Acting Centurion Promotion

Luoshui City, Pacification Bureau.

A man clad in a crimson, gold-brocaded Flying Fish Robe stood before a map of Yongning Commandery. He exuded an imposing presence without uttering a word.

This was Qin Chuan, the Pacification Commissioner of the Yongning Commandery Imperial Guards.

Beside him stood a Battalion Commander in a scarlet Flying Fish Robe with blue embroidery. He was Lu Tong, the Battalion Commander of the Luoshui Town Pacification Department.

Qin Chuan's expression was calm, betraying no emotion, and his voice was equally serene.

"Lu Tong, what are your thoughts?"

Lu Tong possessed a pair of narrow, phoenix-like eyes and a rather handsome face. He shook his head.

"I shall follow your orders, my lord."

"Good, then it's settled. We will venture deep into Bailu Marsh and apprehend Wei Jiong."

"Lu Tong, make arrangements. We depart in half an hour."

Ever since the Inspector had arrived in Luoshui City, Lu Tong had summoned all Imperial Guards back to the city for an urgent "Heart Examination."

Every day, hundreds of Imperial Guards underwent the test.

Everything had been proceeding smoothly until the midnight two days prior.

Someone discovered that Centurion Wei Jiong had gone missing, and had killed two Imperial Guards along the way.

It was obvious: Wei Jiong was a mole planted within the Imperial Guards.

This constituted a major dereliction of duty on Lu Tong's part, especially since Wei Jiong was a veteran Centurion, having held the position for at least twenty years.

Who knew how much information he had leaked in those twenty years? If someone were to make a big deal out of this, losing his position would be the least of his worries; a severe case could land him in prison.

The only solution now was to apprehend Wei Jiong and interrogate him on how he managed to evade the annual Heart Examination.

If they failed to capture him, it would be a serious problem.

Lu Tong pressed his forehead, sighed, and then adjusted his demeanor.

"Attendant!"

"Summon the Centurions for a meeting."

Inside the General's Office of Baiyun County, Shen Qing was leisurely enjoying the afternoon, sipping pine nut wine and gnawing on roast chicken.

Baiyun County had been peaceful these past few days, with no demonic disturbances.

He had visited a pleasure house a few times during this period, but only once or twice. He hadn't gone again.

The performances were simply not up to par, not comparable to the stars of his previous life, let alone the singers in the Capital City.

They were truly difficult to listen to.

Shen Qing leaned back in his armchair while the Scholar fanned him from the side.

"Scholar, why do you insist on fanning me? I'm in the Xiantian Realm; I don't fear heat."

"Aren't you tired?"

The Scholar chuckled, "It is my honor to fan you, my lord. I'm not tired at all."

"Then keep fanning. Rest if you get tired."

Shen Qing didn't say much more. Having a few capable subordinates meant he didn't have to do everything himself.

He would promote them well in the future.

Just then, Black Dog rushed into the courtyard.

"My lord, someone has arrived from Luoshui City again."

"Luoshui City?" Shen Qing didn't get up and asked calmly, "Who is it?"

He hadn't done anything recently, so why were they here again?

"It's a Commander. He says his name is Li Sanshui and he has an urgent matter to discuss with you."

"Let them in."

Shortly after, a Commander, around thirty years old, strode in. His gaze immediately locked onto Shen Qing.

He bowed respectfully.

"Congratulations, my lord, congratulations!"

"The Luoshui Town Pacification Department has issued an order to transfer you to Luoshui City to be promoted to Acting Centurion!"

"From now on, you shall be addressed as Centurion Shen, Lord Shen."

Soon, Li Sanshui explained the entire situation.

When Wei Jiong defected, Pacification Commissioner Qin Chuan and Battalion Commander Lu Tong, along with five Centurions, had already stormed into Bailu Marsh.

Including the defected Wei Jiong, only four Centurions capable of working remained in the Luoshui Town Pacification Department, which was far from enough.

Therefore, Shen Qing had been presented with an opportunity for promotion.

Ultimately, this opportunity was seized by Shen Qing himself. By catching two internal spies, he directly brought in the Censorate.

The scholar beside him was very quick-witted and immediately pulled the Black Dog next to him into a bow.

"Greetings, Centurion Shen!"

Li Sanshui also cupped his hands with a smile. He was a subordinate directly under Battalion Commander Lu Tong, and theoretically, he could be considered equal to a Centurion.

However, it depended on the situation. Shen Qing, at only twenty years old, was an Acting Centurion. In terms of future prospects, he was far ahead of those old hands in the Pacification Bureau.

Li Sanshui naturally had to treat him differently.

"Congratulations, Centurion Shen! Does Centurion Shen still need to prepare anything? When can you depart?"

Shen Qing didn't have much luggage: a saber, a pot of wine, and several hundred silver notes.

He didn't even need to bring clothes; he could buy them upon arriving in Luoshui City.

"No need, we depart immediately."

Then he turned back to the scholar and the Black Dog. "What are you two standing around for? Go pack your things!"

The scholar quickly pulled the Black Dog towards Shen Qing's room.

Shen Qing called out to them, "Hey, hey, hey, where are you going? I told you to pack your own things."

The scholar and the Black Dog were both stunned. "Sir... this..."

"What? You don't plan on coming with me to Luoshui City?"

"Willing! Willing!" The scholar immediately reacted, bowing and saluting repeatedly. "This humble one is willing to serve you with all his might!"

Shen Qing waved his hand. "Then hurry up and pack. Oh, and tell Old Li and Lin Zikai to pack too. Two hours from now, same place. Don't be late."

The scholar pulled the Black Dog and hurried out.

Old Li didn't have much of a reaction upon hearing the news. Anyway, wherever Shen Qing said to go, he would go. After saying a few words to his family, he headed to the General's Office.

Lin Zikai was extremely surprised. He exclaimed, "What! I'm included too?"

Then he ran off quickly. After all, he was a later addition, a subordinate Shen Qing had disciplined before accepting. Being taken along was a great surprise.

The scholar was the most ostentatious. Within two short hours, he had informed all his distant relatives and even set off two strings of firecrackers.

The Black Dog was the quietest. He had no family or friends in Baiyun County. He packed two sets of clothes and a saber and waited at the General's Office.

Two hours later, a group of Imperial Guards on horseback followed Shen Qing out of Baiyun County.

Behind them, dozens of Imperial Guards remained at the city gate, respectfully watching Shen Qing depart.

Their gazes occasionally flickered towards the scholar and the Black Dog, a hint of envy mixed with regret in their eyes.

Regret for not having acted the day Shen Qing ordered Sun Jin to be restrained.