Chapter 77

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"Lord Jiang, I don't understand the intricacies of official affairs, so you decide. I have only one requirement: what is rightfully mine must not be taken by others." Li Wenjun stated his position.

Jiang Yefan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He was afraid that Li Wenjun would be unreasonable, and if the Immortal Master was unreasonable, no one could stop him. However, he didn't expect Li Wenjun to be so easy to deal with. "Lord Immortal Master, to write official documents and submit them to the higher authorities, a responsible official is needed. Who do you think is suitable for this task?"

Li Wenjun glanced at Jiang Yefan and said unhappily, "You are the county registrar. Can't you take charge of this? With Wu Qi dead, shouldn't you be the biggest in Sanxian County? You should handle all the major and minor affairs of the county. There's no need to ask me for everything; I am not the county magistrate of Sanxian County."

Jiang Yefan hurriedly said, "Lord Immortal Master, as you can see, I am old and my eyesight is poor, and I lack the energy to take on such a great responsibility. If I were to delay your important matters, I would be unable to bear the consequences. Lord Immortal Master, don't worry, I will recommend someone to you."

"Who?" Li Wenjun asked.

Jiang Yefan said, "It's the county vice-magistrate, Lord Qin Yue, who has been stationed in Fengshou Town. He is the appointed assistant of Sanxian County by the imperial court. Since he took office, he has been assisting the county magistrate in handling all the affairs of the county. Moreover, he is young and experienced. With the significant changes in Sanxian County, it is precisely the time for an official like Lord Qin to take on the heavy responsibilities."

"Everyone says that Lord Jiang is selfless. Today, I see that it is indeed true," Li Wenjun said, staring at Jiang Yefan.

"Lord Immortal Master, you flatter me. Every word I say comes from the heart, and I dare not deceive you," Jiang Yefan, a crafty old fox, did not let Li Wenjun see any abnormality.

As a man in the official world, few do not want to advance and enrich themselves. Even though Jiang Yefan had a good reputation, he also wanted to advance. However, wanting to advance does not mean that he would seize the opportunity without hesitation.

Jiang Yefan had concerns. With such a significant upheaval in Sanxian County, who knows if powerful figures like the Marquis of Pohu would view Sanxian County as a thorn in their side. Sitting in the position of the county magistrate would be like sitting on a volcano, and a misstep could lead to a disastrous end.

Moreover, Jiang Yefan did not understand Li Wenjun's temperament. If he accidentally offended this lord, he did not think he could escape Li Wenjun's blade. After all, this young lord had already killed people with stronger backing and higher status, such as Wu Qi, Jiang Shan, and the Third Young Master. Killing him would be as easy as blowing out a candle.

Being in charge of Sanxian County might bring temporary glory, but the risk was too high. Jiang Yefan, who sought stability, almost without hesitation, declined this unexpected good fortune.

Li Wenjun had no interest in who would take charge of Sanxian County. Since Jiang Yefan was unwilling, he did not force him. He said, "Very well, then please send someone tonight to Fengshou Town to invite Lord Qin."

"Yes, I will arrange it immediately," Jiang Yefan hurriedly said.

Li Wenjun pointed to the bodies scattered on the ground and instructed, "Find a few more people to gather these bodies together."

Jiang Yefan quickly went to call for help. Li Wenjun looked at the bodies strewn across the second hall and shook his head. He suddenly felt a lack of interest. As a second-level Qi Practitioner, killing mortals was like slaughtering chickens and dogs. Now, thinking about it, it seemed pointless.

Li Wenjun bent down and searched the bodies of Jiang Shan and the Third Young Master. Jiang Shan had a waist tag from the Marquis of Pohu's residence and a money bag with some loose silver. The Third Young Master, however, was extremely wealthy, with a thick stack of gold notes, each worth a thousand taels, totaling ten notes. They were all bearer gold notes, payable on sight. Additionally, he had a valuable jade pendant. Apart from these, there was nothing else of value.

Li Wenjun was somewhat disappointed. He had hoped to find a few talismans on Jiang Shan, but there were none. So, he unceremoniously confiscated the wealth of the two dead men.

Jiang Yefan and a few constables ran over. Jiang Yefan directed the constables to pile all the bodies together. Li Wenjun, in front of them, flicked a fireball, which ignited the bodies, creating a roaring fire.

Jiang Yefan and the constables watched the bodies slowly turn to ashes, feeling a sense of sorrow and fear. Their respect for Li Wenjun grew even more.

Li Wenjun remembered he had a letter he hadn't read yet. He took it out and read it by the firelight.

Strictly speaking, this was not a letter but a set of personal instructions from the Marquis of Pohu to Jiang Shan. The instructions stated that Jiang Shan was to take three talismans and thirty elite private soldiers to Sanxian County to deliver a set of the Founding Emperor's Dictionary, which the county magistrate had obtained, to the capital. Additionally, he was to monitor the head of Sanxian Academy, Zhou Wei.

As for why Zhou Wei needed to be monitored, the instructions did not specify.

Li Wenjun's heart stirred. When Zhou Wei asked him to leave Sanxian Academy, he had given him a set of the Founding Emperor's Dictionary, which Wu Xue Mei later took. Could the set of the Founding Emperor's Dictionary that the Marquis of Pohu wanted be the one Zhou Wei gave him? Could it contain some hidden secret?

The more Li Wenjun thought about it, the more likely it seemed. He beckoned to Jiang Yefan, who ran over and respectfully said, "Lord Immortal Master, what do you need?"

Li Wenjun said straightforwardly, "A few months ago, Wu Xue Mei forcibly took a set of the Founding Emperor's Dictionary from me, which was given to me by the head of Sanxian Academy, Zhou Wei. Do you know where that set of the Founding Emperor's Dictionary is now?"

Jiang Yefan looked uneasy and said, "Lord Immortal Master, after Wu Xue Mei brought the Founding Emperor's Dictionary back, it was kept in the county treasury under strict supervision. Three days ago, the day you came and said you had killed Wang Yonggui, Jiang Shan had me take out the set of the Founding Emperor's Dictionary and send it to the capital by a special envoy. It seems to be on its way to the Marquis of Pohu's residence. It should be halfway there by now."

Li Wenjun clicked his tongue, shook his head in regret, but did not blame Jiang Yefan. He waved his hand and said, "Alright, you can go. I have nothing else."

Jiang Yefan said, "Lord Immortal Master, the constables to summon Lord Qin have already been dispatched. Even at the fastest speed, Lord Qin will take two hours to arrive. Would you like to rest first? I will arrange the best room for you immediately."

"No need. I will go back to my place first. When Lord Qin arrives, have him come to my place to see me," Li Wenjun said.

Jiang Yefan did not dare to stop him and hurriedly led the people to bow and see Li Wenjun out of the county office.

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