The most secure job in Dajin

Chapter 472, Choosing a Master

The fact that Song Weimin's injuries were so minor was completely unexpected by Hua Changxi.

Logically speaking, being imprisoned in the ghost clan's prison and subjected to the burning of ghost fire and the invasion of ghost energy should have caused some damage to his dantian. However, his dantian was intact, with only his spiritual root being somewhat damaged.

Most importantly, his cultivation level is still very low; he is only a Qi Sea Realm cultivator with five spiritual roots.

Yet, this rogue cultivator, with his low cultivation level and mixed spiritual roots, had a golden lotus flower floating in his dantian.

The moment Hua Changxi saw the golden lotus, she thought of the Golden Lotus of Merit.

At first, she thought that the golden lotus was a chance encounter that Song Weimin had obtained by chance. But upon closer inspection, she discovered that the lotus seeds were actually five-colored, corresponding to the colors of his five elemental spiritual roots.

"The cultivation technique you practice is quite extraordinary."

Song Weimin was already feeling incredibly awkward under Hua Changxi's gaze, as if he were being seen through. Upon hearing her words, he looked over in astonishment: "You can even diagnose what kind of cultivation technique I've practiced?"

Hua Changxi smiled and said, "Of course, observation, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation are the most basic qualities of a doctor." She paused, then added, "Would you mind telling me the name of the cultivation technique you practice?"

If anyone else asked, Song Weimin would definitely not say, but Hua Changxi...

She recognized that his cultivation method was extraordinary, and that he was her savior, so she allowed him to regain control of Nanxiang County.

"The Golden Lotus Merit Formula"

After hearing this, Hua Changxi's eyes flashed with understanding, and then he said, "Your quick agreement to take over the affairs of Nanxiang County must have something to do with the cultivation technique you practice, right?"

When Song Weimin saw that Hua Changxi had even figured this out, his thoughts about her—that she was young and had no background but was able to become the Palace Master of Lingguang Palace mainly because of good luck—began to change.

Indeed, geniuses are all shrewd people.

"Yes."

For humans, the fastest way to accumulate merit is to control a territory, develop people's livelihoods, and allow the people to live and work in peace and contentment.

As a rogue cultivator with no relatives or friends to help him, it was almost impossible for him to seize a piece of land in this era of great strife.

For him, the easiest way was to choose a good master to follow.

Hua Changxi has territory and resources, but lacks manpower, making him the best candidate for the job.

After that, Hua Changxi did not ask Song Weimin any further questions. She used the Nanming Fire to clear the ghostly energy from his body and then used acupuncture to repair his spiritual root.

"Here are a few bottles of Grade Two Five Spirit Pills. Take them and keep them safe. Take one pill every day to nourish your spiritual root with the spiritual energy in the pills. Start cultivating again after half a month."

Song Weimin carefully noted it down. Looking at the top-grade pill in his hand, he couldn't hide his excitement even though he tried to remain calm.

You should know that before, he could only afford low-grade pills, and he needed to accumulate resources for a long time to exchange for a small number of pills.

For him, top-grade pills existed only in hearsay.

"Alright, you can leave the Ghost Fire Well now."

"I have already made arrangements at Lingguang Palace. Once you arrive at Lingguang Palace, five centurions will be under your command and will accompany you to Nanxiang County to take over everything in the city."

"By the way, after you leave, you are not allowed to reveal my identity to anyone."

At this point, Hua Changxi's gaze toward Song Weimin held a scrutinizing and judgmental quality, and at the same time, a lotus-shaped Soul-Chasing Seal materialized in her hand.

Upon seeing the Soul-Chasing Seal, Song Weimin, though unsure of its nature, instinctively sensed danger and quickly promised, "Don't worry, a gentleman's word is his bond. I won't reveal any information about you."

Hua Changxi stared at Song Weimin for a while, then put away the Soul-Chasing Seal: "My trust is very precious. Once it's lost, it's lost forever. There's no way to make up for it. I hope I haven't misjudged you."

The difference between doing things voluntarily and doing things under duress is enormous.

She could plant the Soul-Chasing Seal on the group of cultivators mining at Li Huo Cliff, but doing so might backfire on 'professionals' like Song Weimin.

Seeing that Hua Changxi had put away the Soul-Dropping Seal, Song Weimin breathed a sigh of relief: "A person without integrity cannot stand. I am doing this for myself, and I will not become a person who breaks his word." Hua Changxi raised an eyebrow, neither agreeing nor disagreeing: "You can leave now."

Song Weimin did not move.

Hua Changxi looked at him: "Is there anything else?"

Song Weimin: "What are you going to do with those independent cultivators?"

Hua Changxi: "I haven't looked at their information yet, so I don't have any ideas for now." She paused, then continued, "What, do you have any ideas?"

Song Weimin didn't hold back and quickly shared his thoughts: "When I take over Nanxiang County, I definitely need to have capable people at my disposal."

Hua Changxi: "Didn't I give you five thousand Vermilion Bird soldiers? You think it's not enough?"

Upon hearing this, Song Weimin's expression first showed surprise, then speechlessness, and finally, he said with disdain:

"Military and political affairs should prioritize security, while people's livelihood should prioritize prosperity; military and political affairs should not disturb the people, and people's livelihood should not involve the military. The military should protect the people, and the government should support the people. Only by fulfilling their respective duties can we achieve lasting peace."

"I thought the Vermilion Bird Army you sent to me was for protecting the county town."

"Do you really want the Vermilion Bird Army to interfere in the livelihood affairs of Nanxiang County?"

Hua Changxi was taken aback at first, then lightly patted his head and tried to save face, saying, "Look at me, I've been struck by lightning and my brain isn't working properly. It was my oversight. Military and political affairs and people's livelihood must be separated."

Song Weimin looked at her suspiciously. Why did he feel that she didn't understand the way of governance at all?

Hua Changxi didn't want to be looked down upon by Song Weimin, so she quickly asked, "Do you think those cultivators are usable?"

Song Weimin's attention was indeed diverted: "The royal family doesn't want to attract attention, so the cultivators they captured were all powerless rogue cultivators. Those who are still alive are all ambitious."

Hua Changxi: "How do you know those people have ambition?"

Song Weimin looked at her: "You've been to the Ghost Prison. In that kind of environment, how could someone who didn't break down his defenses and persevered to the end not have any spirit?"

Hua Changxi agreed with this point: "But what about character? People who manage people's livelihood can't be bad people."

Upon hearing this, Song Weimin's lips curled up: "No one is absolutely good or absolutely bad. I just need to make good use of their 'good' qualities."

Looking at Song Weimin's confident smile, and recalling the good reputation the people of Nanxiang County had for him, Hua Changxi waved to Fang Zhuyue: "Bring Lord Song along when you investigate the background of the rogue cultivators."

Fang Zhuyue glanced at Song Weimin and quickly replied, "Yes."

Hua Changxi was silent for a moment, then asked, "How many rogue cultivators are there in total?"

Fang Zhuyue: "Three hundred and sixty-six."

After hearing this, Hua Changxi waved for the two to leave: "Go ahead and get back to your work."

After the two left, Hua Changxi set up isolation and concealment arrays in the cell, then took out the Shennong Cauldron and began refining the 'Forget-Dust Pill'.

By the time she had gathered enough information about the backgrounds of more than three hundred independent cultivators, she had also finished refining her elixir.

Song Weimin smiled at Hua Changxi and said, "All the rogue cultivators are willing to work for the Vermilion Bird Army."

Hua Changxi was not surprised upon hearing this and handed the refined 'Forget-Dust Pill' to Fang Zhuyue.

"This is a first-grade Forget-Me-Not Pill. After taking it, you will forget all your memories from the past year."

"Once those rogue cultivators have recovered from their injuries, give them the pills. Remember, don't miss a single one." (End of Chapter)