Chapter 24: The Official Path is Conducive to Spiritual Cultivation

What he saw in this scene was not just the frames of the local deities’ sedan chairs, but rather the influence and power wielded by Wang Zhenling…

When word of this spread, Wang Zhenling’s position in the township was truly unshakable. Even those prominent figures in the county office, upon hearing of it, would be forced to regard Wang Zhenling with new respect.

As for himself, he was bound to become the unlucky target of this turn of events! And not just him—even the township steward would have a hard time from now on.

Wang Zhenling could summon every spirit and deity of the township with a single command—how could the township steward possibly compete with such prestige and authority? In the future, he might find himself keeping a wide berth whenever he saw Wang Zhenling approaching.

At this thought, he couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh; he could already picture the misfortunes that awaited him in days to come!

Zhu He was truly worthy of being called an experienced functionary—keenly observant, he had guessed everything perfectly.

After that night’s events became known, everyone in the township, from the steward down to the common constables, regarded Wang Zhenling with awe and reverence.

Initially, the township steward had intended to put Wang Zhenling in his place, to suppress him and show him who was in charge.

But after that night, all such thoughts vanished entirely; now, he actively avoided Wang Zhenling whenever possible.

The rest of the township clerks and officers greeted Wang Zhenling with utmost respect. The other prominent families in the township treated Wang Zhenling with great deference, and none would dare disregard his commands.

When news of this reached the county office, even Chen, the county magistrate, and the scholars Mr. Yu and Mr. Feng, could not help but express their amazement.

“I never expected it, never expected it at all. This Hermit of Meishan possesses such abilities. I almost misjudged him…” said Magistrate Chen, who hailed from the distinguished Chen family of Hezhong. He knew full well just how difficult it was to command the appearance of every spirit and deity in a township.

Such a feat could not be accomplished by family background alone—it could only be attributed to Wang Zhenling’s own capabilities and prestige.

For Wang Zhenling to achieve this, by any measure, marked him as a truly exceptional talent.

“Congratulations, Magistrate, congratulations! Truly, you have an eye for hidden gems. Without your discerning vision, how could you have discovered such a talent?” Mr. Feng added.

Magistrate Chen had not initially thought much of Wang Zhenling, considering him of little more value than a horse’s bone. Who could have guessed that this unremarkable ‘bone’ would shine so brightly?

He was beginning to feel some regret and self-reproach, but Mr. Feng’s words turned his annoyance into joy.

Indeed, he had recruited Wang Zhenling and promoted him—this alone showed his good judgment!

Flatterer!

Mr. Yu cursed Mr. Feng inwardly for stealing the opportunity to curry favor. Of course, he would not be foolish enough to contradict him and risk souring Magistrate Chen’s mood—that would only bring trouble upon himself.

He merely smiled, thinking, “You may be better at flattery, but when it comes to important matters, you’re no match for me!”

He then addressed Magistrate Chen with a serious tone: “Since you are about to undertake a great task, and this Wandering Patrol of Guangyang seems to have some ability, why not involve him as well?”

Magistrate Chen hesitated slightly, not yet having spoken when Mr. Feng interjected, “Magistrate, this is such an important matter—would it be wise to bring in an outsider so suddenly? If word were to leak out…”

“What outsider? Magistrate, you are the one who appointed him; he will always be your protégé and subordinate. As you pursue greater achievements in the future, though your family has many capable men, you must also cultivate your own trusted talents,” Mr. Yu replied with a soft laugh.

This immediately struck a chord with Magistrate Chen. If all went as expected, his future prospects were indeed bright—attaining a position among the Three Lords or Nine Ministers was not out of the question.

The larger his influence grew, the more talent he would require. And what could be better than grooming and employing men he himself had selected?

Although he was currently serving in a minor county to gain experience, this was an excellent opportunity to cultivate a few useful subordinates.

Men from his family could not always be relied upon to be obedient and trustworthy.

With this in mind, Magistrate Chen nodded, saying, “That is an excellent suggestion!”

At this, Mr. Feng ceased his objections, though he was visibly unsettled at having been outmaneuvered by Mr. Yu. He bore Wang Zhenling no ill will; he objected out of habit, simply because it was Mr. Yu’s proposal. This time, however, he had lost the contest.

Still, both were accustomed to their rivalry and knew it would not be easy to outdo the other. They would simply wait and see what the future held.

Wang Zhenling, meanwhile, was entirely unaware that his fate was being shaped by these discussions. In the township, his position was now secure.

Even the township steward kept his distance, not daring to provoke him.

The Three Elders were openly friendly towards Wang Zhenling.

As for the clerks and officers below, they treated him with deep respect—making his days far more pleasant.

As for the unfortunate Zhu He, who had challenged Wang Zhenling’s authority and tried to trip him up from the outset, he had expected disaster to befall himself—but Wang Zhenling merely scolded him and ordered him to focus on his duties.

Zhu He had feared harsh reprisals, perhaps even ruin for his family, but Wang Zhenling’s magnanimity left him deeply grateful. From then on, he worked even more diligently.

Wang Zhenling had recognized Zhu He’s competence and experience—he was a useful talent.

Wang Zhenling himself had little desire to be burdened by these trivial affairs, so after offering some instruction, he put Zhu He to work.

With Wang Hu overseeing matters, there was little room for error.

Thus, Wang Zhenling could devote himself to his cultivation.

Since becoming a Wandering Patrol, Wang Zhenling could no longer leave his body to cultivate in the spirit.

The official authority granted by his position brought immense power, but also great suppression and interference.

Nevertheless, a smile lingered on Wang Zhenling’s face as he murmured to himself, “It is truly said that the government is a fine place for cultivation!”

Seated cross-legged in his quarters, he slowly practiced his breathing and meditation.

With his official rank and seal, he could mobilize the fortune of the government for his own use.

Yet such power was not truly his own; should he ever lose his position, all of it would be gone.

Only the power gained through his own cultivation, however meager, would remain truly his, never to be taken away.

In the air, invisible to the common eye, dense official energy rose and fell, surging like tides and resonating in harmony.

This was a force purer than the spiritual energy of heaven and earth—a single breath of it was worth a hundred breaths of spiritual energy.

If he used this official energy in his cultivation, Wang Zhenling found it as effective as training beside the spiritual pool in the Celestial Cavern.

However, unlike spiritual energy, without the so-called Lotus Seed of Heaven’s Reach, Wang Zhenling would not be able to draw upon the government’s fortune.

Official energy had its own rules: all officials could command and use its power, but none could claim it as their own.