Cultivating by picking up attri

Chapter 20: Chapter 18: A Great Man Born Between Heaven and Earth

Translator: 549690339

The next day, in the faint light of dawn, the snow had stopped.

The morning dew was heavy, the air humid.

Han Ye was already up and washing his face. He dabbed some clear water and styled his own hair in front of a bronze mirror.

“Benefactor, what are you up to so early, won’t you sleep a little longer?”

Tushan Qingli was lying on the bed, supporting her cheek with one hand, she asked with curiosity.

“I came to the County of Skyfire with a mission.”

After Han Ye had smoothed out his cowlick, he cautioned solemnly:

“Remember, in front of others, you must never reveal your identity as a member of the Demon Race. Otherwise, you’ll be in danger.”

“Benefactor, I understand this point.”

Tushan Qingli obediently nodded.

“And another thing, don’t call me ‘Benefactor’, it makes me feel uncomfortable.”

Han Ye sighed helplessly. This name was too awkward, primarily because others would know what had happened just by hearing this address.

“Alright, then I’ll call you Young Master, Young Master Han.”

Tushan Qingli playfully stuck out her tongue.

Han Ye took a deep breath.

After thinking over it all last night, he barely managed to accept the fact that a white fox had suddenly become his companion.

They both talked a lot last night.

Tushan Qingli said that although she was a member of the Tushan family, the place where she used to live had long been taken over by other members of the Demon Race.

She had to flee to the mortal realm with her mother.

It took her a full three hundred years of cultivation to shapeshift into human form.

In the Demon Race, this age was still very young, equivalent to a child’s age.

Han Ye admitted that he had read many classic stories about fox women and youngsters, shell maidens, golden carp repaying kindness, and had fantasized about coming across them someday. But who would have expected that this would actually happen to him.

“Look at the bright side, Tushan Qingli is a descendant of Fox Immortal, not an ordinary demon, she’s not that scary.”

With this thought, he felt somewhat more at ease.

“I am going to visit the Liang County Magistrate. Will you stay here and wait for me to come back and pick you up, or what?”

“There’s no need to trouble yourself so much, I can follow Young Master silently.”

Tushan Qingli smiled softly.

Her delicate body then became ethereal, turning into a wisp of green smoke, disappearing into Han Ye’s sleeve.

Seeing this, Han Ye’s eyes revealed astonishment and he admiringly said, “This skill is amazing, you come and go without a trace, could you teach me this?”

The voice of Tushan Qingli sounded in his ear, “Sure, it’s easy. Just cultivate for a hundred years.”

“Uh…”

Han Ye was at a loss for words.

Early in the morning, the escort carriage drove up to the entrance of the County of Skyfire House and stopped.

This trip was led by Han Ye, he also wanted to assess the abilities of these newly trained guards.

“Brother Han, how big an official is this Prefect?”

Along the way, Wang Da Niu suddenly turned his head to ask Han Ye this question.

Han Ye clearly didn’t expect Da Niu to be interested in this, after thinking for a while, he explained:

“In Great Zhou, this is a very high-ranking official, a 4th rank, and considered the honor of a prefecture. He is the prefect, you can consider him the boss of eight counties, managing one-tenth of Yun Province.”

“Equivalent to eight county magistrates, that’s so big.”

Wang Da Niu also marveled in admiration.

Han Ye laughed lightly and said, “Above the Prefect, there are provincial governors holding sway over a province, and above them there are viceroys, as powerful as a local emperor.”

“In my life, I’ve never left the county. Such vast provinces and regions, are there cultivators there too?”

“Um… I’m not sure.”

Han Ye hadn’t really considered this question.

What exactly was the relationship between the Great Zhou Dynasty and the cultivators’ sects?

Was it a cooperative alliance, or did the sects and the court remain neutral, neither interfering with each other?

Of course.

This wasn’t something he needed to think about now.

For now, he just needed to do his job well.

From afar, Han Ye saw a robust middle-aged man in a scarlet official robe.

He approached with a smile to greet him.

“My respects to the Liang County Magistrate!”

“Ah, if it isn’t Warrior Han. I didn’t expect that Master Liu would have you escort me.”

Upon hearing his voice, Liang County Magistrate turned his head, revealing a pleasantly surprised expression, and chuckled.

“Months passed, yet Warrior Han, you seem to become even more robust.”

He uttered in a teasing tone.

In fact, what he said was indeed true.

Han Ye had become a martial artist. Whether it was his spirit, vigor, or physical shape, all had greatly advanced compared to a few months ago. Hence, the Liang County Magistrate’s observation was correct.

Han Ye smiled slightly and bowed his hand: “Sir, I should now call you Lord Liang. Congratulations on your promotion! Also, I’m here on behalf of Master Liu to congratulate you.”

After finishing, he handed over a jade token.

A huge smile appeared on the face of Liang County Magistrate. As he accepted the jade token, he waved off: “I have not yet taken up the office, there’s no need for such courtesy. These things from Liu Xinglong will become useful when I travel to the Xiangnan Prefecture. As always, he is very astute, afraid of any mistake.”

Han Ye complimented, “Your official fortune is prosperous, and you’ve received the emperor’s favor. In the future, I’m certain that you will rise rapidly and stand beside the emperor.”

This sycophantic remark hit the right chord and Liang County Magistrate couldn’t help but smile: “Going to Xiangnan is indeed a favor from the emperor. I have been the magistrate of the County of Skyfire for eight years, and now I am finally moving up in the ranks.”

“Wait, I have something to give you.”

As he spoke, Liang County Magistrate seemed to recall something and took out a sealed letter from his package.

He presented it in front of Han Ye.

“What is this?”

Han Ye asked in confusion.

Liang County Magistrate explained with a smile, “I wrote this letter two months ago.”

“Looking at our Great Zhou, where everything runs smoothly, many cultivation sects stand tall, exceptional talents emerge. The world is so vast, what place can’t we go to? A nobleman born in the world, how can he dwell beneath others for a long time? Coming from a humble background is not a disgrace. As an official, I fully understand the hardship of people of humble birth, so…”

“You must keep this commandment safe.”

When Han Ye took the envelope, he finally realized.

The object in his hands was the mandate that Liang County Magistrate wrote for the Liu Manor.

Its purpose was to free him from his status of servitude!

“My gratitude to Master Liang!”

At this moment, Han Ye was deeply moved. He bowed to the direction of Liang County Magistrate, his gaze firm and he formally said:

“Your favor, sir, I shall never forget.”

“Very well…”

The Liang County Magistrate stroked his beard and smiled with satisfaction.

It wasn’t until the emissary from the court arrived to urge that the two parted ways.

Han Ye looked at the two emissaries from the court. Noticing their powerful gaze like that of a dark hawk, their profound breath, graceful posture, and how they escorted the carriage carrying Master Liang as it pulled away.

Obviously, these were individuals not to be trifled with.

Clearly, this Great Zhou’s court was no typical mortal dynasty.

Han Ye mused.

Having safely delivered the item, the matters to follow got simpler.

Han Ye and his party started their journey back to the manor.

On the way, Gao Qichang was driving the horse carriage, with other guards riding horses. He glanced at the thoughtful Han Ye and interjected: “Brother Han, with your kind of abilities, how is it possible that you ended up as a tenant at the Liu Manor?”

“Indeed, Han brother’s martial arts is the fastest and best I’ve ever seen. It’s hard to believe that he’s actually of tenant-origin. You should know, the money I earn as a carpenter has mostly all been spent on body training.”

“Same here, the income from my father’s ironmongery shop, all of it gets spent on buying esoteric medicines. My father keeps calling me a spendthrift, he doesn’t understand that this is just the first step in cultivation. If I could really become a member of a sect, what would the money matter then?’”‘

“You’re already at the internal organs realm, right? With such a foundation, in the future, you’ll join the Dragon Sparrow Sect, who cares about servitude? If I were you, I wouldn’t even bother.”

Guards on the journey like Li Chong, Zhao Jin, etc., all joined the conversation.

A group of rough men, unusually finding common ground.

Han Ye remained silent for a while, then sighed and said:

“It’s a matter of time and destiny, I don’t wish it either.”

Gao Qichang comforted him unusually: “Brother Han, don’t ever believe in destiny. It’s all up to you. Fight for what belongs to you.”

“Thank you, Brother Gao.”

Hearing this, it seemed Han Ye made a decision and he chuckled.

“You’re welcome, just remember us when you become successful in the future.”

“Haha, deal.”

It took them roughly half a day to return to the Liu Manor.

After entering the Liu Manor, Han Ye, holding the mandate from Liang County Magistrate, walked along the long veranda of the courtyard, his expression somewhat cautious and hesitant.

Eventually, he headed towards Master Liu’s study room.