Luoshui Town Pacification Department.
Shen Qing emerged slowly from the building, dressed in a silver Flying Fish Robe with the Qing He saber at his waist. He cut a dashing figure.
The Scholar immediately stepped forward and fawned over him. "Boss, these clothes look like they were tailor-made for you."
"Exactly, exactly." Lin Zikai hurriedly chimed in. "I never realized these clothes could look this good before!"
Shen Qing burst into laughter.
"You two certainly know how to talk."
Though he hated sycophancy, there was one thing he could not deny.
People who knew how to flatter others really did sound pleasant, and they had an easier time getting by in the workplace.
The Scholar chuckled. "My lord, listen to yourself. If you told us to praise someone else, we wouldn't be able to force it out. Iron needs to be hard before it can be forged."
Shen Qing waved a hand. "Enough flattering. Mount up. Let's go take a look at my new jurisdiction."
An hour earlier, Shen Qing had entered the Pacification Bureau the moment he arrived in Luoshui City.
Two other Assistant Hundred Households were also waiting there to be assigned their jurisdictions.
After some dispute, Shen Qing chose the western district within Luoshui City. Of the other two, one chose the northern district, while the other chose the subordinate city of Bashan.
The moment they left the Pacification Bureau, the Scholar hurried over to Shen Qing.
"Boss, while you were inside, I went to ask around. The western district you're taking over isn't peaceful."
Old Li looked at the Scholar suspiciously.
"We've only been in Luoshui City for an hour. Where did you learn about the western district?"
The Scholar straightened his back. "Where did you think I went just now?"
"You think it's hard to gather information when everyone in the Imperial Guards is a colleague?"
"Let me tell you, there are three jurisdictions this time."
"The other two are ordinary enough, but the western district is different. More than half of Luoshui City's black-market dealings are concentrated there."
"Something major happens there every few days. Dead bodies are a common sight."
"Accordingly, the Imperial Guards there are the busiest."
"This is the toughest of hard bones."
"And things have become chaotic again lately. Several martial sects have entered Luoshui City, seemingly fighting over something."
"Some say it's a divine weapon, while others say it's an extraordinary martial arts manual. In any case, there are all sorts of rumors."
"So far, more than a dozen sects have been recognized. The Red Cloud Sect, the Qinglin Sword Sect—both have sent people."
Old Li and Lin Zikai both frowned at that. Was it really that dangerous?
Shen Qing, however, felt his hands itch. Dangerous was good. If it was not dangerous, where would he find traits? Where would he snatch pills?
Shen Qing smiled faintly. "Let's go, quickly. Hearing you describe it like that, I'm getting a little impatient."
"Let me see just how hard their bones really are."
At the same time, quite a few evildoers in the western district shuddered. They looked up at the sky and muttered.
"Why do I suddenly have such a bad feeling?"
Western District, Luoshui City.
The Imperial Guards' Hundred Households Office was unusually lively. People stood on opposite sides, and arguments rose one after another.
On the left, a mustachioed Lieutenant Official was making a racket with the help of alcohol.
"Brother Ma, I'm not trying to say anything, but I really think this is unfair to you."
"Why should the Assistant Hundred Households position be given to someone else? If you ask me, it should have been yours."
"In terms of strength, you killed a Houtian Realm peak expert three months ago. In terms of seniority, you've been running about for the Imperial Guards for more than ten years."
"How are you inferior to that newcomer? I really can't accept this for you!"
The burly General Ma Kui took a huge gulp of wine, his face flushed red. He slammed the wine jar onto the table and growled.
"Someone from the Pacification Bureau already told me that the newcomer is just a twenty-year-old brat."
"If you ask me, he's another one with backing!"
On the right, Fang Ming, another General, led a group that was much quieter. He merely drank in silence.
One Lieutenant Official grumbled, "He sure knows how to brag. If anyone should become Assistant Hundred Households, it shouldn't be him. No matter how you look at it, it should be Brother Fang."
"Exactly..."
Though the voices were quiet, they stirred up considerable agreement. It looked as though this side was about to descend into chaos as well.
Fang Ming turned and glared at them, and they quieted down again.
Fang Ming was dissatisfied too, but he knew how to endure.
At the very least, before meeting Shen Qing, he would not make a spectacle of himself.
After meeting him, if Shen Qing truly had backing, then serving under him for a few years would not be a bad thing. Perhaps Shen Qing would be promoted again in a few years. If Fang Ming served him well, he might even receive some benefits.
If Shen Qing truly proved unworthy, there would still be time for Fang Ming to make his move.
Fang Ming glanced at Ma Kui with some disdain.
There were many ways to handle such a situation, yet Ma Kui had chosen the most inferior one. Before knowing anything, he had already jumped out to make a scene.
No wonder he had remained in the same position for more than a decade.
Just then, a sharp voice came from outside.
"Boss, look at this Hundred Households Office. It's much more imposing than the General's Office."
"Only something like this is worthy of our boss's status."
The room instantly fell silent. Everyone knew that the new Hundred Households Officer had arrived.
"But where is everyone? Why is no one coming to welcome the Hundred Households Officer taking office..."
Before the words had even finished, Fang Ming had already taken the lead in rushing outside, with the Lieutenant Officials under him hurrying after him.
The Lieutenant Officials under Ma Kui also wanted to move, but after seeing Ma Kui remain completely still, they stopped as well.
Outside the Hundred Households Office, Fang Ming bent at the waist and saluted.
"Fang Ming, General of the Luoshui City Western Hundred Households Office, pays respects to the Hundred Households Officer."
The remaining Imperial Guards roared in unison, "We pay respects to the Hundred Households Officer!"
Shen Qing nodded faintly. "Rise."
Fang Ming straightened and secretly sized Shen Qing up a few times. He really was very young.
"Doesn't this Hundred Households Office have two Generals? Why are you the only one who came out?"
"Well..." Fang Ming looked back toward the office.
Shen Qing understood at once. It seemed someone wanted to give him a show of force.
"Looks like someone is restless." Shen Qing waved a hand and sneered as he led his men into the Hundred Households Office.
The moment he entered, his Innate Six Senses activated. Several malicious gazes stabbed straight at his face.
Shen Qing chuckled. Interesting. There was already a show waiting for him on his first day in office.
Shen Qing walked to the main seat and sat down with great authority.
Black Dog and the others stood to Shen Qing's left and right.
"Fang Ming, sit down. I have a few things to say."
Fang Ming hurried back to his seat.
Shen Qing looked at Ma Kui, whose face was still full of contempt.
"You've all seen it. I can't be bothered hiding it from you. I have no interest in this Hundred Households position. Before long, I'll be leaving."
"While I'm here, behave yourselves and don't cause trouble. Once I leave, this position will still be yours."
"Of course, if you want to see my methods, you can try causing trouble."
The Lieutenant Official behind Ma Kui immediately leaned close to him.
"Boss, see that? He's backing down, isn't he?"
Ma Kui was inwardly delighted as well. What Assistant Hundred Households Officer? Wasn't he still at Ma Kui's mercy?
The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, and he deliberately kept his voice calm.
"Well, since you've put it that way, it's not like I can't speak to my men and have them—"
In the next instant, Shen Qing's figure flashed before Ma Kui. He lowered his head and looked down at him.
A vast aura erupted, and the pressure unique to the Xiantian Realm crashed down upon him.
Ma Kui froze at once and swallowed hard, finding even breathing exceptionally difficult.
Shen Qing spoke.
"Why are you still here? Are you barking like a dog now?"
"Taking the words personally? Was I even speaking to you?"
"Since you refuse to submit to me, have some sense and get out yourself. Don't go looking for suffering."
Ma Kui wanted to stand and throw out a few stubborn retorts, but his legs felt as though they had been filled with lead. He could not rise at all.
"Don't go too far. Let me tell you, in the Luoshui Town Pacification Department, I'm still considered someone of standing. Don't—"
Before he could finish, his whole body flew backward like a cannonball. He smashed through several doors in succession before finally crashing into the artificial mountain in the Hundred Households Office courtyard.
Ma Kui lay amid the rubble. He struggled with difficulty for a moment, then rolled his eyes back and fainted.
Everyone in the room stopped breathing, not knowing what they should do.
Shen Qing spoke again.
"Why are you still here? Do you want me to personally invite you out too?"
The moment those words fell, those people practically crawled as they rushed from the room. In a flurry, they grabbed Ma Kui and fled from the Hundred Households Office.
Only after leaving the Hundred Households Office did they dare breathe again.
A square-faced Lieutenant Official swallowed, his legs still trembling. "Why do I feel like I nearly died just now?"
"Just nearly? I feel like I already died once. I even pissed out a few drops."
The square-faced Lieutenant Official sniffed. "Only a few drops? Then why do I smell piss?"
His gaze swept around them, and his expression changed drastically.
"Oh no, the boss wet himself!"
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