Chapter 150: Metaphysics Master, You’re Not the Only One
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Li Feng fixed his gaze on Yu Jian Ren, who was now shackled in heavy manacles. “Is he some young master of a powerful family? Or perhaps a relative of a high-ranking official?” he asked.
Yu Zhi Yi’s tone was indifferent. “Have you heard of Minister Yu, the former Minister of Revenue?”
At the moment, Li Feng’s face was twisted with hatred as he glared at Yu Jian Ren. If looks could kill, Yu Jian Ren would have been shredded into pieces. A few members of the crowd hurled rotten eggs and wilted vegetables at Yu Jian Ren. It took every ounce of Li Feng’s self-control not to throw the teacup in his hand.
After all, the teacup wasn’t his but belonged to the Drunken Immortal Restaurant. Breaking it would mean paying for it.
And he had no money.
Li Feng froze at Yu Zhi Yi’s words.
The former Minister of Revenue…
Having stayed at Graceful Phoenix Charity for some time now, Li Feng had heard faint rumors about the background of its primary benefactor. It was said she was the daughter of the former Minister of Revenue, though not the legitimate one. She had been maliciously swapped at birth by a greedy village woman who replaced the real daughter with her own. The Yu Mansion was her original home.
But judging from her tone, she regarded the Yu Mansion with a cold detachment, as though it had nothing to do with her. As if it wasn’t her home, but a place entirely unrelated to her life.
Caught in his own thoughts, he answered mechanically, “I’ve heard of him.” Then, with some hesitation, he asked, “So, is this man from the Yu family?”
He dared not directly point out the connection between Yu Zhi Yi and the Yu family’s “young master.”
Yu Zhi Yi chuckled lightly. “A young master? No, he’s merely the son of the Yu family’s former steward.”
Li Feng’s eyes widened in disbelief. “The steward’s son? Then he’s nothing but a servant’s child!”
His voice was so sharp in his astonishment that even the crowd outside heard it.
Yu Jian Ren caught the words clearly and raised his head, his hateful gaze locking onto the window. From his angle, he could see only Li Feng, not Yu Zhi Yi. His expression grew strained.
Yu Zhi Yi confirmed calmly, “Yes, just a servant’s son.”
Li Feng couldn’t wrap his head around it. “A mere servant’s son, yet he could order the county magistrate to do his bidding? He could manipulate the law so brazenly?”
Yu Zhi Yi sighed softly. “Even a seventh-rank officer at a prime minister’s doorstep carries authority. That’s just how it is.”
At first, she couldn’t understand it either. But reflecting on her own experience in the Yu Mansion, she found clarity. Minor figures, once they latch onto influential ones, gain the means to perpetrate misdeeds. It was similar to how the Yu Mansion’s servants had treated her. Because she lacked favor and they had some level of protection from their masters, they had dared to bully her. It was all too normal.
By now, the gathered townsfolk had learned of Yu Jian Ren’s crimes. Discovering that he was merely a servant’s son from the former Minister of Revenue’s household—a man who dared to abuse his connection to harm an innocent family, destroy promising students, and cause countless wrongful deaths—they were enraged.
“This vile, corrupt scoundrel!”
“Spitting on him is too good! A lowly servant’s son exploiting power to harm the innocent? He deserves death!”
As more rotten eggs and vegetables hit Yu Jian Ren, additional details emerged. The townsfolk learned that in nearby Linzhang County, the corrupt county magistrate had abused his authority, colluded with the powerful, and left countless innocents to die.
They also learned that it was the newly appointed Fifth-Rank Official of the Ministry of Justice, Yu Zhi Yi, who had uncovered the irregularities in Linzhang County’s records. Her insistence on reopening the cases led to the downfall of the magistrate, the restoration of justice for countless souls, and the clearing of Linzhang County’s tainted skies.
Initially, the townsfolk had regarded Yu Zhi Yi’s unexpected appointment as a curiosity. Many doubted her capability. But now, they were wholly convinced of her competence and integrity. Their admiration surged.
“Official Yu truly is a modern-day Bao Zheng!”
“No wonder His Majesty personally appointed her despite protocol. Her abilities and character are truly remarkable. With such a figure presiding over justice, wrongful convictions will surely diminish, and common folk like us will have greater security.”
Li Feng turned to Yu Zhi Yi. “Boss, everyone really looks up to you.”
Yu Zhi Yi arched an eyebrow. This sensation was peculiar.
To be admired, trusted, and deeply appreciated was a pure emotion she had rarely experienced across her two lives. In her previous life, she had concealed herself behind Zhang Tian Shun, acting as his strategist. Although she eventually won over the haughty generals and soldiers who looked down on women, their attitudes toward her were fundamentally different from the gratitude of these common people.
She felt deeply moved.
That very night, she added a single line to the manifesto of Graceful Phoenix Charity: “The Emperor is kind-hearted.”
From then on, everyone who came seeking aid was gently indoctrinated into knowing that while Graceful Phoenix Charity was established by two benefactors, it had the explicit support of the Emperor.
Every individual who received proper care not only felt profound gratitude towards the charity and its founder, Yu Zhi Yi, but also retained a strong sense of reverence for the Emperor’s benevolence.
Yu Zhi Yi’s mind stirred.
She felt a power distinctly different from the golden light of merit. Her initial surprise quickly gave way to delight.
Faith energy!
This was a force even harder to obtain than merit. Although she didn’t yet know how to utilize this faith energy, she understood its immense value.
Wasn’t that why celestial deities encouraged their followers to build temples and collect faith?
For now, she had no immediate use for it, but she certainly wouldn’t discard it.
On top of that, her efforts to seek justice for the people of Linzhang County had earned her strands of golden light of merit. And the amount? Dozens of strands!
Yu Zhi Yi’s heart surged with excitement. Refining this merit energy could elevate her strength to unimaginable heights.
Within the Mystic Sect, practitioners progressed through six great realms on their journey from initiation to ascension: Mortal Realm, Qi Refining Stage, Foundation Establishment Stage, Golden Core Stage, Nascent Soul Stage, and finally, Transforming-Spirit Stage.
After reaching the peak of the Transforming-Spirit Stage, one could face the tribulation lightning of ascension.
At the Qi Refining Stage, practitioners could manipulate weapons for long-range attacks and perform basic spells. Upon reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage, their power multiplied exponentially, yet they remained fundamentally human, albeit with abilities that could easily crush ordinary people.
If a Qi Refining practitioner could be overwhelmed by sheer numbers or advanced weaponry, a Foundation Establishment cultivator could effortlessly annihilate tens of thousands.
Legends held that reaching the Golden Core Stage marked the transition to “immortal.” This title, however, did not denote true immortality; rather, it reflected the practitioner’s newfound ability to fly and escape the bonds of the earth, earning them the reverence of mortals.
In her past life, Yu Zhi Yi had toiled tirelessly to barely reach the late stage of Qi Refining.
In this life, her ability to convert merit energy significantly accelerated her cultivation. In just a few short months, she had caught up to her previous life’s progress.
If she refined these strands of merit, she might even break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage…
Yu Zhi Yi’s heart burned with fervor.
For once, her usual composure wavered. After bidding farewell to Li Feng, she hurried back to the Yu Mansion with Li Rou.
As they entered a narrow alley, Yu Zhi Yi’s expression suddenly hardened.
An ambush.
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit room, a woman’s eyes gleamed coldly. “The world’s mystics do not belong to you alone.”