I Can Extract Divine Power

Chapter 440: Chapter 168: You’ll Go Along for a Drink?

"Alright, you’re dismissed for now," Shen Bai said.

Zheng Xing nodded, accepting the order, and took his leave.

He was confused as to why Lord Shen would want these fifteen Deceitful Objects, but he didn’t ask.

He wasn’t worried that Shen Bai would just take the goods and run.

If Lord Shen really intended to just take the goods and run, he never would have said what he did earlier.

After Zheng Xing left, Shen Bai thought for a moment, then tore a rift in the void before him and placed all fifteen Deceitful Objects inside.

It would be time for the Scattering Value soon. He would rest here at the Observatory, as he had his own room.

After the Scattering Value, when he had nothing else to do, he would appraise them. There was no rush.

With this in mind, Shen Bai picked up some other documents and began to read them carefully.

Time passed gradually as Shen Bai reviewed the materials.

By late afternoon, as the day was drawing to a close, the time for the Scattering Value finally arrived.

Many members of the Observatory had already left.

Shen Bai stretched and set the book in his hand aside.

With his current abilities, reading ten lines at a glance and possessing a photographic memory was a simple matter.

The things he had read today were quite useful to him.

Information is always the most important thing in a battle. Regardless of your combat strength, having prior Information always makes things easier.

That was why Shen Bai hadn’t spent the afternoon grinding the Skill Level for his Chaotic Heart Spell.

Another room in the five-story building served as Shen Bai’s private quarters. It was large and well-equipped with everything he might need.

’I’ll go out for a meal first and try the local cuisine of Nanxing Prefecture. Then I’ll come back to grind the Skill Level for my Chaotic Heart Spell and, while I’m at it, finally appraise those Deceitful Objects.’

Having decided, Shen Bai wasted no more time and walked out of the five-story building.

At the base of the small building, quite a few members of the Observatory were bustling about.

They were the staff on duty. Being on duty didn’t mean they were idle; on the contrary, it meant they were even busier.

Every person who saw Shen Bai greeted him respectfully and politely, and Shen Bai returned each greeting.

Just as he stepped out of the Observatory’s entrance, planning to treat himself to a good meal, two constables happened to walk up to the gate.

The Observatory and the Government Office belonged to different departments. The Observatory was in charge of supernatural matters and the affairs of the Jianghu, while the Government Office managed the livelihood and development of the city.

One could say both sides were major players, they just managed different domains.

’We usually mind our own business, so why would constables be coming here now? Could something be up?’ Shen Bai wondered.

The moment the thought crossed his mind, the two constables approached, clasped their fists, and bowed respectfully.

"We humble servants are constables from the Nanxing Prefecture’s Prefectural Magistrate’s Office. We heard that Lord Shen took office today, so we have come bearing a message from the Prefect, inviting Lord Shen to the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office for a drink. A grand banquet has already been prepared at the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office, and we are only waiting for Lord Shen’s arrival."

’A banquet?’

Shen Bai’s eyebrow twitched upon hearing this.

The Prefect of a prefecture holds the power of life and death within his jurisdiction and is of equal rank to a Prefecture Chief like Shen Bai.

He hadn’t expected to encounter so many things right after arriving, and now the Prefect was inviting him to a banquet.

But on second thought, it was to be expected.

Although the two sides usually stayed out of each other’s way, there was potential for cooperation on many tasks.

For example, back in Fenglin State, there were many occasions when the Observatory and the Government Office worked together.

’I may be a newcomer, but I am still a Prefecture Chief, a person of distinguished status in Nanxing Prefecture. So, it’s normal for the Prefect to reach out.’

Life in the Jianghu wasn’t just about fighting and killing; it was also about navigating social intricacies.

If he wanted to thrive in Nanxing Prefecture, especially now that the Nanxing Prefecture Observatory was just getting up and running, building relationships was a must.

Thinking this, Shen Bai nodded.

"As it happens, I am hungry. Since the Prefect has made such a kind gesture, Mr Shen can head over now."

Hearing Shen Bai agree so readily, the two constables both breathed a sigh of relief.

They hadn’t been sure about the temperament of this new Prefecture Chief of Nanxing Prefecture, nor whether their mission would be successful.

Now that it was successfully completed, they could report back.

"Please follow us, Lord Shen," one of the constables said, stepping aside respectfully.

Shen Bai nodded and, under the two constables’ guidance, headed to the Nanxing Prefecture’s Prefectural Magistrate’s Office with Amber.

...

The Prefectural Magistrate’s Office was located in the center of Nanxing Prefecture.

As it was the most important institution in Nanxing Prefecture, it was centrally located, offering the shortest travel time to any other part of the prefecture.

At this moment, the area outside the once-quiet Prefectural Magistrate’s Office was bustling with activity.

Passersby cast curious glances, but upon realizing it was the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office, they didn’t linger and quickly moved on.

All sorts of officials from Nanxing Prefecture had already arrived.

Anyone who was anyone in Nanxing Prefecture had gathered here.

Seven or eight round tables were set up in the spacious courtyard of the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office.

Besides the officials, the upper echelons of the major factions were also gathered here, greeting one another, creating a lively scene.

And the topic of all their conversations was none other than Shen Bai, who had just arrived in Nanxing Prefecture.

"The guest of honor is Lord Shen. I wonder if he will actually come," said a member of one of the factions.

This member emanated the aura of a peak Unity Realm master, just one step away from breaking into the Void Realm. He was also one of the higher-ups in his faction.

Another white-haired elder shook his head and said, "Currently, the only Information about Lord Shen is the rumors circulating in the Jianghu. As for what he’s really like, no one knows."