Come Down from My Seat!

Gao Liu City, the southern district of the Outer City, Lin Jiang Ward.

Above the main gate, the characters were clear and sharply drawn, like iron hooks and silver strokes. They read: Heavenly Supervision Department.

The various factions usually called this place the Lin Jiang Department.

According to the Heavenly Supervision Department's structure, the person in charge was called a Banner Bearer. He was granted an official banner and had to report to the prefectural city, where his name would be registered.

Under him were twelve people, called the Twelve Junior Banners. They received salaries but were not entered into the register.

There was also a Clerk, responsible for managing documents, copying registers, and other such affairs. This person was selected by the Outer Southern Department, which oversaw the entire southern district.

As for the others—clerks, warehouse officers, kitchen staff, laborers, and so on—they were arranged independently by the various ward branches. The Outer Southern Department did not interfere.

"The new Banner Bearer of Lin Jiang Ward has been decided."

Just then, a middle-aged man spoke in a low voice. "As expected, it is that Fifth Master who assisted the Night Patrol Envoy in solving cases."

He was plainly dressed and carried a scholarly air. He was precisely the Clerk selected by the Outer Southern Department three years ago.

Yet over the past three years, the position of Lin Jiang Ward's Banner Bearer had remained vacant, with Liang Hu of Qing Shan Ward serving in the role temporarily.

At this moment, Liang Hu was seated in the principal seat above them. He wore a faint smile but said nothing.

His gaze swept over the twelve Junior Banners below.

"Lin Jiang Ward has only ever had Banner Bearer Liang." Just then, a middle-aged man declared proudly.

"We know only Banner Bearer Liang. We don't know this so-called Fifth Master." Another young man spoke loudly.

"For the past three years, Banner Bearer Liang has overseen Qing Shan and Lin Jiang Wards. Everything has gone smoothly, and his achievements have been outstanding."

Another young man spoke with an air of pride. "The commander of the southern city gate, the ward head of Lin Jiang Ward, the Day Patrol Envoy, and the Night Patrol Envoy—who among them doesn't approve?"

"Which local faction, or merchant caravan from elsewhere, hasn't prospered peacefully under Banner Bearer Liang's guidance?"

"The Outer Southern Department is replacing him for no reason. Wouldn't that plunge the originally stable and prosperous Lin Jiang Ward into chaos?"

"Clerk Yang, you came down from the Outer Southern Department. You ought to know Lin Jiang Ward's actual situation. You should report the truth to those above."

As the young man spoke, the Clerk beside him remained expressionless, as though he had anticipated this long ago.

Only then did Liang Hu shout, "Show some respect! How could Lin Jiang Ward have remained peaceful and stable through my efforts alone? It was because everyone, from top to bottom, within Lin Jiang Ward worked together that we achieved what we have today! Clerk Yang and all the Junior Banners also deserve credit..."

After saying this, he looked toward Clerk Yang and spoke apologetically. "These brothers were being rude earlier. Please don't take offense, Clerk Yang."

Clerk Yang remained calm. "Banner Bearer Liang, you're too kind."

Liang Hu nodded, then sighed. "But you know Lin Jiang Ward's circumstances as well. I'm worried that the new Banner Bearer is too young, with too little experience. He may not be up to the task."

Clerk Yang let out a breath. "Then what does Banner Bearer Liang mean?"

Liang Hu cupped his hands. "I was thinking of staying on for another year or so to guide Fifth Master, lest he handle matters improperly and cause oversights in Lin Jiang Ward. You know yourself, this is a time of troubles..."

Clerk Yang's expression turned cold as he slowly said, "If the new Banner Bearer is willing, there is naturally no problem."

Liang Hu gave a laugh. "That's fine. I'll speak with him myself. It's just that regarding certain matters within Lin Jiang Ward, Clerk Yang needn't report them in too much detail."

Clerk Yang looked up at him, finally understanding.

Before the new Banner Bearer had even arrived, this performance had been staged for him first.

Liang Hu intended to cow the new Banner Bearer known as Fifth Master and continue holding authority over both wards.

But he still had his scruples, which was why he did not want Clerk Yang to report the truth to the Outer Southern Department.

"As for this matter..."

Before Clerk Yang could finish, he noticed the smile on Liang Hu's face suddenly stiffen.

Seeing this, he could not help turning to look outside.

He was no martial artist and had not sensed anything happening beyond the door.

But he knew Liang Hu quite well.

Given Liang Hu's reaction, someone had surely arrived outside—and it was someone he did not want to see.

Everyone's eyes turned toward the entrance.

A man could be seen slowly approaching beneath the blazing sun.

A black robe embroidered with golden threads, dazzling like sunlight.

He had a tall, straight figure and an imposing bearing.

A long saber hung from his left waist, its scabbard pitch-black.

A Small Crossbow hung from his right waist, along with a quiver of bolts.

His expression was cold and his steps unhurried. He raised a foot, crossed the threshold, and entered the main hall.

"Who goes there? How dare you trespass into the Lin Jiang Department?"

Among the Junior Banners, a middle-aged man suddenly shouted, his tone icy.

"..."

The newcomer's gaze remained unchanged. He raised his left hand.

In it was a small banner bearing the words Lin Jiang.

Everyone in the hall remained expressionless.

The middle-aged man who had shouted earlier even gained an extra trace of mockery in his eyes.

In truth, when Lin Yan approached, everyone had already recognized his identity from the distinctive robe of a Banner Bearer of the Heavenly Supervision Department.

That shout merely represented the Lin Jiang Department's attitude toward their new Banner Bearer.

This show of force is far too crude... Clerk Yang thought. He gave a slight bow and said, "Clerk of the Lin Jiang Department, Yang Wang, pays his respects to the Banner Bearer."

Those words also represented his own attitude.

Liang Hu and the twelve Junior Banners under him consequently looked rather displeased.

Several of the twelve Junior Banners in particular glared at him furiously.

"So you're Fifth Master?"

Liang Hu laughed. Seated above, he cupped his hands and said, "I am Liang Hu, Banner Bearer of Qing Shan Ward. I have served concurrently in Lin Jiang Ward for three years, and have finally awaited the arrival of the new Banner Bearer to share the burden with me. I'm truly delighted."

He waved his right hand and shouted, "Why haven't you given Fifth Master a seat?"

A Junior Banner immediately brought over a chair and respectfully invited Fifth Master to sit.

"..."

Lin Yan's expression remained calm. He looked at the chair beside him, then raised his head to glance at the principal seat above.

He sighed, put away the Lin Jiang Banner, and tucked it into his waist.

Then, under everyone's watchful eyes, he slowly reached out and gripped the hilt of his saber.

A flash of light suddenly burst forth!

The saber was already out of its scabbard!

The chair split cleanly in two!

The atmosphere in the hall froze.

Lin Yan's saber slowly shifted, pointing upward. Calmly, he said, "Get the hell down from my seat!"

"Fifth Master, I came here to assist you—"

Liang Hu spoke furiously, but then his heart suddenly clenched.

His expression changed slightly, and his voice grew lower and lower.

He had clearly sensed killing intent.

He also remembered the other man's recent title.

In a daze, he felt a chill envelop his entire body.

In that dazed state, it seemed as though a voice was telling him:

Either come down completely.

Or stay seated here—and let your head roll down instead.

"..."

Amid the silent atmosphere,

everyone felt a deep chill for a moment.

Even the twelve Junior Banners loyal to Liang Hu felt the chill press against them. They wanted to speak up in support, but their entire bodies had stiffened.

This new Banner Bearer was far more ferocious than the rumors claimed!

Their gazes involuntarily shifted toward Banner Bearer Liang, only to discover that Liang Hu, facing the blade's edge directly, wore an extremely peculiar expression.

The next moment, he slowly rose to his feet.

The hearts of the twelve Junior Banners sank.

Liang Hu slowly turned sideways and retreated to the edge, his face iron-blue.

Lin Yan did not sheath his saber. Holding it in one hand, he walked to the principal seat above, slowly sat down, and looked down upon everyone.

His gaze swept across the room. No one dared meet it. One after another, they lowered their heads and eyes, afraid to look directly at him.

A rabble of weaklings... Lin Yan thought. His expression remained unchanged as his gaze finally settled on Liang Hu, below and to the left.

"Banner Bearer Liang, what brings you to my Lin Jiang Department?"