Chapter 27: Chapter 26: The Manor Lord
Translator: 549690339
Pei Xuanjing understood that forcing Shen’s Business Association to cooperate in eliminating the Liu family was profitable for him and carried no risk. However, it might not necessarily be the case for Shen’s Business Association.
In previous life simulations, there were situations where Shen’s Business Association and the Jin family teamed up with him to ambush the Liu family. But Pei Xuanjing was no longer daring to stake everything on this, for in subsequent simulations, the interactions between him, Shen’s Business Association, and the Jin family seemed to have vanished, causing him to question.
He was accustomed to preparing a back- up plan, which was the Prefect.
According to several simulation results, his collaboration with the Prefect had been successful, with no major conflicts arising between the two.
In the most recent simulation when he returned the exotic object, the Prefect even retained him, assisting him in obtaining resources to break through to the Fifth Rank, proving that cooperation between both parties was possible.
Therefore, one night he quietly visited the Prefect, offering to help him gain the exotic object in exchange for his assistance.
Although Pei Xuanjing had prepared a contingency plan, he didn’t expect the Shen family to actually betray him and surprisingly, two Fifth Rank Martial Artists to attack him.
In desperation, he used the Thousand-Li Fire to summon the backup prepared by the Prefect.
This was his last resort. If even the Prefect betrayed him, he could only flee in embarrassment, withdrawing to a far-off place and no longer participating in the affairs of the Forbidden Place and Blessed Land.
Thankfully, the Prefect abided by the agreement. Upon triggering the Thousand-Li Fire, three Fifth Rank Martial Artists and several Sixth Rank Martial Artists arrived.
The following battle did not need further elaboration. Including Pei Xuanjing, his side had four Fifth Rank Martial Artists, while the opponent had only two. The ultimate outcome was predetermined any resistance from them was futile.
Sighting Shen Xiang’s lifeless eyes still open, Pei Xuanjing felt a mixture of emotions.
The other party escaped from the bandits because of him, but in the end, lost his life because he betrayed him.
“Perhaps this is karma, perhaps this is life.” he thought to himself.
Pei Xuanjing pondered that perhaps from the moment the other party started plotting against him, the final outcome had been set.
“Young Master Pei, leave the rest to us. The old master is waiting for you in the mansion,” said one of the people sent by the Prefect, standing next to Pei Xuanjing.
Pei Xuanjing had already examined the bodies and found nothing apart from some silver money. There were no Cultivation Method Manuals he needed, something he regretted a bit.
But on second thought, these people all had homes and professions, and weren’t wandering alone in jianghu. Naturally, they wouldn’t carry such important things as Cultivation Method Manuals with them.
Upon hearing the prompt, Pei Xuanjing nodded, “In that case, send someone to guide the way!”
In the rear hall of the government office of Anping Prefecture, the Prefect’s study was brightly lit despite the late hour.
The Prefect, Gu Ji, was around forty. Since ranking first in the imperial examination at the age of twenty-five, he began from a mere scholar. In less than twenty years, he was already a Fourth -grade Prefect. To take a step further, he had to either serve as a governor overseeing a region or be transferred to the imperial court to handle governmental affairs.
Either way, it represented controlling power and being high-ranking.
Unfortunately, each family has its own problems. For Gu Ji, it might be even more difficult for him to take another step forward compared to others.
Therefore, he needed something substantial to prove to the imperial court, to show some people that he had achieved a lot over the years, so as to avoid significant obstacles when promoted.
At the moment, he knew of something suited for it.
It was the exotic object in the Forbidden Place of Blessed Land which was about to emerge in Anping Prefecture soon.
As a Fourth-grade official of the imperial court, Gu Ji knew far more secrets than small forces like Shen Xiang. They only knew that these exotic objects could cultivate Martial Artists of the Upper Three Realms, but they didn’t know about its another function.
If he could get such an exotic object, whether offering it to a higher official to gain favor, or giving it to the imperial court, would both be considerable achievements, making his promotion much easier.
Unfortunately, various requirements and limitations existed for entering this Forbidden Place of Blessed Land, and none in his hand was quite suitable. Even if he sent people in, he had no full confidence in obtaining it.
At this time, a man named Pei Xuanjing came into his sight.
Interestingly enough, before he made a move, the other party actively approached him.
After entering the city, Pei Xuanjing quietly followed the person to the study in the rear hall of the government office.
“Greetings, Prefect.” Pei Xuanjing greeted with a bow.
He was neither servile nor overbearing. These four words were most appropriate to describe Pei Xuanjing’s attitude.
Gu Ji chuckled, unconcerned with Pei Xuanjing’s thoughts. He had many capable men under his command. If not for Pei Xuanjing just fitting to help him obtain the exotic object, he wouldn’t have caught his eye.
Even after learning from his subordinates that Pei Xuanjing had demonstrated the strength of a Fifth Rank Martial Artist, he was only slightly surprised and did not take it too seriously.
“Have you finished what you had to do?” Gu Ji asked casually.
Pei Xuanjing nodded, “It’s done. The Liu family…”
Before he could finish, Gu Ji interrupted him, “There’s no need to tell me about such things. It is unnecessary.”
He glanced at Pei Xuanjing meaningfully, “As long as the job is done, just focus on improving your skills and don’t delay my thing.”
Pei Xuanjing nodded silently. “Since the Prefect assisted, I naturally won’t delay the Prefect’s matter.” Gu Ji nodded, then waved his hand, signaling someone to lead Pei Xuanjing out.
He didn’t care about what Pei Xuanjing had done—the squabbles among the Liu family and other forces were of no consequence to him.
In the guest room, Pei Xuanjing reflected on the Prefect’s behavior. Despite his exceptional prowess, in front of a Fourth-grade official, without any considerable value, he was basically insignificant.
But he did not take offense, considering that he was ahead of many people already.
Now, his only task was to improve his abilities quietly and wait for the Forbidden Place of the Blessed Land to open.
With that thought, he opened the Cultivation Method Manual in front of him, and started to study the Refining Accumulation Taoyun.
This was another condition he proposed to the Prefect that he could borrow some Cultivation Method Manuals collected by the government office before the Forbidden Place of Blessed Land opened.
After all, regardless of faction, the amount of Cultivation Method Manuals they had could not compare to that of the government office..