Chapter 21
A Hidden Dragon in the Abyss, Unaware of the Times!
After the selection competition ended, the ghostwriters did not linger and left Shiyang County together.
Magistrate Lu extended a warm invitation to the ten seeded players and their families to attend a banquet at the county government office.
The Gu family of three went together.
Amidst a chorus of congratulations, Gu Changchuan's facial muscles tensed as he struggled to maintain his composure. However, upon seeing the chief镖头 (chief镖头, a person who has been escorting镖师, a term of respect for the head镖师) clasp his hands in congratulations, Gu Changchuan could not help but grin broadly.
Zhou Man's wrinkles around her eyes relaxed, and she looked radiant. The congratulatory voices were like the most beautiful music in the world, making her feel like she was floating on air.
They hadn't even left the academy yet.
A group of people blocked their way.
The leader, his hair standing on end in fury and his face contorted with hatred, was none other than Li Jisheng, the leader of the fishing gang.
"Gu Lin!!" Li Jisheng raised his hand and pointed his spear, roaring fiercely:
"How can someone so young be so ruthless?"
Gu Changchuan was about to retort.
Gu Lin stopped his father and suddenly smiled:
"So what?"
As Li Jisheng saw the approaching magistrate, he struggled to suppress his anger, his eyes blazing with fury, and he said viciously:
"If this grudge is not avenged, the Li family shall be reduced to ashes!!"
After saying this, he led his men away.
Of course, this beast can't be touched for a month!
But if the deadline has passed, you must repay double the amount to protect your family!!
......
The bamboo grove of the academy.
Zhao Yao and his son sat facing each other.
Magistrate Zhao angrily reprimanded:
"That's undignified and shameful!"
Zhao Yao had a cold expression.
He truly couldn't accept his failure, and since there were no outsiders around, he simply stated it bluntly:
"Father, I want to send someone to secretly kill Gu Lin. He must have a secret. If we get our hands on him, we can definitely shine in the Holy Land Selection Competition."
Magistrate Zhao slammed his fist on the table and roared in fury:
"Foolish! He's a top contender, under the protection of the imperial court for the next month!"
"If you harm him and leave a trace, the entire Zhao family will be ruined! Who would dare challenge the authority of the imperial court?"
Zhao Yao, his face full of resentment, lowered his voice and said:
"My brother is in the Martial Peak Hall; he has no shortage of secret methods..."
"Shut up!" Magistrate Zhao interrupted immediately, his anger blazing.
"You think the four holy lands are all in harmony? They fight from the central government to all twenty-eight states of the world. I heard from Can'er that even within the Martial Peak Hall, the competition is fierce and there are often killings. If we, these ants, challenge the authority of the court, others will seize the opportunity to make trouble, and Can'er will suffer a miserable end."
"Don't entertain any more foolish thoughts!"
After a slight pause, Magistrate Zhao composed himself and said in a deep voice:
"Gu Lin is definitely destined for great things, including that Zhu Yuting!"
"We cannot seize it by force; we must make them willingly offer it up to help you stand out in the Holy Land selection competition and don the sacred robes of the Three-Legged Golden Crow of the Martial Peak Hall!"
.......
In the county government banquet hall, dozens of people were toasting each other.
County Magistrate Zhao walked up to Gu Lin.
Gu Lin put down his wine cup and bowed with clasped hands.
County Magistrate Zhao nodded in approval:
"A wise man keeps his talents hidden until the right time to act; I admire your character."
"You flatter me," Gu Lin said lightly.
County Magistrate Zhao made a gesture:
"Move over?"
Gu Lin nodded.
The two arrived at the county government's household registration office, where two people were already waiting.
It turned out to be Zhao Yao and Zhu Yuting.
Zhao Yao stood by the window, his back to Gu Lin. The moment he saw Gu Lin, he was reminded of the cheater who had shone brightly in the willpower test through crooked means, which made him furious and nauseous!
County Magistrate Zhao slowly sat down, his gaze sweeping over the two men, and went straight to the point:
"As everyone knows, once you join the Holy Land, you get three ghostwriting positions. Although it's not as good as getting the position yourself through your own abilities, it's still a high-ranking position."
"If you are willing, once Yao'er joins the Holy Land, you will all rise above your station and be appointed as high-ranking officials."
"Of course, it has to be an equal exchange!"
Zhu Yuting's expression changed abruptly, and he remained silent for a long time.
Gu Lin remained expressionless throughout.
"Yu Ting." County Magistrate Zhao leaned down to look at the composed and reserved young man, and said in a gentle tone:
"If you get a job in the ghostwriter's office based on your own abilities, then my Zhao family will owe you a favor. Words are not enough; everything must be written in writing and stamped with the official seal."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhu Yuting's expression shifted slightly, his hand in his sleeve clenching and unclenching intermittently, clearly indicating that he was having an intense internal struggle.
He sensed that Lord Zhao was hiding a dagger behind his smile.
If he refuses, he will be fine for a month, but if he fails in the selection competition a month later, he will face swift and severe retaliation from his family.
The Household Registration Office fell into a long silence.
Zhu Yuting remained silent.
There are only six spots available for joining the Holy Land during the selection process.
He knew he couldn't win the competition.
But he was confident that he could be the ghostwriter and would not need to rely on Zhao Yao.
But with Lord Zhao's words, it was almost a reassurance.
After a long while, Zhu Yuting glanced at Gu Lin.
County Magistrate Zhao understood, but had not yet spoken.
Gu Lin voluntarily walked out of the government office.
He truly never expected that Zhu Yuting would actually offer up his opportunity—perhaps a cultivation technique, perhaps a treasure; he didn't know, and he didn't want to know.
After a while, Magistrate Zhao came out with a smile and gestured for Gu Lin to go back into the yamen.
Zhu Yuting was extremely weak, clutching a contract tightly in his hand. It indeed bore the seal of the county magistrate and Zhao Yao's blood.
He compromised for the sake of a certain future.
Zhao Yao, standing to the side, was beaming with joy, clearly extremely pleased.
County Magistrate Zhao looked at Gu Lin, "Young friend Gu, and what about you?"
Gu Lin was puzzled:
"What?"
County Magistrate Zhao's expression stiffened slightly; he didn't believe Gu Lin couldn't understand.
Since he was pretending to be stupid, he simply went for the blunt and crude approach:
"Young friend Gu, you must have something to rely on to surpass Yao'er in the test of willpower."
"On the dueling platform, you can fight three levels above others and you also have special martial arts. That silent claw mark move is truly amazing, as is that leg technique."
"This is the condition of the exchange."
Gu Lin shook his head and chuckled:
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Lord Zhao. I just dabbled in the martial arts pavilion of the academy and practiced two martial arts haphazardly. They were not systematic, let alone memorizing the incantations or drawing out each move."
County Magistrate Zhao's expression changed drastically.
Zhu Yuting, who was standing to the side, was also incredulous. He had never expected that Gu Lin could be so defiant against the Zhao family!
County Magistrate Zhao, barely suppressing his anger, said in a harsh tone:
"Forgive my bluntness, but with your strength, it is absolutely impossible for you to become a ghostwriter. Your only option is to join a sect. You should know that sects are under the jurisdiction of the Divine Dynasty and cannot shelter the guilty."
The implication was too obvious.
They can fabricate a crime at will and say you're guilty, that you're extremely heinous. Which sect in Chuwei County would dare to defy the imperial court and protect a wanted criminal?
Gu Lin still had a smile on his face:
"This junior is truly powerless to help."
County Magistrate Zhao stared at him for a long time, then said, emphasizing each word:
"Very good, go back!!!"
Gu Lin turned and left, his smile vanishing instantly, replaced by a chilling expression.
Do I need your help to spare a ghostwriter position?
Threat?
Once I join the Holy Land, I'll thoroughly investigate whether your Zhao family has committed any crimes!
Watching Gu Lin's departing figure, Zhao Yao's face was grim, his eyes filled with gloom.
Even if Gu Lin offered him the opportunity, he wouldn't honor the contract. At that point, he would have the power to explain himself however he wanted.
He truly hadn't expected that Gu Lin would dare to so firmly refuse the Zhao family!
This lowly maggot is ungrateful and deserves to die!
County Magistrate Zhao, barely suppressing his anger, sneered:
"Yu Ting, someone as clueless as him won't go far."
Zhu Yuting nodded in agreement.
He didn't understand at all what Gu Lin was being so forceful about.
Offering up treasures, attaching themselves to the Zhao family, and becoming ghostwriters to transcend social classes—for ordinary people like them from a small county town, this was the greatest opportunity.
Magistrate Lu extended a warm invitation to the ten seeded players and their families to attend a banquet at the county government office.
The Gu family of three went together.
Amidst a chorus of congratulations, Gu Changchuan's facial muscles tensed as he struggled to maintain his composure. However, upon seeing the chief镖头 (chief镖头, a person who has been escorting镖师, a term of respect for the head镖师) clasp his hands in congratulations, Gu Changchuan could not help but grin broadly.
Zhou Man's wrinkles around her eyes relaxed, and she looked radiant. The congratulatory voices were like the most beautiful music in the world, making her feel like she was floating on air.
They hadn't even left the academy yet.
A group of people blocked their way.
The leader, his hair standing on end in fury and his face contorted with hatred, was none other than Li Jisheng, the leader of the fishing gang.
"Gu Lin!!" Li Jisheng raised his hand and pointed his spear, roaring fiercely:
"How can someone so young be so ruthless?"
Gu Changchuan was about to retort.
Gu Lin stopped his father and suddenly smiled:
"So what?"
As Li Jisheng saw the approaching magistrate, he struggled to suppress his anger, his eyes blazing with fury, and he said viciously:
"If this grudge is not avenged, the Li family shall be reduced to ashes!!"
After saying this, he led his men away.
Of course, this beast can't be touched for a month!
But if the deadline has passed, you must repay double the amount to protect your family!!
......
The bamboo grove of the academy.
Zhao Yao and his son sat facing each other.
Magistrate Zhao angrily reprimanded:
"That's undignified and shameful!"
Zhao Yao had a cold expression.
He truly couldn't accept his failure, and since there were no outsiders around, he simply stated it bluntly:
"Father, I want to send someone to secretly kill Gu Lin. He must have a secret. If we get our hands on him, we can definitely shine in the Holy Land Selection Competition."
Magistrate Zhao slammed his fist on the table and roared in fury:
"Foolish! He's a top contender, under the protection of the imperial court for the next month!"
"If you harm him and leave a trace, the entire Zhao family will be ruined! Who would dare challenge the authority of the imperial court?"
Zhao Yao, his face full of resentment, lowered his voice and said:
"My brother is in the Martial Peak Hall; he has no shortage of secret methods..."
"Shut up!" Magistrate Zhao interrupted immediately, his anger blazing.
"You think the four holy lands are all in harmony? They fight from the central government to all twenty-eight states of the world. I heard from Can'er that even within the Martial Peak Hall, the competition is fierce and there are often killings. If we, these ants, challenge the authority of the court, others will seize the opportunity to make trouble, and Can'er will suffer a miserable end."
"Don't entertain any more foolish thoughts!"
After a slight pause, Magistrate Zhao composed himself and said in a deep voice:
"Gu Lin is definitely destined for great things, including that Zhu Yuting!"
"We cannot seize it by force; we must make them willingly offer it up to help you stand out in the Holy Land selection competition and don the sacred robes of the Three-Legged Golden Crow of the Martial Peak Hall!"
.......
In the county government banquet hall, dozens of people were toasting each other.
County Magistrate Zhao walked up to Gu Lin.
Gu Lin put down his wine cup and bowed with clasped hands.
County Magistrate Zhao nodded in approval:
"A wise man keeps his talents hidden until the right time to act; I admire your character."
"You flatter me," Gu Lin said lightly.
County Magistrate Zhao made a gesture:
"Move over?"
Gu Lin nodded.
The two arrived at the county government's household registration office, where two people were already waiting.
It turned out to be Zhao Yao and Zhu Yuting.
Zhao Yao stood by the window, his back to Gu Lin. The moment he saw Gu Lin, he was reminded of the cheater who had shone brightly in the willpower test through crooked means, which made him furious and nauseous!
County Magistrate Zhao slowly sat down, his gaze sweeping over the two men, and went straight to the point:
"As everyone knows, once you join the Holy Land, you get three ghostwriting positions. Although it's not as good as getting the position yourself through your own abilities, it's still a high-ranking position."
"If you are willing, once Yao'er joins the Holy Land, you will all rise above your station and be appointed as high-ranking officials."
"Of course, it has to be an equal exchange!"
Zhu Yuting's expression changed abruptly, and he remained silent for a long time.
Gu Lin remained expressionless throughout.
"Yu Ting." County Magistrate Zhao leaned down to look at the composed and reserved young man, and said in a gentle tone:
"If you get a job in the ghostwriter's office based on your own abilities, then my Zhao family will owe you a favor. Words are not enough; everything must be written in writing and stamped with the official seal."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhu Yuting's expression shifted slightly, his hand in his sleeve clenching and unclenching intermittently, clearly indicating that he was having an intense internal struggle.
He sensed that Lord Zhao was hiding a dagger behind his smile.
If he refuses, he will be fine for a month, but if he fails in the selection competition a month later, he will face swift and severe retaliation from his family.
The Household Registration Office fell into a long silence.
Zhu Yuting remained silent.
There are only six spots available for joining the Holy Land during the selection process.
He knew he couldn't win the competition.
But he was confident that he could be the ghostwriter and would not need to rely on Zhao Yao.
But with Lord Zhao's words, it was almost a reassurance.
After a long while, Zhu Yuting glanced at Gu Lin.
County Magistrate Zhao understood, but had not yet spoken.
Gu Lin voluntarily walked out of the government office.
He truly never expected that Zhu Yuting would actually offer up his opportunity—perhaps a cultivation technique, perhaps a treasure; he didn't know, and he didn't want to know.
After a while, Magistrate Zhao came out with a smile and gestured for Gu Lin to go back into the yamen.
Zhu Yuting was extremely weak, clutching a contract tightly in his hand. It indeed bore the seal of the county magistrate and Zhao Yao's blood.
He compromised for the sake of a certain future.
Zhao Yao, standing to the side, was beaming with joy, clearly extremely pleased.
County Magistrate Zhao looked at Gu Lin, "Young friend Gu, and what about you?"
Gu Lin was puzzled:
"What?"
County Magistrate Zhao's expression stiffened slightly; he didn't believe Gu Lin couldn't understand.
Since he was pretending to be stupid, he simply went for the blunt and crude approach:
"Young friend Gu, you must have something to rely on to surpass Yao'er in the test of willpower."
"On the dueling platform, you can fight three levels above others and you also have special martial arts. That silent claw mark move is truly amazing, as is that leg technique."
"This is the condition of the exchange."
Gu Lin shook his head and chuckled:
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Lord Zhao. I just dabbled in the martial arts pavilion of the academy and practiced two martial arts haphazardly. They were not systematic, let alone memorizing the incantations or drawing out each move."
County Magistrate Zhao's expression changed drastically.
Zhu Yuting, who was standing to the side, was also incredulous. He had never expected that Gu Lin could be so defiant against the Zhao family!
County Magistrate Zhao, barely suppressing his anger, said in a harsh tone:
"Forgive my bluntness, but with your strength, it is absolutely impossible for you to become a ghostwriter. Your only option is to join a sect. You should know that sects are under the jurisdiction of the Divine Dynasty and cannot shelter the guilty."
The implication was too obvious.
They can fabricate a crime at will and say you're guilty, that you're extremely heinous. Which sect in Chuwei County would dare to defy the imperial court and protect a wanted criminal?
Gu Lin still had a smile on his face:
"This junior is truly powerless to help."
County Magistrate Zhao stared at him for a long time, then said, emphasizing each word:
"Very good, go back!!!"
Gu Lin turned and left, his smile vanishing instantly, replaced by a chilling expression.
Do I need your help to spare a ghostwriter position?
Threat?
Once I join the Holy Land, I'll thoroughly investigate whether your Zhao family has committed any crimes!
Watching Gu Lin's departing figure, Zhao Yao's face was grim, his eyes filled with gloom.
Even if Gu Lin offered him the opportunity, he wouldn't honor the contract. At that point, he would have the power to explain himself however he wanted.
He truly hadn't expected that Gu Lin would dare to so firmly refuse the Zhao family!
This lowly maggot is ungrateful and deserves to die!
County Magistrate Zhao, barely suppressing his anger, sneered:
"Yu Ting, someone as clueless as him won't go far."
Zhu Yuting nodded in agreement.
He didn't understand at all what Gu Lin was being so forceful about.
Offering up treasures, attaching themselves to the Zhao family, and becoming ghostwriters to transcend social classes—for ordinary people like them from a small county town, this was the greatest opportunity.