Whoever has money, you take their money?

After Su Yuan spoke this sentence in a calm and breezy tone, Fan Zhiyun’s eyes narrowed slightly as he took a careful look at Su Yuan again.

After a good while, he slowly said:

"If Nephew Su can accomplish this, you will be a pillar of our Celestial Law Court!"

"I here wish my nephew a speedy achievement of his goals, so we may see eye to eye! Hahaha."

Saying this, he raised his wine glass towards Su Yuan, smiling in salute.

Su Yuan hurriedly picked up his wine glass, lowering it slightly, and said:

"No matter how high a position I may reach in the future, Uncle Fan, you will always be my elder."

Fan Zhiyun was very pleased with Su Yuan’s attitude, and drank the fine wine in his cup happily.

[The Immortal Official System under the Holy Law Governance Council has always been fair and just, strictly impartial, yet you use the much-reviled dining culture to corrupt it, an egregious crime!]

[+1 to rule-breaking count]

Su Yuan pretended not to hear.

After exchanging pleasantries, Lord Fan’s expression became a bit more serious, as he asked earnestly:

"Nephew Su, you aim to rise four levels in one year, directly leaping to Standard Fifth Grade, honestly, the time is very tight."

"Not only is the time tight for you to achieve your goal, but finding a suitable official vacancy for you will also take considerable time."

Upon hearing this, Su Yuan replied solemnly:

"I ask Uncle Fan for guidance."

Fan Zhiyun said:

"As far as I know, in our Seven Continents of the Celestial Law, except for the Central Continent which serves as the Central Hub, the fourth and fifth grade officials in the other major continents are few and far between, virtually all positions are filled."

"Take our East Continent, for instance. The Standard Fourth Grade Transportation Envoy is already a key regional figure, responsible for overseeing the entire East Continent. They are among the most influential of the Standard Fourth Grade officials."

"Below them, Junior Fourth Grade Prefects, Standard Fifth Grade County Magistrates, and other Fourth and Fifth Grade officials combined do not exceed thirty positions."

"Which of these thirty positions is not occupied by a Golden Core Late Stage or Golden Core Peak expert? How do you propose to compete with them?"

"To be honest, besides the three major conditions we previously discussed, you should ideally reach the Golden Core Stage within a year. Otherwise, I might not be able to secure a Standard Fifth Grade position for you... unless you have the combat power to rival a Golden Core cultivation while still at Foundation Establishment."

Su Yuan listened, nodding repeatedly, and felt his horizons broadened.

Through Lord Fan, he gained a very comprehensive understanding of the upper-level Immortal Official System of the Seven Continents of Celestial Law.

But the more he understood, the more Su Yuan realized the difficulty of advancing to Standard Fifth Grade, and he heard the underlying meaning in Lord Fan’s words.

Trying to get promoted to Standard Fifth Grade in the East Continent is almost impossible.

As expected, he heard Lord Fan change the subject:

"However, to climb higher, one must also move around."

"I believe your maneuvering doesn’t have to be restricted within the East Continent, you can totally reach outwards."

At this point, Lord Fan looked up at Su Yuan and, after a moment of contemplation, slowly said:

"Outside the Seven Continents of Celestial Law, we have established the position of Governor in various Great Worlds and Middle Worlds under the Main World."

"The Governor of a Great World holds a Standard Third Grade position of regional importance, with each being held by a powerful Nascent Soul True Monarch."

"However, a governor holding great power externally will inevitably overstep at times, requiring the central authority-appointed Inspector Immortal Officials to patrol on behalf of the heavens."

"The highest official in the inspection system, the Patrol Angel, is precisely a Standard Fifth Grade appointment, and it is a position with significant authority."

"I remember that in Nephew Su’s homeland, the Cold Plum World, there happens to be a vacancy for a Celestial Patrol Envoy. Are you interested?"

Hearing this, Su Yuan’s heart couldn’t help but skip a beat.

Lord Fan’s words carried a probing tone.

From his perspective, Su Youlin, being from Cold Plum World, likely has significant backing in that world.

Becoming an official in Cold Plum World would be a prime opportunity to shine, with no reason to refuse.

To refuse would imply ulterior motives, or a questionable background, wouldn’t it?

Fan Zhiyun played this move excellently.

If Su Youlin has no issues, this position is a great gift; if Su Youlin is problematic, one could quickly gauge his character through his performance in Cold Plum World.

These thoughts flashed rapidly through Su Yuan’s mind, and he glanced at Lord Fan, whose eyes resembled a sinister, cold snake with a mocking smile.

Su Yuan tried to remain composed and replied calmly:

"Why is there a vacancy for such a coveted position as Celestial Patrol Envoy?"

Lord Fan smiled and said:

"Haha, isn’t it because some savages in our affiliated worlds remain uncivilized, always attempting to gain independence, resulting in breaches of defenses and the massacre of officials repeatedly?"

"Especially the Celestial Patrol Envoy, who often inspects different places, becoming a main target for some forces."

Haha... I’m guessing it’s not the local forces but the Governor of Cold Plum World who wants them dead.

The situation is very complicated indeed.

Su Yuan sneered inwardly.

These insights revealed the challenges he would face as a Celestial Patrol Envoy.

Facing an uncertain attitude from a Nascent Soul Governor, and the attacks and assassination attempts from various local powers.

In such an environment, unless one is the biggest local power broker, who would dare take the position of Celestial Patrol Envoy?

However... after reaching the Cold Plum World, the Observation Law Ship can intervene more, and my identity as ’Demon Monarch’s Personal Disciple’ might still be played out.

With these thoughts in mind, Su Yuan prepared to agree for now and consider it slowly later.

Just then, Lord Fan leisurely remarked:

"By the way, I heard that in the Cold Plum World a few years ago, a new power emerged, led by a Golden Core Peak demon cultivator from outside the world, whose identity is very suspicious."

"I remember this person’s name is... Yanhé."

"If Nephew Su can uncover something during your tenure, achieving extraordinary feats and ascending to the Celestial Realm might just be a matter of time!"

A new power? From outside the world? Yanhé?

Su Yuan’s heart suddenly stirred, and he instantly determined that this Yanhé was the same one he had eliminated in the Absolute Sword World.

To think this guy’s true world turned out to be the Cold Plum World, what a coincidence!

He recalled that at the end of the year (school year), his master would lead the Evil Extermination Sword Sect’s students in their attempt to conquer the world where Yanhé belonged.

The current Federation time had less than three months until the summer vacation.

Isn’t this just right?

"I’ll take the position of Celestial Patrol Envoy. Uncle Fan, please help me watch over and operate, so others don’t jump ahead."

Su Yuan spoke with a calm smile, appearing completely composed.

This left Lord Fan, who had a hint of probing intent, somewhat surprised.

He couldn’t tell if Su Yuan was just a fearless newcomer or truly confident.

While he was still uncertain, Su Yuan added:

"I have some understanding of that Yanhé. He is a disciple of the Ancient Sword Cultivator Feng Wuya, and within Golden Core Peak cultivators, his strength is quite decent."

"Since this person harbors secrets, naturally, after I take office, I will find a way to pry open his mouth."

His tone was so relaxed, as if discussing the way to cook a chicken running on the ground.

Upon hearing this, Fan Zhiyun’s internal doubts quickly subsided, fully realizing Su Yuan’s extraordinary background.

Behind this young man was definitely a deeply rooted power in the Cold Plum World.

And from the fact that this young man could casually reveal Yanhé’s background, perhaps someone in his backing force was a mighty being from the Ancient Era.

Could it be an Ancient Divinity Transformation?

Hiss—

The more Lord Fan thought about it, the more alarming it became, and his gaze towards Su Yuan grew increasingly kind.

No longer probing openly or secretly, he interacted with Su Yuan like a genuine elder, drinking and eating together, occasionally expressing concern and care.

...

Fan Zhiyun stayed in Dragon City County for only one day before leaving.

Su Yuan could see that this fifth-grade official was very satisfied with this ’interview,’ a meeting that turned out to be delightful for both host and guest.

"County Magistrate, is the issue resolved?"

When Su Yuan returned to the County Government Office after seeing off Lord Fan, Ying Ding and others gathered around with tense faces.

Seeing his subordinates looking grave as if facing a formidable enemy, Su Yuan calmly said:

"Resolved, but not completely resolved."

"Lord Fan’s sudden visit was apparently prompted by denunciations and letters from certain people. If it weren’t for my long acquaintance with him, akin to uncle and nephew, the consequences would have been hard to predict."

"What does this imply? It implies there are bad people among the masses of Dragon City County."

Ying Ding responded indignantly:

"County Magistrate, you’re right. I suspect that Patriarch Lin isn’t a good person and likely the one who reported it."

"I’ll try to utilize some official means to properly handle and rectify the Lin Family."

Su Yuan snorted:

"Lin Family? Only the Lin Family? Do you think that’s possible!"

Ying Ding was startled and cautiously said:

"But with our current strength, dealing with the Lin Family is already consuming much effort. If we get involved with all the local powers of Dragon City County, it would surely provoke intense backlash."

Chief Clerk Liu, adopting a mediator’s tone, added:

"County Magistrate, yesterday when you were drinking happily with Lord Fan, the Lin Family led the four major families within the city and the six major sects outside the city in gathering nine hundred thousand spirit coins to deliver in full."

"Considering their understanding of the situation, it might be better to catch lightly and release them."

"After all, you’ll be governing Dragon City County for years to come. If relations with local powers remain strained, many tasks will be difficult to carry out in the future."

Su Yuan listened quietly, his gaze sweeping over the expressions of Chief Clerk Liu, Ying Ding, Qi Junxiang, and other county officials.

It was clear they remained loyal to Su Yuan, but faced with the formidable four major families and six major sects, there was a certain level of fear.

Everyone was made uncomfortable, their whole bodies tense under Su Yuan’s gaze.

After nearly a minute of silence in the County Government Office, Su Yuan slowly spoke:

"I am not some devil, how could I be in constant confrontation with the common folks?"

"Next, investigate the specific main businesses of the four major families and the six major sects, and I, as the official, will make slight adjustments to the taxation of these landlords and local powers. There should be nothing wrong with this."