Chapter 678: Chapter 678

After a long time, he slowly spoke, his voice low and steady: "I understand this matter, Li Xiwen, for now, do not let any information leak." Li Xiwen quickly nodded, softly responding: "As you command." Although his voice was not loud, it carried an undeniable firmness.

After sending off Li Xiwen, Yan Shan paced alone in the study.

The study was filled with ancient books and scrolls, but it was oppressively quiet. Sunlight filtered through the carved window lattices, casting mottled shadows. Yan Shan’s steps were slow and heavy, each step seemed to press deeply into the floor, as if he were measuring the intricacy and severity of the issue at hand.

He understood in his heart that similar situations had occurred in the Recovery Society. Most members of the Recovery Society were locals of Jiangning, including many sons from the South Zhili aristocracy. Their families had deep roots and wide connections, naturally resisting external corruption. Petty advantages and unscrupulous means were hard to sway them.

But people like Li Xiwen were different; they were neither Xu Qing’s fellow townsmen nor backed by aristocratic family backgrounds. They suddenly entered officialdom and, though valued by the boss, lacked the status of scholars. Facing these sudden, pervasive temptations and corruptions, they were like unarmed mortals standing in a jungle of swords and spears, truly unable to withstand it.

Yan Shan was acutely aware of the complexity and sensitivity of the issue. He didn’t rush to report to Xu Qing but decided to investigate it thoroughly first.

After arduous investigation, he was surprised to find that these events were not part of a meticulously planned conspiracy, but rather naturally spawned silently, like wild weeds—silent yet wildly proliferating. This made the situation even more troublesome. He realized it was an invisible, elusive erosion, hard to guard against.

Yan Shan did not dare to delay and immediately reported his investigative results verbatim to Xu Qing.

Listening to the report, Xu Qing smiled softly: "Understood."

Yan Shan, puzzled, couldn’t help but ask: "Boss, should we not take any action?"

Xu Qing slowly shook his head, his gaze deep like a black hole in the night sky, seeming to see through everything: "Only by winnowing the sands can true gold be found. Let those whose wills are unsteady go their own way."

Yan Shan respectfully lowered his head, responding: "As you command."

Xu Qing had his own unique considerations regarding the matter.

In his eyes, these temptations and trials were like a cruel selection process. Those who could guard their true hearts amidst these complex temptations and properly handle familial trivialities brought by power were undoubtedly extraordinary talents. These people were fully qualified to be candidates for the Golden Core Right Method, akin to certain special admissions in top universities of his past life.

As for the late start in cultivation and insufficient foundational issues, in Xu Qing’s eyes with his extraordinary abilities, these were minor issues.

He was confident that with precious elixirs combined with Martial Saint level abilities, he could cleanse and reshape the foundations of these individuals.

In Xu Qing’s mind, both physical and innate talents could be improved through acquired effort and special means, but the state of mind must go through countless trials and temptations in the mundane world to truly reveal its toughness and purity.

For these Wutong clerks, which he viewed as his future team, their official experience was undoubtedly a unique Immortal Sect examination. Only by walking through this thorny road filled with temptations and trials could they reach Xu Qing, seeking the True Scripture and obtaining the qualification to become an "Immortal Official."

Those talents who passed formal Immortal Sect exams were more like preordained Heavenly Gods. Their duty was to maintain the order and reign of the Immortal Dynasty, like sturdy city walls guarding the peace of the Immortal Dynasty.

Whereas these Immortal Officials carried the heavy responsibility of governance and judgment, they were the enforcers and adjudicators of the Immortal Dynasty, with completely different functions.

Among these people, Xu Qing particularly valued Li Xiwen. He felt Li Xiwen was quick-witted and pure in ambition. If he could withstand various temptations of the mundane world, he would undoubtedly stand out in the shifting political battlefield of the Great Yu Dynasty and become Xu Qing’s capable assistant.

After sending off Yan Shan, Xu Qing pondered alone for a moment, then headed towards a secret chamber.

In the secret chamber, the light was dim, with an atmosphere so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.

The oil lamps on the walls flickered with a faint glow, casting elusive shadows across the chamber.

The Guo brothers had been waiting there, their figures tall and sturdy, like two small mountains.

Their eyes betrayed a hint of tension and expectation, a fear of the unknown mixed with a desire for power.

Xu Qing slowly entered the secret chamber, his figure appearing particularly mysterious under the dim light, as if a Demon God emerging from the darkness. He observed the Guo brothers, his tone calm yet with a tinge of seriousness: "Have you thought it through?"

Guo Zhuang and Guo Li exchanged a glance, determination flickering in their eyes, and they said in unison: "Young Master, we’ve thought it through, and we are willing to endure the cruel torment you mentioned to gain greater power and serve you."

Xu Qing sighed softly and said slowly: "You have followed me since the beginning; even if you forsake becoming stronger, I can ensure you a life of wealth and prosperity, and even your family after you, as long as they don’t commit egregious mistakes, could continue to thrive without worry. Indeed, you need not take this risk."

Guo Zhuang and Guo Li were among the first of Xu Qing’s followers. During Xu Qing’s accumulation of initial capital, they accompanied him through thick and thin, engaging in many dangerous endeavors and earning a reputation for ruthlessness.

Now that Xu Qing’s stature had risen, so had theirs, and they could enjoy a lifetime of prosperity, living a worry-free life of comfort.

However, once a person attains the wealth they once arduously sought, the initial novelty gradually wears off, and faced with a monotonous daily life, they inevitably feel a sense of loss.

They clearly realized they could no longer keep pace with the Young Master. The Young Master was the True Dragon of Nine Heavens, the Phoenix reborn from fire, continuously soaring to greater heights, while they remained stagnant.

During this period, the brothers experienced debauchery, yet their hearts grew increasingly hollow. They tried various ways to fill this void but could never recapture the past fervor and passion.

Moreover, when Guo Zhuang’s wife’s family got into trouble previously, Guo Zhuang stepped forward immediately to settle it cleanly, earning Xu Qing’s reassurance. This experience was his first close contact with the Young Master in a long time, cementing his resolve.

Both he and Guo Li were still young, unwilling to live a life of mediocrity. They longed to rediscover the passion and fervor of the past and once again become the sharp blade by the Young Master’s side, paving the way with zeal.

The Guo family’s loyalty was beyond doubt. Even when Xu Qing wasn’t yet a Scholar, they had already pledged themselves to him, willing to face any peril. From a personal perspective, even if the brothers made minor mistakes, Xu Qing could tolerate and manage their aftermath.

But he also understood that personal ties would fade with time. Once the brothers passed away, the Guo family was bound to be ousted from the core circle of the Xu family. Even now, the Guo family stood at the edge of the core circle, a normal state of human affairs.

Xu Qing’s voice suddenly changed, becoming deep and frightening, as if emanating from an endless abyss: "Then let us begin."

As soon as the words were spoken, the Heavenly Repairing Tribulation Hand was activated, and powerful energy surged like tumultuous waves, effortlessly lifting the Guo brothers. They were like two helpless chicks, so insignificant before this power. Google seaʀᴄh Nov3lFɪre.ɴet

Bodhi Tribulation Fruits appeared one after another, then burst open, transforming into pure Primordial Qi, flowing into their bodies like a flood.

"Heavenly Demon Body Tempering!" Instantly, a formidable force enveloped the Guo brothers, commencing a cruel tempering process.

Their bodies, under the onslaught of this energy, continuously twisted and deformed, as if undergoing a painful baptism of rebirth.

Shortly thereafter, the Guo brothers low-key retired.

Meanwhile, two mysterious martial artists, wearing bronze masks, appeared in the Demon Hunting Bureau.