Chapter 1205: The Consequences of Eavesdropping

"Prefect Zhou Hai is taking office and has ordered all magistrates in Zhongshan Prefecture to attend a meeting at the prefecture tomorrow?" Mankoo received the notice just as he finished a busy day at work. He was currently handling matters for both the previous and the one before previous prefects, which had kept him very busy lately. Fortunately, with two senior brothers assisting him, he was able to leave work on time.

"Finally, a new Prefect has arrived," Mankoo sighed, reflecting on how challenging it was to have two prefects in just a few days. After some thought, Mankoo informed Lu Yang and his companion about the meeting, hoping they would accompany him tomorrow. Normally, magistrates would bring attendants or constables when traveling to look after them and ensure their safety.

"Go to the meeting together? Indeed, Junior Brother Mankoo, you are in the Void Refinement stage. While you're safe within the county's small area, you could encounter danger outside the city." This meant Lu Yang and his companion would be on night duty searching for female ghosts, and after their shift, they wouldn't be able to rest, as they'd have to attend the meeting with Mankoo during the day. Although cultivators in the Tribulation Transcending stage wouldn't feel tired even after 180 days without rest, Mankoo was still very touched.

Qu Yi County was well-governed and peaceful. The two newly appointed constables encountered no incidents during their night shift and, after it ended, accompanied Mankoo to Zhongshan Prefecture. A few days earlier, Lu Yang and his companion had visited Zhongshan Prefecture to deal with the Hundred Swords Alliance, but it was at night, and the deserted streets were empty. Arriving in Zhongshan Prefecture during the day, they found it quite bustling. While Qu Yi County had flourished under Mankoo's governance in recent years, it was still just a county town and couldn't compare to Zhongshan Prefecture.

At the entrance of the Prefectural Yamen, they encountered several magistrates arriving for the meeting. Some came in palanquins, others in carriages, all looking very distinguished, while only Mankoo and his two companions arrived on foot. Despite Mankoo arriving on foot, none of the magistrates dared to underestimate him. They all stepped out of their palanquins or carriages with deferential smiles for him. Arresting two prefects in three days, with the second one being jailed on the very day of his inauguration—such an achievement was unsettling to anyone.

"Lord Mankoo, it's been a while; your demeanor is as impressive as ever!""Lord Mankoo indeed acts decisively and tolerates no impurities; truly a role model for us all!""A disciple of Wen Dao Sect and a top scholar in the imperial examination—Lord Mankoo possesses both identities, which is enviable!"

Mankoo politely returned the greetings: "I will certainly interact more with you gentlemen in the future." Upon hearing this, the magistrates were startled and quickly entered the Prefectural Yamen. They certainly didn't want *more* interaction, lest Mankoo stir up trouble where there was none. Mankoo scratched his head, thinking, "This isn't right. I said exactly what the chief clerk taught me. Why is their reaction different from what he described?"

"Never mind, let's go in," Mankoo decided. He was always open-minded and saw no need to dwell on things he couldn't understand; it was a waste of brainpower.

Upon entering the Prefectural Yamen, Mankoo proceeded to the council hall, while Lu Yang and his companion, acting as attendants, had to wait outside. They weren't alone; other magistrates' attendants and constables were also waiting outside with them.

"Thank you, Senior Brothers, for your trouble. I wonder how long this new Prefect's meeting will last. You two can take a stroll around the prefecture."

Lu Yang waved his hand and smiled, "No need, no need. We came along precisely to protect you; how could we leave?"

Inside the council hall, no sooner had Mankoo sat down than an unfamiliar magistrate approached him.

"Lord Mankoo, thank you.""You are?""I am Yang Dinghai, the newly appointed magistrate of Guyuan County.""Ah, Lord Yang. May I ask what this gratitude is for?" Mankoo asked, cupping his hands in greeting."You flatter me, my lord. Originally, when Zhang Tongheng became Prefect, the magistrate position in Guyuan County became vacant. Both Liu Wangzhi and I had a chance to become magistrate, but Liu Wangzhi was very skilled at currying favor with Zhang Tongheng, so he had a higher probability. However, because you, Lord Mankoo, had both Zhang Tongheng and Liu Wangzhi arrested, I got the opportunity to become magistrate."Mankoo suddenly understood: "I see. It was merely my duty; no thanks are necessary.""Lord Mankoo, if you ever need my assistance in the future, please don't hesitate to ask; I will do my best to help."

The two chatted for a while longer, and Mankoo grew a little puzzled: "Speaking of which, we've been talking for so long, isn't the Prefect coming?" His two senior brothers were waiting outside, and he wanted the meeting to finish early. It wasn't just Mankoo who felt they had waited a long time; the other magistrates also found the wait extended. Why was Prefect Zhou late for his first meeting? "A new official sets three fires upon taking office; is he trying to intimidate us?"

Outside the council hall stood a man who, judging by his attire, was indeed the Prefect. Prefect Zhou heard the murmurs from the council hall and smiled faintly. In Huangzhou, he had served as the Chief Clerk of Merit, overseeing personnel appointments and removals, a position of immense power. Even prefects treated him with courtesy. His appointment as Prefect in Zhongshan Prefecture was merely a stepping stone for career advancement. Once he gained sufficient experience, he would naturally be promoted to a higher rank. His current achievements were inseparable from his cultivation method. His cultivation method was somewhat unique; it resembled the Buddhist 'Mind-Reading' ability, though not as potent. It allowed him to eavesdrop on others' conversations. Being perceptive, he could discern relationships from these talks, enabling him to sow discord or curry favor and profit from situations. The reason for his tardiness was his desire to listen in on the conversations of the magistrates and the constables outside the council hall, hoping to gather useful intelligence.

"It's about time to go in," Prefect Zhou chuckled, regretting that he hadn't overheard the conversation between Mankoo's two companions.

Suddenly, the conversation of Mankoo's two companions drifted into his ears. "I feel that the Central Heavenly Emperor's Devouring Dao Fruit is quite powerful. It can even devour other people's Dao Fruits, so doesn't that mean he can possess several Dao Fruits?"

"Guan Shanhai's Imprint Dao Fruit is also impressive. If he were given the chance, he might even create a new world."

"I wonder what kind of Dao Fruit we'll be able to condense and what incredible effects it will have."

Prefect Zhou felt a moment of disorientation. What had just happened? He had a strange feeling that a segment of his memory was missing.

"It's about time to go in," Prefect Zhou chuckled, regretting that he hadn't overheard the conversation between Mankoo's two companions.

The conversation of Mankoo's two companions drifted into his ears again. "Senior Ying Tianxian's Tribulation Responding Dao Fruit, which controls heavenly tribulations, sounds mighty just thinking about it!"

"Senior Jiu Zhongxian's Yin-Yang Dao Fruit treats the world as a chessboard, bestowing yin and yang attributes and annihilating all things."

"I wonder who among the two of them is more powerful."

"Why is the Prefect constantly eavesdropping on our conversation? Does he even understand? Dao Fruit knowledge has a forgetting effect, doesn't it?"

"I don't know. Let him listen if he wants; he won't remember anyway."

Prefect Zhou felt a moment of disorientation again. What had just happened? He had a strange feeling that a segment of his memory was missing.

"It's about time to go in."

"This Dao Fruit..."

"Why isn't the Prefect here yet?" Mankoo grew increasingly anxious. He had been waiting from noon until the afternoon; nearly three hours had passed. The other magistrates also had complaints about Prefect Zhou.

"I'll go find the Prefect."

Mankoo opened the council hall door and saw Prefect Zhou standing there blankly, his eyes vacant. On his first day in office, Prefect Zhou's "three fires" metaphorically backfired on him, as he ended up standing outside the council hall for nearly three hours as if in punishment.