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Cheng Lingzhu also transformed, taking on the appearance of a slightly younger man, fair and clean-shaven, with a scholarly demeanor.

However, she wore ordinary clothes.

An advisor, as the aide to the magistrate, was an unofficial position and did not warrant official attire or seal. “Let’s go, Magistrate Wu.”

Cheng Lingzhu smiled.

Lu Xuan glanced at the snake god statues in the distance and declared loudly:

“Let’s head to our post in Snake City!”

Inside Qingxian City.

At a tea stall, Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu sipped tea while observing their surroundings.

Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu had not yet reported to the county office.

The reason, Lu Xuan thought before entering Qingxian City, was something else.

A heritage site that assigns a specific identity to the destined person was quite rare.

After all, the characteristic of a city-state type heritage site was to blur the line between reality and illusion. The NPCs in the city have their own thoughts, and they would not even be aware that they were fictitious.

A destined person entering would believe they’ve arrived at a regular city, participating in the city’s normal operations and influencing the storyline.

Only after passing numerous tests would they realize that this was a heritage city left by a predecessor.

The most ingenious part of the entire process was the revelation of the truth at the end.

But Qingxian City directly presents the identity, essentially telling the inheritor, “This city is a scenario, and the people inside are NPCs.” “You are now playing a role-playing game; try to figure out how to clear it.” It was too straightforward, lacking the charm of a Xianxia setting.

Such a design, if spread out, might be ridiculed by other powerful beings. “We are restricted to play the role of a magistrate to pass the test.”

Cheng Lingzhu pondered, “The one who left this test is a powerful being, and those accepting the test are cultivators, yet in this city, our identity is that of a mortal realm’s magistrate…”

Lu Xuan nodded.

“The predecessor’s intention is likely that we cannot use our cultivation… At least not too much of it. Instead, we should use our wisdom to resolve crises encountered in Qingxian City.”

He had already used his soul sense to scan the area. It was indeed merely a mortal city.

Not to mention himself and Cheng Lingzhu, even a Qi Refining Stage cultivator could wreak havoc in this city.

“Such immense power for the head of a county, what kind of danger could there be?”

Cheng Lingzhu furrowed her brows.

It was with this thought that the two decided to first understand the situation.

Lu Xuan changed out of his official robes, and together with Cheng Lingzhu, disguised as ordinary citizens, they entered the city.

Lu Xuan looked around.

In this area, every household and every shop had a small platform built into their outer walls.

On each platform sat a miniature statue, humanoid with a snake head, identical to the ones they had seen outside the city.

Each statue was adorned with a strip of black and blue cloth, which was quite peculiar.

“Are the two guests visiting our Qingxian City for the first time?”

At that moment, an elderly man with white hair approached.

He was the owner of the tea stall. Business was slow for him that day, with only three or four customers occupying seats. “Oh? How could you tell, old man?”

Lu Xuan asked with a smile.

“Hehe, if you had been to our Qingxian City before, how could you be so unfamiliar with Lord Qingxian?”

The elder chuckled.

“Qingxian?”

Lu Xuan raised an eyebrow.

“Yes.”

The elder nodded before answering, “Qingxian is the guardian deity of our Qingxian City. Legend has it that during a great flood, it was a large green python that saved everyone’s lives.

Later, the survivors rebuilt this city and, in gratitude to the great green python, named the city ‘Qingxian.”‘

“I see.”

Lu Xuan nodded slightly upon hearing this, “No wonder every household in

Qingxian City has a statue of Qingxian at their door.”

“Actually, it’s also a requirement of the Qingxian Society. Those of us who run businesses dare not defy the orders of the lords of the Qingxian Society,” The elder sighed.

“Qingxian Society?”

Cheng Lingzhu was taken aback.

“The Qingxian Society is a major local organization, responsible for organizing sacrifices and managing everything related to Qingxian,” The elder explained.

“These Qingxian statues are all purchased at a high price from the Qingxian Society… If we don’t, it’s considered disrespectful to Qingxian. Minor offenses result in a fine, but major ones lead to imprisonment.”

“A civic organization has the power to imprison people? The Qingxian Society is so arrogant?”

Lu Xuan frowned.

“Ah, ah, be careful with your words, guest.”

The elder’s expression changed upon hearing this. He looked around to make sure no one was paying attention to them, then heaved a sigh of relief.

“In our city, the Qingxian Society is the law. Even the government officials have to follow their lead.

People here know that if you offend the government, you can still argue your case, but if you offend the Qingxian Society… You won’t even see tomorrow’s sun.”

The elder shook his head helplessly, “My little tea stall has to give half of its monthly income to the lords of the Qingxian Society.” “How much tax do you pay to the government?”

Cheng Lingzhu asked.

“Twenty percent. ”

The elder gave a bitter smile.

“So, we barely survive the year without starving, and we dare not fall ill.

If we get sick and can’t afford the treatment, we have to borrow from the Qingxian Society at exorbitant interest rates. Failing to repay often leads to selling children or indenturing family members, resulting in broken homes and ruined lives.”

“Such blatant disregard for the law, doesn’t the government intervene at all?” Lu Xuan tapped on the table.

The tea stall owner heaved wearily, “Now, the entire country is dealing with the Black Lotus Sect. These Black Lotus heretics are rebelling everywhere, causing chaos. The central government is too overwhelmed to manage a small county like ours.”

Lu Xuan looked around the streets of Qingxian City, which seemed somewhat chaotic and noisy.

This was because in recent days, many people fleeing from Qinghe County had poured into the city.

The reason was the Black Lotus Sect’s uprising in Qinghe County, rebelling and killing officials, forcing the common people to flee.

This also explained why the people of Qingxian City didn’t flee.

The situation outside was even worse than in the city.

“What about the previous county head of Qingxian City? Did he just ignore

Cheng Lingzhu pondered this question.

“They’re all in cahoots with the Qingxian Society.”

The elder spoke, “Every magistrate who takes office has to cooperate with the

Qingxian Society. They concoct various reasons to exploit the people.” “A part of the money goes as taxes, and the rest into the magistrate’s pocket.”

“Paying taxes promptly and sufficiently pleases the higher-ups, leading to promotions. It’s a win-win for them – they achieve ‘performance’ and line their pockets.”

After speaking, the tea stall owner paused, then continued, “In fact, there have been good magistrates, but in Qingxian City, they can’t last long.”

“The entire city only recognizes the Qingxian Society, not the government offices. What the government can’t handle, the Qingxian Society can solve with a word.”

“Anything not permitted by the Qingxian Society, no one dares to do, even if forced by the government.”

“And…”

The elder lowered his voice, “Any magistrate who opposes the Qingxian Society ends up dying mysteriously. What goes on here…”

“A time of chaos.’

Lu Xuan remained silent for a long time.

The central government’s control over the local areas had weakened significantly, to the extent that even murdering officials could be easily covered up.

“Let’s settle the bill.”

Lu Xuan took out half a silver coin from his pocket and placed it on the table.

He now knew what he had to do in Qingxian City.

“This, this… this is too much, I can’t accept it.”

The elder hurriedly pushed the silver back towards Lu Xuan.

“Just take it.”

Lu Xuan insisted, pushing the silver into the elder’s hand.

At that moment, a commotion arose in the distance.

The sound of drums and gongs filled the air.

A deep voice announced, “Qingxian is passing, mortals make way!”

Lu Xuan looked in the direction of the sound and saw a very tall idol.

This idol, carved from a single piece of huge wood and draped in black cloth, was slightly shorter than the city gates when placed on its moving platform.

Wherever it passed, people kneeled down, not daring to look directly at the deity.

In front of the idol, several men from the Qingxian Society laughed heartily, riding their horses recklessly as if clearing the way.

The people hurriedly moved aside, afraid of being trampled.

In the midst of the chaos, a young child was pushed over and fell to the ground.

Seeing this, one of the horsemen in black not only didn’t panic but also showed a cruel smile.

He pulled the reins hard, making the horse rear up. Its huge front hooves came crashing down, viciously trampling towards the young child.