427: Chapter 427 Are you afraid of going bald?

"Please have another cup, my lord. This is this year's new tea, a humble apology from this lowly official."

"This official truly didn't know that fellow was a demonic cultivator. My strength is meager, and his Demonic Technique was so powerful that I failed to notice in time, leading to this great mistake."

"At the time, I saw he held the credentials of a scholar and was momentarily blinded by greed, which is why I recruited him for an idle post. Aside from that, this official really did nothing else."

"I hope your lordship will investigate clearly."

In the backyard of the county hall, Zhou Yan sat high in the main seat, nonchalantly skimming the foam off his tea. Meanwhile, the usually aloof County Magistrate beside him was full of flattery, looking as if he were ready to kneel and call Zhou Yan his godfather.

This scene truly terrified Third Brother Chen.

The County Magistrate's mouth was still swollen, yet he remained so respectful. Just what was the background of this Immortal master?

The matter was actually quite simple. When Zhou Yan saw that the demonic cultivator was protected by national destiny, he came up with this idea.

The events he first encountered in the Seashore Kingdom had made him deeply realize one thing.

Once one has a cultivation base, many things don't require doing it oneself. If one truly acts, attracting more flies would just be a nuisance.

So, even as he had Third Brother Chen disguise himself as a maid to launch a sneak attack, Zhou Yan had already arranged for the real maid to report to the authorities.

Sure enough, the other party's official position was bought. Although it wasn't high, it was still highly regarded in this county.

Before long, the County Magistrate arrived.

Thus, Zhou Yan directly unleashed his full national destiny Aura. With a casual suppression, he stunned the official into a daze.

This Aura no longer required any credentials like appointment letters, tokens, or seals; by any measure, he appeared to be a top-tier official of the imperial court.

This scene nearly scared the County Magistrate into wetting his pants.

He truly couldn't have imagined it. Although the Fifth Son of the Chen Family usually had poor character, was harsh to servants, and was quite a brute, he was incredibly submissive toward outsiders, especially those with power and influence.

How could he have possibly provoked this lord?

But since things had come to this, there was nothing left to say; he just had to kneel and quickly cut ties.

So, after Zhou Yan displayed his Divine Might and slapped the man twice, the magistrate hurriedly offered his thanks for the lord's wake-up call. He then arranged for men to pierce the collarbones of the demonic cultivator and the fox, dragging them straight to the county yamen.

And so, the following scene took place.

Seeing how cooperative the other party was, and after confirming he truly didn't know the facts—and although he wasn't a great official, he wasn't too terrible either—Zhou Yan didn't plan to do anything to him.

After using him as a test subject to refine some insights into national destiny, he didn't pursue the matter further.

"This man wiped out an entire family, disguised himself as a student, and falsely claimed a scholarly title. How should this be judged?"

The County Magistrate was stunned upon hearing this, somewhat unsure of the meaning behind this big shot's words. He didn't know whether to kill the man or what, and didn't dare to make a direct decision.

He could only shoot a glance at the advisor beside him.

Seeing this, the advisor felt angry but didn't dare speak out. He could only sigh inwardly and say with some hesitation.

"Reporting to... to this lord, chronologically speaking, when he replaced that Fifth Son of the Chen Family, he didn't have a scholarly title yet. So he earned that scholar status himself; it doesn't seem to count as a false claim."

"As for the matter of wiping out the family, that case was closed previously. It was attributed to the Second Son of the Chen Family. Reopening the case now seems a bit inappropriate."

"Hmm~?"

Zhou Yan's eyes narrowed and his brow furrowed, putting on the air of a ruthless bureaucrat.

The County Magistrate caught on quickly. He stepped forward and slapped the advisor. The sound was loud, but the force wasn't great.

This 'slap' echoed through the entire yamen, making Wu Dahai feel a bit of phantom pain as he grimaced and touched his own face.

The County Magistrate wasn't finished. He pointed at the advisor's nose and began to curse:

"The survivor of the Chen family was personally brought here by the lord. We have the culprit and the evidence, what more is there to say!"

"What kind of person is the lord? He is a vital minister of the state. How could he speak without cause?"

"If he really did nothing wrong, would the lord bother to bring his precious self to this godforsaken place just to target a mere scholar?"

"Don't even mention him earning a title. If he truly had a clear conscience, would he be content with just a scholar's title to buy... cough, to seek an official post?"

"Ultimately, he was afraid of being recognized in a big city and simply didn't dare."

"Not to mention he used someone else's name to earn his title. If this isn't the crime of deceiving the Emperor, what is?"

"Just because he only has a minor title that hasn't reached His Majesty's ears, it doesn't count as deceiving the Emperor?"

"This is entirely a premeditated crime of deceiving the Emperor!"

"Wiping out a family, seizing their inheritance, usurping an identity, and deceiving the Sage Ruler—this is a textbook lawless thug!"

"Such a demonic cultivator is an outrage to both gods and men. He must be beheaded to set the record straight, and yet you still defend him?"

Having finished, he was about to deliver another slap, and the advisor looked on in a daze.

No way, my lord, why is there another slap?

Even if it doesn't hurt much, I'm at a certain age. It's not appropriate for you to hit me like this, is it?

Seeing the slap about to fall, the old man was almost in tears. But just before it landed, Zhou Yan put down his cup and gave a light cough.

"That's enough..."

*Slap.*

"Ouch."

This sound didn't come from the advisor, but from the County Magistrate, because the advisor had been knocked unconscious by the magistrate when the slap landed.

The County Magistrate was now covered in cold sweat, his mouth hanging open wide enough to fit a potato.

He had really gotten into the rhythm of slapping and couldn't stop in time. He had thought Zhou Yan might speak to stop him, but didn't expect it to be so sudden, so he had used a bit of force in his nervousness.

The advisor had been spun around twice on the spot before collapsing.

He also realized that since the other party was about to stop him, and yet he suddenly exerted force to knock the man out, it looked like he was trying to destroy the evidence.

"My lord, I..."

"Alright, alright, say no more. Quickly take him down. He's at such an age, yet you still toss him around like that."

The County Magistrate felt as if he had been granted a great amnesty and quickly had people take the advisor down to rest. At the same time, he flatteringly awaited Zhou Yan's instructions.

"Look at you, always in a hurry."

"The advisor has a point. With the case already closed and a genuine title involved, suddenly doing this is a bit inappropriate. It's not following the rules, is it?"

"In a while, go to the prison and ask properly what other crimes the party has committed."

"Bad people like this usually haven't committed few crimes. Just find a few things and sentence him to immediate execution. There's no need for so much trouble."

The County Magistrate wiped his sweat with his sleeve, flatteringly agreeing repeatedly. He then turned and fiercely shouted at the bailiffs.

"The lord has spoken! Why aren't you going yet!"

"Give that demonic cultivator a good, 'kind' questioning about exactly what wrongs he has committed!"

These words were spoken through gritted teeth. How could the bailiffs not understand his meaning? They all tightened their grip on their wrists and tested the weight of their clubs, prepared to give this unlucky fellow a proper lesson.

"Wait."

Just when everyone thought the matter was settled, Zhou Yan stopped them once again.

"Why make it so violent? Fighting and killing is too crude."

"What can you possibly find out by asking like that?"

Before the County Magistrate could say anything, Zhou Yan pulled a bunch of things from his sleeve.

He held up a syringe and gestured to the crowd.

"Stick this small iron tube into his arm and push it in; he'll become a bit more cheerful."

He then held up a high-decibel alarm.

"This one is very simple. Press this switch, and it can make a sound to help him focus his mind and recall things. But be careful when using it; don't disturb the neighbors."

Then, Zhou Yan introduced them one by one, as if presenting his family treasures.

The County Magistrate and the bailiffs swallowed hard at this scene. Although they didn't know if these things were actually useful, looking at the items and that smile of his, none of it seemed simple.

This was too ruthless!

After finishing his final instructions, Zhou Yan went to the back of the yamen to rest, as arranged by the County Magistrate.

As for Third Brother Chen, he was arranged to go along for the interrogation, just in time to help him get his revenge.

Originally, Wu Dahai wanted to go too, but seeing Zhou Yan return to rest, his eyes darted around, and he quietly followed.

Late at night, while Zhou Yan was resting in his room, the dungeon was still in the midst of playing 'little games' with great fervor.

Zhou Yan lay on the wooden bed watching the countdown. There were three hours left; the update would likely be finished around five tomorrow morning.

But after looking at it, Zhou Yan sighed again, waved his hand to close the panel, and sat cross-legged on the wooden bed.

"If you have something to say, come in. Don't just stay outside."

Not long after he spoke, the door creaked open. Wu Dahai walked in with an awkward smile, scratching the back of his head.

"Visiting late at night yet lingering at my door without leaving—is there something you wish to say?"

Zhou Yan just looked at Wu Dahai. Those golden eyes seemed even more pressuring in the night.

But Wu Dahai's face showed no fear. He simply knelt on both knees and kowtowed heavily.

"I, Wu Dahai, have drifted for half my life and experienced all sorts of hardships. To be fortunate enough to meet an Immortal in this life is already the greatest blessing of my life."

"I have seen an Immortal since I was young and thus admired their grace. So, even though my Aptitude was good and I was a fine material for studying, I ultimately didn't go to study. Instead, I used my physical advantages to become a hunter."

"After accumulating some family property early on through hunting, I resolutely began to seek the Dao and search for Immortals."

"Alas, there is no door for a Mortal to knock on for immortality."

"Some Sects and factions all refused me because my Aptitude was too poor. Those willing to take me in required exorbitant fees that a mere hunter like me could never afford."

"So I began to travel through famous mountains and great rivers, hoping to find a hidden master. But in the end, I witnessed the fickleness of human nature and the wickedness of hearts, eventually being abducted and sold as a slave."

"To put it bluntly, the Immortals I encountered during my time as a slave were even more than I had seen in my entire life combined. Because of this, I actually found joy in it."

"I even took up the books and brushes I originally disliked, hoping to use them as a stepping stone to become a slave in a higher-status household. Perhaps then I might encounter an Immortal opportunity."

"But... after wasting half my life, I completely gave up hope and fully realized my own ignorance."

"I had already resigned myself to my fate, but being fortunate enough to meet an Immortal has truly stirred up thoughts I shouldn't have."

"So, this lowly one shamelessly hopes that the Immortal can pass down some Immortal methods. Even the most insignificant one would do, as long as it allows me a glimpse of immortality. Even if the Immortal uses me to refine human pills to enhance his cultivation, so be it."

"I only seek to behold a true Immortal method!"

"To hear the Dao in the morning, one could die content in the evening!"

At this moment, Wu Dahai's eyes were bright and piercing. The middle-aged lethargy he previously had was gone, and he looked nothing like the slippery character from earlier in the day.

Seeing this, Zhou Yan was also somewhat stunned.

"What's the situation? Can I really pick up two SSRs in one cave?"

"Is the drop rate of this ancient server really this high?"

To prevent himself from misinterpreting, Zhou Yan stepped forward and patted the man's shoulder. The other party did not resist.

Sure enough, under the operation of the Python Swallow Dragon, Zhou Yan confirmed one thing.

This fellow was actually also a child of destiny. It was just that he was too old, and his destiny was very dim, likely to completely dissipate in a few years. And calculating the time...

It was roughly the same time when Third Brother Chen's fate would fully shine.

For a moment, Zhou Yan didn't know what to say. Finally, after some thought, he only said one thing.

"Are you afraid of going bald?"