My Nascent Soul Ran Away Again

Chapter 141: Lu Xuan, the New Magistrate of Snake City

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Before tearing the Nine Heavens Map, Lu Xuan had thought that the two elders, one in black and the other in white, intended to perform a grand ritual to summon a demonic god.

After all, he had encountered similar incidents along his journey.

However, after tearing the Nine Heavens Map… Lu Xuan realized something was amiss.

What he held was not a sacrificial artifact.

But a flying talisman.

The pink mist enveloped him and Cheng Lingzhu, whisking them away from the location.

Lu Xuan glanced back to see Elder Hai had arrived at the scene and had subdued the two Void Refining cultivators, so there was no need to worry about aftermath management.

Thus, he did not resist, letting the mist envelop him as they traveled through the clouds, heading towards the horizon.

After some time.

The pink mist descended with the two of them.

A grand city came into view for Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu.

Lu Xuan stood still, observing from a distance— Qingxian City.

The city walls were tall and imposing.

In front of the city gates, a queue of commoners was lined up, waiting to enter.

Two robust, fierce-looking soldiers stood at the gates, inspecting those who  wished to enter.

What was particularly striking were two enormous statues near the city gate.

These were stone statues depicting beings with human bodies and snake heads.

Their overall form was humanoid, with normal limbs.

From the waist up, their ribcage was abnormally protruding in a fan shape, resembling a standing cobra.

In the hands of these snake gods were steel tridents, and their exposed skin was covered in fine scales.

Though inanimate, their eyes were carved with such lifelikeness and majesty.

“Is this a heritage site of some entity?”

Lu Xuan looked towards the distant city walls.

He was well-traveled and knowledgeable, especially after eradicating Ru Shou and gaining a wealth of information from the latter’s memories.

With a moment’s thought, he associated it with similar records.

It seemed he had inadvertently stolen the chance meant for those two elders. Some powerful beings would set up their heritage sites in the guise of city-states, with conscious inhabitants living freely.

Usually, these NPCs remain dormant until a fated individual arrives, triggering their activation.

However, the heritage site indicated by the Nine Heavens Map was not in some secret realm, but a city-state within the Archean Eon World…

This surprised Lu Xuan.

“A mortal city?”

Cheng Lingzhu discerned the nature of the city.

Despite the menacing stone statues at the city gate.

To Cheng Lingzhu, these statues were mere inanimate objects, lacking any spiritual essence, just ordinary sculptures.

Both the commoners in the city and the soldiers guarding it bore no cultivation.

“Are we being a bit too conspicuous?”

Lu Xuan smiled slightly, looking at Cheng Lingzhu.

The girl’s features were radiant, her demeanor ethereal and otherworldly, making one wonder if she was a celestial maiden on a sojourn to the mortal realm.

“Indeed.”

Cheng Lingzhu’s lips curled up, her jade hand caressing Lu Xuan’s face as she stated, “If others saw you, they would surely think a banished immortal had descended to the mortal world.”

The two shared a knowing smile.

As they were about to use magic to change their appearance and clothing, a change occurred in the scene.

The pink mist that had brought them here didn’t disperse but instead swirled

in the air before settling into Lu Xuan’s hand.

When the mist cleared, what appeared in Lu Xuan’s hand…

Was a set of official robes.

Lu Xuan raised an eyebrow.

It wasn’t just official robes, but also a road guide, imperial edict, and an appointment letter – items that served as proof for an official assuming a new post.

“This… Is rather interesting.”

Lu Xuan examined the items in his hand.

Cheng Lingzhu opened the appointment letter, which contained corresponding information.

“This is an appointment letter for the Magistrate of Qingxian County… Ah, there’s even a portrait.”

Cheng Lingzhu couldn’t help but curl her lips into a smile, spreading out the letter to show Lu Xuan.

Lu Xuan, looking at the portrait of a middle-aged man, pointed to himself, “Is this portrait supposed to be me?”

“It says that it is you.”

Cheng Lingzhu shook the appointment letter playfully, winking mischievously.

Both of them understood then; this unknown predecessor had set up a unique challenge.

They required the person seeking the opportunity to assume the guise of a magistrate, enter the city, and pass certain tests to earn the fortune.

Though Lu Xuan wasn’t particularly in need of such fortunes, he was very interested in this challenge.

His new identity, as written on the appointment letter—

The Magistrate of Qingxian County, Wu Bangde, under the Great Kang Dynasty, endorsed by the Ministry of Personnel.

“Let’s change first.”

Cheng Lingzhu took the official robes and spread them out in front of Lu Xuan.

She had always enjoyed dressing Lu Xuan up.

Lu Xuan extended his arms and turned his back, speaking earnestly, “Please assist me in changing, my lady.”

Cheng Lingzhu gently slapped him, playfully scolding, “I’m not your lady.”

“Hey, if I’m pretending to be the magistrate, isn’t it logical for you to play the role of the magistrate’s wife?”

Lu Xuan turned to speak with her.

“Since when does a magistrate bring his wife along to assume office?”

Cheng Lingzhu rolled her eyes at him, “Aren’t you supposed to have attendants as a magistrate?”

“Ah, that makes sense.”

Lu Xuan realized.

“Usually, the magistrate’s family is escorted separately by trusted guards, while only attendants accompany him.”

“Let me use a transformation spell to disguise you as an advisor… That way, our presence will be more plausible.”

Cheng Lingzhu, having traveled through various mortal realms in her past life, had some understanding of these matters.

After the makeover, Lu Xuan transformed into the middle-aged man from the portrait, clad in official robes, with a rugged, weathered appearance..