167: Transfer order from the county seat

The Family disciple who came to report sighed helplessly, "It has already spread throughout the town. It's impossible to find the source now, but it is likely the work of the other two families.

"The Chu Family is more likely to be behind this."

It was that Chu Family again. Family Head now gritted his teeth at the mention of them, completely ignoring that the Zhang Family had struck the Chu Family first.

"Hmph, what is the use of spreading these rumors? It is just letting those ignorant commoners wag their tongues."

Though he said that, he paced back and forth, feeling that the Chu Family's efforts to spread this news were a bit suspicious. He decided to oppose whatever the Chu Family did, so he stopped and turned to the reporting Family disciple.

"Suppress this news as much as possible, and spread the word that the Chu Family murdered our clan uncle. Do it quickly."

The disciple looked up at Family Head's somewhat distorted face, then quickly lowered his head, answered 'Yes,' and hurriedly left the room.

Over the next few days, the atmosphere in the town seemed to change again.

Two completely different rumors regarding the true reason for the conflict between the Chu Family and the Zhang Family began to circulate in town.

First, that the Zhang Family plotted for the Chu Family's treasures and found an excuse to attack, only to fail miserably and suffer many losses.

Second, that the Chu Family secretly murdered a Zhang clan uncle, and the Zhang Family launched a hasty retaliatory war to avenge him.

For several days, the Zhang Family was draped in mourning white, leaving the town residents confused. Some pitied the Zhang Family, while others sympathized.

On the fourth day of mourning, a noble guest dressed in luxurious clothes arrived at the Zhang Family's door.

Family Head was dressed in full mourning white, his face haggard, looking every bit the man grieving for his lost kin.

Seeing this elegantly dressed person appear in the courtyard, a flash of joy crossed his eyes. Others in Heyu Town might not recognize the attire, but he knew well it was what a steward or similar official from the Xiao Residence would wear.

He had just sent a letter a couple of days ago; had his younger sister arranged for someone to come?

Judging by his Aura, he was likely at least at the middle stage of the Spirit Rank, which should be more than enough to deal with the Chu Family.

Thus, with a look of sorrow, he rose to greet the guest. "I did not know an honored guest was coming and failed to welcome you. Please do not take offense; it is just that my Family has suffered a sudden misfortune..."

Mid-sentence, he let out a long sigh, which sounded incredibly desolate against the backdrop of several coffins in the courtyard.

Hearing his words, the steward or Guard from the Xiao Residence showed no significant change in expression. "Are you the current Zhang Family Head?"

The tone was off. Family Head's heart skipped a beat. Had something gone wrong?

Facing the inquiry, he tucked away his sorrow and responded cautiously, "I am."

"Good." The man glanced at him and gave a cold laugh. "Accept the Transfer Order."

"A Transfer Order?" Family Head looked deeply confused.

"The Zhang Family Head has failed to manage his Family properly and lacks virtue. Having gained power, he oppressed the neighborhood, failing the standards of a Noble Family. Therefore, Zhang Family Head Family Head is ordered to Guard the Border City for one year and may not return inside the border until the term is complete.

"Furthermore, should any other Zhang Family disciples bully the locals, they will be sent Beyond the Border as soon as they are discovered."

The messenger looked at Family Head, whose face had instantly turned pale, and curled his lips into a smile. He held the piece of white paper lightly in front of Family Head.

"Patriarch Zhang, accept the Transfer Order."

"How could this be?" Family Head looked at the paper, still in disbelief. Where did things go wrong?

Seeing that he wasn't taking the order, the messenger grew impatient. "Patriarch Zhang, do you wish to defy the Lord County Magistrate's command? Fine, I shall go back and report this."

He made a move to put the Transfer Order away.

The messenger's words instantly snapped the dazed Family Head back to reality. He hurried to take the order, unfolding the paper and reading the lines over and over again.

He stared at the signature and seal at the end, as if trying to find a flaw that would prove the order was a forgery.

"Sir, my younger sister is Zhang Qingshu, the County Magistrate's Concubine. Could there be some mistake?" Family Head's expression turned even more bitter, looking even more desolate than before.

Hearing this, the messenger pointed at the paper in his hand and said firmly, "Your full name is written right here. Besides, an investigation was conducted before this order was issued; there is no mistake.

"Furthermore, Patriarch Zhang, why not reflect on the Zhang Family's actions lately? Is there anything written here that is untrue?

"Patriarch Zhang, you had better pack your things quickly and settle your Family affairs so you can follow me to your post Beyond the Border. If you delay too long, I fear my superiors will be displeased."

Family Head's fingers tightened. He gripped the Transfer Order and reluctantly agreed, "Alright. Please wait a moment, sir. I will make arrangements and come."

Fortunately, most of the Family members were in the courtyard for the funeral. After discussing for half an hour, it was decided that his biological second uncle, Acting Head of Zhang Family, would serve as acting head during Family Head's year-long absence.

During his absence, the Zhang Family had to start keeping a low profile. After all, this Transfer Order signaled the County Magistrate's dissatisfaction; this was likely a minor punishment intended as a warning.

After packing his luggage, Family Head followed the messenger away from the Chu Family alone and traveled Beyond the Border through a Teleportation Vortex Passage.

Once they were Beyond the Border, the messenger finally looked at Family Head with a smile and said softly:

"Patriarch Zhang, Concubine Zhang asked me to give you a message. Please wait patiently. She pleaded with the County Magistrate to arrange a relaxed and safe position for you. If you make it through this year, you might even gain some unexpected benefits."

A hint of joy appeared on Family Head's face. He cupped his hands in gratitude toward the messenger. "Thank you, sir. Please pass a message for me: I look forward to the day she brings my nephew home to visit."

With that, he thanked the messenger once more and strode toward the city Guard reporting office.

The messenger looked thoughtfully at his empty palm. Was this Zhang Family Head truly so socially inept? When Concubine Zhang asked him to pass a message, she at least knew to offer a little gratuity.

But in front of this Family Head, did he really think he was a free messenger? Forget it; who cares about passing that message.

Watching Family Head's receding back, the messenger scoffed, flicked his sleeves, and found the passage back to the County Town to report his mission... Qianling Prefecture City.

Chu Shengfan looked at the lush forest surrounding him, his heart untroubled. After all, his two Source Beasts didn't have high requirements for their combat environment.

He silently observed his surroundings, sensing no sign of other Contract Masters or wild Source Beasts, and breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

This was his twenty-first assessment. His previous results had been mixed, so he felt his score was in a precarious position. He did better in combat, but the general knowledge exams were the death of him; he rarely managed to pass them.

It could be said that before this assessment, his heart had been rather anxious.