Chapter 76: Chapter 1

The curtains intertwined, occasionally revealing a glimpse of a maid’s graceful figure.

Clearly, it must be some wealthy family planning to settle in this godforsaken Black Mountain!

Though the reason remains unknown,

it’s obvious they’re well-connected with a spot in the inner city!

The constables boast and bully in Black Mountain City, living comfortably, but that depends on who they compare themselves with.

To confront such people is like an old man hanging himself, drinking arsenic—courting death!

As he finished cursing, he looked toward the foremost carriage inscribed with the character ’Xie,’ intending to smile apologetically towards the distinguished person inside.

At that moment, a mocking laugh suddenly emanated from the foremost carriage:

"How greedy you are, when did you start making money in Black Mountain City like this?"

The voice sounded incredibly young, crisp, with a hint of laziness.

Zheng couldn’t help but wonder to himself: "Which family’s young girl is talking nonsense here? What money can be made in Black Mountain City..."

As he was secretly griping, suddenly, a graceful figure in cyan leapt down from the carriage, a sword at her waist, striking a dazzling pose.

The other constables nearby had rarely seen such a girl, their eyes almost bulging out.

But Zheng dared not look at the girl’s face.

Because...

Seeing her cyan and green robe, embroidered with the unique pattern of the Demon Hunting Department, and the token at her waist, he dared not look any further, his body shivering, cold sweat streaming!

The clothes of the Great Zhao Official Mansion cannot be forged or counterfeited.

Who dares impersonate or wear them...

Such acts are punishable by death!

And this woman’s attire, her bearing, indeed suits the eighth-grade cyan and green robe, the demon hunting uniform!

The entire Black Mountain City has only one person entitled to wear such attire!

According to official regulations,

Black Mountain City regularly hosts a seventh-grade guardian, an eighth-grade military commander, an eighth-grade Demon Hunting Bureau Chief, and a ninth-grade Outer City Government Office Head.

About half a month ago,

The previous guardian seemed to have been abruptly arrested overnight by someone important from the prefecture city due to orders from above.

And the Demon Hunting Bureau Chief of Black Mountain City, due to years of poor performance, had consecutively changed three positions; one died, two resigned, and no successor has been appointed yet.

Only Lord Liang, the military commander overseeing the inner city’s ’three hundred martial soldiers,’ remained as steady as the evergreen tree.

These days, all the taxes collected in Black Mountain City fell into the hands of that person, being shared among several inner-city elites.

Though still using the name of ’Lord Guardian’...

The guardian had long vanished without a trace.

But recently, it was rumored,

A new ’Guardian’ would be parachuted in to take up a post in Black Mountain.

Wait a minute!

Zheng looked at the young girl who had just leapt from the carriage, her tiger-patterned golden boots stepping into the muddy ground without minding the dirt, turning to glance back at the carriage, the suspected ’Black Mountain Demon Hunting Chief’ young maiden,

In his heart...

A bold conjecture suddenly emerged.

A while ago, this lady turned her head and asked the noble person in the carriage when they started making money in Black Mountain City, combined with her suspected identity as Demon Hunting Bureau Chief, the identity of the person inside,

Wasn’t it clear as day?!

The unremarkable old servant silently controlled the carriage at the front, simultaneously lifting the curtain.

At the same time, a corner of the scarlet robe entered Zheng’s sight, scaring him into a ’thud,’ a chill rushing up his spine, immediately kneeling on the ground!

The young Scarlet Guardian stepped down from the carriage.

Looking at the city gate’s dilapidated walls, seemingly ready to crumble at a push,

While gazing inward at each ring,

The luxurious scene within the innermost ’inner city’ circle still faintly visible.

Meanwhile,

Song Chai Xin glanced at the girl beside him with her hands behind her back, gently raising her brow, surveying the entirety of Black Mountain City without really looking at him, casting off burdens completely.

Remembering the experiences from three days ago and the past few days, he unconsciously touched the corner of his lips.

Then, deliberately clearing his throat:

"How ridiculous."

"I’ve just been appointed as Guardian; when did I ever collect excessive taxes?"

"Such nonsense."

"Director Ruan, you’re being rather improper with hierarchy."

Though he, Song Chai Xin, was not a good person,

He always adhered to the principle of ’doing as much as one eats.’

For instance, this tax collection, concerning his future cultivation, obtaining the elixir and resources for the Great Innate Cultivation, must not be sloppy; it must be gouged.

Xie Mansion merely paid him ten taels of True Gold, barely enough to settle the family affairs, indirectly showing that the old man really lacked much foundation, perhaps even owing debts daily outside while supporting that large family.

Luckily, he was capable, additionally with Xie Qiaoxuan’s previous efforts and endeavors, won this position as a seventh-grade Guardian.

The remaining cultivation, he could only ponder it himself!

Indeed, fate is full of twists and turns.

Even finding a family backing couldn’t bring him much cultivation assistance,

Alas, life is tough...

Yet even so,

Song Chai Xin felt he wouldn’t exploit the impoverished mountain dwellers.

How could more money, more resources be extracted from them?

Besides, isn’t that simply taking lives?

Having experienced hardship in childhood, he knew the pain of having nothing.

It truly thrusts people onto a dead end, squeezing not even two taels of oil.

If he truly had to garner, he should target those establishing merchant caravans, controlling salt and iron, opening martial arts halls, schools, or the local gangs, noble clans for collection.

These people on his three-acre land bring quite a few benefits.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com