If I show you this situation, is it big or not?

Back home.

The two brothers were silent.

Lin Lei looked at him deeply, wanting to speak but stopping.

That guy named Zhou An was quite a notable figure among the Zhou family clansmen in Lin Jiang Ward.

He claimed to be from the Liu Family within the inner city, which made him a big shot in the outer city, someone ordinary folk wouldn't dare offend.

He worked for the Liu Family, was glib and eloquent, and almost left Lin Lei speechless.

But after seeing A'Yan, without a word of defense, he slapped himself twice across the face.

Then he kowtowed to Uncle Zhou, paid him money, and at A'Yan's command, fled in a panic with his men.

"A'Yan..."

Lin Lei felt a sense of daze.

He had always thought he took good care of A'Yan.

But now, after living separately, he realized he knew much less about A'Yan than he thought.

He hadn't been a good older brother.

"Second brother, you were so brave, facing six or seven people alone and arguing your case. When we were learning to read, the old teacher said something about... right, scholarly spirit, a passionate heart!"

Lin Yan smiled and said this.

"At first, I thought Uncle Zhou treated me well, and Xiao Li often looked after us kids."

Lin Lei sighed, "But once I got inside, I felt inexplicably angry... Protecting the city means protecting us. After dying, my family is still being harassed like this. I couldn't stand it; it was a moment of impulse."

Lin Yan smiled and said, "But a brother like that is excellent, a role model."

"Don't interrupt me!"

Lin Lei suddenly came to his senses and asked, "What's going on?"

Lin Yan thought for a moment and said, "The new Banner Bearer of the Heavenly Supervision Department in Lin Jiang Ward has taken an interest in me and wants to appoint me as a Junior Banner."

In the past, he had to hide this identity.

But after meeting Duke Lu, Lin Yan's status was about to become a Junior Banner in the Lin Jiang Department.

At this point, there was no need to keep it a secret.

"A Junior Banner also has to carry a sword, be responsible for arrests, and even guard the city?"

Lin Lei's expression changed slightly, and he quickly said, "This kind of job, though it looks glorious, might cost you your life any day!"

He grabbed Lin Yan and shook his head, "Look at Zhou Ji's family. Back then, I thought he was glorious and envied him, but look at today..."

"Brother, relax. This time, a distinguished figure has returned from Phoenix Perch Prefecture City. I'll be responsible for delivering a message from the Lin Jiang Department to this elder. He's the Duke Lu that Zhou An just mentioned."

Lin Yan smiled and said, "I'm the one who writes; this is thanks to big brother's foresight in having us brothers learn to read and write."

He paused here and then said in a low voice, "Besides, even if it's a job with a sword, in this world, someone has to guard the city, right? If the people in the city don't dare to die, they'll all die when the Demonic Evils attack... I remember these were big brother's words when he joined the army?"

"But... big brother already served as a city guard. Our family doesn't need to serve in the army again."

Lin Lei said this, then finally sighed and stopped talking, "Seeing how you faced Zhou An today, second brother knows it's a done deal. Even if I try to persuade you, I won't be able to."

He hesitated for a moment, then asked, "That Banner Bearer?"

He clearly remembered being saved the night before when facing a Ghoul.

He had thought it was good luck, but now, he probably understood.

"It was because of me that the Banner Bearer came out of the city to save you."

Lin Yan spread his hands and said, "Having me run errands for the Lin Jiang Department can repay such a life-saving debt of gratitude. We brothers have hit the jackpot."

"Even if it's to repay a debt, it should be me doing it."

Lin Lei said this, looking at Lin Yan with a serious and earnest gaze.

The atmosphere fell silent.

After a long while, he finally let out a breath and said, "Fine, you've grown up. You're more sensible than your second brother now."

In the evening, outside the Lin Jiang Department.

Lin Yan, having resumed his role as Banner Bearer, stood solemnly, his expression blank.

His heart was heavy today.

Many people had fought as hard as he did to defend the city yesterday.

Quite a few of them had died, and Zhou Ji was just one of them.

They died defending the city, yet the people sheltered within the city were now preying on his family.

Today, Lin Yan had only seen the Zhou family, but looking at the entire city, how many families were in such a predicament?

"Fifth Master?"

Chief Clerk Yang heard the commotion and came to greet him, then began to report on the day's events.

The scribes and record keepers under him had all been dispatched to oversee the operations of various departments.

However, these scholars, who lacked the strength to even truss a chicken, were far less respected in the eyes of ordinary people than martial artists.

Without martial prowess, it was truly unavoidable that they would face ostracism.

He then showed a strange expression, hesitating to speak.

"Just say what you have to say."

"Three people assisted today, so it went relatively smoothly. All the day's events have been recorded, and I will personally sort through them tonight after they are sent back."

"Three people assisted?"

Lin Yan's eyebrows rose slightly, and he already understood.

Last night, he had returned to the city with his saber, killing demonic evils along the way.

He had also seen those few junior banners under Liang Hu and had even anticipated that they would report him to Liang Hu for abandoning his post.

This would have completely exposed his Essence Refining Realm cultivation.

He had been ready to kill them at the time, but then those three people killed someone else and chased after him, seemingly wanting to help him kill the bear demon.

Coupled with Duke Lu's appearance, Lin Yan had put his mind at ease and left the three people to Duke Lu to handle.

Duke Lu had not mentioned these three people today, which showed that they no longer posed any threat.

"See how they conduct themselves today. Record everything and report it to me tomorrow."

Lin Yan said this with a calm expression.

Chief Clerk Yang understood. The Banner Bearer's words were equivalent to giving these three people a chance and the qualification to return to the Lin Jiang Department.

"Also, there's one more thing. Write a letter for me and deliver it to the Outer South Prefecture Yamen."

"The soldiers who defended the city last night died, and their relatives and families were not protected and were bullied."

"This is the Outer South Prefecture Yamen's inaction. Our Heavenly Supervision Department is ordered to monitor, and it is our duty. If such a thing happens again, we will report it to the inner city."

"These esteemed lords, who occupy their positions without doing anything, and even collude with criminals, are enough to have their heads chopped off if they don't repent."

Lin Yan spoke slowly and calmly, but there was a hidden coldness in his eyes.

Chief Clerk Yang was startled and said in a low voice, "Fifth Master, you've only just arrived, and you're already threatening the Outer South Yamen. If you offend them..."

Lin Yan raised his hand and said slowly, "I know. In fact, compared to the many important tasks the Lin Jiang Department is responsible for, this seems insignificant."

He looked at Chief Clerk Yang and said calmly, "For the powerful lords in the Outer South Prefecture Yamen, they are busy with their own affairs and are too high and mighty to see these small matters at the bottom."

"But for those city-defending soldiers and their families, this is a catastrophic event!"

"Since these esteemed lords don't care about these small matters, then our Lin Jiang Department should shove these small matters right in front of them."

"If they still don't act, we'll shove it into the inner city and report it to Phoenix Perch Prefecture City."

"As long as it affects these esteemed lords, even the smallest past incident will become a huge issue."

"As for offending them?"

Lin Yan patted the saber at his waist. "The Heavenly Supervision Department is responsible for monitoring Gao Liu City. My duty is to supervise them! It's just my duty..."

Chief Clerk Yang said in a low voice, "You're new here, and you haven't fully taken over all the affairs of the Lin Jiang Department. The situation today is still a mess, and there's still a long way to go. We must consider the bigger picture..."

"The bigger picture?"

Lin Yan drew his saber, lightly stroked its blade, and said indifferently, "This is my perspective. Do you think it's big or not?"