Chapter 41
Wearing a Xie Zhi Robe, and a Single Official Document!
The night was deep, but the training ground was brightly lit.
The selection process, which lasted from early morning to late evening, has come to an end, but the highly anticipated main event is about to begin.
On the high platform.
Six outstanding talents from Chuwei County have officially joined the Holy Land!
After a series of elaborate rituals, Cao Baihu of Dongsi led his men to Gu Lin.
He emphasized his tone and said loudly:
"From this moment forward, you are a member of the Eastern Temple of the Feathered Divine Dynasty, loyal and unwavering to the Holy Emperor! Slay demons and monsters, protect the land and its people! Punish the wicked and eliminate evil, and cleanse the bureaucracy!"
After saying that, he handed over an official employment document with gilded stamps. It had all the stamps from the central government of the Divine Dynasty to the East Temple in Chuzhou, which were obviously prepared in advance and only required the name of the new employee to be branded.
Gu Lin respectfully accepted it, and upon seeing the two bold and elegant characters "Gu Lin," his heart surged with emotion.
Immediately afterwards, several of Toji's colleagues brought over a tray.
Various garments were displayed on the table, and the first thing that caught the eye was naturally the official robes worn on the streets.
Cao Baihu introduced them one by one:
"This is the official uniform of the East Temple."
"This is a sacrificial robe. In the twenty-eight provinces of the world, if a high-ranking official of the Eastern Temple unfortunately passes away in the underworld, he may wear this sacrificial robe on that day to show his respect."
"Of course, since the high-ranking officials of the other three holy sites have died, we don't need to wear sacrificial robes; everything will proceed as usual."
"As for court attire, it is mandatory to wear court attire on days of religious ceremonies."
"........."
After the introductions, Commander Cao handed over a round waist plaque made of pure gold, engraved with a ferocious-looking xiezhi (a mythical beast).
"This is a waist tag, infused with your blood essence."
Gu Lin did as instructed.
He focused his energy in his dantian, and a drop of essence blood flowed from his acupoint, slowly dripping into his waist token.
"Change your clothes," Commander Cao said, pointing to the pavilion outside the high platform.
Gu Lin nodded and carried the tray to the inner chamber.
A moment later, a handsome young man wearing a black crown and a black robe adorned with a mythical beast (xiezhi) slowly stepped out. The robe was woven and embroidered with the finest craftsmanship, its dark color as deep and unfathomable as an abyss, majestic yet magnificent. The mythical beast on the robe was lifelike, angrily and ferociously gazing down at the world!
In an instant, the huge training ground erupted in cheers as loud as a tsunami.
"Lord Gu!"
"Lord Gu!"
"Lord Gu!"
The crowd was filled with enthusiasm and cheered loudly.
Those were prodigies who came from Chuwei County, so naturally they had high expectations for him. Moreover, having witnessed Lord Gu's feat of fighting beyond his level, the onlookers in Chuwei County all hoped that this young man's career would be as blazing as oil, and that his cultivation would rise steadily in the future.
Gu Changchuan, who was in the crowd, also shouted, and his eyes reddened as he shouted.
The onlookers in Shiyang County were filled with emotion.
When he arrived, it was Master Gu.
One day later, he was respectfully addressed as Lord Gu!
Fight with your fists to create a bright future.
Gu Lin looked around, his emotions surging, his blood boiling, but he forcibly restrained his excitement.
This is just the beginning.
Meanwhile, the other five prodigies also began their induction ceremony.
"Gu Lin." Commander Cao cast a glance his way.
Gu Lin respectfully clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute:
"Greetings, Your Excellency!"
He knew in his heart that this person should be his immediate superior.
Commander Cao's words were concise and to the point:
"You may select three assistants to serve in the assistants' office under the East Temple."
Gu Lin pondered for a moment, then shook his head in rejection:
"I'm used to working alone."
Commander Cao stared at him and lowered his voice:
"Listen, you may be successful now, but once you join Toji, you'll just be one of the most ordinary people out there. You'll need to beat your outstanding colleagues to climb the ranks."
"Of course, you can now use your status to command the swordsmen of the East Temple, but since they are not your confidants, it is not convenient to use them. You should choose three people and instruct them when you need to do things in the future, so as not to waste your training time."
After a moment's thought, Gu Lin decided to choose three people.
He asked respectfully:
"Sir, must one be a participant?"
He definitely wanted to help the chubby Wang Mu.
Cao, the centurion, nodded.
Gu Lin could only say:
"This subordinate wishes to receive Yan Shouxu, Wei Xuan, and Lin Yan'er from Shiyang County."
Dean Yan had at least given his family a gift of money, so he decided to help his grandson out.
As for Wei Xuan and Lin Yan'er, they treated me to a meal.
Upon hearing this, Commander Cao immediately made arrangements.
Gu Lin stood quietly, feeling a sharp, hateful gaze from not far away.
He looked over calmly.
It was Zhao Can.
Zhao Can made no attempt to hide his hatred, his gaze fixed on Gu Lin like a hawk's, wishing he could tear him to pieces.
Their eyes met, and Gu Lin smiled without warning.
He would never forget Zhao Can's condescending contempt at the Shiyang Martial Arts School. The way Zhao Can looked at him like an ant was too piercing, and the way he casually patted his shoulder made his internal organs convulse with pain.
A noble member of the Holy Land, am I, Gu Lin, not one?
Gu Lin's gaze grew cold, and he suddenly turned to look at Commander Cao, asking respectfully:
"My lord, do I now also have the authority to investigate officials below the seventh rank?"
Cao Baihu nodded:
"Draft official documents yourself, stamp them yourself, and try to make sure the evidence is complete so that the Holy Land Discipline Office is satisfied afterwards."
"By the way, let me tell you about the Dao Discipline Division. There is one Dao Discipline Division in each of the twenty-eight states of the Divine Dynasty. It is directly under the Holy Emperor of the Divine Dynasty and is responsible for the merit promotions of the four Holy Lands, disciplinary reviews and internal crime punishments, including disputes and life-or-death battles between Holy Lands, etc."
Gu Lin was extremely respectful, but a glint of shrewdness flashed deep in his eyes.
Draft the official documents yourself, and stamp and seal them yourself!
County Magistrate Zhao, do you have the rank of a seventh-grade official?
I'll use you as a sacrifice for my sword!
Since I've already offended Zhao Can, it's a fight to the death. Does he really think I should grovel and beg for peace? Does Zhao Can deserve that? Who isn't a genius? Who doesn't have some power?
To put it bluntly, I, Gu Lin, am vindictive and arrogant once I achieve my goals!
.......
Suddenly, dozens of sword-wielding men dressed in official robes draped with deer appeared on the martial arts arena where the contestants were standing.
The official robes worn by deer belong to the yamen of the East Temple, where the knife-wielders work.
The leader, dressed in a green deer-patterned official robe, spoke in a booming voice:
"Strictly adhere to order!"
"Wei Xuan!"
"Lin Yan'er!"
"By order of Lord Gu, the three of you are to be employed by the East Temple's 'Sword-Handling' office. From this day forward, you shall follow Lord Gu's every command!"
As soon as the words were spoken, the three men's minds trembled, their hearts pounded like drums, and their faces showed disbelief.
Can... can we get jobs at the ghostwriter's office?
"My lord..." Yan Shouxu blushed and was so excited that he stammered.
The leader laughed and said:
"When working together, don't be too reserved."
Yan Shouxu felt dizzy and looked at the majestic and dazzling figure on the high platform with gratitude.
What have I done to deserve this?!
Gu Lin, no, Lord Gu, you have saved my life!
Wei Xuan and Lin Yan'er were moved to tears. They had no connection with Gu Lin, except for a meal they had shared in a neighboring county. They never expected that Gu Lin would remember it and give them the reward they had always longed for!
The selection competition is over. No matter how unwilling they are, what can they do? They were already far behind those geniuses. Going to a sect to cultivate in the future is a pretty good outcome.
But to their utter surprise, with just one sentence from Gu Lin, they too achieved a meteoric rise!
The three of them, filled with excitement, followed a group of swordsmiths to the pavilion.
Behind him, countless contestants cast envious and jealous glances, while Zhu Yuting stood there dumbfounded, hating himself for being so stupid, hating himself for daring to mock Gu Lin for being blind and arrogant. Now, who was the one who was truly laughable?
Hahahaha, I gave Zhao Yao all the opportunities and potential I had in my cultivation path. Now that Zhao Yao has perished in the underworld, my cultivation prospects are gone, and my future is gone too. I have to watch helplessly as someone less capable than me in the academy is promoted to a ghostwriter!
Zhu Yuting felt as if his heart was being torn apart. He slowly squatted down on the ground, his whole being enveloped in despair.
Meanwhile, in the stands, Dean Yan, the Wei family head, and others watched this scene intently. Many of the Shi Yang spectators looked astonished, realizing what had happened.
Lord Gu has done a great favor!
Lord Gu has shown you great kindness!
"Lord Gu... Lord Gu!" Dean Yan cried, tears streaming down his face, wiping them away with his sleeve.
Zhao, the county magistrate standing beside him, remained expressionless, like a zombie whose soul had been drained, but the hatred burning within him grew ever more intense.
The glory on that high platform should have belonged to Yao'er. Yao'er's death is an irreconcilable sin!
Many students of Shiyang Academy couldn't help but look at a woman shrouded in a curtain, her figure dazed and confused as she fled in disarray with her father, Li Jisheng.
Two of the three beauties of Shiyang Academy became ghostwriters under the patronage of Lord Gu, while the most arrogant woman, who belittled and insulted Lord Gu, ended up in such a miserable state.
The selection process, which lasted from early morning to late evening, has come to an end, but the highly anticipated main event is about to begin.
On the high platform.
Six outstanding talents from Chuwei County have officially joined the Holy Land!
After a series of elaborate rituals, Cao Baihu of Dongsi led his men to Gu Lin.
He emphasized his tone and said loudly:
"From this moment forward, you are a member of the Eastern Temple of the Feathered Divine Dynasty, loyal and unwavering to the Holy Emperor! Slay demons and monsters, protect the land and its people! Punish the wicked and eliminate evil, and cleanse the bureaucracy!"
After saying that, he handed over an official employment document with gilded stamps. It had all the stamps from the central government of the Divine Dynasty to the East Temple in Chuzhou, which were obviously prepared in advance and only required the name of the new employee to be branded.
Gu Lin respectfully accepted it, and upon seeing the two bold and elegant characters "Gu Lin," his heart surged with emotion.
Immediately afterwards, several of Toji's colleagues brought over a tray.
Various garments were displayed on the table, and the first thing that caught the eye was naturally the official robes worn on the streets.
Cao Baihu introduced them one by one:
"This is the official uniform of the East Temple."
"This is a sacrificial robe. In the twenty-eight provinces of the world, if a high-ranking official of the Eastern Temple unfortunately passes away in the underworld, he may wear this sacrificial robe on that day to show his respect."
"Of course, since the high-ranking officials of the other three holy sites have died, we don't need to wear sacrificial robes; everything will proceed as usual."
"As for court attire, it is mandatory to wear court attire on days of religious ceremonies."
"........."
After the introductions, Commander Cao handed over a round waist plaque made of pure gold, engraved with a ferocious-looking xiezhi (a mythical beast).
"This is a waist tag, infused with your blood essence."
Gu Lin did as instructed.
He focused his energy in his dantian, and a drop of essence blood flowed from his acupoint, slowly dripping into his waist token.
"Change your clothes," Commander Cao said, pointing to the pavilion outside the high platform.
Gu Lin nodded and carried the tray to the inner chamber.
A moment later, a handsome young man wearing a black crown and a black robe adorned with a mythical beast (xiezhi) slowly stepped out. The robe was woven and embroidered with the finest craftsmanship, its dark color as deep and unfathomable as an abyss, majestic yet magnificent. The mythical beast on the robe was lifelike, angrily and ferociously gazing down at the world!
In an instant, the huge training ground erupted in cheers as loud as a tsunami.
"Lord Gu!"
"Lord Gu!"
"Lord Gu!"
The crowd was filled with enthusiasm and cheered loudly.
Those were prodigies who came from Chuwei County, so naturally they had high expectations for him. Moreover, having witnessed Lord Gu's feat of fighting beyond his level, the onlookers in Chuwei County all hoped that this young man's career would be as blazing as oil, and that his cultivation would rise steadily in the future.
Gu Changchuan, who was in the crowd, also shouted, and his eyes reddened as he shouted.
The onlookers in Shiyang County were filled with emotion.
When he arrived, it was Master Gu.
One day later, he was respectfully addressed as Lord Gu!
Fight with your fists to create a bright future.
Gu Lin looked around, his emotions surging, his blood boiling, but he forcibly restrained his excitement.
This is just the beginning.
Meanwhile, the other five prodigies also began their induction ceremony.
"Gu Lin." Commander Cao cast a glance his way.
Gu Lin respectfully clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute:
"Greetings, Your Excellency!"
He knew in his heart that this person should be his immediate superior.
Commander Cao's words were concise and to the point:
"You may select three assistants to serve in the assistants' office under the East Temple."
Gu Lin pondered for a moment, then shook his head in rejection:
"I'm used to working alone."
Commander Cao stared at him and lowered his voice:
"Listen, you may be successful now, but once you join Toji, you'll just be one of the most ordinary people out there. You'll need to beat your outstanding colleagues to climb the ranks."
"Of course, you can now use your status to command the swordsmen of the East Temple, but since they are not your confidants, it is not convenient to use them. You should choose three people and instruct them when you need to do things in the future, so as not to waste your training time."
After a moment's thought, Gu Lin decided to choose three people.
He asked respectfully:
"Sir, must one be a participant?"
He definitely wanted to help the chubby Wang Mu.
Cao, the centurion, nodded.
Gu Lin could only say:
"This subordinate wishes to receive Yan Shouxu, Wei Xuan, and Lin Yan'er from Shiyang County."
Dean Yan had at least given his family a gift of money, so he decided to help his grandson out.
As for Wei Xuan and Lin Yan'er, they treated me to a meal.
Upon hearing this, Commander Cao immediately made arrangements.
Gu Lin stood quietly, feeling a sharp, hateful gaze from not far away.
He looked over calmly.
It was Zhao Can.
Zhao Can made no attempt to hide his hatred, his gaze fixed on Gu Lin like a hawk's, wishing he could tear him to pieces.
Their eyes met, and Gu Lin smiled without warning.
He would never forget Zhao Can's condescending contempt at the Shiyang Martial Arts School. The way Zhao Can looked at him like an ant was too piercing, and the way he casually patted his shoulder made his internal organs convulse with pain.
A noble member of the Holy Land, am I, Gu Lin, not one?
Gu Lin's gaze grew cold, and he suddenly turned to look at Commander Cao, asking respectfully:
"My lord, do I now also have the authority to investigate officials below the seventh rank?"
Cao Baihu nodded:
"Draft official documents yourself, stamp them yourself, and try to make sure the evidence is complete so that the Holy Land Discipline Office is satisfied afterwards."
"By the way, let me tell you about the Dao Discipline Division. There is one Dao Discipline Division in each of the twenty-eight states of the Divine Dynasty. It is directly under the Holy Emperor of the Divine Dynasty and is responsible for the merit promotions of the four Holy Lands, disciplinary reviews and internal crime punishments, including disputes and life-or-death battles between Holy Lands, etc."
Gu Lin was extremely respectful, but a glint of shrewdness flashed deep in his eyes.
Draft the official documents yourself, and stamp and seal them yourself!
County Magistrate Zhao, do you have the rank of a seventh-grade official?
I'll use you as a sacrifice for my sword!
Since I've already offended Zhao Can, it's a fight to the death. Does he really think I should grovel and beg for peace? Does Zhao Can deserve that? Who isn't a genius? Who doesn't have some power?
To put it bluntly, I, Gu Lin, am vindictive and arrogant once I achieve my goals!
.......
Suddenly, dozens of sword-wielding men dressed in official robes draped with deer appeared on the martial arts arena where the contestants were standing.
The official robes worn by deer belong to the yamen of the East Temple, where the knife-wielders work.
The leader, dressed in a green deer-patterned official robe, spoke in a booming voice:
"Strictly adhere to order!"
"Wei Xuan!"
"Lin Yan'er!"
"By order of Lord Gu, the three of you are to be employed by the East Temple's 'Sword-Handling' office. From this day forward, you shall follow Lord Gu's every command!"
As soon as the words were spoken, the three men's minds trembled, their hearts pounded like drums, and their faces showed disbelief.
Can... can we get jobs at the ghostwriter's office?
"My lord..." Yan Shouxu blushed and was so excited that he stammered.
The leader laughed and said:
"When working together, don't be too reserved."
Yan Shouxu felt dizzy and looked at the majestic and dazzling figure on the high platform with gratitude.
What have I done to deserve this?!
Gu Lin, no, Lord Gu, you have saved my life!
Wei Xuan and Lin Yan'er were moved to tears. They had no connection with Gu Lin, except for a meal they had shared in a neighboring county. They never expected that Gu Lin would remember it and give them the reward they had always longed for!
The selection competition is over. No matter how unwilling they are, what can they do? They were already far behind those geniuses. Going to a sect to cultivate in the future is a pretty good outcome.
But to their utter surprise, with just one sentence from Gu Lin, they too achieved a meteoric rise!
The three of them, filled with excitement, followed a group of swordsmiths to the pavilion.
Behind him, countless contestants cast envious and jealous glances, while Zhu Yuting stood there dumbfounded, hating himself for being so stupid, hating himself for daring to mock Gu Lin for being blind and arrogant. Now, who was the one who was truly laughable?
Hahahaha, I gave Zhao Yao all the opportunities and potential I had in my cultivation path. Now that Zhao Yao has perished in the underworld, my cultivation prospects are gone, and my future is gone too. I have to watch helplessly as someone less capable than me in the academy is promoted to a ghostwriter!
Zhu Yuting felt as if his heart was being torn apart. He slowly squatted down on the ground, his whole being enveloped in despair.
Meanwhile, in the stands, Dean Yan, the Wei family head, and others watched this scene intently. Many of the Shi Yang spectators looked astonished, realizing what had happened.
Lord Gu has done a great favor!
Lord Gu has shown you great kindness!
"Lord Gu... Lord Gu!" Dean Yan cried, tears streaming down his face, wiping them away with his sleeve.
Zhao, the county magistrate standing beside him, remained expressionless, like a zombie whose soul had been drained, but the hatred burning within him grew ever more intense.
The glory on that high platform should have belonged to Yao'er. Yao'er's death is an irreconcilable sin!
Many students of Shiyang Academy couldn't help but look at a woman shrouded in a curtain, her figure dazed and confused as she fled in disarray with her father, Li Jisheng.
Two of the three beauties of Shiyang Academy became ghostwriters under the patronage of Lord Gu, while the most arrogant woman, who belittled and insulted Lord Gu, ended up in such a miserable state.