It was just a single examination that ranked first, but Zhao Xing discovered that his colleagues' attitudes warmed up considerably. As he walked out of the backyard, many people started to strike up conversations with him.
Zhang San said there was a Doucao game happening nearby and invited him to watch. Li Si suggested they meet up for a drink.
There was even an older gentleman who invited Zhao Xing to listen to some music. He apologized, "What is your name again?"
"I am Huang Siping from Huangjia Bay," said a man with high cheekbones and a slightly balding head, bowing with a wistful look. "Mr. Zhao, there's no need for formalities. I'm actually a year younger than you."
"Uh, Brother Huang, forgive my mistake." Zhao Xing glanced at his balding head. You don't look younger than me at all, he thought.
"Mr. Zhao is a distinguished individual and forgets easily, which is understandable." Huang Siping smiled. "I don't know if Mr. Zhao would be willing to join me in attending Mr. Li's musical gathering?"
"Which Mr. Li?" Zhao Xing was somewhat puzzled.
"Of course, the one known for his 'gentlemanly demeanor,' Li Chengfeng," Huang Siping explained. "There will also be Mr. Zong and other colleagues who ranked in the top tier of the Minor Heat examination."
This so-called musical gathering was just a euphemism for hiring female entertainers. Li Chengfeng and Zong Shichang were well-off and often invited people over, hired some singing girls, and also slept with them.
"All expenses would be covered by Mr. Li or other gentlemen, including any fees for the singers..." Huang Siping spoke very tactfully.
Of course, Zhao Xing understood. They were inviting him to partake in an evening with female entertainers.
"Please thank Mr. Li for his kind invitation, but I have other plans. I'll have to join next time."
It wasn't that he was being pretentious. If Chen Ziyu or Qian Dong had invited him, he would have gone without hesitation.
But Li Chengfeng and Zong Shichang were his rivals. Could he attend?
They could get him drunk and then assign him a singer who was actually a respectable woman (disguised as an entertainer) and have her file a complaint with the county government afterward... Thoughts of such underhanded tactics from his past life as a player immediately crossed Zhao Xing's mind.
"That's unfortunate. I'll extend the invitation next time," Huang Siping said with some regret. Seeing Zhao Xing's seemingly genuine expression, he had formulated some plans in his mind, cupped his hands, and took his leave.
......
"How was it?"
"He refused, saying he had plans."
"Hmph, so many people invited him from the top tier. Does he think he's so important that Mr. Li and Mr. Zong have to personally invite him?"
"That's not fair to say. After all, they are not very familiar with each other."
Huang Siping conveyed the news to Li Chengfeng. Before the main person could speak, many others had already started gossiping about Zhao Xing.
Li Chengfeng felt a slight dissatisfaction but maintained a smile. "I wish to make friends with people of similar interests but feared being too forward, so I asked Brother Huang to invite him. I did not expect it still wouldn't succeed... No matter. I will extend more invitations. Perhaps he will come one day."
After Li Chengfeng spoke, those present praised his magnanimity and grace, making Zhao Xing seem overly proud by comparison.
However, the topic soon shifted, and neither Li Chengfeng nor Zong Shichang took it to heart.
After all, it was just one top-tier ranking—not much of a threat yet.
........
"Just one top-tier ranking and you've got so many friends congratulating you. Congratulations," Qian Dong said, watching Zhao Xing emerge from the crowd, his tone slightly bitter.
"Exactly. After a few more times, Xiao Dong and I might be forgotten by you," Chen Ziyu followed with a sarcastic remark.
Zhao Xing chuckled. He understood their feelings. It was like thinking you were each other's best friend, only to find out that the other person suddenly had more close friends.
"Don't worry. No matter how sarcastic you two get, I won't forget you even in the afterlife."
"..."
"Do you two have anything planned for this afternoon?" Zhao Xing asked.
"Yes, Ziyu and I intend to retake the examination in the eastern suburbs," Qian Dong said. "Where are you headed?"
"To the divine temple."
"You can study spells again?" Chen Ziyu's eyes showed some admiration. He had learned to summon wind and thunder in such a short time!
"Just going to give it a try." Zhao Xing nodded modestly. Although it had only been a week, the Dao Embryo Pill had significantly enhanced his abilities, and his Gathering Essence efficiency had improved drastically.
Of course, it also helped that his family's meals had improved.
Although he hadn't yet reached the Gathering Essence Third Rank, his spell [Moving Clouds] had reached the Fifth Transition, and [Summoning Thunder] had reached the Third Transition. On this basis, he could attempt to master [Bringing Rain].
"Then we won't hold you up any longer. Let's go, Ziyu. We can't be idle. Off to the eastern suburbs!"
"Mm!" Chen Ziyu nodded vigorously, apparently inspired by Zhao Xing's progress.
Watching the two leave together, Zhao Xing also made his way toward the county government.
"Moving Clouds, Summoning Wind, Summoning Thunder, Bringing Rain—these are a series of spells and the core skills of the Minister of Agriculture's profession. Now I am still missing the spell [Bringing Rain]. Hopefully, Lord Cao Zhen will be supportive this time."
Learning one more spell would increase his chances of passing the examination and getting permanently appointed.
In the short term, the goal was to get permanently appointed. Zhao Xing's current primary aim was to become a Secondary Ninth-Rank Minister of Agriculture.
Why was he so determined? Because Zhao Xing's long-term goal was immortality. To achieve this, he first had to endure through the Dynasty version and wait for the Revival version.
The Fortune Dynasty could extend the lifespan of its officials! Otherwise, he would have already chosen a 'freelance occupation.'
Upon entering the government office, a familiar voice rang out.
"Mr. Zhao, it's you again?"
"Mr. Pang, yes, it's me." Zhao Xing looked at Pang Fei. The last document approval was handled by him.
"You're here again..." Pang Fei looked at Zhao Xing's application document and was stunned. "It's only been a short while, and you can already study spells again?"
"Just trying my luck," Zhao Xing said humbly.
"No, Mr. Zhao, you must certainly succeed." Pang Fei congratulated him. "The Minister of Agriculture Supervision adults won't approve spell transmission documents casually. I'll handle this right away..."
"Make way! Urgent order from the Military Class Room! Make way!"
Suddenly, a high-pitched voice came from outside, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps passing by.
Zhao Xing looked curiously and saw only the backs of a team of knife-wielding officers.
"Mr. Pang, what is going on? Why are so many brothers from the Military Class Room being deployed?"
"They're assisting with an investigation by the county."
Pang Fei suddenly lowered his voice and spoke mysteriously, "This matter is related to the Minister of Agriculture Supervision. For some unknown reason, recently, many clerks from the Minister of Agriculture in the twelve counties of Nanyang County have mysteriously disappeared. Isn't that strange?"
"Clerks from the Minister of Agriculture are disappearing?" Zhao Xing was stunned. "Have they figured out the cause?"
Pang Fei shrugged. "That's precisely what they're investigating. I don't know more than that. Mr. Zhao, please take a rest. I'll submit your application right away."
"Thank you." Zhao Xing sat in a chair, frowning as he recalled memories from his past life. He had lived through the Jing Emperor Period but had never been to Gucheng, nor had he ever been to Nanyang County. But this didn't stop him from recalling some key events.
"During the Jing Emperor Period, there was a strange case where many Minister of Agriculture officials were abducted by a group of so-called Xuantian Demon People... But wasn't that supposed to be during the Da Zhi Period? Why is it happening in the Jingxin Era? Did I remember it wrong, or did this scheme start during the Jingxin Calendar?"