Transmigration begins with archery training

Chen Sanshi was taken aback.

He quickly realized that Han Cheng in front of him seemed to be... actually one of Governor Sun's men.

Sun Li and her brother had said in private that Magistrate Xue was the emperor's man, but he also had Governor Sun's men around him, and he was being made to act according to the imperial edict.

So complicated?

Only after going inside can we find out what the situation is.

"Okay, I remember."

Chen Sanshi nodded in agreement.

Han Cheng then continued to lead the way.

Inside the hall, Magistrate Xue, dressed in his official robes, sat upright in a grand chair.

A guard stood beside him.

Could it be another organ cultivator?

A county magistrate with two organ collectors by his side?

"Master Chen."

Seeing their cautious demeanor, Magistrate Xue slowly rose and said, "I apologize for not greeting you properly."

"You're too kind, Magistrate Xue."

Chen Sanshi cupped his hands in greeting.

In terms of rank alone, he was one level higher than a seventh-rank county magistrate.

"Then let's get straight to the point."

Magistrate Xue cleared his throat, took out the golden silk scroll that had been prepared beforehand, slowly opened it, and read aloud:

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Chen Sanshi, the Commandant of Chengxin, with his youthful physique and the ability to penetrate four hundred li into enemy territory, captured the Ninth Prince Yuwen alive. His loyalty and bravery are commendable. He is hereby granted the title of Fifth-Rank Flying Cavalry Commandant and bestowed with a box of Bone-Refining Medicine and a pot of Imperial Wine. This is the imperial decree."

"Your Majesty, please accept the order and thank me."

Chen Sanshi accepted the imperial edict with both hands.

The rank of Fifth-Rank Flying Cavalry Captain is a military officer honorary title, but it has no real position.

In this world, martial merit is linked to cultivation level. His promotion from a sixth-rank official to a fifth-rank merit is already considered exceptional.

That's not important, and he doesn't care.

What Chen Sanshi was interested in was the bone-strengthening medicine.

Things given by the emperor can't be too bad, right?

We must hurry up and break through to the peak of Bone Refinement so that we can better cope with the upcoming battles.

In addition, there doesn't seem to be anything special on the imperial edict.

Do we still need Governor Sun to send someone to tell him that he will cover the fallback? Cover what fallback?

"Master Chen."

Magistrate Xue smiled and said, "At such a young age, you have already gained His Majesty's favor. Your future is limitless!"

"Magistrate Xue is too kind."

Chen Sanshi was being polite, but he just wanted to get the precious medicine as soon as possible.

Magistrate Xue, however, remained unhurried. He took the jade pot from the tray held by his servant, poured a cup of wine, and handed it over: "Lord Chen, His Majesty has bestowed this fine wine upon us. According to the rules, it must be drunk on the spot. I hope you will not disappoint His Majesty."

【Azure Blood Poison Dew: Colorless and odorless, it dissolves into the flesh and blood after ingestion, and will not cause symptoms for three months. After three months, without an antidote, the patient will suffer from intestinal perforation, abdominal rot, bleeding from all seven orifices, and sudden death.】

Poisoned wine?!

I performed meritorious service, and the emperor gave me poisoned wine?

Is this what Han Cheng meant by agreeing to anything?

Chen Sanshi's mind raced, but his face remained impassive.

'The poison took three months to take effect.'

This means the emperor didn't intend to kill me.

'But...they want to control me!'

Chen Sanshi suddenly realized the truth.

The emperor had no reason to kill him.

If I really wanted to kill a mere Bone Refining cultivator, why would I need to resort to sneaky poisoning that takes three months to take effect?

If the intention was to control him secretly, then it would make sense.

But what does controlling him mean?

If things go well within three months, the antidote will be secretly given again, and everything will be as if nothing happened.

If it's not done well, will it lead to poisoning and death?

To drink or not to drink?

It seems that the so-called "safety net" is that Commander Sun will give him the antidote, so that he can fool him for now.

of course.

Chen Sanshi will not completely trust either party.

After all, he was only a nominal striker for the time being, and had no real relationship with Commander Sun.

But, things have come to this.

I had no choice but to drink it.

Anyway, he can detoxify himself!

With that thought in mind, Chen Sanshi picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.

Magistrate Xue watched him drink the wine, a barely perceptible smirk playing on his lips.

"Good wine!"

Chen Sanshi held the wine cup upside down, gesturing for him to drink: "Magistrate Xue, such fine wine, why don't you have a cup and try it?"

"That's unacceptable."

Magistrate Xue took a half step back: "Items bestowed by His Majesty are not to be used by outsiders."

"What a pity, such fine wine can only be enjoyed by myself."

Chen Sanshi drank another cup and asked, "I am uncouth; according to the rules, am I required to finish it all?"

“No need for that,” Magistrate Xue shook his head. “The rest, Lord Chen can take back and keep as a keepsake.”

"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now?"

Chen Sanshi is leaving.

"Please wait a moment, Lord Chen."

Magistrate Xue said, "I have something else to say."

They didn't say anything before, they wanted to wait until after the poisoned wine was drunk.

It seems his guess was correct.

Even if he drinks the poisoned wine and obeys, he's still worth using.

Refusing to drink would be disobeying the imperial decree, and even if one wasn't killed on the spot, their fate in the future would be uncertain.

Chen Sanshi wanted to see what secrets the emperor had that were so shameful to hide.

"Master Chen."

Xue Yuping said in a low voice, "Do you know why we have come?"

Chen Sanshi feigned ignorance and said, "Naturally, I'm here to be the county magistrate."

"That is natural, but in addition, I have other orders to deliver."

Xue Yuping asked with concern, "During your time at the Thousand Household Office, has Lord Chen heard anything about the 'Immortal Treasure'?"

Chen Sanshi shook his head blankly.

"It's normal that Lord Chen hasn't been practicing martial arts for long, so it's not possible for him to have any contact with it."

Xue Yuping said, "My mission is to find a treasure left behind by an immortal before the war ends."

"Isn't Magistrate Xue joking?"

Chen Sanshi asked in surprise, "Where in the world are immortals?"

"Of course there is. Isn't His Majesty the Emperor of Longevity?"

Xue Yuping looked at the other guard and said in a deep voice, "Tang Ming, how is the investigation going? It's alright, Commander Chen is one of us, just tell me."

"it is good."

Tang Ming nodded: "There's clearly something wrong with the martial arts school, especially the Liang family. They've been loitering outside the county government office for the past few days, keeping their things to themselves and acting suspiciously."

Liang Shengzhi?

Chen Sanshi knew what he wanted to do.

It seems that Xianbao's anger is about to spread to Xiang Tingchun. The truth will eventually come out, and it won't be hidden for long.

"Use both kindness and severity, don't just coerce, quickly find out the truth, and discuss any wrongdoing later."

Xue Yuping changed the subject: "What's the Witch God Cult up to?"

"The intelligence says..."

Tang Ming's expression was solemn: "A large number of experts above the Transformation Realm will be coming."

Above the Transformation Realm?

Chen Sanshi was right.

He had previously thought that if they really wanted to find a magical treasure, why didn't they send out experts...?

What merit or ability does the small Poyang have?

A large army is pressing in, and skilled spies are infiltrating.

Even so, it still doesn't make sense for a large army pressing in.

It's understandable that the Witch God Cult came looking for the Immortal Treasure, but the overwhelming force of their army is truly incomprehensible.

"We really don't have much time left. We have to get the stuff before the Witch God Cult arrives."

Xue Yuping stood up and said, "Lord Chen, you must keep this matter a secret and not let it leak out. You should also keep an eye on the magic treasure and see if it has any connection with the army. Once you discover anything, it will be a true meritorious achievement."

Chen Sanshi nodded: "I'll remember that."