New Official's Test!

Gao Liu City, Outer City, Southern Sector, Heavenly Supervision Department Branch, Southern Star Tower.

Commander Han placed the inkstone he had just received on the edge of the desk.

He reached for a brush, dipped it in ink, and began writing on the paper.

Each stroke was strong and sharp, the characters clear and the marks distinct.

"Come in!"

Footsteps sounded from outside the door. Before the person could speak, he called out, "Close the door."

Without looking up from his writing, he spoke calmly, "Duke Lu has returned. He has a good impression of you. You can visit him during festivals and holidays from now on."

"Although he is not a martial artist, he served as the Temple Priest at the Wutong Temple in Phoenix Perch Prefecture City for fifty years. He is knowledgeable, experienced, and understands the world far better than anyone in Gao Liu City."

As he spoke, Commander Han gradually stopped writing and said lightly, "If you wish, from today onwards, he can be the third person in Gao Liu City to know your real name."

Lin Yan had joined the Heavenly Supervision Department under the alias Wuchang.

In Gao Liu City, only two people knew his true identity.

This statement was Commander Han's way of telling Lin Yan that Duke Lu was someone he could completely trust.

With his words, Commander Han put down his brush and finally looked up. His eyes brightened. "Indeed, clothes make the man."

The young man before him wore a black robe with gold trim that fit him perfectly, making him appear even more upright.

His expression was solemn, his eyes clear and bright.

A saber hung at his left hip, adding a touch of stern killing intent.

A small crossbow was attached to his right hip.

At first glance, he exuded youthful vigor, like the rising sun.

"Each department of the Heavenly Supervision Department has its own archives and scriptures."

Commander Han said slowly, "You previously tempered your skin, flesh, tendons, and bones, completing the first major hurdle of martial arts."

"Normally, you would be a martial artist of the second major hurdle by now."

"But I know that you are actually extremely talented and are already an Inner Strength martial artist."

Commander Han's expression remained indifferent as he chuckled.

Though he didn't say it directly, it was as if he were implying:

You think your Breath Concealment Art can fool me?

I saw through you at a glance!

"..."

Lin Yan was momentarily speechless, unsure how to respond.

In Commander Han's eyes, this was as good as an admission.

He picked up the paper from the desk, gently fanning it to help the ink dry, and then said, "Actually, with your current position and merits, you could receive martial arts techniques for the Inner Strength realm from the Heavenly Supervision Department."

"But to advance past 'Blood Refining' and 'Marrow Washing' to Inner Strength in less than two years... if this were to spread, it would be too astonishing."

Commander Han continued, "Not everyone has the capacity to tolerate others' brilliance. People in the world are inherently malicious. If you are too outstanding, you will inevitably be envied, leading to unnecessary trouble."

"Therefore, from today onwards, to the outside world, you will still be a martial artist of the second major hurdle."

"However, this cannot hinder your cultivation of Inner Strength level martial arts, so... I have prepared a 'breathing' technique for the Inner Strength realm for you in advance."

As he finished speaking, he swept the papers filled with writing towards Lin Yan with a wave of his hand.

Lin Yan took them and glanced at them.

Five Elements Inner Breath Art.

He had already obtained this technique through other means six months ago.

Back then, with the Divine Ability of "Devour Fiend Qi," he had already cultivated his "heart" and "kidneys" without any specific technique.

Now, he was already beyond the Inner Strength realm.

This technique was currently useless to him.

What he needed now were techniques for the "Essence Refining Realm."

He looked up, hesitating about what to say, but then suddenly stopped.

There was a long-standing saying in the Outer South Division: Banner Commanders did not associate with women, and their cultivation was rumored to be the Golden Body Child Technique, which would be damaged if they broke their celibacy.

"There's no need to be overwhelmed with gratitude, nor to kowtow in thanks."

At this moment, Commander Han waved his hand and said, "Just do your job well from now on, and that will be repayment enough."

After saying that, Commander Han opened a thick ledger and said lightly, "This is yesterday's roster of people entering and leaving the city gates."

"Under the guise of inspection, I requested this roster from the commander of the South Gate's defenses."

"On this page, you will find your brother Lin Lei's name."

Tear!

Commander Han casually tore off the page and handed it over.

Lin Yan took the page and, sure enough, saw his second brother's name on the list of people who had left the city yesterday afternoon.

But beneath his second brother's name was another name: "Chen Yuannü."

The two had left the city together.

"So, that young woman really wasn't a ghoul, but a dead person with a physical body. The guards at the city gate didn't notice anything amiss."

Lin Yan's heart trembled slightly. "But what's the difference between such a dead person and a malevolent spirit? Why can she travel in broad daylight? And... she sneaked into the city, isn't she afraid of the deterrence from the Temple of Lord Liu?"

"This 'Chen Yuannü' has a somewhat special identity. I will handle it personally and do my best to investigate."

Commander Han paused and said, "This matter is rather strange, so be careful and cautious."

Lin Yan thought for a moment and said, "Is it possible that she was actually after me, went to my residence, but didn't find me, so she took my second brother and then lured me out of the city?"

Commander Han frowned, the scar on his face twisting more grotesquely, and slowly said, "Logically speaking, only we know the true identity of Wuchang, it hasn't been leaked..."

Lin Yan fell silent for a moment, his thoughts racing in his mind.

A moment later, he spoke again with a grave tone.

"What if she was after Lin Yan?"

"Hmm?"

Commander Han's expression tightened, and he murmured, "Lin Yan is just a young boy from a poor family in the alleyways, who has barely managed to become a butcher at the Lin Jiang Ward slaughterhouse. Have you offended anyone with that identity?"

Lin Yan thought carefully and then shook his head. "I've always been kind to others, I don't have any enemies."

Hearing this, Commander Han's expression became even more complicated. He couldn't help but cough and say, "I will personally investigate this matter again. In any case... you need to be careful and cautious recently."

"However, Duke Lu will be staying in Lin Jiang Ward soon. As long as he is here, he's like a living amulet!"

"You can get closer to him. Also, next time you see him, appearing as 'Lin Yan' will seem more sincere."

"As for your second brother leaving the city..."

Commander Han flipped open the ledger and tore off all the pages detailing yesterday's city exit list, including the one from this morning, shredding them into pieces.

It involved the Banner Bearer of the Heavenly Supervision Department in Lin Jiang Ward leaving the city in the middle of the night and returning alive. Anyone with intentions would surely investigate the reason.

If only Lin Lei's name were crossed out on the roster, it would be equivalent to directly telling the investigator that Lin Lei was connected to Wuchang.

Therefore, it was better to destroy all clues.

The number of people entering and leaving Gao Liu City daily was not small.

For example, today, just before noon, three merchant teams from Phoenix Perch Prefecture City entered the city, totaling nearly a hundred people.

"By destroying these pages, even the Heavenly Supervision Department will have a hard time explaining it to the Prefectural Governor's Mansion."

Lin Yan frowned and said, "Moreover, that Zhou Kui has a grudge against you and has the backing of Phoenix Perch Prefecture City."

"Just say Duke Lu did it."

"Ah, in that case, it's fine."

"And another thing."

Commander Han was silent for a moment, then said, "You are the Banner Bearer of Lin Jiang Ward. Your monthly salary will be increased to twelve taels, along with three medicinal baths and one Essence Replenishing Pill."

"In addition, under you, there will be twelve people. With each person receiving a monthly salary of four taels of silver and one medicinal bath, all of which will be issued by the Outer Southern Department."

"But you must select all twelve of these people yourself and are not allowed to keep empty positions."

Hearing this, Lin Yan rubbed his eyebrows.

As far as he knew, the position of Banner Bearer in Lin Jiang Ward was currently vacant and was being managed by the Banner Bearer of Qing Shan Ward from another district.

This indicated that the twelve squad leaders currently in Lin Jiang Ward were all loyal to the Banner Bearer of Qing Shan Ward, Liang Hu.

Commander Han asking him to select twelve new people clearly implied his intention.

To replace Liang Hu's people and prevent himself from being sidelined.

Clearly, Liang Hu was not Commander Han's confidant.

And for him to fully take control of the Banner Bearer's authority in Lin Jiang Ward, he still had to reclaim it from Liang Hu.

"So, this is the first test of becoming a Banner Bearer?"