Hidden Bone, where the Root Bone isn’t fully visible.

In other words, there’s more to the Root Bone than what is shown.

This wasn’t without precedent.

A few such cases had appeared in the Observatory before.

To possess Hidden Bone was to be considered a local genius.

He estimated that this was most likely the case with Fang Xing.

It was the only logical explanation; he couldn’t think of any other reason.

Fang Xing noticed the strange look that flashed across Shen Ye’s face but kept his own expression impassive.

’Some things require no explanation.’

Shen Ye snapped out of it and lowered his hand, looking at Fang Xing with a beaming smile. "Top-Grade Root Bone. Your talent is truly impressive."

Fang Xing cupped his fist. "You flatter me, my lord."

"Come, let’s head to the County Town first."

In high spirits, Shen Ye clapped Fang Xing on the shoulder, then strode toward the County Town. Fang Xing followed close behind.

...

「Qingshan County Yamen, Inner Hall.」

Shen Ye sat at the head of the hall, with Zhang Chen and Lin Zheng seated on either side.

Fang Xing sat beside Lin Zheng.

Shen Ye took a sip of hot tea and scanned the room. "The higher-ups are very pleased with Qingshan County’s battle report. You’ve all worked hard."

Zhang Chen smiled. "Lord Shen, you flatter us. The annihilation of the rebel army was primarily thanks to Lord Fang. Had he not intervened, I fear Qingshan County would have been in grave danger."

Lin Zheng chimed in, "Lord Zhang is right. The credit for this victory belongs mainly to Lord Fang. The entire county is now singing his praises."

As the two sang his praises in unison, Fang Xing sat to the side, his expression placid as he listened.

’Zhang Chen and Lin Zheng’s attitudes were entirely dependent on two factors.’

’First, Shen Ye’s status.’

’Having broken through to the True Qi Realm, Shen Ye was now a Commander in the Observatory.’

’The significance of his arrival in a small place like Qingshan was self-evident.’

’I’ve been labeled as one of Shen Ye’s men, and that’s no secret.’

’Everyone in the yamen knows, and even the other powers are aware of it.’

’Second, there’s my current strength.’

’The battle with the rebel army revealed my strength in full, far surpassing that of an ordinary Peak Neutralizing Force Martial Artist.’

’I’m even hailed as the number one in Qingshan!’

’It was the combination of these two factors that made the two lords speak so highly of me.’

’Of course, none of that is important to me.’

’There’s only one thing I’ve ever valued: strength!’

’Without enough strength, even surviving in this world is a struggle.’

’This current peace and quiet was all earned through diligent Cultivation.’

Shen Ye glanced at Zhang Chen and Lin Zheng, then smiled and said, "Yes, you’re right. Such an achievement deserves a reward."

"Indeed, indeed," the two men said, nodding with smiles.

Shen Ye’s gaze swept over them, and his tone shifted. "Which brings me to why I’m here. I have a second order to announce."

At his words, Zhang Chen and Lin Zheng instinctively sat up straighter.

"In accordance with the needs of the Observatory, a formal transfer order has been submitted to the Jiang Province Government Office. Fang Xing will be transferred to a post in the Observatory."

"!!!"

Hearing Shen Ye’s announcement, both of their pupils contracted.

’A transfer to the Observatory!’

Although they knew this day would come, Zhang Chen and Lin Zheng were still surprised to finally hear the news.

Fang Xing, on the other hand, was quite calm. He had known what would follow the moment he saw Shen Ye.

’Going to serve at the Observatory was only a matter of time.’

’Still, my heart isn’t entirely unmoved.’

’After all, I’ve been in Qingshan County for some time, and it’s where my original body was born and raised. It’s inevitable that I’d feel something about leaving for real.’

"Lord Zhang, the official order will be coming down soon. Consider this an advance notice so you can prepare for the handover."

Shen Ye looked at Zhang Chen.

Zhang Chen reacted quickly, rising to his feet and nodding. "This subordinate understands."

Shen Ye nodded slightly, then turned to Fang Xing. "Complete your handover. We leave in three days. You’ll accompany me to the Prefecture City."

"This subordinate obeys."

Shen Ye didn’t stay long. He rose and left the Inner Hall, with Fang Xing escorting him out of the County Yamen.

Once outside the County Yamen, Shen Ye turned back to him. "Pack up what you need over the next few days. The Observatory will be a new environment, so be prepared."

Fang Xing nodded. "This subordinate understands. Please rest assured, my lord."

Shen Ye gave a small smile, waved his hand, and strode away.

Watching Shen Ye’s retreating figure, Fang Xing gazed in the direction of the Prefecture City.

’Jiang Province Prefecture City!’

’The heart of all Jiang Province.’

’I wonder what sights the Prefecture City has to offer.’

The thought passed in a flash, and Fang Xing turned to re-enter the County Yamen.

...

「Inner Hall.」

Zhang Chen and Lin Zheng were both still there. Fang Xing came forward and took a seat.

"Lord Fang, you’re familiar with the Constables. Who are you planning to have take your place?"

Zhang Chen asked with a chuckle.

"Xu Zhengxiong. His Cultivation has already broken through to the Dark Force stage. It’s a bit of a stretch, but he’s still a cut above the others," Fang Xing stated frankly.

Zhang Chen nodded. "Alright, Xu Zhengxiong it is. Lord Fang, you can handle the matter. Just make the announcement when it’s time."

Lin Zheng said nothing; he had no objections.

’Who succeeded Fang Xing was naturally Fang Xing’s choice to make.’

’On one hand, it was a way to curry favor with him.’

’On the other, with Fang Xing’s promotion, it was a trivial matter for him to decide who filled the Chief Constable position.’

’It wasn’t worth offending Fang Xing over the position of Chief Constable.’

’Even a common person could understand that much.’

Having decided the next Chief Constable’s appointment in just a few words, Fang Xing wasted no time. He bid farewell to the two men and headed for the General Guard Room.

He also had a Constable summon the other four Constables.

「Qingshan County Yamen, General Guard Room.」

Fang Xing sat at the head of the room, with the four Constables present.

"My lord, what are your orders?" Yang Bo asked with a sycophantic expression.

Fang Xing’s gaze swept over the men. "I have some news for everyone. I am about to be transferred. I’ve summoned you to announce the appointment of the next Chief Constable."

!!!

Fang Xing’s words plunged the entire guard room into a sudden silence.

Several pairs of eyes stared blankly at him, their faces etched with disbelief.

’Fang Xing is being transferred...’

’To the Observatory!’

In an instant, a single name surfaced in all four of their minds.

’The Observatory!’

’This is a huge promotion!’

’The kind that lets you soar to the heavens in a single leap.’

To go from being the Chief Constable of a local County Yamen to a position in the Observatory was no less than a carp leaping over the Dragon Gate.

They all knew this was a possibility, but the shock of it actually happening was still immense.

The Observatory, the most prestigious institution in the Great Jing, was a place they didn’t even dare to dream of entering.

In the last hundred years, not a single Constable from Qingshan County had managed to enter the Observatory.

Fang Xing was the first!

And the most powerful one at that.

Even ordinary Neutralizing Force Martial Artists couldn’t last a single exchange against him.

That kind of strength was on another level entirely.

Even the Five Great Forces that dominated Qingshan had to bow their heads before him.

Back in the guard room, the four men stared at Fang Xing. It took them a long moment to snap out of it, but then they all rose in unison, bowing deeply. "Congratulations on your promotion, my lord!"

Fang Xing raised a hand. "No need for formalities. Sit."

The four sat back down.

Xu Zhengxiong looked at him, his voice tinged with excitement. "My lord, are you going to the Observatory?"

Fang Xing nodded. "I am." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Hearing Fang Xing’s confirmation, the men’s eyes filled with immense envy, but not a trace of jealousy.

Fang Xing’s strength was plain for all to see.

His reputation as the number one in Qingshan had already spread far and wide.

His combat record was second to none!