Chapter Six: The Bureau of Public Welfare

Time passed swiftly. Chen Jiu had already been sitting cross-legged on his bed for a week. During this period, his fellow disciples in the Daoist temple often came to visit, but seeing his doors and windows tightly shut, they no longer pressed him with questions.

After all, Chen Jiu had always been a man of few words. Though his brothers tried to befriend him, their warmth was met with cold indifference, so it was little wonder no one took particular care of him now.

When the first rays of morning sunlight pierced the darkness and spilled upon the earth, Chen Jiu’s heart stirred. He slowly opened his eyes.

In that fleeting instant, a golden light flashed in his gaze.

The manual resting on his lap had been turned to its last page—he had clearly finished reading it.

He exhaled a long, slow breath.

He could sense it now: in his lower abdomen, a wisp of energy had appeared out of nowhere, filling him with a gentle warmth.

This was the “Qi” transformed from his primal essence!

Though it was but the faintest trace—like a solitary lamp flickering through a cold night, ready to go out at any moment—it was the fruit of a week’s effort, and for Chen Jiu, even a sliver of progress was of great significance.

Beyond the soothing warmth, this stream of Qi had also banished any sense of hunger. Despite not having eaten a grain of rice for an entire week, he felt no discomfort—a truly wondrous thing.

At this moment, within the alchemical chamber of his lower abdomen, a sapling had been visualized into existence.

This sapling symbolized his progress in cultivating the “Art of Eternal Spring.” For now, it was a young shoot; in time, it would grow into a vibrant, flourishing tree!

According to the manual, this sapling was the Tree of Eternal Spring, signifying the ceaseless renewal of life, never fading nor perishing.

Whenever the sapling grew, it marked a step forward in Chen Jiu’s cultivation. When golden fruits eventually adorned its branches, it would mean he had broken through to a new realm.

From the manual, Chen Jiu also learned that in this world, the stages of cultivation were not the common “Qi Refining, Foundation Building, Golden Core, Nascent Soul…” found in novels. Instead, they were called the “Five Levels of Immortal Ascension,” comprised of five realms.

The first level, “Refining Essence into Qi,” meant to transmute one’s primal essence into vital energy. Upon reaching this stage, one’s body could generate spiritual power, recite incantations, wield talismans, and employ magical tools—becoming a true cultivator.

Naturally, this stage was also known as the “Nascent Elixir Realm,” divided into minor and major accomplishments. Those who reached the pinnacle could live nearly three centuries!

As for Chen Jiu, he had only just touched this threshold. To truly achieve the “Minor Nascent Elixir,” there was still a long road ahead…

With the power of his spiritual sense, Chen Jiu inspected the little sapling in his alchemical chamber, finding it rather amusing.

He hadn’t expected to reach this point so quickly!

In just a week, he had condensed “vital energy” and successfully visualized his natal object within the alchemical chamber.

All this wasn’t due to his extraordinary talent, but rather the overwhelming power of the “Heaven’s Eye.”

Thinking of the five supernatural abilities he had yet to master, Chen Jiu couldn’t help but feel a surge of anticipation.

How powerful would he become once he grasped them all?

Biting his lip, Chen Jiu grinned foolishly, then shook his head to dismiss such fanciful thoughts.

“It’s time to ask Master for some spells!” he chuckled, recalling the wager he’d made with his master.

…

A week may feel long for ordinary people, but to cultivators, it was but the blink of an eye.

Chen Jiu walked along the flagstone path within the Daoist temple. All was silent—there wasn’t even the call of a bird.

Since the “Edict of Daoists” years ago, temples across the land had lost their former splendor.

Chen Jiu’s heart grew heavy. He had always imagined Daoists as secluded hermits, cultivating for longevity amidst the mountains and forests.

But here, they faced the constant threat of demons and monsters.

To pursue a carefree, immortal life was a luxury—only those who survived could dare dream such dreams.

Deep in thought, Chen Jiu suddenly saw a senior brother hurrying toward him.

The man looked anxious, but as soon as he saw Chen Jiu, relief washed over his face.

“Brother Chen! At last, you’ve come out!”

Chen Jiu’s expression shifted slightly. “Brother, is there something you need to tell me?”

The man nodded. “Just two hours ago, officials from the County’s Office for Public Peace arrived. Master wants you to go to the main hall at once.”

At the words “Office for Public Peace,” Chen Jiu’s heart sank.

He had hoped for two or three more months, but it seemed only a week had been given him…

With a heavy heart, Chen Jiu bowed and made his way to the main hall, face solemn.

As he walked away, the senior brother watched, a curious look on his face. “This Brother Chen… seems a bit different. But what exactly has changed…?”

…

Outside the tranquil and elegant main hall stood five guards from the Office for Public Peace, dressed in brocade robes, tall crown hats, and swords at their sides.

Chen Jiu cast a glance over them and understood at once.

In the Great Jin Dynasty, there was a saying among the people: “White jade robes, cyan silk swords, tall crown hats—these are the demon catchers!”

He stepped forward, bowed, and respectfully stood at the entrance.

“Disciple Chen Jiu, here to pay respects to Master!”

The five guards, however, fixed him with sharp, appraising gazes, as if trying to discern something about him.

Suddenly, one of them sneered under his breath, “So this is supposed to be someone remarkable? Hah, just another novice in the mystic arts.”

“Indeed. For someone so weak in magic, it’s a joke that the Chief Inspector would come all this way in person…”

Chen Jiu heard every word, but he simply remained calm, unruffled by their taunts.

Inside, Li Fenglai was not sitting on the meditation mat, but standing face-to-face with a middle-aged man.

The man had sword-like brows and star-bright eyes, his face radiating heroic energy. He, too, wore a white robe and carried a sword, but his sword’s hilt was adorned with a beautiful piece of white jade.

“Apologies for keeping the Chief Inspector waiting. Allow me to beg pardon on behalf of my disciple,” Li Fenglai said with a bow.

The man addressed as Chief Inspector Wang waved his hand. “No need, Daoist. Once our business is done, we must hurry back to report.”

Li Fenglai nodded. “Of course.”

“Nian’an, come in now!”

Chen Jiu’s courtesy name was Nian’an—a name his master had chosen, wishing him a life of peace and safety.

Without hesitation, Chen Jiu entered.

Chief Inspector Wang’s hawk-like eyes swept over him, his gaze sharp as a blade.

“This is the so-called gifted disciple you spoke of?” His brow furrowed in disbelief as he looked at Li Fenglai.

Upon seeing Chen Jiu, Li Fenglai’s expression subtly changed, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

“Indeed, he is the disciple I value most,” he replied.

Chief Inspector Wang shook his head slightly. “Daoist, you must consider this carefully. This lad’s spiritual power is pitifully weak. If you choose him, don’t come to regret it later!”

But Li Fenglai only grinned. “Chief Inspector Wang, how about a wager?”

“Oh? Let’s hear it.”

“That ‘Art of Eternal Spring’—surely you’re familiar with it?”

At these words, Chief Inspector Wang’s face changed, and he quickly said, “You mean the very manual that stumped countless geniuses all those years ago?”

Li Fenglai nodded. “It’s a notoriously difficult manual, almost useless in fact. It can neither command thunder nor control the five elements…”

Then he changed the subject. “But I only handed it to my disciple a week ago. I believe he’ll comprehend it even faster than I did.”

Chief Inspector Wang’s expression changed dramatically. He looked at Chen Jiu, disbelief etched on his face.

“Nonsense! That manual stirred up quite a storm in its day—even the old scholars in the academies found it nearly impossible to master! Fenglai, you may be talented, but even you needed outside help to barely grasp it…”

He looked at Chen Jiu, voice deep. “Are you saying this young Daoist is more gifted than those old scholars?”

“So, shall we wager?” Li Fenglai smiled faintly.

Seeing his master’s intent, Chen Jiu’s heart skipped a beat. Clearly, his progress with the “Art of Eternal Spring” was no secret, or else his master wouldn’t be setting this trap for the Chief Inspector.

“What’s the wager?” asked Chief Inspector Wang.

Li Fenglai rubbed his fingers. “Money!”

Chief Inspector Wang snorted, then produced a jade pendant from his sleeve.

“This Warming Sun Jade—will it suffice?”

Li Fenglai’s eyes sparkled. “More than enough!”

“Fine! If you’re so bold, let me make a demand as well… If you lose, you must refine a Nine Suns Pill for me!” Chief Inspector Wang declared.

Li Fenglai stared fixedly at the jade, agreeing at once. “Deal!”

Chief Inspector Wang sneered inwardly. That manual had once taken the world by storm, its difficulty so great that even the most gifted had to admit defeat. He simply couldn’t believe this boy could truly master it.

He reached out like lightning, two fingers tapping Chen Jiu’s brow.

Chief Inspector Wang closed his eyes, a self-assured smile on his lips, as his spiritual power flowed into Chen Jiu’s meridians to probe within.

After a few breaths, Chief Inspector Wang’s head turned slightly, brows knitting.

Suddenly, his confident expression vanished. His eyes snapped open, filled with shock and disbelief.

“This energy… You actually mastered it…!”