"This is exactly the point that Old Xiao and I are most worried about, the salt mine in Jingyan County." Shen Yu’s expression was serious: "If I’m not mistaken, this is the biggest trap the Fifth Prince has dug for you."

"Previously, the salt mine in Jingyan County was nominally under the control of County Governor Baili, but because County Governor Baili is busy with public duties, he only manages the overall mining and production of Jingyan, while other specifics are handled by someone else."

"The safety, excavation, processing, and transportation of the salt mine are overseen by the Imperial Examination Hall."

"And behind the Imperial Examination Hall is a Standard Fourth-Grade Governor’s Office, equivalent to the same level as Old Xiao’s, led by Governor An Hengying."

"This Governor oversees the entire Xirong County and his power is not weaker than Old Xiao."

"Additionally, the Imperial Examination Hall is composed of martial practitioners, and An Hengying himself is a master at the Refining Organ Realm, with strength comparable to the six commanders of the Tiger Armor Army."

Comparable to the commanders of the Tiger Armor Army, that would at least be at the late stage of the Refining the Internal Organs.

"Although this Governor essentially doesn’t interfere with the Imperial Examination Hall and has never managed Jingyan, it doesn’t mean he would tolerate a sudden new Chief Clerk’s Office."

"There is also the issue of the Fifth Prince finally asking for the opinion of Governor An..."

Shen Yu finished speaking, looking more worried: "In other words, it looks like you’ve been promoted, but in fact you’ve lost the trust of the Seventh Prince."

"At the same time, you’ve offended the most beloved County Governor Baili in Xirong County, and the Standard Fourth-Grade Governor of the Refining Organ Realm, as well as the Imperial Examination Hall."

"Even with Old Xiao supporting you, you won’t have any fewer troubles in the future."

Xiao He nodded slightly, his expression solemn: "But that’s not all..."

"Do you know why the position of Chief Clerk in Xirong County has been vacant for five years?"

Chu Ming shook his head, he genuinely didn’t know.

But for a Senior Seventh-Grade Official’s position to be vacant for so long, there must be a reason.

"There is an evil spirit in the salt mine of Jingyan County, and the former Chief Clerk died while descending into the mine shaft."

The previous Chief Clerk died in Jingyan County, and it was caused by an evil spirit?

Chu Ming was startled.

He had heard of the infamous evil spirits for a long time, but never really heard of them taking lives.

Unexpectedly, such an event had happened in Jingyan County, next to Baiyuan County.

To his knowledge, the evil spirits are elusive and very hard to kill; martial practitioners can only deter them, and only the Primordial Qi Warriors of the Divine Mystery Bureau have the means to vanquish them.

But looking at Xiao He and Shen Yu, why did it seem like there was no intention to eliminate the evil spirit?

"That evil spirit at the time was exterminated by a Primordial Qi Warrior of the Divine Mystery Bureau,"

Xiao He seemed to see through Chu Ming’s thoughts and continued: "But once an evil spirit is slain, it can regenerate."

"Especially in such places as the salt mines, which are inherently prone to birth evil spirits."

"Most of us civil servants are physically inferior to martial practitioners and can easily attract evil spirits."

"County Governor Baili has practiced martial arts, his Qi Blood is strong, and he has a deterrent effect on evil spirits."

"The Primordial Qi Warriors of the Divine Mystery Bureau said that in a few months to several years, evil spirits may be born again in the salt mines."

"Therefore, County Governor Baili has always concurrently taken the role of Chief Clerk."

"Can’t it be completely eradicated?" Chu Ming was somewhat worried.

If there really are evil spirits, the problem would be severe.

He wasn’t sure if he could handle the evil spirits; all he had mastered were martial skills and Body Refining Technique, unlike the ’Magic’ methods of the Primordial Qi Warriors of the Divine Mystery Bureau.

...It seems that’s not entirely out of the question...

Chu Ming’s heart stirred. After a mutation, the Sword Gourd Spirit could perform mental attacks with its Spiritual Sense, but he wasn’t sure of its effectiveness.

It seemed he needed to find a way to come into contact with a Primordial Qi Warrior of the Divine Mystery Bureau.

As the Chief Clerk, he would inevitably have to visit the site. Should he encounter an evil spirit...

The Divine Mystery Bureau... Primordial Qi Warrior...

Chu Ming suddenly became curious about what kind of people they were.

There were no Divine Mystery Bureau members at tonight’s banquet; they seemed quite mysterious.

Xiao He shook his head lightly: "I don’t know. But I think if it could be eradicated, the Divine Mystery Bureau would have done it five years ago."

Implying the Divine Mystery Bureau couldn’t completely eradicate it either.

"As the Chief Clerk, you’ll inevitably have to go down the mine. If you encounter..."

"Old Xiao, can’t we ask a Primordial Qi Warrior of the Divine Mystery Bureau to protect Chu Ming?" Shen Yu asked anxiously.

"Difficult, very difficult. The Primordial Qi Warriors of the Divine Mystery Bureau are in seclusion most of the time, only appearing when it’s confirmed that an evil spirit has emerged,"

"Tonight, the two princes invited the Primordial Qi Warriors of the Divine Mystery Bureau, but did you see any of them show up?"

No regard for the prince’s invitation, so why would they care for Chu Ming’s?

"Those guys?!" Shen Yu was anxious and angry.

"The Primordial Qi Warriors of the Divine Mystery Bureau mostly don’t interact with the outside world, and few people outside even know about the special organization of the Divine Mystery Bureau in the Great Qin Dynasty.

These Primordial Qi Warriors, unless an evil spirit appears, otherwise, they only focus on closed-door cultivation.

What exactly they are cultivating, no one but the Primordial Qi Warriors themselves know from the outside.

"Alas..." Xiao He sighed: "It’s not entirely without a solution. I’ve heard the Divine Mystery Bureau is looking for something recently, maybe..."

"What thing?" Shen Yu hurriedly asked.

Chu Ming’s eyes also lit up.

However, Xiao He shook his head, indicating he didn’t know.

"...saying it as if not saying it at all." Shen Yu glanced displeasedly, then turned to look at Chu Ming:

"You shouldn’t worry too much, although you’ve become the Chief Clerk, you may not immediately have to go down to the mines. Let’s think of another way."

Just as he finished speaking, a voice came from outside the pavilion: "My lord, a message was delivered by order of the Fifth Prince himself."

"Speak," Xiao He felt a bad premonition at that moment.

"The Fifth Prince said that for the past two years, Jingyan County’s salt production has stagnated, but demand is increasing day by day, hence he commands the Chief Clerk to inspect the mines as soon as possible to find ways to increase production."

"If you can increase production by ten percent within three years, you’ll be promoted to Sixth Grade. If not, you’ll be reprimanded once, and if production drops, you’ll be demoted to commoner status."

With those words, the messenger departed respectfully.

The Lake Heart Pavilion fell silent, with only the night’s breeze gently brushing the lake’s surface, stirring up slight water sounds.

But on closer look, Shen Yu’s hand was tightly gripping the teacup, with what seemed like a flame of anger burning in his eyes.

Xiao He’s face wasn’t much better.

The Fifth Prince wasn’t just using Chu Ming, it seemed he wanted to leave no way out!

Chu Ming had a cold glint flash in his eyes, but it was quickly concealed.

Before tonight’s banquet, he had never met the Fifth Prince, yet just because he chose to side with the Seventh Prince, the other party schemed to have him put to death.

Wan Family, Imperial Examination Hall, Blood Evil Sect, Fifth Prince...

Chu Ming didn’t expect that with the Wan Family and Blood Evil Sect still not resolved, the Fifth Prince would rise as a threat.

Now sending him down the mine was equivalent to putting him in danger. Who could guarantee that he wouldn’t encounter an evil spirit?

If he were merely an ordinary civil servant who had never practiced martial arts, he would definitely become a target for the evil spirits.

"Chu Ming, if it doesn’t work, have Fang Xiao ask Commander Xiang of the Tiger Armor Army. Commander Xiang, with his wide knowledge, might have a strategy." Xiao He remembered something.

"Yes, Commander Xiang with his wide knowledge will surely have a solution." Shen Yu’s eyes flashed with a bit of hope.

Master?

Chu Ming indeed had that thought.

Afterward, Xiao He, Shen Yu, and Chu Ming discussed many things until the middle of the night, when Chu Ming finally left the Commandery Mansion.

Shen Yu didn’t go back with Chu Ming; it seemed he had something to discuss with Xiao He.

"Young master, you’re back?"

Little Shan had not slept. When she saw Chu Ming return, she immediately approached to help him change clothes, and also prepared hangover soup and warm water at just the right temperature to wash his face and feet.