New Banner Bearer of the Heavenly Supervision Department

All eyes turned to the doorway.

A figure entered, clad in a black robe with a long saber at his waist.

He was tall and straight, with determined eyes and a blank expression that conveyed extreme indifference.

Without glancing at anyone else, he walked directly to Commander Han and bowed.

"Your subordinate, Wuchang, pays his respects to Commander Han."

"Very good."

Commander Han nodded slightly and was about to speak when Zhou Kui's astonished voice cut through the air.

"How did you get back alive?"

Lin Yan's expression remained unchanged, as if he hadn't heard a thing.

The atmosphere froze for a moment.

Zhou Kui stepped forward, scrutinizing him. "Leaving the city at night, especially with the dire situation last night, even those who have achieved Martial Path, who have transcended the mortal realm in the Essence Refining Realm, would have had a slim chance of survival."

"You're only at the second stage of Martial Arts, how could you possibly return alive?"

Before he finished speaking, he reached out a hand.

Lin Yan's eyes narrowed slightly, and his right hand flashed to the hilt of his saber.

But in an instant, a gentle breeze brushed past.

Commander Han was already standing beside him.

Zhou Kui's outstretched hand was gently caught by Commander Han.

"This is called skill!"

Commander Han said with a calm expression, "Which rule states that a Banner Bearer must explain all their skills to their superior?"

"Furthermore, he is from my South City Sector, not under your jurisdiction in the Southwest Sector."

"Even if there were regulations, it would be I who should question him!"

In that instant, the scar on Commander Han's face pulsed with a bloody light.

At such close proximity, Zhou Kui understood clearly, a chill ran down his spine, and he took half a step back.

"Leaving the city under the cover of night with suspicious behavior, he is not fit to be a Banner Bearer of our Heavenly Supervision Department."

"I ordered him to leave the city!" Commander Han stated calmly.

"His return today is also suspicious. I suspect he is a Malevolent Spirit in disguise," Zhou Kui added.

"In broad daylight, a Malevolent Spirit entering the city? Are you insulting the Sky Gazing Tower of the Temple of Lord Liu with those words?"

"..."

Zhou Kui remained silent for a long moment, then finally said in a low voice, "I'm not going to argue with you about hypotheticals. In short, I must have Lin Jiang Ward!"

Lin Yan's expression remained the same; he had long understood the underlying conflict.

From the beginning, whether he lived or died, whether he broke any rules, whether there was any strangeness, none of it mattered.

What mattered was the position of Banner Bearer for Lin Jiang Ward!

"As long as you agree, I'll speak to my adoptive father on your behalf."

Zhou Kui said in a deep voice, "I'm confident I can make him stop targeting you!"

"..."

Commander Han did not reply. He merely looked at Lin Yan and smiled, "What do you think?"

Lin Yan's expression was cold. He reached out his left hand, picked up the inkstone from the table, and handed it over.

"I've returned alive. He should swallow the inkstone."

"Makes sense." Commander Han nodded with a smile.

"Is this your answer?" Zhou Kui's face grew increasingly grim.

"Given how you gossip and are so petty, unable to swallow such a large inkstone, I'll allow you to chew it!"

Lin Yan's tone was cold as he tossed the inkstone over. "Of course, I'm also willing to help you disembowel yourself and stuff it in directly!"

Zhou Kui instinctively reached out and caught the thrown inkstone. His eye twitched, and uncontrollable rage surged within him.

To be insulted like this by a mere junior, so young and with such a low position!

How could he tolerate this?

Zhou Kui's hand directly went to his saber's hilt.

Commander Han's hand also moved to the hilt of his saber at his waist.

Lin Yan's right hand, from the very beginning, had never left his saber's hilt, his gaze lingering on Zhou Kui's neck.

"If I kill him, the malevolent energy gained will be comparable to last night's tiger!"

And just as the atmosphere became tense, on the verge of drawing swords...

A weathered voice came from outside the door.

"A bet is a bet, no complaints."

Everyone turned their heads to look.

Two people stood outside the door.

The elder leading them had graying hair and beard, cloudy eyes, and leaned on a cane, his legs seemingly weak.

The middle-aged man beside him was stout with an honest face, supporting the elder as he entered.

Upon seeing the elder's face, most people in the hall visibly changed their expressions and bowed.

"Greetings, Duke Lu!"

"Rise."

The old man, addressed as Duke Lu, walked in slowly, leaning on his cane, and said, "Zhou Kui..."

Crack!

With a sharp sound, Zhou Kui bit off a corner of the inkstone and chewed it to pieces before swallowing.

His face was as dark as if it could drip water, but he lowered his head slightly, not daring to show any displeasure towards the elder.

"Good teeth, and a strong stomach too. It seems your martial arts cultivation has made progress recently."

Duke Lu nodded, then said, "For the sake of your adoptive father, Li Shenzong, you don't need to eat the rest of the inkstone here. Take it home for a late-night snack."

"Thank you for your generosity, Duke Lu!"

Zhou Kui put away the chipped inkstone, bowed, and retreated.

However, at this moment, Commander Han's voice rang out.

"The inkstone was two taels of silver. Remember to pay me back."

"..."

Zhou Kui's expression remained blank. He took out a silver ingot, threw it on the ground, and left with a flick of his sleeve.

As Zhou Kui and his men departed, the atmosphere in the hall grew a little more subdued.

Lin Yan couldn't help but size up the old man, recalling recent rumors.

Lu Yue, originally from Gao Liu City, went to Phoenix Perch Prefecture City in his youth. Later, he had a fortunate encounter and became one of the twelve Temple Priests of Wutong Temple.

At seventy years old, he returned to his hometown to retire.

This elder held a very high status. It was rumored that when he returned six months ago, the six great families of the inner city, along with the Prefectural Governor's Mansion, gathered at the East Gate to respectfully welcome him.

"Thank you for intervening, Duke Lu." Commander Han bowed.

"Intervening?"

Duke Lu suddenly chuckled and said lightly, "With your temper, if I hadn't come, you probably would have drawn your saber and cut him down."

"Back in Phoenix Perch Prefecture City, I was young and impulsive, making you laugh, Duke Lu."

Commander Han gave a self-deprecating laugh. "The current Han Zheng has kept his saber sheathed and unstained for three years. Its edge is long gone."

He then changed the subject, pointing to Lin Yan. "This is the Banner Bearer of Lin Jiang Ward that I've recommended!"

"You are Wuchang?"

The elder addressed as Duke Lu slowly turned his head, as if appraising him.

Lin Yan bowed. "Greetings, Duke Lu."

Duke Lu stroked his beard slightly and said in a low voice, "I have long heard of your reputation. Your killing intent is too strong. Many people have submitted petitions to have you punished for indiscriminate killing!"

Commander Han chuckled softly. "Rumors from the outside world tend to be exaggerated. He's not bloodthirsty; he only killed about half of the criminals he apprehended."

Duke Lu's expression remained unchanged, as if he hadn't heard. He quietly watched Lin Yan.

"Those who are extremely wicked should be killed," Lin Yan said calmly after a moment of silence, his tone indifferent.

"That flower thief from last night didn't deserve to die. According to the law, he should have been sentenced to hard labor for three to eight years," Duke Lu said calmly.

"He ruined someone's purity and was responsible for five deaths. Duke Lu, do you think such a person deserved to die?"

"He deserved to die."

Duke Lu stroked his beard and smiled. "No wonder Commander Han values you so highly. You truly resemble him in temperament when he was young."

He looked at Lin Yan. "Your appointment as the Banner Bearer of Lin Jiang Ward was originally in its final stages."

"But because of your excessive killing, Director Gao of the Heavenly Supervision Department's inner city headquarters is quite displeased."

"He proposed revoking your position as Banner Bearer and demoting you to an executioner in the inner city prison."

As Duke Lu said this, Commander Han added.

"In layman's terms, a headsman."

"..."

Lin Yan's eyes lit up, his heart filled with joy.

Then he heard Duke Lu wave his hand.

"This is a thankless task that harms the spirit, ruins the body, shortens life, and diminishes fortune."

"Commander Han, I went to the inner city on your behalf and personally met with the highest commander of your Heavenly Supervision Department. I persuaded him to still appoint you as the Banner Bearer for Lin Jiang Ward."

"No need to thank me. I simply see that you detest evil and uphold justice, which is truly rare."

"..."

Lin Yan's gaze grew complex.

This old man is ruining my grand plans!

He felt helpless, yet he also knew the other man meant well.

Besides, the matter was settled, and there was no point in saying more.

"Xu Qing, take him to the storeroom to collect the Lin Jiang banner."

At this moment, Commander Han beckoned, calling over the young man beside him.