Chapter 371: Gift of an Official Position

The advantages and disadvantages of this system were immediately apparent, yet the Beiga Kingdom had no better alternative. Its territory was simply too vast to manage itself—

The Yuan Kingdom was not small; among all known nations, excluding the Sea Kingdom and Lake Kingdom, it ranked sixth in territorial size.

Yet the Beiga Kingdom was six times larger, the largest in the world at the time!

He Lingchuan had seen Beiga's territory on the sand table; it was truly a magnificent expanse, stretching north to the ocean and east to the Undersea.

To illustrate, if He Lingchuan rode an Azure-striped Beast from Beiga's easternmost point directly west, covering four hundred li daily, it would still take him over thirty days to reach the westernmost border of the Demon Kingdom's territory!

This calculation also disregarded the countless mountains, rivers, deserts, swamps, lakes, and high peaks traversing the land; otherwise, the journey would extend many times longer.

This nation had always been a peculiar entity, both praised and criticized. Countless individuals were skeptical of its systems and customs, as other countries that had attempted to emulate Beiga had vanished within one or two centuries.

To this day, it remained a frequent subject of study for various nations' courts, historians, and strategists.

Regardless of external opinions, the Beiga Kingdom endured, the Demon Emperor reigned, and this vast empire continued to function.

The territory of the Baoshu Kingdom was far larger than the entire Fu Kingdom, but its capital was located near its southern border, allowing caravans to arrive quickly after crossing.

As He Lingchuan traveled, he had grown accustomed to the sight of "demons and humans coexisting."

The more substantial the towns, the stranger their architectural styles became. Some structures even defied He Lingchuan's understanding of a "house," as they accommodated not only humans but also demons.

He had even witnessed a family of mouse demons visiting a carpenter to custom-order their house—a tiny dwelling less than five square meters in total, simply designed to be affixed to another home's exterior wall.

Stepping into the Northern Demon Kingdom was like entering a fantastical new world; at times it appeared chaotic, yet it operated according to its own unique order.

This was the result of six centuries of gradual integration, a wondrous sight unimaginable in a lifetime spent in the Yuan Kingdom. He Lingchuan felt his horizons significantly broadened.

The caravan arrived late at night at Fufeng City, the capital of the Baoshu Kingdom. Though the sky was overcast, the entire city was not plunged into darkness.

Along the main thoroughfare, two fluorescent spores were suspended every hundred paces, illuminating the path for travelers.

This special product from the Demon's Nest Swamp was bright and stable, unaffected by wind. He Lingchuan smiled upon seeing them; no wonder the Gan Merchant Guild was so prosperous—their exclusive business was evident here.

However, once the Shimen Merchant Guild returned from Lingxu City, they might take over this lucrative enterprise.

There were few people on the streets, but taverns and inns were brightly lit, and one might hear the clinking of cups and laughter if listening closely.

After entering the city, Wu Jinsong and his companion invited He Lingchuan to accompany them back to the Grand Tutor's mansion, while the caravan proceeded to an inn on its own.

As the trio navigated the streets and alleys, they encountered a team of "night soil collectors"—individuals who emerged in the dead of night to gather waste and transport it outside the city.

These "collectors" turned out to be dozens of giant dung beetles, pulling carts, each laden with an enormous wooden barrel. The team went door-to-door collecting night soil, emptying it into the large barrels, which were then transported outside the city for composting before dawn.

Later, this compost would be used to fertilize the fields.

Both Shihuan and Blackwater City provided similar municipal services, but He Lingchuan was utterly astonished to discover that here, the collection and transport were handled by demons—and a species so perfectly suited to the task. He had never encountered anything like it.

Fufeng City had over a dozen such teams.

Wu Jinsong appeared somewhat embarrassed by the sight of the dung beetles and quickly guided He Lingchuan toward the main thoroughfare.

The night soil teams typically avoided the main roads.

The three hurried to the Grand Tutor's mansion. After their arrival was announced, He Lingchuan was directed to wait in a side hall.

The Grand Tutor's mansion was vast, roughly four times the size of the Dunyu He estate. On his way, He Lingchuan passed through three distinct gardens. The one that impressed him most surprisingly featured a small waterfall, with its cascading water flanked by vines bearing exotic flowers and lush green ferns. Fan palms taller than a person made the area feel like a rainforest, a stark contrast to the garden designs in the Yuan Kingdom.

Another garden contained a vast pond with astonishingly large fish. Though not koi, their belly scales were incredibly vibrant, and they measured eight feet from head to tail, with mouths so large they appeared capable of swallowing an infant.

From the way the enormous fish regarded people, He Lingchuan had reason to believe they were fish demons.

He waited a full half-hour in the side hall, having consumed three cups of hot tea, before the main person arrived.

Grand Tutor Sha Cong of the Baoshu Kingdom had just turned sixty, but with only a few strands of silver hair at his temples and a remarkably robust physique, he appeared no older than fifty.

He strode into the hall, his eyes gleaming, followed by a man of about thirty with an impassive expression.

Wu Jinsong, who had remained by the Grand Tutor's side, quickly made the introductions.

The man behind Sha Cong was, in fact, his second son, Sha Xinghai, the very person who had lost a fragment of his soul.

It is worth noting that Wu Jinsong introduced He Lingchuan as "He Xiao," a distant relative of the two brothers from the Shimen Merchant Guild.

Sha Cong scrutinized He Lingchuan, his gaze piercing: "You've returned my son's soul fragment; do you have a request?"

Wu Jinsong had already briefly reported the journey's details to him.

He Lingchuan shook his head, "It was merely along my way."

"Very well, then let his soul fragment return to him."

Sha Cong stepped aside, and He Lingchuan retrieved the Soul-Capturing Mirror from his robe. He aimed its surface at Sha Xinghai and tapped it twice.

A faint white light flew from the mirror, circled Sha Xinghai as if confirming its true host, and then entered through his seven facial orifices.

Sha Xinghai jolted, exhaled a long breath, and his eyes lost their vacant stare.

He bowed deeply to Sha Cong, "Father, I've returned." Then, turning to He Lingchuan, he added, "Thank you, Young Master He."

"Next time, be absolutely careful; do not fall prey to scoundrels again!" Sha Cong waved his hand, dismissing Sha Xinghai, then turned to He Lingchuan. "You do not seek credit, but the merit remains. Oh, I heard you originally resided in the Fu Kingdom?"

"Yes."

"Wu Jinsong mentioned you are brave and resourceful. I will recommend you to the King for the position of Honglin Captain. Are you satisfied with that?"

He Lingchuan was new to the region and unfamiliar with the position, but he presumed it wouldn't be too low-ranking. His kindness to Sha Xinghai was considerable, so Sha Cong's compensation needed to be fitting; anything too meager would be a slight to his generosity.

Wu Jinsong, meanwhile, repeatedly winked at him, signaling him to accept.

He Lingchuan pondered for a moment. "I still need to go to Lingxu City. Let's discuss it after I return."

Sha Cong showed no surprise. "What do you intend to do there?"

"I wish to experience the world-renowned Beiga capital and, while there, visit Mount Xu."

The largest remains of Madam Zhu Er were on Mount Xu, which was also the location of the Dahuan Sect's main gate. He Lingchuan dared to openly name the place because he had already learned from Wu Jinsong and Second Boss Shi that Mount Xu was now one of Lingxu City's famous tourist attractions, drawing numerous visitors daily.

Lingxu City did not conceal or declare such an ancient ruin a forbidden area, thereby demonstrating its magnanimous spirit.

It was hardly surprising for the eager young He Lingchuan to visit, drawn by its renown, seeking to explore the mountains and pay homage to its legends.

"It's good you're going; the capital is magnificent, unparalleled in the world," Sha Cong said. "You can return and take up the official position after you've explored it."

After He Lingchuan released Sha Xinghai's soul fragment, he put away the mirror. Seeing his lack of refusal, Sha Cong then said, "Let me see that mirror of yours."

"It has already recognized me as its master."

Sha Cong smiled. "Rest assured, I won't seize it from you."

Only then did He Lingchuan retrieve the Soul-Capturing Mirror.

Sha Cong took it, rubbed it a few times, and mused, "It is indeed a spiritual artifact."

With He Lingchuan present, the mirror naturally wouldn't ensnare his soul without cause; otherwise, merely looking at its surface would be perilous.

"Where did this mirror absorb the Emperor's Dew Paste?"

"It doesn't know," He Lingchuan replied. "It awoke inside a tree stump in the wilderness, and its mirror servant traveled for five days and nights before finding a human village. It has no knowledge of its previous location."

Sha Cong returned the mirror to him. "By the way, in a few days, it will be my King's eight hundredth birthday. You might consider staying for the festivities before you depart."

He Lingchuan nodded. "I was planning to observe it closely."

"You've traveled a long distance and are weary. Go back and rest. I'll have Xu Dongdong escort you."

Grand Tutor Sha called out, and Xu Dongdong emerged from outside, escorting He Lingchuan out of the mansion and all the way to the inn where Shi Congshan was lodged.

Shi Congshui was overjoyed to hear that He Lingchuan had landed an official position simply by making this trip. He immediately wanted to arrange a celebratory feast.

He Lingchuan waved his hand. "It's not a done deal yet."

He held a rank in the Yuan Kingdom, and ordinarily, one could not serve as an official in another nation without first resigning. Even if he were to forcefully accept the Beiga Kingdom's decree of office, he wouldn't be able to utilize its elemental power.

Only one position was an exception: an envoy.

Only then could one legitimately hold office in both nations.

"Furthermore, he hasn't even investigated my background. How can he simply offer me an official position?" he mused. "Is a dignified Grand Tutor truly so frivolous in his affairs?"

"I've heard Beiga's employment standards are unconventional, valuing only talent. Many of the influential figures in the Beiga court are indeed foreigners. Take Grand Tutor Sha himself; his father hailed from a place called Tangye in the Dai Kingdom, making him not a native of Baoshu Kingdom," Shi Congshui chuckled. "Perhaps he simply recognized your talent and was impressed?"

He Lingchuan gave a wry chuckle. "Is there ever love or hatred without reason?"

Shi Congshui simply took it as modesty. "One should revel when life goes well!"

He Lingchuan smiled and drained his cup, his mind replaying the visit to the Grand Tutor's mansion.

Even with the grace he had shown Sha Xinghai, Grand Tutor Sha's demeanor toward him was condescending. This man had long held a high position, with only the Baoshu King and the Chancellor above him in the nation; self-importance and arrogance were deeply ingrained in his very being.

In his eyes, this kindness could be repaid with suitable rewards.

He Lingchuan was entirely unconcerned by this.

In the Beiga Kingdom, he was a person with no background, no discernible origins, and no official identity; he cared little for how others perceived him.

Fufeng City was merely a stop on his journey, one that would soon pass.

"Come, let's drink!"

After He Lingchuan departed, Sha Xinghai emerged from the rear hall, a look of shame on his face.

"Father, I did not handle this mission well."

"No one anticipated you would be attacked before reaching Wuzhe County," Grand Tutor Sha waved his hand dismissively. "Their clothes and weapons bore no markings, and the assassins swallowed poison upon capture. Hmph, someone within the mansion must have leaked your whereabouts."