No one understands better than I do.

"Yunxiao Palace, true."
"Xu Jiansheng... in doubt. Just note it down!"
Dong Jumok instructed the clerk responsible for recording. Upon hearing this, the clerk couldn't help but be puzzled. "Lord Dong, why is the former true while the latter is in doubt? Since they belong to the same sect, there’s no reason to falsely report the name of a fellow disciple."
"Well, that’s my intuition." Dong Jumok smiled slightly at his subordinate's question. After all, who doesn’t wish to show off their insight in front of others? Especially since Dong Jumok was just in his early twenties, brimming with youthful exuberance.
"My lord’s intuition?" The clerk, who had been brought over from Dong Jumok's family, immediately understood his master's thoughts and quickly asked, "I’m not very bright; please enlighten me, my lord." His demeanor was earnest, truly resembling a student seeking guidance.
"Very well, let me explain." Dong Jumok replied, placing his hands behind his back as he paced while speaking. "A mountain ginseng, aged three hundred years—its value is comparable to the coveted quota for ascension from the Qi Refining stage to the Foundation Building stage. Although this individual may no longer need it, that doesn’t mean the ginseng is entirely useless to him. A typical Foundation Building cultivator, even one from the Xianyao House, would certainly be tempted upon seeing it, yet this person displayed no interest whatsoever at first glance!"
"My lord, I still don’t understand, what does this indicate?" the clerk asked again, already having formed a guess but knowing it was best for his master to articulate it. This was fundamental training for a trusted aide.
"Of course, it doesn’t indicate anything definitive, but if you combine it with his demeanor when he introduced himself, you could draw several conclusions." Dong Jumok said lightly, "He was utterly indifferent when faced with the three-hundred-year-old mountain ginseng, yet when he proclaimed his name, he appeared so solemn. I cannot believe I have such a reputation."
A Qi Refining cultivator would show some reverence when facing the influential figures of the dynasty, but once one reached the Foundation Building stage, who would still regard ordinary officials? The circumstances of the Great Zhou Dynasty ultimately relied on the intimidation of even more powerful cultivators.
"But didn’t the esteemed immortal say he had heard about you from a friend?" The clerk was genuinely puzzled now, as this statement contradicted his master's earlier behavior.
"Do you believe that?" Dong Jumok retorted.
"Was my lord pretending at that time?" The clerk asked in surprise, as he had not perceived any act from his master.
Dong Jumok had not been pretending at that moment; it was merely his reflection afterward. However, he naturally could not disclose this to his subordinate, so he simply nodded slightly.
"That’s why I feel troubled." Dong Jumok continued, attempting to change the subject, though it wasn’t entirely an excuse, for his mood was indeed as such.
"What troubles my lord?" the clerk inquired.
"I find myself at a loss when facing this esteemed member of Yunxiao Palace." Dong Jumok admitted.
Upon hearing this, the clerk was clearly bewildered.
Seeing this reaction, Dong Jumok did not hesitate to share, for this was his trusted aide, loyal since the days of his parents. There was no need for doubt regarding his loyalty, especially since his family was under Dong's control.
"Do you know why, when I took office, two Foundation Building cultivators were actively intervening, making it difficult for the local gentry, but after I arrived, they ceased to help the commoners?"
"I do not know," the clerk replied. He actually knew a little, but at this moment, he had to demonstrate the basic qualities of a confidant.
"One of those cultivators is rather reclusive, used to solitude, but I noticed he was still relatively young, not yet at the age of discernment, so I introduced him to a well-bred young lady from a gentry family. This lady is gentle as water and stunningly beautiful; just six months of companionship was enough to temper his demeanor, teaching him the etiquette of treating others. Even when facing me, despite any inner displeasure, he had to greet me with a smile."
Dong Jumok chuckled, recalling the moment when that man was forced to smile, finding it particularly amusing.
"And what about the other?" the clerk asked at the right moment.
"The other cultivator, who is overly altruistic, is merely putting on an act to maintain a good reputation posthumously, as he has no relatives or heirs left to him after his parents passed. However, by sheer coincidence, I learned that over twenty years ago, he had irresponsibly caused a poor girl to become pregnant, and she subsequently gave birth to that child." Dong Jumok paused here, not continuing further.
What to do next was exceedingly simple, as his true nature was not that of a champion for the downtrodden; he merely wished to leave a good name after his death, feeling the absence of an heir. Once he discovered he had a son, he naturally would not concern himself with reputation anymore.
"My lord is impressive!" the clerk couldn’t help but exclaim.
Such seemingly ordinary tactics had effectively ensnared the Foundation Building cultivator, who was like an immortal on land!
At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed. Dong Jumok and the clerk immediately fell silent and turned to the entrance, where a county official rushed in. This individual was not exactly a trusted confidant of Dong Jumok, but still part of the same team, prompting the clerk to smile and ask, "What brings you here in such a hurry?"
"Naturally, it’s because the cases in the office are piling up. My lord, shouldn’t we address this? If someone seeks the new immortal’s intervention, we may all suffer the consequences!" This person, another clerk from the county office, spoke with a troubled expression.
An unfamiliar Foundation Building cultivator, while lacking actual power upon entering a dynasty, could not be ignored if they spoke out on a matter; even a king would have to treat that issue with caution.
"Did you come specifically for this?" Dong Jumok asked, breaking into a smile.
"Indeed!"
"Then you’ve done well." Dong Jumok nodded, satisfied with this subordinate.
"Then my lord, shall we take action?"
"Yes, but not entirely; let them continue to pile up. You pick out a few typical cases and have them handled swiftly. Make sure the difficulty of solving these cases is exaggerated as much as possible." Dong Jumok said with a smile.
"Your insight is remarkable, my lord. I understand, I will take care of it!" The clerk replied and hurriedly left.
"Li Si is still a bit too impulsive." Dong Jumok chuckled, shaking his head at the scene.
"My lord, Li Si isn’t impulsive; he’s trying to make a deliberate impression!" The clerk laughed along.
"That’s why I gave him the chance to make an impression, after all, although he pledged loyalty right after my tenure began, he hasn’t accomplished much." Dong Jumok said calmly, for there was nothing within the county that could stump him; no one understood governance better than he did!
"My lord has discerning eyes!" the clerk praised loudly. "So, my lord, shall we seal the file regarding Xu Jiansheng?"
Upon hearing his subordinate's words, Dong Jumok’s previously cheerful mood soured instantly. The truth was, he was completely at a loss regarding that Foundation Building cultivator!