Inauspicious Person Who Hostilely Regards Darkness

After Lin Yan left with the young man.

The middle-aged man who had followed Duke Lu and remained silent walked out again and closed the door.

Duke Lu stroked his beard slightly and suddenly asked.

"Why did he go out of the city last night?"

"His brother went out of the city and didn't return at night, so he risked his life to go and save him."

"He is truly loyal and righteous."

Upon hearing this, Duke Lu's eyes showed more admiration, and he said lightly, "But the situation outside Gao Liu City last night was terrible, and the malevolent spirits were ferocious, something unseen in ten years. For him to return alive, he must possess a great secret."

Commander Han's expression remained unchanged, and he said softly, "In this world, those without secrets usually end up dead."

Duke Lu nodded slightly and replied, "That is true. Both you and I have our own secrets."

Commander Han said seriously, "Therefore, as long as his heart remains just and he maintains this current passion, it doesn't matter what great secret he hides."

"When I was young, the secrets I hid were probably more than his!"

"It's just a pity that I had no backing back then and ended up in this state."

Commander Han said this with a hint of self-mockery.

Duke Lu pondered and asked, "So you want to be the man behind him?"

Commander Han chuckled and did not deny it.

"This kid's temperament is very similar to mine when I was young, but he's more restless, and his killing intent is heavier than mine was back then!"

Commander Han sighed, "I'm afraid I won't be able to protect him for much longer."

"A year ago, he had just reached the peak of the first stage of Martial Arts, mastering Skin, Flesh, Tendons, and Bones." Duke Lu said slowly, "Normally, he still has a long way to go in his growth. With your abilities, you can protect him for a long time."

"It won't be too long. His talent is too high, and his abilities are too strong."

Commander Han sighed, "His Breath Concealment Technique was taught by me... He thought he was hiding it well, but I saw through it at a glance. He is stronger than he appears."

"Could it be... he's more than that?" Duke Lu was stunned for a moment, slightly surprised.

"In just one year, he not only completed Blood Refining but also achieved the Marrow Washing realm and has entered Inner Strength!" Commander Han exclaimed.

"Within a year, to break through the second stage of Martial Arts, advance to the third stage, and temper the internal organs?" Duke Lu's eyes were full of astonishment.

"Exactly! In my presence, how could his true cultivation be hidden?"

Commander Han clasped his hands behind his back, with some admiration, and said, "With his talent, he will reach the peak of Inner Strength in at most another five years!"

"Based on my calculations, perhaps within ten years, Gao Liu City will have an expert in the Essence Refining Realm!"

"Ten years later, he will surely have a place in the inner city!"

"Twenty years from now, perhaps the six great families of the inner city will have a new addition!"

"His reputation in the future will not be limited to Gao Liu City; even within the scope of Qifeng Prefecture, he will be a dazzling rising star!"

Commander Han turned his head and said seriously, "He is even more outstanding than Li Shenzong was back then!"

"Provided he lives to see that day."

Duke Lu suddenly spoke, saying lightly, "Looking at his current condition, he will surely die within half a year."

Commander Han's expression changed drastically.

"What does Duke Lu mean by that?"

"He broke the rules last night and has already caused great trouble."

"Is it the Lone Boat Eerie Mist?"

"More than that!"

"..." Commander Han's expression grew serious. Although Duke Lu was not a martial artist, he had served the Phoenix Tree Mother Goddess for many years and possessed extremely keen senses for the residual aura of anomalies in the world.

"He carries at least six residual anomalous energies on him." Duke Lu said with a complex tone, "He must have encountered the Lone Boat Eerie Mist, but for some reason, he survived! But besides the Lone Boat Eerie Mist, there was something even more terrifying..."

"What did Duke Lu see?"

"I vaguely saw the phantom of a figure in red."

"More dangerous than the Lone Boat Eerie Mist?"

"Much more dangerous!"

Duke Lu paused, then added, "Also, early this morning, a sparrow landed in my courtyard and brought news from the Sophora Venerate."

The Sophora Venerate was a sophora tree outside Gao Liu City. It was ancient and had gained sentience, occasionally sheltering lost woodcutters.

It was revered as a guardian spirit of the mountains due to the incense offerings from commoners like woodcutters and hunters.

It was one of the few demons willing to communicate with humans.

"It said the people of Gao Liu City do not follow the rules."

"When people walk on the road at night, not only do they not show respect, but they also draw their swords, their malevolent energy is fierce, and it damages its cultivation."

"Moreover, they forced it to accept incense offerings, and more importantly... those three sticks of incense were leftovers eaten by other malevolent spirits."

Duke Lu's expression was calm as he slowly said, "Do you know what a great humiliation this is for the Sophora Venerate?"

"..."

Commander Han thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "It's like me going to see you, begging you for a favor, and inviting you to a meal, only to pull out leftovers from someone else's meal last night from my pocket."

He thought for a moment and continued, "But you, Elder, refuse to eat it. So I grab your head and shove it directly into the bowl, forcing you to swallow the leftovers even dogs wouldn't eat, and then you still have to agree to do the favor."

Afterward, he nodded thoughtfully, "This was indeed a bit underhanded... Huh? Duke Lu, why did your face suddenly turn so pale? Have you been feeling unwell since moving to the outer city recently?"

"Why didn't Li Shenzong kill you back then?"

Duke Lu said expressionlessly, "You're good at everything, except you have a mouth."

He snorted, waved his sleeve slightly, and got down to business.

"The Sophora Venerate is extremely angry. Gao Liu City will not be let off the hook without two sacrifices."

"However, the Sophora Venerate's envoy also said that if the person from last night gets angry again, one sacrifice will suffice... If that's really not possible, it can be put on credit."

"The Sophora Venerate is relatively gentle. It can be appeased with a little coaxing."

Duke Lu's tone was grave, "But this brat angered too many Malevolent Spirits last night, and also broke the rules. I'm afraid he won't be tolerated in the darkness from now on!"

Daytime is the human world, and nighttime is the underworld.

Even the highest commander of the Heavenly Supervision Department in Phoenix Perch Prefecture City must follow the rules when traveling at night.

These are the rules that generations of humans struggling to survive in the darkness have discovered!

Breaking the rules often brings ill omens.

"An unlucky person who is hated by the darkness cannot become the Night Illuminator you envision."

Duke Lu said in a deep voice, "Moreover, he has gained considerable fame recently and is receiving a lot of attention. He is inherently unsuited to be a Night Illuminator."

—

"The Heavenly Supervision Department does not fall under the jurisdiction of Gao Liu City."

"We take orders from Phoenix Perch Prefecture City and have the duty to supervise all departments of Gao Liu City."

"But at the same time, we will also assist the Prefectural Governor's Mansion in handling cases."

"For the past year or so, you have been assisting the Night Patrol Envoy in handling cases in your capacity as a member of the Heavenly Supervision Department."

"And Lin Jiang Ward has even heavier responsibilities, as it is the outermost ward in the twelve districts of the southern outer city, bordering the city wall."

"Although the Willow Venerate's prestige is immense and evil spirits dare not invade, accidents are inevitable. City guards often go missing, harmed by Malevolent Spirits."

"Sometimes, when the situation changes, the Heavenly Supervision Department needs to assist the city's defenses."

Xu Qing said this, handing over the flag in his hand.

It was a small flag, black with a silver border, embroidered with willow branches on the back and the characters "Lin Jiang" on the front.

Lin Yan took it and suddenly asked, "Since Lin Jiang Ward has heavier responsibilities, why did Zhou Kui insist on taking this position for his adopted son?"

"It involves inner city decisions, which I have no authority to know."

Xu Qing's expression was calm, "However, based on the information I've handled in the past three months, all the outermost wards in the eight districts of the outer city of Gao Liu City are receiving great attention."

He glanced at Lin Yan, then continued, "Zhou Kui is the Banner Bearer of the Outer Southwest Division. Two months ago, he sent out the Banner Bearer of the outermost ward... and replaced him with his own son."

"Today, he's coming to our Outer South Division to seize the outermost layer of the South District... Lin Jiang Ward, for his adopted son!"

Although Xu Qing didn't explicitly state it, the implication was clear.

The outermost ward, close to the city wall, must have involved enormous benefits recently.

And Commander Han was entrusting this position to him.

This was a great sign of trust and importance.

"I understand."

Lin Yan nodded slightly and looked at a set of clothes placed on the table.

The official uniform of a Heavenly Supervision Department Banner Bearer.

A black robe with golden threads, like the reflection of dawn.

"This was transported from Phoenix Perch Prefecture City. The material is Three-Patterned Golden Silkworm Silk, which is soft and flexible, warm in winter and cool in summer. After being made into clothing, it was offered at the Wutong Temple for a month and received blessings."

"This chest protector is made of Hundred-Refined Fine Steel and has Exorcism Runes on it."

"This small crossbow is a gift from Commander Han to you, with twelve bolts. It's powerful and easy to carry."

"As for the saber..."

Xu Qing said softly, "The day you became a member of the Outer South Division, you were issued... a saber of the Banner Bearer rank!"