Chapter 20: Inspection
At this time, Wu Ming just arrived; speaking would reveal flaws so it was better to stay silent.
Although the elder seemed to be asking for something, a Side-Quest of some sort. He had a big threat to obliterate so he did not stay for a long time and after asking the route, he immediately headed to the county.
"This town is overcast, sullen and numb. Not good…"
After walking for a few miles, the sun could finally be seen from the fog fading and Wu Ming was relieved and let loose a long breath.
At this time, he saw acres of land, the mountains and lakes standing side by side, chickens and dogs chasing one and the other and a few thatched cottages. There were smoke but it was no harm.
After walking more than ten miles, he saw a square-shaped city. The walls were covered in green and black moss. The door opened, the pedestrians were bustling, looking famished with a sense of distress.
"Ten coins to enter the city !"
The defending city soldiers's cold faces froze, seeing Wu Ming's longstanding robe and outstanding gowns of silk; entirely different from ordinary people, his eyes moved slightly.
Wu Ming has no belongings. Although Overgod Palace also has this kind of exchange, Merit Points are precious so he didn't care much about that.
But at this time, there are some minor problems.
'Somewhat wrong, I know that I'm wearing azure clothes and would look for a sheath for Peach Wood Sword. I can pretend to be a talent and receive privileges…'
Wu Ming secretly wrote this down and instead of entering the city, he went to the notice column next to it.
On the side of the gates, dense packs of notices were pasted layer after layer with yellow color at the corners. It was mostly about fishing instruments, wanted dead-or-alive portraits and official notices.
In the middle, there was a bright yellow list that read :
"… Here under the rule of Heitai, in Black Water Town, evil spirits and wandering ghosts grows. The official who protects the government and the people, also has the responsibility to protect the earth… However the ways of Yin and Yang are different and so, we call upon capable people, generous and righteous heroes for help. Regardless of background, place of origin, as long as they achieve success; shall be rewarded with two hundred silver patterns and one hundred acres of good land…"
Underneath is an unfamiliar year and month and a boxy bright red official seal.
"Hundred acres of good fields ? This is almost a thousand taels of silver, which is pretty rich… just Black Water Town ?"
Wu Ming thought of where he came from and suddenly laughed : "I don't want to turn around but I still have to go back to the original point…"
He didn't say much at the moment, just went forward and gently removed the list; holding it in his hand.
"What ?"
"Someone unveiled ?"
In an instant, a group of people gathered around and looked at him with curiosity, shock and even gloom and gloat.
"Well ? Look at this…I've seen many people unveiling but I'm afraid that this time, this one is less formidable !"
Wu Ming's heart moved, his body full of anger but his face remained unchanged.
The two tolerances came over immediately and he saw a bit of spectrum in their heart. They saw a lot of people but naturally, they knew that this boy was different than the previous ones who drank and cheated, and could not help but say : "Young master, can you think about this ? Do not blame the county if no one comes to save you !"
"This is natural !"
Wu Ming replied with a smile and entered the city with the two tolerances with the entrance fee naturally waived.
In Heitai County, it is more preposterous than the outside world. There is not much hunger and cold amongst the pedestrians and the street was quite clean. Rice shops, salt shops, tea houses, pawn shops, wine cellars, hotels, clothes shops, jewellery shops and brothels… There all kinds of vendors, row after row, picking up department stores and selling them around the street.
Without speaking a single word all the way, at the county offical gate, Wu Ming was taken to a room, waiting.
At this time, a small official said, "We'll be there for you, you must pay attention !"
His Honour is the head of the county and it is natural that you do not want to see him. The Inspector is in charge of public security of the county and is in fact, occupies a similar job to the director of public security in the modern world. Different grades for different dynasties but they are always nine grades and entering the court is of tremendous prestige; incomparable to non-officials.
"This, I know. Thank you !"
Wu Ming took a gift for ceremony but got a white eye.
"Hmph !"
The official, who didn't expect the red envelop tip, snorted coldly and backed away. Wu Ming immediately knew that he offended the devil. If he got caught, it would be more troublesome.
It is just that he was not a local person but a guest from outside the world. Plus, he has no money but it doesn't matter.
Obviously, the Inspector Wu was busy. Wu Ming has been waiting for more than half an hour before meeting the real person.
Of course, there are no tea or snacks during the period, which was the result of the devil.
Wu Ming saw an official come in. He was seven feet tall, his face seemed less than 40 years old, his skin black, his eyes bright and his face was sharp and angular which carried which carried a dignified air of law. Naturally, he knew that it was the Heitai County Inspector, Wu Hong, who he deeply greeted.
At this time, he couldn't say that he had no name or surname. Anyway, his used name was "No Name" and when other reincarnators listened, they only thought it was a pseudonym.
That is true and false.
"Your name is Wu Ming? Well, what kind of skills and abilities you have to dare to take this list? Hum? Have you ever gone to school?"
When he saw Wu Ming, the latter saluted but did not kneel. Wu Hong`s eyes flickered, he has heard the claim of Wu Ming being a scholar and couldn`t help asking.
He was in charge of the public security and no matter what kind of people he met, even Jiang Yang thieves, they would tremble in fear when they met him. If he wanted it round, it shall be round; if he wanted it to be flat, it shall be flat. From what he saw it, the other party should have knelled immediately; otherwise he would be considered disrespectful.
Seeing that Wu Ming was very polite at this point in time, calm and composed, he was at ease.
Of course, this has something to do with Wu Ming being a scholar.
Throughout the dynasties, as long as they are still farming empires, they would always give preferential treatment to scholars.
"Going to school at an early age, I'm ashamed of being without fame but I do recognize a few words…"
Although Wu Ming had a little ink in his stomach, but how could he know about the four books and five classics of this dynasty? If you said that you're a young scholar, the test would definitely reveal some details so it's better to say you can only recognize some words.
Anyway, after reading the list outside the city, Wu Ming knew that the typeface here was similar to that of Great Zhou Dynasty.
"Even so, it hard to get…"
Wu Hong nodded slightly, his face slightly calm.
Although Wu Ming is not a child but he is also from a family of scholars. He is a student and a scholar. He always has to score a wide point. Since this time was not a formal occasion and he wasn't a Seventh-Grade County District Official, he naturally let it go: "The list is not light. Once you take this, you cannot push it away. Can you do this?"
"Please be assured! At an early age. I've learnt how to breath and meditate and father has been old friends with a Daoist Elder. I asked for some charms and talismans from him and I have some grasp about ghosts."
Wu Ming and seeing the hesitation in Wu Hong, followed up with: "This trip was because I was bored of reading, thinking that reading a thousand books is not as useful as travelling a thousand miles. This time, it's over Black Mountains…"
This last sentence, he thought about the people at Black Water, when they saw that he came out of the Black Mountains, were scared to death. Soon he added.
"Black Mountains?"
Wu Hong listened and his face changed. After paying to Wu Ming for a long time, he laughed and said, "Now the world is not right. You can travel around so obviously, you have a card in your sleeve. Since it is the case, I'll got report you name."
"Thank you, sir!"
Wu Ming deeply saluted, knowing that the mission in his Sea of Consciousness suddenly changed:
[Successfully arrived at Heitai City and uncovered the list, Side Quest Mission - Arrival (completed)!]
[The second Side Quest Mission starts: Investigate!]
[Mission Objective: You who uncovered the list, investigate the truth behind Black Water Town's disaster within seven days. If you succeed, you will start the main mission. Failure will result on a thousand Minor Merits deduction, if it is insufficient, you will be obliterated!]
'Black Water Town?'
Wu Ming sighed in his heart and frowned: 'Is it really related to that town? But why do bother to going to the county city first?'
Wu Hong asked again: "You are a young talent, I am the father of Black Water Town. The county has an order, within seven days, there must be results… What are your requirements?"
At this time, the servant served tea and the conservation came to an end.
"This… To deal with ghosts and goblins, this student need some materials to arrange altars and sacrifices…"
Wu Ming pretended to be a little embarrassed.
However, he is indeed penniless and destitute.
"This official will naturally say something to the public account, mention twelve taels of silver coins!"
Wu Hong frowned and picked the teacup.
Wu Ming naturally knows that this is the end of tea delivery and immediately got up and thanked.
…
Out of the Yamen, Wu Ming touched the five taels of silver bars in his arms but he sneered.
On the book, there are twelve but Hu Cao and the small officials of every level shrunk it by half. This is the rules and no one can say anything about it.
Wu Hong said it was twelve, in fact, the book may have gone twenty-two or thirty three, which doesn't need to be elaborated.
Finally, he still wanted him to do something, giving him a fine white silk of high official silver, shattered and scattered. It is neither too big or too small and enough for a family of three to tightly survive for a year.
'After I unveiled the list, I don't know whenever Tu Yanghao's tasks changed, failed or even revealed…'
Wu Ming seemed to wander aimlessly around the county but he didn't control the tail that followed him from the government office.
The government is not a fool, how could they let him take the money and leave? It's necessary to follow him.
It's okay this time but once the seven days limit passed or you show your intention of escaping, then your ending… hehe…
"But… the water in Black Water Town seems really deep…" [TR: That is to the situation is very messy]
Wu Ming did go out of the city lest stimulating the two tails but instead walked slowly, his brows tightened: "That Wu Hong! The muscles and bones are thick and strong and his martial arts are at least equivalent to Da Zhou's Mortal Body Realm 4th Layer, possessing Inner Strength… and he's just an Inspector, the bottom of the official chain. The maximum number of servants is one hundred… Even if you're short, there should still be a manpower of twenty to thirty and with the official body that can offset the power of law… Even if he can't, he can still use the County Magistrate, calling soldiers of the county, mustering three to five hundred…"
"They have so much power but they can't deal with the strange things happening in the town?"
Wu Ming frowned.
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