New Deputy Director

"Your Excellency claims to be the new Deputy Commander Xiuchuan?" the guard at the door asked, as if hearing the funniest joke in the world.

"Yes," Zichuan Xiu replied meekly, knowing he was in the wrong. After a night of heavy drinking with Sterling, for some unknown reason, he'd gotten into a fight with some thugs. Through this incident, Zichuan Xiu discovered two truths: First, the combat power of two elite masters who were completely drunk was equivalent to that of a pig. Second, the gutters in the Imperial Capital were truly foul-smelling—especially for those who lost fights, were thrown in, and spent the night there. As a result, after being woken up by garbage collectors in the morning, Zichuan Xiu didn't even have time to go home and change before rushing to the Administrative Department, only to find...

"Where are your credentials?"

"I didn't bring them, they're at home." More likely, they were taken along with his wallet by those thugs during the search.

"Oh, oh, left them at home again." The guard looked understanding, fiddling with his thick baton. "Kid, we get three to five people causing trouble here every month, but one with your look—you've really opened my eyes! " He frowned. "Such a strong smell of alcohol! God, what is that yellow stuff on you? Poop or mud? And why is your face beaten up like a panda's?"

"Please," Zichuan Xiu pleaded softly, "I need to report to Director Gushan. I'm already late!"

"Mmm-hmm, the Chief of Staff reported to me yesterday. I'm not in a hurry, why are you?" The guard clearly didn't believe him—of course, Zichuan Xiu had to sadly admit that he had every reason not to.

Zichuan Xiu glanced around. No one was paying attention to this spot. He took a deep breath. "Sorry to bother you, brother!" He lightly patted the guard's shoulder, and the guard immediately slumped down without a sound. Zichuan Xiu quickly supported him, pretending he was dozing against the wall.

***

"Where is the Director's office?"

The staff members asked were all startled, only pointing vaguely in different directions. It was truly a miracle that Zichuan Xiu managed to find the correct location.

The female secretary at the door was terrified by the sudden intrusion of this wild man. She desperately blocked him. "You can't go in! You don't have an appointment... Help! Security!"

Zichuan Xiu had already barged in.

Behind the spacious office, a beautiful woman was looking down at documents, not startled or looking up at Zichuan Xiu's sudden entrance.

Relying on his male instincts, Zichuan Xiu immediately gave her an 85.

"Please sit, Deputy Commander Xiuchuan. You are already fifteen minutes late." Her voice was icy, revealing no emotion, not even looking up. She merely waved her hand, signaling the secretary to leave.

"Oh, Director, I apologize. The reason is..."

"I have no intention of interfering with your personal life, but since you are a member of my department, I hope you will abide by our department's rules and regulations. Be restrained and not so uninhibited, understand?"

His score automatically dropped to 35. Zichuan Xiu immediately categorized her as one of those old maids who longed for love but, due to prolonged dissatisfaction, had become psychologically twisted and full of hatred for others' happiness.

"Director, I apologize. Next time..."

"Thank you for your apology. It's quite useful to us. Perhaps it can help us recover the time wasted by your lateness." Gushan said sarcastically. "Also, there's something I need to tell you. We are of the same rank, both Deputy Commanders, so you don't need to call me Director."

"Yes, Director. Oh, no, Director Gu. Zichuan Xiu reports to you now and awaits your orders."

"Deputy Commander Xiuchuan, there's something... would you be willing to do me a favor?"

"I await your command and am willing to serve you."

"Get out of here immediately, go back, take a bath, brush your teeth, change your clothes, and then come back to work! Because of you, we'll need three more bottles of air freshener!"

***

Zichuan Xiu sat upright on the sofa. Opposite him were Shirakawa, Roger, Chuan, Zichuan Ning, and Kadan. Everyone had a solemn expression, a serious demeanor, their faces stiff, and their mouths shut tight—as if a frog would leap out if they spoke.

Zichuan Xiu sighed and waved his hand. "It's fine, everyone, please laugh."

"Hahaha," "Hehehe," "Hohoho"...

Only Kadan maintained a bit of the Demon Princess's composure, smiling faintly with pursed lips.

"Director, those two dark circles on your eyes... Hahaha, you look just like a panda."

Shirakawa unfolded a copy of the "Imperial Capital Evening News" and read aloud: "Today's Amusing News: Today, a mentally ill patient, claiming to be the newly transferred Deputy Commander Xiuchuan from the Far East, suddenly assaulted the duty guard, caused trouble in the Administrative Department, and barged into Director Gushan's office, only to be expelled by Director Gushan. One of the eyewitnesses, Miss Jin Meili, a staff member of the Administrative Department (a photo of a bloated, foolish-looking, extremely ugly woman appears here, feigning pitifulness), stated: 'It was so scary, so scary! He even tried to molest me! He... oh dear, how can I say it...' The main party involved in this incident, Director Gushan, has not made any comments.

According to the preliminary investigation by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, this may be the consequence of the mental hospital's wall collapsing three days ago. An investigation has been launched to ensure the capture of this extremely dangerous mental patient with aggressive tendencies, bringing peace of mind to the citizens of the Imperial Capital. It is recommended that relevant departments strengthen the maintenance and investment in such civil facilities. Reporting address: Imperial Capital Ministry of Civil Affairs Public Security Maintenance Section, Third Office."

A burst of laughter followed.

Zichuan Ning: "Brother, you've become a news figure! Sign an autograph for me!"

Roger smirked: "Director, your taste is really bad—you don't even let go of women like that?"

Chuan secretly asked Zichuan Ning: "Which way to the Ministry of Civil Affairs?"

Zichuan Xiu asked Shirakawa: "Where was the article published? The front page or the second page?"

Shirakawa looked and replied: "The location is—below 'Expert Treatment for Syphilis and Gonorrhea' and above the advertisement for 'Everlasting King Pill'."

More laughter erupted.

Kadan, who hadn't spoken, said: "Your Excellency Xiuchuan, your eye injury... perhaps I can help you with it."

Zichuan Xiu had long heard of the incredible abilities of the Demon Race royalty and became excited. "Are you a healing priest?"

Kadan shook her head.

"Do you have a special healing ability?"

Kadan shook her head.

"Do you know healing magic?"

Kadan shook her head again.

"Then what can you do to help me?"

Kadan took out a box from behind her. "This item will definitely be useful to you. It can make others unable to see your eye injury—but this item is very expensive, I'm afraid..."

What could it be? A magic pill? A miraculous elixir? Healing water?... No matter, Zichuan Xiu just wanted to stop being a "panda."

Without another word, he gave Kadan the last two hundred yuan in his pocket.

Kadan shook her head. "Not enough."

Zichuan Xiu then borrowed another thousand yuan from Zichuan Ning and gave it to Kadan as well.

Kadan said regretfully, "Ah, you're lucky. If it weren't for my good relationship with your sister Zichuan Ning..."

Zichuan Xiu snatched it back and opened it to see...

It was a pair of sunglasses, marked at fifteen yuan, a street vendor's item.

***

Historical records state that after the King of Light conquered the entire Far East, he was often very tolerant and kind to the lower classes of the Demon Race. However, he would seize opportunities to trick the Demon Race royalty whenever possible. Historians have various theories as to why, but one thing is certain: at some point, for some reason, Zichuan Xiu must have suffered a loss at the hands of the Demon Race royalty. As for the truth, that is a mystery that history will forever keep, and it will never be known