Zhou Huaian's Appreciation

Under the cover of night.

Torches burned brightly, encircling the courtyard of Chen's Apothecary.

Zhou Huaian, the patrol captain of the Cautious Punishment Division, his treasure sword at his hip, strode into the courtyard. Several torch-bearing night patrollers quickly followed, their gazes fixed on the corpses scattered across the yard.

As night patrollers of the Cautious Punishment Division, they were seasoned and had witnessed even more brutal scenes. They remained calm and composed in the face of the situation in the courtyard. Zhou Huaian walked around the yard a few times, observing the many bodies, a faint glint flashing in his eyes.

"Did you kill them all?"

Zhou Huaian's gaze fell upon Wu Ming, who stood not far away holding a spear, a hint of admiration in his eyes.

On the way here, he had already learned the general details from the report. At first, he hadn't quite believed it. Now, arriving at the scene and seeing that nine out of the ten slain bandits had been killed by a single shot to a vital spot, he finally believed it.

This group of bandits had targeted Chen's Apothecary, attempting a night raid for plunder. The result was ten dead and two escaped, all thanks to the bravery of the young man with the spear before him, who had displayed the full prowess of his spear technique.

Zhou Huaian knew that even the elite night patrollers of the Cautious Punishment Division, in Wu Ming's position, might not have been able to achieve what Wu Ming had. At least, Sun Wang and Ma Liu would likely have died in the chaotic fight.

"Yes."

Wu Ming responded respectfully to Zhou Huaian.

"Mm, very good."

Zhou Huaian looked at Wu Ming's demeanor, his eyes showing even more approval. He nodded and said, "The bandits launched a night attack, and you wielded your spear to fight them. Although you killed ten people, it was in self-defense. I rule that you are not subject to punishment for these killings."

The Cautious Punishment Division held the authority to rule on cases of homicide. In this era of flourishing martial arts, this was indeed a significant power, as conflicts and fights between martial artists were inevitable, and swords and spears had no eyes, leading to frequent casualties. Whether there was guilt or not was determined by the Cautious Punishment Division based on the specific circumstances.

Someone like Wu Ming, who killed attacking bandits in self-defense, was naturally guilt-free. Moreover, since the bandits killed were all on the Cautious Punishment Division's wanted list, he was not only innocent but also eligible for commendation.

"It is said that two escaped. What were their appearances and skills?"

Zhou Huaian changed the subject, asking Wu Ming and Hu Yong and the others.

Hu Yong knew the situation best. He stepped forward, bowed, and then respectfully recounted all the details.

After listening, Zhou Huaian nodded slightly and said, "Knowing this is sufficient. We will investigate upon our return, and it should be enough to determine the identities of those two. You have all rendered meritorious service this time."

Hu Yong shook his head and said, "We dare not accept the credit. We were all merely acting in self-defense. If there is credit to be given, it belongs to Brother Wu Ming tonight. With his divine spear technique, otherwise, we would be the ones lying on the ground as corpses."

"Mm."

Zhou Huaian nodded and then turned his gaze to Wu Ming.

He recalled a "hint" he had received from his superior on the way here. After some thought, he vaguely understood the other party's intention. He then nodded slightly at Wu Ming and said, "Your name is Wu Ming?"

"Yes."

Wu Ming replied.

"Which hall of the Seven Martial Alliance do you belong to?"

"Replying to your excellency, I am dull-witted and only in the Outer Hall."

"Oh."

Zhou Huaian nodded.

Just the Outer Hall, then things would be easier.

He smiled at Wu Ming and said, "With your talent in spear techniques, the Outer Hall of the Seven Martial Alliance is not the best place for you. My Cautious Punishment Division has always recruited talented individuals, regardless of their background. Would you be willing to work under the Cautious Punishment Division?"

Recently, demonic incursions had become severe, and the Demon Suppression Bureau had repeatedly requested personnel from the Cautious Punishment Division, leaving the latter understaffed. Someone like Wu Ming, with a certain talent and who could be considered "capable," was indeed a valuable asset.

After all, there were many martial artists in the world, and not everyone possessed the talent to break through the limit of Third Blood Forging. The vast majority of martial artists were stuck at First or Second Blood Forging. In such a situation, outstanding individuals who were exceptionally skilled in combat were valuable talents for the Cautious Punishment Division, as their duties involved maintaining order in the city and dealing with various bandits and desperate individuals.

As soon as this was said, Hu Yong and the others present immediately turned their gazes to Wu Ming, all showing surprise and envy.

The Cautious Punishment Division's claim of recruiting talent regardless of background was actually not entirely true. To enter the Cautious Punishment Division, one either had to possess extraordinary talent and pass their assessments, requiring at least an "above average" aptitude. Such individuals would receive full support and training from the Cautious Punishment Division, with prospects of becoming seventh-rank patrol officers in the future.

Besides that, the Cautious Punishment Division also had subordinate administrative staff, but they usually had internal connections within the division and were not openly recruited. For Wu Ming to receive such an offer from the Cautious Punishment Division tonight was extremely rare.

After all, As long as one joined the Cautious Punishment Division, even if not among the most highly regarded "geniuses," they would directly obtain an official court position, with power and status incomparable to before. Even those in the Inner Hall of the Seven Martial Alliance would not dare to treat them lightly.

Hearing Zhou Huaian's invitation to the Cautious Punishment Division, Wu Ming was also taken aback. It was indeed unexpected, but for him, joining the Cautious Punishment Division meant entering the legitimate forces of the court, with only benefits and no drawbacks.

In Jingye City, although the Seven Martial Alliance was powerful, and the Black Fiend Sect and Profound Jade Sect were deeply entrenched, controlling various businesses and numerous gangs, the true rulers of Jingye City were the two legitimate court departments!

No matter how large the business scale of the Seven Martial Alliance or the two sects, they had to pay various taxes under the deterrence of the two departments. Even if these forces were in secret conflict with the two departments, such conflicts were only confined to the shadows. At least on the surface, no force dared to openly defy the authority of the two departments.

"As a citizen of Jingye, to be able to serve the Cautious Punishment Division, eradicate bandits, and maintain law and order has always been my aspiration."

Wu Ming bowed to Zhou Huaian in response.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Huaian laughed heartily and said, "Good, then I will give you a few days to rest. Three days later, come to the Cautious Punishment Division to register. There will be an assessment process, but for you, it should be no problem."

The so-called assessment process primarily involved verifying one's background and ensuring it was clean, as well as evaluating personal abilities. His combat prowess was undeniable, and based on Zhou Huaian's observation, Wu Ming was certainly not unintelligent.

Witnessing this scene, Zhao Hu and Feng Yong, who were following Zhou Huaian, also had a slight change in their gaze towards Wu Ming.

They had visited this courtyard half a month ago, but that was during the most yin hour, and they had come for a malevolent spirit. This time, they came for bandits. Both visits were similar, and they had not arrived at the opportune moment. The only difference was that the Wu Ming of the past was merely an ordinary guard in this courtyard, whom neither of them had paid much attention to. Now, he had displayed astonishing spear skills, killing ten bandits in one night, and had even caught Zhou Huaian's eye, who wanted to recruit Wu Ming into the Cautious Punishment Division.

However, The two did not pay too much attention to this.

They had joined the Cautious Punishment Division based on their aptitude and had prospects of reaching Third Blood Forging. In comparison, Wu Ming couldn't even enter the Inner Hall of the Seven Martial Alliance. Even with his bravery, once he joined the Cautious Punishment Division, he would only be able to complete Second Blood Forging and slowly accumulate seniority. His future potential was far from comparable to theirs.

Moreover, even if they reached Third Blood Forging and were promoted to patrol officers, they would still consider recruiting and utilizing a young junior like Wu Ming, who was skilled in spear techniques, fierce in combat, and decisive in killing.