would protect Chu Ming anyway. His promotion to Criminal Captain was thanks to Fang Xiao’s scheming, all aimed at protecting Chu Ming.

...

Two carriages rolled away from the County Government’s main gate.

One was laden with goods—new brocade clothing, fine silk, brush, ink, paper, and inkstone—driven by Tan Hong, heading westward.

He was to arrange guard and protection for the vacant mansion in West City.

The other carriage carried Feng Yuan and Chu Ming, driven by Shao Pengshu, with Hou Wuchun seated beside him.

They were returning to Baiyuan Academy; Chu Ming needed to collect his things.

Silver notes, clothes, books—a good deal was still left in Yunqi Courtyard.

West City Mansion couldn’t be readied today, even moving in would probably have to wait until tomorrow.

Taking advantage of today, he decided to search for clues regarding the suspected poisoning in the dining hall.