A woman in red boldly stepped into the military camp.
"Please forgive this officer's poor sight."
Magistrate Ji could not help but size up the other party, puzzlingly asking, "Miss, who might you be?"
"This humble girl's surname is Sun, first name Li."
The woman unhooked a copper plate from her waist and held it high: "By the orders of Governor Mansion, I have come to Po Yang for the Selection Officer role."
Hearing this name, Magistrate Ji suddenly awoke, standing up with a clasped fist, "Hehe, who would have thought, the daughter of Lord Governor himself gracing us with her presence, this officer has been remiss, remiss!"
Chen Sansi couldn't help but take another look at the woman.
Did Lord Governor really send his own daughter to Po Yang?
For the Selection Officer role?
She definitely had other matters to attend to.
However, it seemed that for now, someone was speaking on his behalf, so he could save himself a lot of effort.
"Miss Sun, please do not misunderstand."
Magistrate Ji's tone was much kinder, "This officer also appreciates talent and merely wished to give Chen Zongqi another option."
"Appreciates talent?"
Sun Li bluntly stated, "How come I can't hear any kindness in Lord Prefect's words, but instead, I can sense quite a bit of a threatening tone?"
Magistrate Ji defended, "This officer has no such intentions, Miss Sun must not speak recklessly."
"Just joking, don't take it seriously, Lord Prefect."
Sun Li whispered to the young man beside her, "Chen Zongqi, I have something to ask you, may I have a moment?"
Ji Guangxian watched the two leave, then sat back down in his chair.
Right after, Xiang Tingchun walked in.
Xiang Tingchun showed displeasure, "Are you aiming for my man?"
"do you have any idea how much trouble your slashing has caused me?"
Ji Guangxian angrily said, "The twelve counties of An Ding Prefecture, dozens of Martial Arts Halls, their spittle nearly drowned this officer, and someone even pulled strings to send a petition to the Cabinet, what would you have me do?"
"Calm yourselves, Magistrate Ji."
Xiang Tingchun shrugged indifferently, "I was also considering the greater plans for the spring, how could I dispatch troops without silver?"
"Greater plans? You, a mere commander, dare to speak of greater plans, what a joke!"
Ji Guangxian snorted coldly, "You're lucky, if it weren't for Crown Prince personally selecting officers above the Refining Internal level, your head would've already fallen!"
Xiang Tingchun's pupil shivered, "Magistrate Ji, the Crown Prince has heard of me?!"
Ji Guangxian sarcastically said without sparing any feelings, "It's only because Mr. Gao from the Ministry respects you to some degree, if you truly make some achievements, he would naturally recommend you for further cultivation. This officer's visit to Po Yang is also on the task assigned by Mr. Gao."
Feeling humiliated, Xiang Tingchun, with a calm voice, asked, "What task?"
Ji Guangxian said, "Is there a follower of the Witch God Sect hidden here in Po Yang, holding something in their possession? Are you aware? This matter is of great importance; even the Emperor has decreed that the magistrate specially investigates this, do not hide anything."
Xiang Tingchun carefully omitted and half-truthfully explained the matters concerning the Witch God Sect.
"Continue investigating."
Ji Guangxian sternly said, "The merit for this case is no smaller than annihilating a barbarian tribe, understood?"
"This officer will thoroughly investigate, no need for the Lord Prefect to worry," Xiang Tingchun calmly replied.
"Alright, now that official matters are concluded, let us discuss some private matters."
Ji Guangxian, still furious, pointed at his nose and said, "You need to give me an explanation for the matters concerning the Sun Family, can I still command respect in An Ding Prefecture if Chen Sansi doesn't disappear from Po Yang?"
"Impossible, I need him."
Xiang Tingchun scoffed coldly, "Moreover, you shouldn't be saying this to me, but to Miss Sun."
"No one can stop me!"
Ji Guangxian firmly stated, "The more talented the boy is, the less he should be left to the Governor, the better it would be if he could be of use to me!"
Seizing the opportunity to counterattack, Xiang Tingchun scoffed, "He's been pursuing Martial Arts for two months and is already approaching Bone Training, do you think he would regard you as a prefect?
"Besides, I may not bother if you want to make things difficult for him, but as a fellow official, it's necessary for me to give you a heads up.
"This young man's character is kind when described as kind, but discussing his ruthless and brutal actions, he even surpasses me.
"You can't convict him, yet you intimidate others. Think about the outcome of Old Fifth Song.
"Oh yes, he just ordered a fifteen-stone heavy bow from the Forge, tsk tsk...
"Lord Prefect, you should venture out less at night these days.
"If some mishap occurs, there's a high chance not even a corpse will be found. I would want to avenge you, but there wouldn't be any evidence!"
Ji Guangxian was quite confident, "If that happens, it would be a good reason to execute him!"
Xiang Tingchun said no more, gave him a look as if viewing a corpse, shook his head, and then turned to leave.
Outside the military camps, among the fields.
A man and a woman, one in red and one in blue, walked side by side.
Sun Li habitually placed one hand on the hilt of her sword, "According to the records of the Governor Mansion, you started Martial Arts after the autumn harvest, now two months have passed, what stage have you reached?"
Although she was a woman and not old, her tone carried an authoritarian sense characteristic of a senior.
"Replying to the Selected Officer,"
Chen Sansi answered truthfully, "I am currently undergoing Bone Training."
Sun Li's eyes initially flashed with surprise, then suddenly she remembered something, "Who rushed you into Bone Training? Didn't anyone tell you, practicing an inferior Breathing Skill then undergoing Bone Training will fix your Qi-Blood quality, locking your future potential?"
after a Selected Officer enters the Eight Camps, they receive a new Breathing Skill based on their qualification.
They start to practice a medium or superior Breathing Skill to replace the previous inferior one.
But after Bone Training, the quality of the Qi-Blood is locked, and it can no longer be changed.
According to the rules, the person responsible for teaching Selected Officers should make this clear.
Chen Sansi was startled, thinking something was amiss, he explained, "Selected Officer is overthinking it, the breathing technique I practiced is the 'Vast Righteousness Breathing Skill'."
"Vast Righteousness Breathing Skill?"
Sun Li reacted with surprise and suspicion, "Who taught you that?"
This Breathing Skill indeed was a superior one.
But it was also one of the hardest to learn, taught by the Eight Camps selectively only to those whose qualifications were truly high.
"Wang Zhi, Hundred Households Wang."
Chen Sansi stated, "The Selected Officer might know of him."
Sun Li inquired further, "I don't know this person. What does he look like, and where did he get the Vast Righteousness Breathing Skill?"
Chen Sansi briefly described his physical characteristics.
A subtle murderous intent flashed through Sun Li's eyes, "Where is he? Take me to him."
Chen Sansi answered, "He went to Prefecture City to visit relatives."
A few days ago, Wang Zhi had ridden away on a fast horse and had not been seen since.
At that time, he felt it seemed less like visiting relatives and more like fleeing.
From Miss Sun's attitude, it seemed like he guessed correctly.
Had Wang Zhi embezzled too much, or was there another crime?
If his offenses were too great, even he might not be able to help.
"Never mind, we'll discuss it when he returns."
Sun Li took a deep breath, "Let's go."
Chen Sansi was confused, "Go where?"
Sun Li smiled, "I'm tired, I'd like to visit Chen Zongqi's home for some tea. Would that be unwelcome?"
"Of course, you're welcome. Follow me."
Chen Sansi led the way, pondering the other party's intentions.
What was this, a home visit?
The Governor Mansion was indeed rigorous in selecting personnel, needing to understand every aspect of a candidate's background.