Name Comes, Official Promoted

Chapter 17: Official Promotion by Merit

Not a word was spoken throughout the night, and soon it was early morning the next day.

Bai Yan, as usual, ate his flatbread and leisurely headed to the Pacification Bureau for his morning roll call.

The only difference from ordinary days was that the weapon hanging from his waist was no longer the standard Spring Embroidered Saber, but the Snow Drinking Saber, its sharpness concealed.

Although the Flying Fish Robe and Spring Embroidered Saber were standard issue for the Imperial Guard, the Pacification Bureau did not have a strict regulation mandating their wear.

The Flying Fish Robe was more of a symbol of status; except for major case investigations, whether to wear it or not was up to the individual.

The same applied to the Spring Embroidered Saber. After all, everyone practiced different martial arts styles. Some excelled in fist techniques, some in palm techniques, and others specialized in swordplay. It was impossible to force everyone to use weapons they were not proficient with, thereby needlessly reducing combat effectiveness.

Therefore, within the Pacification Bureau, it was common for eight or nine out of ten Imperial Guards at the rank of Company Commander and above to not use the Spring Embroidered Saber.

Upon entering the Pacification Bureau, Bai Yan noticed more people looking at him than usual.

As he walked, any Imperial Guard he encountered below the rank of Company Commander would greet him with a smile, their expressions showing a hint of flattery and respect.

Bai Yan understood immediately. The news of him capturing the Flower Thief must have spread.

As soon as Bai Yan entered the Company Commander's office, Zhao Guangli, beaming with pride, rushed forward, threw an arm around his shoulder, and roared with laughter:

"Bai Yan, you're a good one! You've brought honor to your father and your Uncle Zhao this time!"

"That Flower Thief case had the Ministry of Justice stumped for over half a month, and many people couldn't do anything about them. But you, with just one move, rooted them out completely, and even caught two of them!"

"You truly are a case of 'silence for years, then startling success'!"

If Bai Yan's breakthrough to the Innate realm at such a young age was his first notable achievement within the Pacification Bureau, then cracking the Flower Thief case was a solid step towards widespread fame.

After all, the case had garnered immense attention, even alarming His Majesty.

The successful resolution of this case would not only be known within the Pacification Bureau but also in other organizations like the Six Doors and the Eastern Depot, making them aware of a figure like Bai Yan emerging from the Imperial Guard.

Bai Yan smiled humbly:

"The mission wasn't actually that difficult. The Pacification Bureau is full of experts; there are plenty of skilled individuals who could have captured the Flower Thief."

"It's all thanks to the Battalion Commander's favor that this mission was entrusted to me."

In the officialdom, flattery went hand in hand. The Imperial Guard was, after all, part of the bureaucracy, and one had to speak with a certain tact. One couldn't appear arrogant, but also had to leave enough face for their superiors.

Zhao Guangli chuckled upon hearing this:

"The Battalion Commander's favor is one thing, but your own ability is the key."

"You have no idea how many people were privately waiting to see you fail, thinking a mere youngster like you couldn't handle the responsibility."

"Now that the news has spread, those people must be dumbfounded."

"This is great. Let's see who dares to underestimate you because of your age from now on!"

The thought of those people switching from haughtiness to obsequiousness made Zhao Guangli feel immensely pleased.

Bai Yan smiled and shook his head.

He actually didn't care much about such matters.

The Imperial Guard was a place that valued strength. As long as his strength was sufficient, he would eventually suppress all dissent.

If not this opportunity, there would be another.

With his own confidence, his back would be straight, and his rise was only a matter of time.

Time moved to noon. Just as Bai Yan finished his lunch, he received a summons from Battalion Commander Zheng Haihan.

"Your subordinate Bai Yan pays his respects to the Battalion Commander."

In the Battalion Commander's central hall, Bai Yan clasped his fists in a salute.

"You are dismissed."

Zheng Haihan sat behind his desk, his gaze fixed on Bai Yan, his tone carrying a hint of praise:

"You handled this matter well."

"His Majesty ordered the Flower Thief to be apprehended within three days, and you completed it in one day. Truly swift and decisive."

"After the case report was submitted, His Majesty was greatly pleased and specifically issued an imperial decree, promoting you to Company Commander."

"Effective immediately, you are now a Company Commander of the Northern Commandery Investigation Bureau."

"Guards."

At Zheng Haihan's command, an Imperial Guard Enforcer entered from outside, carrying a red lacquered tray.

On the tray lay a neatly folded set of Flying Fish Robes of the Company Commander rank, a brand-new Spring Embroidered Saber, a token engraved with "Northern Commandery Investigation Bureau Company Commander," and a banknote.

The fabric of the Flying Fish Robe was more exquisite, with silver thread embroidery that was lifelike. The scabbard of the Spring Embroidered Saber was also inlaid with silver threads, its quality far exceeding that of a Brigade Leader.

It was a pity that Bai Yan already possessed the Snow Drinking Saber; this new Spring Embroidered Saber would likely go unused.

"Company Commander Bai."

Zheng Haihan looked at him, his tone solemn:

"I hope you will serve the court loyally in the future, not betray the trust of His Majesty and the court, and remain as diligent as you have been today."

"Yes, your subordinate will certainly remember!"

Bai Yan clasped his fists in a salute.

As for Zheng Haihan's words, he would just listen and forget.

When it came to loyalty, Bai Yan was only loyal to himself.

As a modern youth who had transmigrated, his thoughts had long since broken free from the shackles of this era, and he felt no reverence for the emperor he had never met.

To risk his life for someone he'd never seen, even to the point of sacrificing his life? It seemed absurd no matter how he thought about it.

Zheng Haihan looked at Bai Yan and continued, "Besides the position of Company Commander this time, His Majesty has also specifically rewarded you with a thousand taels of silver and a bottle of fifth-rank elixir. You can go to the Scripture Pavilion with my note later to pick it out yourself."

"Yes, your subordinate takes his leave."

Bai Yan clasped his fists in another salute, took the tray, and turned to leave.

Zheng Haihan watched Bai Yan's retreating back, tapping his fingertips on his desk, and murmured to himself, "I never expected that Bai Lizheng, a fellow with mediocre talent, could have produced such a genius as Bai Yan."

"He never mentioned his son had such capabilities before."

He shook his head:

"If it were me, with a son like this, I'd probably be showing him off to everyone I met."

As soon as he finished speaking, a deep voice suddenly came from the shadows behind him:

"Your subordinate has already investigated Bai Yan's life."

"Before he was sixteen, he had no interest in martial arts, spending his days loitering in the marketplace, his martial arts were utterly unremarkable. At sixteen, he hadn't even touched the threshold of a third-rate martial artist."

"After sixteen, he seemed to have become a different person, starting to practice martial arts obsessively, day and night without rest."

"But even so, judging by his performance over the past two years, he only had the strength of a third-rate martial artist."

"Now he has suddenly made a name for himself, not only breaking through to Innate, but also solving a major case in one day, it's truly somewhat unbelievable."

Only the voice of the speaker could be heard, not their person.

Zheng Haihan pondered for a moment:

"Perhaps he was hiding his strength. After all, his father is in the Imperial Guard, and he has made too many enemies. When he was young, it's not surprising he lacked the means for self-preservation."

"If that's the case, then this young man's disposition is much more steady than others his age, and he can be put to good use."

"Or perhaps he had some fortuitous encounter, consumed heavenly treasures, or received direct transmission of skills from a master. Such things are not uncommon."

"He is vague about his past, which suggests he has some secrets."

The voice behind him spoke again:

"As long as he can keep them, those secrets are his fortune."

"If he cannot keep them, then it is a path to death."

Zheng Haihan waved his hand dismissively:

"Who in our Imperial Guard can claim to have no secrets?"

"As long as he is not a spy for the Demonic Cult, what are a few secrets?"

The person in the shadows replied:

"There's no need to worry about that."

"A genius who breaks through to Innate at this age, if the Demonic Cult were to send him as a spy, the risk would be too great. Once exposed, they would lose a top combatant for decades to come. They wouldn't make such a losing trade."

"Bai Yan's background is relatively clean. Although there are doubts, they are not serious enough to be detrimental. He is worth cultivating."

Zheng Haihan nodded:

"It is precisely for this reason that I handed him the case of the Flower Thief. And he lived up to expectations, seizing this opportunity."

"Our Imperial Guard has always judged by deeds, not by heart. As long as he is not a spy for the Demonic Cult, even if he has some unspeakable secrets, this official dares to promote him!"

The person behind him respectfully said:

"Your Excellency is wise!"