Lu Qiancha sighed with a complicated heart. At this moment, she simply could not calm her mind enough to cultivate.
After a moment of thought, Lu Qiancha decided to head to the Task Hall to pick up some missions; while completing the objectives, she could also collect some medicinal materials needed for alchemy.
Donning her disguise, Lu Qiancha soared upon the clouds and soon landed in front of the sect’s Task Hall.
Inside the Tianyuan Sect’s Task Hall, the crowd bustled with activity. Four massive jade plaques floated in the center, their spiritual light flickering, clearly dividing the missions into Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding levels.
Although Jia-level tasks were perilous, their rewards were the richest; Yi-level came next, and Ding-level offered the least rewards but were relatively safe, mostly involving errands such as fetching items or delivering messages.
For this year, the remaining tasks to complete included one Jia-level and two Yi-level missions.
Lu Qiancha’s eyes scanned over the list; most tasks had already been claimed.
She paid it little mind and casually accepted a Yi-level spiritual light from one of the jade plaques, then pressed her identity token against the Imprint Stone held by the Deacon in front of the hall.
A flash of azure light signaled the task assignment was finalized. She then rose on the clouds again, swiftly heading toward the mission location—Jiangling City.
Outside the Tianyuan Sect, in Jiangling City, within the County Yamen’s main hall.
County Magistrate Zhou’s forehead was beaded with fine sweat. Before him, a pile of case files stacked like a mountain.
In just one month, over twenty people had gone missing. Among them were five elite constables who had vanished without a trace.
Ten days ago, he had submitted a plea for help to the Tianyuan Sect, hoping for a Master to descend.
But now… ten long days had passed with no sign.
“Master… when will you arrive…?”
County Magistrate Zhou wearily pinched the bridge of his nose, staring out at the daylight beyond the window, a deep sense of helplessness washing over him.
“Dong Dong Dong!”
Suddenly, the Petition Drum outside the yamen sounded, booming like a muted thunderclap.
“Hmm?”
The magistrate’s spirit jolted. Suppressing his anxiety, he straightened his official robe and stepped into the brightly lit main hall.
“Honor—power—!”
Yamen guards stood in two neat rows holding Water-Fire Staffs, their voices stern as they bellowed.
“Summon the Drum-Beater to the hall.”
County Magistrate Zhou struck the Jingtangmu once, then looked down at the guards and ordered.
Soon, a burly man with dark skin wearing patched hemp clothing was brought inside.
The moment he entered, he fell to his knees with a thud, his voice tearing like ripping silk, wailing desperately, “Great Noble Master of the Clear Sky! You must do justice for this humble commoner—!”
“Whom do you accuse? Tell us clearly.”
County Magistrate Zhou’s voice was grave.
“I am Liu Wu! That damned scoundrel Li Da from the neighboring village… that wretched Li Da! He—he abducted my wife!”
Liu Wu wept as he told the story—how he had left work early one day to return home, only to find his wife, Liu Ping, eloping with the traitorous Li Da, stealing their valuables and fleeing.
“Where are Li Da and your wife Liu Ping now?”
County Magistrate Zhou pressed.
“That villain, I don’t know! But my shameful wife is surely hiding somewhere in my home!”
Liu Wu gritted his teeth.
“You all, follow Liu Wu immediately and bring both Li Da and Liu Ping back for questioning!”
The magistrate ordered the head constable standing nearby.
“Yes, County Magistrate.”
The head constable took command, leading two guards as they escorted the furious Liu Wu out.
Not long after the men left, a gatekeeper burst in, tumbling as he hurried.
“Report—!”
“What is the matter that you’re so panicked?”
County Magistrate Zhou frowned. If Li Da and the others had already been found, they could enter directly.
Could someone else be reporting to the court today?
“County… County Governor! A young man is outside! He claims to be from the Tianyuan Sect and requests to see the magistrate.”
The gatekeeper bowed his head and spoke.
“Quickly! Quickly, open the main gate!”
The magistrate nearly jumped to his feet, hastily urging in a flustered tone.
“Yes.”
The gatekeeper hurried outside.
***
A moment later, a tall young man dressed in a simple white robe entered the hall.
His face was handsome and gentle, his brows smiling softly, casually playing with a small intricately crafted metallic cube that gleamed coldly.
There were no swords or blades at his waist, yet an ethereal aura, unlike anything earthly, faintly surrounded him.
“Welcome, Master!”
County Magistrate Zhou dared not be remiss, bowing deeply.
“County Magistrate, please rise.”
Lu Qiancha smiled slightly, offering a polite support with her hand. “I believe you already have a general idea of why I have come?”
“Yes, yes, yes!”
The magistrate quickly replied. “The missing persons case…”
“In that case, I won’t waste words. Could you share some details about the disappearances?”
Lu Qiancha spoke plainly, addressing County Magistrate Zhou directly.
“Certainly…”
Before he finished, a voice suddenly came from outside the door.
“Report—!”
The head constable who had just left returned, holding tightly to a man clad in a striking bright red brocade robe, his expression vulgar.
“Reporting, sir! The suspect Li Da has been brought in!”
County Magistrate Zhou nearly lost his breath. A vein twitched on his temple as he turned to Lu Qiancha with a forced smile, his face flushed with embarrassment.
“Master… as you can see, this official is still entangled in some mundane affairs…”
“No matter.”
Lu Qiancha waved her hand lightly and said, “Your duties are important. I shall merely observe.”
With that, she shifted her feet gracefully and floated to the side of the Shiye recording the case details.
Seeing this, County Magistrate Zhou was anxious and ashamed. He turned and sharply reprimanded the guards standing nearby. “You fools! Can’t you read the situation? Hurry and set a seat for the Master!”
“Yes, yes, this humble servant was negligent. Master, please forgive.”
One of the guards hastened away to fetch a chair from the back hall but was stopped by Lu Qiancha.
“No need. Observing the worldly affairs here is also part of cultivation. No need for formalities.”
Lu Qiancha’s calm voice sounded, her gaze warm as she looked at the man.
County Magistrate Zhou was momentarily speechless, then said resignedly, “Master’s magnanimity is truly admirable.”
Lu Qiancha smiled but did not reply.
“Bring the suspect in.”
Once the surroundings had settled, County Magistrate Zhou composed himself and struck the Jingtangmu heavily.
“Yes.”
The guards pushed Li Da into the hall. The man, reeking of wine and dressed in a brocade robe, looked entirely out of place in the solemn court. Forced to his knees, he paled, trembling all over.
“I… I am Li Da… greetings, Great Noble Master!”
“Liu Wu accuses you of abducting his wife Liu Ping. Is this true?”
County Magistrate Zhou’s voice boomed like a bell.
“I’m innocent, Great Noble Master—!”
Li Da hurriedly spoke, tears streaming down his face. “It’s… it’s that woman! She despised Liu Wu for being poor! She seduced me first! I… I was confused for a moment!”
“Oh?”
The magistrate looked at Li Da with some surprise. “Where is Liu Ping? Bring Liu Ping in.”
Just then, a young woman wearing a pale yellow cloth dress entered the hall. Her face was delicate yet marked with sorrow—Liu Ping.
“I, Liu Ping, pay respects to the Great Noble Master.”
She trembled as she knelt beside Li Da, her head hanging low.
“Liu Ping! Did you hear what Li Da just said?”
County Magistrate Zhou asked sternly.
“I… I heard it…”
“Is it true?”
Liu Ping’s voice was faint as a mosquito’s buzz, but suddenly she raised her head sharply, her eyes full of humiliation and resentment.
“But, Great Noble Master! If not for that poor, miserable Liu Wu who constantly beat me—just because I ate one extra mouthful of coarse rice!—he would never have laid hands on me! This life is unbearable!”
Her voice cracked with sobs, and a faded old scar appeared faintly as she tugged at her sleeve.
No sooner had she finished speaking—
“You shameless woman! Shut your filthy mouth and come home with me!”
Liu Wu, restrained nearby, was furious, eyes bloodshot, struggling to break free.
“Honor—power—!”
The guards roared in unison, striking their staffs down with a thunderous noise that barely kept the raging Liu Wu in check.
“Silence! Another outburst in the court will earn ten lashes!”
County Magistrate Zhou struck the Jingtangmu twice, his authority undeniable. Then he turned to Lu Qiancha, his face slightly flushed as he lowered his voice in embarrassment.
“Such trivial matters of the marketplace have soiled the Master’s refined ears and eyes… I am truly ashamed.”
Hearing this, Lu Qiancha shook her head with a smile and said, “County Magistrate, you speak too humbly.”
“A cultivator calmly observing the mortal world—this human realm of smoke and fire, of loves tangled and joys and sorrows parted—is but a lingering echo of the grand Dao. It is, in its own way… quite fascinating.”
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