Chapter 6: Like a Puppet, He is the County Magistrate
“When traveling, one’s own cultivation is of utmost importance.”
“No matter what, one cannot neglect one’s own cultivation.”
Jiang Sheng suppressed the chaotic thoughts in his Heart-Nature, sat down on Qingping Mountain's peak, and after taking a Medicinal Pill, began his midday cultivation.
For Cultivators of Penglai, if there are no accidents, morning and evening lessons are indispensable.
More diligent Cultivators would also practice midday lessons.
Although midday is the peak of Yang Qi in a day, when the great sun is most dazzling and intense, ordinary Cultivators would not absorb the extremely strong and fierce vital Qi of the great sun at this time. However, absorbing the Spiritual Qi wandering between heaven and earth or consuming Medicinal Pills is not a problem.
The existence of Medicinal Pills is to facilitate Cultivators' day and night cultivation.
From ancient times, when Cultivators could only gather morning light and evening moonlight, to today, where cultivation can be continuous for twelve hours a day, the appearance of Medicinal Pills is undoubtedly extremely important.
The Medicinal Pill Jiang Sheng consumed was the Yuan Gathering Pill, most commonly used by Dao Foundation Cultivators.
Moreover, the Yuan Gathering Pills produced by Penglai not only have the least amount of Medicinal Pill toxins, but also have stable quality, ensuring no poisonous Medicinal Pills.
When Cultivators travel, who wouldn't be extra cautious when buying others' Medicinal Pills and Magical Artifacts?
For those Medicinal Pills that look perfectly fine and of excellent quality, who can be sure they are truly non-toxic?
Loose Cultivators do not have that many choices, and their ability to discern Medicinal Pills is almost non-existent. Besides robbing others, they can only buy from Medicinal Pill shops, unable to guarantee the quality of the Medicinal Pills.
However, Cultivators like Jiang Sheng, who come from the Xuanmen Orthodox Sect, can purchase Medicinal Pills from their own Sect.
This can be said to be a hidden benefit; whether it's Medicinal Pills or Magical Artifacts, purchasing from the Sect is always the safest, and there's no need to worry about any future troubles.
This period can be said to be the most peaceful for Jiang Sheng since he left the Sect.
Every morning, as the great sun first rises, he gathers the purple Qi of the morning glow. At midday, he takes a Yuan Gathering Pill, and in the evening, he gathers the Qi of the lunar moonlight for cultivation.
As his cultivation continuously advanced, the Daoist temple on the mountainside was also constantly being renovated, and in a short time, it had already taken shape.
The people of Qingping Town only worked on repairing the Daoist temple halfway up the mountain every day, and no one dared to come to the mountain peak to disturb Jiang Sheng's cultivation.
Although there were more hunters in the mountains, they all knew their limits and dared not disturb Jiang Sheng.
Cultivation emphasizes Heart-Nature the most. If one cannot control the 'heart monkey' and 'mind horse,' and cannot calm down to cultivate, progress is impossible, and one cannot continue to ascend the Great Dao of Longevity.
Jiang Sheng's Heart-Nature has always been praised by the Sect Elders, and moreover, Jiang Sheng really liked the feeling of cultivating quietly by himself without external disturbance.
Unfortunately, such days are always short-lived.
After Jiang Sheng had a rare month of quiet cultivation, the people of Qingping Town finally came to find him.
On this particular morning, Jiang Sheng was, as usual, absorbing the purple Qi of the morning glow for cultivation. Before Jiang Sheng could finish his lessons, Tian Guofu, accompanied by several attendants, rushed over, panting.
Seeing Jiang Sheng cultivating, Tian Guofu did not disturb him, but stood quietly by the side until Jiang Sheng finished his practice, then he said, “Jiang Daoren, the Daoist temple has been built.”
Jiang Sheng's Heart-Nature was like still water, his expression calm: “It’s been built in just over a month. Tian Zhenzhang (Town Leader), your speed is quite fast.”
Tian Guofu gave an embarrassed smile: “Everyone is grateful to Jiang Daoren for ridding us of a menace, so they all worked very diligently.”
Jiang Sheng slowly stood up, exhaled a mouthful of turbid Qi, then turned to look at Tian Guofu: “Grateful? If you’re not secretly cursing this poor Daoist, then this poor Daoist should be eternally grateful.”
When Jiang Sheng's eyes fixed on him, Tian Guofu felt sweat trickling down his back, as if he was seen through completely, and all his thoughts could not escape those eyes that resembled stars.
“H-how dare we, Jiang Daoren, you must be joking,” Tian Guofu said with an embarrassed smile.
Jiang Sheng nodded: “It's 'dare not,' not 'do not want to.' ”
“The people of Qingping Town helped this poor Daoist build a Daoist temple, although it was due to this poor Daoist slaying the tiger demon in this mountain. But the main reason is that you all believe this poor Daoist can help you get rid of the River God of Taiping River.”
“And since this poor Daoist did not agree to you, you have resentment in your hearts, thinking that this poor Daoist took money but didn't do the job.”
As Jiang Sheng spoke, he walked down the mountain: “But Tian Zhenzhang (Town Leader), do you know that this poor Daoist never owed you anything?”
“That Daoist temple was built by you voluntarily for this poor Daoist after this poor Daoist eliminated the tiger demon in the mountain; it was not forced by this poor Daoist. This poor Daoist will not use kindness to demand repayment, and I hope you do not try to use a Daoist temple to coerce this poor Daoist.”
Seeing Jiang Sheng walk away step by step, Tian Guofu became anxious and quickly followed: “Jiang Daoren, I and the people of Qingping Town absolutely have no intention of coercing you!”
“That’s good. If that's the case, then all of you should go down the mountain,” Jiang Sheng said calmly.
Tian Guofu was stunned, didn't dare to say more, and obediently led his people down the mountain.
Back in the town, Tian Guofu reported the outcome and couldn't help but sigh: “This Jiang Daoren truly has real abilities.”
“So many Daoists came before to slay demons and eliminate evil, but they were all devoured by the tiger demon. Yet Jiang Daoren was able to slay the tiger demon, which is enough to show his true capabilities.”
A wealthy gentry said unhappily: “What if he has real abilities? He won't eliminate the demon of Taiping River for us.”
“You know, this year it's our turn to offer those six pairs of virgin boys and girls.”
An old scholar suddenly said: “If we can't invite him, it's because our status isn't high enough; Jiang Daoren doesn't think highly of us.”
Although the crowd felt unwilling after hearing this, they had to admit that it was indeed the case.
Tian Guofu asked again: “Then, according to your opinion, sir, what should we do?”
The old scholar stroked his beard and smiled: “Isn't our new County Magistrate of Qingshan County, Zhang Qingyun, saying he wants to achieve some political accomplishments and also eliminate the demons in Taiping River?”
“Town Leader, why not inform County Magistrate Zhang Qingyun of this matter and let County Magistrate Zhang Qingyun send someone to invite him? That should be worthy of Jiang Daoren's status, right?”
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.
At the same time, in Qingshan County, the new County Magistrate, Zhang Qingyun, was seething with anger.
“This County Magistrate has just arrived in Qingshan County, and I never expected to be so lightly regarded!”
Zhang Qingyun was the first-time County Magistrate of Qingshan. He originally thought he could implement his ambitions upon taking office.
Initially, Zhang Qingyun indeed received a warm welcome from the gentry and wealthy merchants in the county town, making him believe that these local gentry would cooperate with his governance.
However, he never expected that, while these people outwardly called him County Magistrate and seemed extremely respectful, in reality, his decrees could not be enforced at all!
Those gentry, relying on their decades or even centuries of local roots, coupled with their control over everything during the annual River God's grand sacrifice, virtually commanded the people of all towns.
And the wealthy merchants colluded with the gentry, tightly controlling Qingshan County from the county yamen to various shops in the county town, and then to all the towns.
There was absolutely no room for him, County Magistrate Zhang, to exercise his authority.
Outwardly, these people were respectful to him, but secretly, those gentry were the true masters of Qingshan County!
This made Zhang Qingyun feel immense humiliation; he, a dignified County Magistrate, was actually sidelined by his subordinates!
Just as Zhang Qingyun was at a loss, someone suddenly came to report.
“County Magistrate, Tian Guofu, the Town Leader of Qingping Town, has something to report.”
Linyuan explains: Jiang Sheng, a Cultivator, is not a chivalrous person eager to do good. Cultivators always act according to their Heart-Nature, and they have the ability to do things as they please. This is a world where great power belongs to oneself. Jiang Sheng has a good Heart-Nature and comes from the Xuanmen Orthodox Sect, but that doesn't mean Jiang Sheng is a good person in the pure sense. It can be said that saving people is an incidental act, not a mandatory one.