Chapter 133: Chapter 133: Meddling in Others’ Affairs

Is it possible that accomplishing a great feat isn’t always a good thing?

For Shen Hao, that’s exactly the case; whether it’s a blessing or a curse, he still can’t say for sure.

After wrapping up such a huge case, if it were before, he’d absolutely be excited—lots of rewards coming his way, and once the merit reward arrives, it’d basically be set in stone. Plus, just like Tang Qingyuan and Chen Tianwen said, it’s highly likely he’d get another half-step promotion, letting him smoothly enter the ranks of Senior Sixth Grade officers, and earn the title of "Sir."

It all seems like good news, but in fact, the very prospect of a promotion is what could bring Shen Hao an uncertain predicament.

Right now Shen Hao holds the Junior Sixth Grade Trial Hundred Households title, a low-tier junior official, and when rewards come down the chain, usually they’ll consider promoting one grade or half a grade.

But the problem is Li City Hundred Households Station is just a Hundred Households organization, with the highest chief officer being Senior Sixth Grade, currently held by Tang Qingyuan.

If Shen Hao gets promoted to Senior Sixth Grade this time, what happens?

If Tang Qingyuan takes the chance to get promoted and moves on, then the chief officer in Li City will most likely be Shen Hao, since he’s Jiang Cheng’s disciple, and once a spot opens up, Jiang Cheng definitely won’t overlook him.

If Jiang Cheng can’t make a move, then Tang Qingyuan might not be able to, either. The rewards might not concern either of their job titles, and something else would be substituted. That would leave Shen Hao in a rather awkward spot: his title is low, big rewards likely mean he’ll get a promotion in rank, so then as a Senior Sixth Grade, he definitely can’t stay in Li City—there’s no position for him.

Not only Li City, but none of the garrisons within Fengri City’s jurisdiction would have a spot for him. Shen Hao would only be able to serve at Fengri City Thousand Households Station, and it’s most likely a sinecure.

A reward so big, but ending up in a pointless job—that’s not what Shen Hao wants, and for him, it’s pretty much a dilemma.

So right now, Shen Hao isn’t feeling the usual excitement one gets after accomplishing something major; instead, he’s worried. He doesn’t want to sit around in the public office, nursing a cup of tea for years on end.

But with no word from above, Shen Hao doesn’t dare to run off and ask just yet; he still has to wait a bit longer. Before the official reward comes down, Jiang Cheng will surely give him a heads up.

For now, he can only stew in anxiety.

Seated in the study, he went through three pots of wine before he actually felt a little tipsy. Now that his Cultivation has reached the Gathering Spirit Realm, Shen Hao noticed his tolerance for alcohol has gotten better—it’s probably due to his increased physical strength.

A bit drunk, woozy, he simply leaned back on the chair in the study and fell asleep like that.

When he wakes up again, it’s the next day, but the sky is still dim. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

His internal clock has long since made him forget what sleeping in felt like.

Pushes open the door, and there’s Xia Nu, that goofy slave, curled up right at the threshold, her pointy ears drooping, smacking her lips in sleep, mumbling who-knows-what in her dreams.

The study is a forbidden zone in his home; when he’s inside, no one in the family is allowed to bother him, so this silly slave must have stood guard outside all night, wanting to serve. But the silly streak kicked in, and she ended up sleeping even sounder than Shen Hao himself.

Looking closer, compared to when she first entered the house, the Fox Woman’s face has rounded out, her body more curvy—at times it drives Shen Hao a bit nuts.

"If you want to sleep, go back inside!" Shen Hao bent over and twisted her ear.

"Ow, ow! Master? You—you’re up so early?"

"Early nothing. Go fetch water."

"Yes, sir." She hopped away.

While Xia Nu fetched water, Shen Hao went to the backyard and started his morning routine: Magic.

Cultivation Technique practice is usually done at night.

First, Earth Escape. Seal, recite the Seal Technique, activate, retract—all in one go. In the blink of an eye, he’s made a round trip across the yard, flashing in and out so fast it’s dizzying, impossible to track.

The maximum escape distance is now fifteen zhang, and the sealing and Seal Technique time is half a breath—it’s pretty much been cut to the limit. Going forward, Shen Hao needs the Mind Seal Technique; by then, his activation speed will at least double.

Next is Palm Thunder. He holds back, and finally, slaps his palm onto a huge stone lock set as a target. With a muffled bang, the two-hundred-pound stone lock instantly shatters. The destructive power of this Thunder Technique is showing itself, totally different from lightning in nature.

Right now, Shen Hao feels his cultivation realm is still stuck at Gathering Spirit Realm First Layer, unable to break through, but his power is easily five times stronger than before the breakthrough.

The most obvious change: when facing Tang Qingyuan—Gathering Spirit Realm Eighth Layer—he no longer feels intimidated. That’s the most direct sign the power gap is shrinking.

Morning training doesn’t last long, but for Shen Hao, it’s highly efficient. With the unique traits on his body and daily accumulations, even he’s amazed at how fast he’s growing.

Withdraw, conceal Qi. After three full-power Palm Thunders and ten Escape Skills, Shen Hao feels a hollowness inside; he needs a short period of meditation to recover. From this, he can roughly calculate how many times he can cast these skills in a real fight.

"Master, hot water’s ready!"

Xia Nu, sweat on her brow and smiling, ran to the backyard to call Shen Hao inside for washing up. She’s the only one at home who dares to call him while he’s training in the morning.

The weather’s gotten chilly, and hot water cools fast once it’s off the stove. That’s why Xia Nu always brings out a giant bucket, so it lasts longer. No idea where she gets so much strength with her skinny arms and legs—must be the magic in her blood.

During breakfast, Aunt Zhang showed up, which was rare. She seemed nervous, rubbing her hands, apparently waiting for Shen Hao to speak. Beside her stood Hu Tian, cane in hand. The old man has been recovering for a month, his leg almost healed, but he can’t sit still. Now, leaning on his cane, he’s already wandering around the house again. Xiaoma’s often tormented by his scoldings.

Shen Hao ate and greeted Aunt Zhang: "Aunt Zhang, sit—don’t be nervous."

"Oh, I’ll just stand."

"That wine—I had my guests spread word yesterday. Don’t rush this; I figure in a few days, there’ll be some reaction. Hold firm with the price: one jar, five catties, one hundred taels of silver, same price for everyone. And we only sell twenty jars a day—once they’re gone, we close. No reservations, no credit. Got it?"

Aunt Zhang was stunned, seemingly frightened by Shen Hao’s mention of silver coins.

One jar, one hundred taels of silver?!

Good heavens!

Hu Tian at her side slapped Aunt Zhang’s arm and barked, "What are you spacing out for! Everything Master Shen said, remember it! You hear?"

"Oh, Master Shen, I remember, but this, this..." Aunt Zhang couldn’t believe a jar of wine could sell for one hundred taels; to her, that’s just absurd. She wanted to say more but held back.

Of course Shen Hao could see what Aunt Zhang was thinking. He didn’t explain, just smiled and said, "Just follow my lead. Now that I’ve invested in your Zhang Family distillery, we’ll get things running well—you won’t be left with nothing. Here’s the plan: Housekeeper Hu’s legs can barely manage, so let him keep an eye on things for the Zhangs, then come home once things are on track."

Hu Tian agreed. He’s been itching for something to do for ages.

After breakfast, Shen Hao left for official business.