Chapter Eighteen: How Lonely It Is to Be Invincible!

“And another thing…”

Pausing for a moment, Wang An seemed to be searching for the right words before he spoke slowly to Wang Zhenling, “The family is not entirely ignorant of what you’ve been up to on Little Plum Mountain…

Though the practice of spiritual cultivation is not the orthodox path, it still has its uses.

The family has never intervened, but now that you have become a patrol officer, things are different.

You may not be a state official, but you’re already drawing a stipend from the public coffers, so you must be especially careful!”

Wang Zhenling was startled when he heard this. He had always believed his cultivation on Little Plum Mountain went unnoticed by the family. Who could have imagined that not only did the family know about it long ago, but had chosen not to interfere all this time?

This brought to mind that scene years ago, when the elders, in a fit of anger, had tried to burn the spirit-cultivation scrolls his father left behind.

Seeing Wang Zhenling’s surprise, Wang An smiled and said, “Such matters were never meant for you to know. But now that you’re about to serve as an official, your status has changed, and there are things you should understand.

We are, of course, a law-abiding clan and would never do anything to defy the imperial court. Yet, at times, the authorities do not account for our needs.

For example, the government forbids the private possession of bows and crossbows, but what great family does not keep a few hidden away? In peaceful times, it’s easy to abide by the rules, but when bandits or marauders strike, one must have some means of self-defense, no?”

Suddenly, Wang Zhenling understood: for the family, spiritual cultivation was much like keeping secret crossbows—not so much to challenge the authorities, but to guard against unforeseen threats and petty criminals.

It wasn’t only the likes of great households such as the Chen clan by the river who cultivated spiritual practitioners. Even a prominent local family like the Wang clan of Danling would, from time to time, make such preparations—sometimes openly, sometimes not.

That explained why, when he cultivated on Little Plum Mountain, the family not only turned a blind eye, but even quietly offered support. If not for this, how could Wang Zhenling have enjoyed such peace to focus on his training, free from distractions? All those chores and troubles had been quietly resolved by the family.

Now, the clan leader was warning Wang Zhenling for two reasons: first, to remind him that as a public official, he must act with caution; second, out of fear that he, in his youthful zeal, might fail to grasp the unspoken rules, and by stubbornly pursuing such matters in his new post, offend other great families.

Wang Zhenling left the clan leader’s house with sincere admiration, thoroughly convinced. The Wang clan of Danling had flourished for centuries, becoming a leading family in the county—not by accident, but through generations of accumulated wisdom. It was no wonder that such families produced talented people in every generation.

If even a local power like the Wang clan of Danling operated in this manner, then the likes of the illustrious Chen clan by the river were surely even more formidable!

Although Wang Zhenling was a traveler from another world, here he was just one insignificant soul among countless others. In a world such as this, an individual’s power was pitifully limited—without the backing of a clan, he would have found life nearly impossible.

Had he not been a member of the Wang clan of Danling, it would have been nothing short of a fantasy to live on Plum Mountain, studying and cultivating in peace.

His own house in Jiaode Lane was a humble courtyard, just three small rooms—somewhat dilapidated, with peeling paint on the gate, but at least they were tiled and not thatched.

When word of Wang Zhenling’s return reached home, a couple hurried out to greet him. They were almost like tenant farmers, renting and working his family’s land while living in the house—though only in the side rooms.

This, too, was arranged by the family, as the couple were distant branches of the Wang clan, living in hardship. Such arrangements were a way to look after them.

In a large clan, there would always be some who, for various reasons, had fallen into poverty, and the family was obliged to find ways to provide for them.

Besides, a house fares better when it is lived in; left empty, it would soon fall into ruin. So, in a way, the couple was also helping to look after the property.

“Young master, you’re back…”

The couple greeted him warmly, though with a certain reserve. “Have you eaten? If not, I’ll prepare something at once!”

Wang Zhenling smiled and replied, “I just dined at the clan leader’s house while receiving his instruction. There’s no need to trouble yourselves. I only came to look in.

By the way, I’ve been summoned by Magistrate Chen to serve as an official, and will soon be taking up a post in Guangyang Township.”

The couple was both surprised and overjoyed, falling to their knees, “Congratulations, young master! Congratulations! May we ask what office you will hold?”

Wang Zhenling laughed, “It is but a humble patrol post—nothing to get excited over.”

“But to be township patrol is to oversee the peace of the whole township, forbidding crime and theft—what an impressive office! How can that be considered a minor post? Although…”

At this point, a hint of hesitation appeared on their faces, perhaps recalling the fate of the previous patrol officer, and realizing it was a dangerous position.

Truth be told, Wang Zhenling himself felt neither joy nor disappointment about the appointment. By the standards of this world, it was a lowly post, but compared to his former life, it was akin to being the chief of a township police station.

By that measure, who could say it was unimportant?

After all, the Wang clan of Danling was just one among several prominent families in the county—not like the even more powerful Wang clan of Xiamin. Even among his own family, securing such a position was no easy feat.

“Sigh, I thought coming home I’d run into some jealous fool, envious and resentful, itching to provoke me—then I could put him in his place. Who would have thought, not a single person showed up. I don’t even get the chance to show off. Invincibility is such a lonely thing!”

Wang Zhenling sighed inwardly.

After meeting with the family head, he still had to call on the county magistrate. Though he had been recruited by Magistrate Chen, he was still officially an employee of the county government.

Magistrate Chen was a man of great influence—even the county magistrate was reluctant to challenge him. If he recommended Wang Zhenling for even a humble patrol post, the magistrate would not object.

After paying his respects to Chen, who offered a few words of encouragement, Wang Zhenling went through the formalities at the county office and received his official robe.

The so-called black-robed petty official was just that: Wang Zhenling, in his black cloak, a low-ranking clerk with no seal of office. At least he was given a “half-pass” seal—a stamp half the size of a regular one, looking rather pitiful.

Wang Zhenling joked to himself, “Even my official seal is only half the size of others…”

Yet, for all his self-mockery—as if a county-level post was insignificant—he was, after all, in charge of a whole department!

Especially in a world where the supernatural was real and the court wielded divine authority, such power was all the greater. Not only did it grant worldly authority, it also manifested as real, tangible power!

For someone like Wang Zhenling, who could already project his spirit outside his body, this was all the more true.

The moment he held that half-seal in his hand, it was as if he had grasped a magical talisman, and he could faintly sense the formidable power it contained.