Chapter 95: Beginning of Winter Assessment, Evil Spirit Invades Dream, Great Misfortune

The abandoned forge in Anping Town was originally the old site of the TianGong Workshop twelve years ago.

A major incident occurred when the earth-fire was channeled to open the furnace; the subterranean fire ran wild, burning many people to death at the time.

My family also had a factory here previously. We had just finished renovating the forge and hired workers when the incident happened. Nanyang Commandery subsequently issued a ban, and the factory was shut down shortly after, resulting in a loss-making venture.

Zhao Xing sat in Zong Shichang's carriage, looking out at the desolate land and dilapidated houses.

They had been circling the area for fifteen minutes, yet there wasn't a single decent tree in sight, only very low, slender saplings.

There were weeds, mostly oddly shaped thorny bushes. Only such hardy plants could survive in the scorched earth.

“Destruction is easy, reconstruction is hard,” Zong Shichang remarked. “Three years ago, there wasn’t even a blade of grass here, let alone trees. It’s much better now; Chen Shijie has certainly accomplished a lot.”

“Indeed,” Zhao Xing nodded slightly.

Chen Shijie took office in Gucheng three years ago.

Before him, this scorched land in Anping Town had been neglected for nine years.

The former head of the Agricultural Bureau was afraid of getting involved and never dared to restore this land.

This was because the land had been directly approved by Nanyang Commandery, the destruction caused by Gucheng's TianGong Workshop, and prominent families like Zong Shichang's had invested in it.

The issue of responsibility had never been clarified, so it remained unresolved.

Since the higher authorities didn't care, Gucheng County Magistrate Li Wenzheng also had no desire to get involved.

The former head of the Agricultural Bureau didn't dare to intervene.

Consequently, this plot of land in Anping Town and its factories lay abandoned for nine years until Chen Shijie arrived.

Upon learning of the situation, he immediately prepared for restoration without hesitation.

Li Wenzheng didn't want to get involved and didn't stop him, but providing assistance was out of the question.

Chen Shijie decided to proceed with the work, bringing along the auxiliary officials from the Agricultural Bureau.

Every week, he would come down to perform a Geomancy spell to regulate the earth veins and restore the soil.

This was a thankless and arduous task. At the time, only Xue Wenzhong immediately expressed support. Tang Wanchun, Gao Linong, Pang Yuan, and others found it too difficult and opposed it.

Old Chen was also authoritarian. Too difficult? Then let's do nothing at all!

He suspended all administrative affairs of the Agricultural Bureau. No matter what reports Tang Wanchun, Gao Linong, Pang Yuan, and others submitted, his reply was always two words: 'Not approved.'

Old Chen's stance was, "Since you want to slack off, then let's slack off completely. We can all get an 'incompetent official' rating for the next few years."

"Anyway, I was demoted here and never wanted to be a civilian agricultural official, so I'm not afraid of another demotion."

Left with no choice, the auxiliary officials of the Agricultural Bureau could only hold their noses and get to work.

Afterward, Old Chen went to the Agricultural Bureau to find Gongsun Yang, asking to borrow personnel and divine tools from the workshop. Gongsun Yang initially refused, afraid of getting entangled.

As a result, Chen Shijie kept hounding Gongsun Yang, sending hailstorms to his ancestral graves whenever he pleased. Whatever the Gongsun family planted died, and it was either windy or rainy.

Upon learning this, Gongsun Yang furiously went to confront Chen Shijie.

“What? You're asking why only your family's ancestral graves and land have such bad weather?”

“Didn't I tell you earlier that I needed to borrow tools and personnel to carry out the work? You yourself refused.”

“I’m sorry, I have limited abilities and cannot control Gucheng's weather. If you're so capable, go complain about me to the Commandery City, you old coot!”

Gongsun Yang was so enraged that he pulled out his beard.

With no other option, he had to agree to Chen Shijie's demands.

It took a year for Chen Shijie to restore the scorched land to the level of wasteland.

Next, Chen Shijie reported his achievements to the Commandery government. Knowing he was a stubborn person, they could only grudgingly give him a commendation.

Although the abandoned factory buildings remained undemolished, this matter allowed Chen Shijie to establish himself firmly in Gucheng, win over the hearts of the Agricultural Bureau's staff, and impress both Gongsun Yang and Li Wenzheng.

Consequently, within the Agricultural Bureau, Chen Shijie's word was law; no one dared to oppose him.

“Old Chen’s first administrative achievement is here. He’s about to leave, yet he set up this scheme to lure the Xuan Tian Cult to this very spot, aiming for military merit… He really is a bit obsessive,” Zhao Xing mused, looking outside.

November was the last 'yang month,' and Chen Shijie's transfer was no secret.

This assessment in Anping Town involved many participants, and unlike the autumn mountain opening, there were no Donghu troops maintaining order or Commandery City inspectors present.

The protective forces appeared relatively weak.

Zhao Xing thought that if he were a leader of the Xuan Tian Cult, he would also seize this opportunity to act.

Chen Shijie suspected the Xuan Tian Cult would likely seize this opportunity to act.

The Xuan Tian Cult suspected Chen Shijie would anticipate their move.

“These possibilities aren't hard to guess… It just depends on who dares to act and who is better prepared,” Zhao Xing thought silently.

From 'historical experience,' the Xuan Tian Cult's planning during the Jingxin era learned from past failures, making their operations more successful than before.

Whether the Xuan Tian Cult succeeded or failed here in Nanyang Commandery, Zhao Xing didn't know. However, with his reminder, Old Chen's plan had undergone significant changes from the original.

Zhao Xing wasn't sure how the outcome would unfold.

However, he maintained a good mindset.

“Either way, there’s no mortal danger. If I somehow get dragged onto the Xuan Tian Cult’s pirate ship, I’ll just do my best there. It’s not impossible to survive until the era of resurgence even within the sectarian faction.” Zhao Xing wasn't so rigid; he knew he could make a living anywhere. Still, the path of the Qi Luck Dynasty was more stable, and he secretly hoped not to be captured.

The Agricultural Bureau's Lidong (Start of Winter) assessment began on the afternoon of November 7th.

The assessments for officials from other departments were also scheduled at the same time.

Although it was called a joint assessment, it essentially involved placing officials in one area, with entirely different tasks for each profession.

There was no competition between different professions, primarily a contest among those within the same profession.

The Agricultural Bureau's assessment required participants to successfully grow at least ten different types of plants on this scorched land.

The TianGong Workshop's assessment required officials to build new furnaces and reactivate the earth-fire here.

The Weaving Department's assessment involved weaving magical garments for martial artists, mechanists, agricultural officials, and ceremonial officials. Only four types were allowed: He Luo robes, fire-warding robes, soul-protecting robes, and True Essence robes.

The Military Department's assessment theme was 'Apprehending Demonic Cultists.' Outside the abandoned factory area, 'sectarian cultists' (played by soldiers) would appear, launching surprise attacks from the periphery to cause destruction.

Grading was based on the number of 'cultists' apprehended.

The Divine Temple's assessment content was similar to that of the martial artists, but the targets were the spirits of those who had been burned to death in these factory buildings.

“The start and end times for the five professions are all different.”

“Weavers began their assessment earliest, entering at Maoshi (5-7 AM) on the seventh to weave magical garments. It ends at Maoshi tomorrow, allowing only twelve hours. All materials for the garments must be prepared, and regardless of whether the finished product is made, participants must leave after one day.”

“Mechanists' assessment lasts two days, starting at Wushi (11 AM-1 PM) on the seventh and ending at Wushi on the ninth.”

“The Divine Temple and martial artists started the latest, from Youshi (5-7 PM) on the seventh evening, ending at Chenshi (7-9 AM) on the tenth, lasting two and a half days.”

“Agricultural officials begin from Weishi (1-3 PM) on the seventh afternoon, ending at Maoshi on the eleventh. This lasts three days and four nights.”

Zhao Xing emerged from the carriage and looked thoughtfully at the entrance to the ruined factory buildings. “Old Chen believed my judgment, but not entirely, which is good.”

At Weishi, the Agricultural Bureau began organizing the participating officials to enter the designated area.

Zhao Xing, carrying a bamboo box much larger than last time, walked into the abandoned factory.

Not many officials from the Agricultural Bureau participated this time, as it wasn't a lucrative position. Unless one was aiming for a high-ranking official post, even excelling in the assessment wouldn't yield much money at year-end.

The other departments were different; they had quite a large number of participants.

“Zhao Xing, let’s go together,” Zong Shichang trotted over eagerly. “Where are you planning to plant?”

“Do you trust my judgment?” Zhao Xing pointed to a plot of land not far from the entrance. “Plant here. I think this is a good spot.”

“Really?” Zong Shichang looked at it; it was just scorched earth.

“I’ve learned many Geomancy spells, don’t you believe me?”

“I do, but where are you going?” Zong Shichang asked.

“Are you out of your mind?” Zhao Xing said. “Can such a small plot of land accommodate two people for planting?”

“Let’s just stay together. I think it’s pretty boring by myself…”

“Get lost! Don’t you dare affect my results,” Zhao Xing said coldly. “Are you deaf? I don’t want to be with you.”

“You…” Zong Shichang was stunned. He couldn't understand why Zhao Xing’s attitude had changed so drastically and froze on the spot.

Zhao Xing ignored him and walked directly towards a certain area of the ruined factory.

As the saying goes, if a plan is not kept secret, one risks their well-being. Zhao Xing knew some parts of Chen Shijie's scheme but not the full picture, and it was even less likely he would reveal it to Zong Shichang.

Furthermore, if demonic cultists truly attacked this time, Zong Shichang being with him would not be a good thing.

The abandoned factory grounds were quite extensive, as it had originally been a project approved by the Commandery City.

Zhao Xing, carrying his bamboo box, walked through the area as if searching for something.

After walking for about fifteen minutes, he arrived at a relatively intact house, which had once been the workers' dormitory for the workshop.

“This is the place,” Zhao Xing said, pushing open the door.

“Meow,” the civet cat, seeing its owner approach, quickly jumped over.

“Shh,” Zhao Xing motioned for the civet cat to be quiet. “Stay put and don't make a sound.”

The little civet cat nodded its head.

Zhao Xing then looked around the room.

This room had been prepared for him by Chen Shijie.

Besides the exotic civet cat, many other things were prepared inside. The room was filled with many dark red bamboo tubes, each about the thickness of a calf.

In the center of the room, there was a table, an oil lamp, a piece of paper, and a set of writing tools.

On the long table at the front stood a wooden carving of Earl Donghu.

In the southeast corner stood a straw figure wearing a straw cape and a conical hat, precisely the Guardian Strawman that had accompanied Zhao Xing out of the city earlier.

“Everything's here,” Zhao Xing checked. He then took out the Ominous-Dispelling Almanac and hung it behind the door. He also tied the Thousand-Mile Transmission Token to his wrist.

He then sat at the table, picked up the paper and pen, and signed his name on the yellow paper.

This was a land deed.

From the moment his name was signed, Zhao Xing became the owner of this room.

He then took out the Sandalwood Soul Box from the bamboo box and began moving the dark red bamboo tubes from the corner, burying them one by one around the fence outside the house.

After finishing all of this, Zhao Xing dusted himself off and rested on the steps.

He was now more than just an ordinary candidate; as one of the insiders of Chen Shijie's plan and a crucial talent targeted by the Xuan Tian Cult, he naturally received special treatment.

After resting for a while, Zhao Xing began planting in the fenced courtyard.

In addition to the ten types required for the assessment, Zhao Xing had brought three extra types of seeds in his bamboo box.

“For the assessment, I just need to plant ten types of herbaceous seeds throughout this fenced courtyard.”

“First, I’ll plant the assessment task plants.”

Zhao Xing put down his bamboo box and cast the Cloud Walking spell, making clouds cover the entire courtyard.

Then he conjured wind to plow the ground.

“Whoosh,” small whirlwinds plowed furrows into the soil.

“Whoosh,” a gentle breeze lifted the grass seeds from the bamboo box, depositing them precisely into the furrows.

“Splash,” raindrops began to fall from the clouds.

“Thrive!”

“Earth Store Restoration!”

“Boundless Earth Palace!”

Zhao Xing cast his spells rapidly.

He explored the earth veins, using those within the courtyard area to cast Earth Store Restoration and Boundless Earth Palace.

The first few spells went smoothly.

However, he encountered a problem when casting the Earth Palace spell.

“What’s wrong? Why isn’t it working?” Zhao Xing was startled. His Boundless Earth Palace spell was already at mid-tier eighth-turn. Although the earth veins here were weaker than elsewhere, they still existed, so there should have been no possibility of failure.

“Let me try again.” Zhao Xing took off his shoes and stood barefoot on the earth. As he cast the Boundless Earth Palace spell, his consciousness seemed to delve deep into the ground, beginning to explore the earth veins.

Soon, Zhao Xing detected fluctuations in the earth veins—a dark red earth vein. Based on the sensation, Zhao Xing estimated it had reached the strength of a third-level fire vein.

This discovery surprised Zhao Xing.

“A third-level earth vein? Did I misread it?”

“How is that possible? This area was once burned by subterranean fire. Even after Old Chen’s restoration, it should logically only be at a first-level earth vein strength.”

“But now my senses indicate a third-level, no, possibly even close to fourth-level!”

With doubts in his mind, Zhao Xing continued to cast his spell, his consciousness, enveloped in golden light, descending further.

However, just then, a faint yet clear thought emerged from the earth vein: “Why is it you?”

“You… Old Chen?” The golden light representing Zhao Xing fluctuated beside the subterranean earth vein, clearly showing great surprise.

Chen Shijie paid no mind to Zhao Xing’s address, asking with some surprise, “Didn’t you say your Earth Palace spell was only at the third turn? How did you discover me?”

Zhao Xing controlled the golden light to fluctuate, transmitting a message through the earth vein: “I used up my painting attempts at the end of the month and made further progress. You were too busy, so I didn't have time to explain in detail.”

Chen Shijie asked, “What turn is it now?”

“Eighth turn.”

Seeing Chen Shijie silent for a while, Zhao Xing couldn't help but ask, “What’s going on with this earth vein? Wasn’t it said that this place was once burned by subterranean fire, making the earth veins indistinct and only at the first level?”

“'Once' was once. Half a month ago, I cast a spell to strengthen the earth vein here. It will return to its original strength after a month.”

“Then why can’t I cast the Earth Palace spell?”

“Look carefully further down.”

Zhao Xing increased his vital energy output, sending another surge down, and finally saw clearly what was below.

Below the earth vein, a dark red palace shimmered faintly. Its color was very similar to that of the fire vein, and it was obscured by a vague, cloud-like force, making it impossible to see without careful observation.

As the vague sensation dispersed slightly, Zhao Xing immediately caught a glimpse of one corner.

“Hiss.”

It was a colossal fiery red palace. Just one tile alone was three to four meters in length and width.

Based on the scale of the palace's top layer, Zhao Xing immediately deduced that this fiery red Earth Palace could encompass the entire abandoned factory area.

“This is the Fire Prison Earth Palace spell!” Zhao Xing exclaimed in surprise. “Old Chen, did you do this?”

He even recognized this? Chen Shijie was also taken aback for a moment, then calmly said, “Indeed. You don’t need to waste extra effort casting the Earth Palace spell anymore.”

“Amazing,” Zhao Xing mentally exclaimed, impressed.

Then again, it made sense. During the Bailu (White Dew) theoretical assessment, he already knew that Chen Shijie was a Geomancy Agricultural Official.

It was perfectly normal for him to know the Earth Palace spell.

Zhao Xing’s Boundless Earth Palace was characterized by its vastness, but a single glance at Chen Shijie’s Fire Prison Earth Palace told him that his own couldn't compare in terms of 'size.'

“I’ll go up now.”

“Be careful,” Chen Shijie cautioned again. “If something happens, Long Xiao and I might not be able to pay attention to you.”

“Understood.” Zhao Xing naturally intended to lie low and not cause Chen Shijie any trouble.

That evening, the small fenced courtyard was covered with grasses and vines, and bamboo shoots were gradually emerging as seedlings.

As night fell, Zhao Xing lit the candle on the table, which burned brightly through the night.

November 7th: Nothing happened.

November 8th, Maoshi (5-7 AM): The officials of the Weaving Department completed their assessment.

After the rankings were released, the weavers could give their finished magical garments to practitioners of the other four professions.

Zhao Xing also encountered a weaver gently knocking on his courtyard gate.

“Hello…”

“No, thank you,” Zhao Xing waved his hand, without even looking up.

Lin Baiwei, who had just achieved a top-tier score, looked at Zhao Xing, who was bent over planting, and swallowed the words she had intended to say. She quietly hung the magical garment on the fence and turned to leave.

After a while, Zhao Xing looked up, saw the item on the fence, and was utterly confused: “Did she weave her brain away? I said no, so why force it on me?”

He beckoned, ordering the straw figure to retrieve it, and found that its quality was surprisingly good. It was a third-tier, top-grade True Essence robe, which could enhance vital energy recovery speed when worn.

It would have surely earned a top-tier ranking in the Weaving Department's assessment, but in Zhao Xing's eyes, it was useless.

“How strange. I don’t know any weavers… Did she think I’m handsome?”

Zhao Xing casually tossed the robe aside and continued his cultivation.

On November 8th, during the day, shouts of battle echoed. Zhao Xing stood on the courtyard wall, looking out, observing the Military Department personnel fighting against soldiers disguised as demonic cultists.

On November 9th, the ever-burning lamp began to flicker in the evening, and personnel from the Divine Temple began catching spirits with their lanterns.

Zhao Xing used his Clear Sight to scan the surroundings, noticing that these ghosts had a reddish glow, signifying their fiery deaths.

On November 10th, Chenshi (7-9 AM), the assessments for the Military Department and Divine Temple concluded. The surroundings quieted down, with only the Agricultural Officials' assessment still ongoing.

November 10th, late at night, Zishi (11 PM - 1 AM).

Zhao Xing, who had already confirmed his assessment score would be top-tier, was dozing off with his eyes closed at the table. The civet cat also lay lazily in front of its master, yawning.

Suddenly, the civet cat gave a jolt! It quickly arched its back, its eyes glowing green as it stared intently at the door.

“Whoosh.”

The ever-burning lamp flickered violently, then suddenly went out, plunging the surroundings into silence.

It pawed at Zhao Xing, but he didn't wake up, seemingly in a deep slumber.

“Rustle.”

The civet cat heard a sound and turned its head to look.

The Ominous-Dispelling Almanac automatically flipped to a page and quickly stopped:

Malevolent spirits entering dreams: Great Omen of Danger!