Longevity Reward Redemption: The Immortal Clan Starts with Farmers

26: Immortal Official Baili CeThe County Commandant’s residence.

County Commandant Liu Jiang held a cup of popular and sought-after jasmine tea, looking at the wealthy landowners surrounding him with a smile.

”County Commandant Liu, please pay more attention to my Family’s matters; I will surely reward you handsomely!”

”Yes, County Commandant Liu, please look after the military service quota for our village!”

A group of wealthy landowners were all smiles, surrounding County Commandant Liu Jiang and speaking with great caution.

Previously, each of them had offered a large amount of silver to secure an exemption from military service for their own families and connections.

”Rest assured, everyone. Since I, Liu Jiang, have promised you, I will certainly see it through!”

County Commandant Liu Jiang responded with a chuckle and set down his teacup.

Everyone understood the gesture of seeing guests out. Although they were still somewhat worried, receiving a promise from County Commandant Liu Jiang was still considered a gain.

”Then we are at ease. Farewell, County Commandant Liu!”

The crowd cupped their hands in farewell and left County Commandant Liu Jiang’s residence one after another. Watching them depart, Liu Jiang stood up with his hands behind his back, a satisfied expression on his face.

This was already the dozen or so group of wealthy landowners he had received. Each time, he collected a massive amount of silver; he had now accumulated two hundred thousand taels.

Two hundred thousand taels of silver!

Even the wealthiest Clans in Longwei County probably didn’t have much more than this!

Liu Jiang had always believed that power should be used while one had it, or it would go to waste. Moreover, the county’s Military Official was about to retire, and most of the power was already in his hands. Who would dare to investigate him?

”Someone! Bring me the gold hairpin I bought at Jinfu Pavilion yesterday. I’m going to present it to Miss Lin of the County Magistrate’s Family!”

Liu Jiang called out to a servant, a smile on his face, as if he could already see Miss Lin’s beautiful smile.

Liu Jiang was thirty-eight years old and still unmarried because he felt his martial path still had room for advancement, with a chance to break through to the Fourth Realm, the Blood Refining Realm!

Thus, he wouldn’t marry easily; he had to wait until he became stronger to be worthy of an even more outstanding woman.

The Young Miss of County Magistrate Lin’s Family was exactly Liu Jiang’s target. By marrying Miss Lin, he would not only win a beauty but also establish a connection with County Magistrate Lin.

Once he became the County Magistrate’s son-in-law, wouldn’t the position of the retiring Military Official be reserved for him?

At this thought, Liu Jiang could no longer suppress his excitement, wishing he could see Miss Lin right this moment.

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Meanwhile, at County Magistrate Lin’s residence.

County Magistrate Lin, over fifty with graying hair, was chatting happily with a young man.

If Chen Changsheng saw this young man, he would definitely recognize him as the person who had been inquiring about the military service in the village.

”Haha, Immortal Official Baili has finally taken office. With your assistance, my job as County Magistrate will be much easier!”

County Magistrate Lin stroked his beard, looking at the young man before him with considerable appreciation.

This young man was the newly appointed Immortal Official of Longwei County—Baili Xi, in charge of the county’s cultivation affairs!

”The County Magistrate overpraises me. I have come from afar and am not very familiar with the situation, so I will need your guidance!”

Baili Xi was very polite, with no trace of the arrogance common in those who succeed young; he seemed quite sophisticated.

”Haha, for Nephew Baili to be chosen as one in a thousand and become an Immortal Official appointed by the imperial court, you must surely be a dragon among men. I believe you will fulfill your duties as an Immortal Official!”

County Magistrate Lin clearly had a good impression of Baili Xi, especially after the latter showed respect for his Seniors and a steady, humble attitude.

”Speaking of duties, before taking office, I was instructed by my superiors to pay close attention to military service matters. I wonder if the County Magistrate has any insights into the recruitment in our Longwei County.”

A sharp light flickered in Baili Xi’s eyes. He didn’t care about the corrupt Liu Jiang, but being a newcomer, he feared Liu Jiang might have connections with the County Magistrate, so he secretly probed the Magistrate’s attitude.

”Oh, the military service is handled by County Commandant Liu Jiang. I haven’t paid much attention to it. If you wish to know more, I can have him come and report!”

County Magistrate Lin’s tone was indifferent, from which Baili Xi understood that Liu Jiang had not successfully curried favor with him.

”To be honest, before coming here, I did some investigating below. This Liu Jiang has concealed the military service of some people, and the silver he’s embezzled likely amounts to hundreds of thousands of taels!”

Once Baili Xi learned that Liu Jiang had no backing, he naturally didn’t hesitate to take action against him.

”Oh? Is that so? How do you think it should be handled, Nephew?”

County Magistrate Lin didn’t even blink upon hearing of Liu Jiang’s corruption; after being a County Magistrate for decades, he had seen far too many corrupt officials.

”I believe Liu Jiang should be executed! His estate confiscated!”

Baili Xi’s expression instantly became serious as he spoke decisively. Then, his expression changed, and he lowered his voice:

”As for the confiscated illicit funds, I am willing to offer half to your residence for your use.”

County Magistrate Lin slowly took a sip of tea. As the head of a county and a member of a cultivation Family that had dominated Longwei County for decades, even though he was only in the Qi Refinement Stage, silver no longer held any value in his eyes.

What he needed were spiritual items, Cultivation Techniques, and Medicinal Pills; the only thing he didn’t lack was silver, as he had amassed enough over the decades.

”You may handle the silver yourself, Nephew. As for Liu Jiang, being a County Commandant, his corruption and lawbreaking warrant a heavier penalty; sentence him to beheading and confiscation of property. This matter shall also be handled by you!”

County Magistrate Lin smiled slightly, then walked over to Baili Xi and said with a chuckle:

”In a few days, it will be my daughter’s birthday banquet. You must grace us with your presence, Nephew!”

”Certainly, certainly. I will definitely come to congratulate Miss Lin then!”

Baili Xi was taken aback for a moment, then immediately agreed with a smile.

County Magistrate Lin didn’t care about those hundreds of thousands of taels of silver, but Baili Xi did!

He was only a minor Cultivator at the Third Layer of Qi Refining with no background and was in desperate need of resources; that was the main reason he had targeted Liu Jiang.

Additionally, his superior really did want him to keep a close eye on recruitment. Liu Jiang’s corruption was ruining his future, so he took action!

He just didn’t expect the County Magistrate to suddenly change the subject to his daughter. Baili Xi was still unmarried and naturally understood that the Magistrate wanted to play matchmaker.

But as a Cultivator with no background, was he worthy?

In fact, he didn’t understand County Magistrate Lin’s heart’s trouble. The Magistrate was a Cultivator at the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining and had no hope of reaching Foundation Establishment in this lifetime.

So he focused his attention on his Family, but unfortunately, none of his direct descendants possessed a Spiritual Root!

This made him anxious. It just so happened that a young man with no background but possessing a Spiritual Root had come to town, giving the County Magistrate the idea of recruiting a son-in-law to marry into the Family.

What County Magistrate Lin wanted was Baili Xi’s Spiritual Root to produce descendants for his Lin Family!

”County Magistrate Lin, I shall take my leave now to handle the matter of County Commandant Liu Jiang!”

Baili Xi cupped his hands in farewell, and County Magistrate Lin smilingly saw him to the door.

Just like that, the fate of Liu Jiang, who was originally considered part of the county’s upper echelon, was easily decided by those truly in power!

Everything else is Low Grade; in this world, only Cultivators can truly control their own destiny!