After hearing what Duan Xu said, Han Yuan thought it over for a moment and agreed.

For someone like him with no background, joining the Observatory seemed like a good choice.

It wasn’t just for the Inner Breath Technique; more importantly, joining the Observatory would provide a steady path to acquiring resources.

This was very important to him.

"The Demon Extermination Tribe of the Observatory recruits once every year."

"Recruitment happens to be next month, and many people will sign up to participate."

"I can only recommend you for the assessment. Whether or not you pass will depend on your own abilities."

Duan Xu said softly.

"I understand."

"Thank you, Lord Duan."

Han Yuan said gratefully.

Afterward, Duan Xu gave Han Yuan some pointers and they agreed to meet in Cangshui County Town in one month, after which he took his leave.

After seeing Duan Xu off, Han Yuan returned to his courtyard, his expression suddenly becoming lost.

Although he had been mentally preparing to leave for days, now that it was finally set in stone, a faint sense of reluctance still stirred within him.

All told, it had been about half a year since he transmigrated to this world.

After composing himself, Han Yuan began to plan his next steps.

His departure would naturally cause some changes in Qingshui County.

However, the changes wouldn’t be too drastic.

After all, he was only leaving, not dying.

As long as he was still alive, his deterrent effect would naturally remain.

Still, there were things that needed to be done.

「The next day.」

In the main hall of the County Yamen.

Han Yuan explained his plan to join the Observatory to Zheng Heda.

"I knew it."

Hearing this, Zheng Heda didn’t seem surprised, merely a little regretful.

"Did Lord Duan tell you?"

Han Yuan asked in surprise.

"No..."

"I was just already prepared for you to leave."

"As the saying goes, ’a frog at the bottom of a well sees only a patch of sky.’"

"With your ambition, Han Yuan, how could you be content to stay at the bottom of a well for the rest of your life?"

Zheng Heda said with a slight smile.

He was a scholar and had his own ambitions; even he wasn’t resigned to being the County Magistrate of Qingshui County for his entire life.

Let alone a young man as exceptionally talented as Han Yuan.

"Thank you for your blessing, My Lord."

Han Yuan said, cupping his fists.

"On the contrary, it is you who has supported me."

"If it weren’t for you, I’m afraid I’d still be that puppet County Magistrate."

Zheng Heda quickly waved his hand dismissively, then added, "Besides, going to the Observatory is indeed a great opportunity, it’s just that the competition is quite fierce."

"I previously served as a minor official in the County Town. I know that the Noble Families and Sects there will all try to push their people into the Observatory. Those young talents are not necessarily weaker than you, so you must be mentally prepared."

Han Yuan nodded. "Rest assured, My Lord. I won’t bring shame to our Qingshui County Yamen."

"Haha."

"I have faith in your strength."

Zheng Heda laughed heartily before taking out a silver note.

"Consider this silver your travel expenses."

"Don’t worry, it’s from the public accounts."

Zheng Heda said, wiggling his eyebrows.

Han Yuan accepted it, knowing it would be rude to refuse.

Afterward, the two began discussing how to manage the changes that would follow Han Yuan’s departure.

「That day.」

Han Yuan paid a visit to the Cyan Sand Gang and gave Zhao He a harsh lesson.

The kind of lesson that would keep him bedridden for half a month.

That evening, he went to the Li Family’s estate and had a long discussion with their Body Tempering Realm Martial Artist before leaving.

「Seven days later.」

The County Yamen announced a shocking piece of news.

Chief Constable Han Yuan would be heading to the County Town to report for a new post.

After his departure, Li Jing of the Li Family would take over as Chief Constable.

As soon as this news broke, everyone had the same thought.

Han Yuan was getting a promotion.

The people of Qingshui County were not relieved to hear of Han Yuan’s departure; on the contrary, they found it a great pity.

Although this Chief Constable was known to be ruthless, he never killed ordinary people, only targeting the powerful clans and wealthy households.

Moreover, ever since he took office, the gangs in the county town were no longer as brazen as before, and public safety had improved significantly.

Not to mention, he could even handle those vicious ghosts.

He provided a true sense of security.

With him gone, the people of Qingshui County feared things would return to the way they were.

Thus, many citizens flocked to the County Yamen, begging Han Yuan not to go.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Heda had no choice but to come out and explain that Han Yuan was only going to the County Town for his new post and that it was still possible for him to return. Only then did the crowd of citizens disperse.

....

"You brat, you’ve really made it now."

In a private room in the finest tavern in Qingshui County, Wang Changbai said with a sigh, holding his wine cup.

"Weren’t you the one who said it?"

"’A man born into this world ought to make a name for himself.’"

"And now, I’m off to the County Town to do just that."

Han Yuan said with a laugh.

"Making a name for yourself in the County Town? What’s that?"

"If you’re a true hero, Han Yuan, then you should go to the Province City, or even the Capital!"

"Let the entire Great Ling Dynasty know the name Han Yuan!"

"Now *that* would be truly making a name for yourself!"

Wang Changbai roared with laughter.

"Don’t you worry."

"That day will come, sooner or later."

Han Yuan declared, full of heroic spirit.

"Mm."

"Go on, then."

"With me here in Qingshui County, it won’t fall into chaos."

Wang Changbai said with a wave of his hand.

"Here’s some silver. Use it sparingly."

Han Yuan took out a five hundred tael silver note.

It was undoubtedly a huge sum of money.

"No need."

"I’ve earned plenty these past few days."

"You’ll only be spending more money once you get to the County Town."

Wang Changbai refused.

"Just take it."

"If I can rake in this much money in Qingshui County, I’ll naturally rake in even more once I’m in the Observatory."

"So just take it."

Han Yuan stuffed the silver note into Wang Changbai’s hand.

"Fine, I’ll hold onto it for you then," Wang Changbai said with a smile.

"You old coot, try to drink a little less from now on."

"Or maybe find a wife to look after you."

Han Yuan said offhandedly.

"We’ll see..."

"Come, let’s have a drink."

Wang Changbai chuckled.

"I just told you to drink less."

"I’ll start after you leave."

"You old coot..."

......

「Three days later.」

It was early morning, the sky still dark.

Han Yuan was already up.

His injuries were about eighty percent healed, and even the sinister poison had been expelled from his body.

Grabbing his already packed bag and slinging the Cold Blade saber over his back, Han Yuan left his home.

He had already asked Wang Changbai to arrange for someone to come and clean the place regularly.

As autumn set in, the morning air had grown cold and damp.

But with his qi and blood burning like a furnace, Han Yuan naturally paid it no mind.

He first made a stop at the County Yamen.

Wang Dahua was already waiting at the main gate of the County Yamen, holding the reins of a horse.

"Chief Constable... why don’t I go with you to the County Town?"

"That way, we can look out for each other."

Wang Dahua said with simple honesty.

"And what would you do with me?"

"You just stay put right here at the Qingshui County Yamen."

Han Yuan chided him with a laugh, taking the reins from Wang Dahua. "Alright... go on back."

After Wang Dahua’s reluctant farewell, Han Yuan mounted the horse and galloped toward the city gates.

Just then.

The figures of Zheng Heda and Zhang Hu emerged from the entrance of the County Yamen.

"Steward Zhang... what do you think will happen... when Han Yuan reaches the County Town?"

Zheng Heda asked with a smile.

Zhang Hu stroked his beard and said with a grin, "I fear there will be heads rolling and rivers of blood."