Chapter One Hundred Fourteen: Calmness II

“It really feels like playing house,” Li Jie muttered to himself with a smile.

For the past three months, he had fully restored his cultivation at the Little Three Origins level. As he had anticipated, thanks to the augmentation of the ancient Bossa Saint Body, his cultivation had advanced another step beyond its previous foundation, making him stronger than before.

Yet, he continued to work diligently in the county government of the prefectural city, showing no signs of arrogance despite his regained power. This restraint stemmed not only from his incomplete understanding of this world’s true nature but also from his desire to treat it as a place of relaxation.

All the fighting and killing was enough in the dungeon worlds.

“Three months to scrape together a position as a junior clerk ranked ninth grade—and that only by throwing money around...” Li Jie chuckled and shook his head.

He had initially gained entry into the government by spending money, and even after joining, he hadn’t abandoned his habit of solving problems by spending money. From the official in charge of personnel transfers in the city to Lord Wang, his immediate superior, he had greased every palm, forging deep “friendships” along the way.

It was precisely because of this that in just three months, he had risen to become a clerk and was now plotting to secure a genuine official rank.

However, recently he had been spending quite a bit in the officialdom, which took a toll on the horse bandits on the Great Wilderness Plain near the Shimen prefectural city. At least half of the horse bandits had been wiped out, including twenty of the infamous Thirty-Six Outlaws of the Wilds.

Merchants passing through the Great Wilderness Plain in recent days had clearly noticed that the security there had improved.

Time passed, and soon it was time to leave work.

Li Jie left the government office with several colleagues and made his way home.

Having purchased the two adjacent courtyards, his estate was now significantly larger than three months ago, and there were many more servants inside.

“Brother.”

Back in the study, Li Yan was bent over her desk, writing. When she saw Li Jie enter, she immediately rushed into his arms excitedly.

“Little sister, have you been happy lately?”

Li Jie smiled as he patted her head.

“Happy!” Li Yan replied loudly.

Hearing this, Li Jie’s smile deepened. With his newfound strength, naturally, he wished for his family’s well-being.

Unfortunately, neither Li Yan nor Old Carpenter Li had any interest in martial arts. Without the longevity granted by martial cultivation, they would merely become a handful of earth a hundred years from now.

If it were only a matter of lacking aptitude, Li Jie had many ways to improve their martial potential. But since both were subjectively unwilling to practice martial arts, he did not want to force them.

Perhaps for them, a peaceful and secure life was the greatest happiness.

Li Jie and Li Yan both sat down in the study chairs and began to chat idly.

“You’re of marriageable age now. Have you taken a liking to any young men?”

Suddenly, Li Jie asked.

“Brother...” Unexpectedly, the usually bold and outgoing Li Yan suddenly grew shy and fidgety.

“If you have someone in mind, I’ll go propose on your behalf.”

Li Jie hadn’t expected such a response to his casual question, but it seemed Li Yan did have someone.

“Forget it, forget it. No one likes me.”

Li Yan lifted her flushed face and shook her head vigorously.

“Don’t worry. As my sister, only you get to reject them. No one is worthy to reject you.”

Li Jie patted her head again, his smile unwavering.

“...We’ll talk about it later, brother!”

Li Yan was too embarrassed and bolted out of the study.

“This girl...” Li Jie shook his head as he watched her leave.

“Have you noticed if my little sister has been spending a lot of time with that young man?”

Leaning back in his chair, Li Jie picked up a cup of tea and blew on its steam.

“Reporting to the sect leader, the Second Miss has been frequently exchanging letters with the third young master of the Sun family from Shimen lately.”

Before Li Jie finished speaking, a dark figure knelt on one knee before him.

Although Li Jie merely wanted a peaceful life in the main world, he had secretly established an organization to gather intelligence, protect his family, and handle miscellaneous affairs.

He named this organization the “Three Origins Sect,” appointing himself as its head. Under him were martial artists whom he controlled through various means. Though he no longer practiced demonic cultivation, he still understood the principles behind controlling others. With his current cultivation, it was not difficult to control martial artists at both internal and external cultivation levels.

His recent aggressive sweep of the horse bandits in the Great Wilderness Plain was not only due to financial needs but also to recruit martial artists from among them to strengthen the Three Origins Sect.

By directly recruiting a group of skilled martial artists, the sect’s power quickly took shape. Over the past two months, its influence near Shimen prefectural city had grown rapidly, extending its reach into several surrounding counties.

“The Sun family of Shimen...” Li Jie sipped his tea lightly.

The Sun family of Shimen was one of the most prestigious and influential clans in the entire prefecture. Their reputation resonated throughout Caizhou. Members of the family had served in the Dayong dynasty court for generations, with the highest rank ever reaching Grand Tutor. Though somewhat in decline, the family still had officials holding second-rank positions in the court.

Even the prefect of Caizhou treated the Sun family with utmost respect. Such a high aristocratic family would likely disdain the daughter of the Shimen prefect’s household, let alone the sister of a mere clerk like Li Jie.

“How did my little sister come to know the third young master of the Sun family?”

In theory, Li Yan should have no connection to the third young master, given their vastly different social standings and circles.

“The Second Miss went to Jing’an Temple in the city to offer incense about a month ago and met the third young master of the Sun family there,” the shadow answered.

“Keep an eye on the Sun family. If my little sister truly loves that young master, then let him marry her. A scion of such a noble family is indeed a suitable match.”

Li Jie placed the teacup back on the table.

“Any news on that faction I asked you to investigate?”

He looked toward the shadow.

Li Jie had never forgotten the internal martial artist who had forced him to flee Yangyuan County years ago. Back then, the man had chased him relentlessly. Now that Li Jie had grown stronger, he was ready to take revenge.

“Reporting to the sect leader, according to our investigation, the faction hiding within Yangyuan County is called the Black Lotus Sect. Their activities have not only been spotted within Yangyuan County but also in several other counties under Shimen prefecture, as well as counties in neighboring prefectures.”

“The Black Lotus Sect?”

“That’s an unfamiliar name. Tell me more,” Li Jie said.