Chapter 18: The Newly Appointed County Magistrate

The next morning, Gu Xian rose early. Upon stepping out of his room, he found two children of similar age playing together in the courtyard. One of them was Liu Nianyu, affectionately nicknamed "Little Fish," the first disciple of his senior brother. Playing alongside her was a seven- or eight-year-old boy named Yu Erniu. The courtyard where Gu Xian and his companions were staying belonged to Erniu’s family; however, having lost both parents at a young age, the boy had grown up relying on the kindness of the village. Sharing similar backgrounds, the two children played together quite happily.

Seeing Gu Xian emerge, Liu Nianyu beamed and called out, "Uncle Gu." Gu Xian sat under the eaves and beckoned the children over. In the gentle breeze, he chatted with them. Having been fond of children in his past life, Gu Xian found the well-behaved, sensible nature of Little Fish and Erniu especially endearing, and their life stories tugged at his heart. He produced two talismans and handed one to each of them.

As Erniu took the talisman, Gu Xian suddenly narrowed his eyes, his gaze filled with surprise. He said softly, "Erniu, you may have the aptitude for cultivation. May I examine you?" Though the boy did not understand what this uncle intended, he nodded slightly. Gu Xian pressed his fingers together, a sliver of spiritual energy slowly gathering at his fingertips, which he then used to tap lightly across the child’s body. A moment later, Gu Xian let out a long breath. "As I thought."

Just then, his senior brother pushed open the door and stepped out. The two brothers locked eyes, and after his senior gave a subtle nod, he told the children to go back to their play. Gu Xian walked over to his side. Zhou You whispered, "Junior brother, you have also discovered Erniu’s extraordinary nature." Gu Xian nodded. "Senior, the child possesses a trace of innate true thunder essence; he is the best candidate to inherit your lightning arts." The burly man nodded gently. "Indeed." "Why not take him under your tutelage as well?" Gu Xian suggested. Zhou You smiled broadly and agreed.

Calling the children before him, he said to the boy, "Erniu, you have remarkable potential. Are you willing to become my disciple?" Gu Xian and Xia Qinghe of the Demon Slayer Division stood by to witness the ceremony. Compared to Little Fish, Erniu was more reserved. Upon hearing Zhou You’s request, he did not answer immediately but looked up. "If I become your disciple, will I still be able to return to the village to visit?" Zhou You smiled and nodded. "Of course." Erniu immediately kowtowed three times with deep respect.

Once finished, Zhou You looked at Gu Xian. "Junior brother, why not give Erniu a Taoist name? It would be a pity if he achieved success in his cultivation only to be mocked for his childhood name." Gu Xian nodded and pondered for a moment. "Senior’s 'Thunder Pond' creates myriad wonders, and this child has exceptional aptitude for lightning arts. Let us call him Yu Chi." Zhou You was very pleased with the name.

Gu Xian took two treasures from his sleeves: an ancient bronze mirror and a piece of emerald bamboo pulsing with lightning. He gave them to the children, saying, "A small gift from your uncle; do not refuse." Xia Qinghe also presented each child with a flawless, pure white jade pendant. "Congratulations, Mr. Zhou, on gaining two fine disciples. Please accept this small token." The children, unaccustomed to such gestures, looked to their master in confusion. The burly man nodded gently and said with a smile, "Thank the elders and accept them." The children followed his instructions to the letter.

At midday, Zhou You departed with his two new disciples, heading north. Gu Xian and Xia Qinghe returned to Nanyang City. They stayed at the county magistrate's office temporarily, waiting for the arrival of the new magistrate before they would set out. Previously, Xia Qinghe and Gu Xian had agreed to travel together to a secret realm in Lingzhou, but at Gu Xian’s insistence, the spot had been ceded to his senior sister. After many twists and turns, they were now set to go together after all. Having shared life-or-death experiences in the Yu family village, their bond was profound, and they decided to travel together until the secret realm opened. Xia Qinghe held a high position in the Demon Slayer Division and enjoyed great freedom.

As night fell, the two retreated to their respective rooms to cultivate in seclusion. Before parting at the village, Zhou You had given each of them a gift. For Gu Xian, it was a manual titled *True Explanation of Thunder Arts*, carefully compiled by the burly man over the years, containing his deep insights into the practice. If Gu Xian could master it, he was destined to go far in the path of lightning. For Xia Qinghe, he provided the *Li-Water Sword Scripture*, which would help dissolve the baleful energy within her and guide her cultivation toward a path of balance between yin and yang. While this was merely a choice provided by Zhou You, its potential was well worth the anticipation.

Unlike Gu Xian, who suspected his senior brother’s true power but had no concrete proof, Xia Qinghe—who had used a secret art of the Demon Slayer Division upon their first meeting—knew that Zhou You was exceptionally strong, at least on par with the Commander of the Lingzhou Demon Slayer Division. Thus, she always addressed him as "Mr. Zhou" and remained strictly respectful.

Gu Xian entered the small cavern-heaven within the Wuwang Immortal Mirror to practice the same sword technique from the previous day. Although the person who had taught him had once fallen into the demonic path, the technique itself had been perfected after the man was imprisoned—distilled from his lifelong mastery of the sword and stripped of all demonic influence. Meanwhile, Xia Qinghe focused on the *Li-Water Sword Scripture*. Her talent was immense; otherwise, she would not have become a Silver-rank Demon Slayer at such a young age.

Time passes quickly in the pursuit of the Tao, and three days slipped by. Gu Xian spent almost the entire time in the cavern-heaven; his injuries had fully recovered, and his understanding of the sword technique deepened, allowing him to execute some of its moves.

At noon on the third day, a scholar of about thirty, accompanied by two young attendants, entered the magistrate's office. Xia Qinghe and Gu Xian were waiting in the main hall. Upon seeing them, the scholar spoke directly. "I am He Sui, a student of the Qingyang Academy and the newly appointed magistrate of Nanyang County." He produced his credentials from his sleeve. Xia Qinghe stepped forward. "Xia Qinghe of the Demon Slayer Division. Magistrate He, you have finally arrived." She produced her silver badge to exchange for his documents. After mutual verification, they returned the items to one another.