The Speedrun Begins with Choosing Hunter

Chapter 295: Chapter 292: A Settled Mind

「Five days later.」

The new Prefect of Ling Province arrived to assume his post.

However, he didn’t stop in Huanglong Prefecture first, but went straight to Lingzhou City.

It was said that after proactively visiting Grand Protector Yan Shao’an, the Prefect spent a full ten days in the city, wining and dining with the great figures of Lingzhou City. Only then did he unhurriedly make his way to Huanglong Prefecture.

Outside the Huanglong Prefecture Magistrate’s Office, a convoy of carriages stretching a hundred meters long was parked.

"Lord Kong, you must be weary from your journey. Would you like to check into your lodging and rest first?"

Chen Danian scurried over to the carriage parked at the entrance of the Prefecture Magistrate’s Office, asking with a fawning expression.

A handsome, middle-aged man with a distinguished bearing and an air of nobility stepped down from the carriage.

This was none other than the new Prefect of Lingzhou, Kong Sen.

Kong Sen smiled faintly at Chen Danian. "It’s no matter. Government affairs are more important."

The entire staff of the Lingzhou Prefecture Magistrate’s Office had been relocated to Huanglong Prefecture. Thus, like any new official wanting to make his mark, the new Prefect’s first act was to hold a meeting for all the officials, high and low, that lasted a full four hours.

Even an old fox like Chen Danian, who had seen his share of storms in the official world, found it hard to endure.

Yang Fangyu was sitting next to Bai Yuan.

He muttered under his breath, "All Capital Officials are like this. When it comes to holding meetings, they’re at least at the level of a Mingxin Grandmaster."

As a member of the Yang Family, he naturally had many connections in the Capital City.

He had long since found out that Kong Sen had come up through the imperial examinations. Although he hadn’t placed as a top-ranked graduate, he was still conferred the title of a successful candidate, ranking eighth in his year—a very good result.

Afterwards, he served continuously at the Guanglu Temple, eventually rising to the rank of Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

Prime Ministers must rise from the provinces, and great generals must emerge from the ranks.

This Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites had always served in the Capital City. As long as nothing went terribly wrong during his tenure as Prefect of Lingzhou, Kong Sen was certain to be promoted again.

Bai Yuan smiled faintly.

But just then, Kong Sen suddenly spoke up. "Lord Yang, do you perhaps find something amiss with what I’ve said?"

Kong Sen’s tone shifted, targeting Yang Fangyu.

Yang Fangyu’s eyes narrowed. ’Kong Sen is deliberately looking for trouble,’ he thought.

"This subordinate wouldn’t dare."

"It’s best that you don’t."

Kong Sen snorted coldly.

Perhaps Yang Fangyu had spoiled his mood, or perhaps he had been deliberately waiting for this moment. In any case, after this little episode, Kong Sen said just a few more words and ended the day’s meeting.

Everyone in the hall was a veteran of the official world’s trials. They could naturally see that the new Prefect was deliberately targeting Yang Fangyu—or more accurately, targeting Bai Yuan.

They had long suspected that a conflict between the new Prefect and Bai Yuan was inevitable.

Even if Bai Yuan were to be as forbearing as possible, he still wouldn’t be able to escape it.

But a struggle between these two factions gave all the officials of Ling Province a headache.

Because they would have to choose a side; neutrality was not an option for them.

Siding with one’s faction to attack another can be more brutal than war itself.

Bai Yuan shot Yang Fangyu a meaningful look. Only after everyone else had dispersed did the two of them rise.

When Bai Yuan walked out of the main hall, several people were already waiting at the entrance.

One official was the first to step forward. "Lord Bai, Lord Kong has been an official in the Capital for too long. He is all style and no substance, and will find it difficult to win the people’s respect."

Bai Yuan recognized the man. It was the new Demon-slaying Guard General of Ling Province, named Zhou Lin. Bai Yuan had previously saved his life.

On the surface, Zhou Lin’s words were a comment on Kong Sen’s style, but in reality, he was declaring his own stance.

It wasn’t just him; the few people behind him had also decided to stand with Bai Yuan.

...

Having been an official in the Capital City, Kong Sen was long accustomed to factional strife.

So, as soon as he took office, he set about suppressing the officials in Bai Yuan’s faction.

He was especially hard on Yang Fangyu.

Everyone in Ling Province knew that Yang Fangyu was Bai Yuan’s die-hard loyalist, so the suppression against him was naturally the most severe.

Kong Sen was indeed a man of considerable means.

With the authority of a provincial Prefect, winning over officials was easy for him. In just half a month, more than half of the officials in Huanglong Prefecture had secretly pledged their allegiance to Kong Sen.

Yang Fangyu’s position as Prefect was rendered almost entirely nominal.

Such tactics were commonplace in the Capital City. Having worked at the Guanglu Temple for decades, Kong Sen was a master of this art.

「On Shenfu Mountain.」

Yang Fangyu was frustrated. "That man Kong really has some tricks up his sleeve."

He had now been completely sidelined, reduced to an idle figure.

As the provincial Prefect, Kong Sen’s position was high, and he had powerful backing. Although his roots in the region weren’t deep, most of Ling Province’s officials chose to side with him. Naturally, everything he did went smoothly.

Bai Yuan, however, continued to sip his tea with a calm expression.

Yang Fangyu couldn’t help but roll his eyes. "How can you still be in the mood for tea at a time like this?"

In truth, it wasn’t just him; much of Bai Yuan’s own power had also been quietly stripped away by Kong Sen.

Moreover, the officials who had sided with Bai Yuan were now all in difficult situations.

Bai Yuan seemed unconcerned. "This tea is quite good."

Seeing Bai Yuan’s attitude, Yang Fangyu, though anxious, understood that this was not a matter that could be rushed.

Looking at Bai Yuan again, he couldn’t help but admire his composure.

Kong Sen was now deliberately trying to provoke Bai Yuan into revealing a flaw out of anger. That way, he could use his connections in the Imperial Court to have an Imperial Censor impeach Bai Yuan.

The situation in Ling Province was unique at the moment. Kong Sen was Bai Yuan’s superior, and for a subordinate to be disobedient was, in itself, a mistake.

In the end, it wasn’t that Kong Sen’s methods were so brilliant, but that in this factional struggle, the Emperor was leaning toward the other side. No matter what Bai Yuan did, it would be wrong.

In this situation, doing nothing was the right thing to do.

Yang Fangyu sighed softly. Now it was a contest of patience.

...

The situation in Ling Province stabilized.

Grand Protector Yan Shao’an and his great army continued their standoff with the Demon Sect. Although no new victories were won, the Demon Sect could no longer advance another inch.

Ling Province welcomed a rare period of peace.

Kong Sen had encountered such a fortunate year just as he took office, so it all naturally became his achievement.

His position in Ling Province became increasingly secure.

After being sidelined, Bai Yuan rarely went to the Huanglong Prefecture Magistrate’s Office, spending most of his time on Shenfu Mountain.

"Lord Bai, Kong Sen’s faction is getting more and more outrageous. Lord Liu was framed with trumped-up charges and can now only stay idle at home."

Zhou Lin, the Demon-slaying Guard General of Ling Province, said with an indignant expression.

Bai Yuan remained unmoved.

He had read many history books and knew very well that matters like factional struggles were always a life-or-death affair.

Grand Protector Yan Shao’an and Xu Dingchun did not get along. This was a well-known fact in Xuan Yang. Both were major figures in the military, so it was only natural that they were at odds.

If the two of them had been close, then His Majesty the Emperor would be the one with the headache.

And Kong Sen, as Yan Shao’an’s man, naturally had an undeniable responsibility to target Bai Yuan.

In fact, from Kong Sen’s perspective, suppressing Bai Yuan was the primary mission of his appointment as the Prefect of Lingzhou.

Seeing that Bai Yuan had no intention of making a move, Zhou Lin could only depart in disappointment.

However, he held no resentment. After all, if it hadn’t been for Bai Yuan, he would have long since died under the claws of those demons.

Bai Yuan watched Zhou Lin’s retreating back.

This was already the eighth official from Ling Province who had come to see him.

He shook his head.

Other officials might place great importance on promotion, but for him now, it was a trivial matter.

With his current abilities as a Spirit Cooker, he was already self-sufficient. He had no need for Cultivation Techniques at all.

The Yang Family had already delivered on the Cultivation Technique they had promised.

Bai Yuan discovered that, without him even realizing it, his saber techniques and poison arts had reached a level where almost no one could guide him. Even the Yang Family’s heirloom saber technique was of little benefit to him. It was better to just peacefully grind his Manggu Zhuha Technique to the Legendary level.

Contesting with Kong Sen now was meaningless. When he became strong enough, he would naturally win, without even needing to lift a finger.

This was the confidence that came from having a cheat!

The current Bai Yuan had already found his path to becoming stronger. The only thing he lacked was time.

He let Kong Sen do as he pleased in Huanglong Prefecture, spending most of his time leading troops to quell rebellions throughout Ling Province.

...

「Huanglong Prefecture Magistrate’s Office.」

In the rear courtyard, nine young Dancing Girls were twirling gracefully.

Kong Sen sipped fine wine, perfectly content and at ease.

Beside him, Chen Danian wore a wide, plastered-on smile as he refilled Kong Sen’s cup.

As an old fox of the official world, he knew exactly how to please a superior. For an official like Kong Sen, who had served in the Capital for years, special methods were required.

Emperor Xuanyang was extremely shrewd and his demands on officials were almost draconian.

Therefore, most officials in the Capital City didn’t dare to openly indulge in pleasure-seeking. Otherwise, if His Majesty the Emperor found out, they would inevitably receive a caning.

Thus, when those officials who had served for years in the Capital were appointed to local posts, they all developed a taste for wine and women.

Chen Danian naturally had to cater to his tastes.

"Lord Kong, Ling Province has plenty of other amusements. This subordinate has heard a few things."

"Very good."

Kong Sen waved his hand casually. He was very satisfied with Chen Danian’s attitude.

Especially when compared to Bai Yuan, his fellow Vice Prefect, he felt that Chen Danian knew how to read the situation.

As Chen Danian poured the wine, he said, "Lord Kong, now that Bai Yuan has lost his power, should we..."

He didn’t finish the sentence, but the viciousness in his eyes revealed his thoughts.

Having worked with Bai Yuan for some time, he was all too aware of his potential. If Bai Yuan found an opportunity, his counterattack would be instantaneous.

He had already thrown his lot in with Kong Sen and had done his fair share of scheming and framing. Of course, he feared Bai Yuan’s retribution.

Kong Sen waved his hand. "He is no cause for concern."

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

In his opinion, Bai Yuan’s methods were still too naive. Fortunately, he was sensible enough to know when to hide.

’Official position isn’t the most critical thing; strength is,’ he thought.

Although he had heard some rumors about Bai Yuan, Kong Sen considered himself strong enough.

In fact, even if he hadn’t come to Ling Province, his appointment as the Minister of the Ministry of Rites was practically a done deal, because his Martial Dao talent was high, having long surpassed the old Minister.

The reason he was willing to come to a bitter, cold place like Ling Province was that his true goal was Yan Shao’an.

He was only willing to be the Prefect here because Yan Shao’an had come to Ling Province.

As long as he could win the favor of the Lord Grand Protector, his future would be boundless.

In the future, he might even have a chance to occupy one of the high seats of the Six Ministers.

Right now in the Six Ministries, two of the Ministers had been recommended by Yan Shao’an, which showed just how much weight the Lord Grand Protector carried in the Imperial Court.

Even the Grand General of the North, Xu Dingchun, who was at the height of his power at the time, was ultimately brought down by Yan Shao’an, who seized his military authority.

Now, there was no one left in the military who could contend with Grand Protector Yan.

It was precisely because Yan Shao’an was too powerful that the Civil Servants in the Court, led by the Grand Tutor, had no choice but to band together to oppose him.

"A country bumpkin from Ling Province... what does he have to fight me with?"

Kong Sen looked at the musicians as the sound of their instruments faded.

"Continue the music, continue the dance."

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