Si Nanyue

Arrived at the Wei Dao Si yamen.

Seeing Xia Qi'an, full of vigor, striding over, the gate guard didn't recognize him at first.

He just thought some important figure of the Wei Dao Si had arrived.

Only when Xia Qi'an casually greeted him did he react.

Standing there dumbfounded, unsure of what to do.

A month ago, Xia Qi'an was just a commoner, looking like a beggar.

In the blink of an eye, he had become an important figure in the Wei Dao Si.

This sudden change in status left him flustered.

Inside, the old Chief Clerk, who diligently handled affairs every day, reacted no differently from the gate guard.

The old Chief Clerk sat in his armchair, stretching his neck out as long as possible, squinting as he sized up Xia Qi'an.

After confirming he wasn't hallucinating, he clicked his tongue and said, "I can't believe it's only been a little over a month. You've joined the Wei Dao Si. Now I have to call you 'Sir'! Your future is boundless... boundless!"

Xia Qi'an had a good impression of the old man who was always busy with official duties. "It was just luck, sir! I hope Chief Clerk will guide me more in the future."

The old Chief Clerk quickly waved his hands. "That won't do at all! You're one of the Wei Dao Si now, I should be the one calling you 'Sir'!"

The old Chief Clerk was assigned here by the Jinling City government.

His role was merely to maintain the daily operations of the yamen.

As for internal Wei Dao Si matters, he knew nothing about them.

Just as Xia Qi'an was chatting with the old Chief Clerk.

A stern woman in a black, standard-issue official uniform walked in.

This woman possessed an elegant demeanor, as aloof and proud as a cold plum blossom in the snow.

Her face was like a meticulously carved jade artifact, beautiful yet severe. Her figure was tall and slender, and even in her slightly loose official uniform, it was difficult to conceal her curvaceous, voluptuous, and alluring figure.

Xia Qi'an's eyes lit up.

Based on his past life experience, women of this type, mature and alluring, were like magnets, exuding an irresistible charm that was hard to resist.

Judging by the style of her official uniform, this woman was undoubtedly an important figure in the Wei Dao Si.

Seeing Xia Qi'an, already in uniform, waiting, the woman nodded slightly and asked in a soft voice, "Are you Xia Qi'an?"

"Reporting, my lord, I am!"

Si Nanyue's first impression of Xia Qi'an was quite good. A slight smile touched her lips. "Very good! The Hound Guard is currently short-handed, so your arrival is perfectly timed."

Then, Si Nanyue introduced herself. "I am Si Nanyue, acting commander of the Jinling City Hound Guard."

"Commander Lord Wang is currently in seclusion for his cultivation. Therefore, I am temporarily acting as commander."

"From now on, you can report any matters, big or small, within the Wei Dao Si directly to me! Your daily assessments, task assignments, and other related affairs will also be my responsibility."

Xia Qi'an cupped his fists in salute. "Understood, subordinate!"

Si Nanyue was a decisive and efficient woman. While she was briefing Xia Qi'an on the basic matters.

Other Hound Guards from the Wei Dao Si also began to arrive one after another.

After all, they would be colleagues in the future, and cooperation would be essential when carrying out missions. Therefore, it was very necessary to get acquainted with each other at this time.

And the addition of a new member was also a significant event.

Xia Qi'an took a rough count; there were about twenty people. These twenty-odd people, both men and women, were all experienced martial arts experts.

The lowest cultivation level was early Bone Forging, and Xia Qi'an, at early Blood Refining Realm, was completely outmatched in front of them.

"I am Xia Qi'an, from Lishan County. I will be fifteen turning sixteen this year! Greetings to all seniors!" Xia Qi'an briefly introduced himself in front of all the Hound Guards.

"Ah!... What seniors and non-seniors. Once we're in this sect, we're all colleagues, brothers and sisters."

"Little Brother Xia, to become a member of the Wei Dao Si at such a young age, you'll surely achieve great things in the future..."

"That's right! Brother Qi'an is too modest. To be the top in the rookie training camp at fifteen and defeat so many scions of noble families, your future is limitless! Instructor Lin has high hopes for you!"

Instructor Lin here naturally referred to Lin Beihai, Instructor Lin.

"You all flatter me." Xia Qi'an felt a headache coming on; so many people were overwhelming.

Xia Qi'an hadn't expected these people, who looked fierce, to actually be quite friendly.

After everyone had spoken their piece, Si Nanyue interjected, "Alright! We've met all the new members. If there are no other matters to report, you may all disperse."

After everyone had left, Si Nanyue spoke to Xia Qi'an again. "I summoned you here today mainly to help you get acquainted with your colleagues. In the future, if you encounter difficulties while carrying out missions, feel free to seek their assistance."

"Thank you for your guidance, Commander Si Nan!" Xia Qi'an sincerely said, understanding Si Nanyue's good intentions.

"When our Hound Guard carries out missions, we often face life-or-death situations, and casualties are commonplace. Therefore, you must be mentally prepared."

"During normal times, when there are no missions, you can cultivate at home and do not need to report to the yamen!"

"If a mission is assigned, I will send someone to notify you!"

"Understood, subordinate." Xia Qi'an nodded in response.

Perhaps seeing that Xia Qi'an was still young, Si Nanyue couldn't help but offer a few more words of caution: "You are still young, and your future is full of potential. I don't want you to die before your time!"

"However, Jinling is vast and located on the border of Youzhou, adjacent to the Burial Ridge Mountains. With just the manpower of our Jinling City, it's far from enough to govern."

"It's hard to say what kind of great crisis we might face in the future. Therefore, I hope that while you do your job well, you will also humbly seek advice from your colleagues and learn how to protect yourself!"

Seeing Si Nanyue's genuine concern for him, Xia Qi'an's good impression of her grew significantly. After all, since he had transmigrated here, very few people had truly cared about him.

Moreover, Si Nanyue hadn't known him for long, making this camaraderie even more precious.

"Thank you for your concern, Lord Si Nan! As a subordinate of the Wei Dao Si, I have already prepared myself mentally."

"Besides, I aspire to become an unparalleled expert. Without enduring hardships, how can one reach the pinnacle?"

Seeing that Si Nanyue was not as unfathomable as Chu Shiqing and seemed like someone worth befriending, Xia Qi'an let down his guard and spoke his mind.

"Unparalleled expert?"

"...You're not old, but you have a big mouth... Are you really only sixteen?"

Si Nanyue truly didn't expect Xia Qi'an, so young, to speak with such maturity, and she found it a little amusing.

Her smile was enchanting, her demeanor graceful.

A ripple instantly stirred within Xia Qi'an's heart.

Immediately after, Xia Qi'an couldn't help but glance at Si Nanyue's chest, inwardly exclaiming, "Truly magnificent!"

That glance was like a stone cast into a calm lake, stirring up ripples, and even his lower body began to stir.

In his previous life, Xia Qi'an was a seasoned veteran in matters of the heart. He knew very well how charming women like Si Nanyue were – tall, and skilled in martial arts.

Furthermore, Si Nanyue possessed a beauty that could topple cities. Although her temperament was a bit cool, upon closer inspection, one would find her to be incredibly alluring and full of feminine charm.

So, he couldn't control himself for a moment and had a physical reaction.

Seeing that Si Nanyue was clearly teasing him, Xia Qi'an could only pout helplessly, thinking to himself:

"You'll see how formidable I am in the future!"