Warden

"Oh."

Chen Jiuwen found Gu Jinlai's words somewhat unexpected.

He had not expected Gu Jinlai to possess such resolve, actually willing to hand over the refining method for this new type of treasured armor.

He had studied the armor's performance. If it could be mass-produced, the Meteor Guard—and even the Governor's Office—would become considerably stronger.

With the Governor's health deteriorating by the day, powerful military strength would be the top priority for guaranteeing Star Province's independence and its position above Great Qian, the Ten Great Demon Sects, and the Six Immortal Sects.

Chen Jiuwen pondered for a moment before quickly saying, "It would be best if Celestial Master Gu is willing to abandon darkness and turn toward the light. Moreover, your attack on the Heavenly Herb Pavilion and execution of Deputy Pavilion Master Bai Yang are enough to prove your stance. Our Meteor Guard needs people like you, people willing to work to suppress the cultivation world."

After speaking, he called toward the outside, "Go invite Star Warden Zhang Lü."

"Yes."

A Meteor Guard member soon answered and left.

"Star Warden."

When Gu Jinlai had been planning his escape routes, he had learned about the Meteor Guard.

The Meteor Guard revered Star Lord Xin Tianqi above all.

Under Xin Tianqi's overall command, it was divided into the Main Star Division, the Star Patrol Division, and the Red Star Division, which were responsible for suppression, inspection, and logistics respectively.

Of the three divisions, the Main Star Division held the greatest authority and had the most members. It was responsible for suppressing the cultivation world throughout the various regions.

The Main Star Division had six Star Wardens, all giants who had achieved Spirit Refining.

The cultivation world in Star Province's twenty-six cities was suppressed by the six Star Wardens, who maintained order and ensured that cultivators did not act too recklessly.

Before long, Star Warden Zhang Lü arrived at the courtyard under the escort of the Meteor Guard.

He had already learned from the Meteor Guard why Chen Jiuwen had summoned him. The moment he entered the hall, his gaze fell upon Gu Jinlai.

"Gu Jinlai, an elder of the Purgatory Sect. After being suppressed by Lin Xiao, he had no choice but to avoid his edge and hide in Changjun City. Even then, he was relentlessly pressed. Four months ago, it was reported that his cultivation had gone awry. After being exposed by Bai Shu, an elder of the Orthodox One Sect, he escaped Changjun City, only to kill two Core Forming cultivators and more than a dozen Qi Refining and Gang Condensing cultivators of the Yellow Heaven Sect outside Changjun City..."

Zhang Lü reported Gu Jinlai's history as though reciting a treasured catalogue, down to the finest detail.

At that moment, Gu Jinlai also recalled this man's identity from Yun Guantian's intelligence.

Each of the six Star Wardens guarded one region, commanding the Meteor Guard in four or five of Star Province's twenty-six cities.

The Meteor Guard in Changjun City, Lingxiao City, Sunset City, and Baihe City all regarded Zhang Lü as their leader.

As for Zhang Lü himself...

He was a top-level existence at the peak of Spirit Refining.

Over the years, the number of Spirit Refining True Persons who had fallen by his hand was more than could be counted on one hand.

"Judging from what you have done recently, you may truly have the intention to mend your ways. Now that you are willing to offer our Meteor Guard the method for refining treasured armor in exchange for an official position, as the Meteor Guard responsible for maintaining order in Star Province's cultivation world, we naturally have to give you a chance."

Zhang Lü did not mention the Heavenly Herb Pavilion. He merely said, "You were once an elder of the Purgatory Sect and a Spirit Refining True Person. Although your cultivation fell from Spirit Refining because something went wrong, I cannot have you start as an ordinary Meteor Guard member."

He took out an official seal. "Demonic cultivators have run rampant in Lingxiao City recently, and Warden Fang Que has handled matters rather poorly. Go to Lingxiao City as deputy warden and assist him in maintaining order there."

Deputy Warden.

This position was not part of the upper echelon, but it was still the second-in-command of the Meteor Guard governing an entire city.

"Thank you, Star Warden."

"Your current situation is somewhat special. The sooner you take office, the better. Make your preparations and set out for Lingxiao City tomorrow."

As Zhang Lü spoke, he said to the Meteor Guard member behind him, "White Bear, take Warden Gu to complete the formalities."

"Yes, my lord."

The Meteor Guard member answered and soon led Gu Jinlai away.

Only after Gu Jinlai had left did Chen Jiuwen look at Zhang Lü in surprise. "You're assigning him to Lingxiao City? Lingxiao City is like Changjun City—it's on the verge of breaking free from our Meteor Guard's rule. Assigning him there..."

"I know what you want to say. Since Gu Jinlai wants to join our Meteor Guard, he naturally has to demonstrate sufficient value."

"The armor-forging method he offered..."

"The merit from the armor-forging method can only guarantee that we block the Heavenly Herb Pavilion's investigation for him. Don't forget, he has also offended the Purgatory Sect and the Demon Refining Hall of Changjun City."

Zhang Lü said indifferently, "Without sufficient ability and value, why should we shield him from pressure on both sides?"

"Let's set aside the Demon Refining Hall of Changjun City. Isn't the Purgatory Sect already an enemy we need to guard against? And the Heavenly Herb Pavilion is one of the greatest threats to our Meteor Guard in Starshine City. The Star Lord has always wanted to uproot the Heavenly Herb Pavilion and the two nails planted by the Black Tortoise Gate. He is merely worried that, without a suitable reason, Dragon Sparrow Manor will seize the opportunity to make trouble and intervene openly."

"That may be true, but by sending him to Lingxiao City, am I not also giving him a chance?"

Zhang Lü said, "The situation in Lingxiao City is tangled and chaotic. If Gu Jinlai can set things right, that will be enough to prove his ability. He ultimately comes from the Purgatory Demon Sect. Without sufficient ability and merit, how can he establish a foothold in our Meteor Guard?"

"Set things right."

Chen Jiuwen's heart stirred. "Does the Star Warden suspect that Fang Que has colluded with local forces and wants to carve Lingxiao City away?"

"For nearly half a year, the Governor has stopped handling government affairs. The Star Lord has also been run ragged by the covetous stares of Dragon Sparrow Manor, the Yellow Heaven Sect, and other forces. Many people have already developed thoughts they should not have. If Gu Jinlai has the ability and can handle matters properly, I can recommend him to become a warden and guard one region. That would also demonstrate how highly I regard him."

"He is no longer at Spirit Refining. If he gets caught up in this..."

"I have given him the opportunity."

Zhang Lü slowly rose to his feet. "If he lacks the ability and dies in there, who can he blame?"

Under the guidance of White Bear, a senior member of the Meteor Guard, Gu Jinlai completed the entry procedures with astonishing speed and received his official seal, appointment document, official robes, and sword.

The deputy warden of the Meteor Guard was of the Subordinate Fifth Rank, an undisputed official of the imperial court. Naturally, he had everything that came with the position.

In the carriage returning, Gu Jinlai looked at the official seal in his hand. "At least the worst-case scenario didn't happen."

He had prepared six hundred kilograms of explosives in the carriage, precisely because he was worried that the Meteor Guard might cross the river and tear down the bridge, leaving him a chance to fight with all his might.

Fortunately, an official institution like the Meteor Guard still possessed some degree of order.

"Ancestor, what do we do next..."

Nian Bu Wang asked for instructions.

"Go to Lingxiao City and take office."

Gu Jinlai answered directly.

Before long, he had regrouped with Gu Chaoyang and the others.

Since they had prepared for retreat long ago, everything now proceeded in an orderly fashion.

Moreover, he had no intention of having anyone from the Meteor Guard intervene to turn the Heavenly Herb Pavilion's hostility into friendship.

He had killed Bai Yang simply to vent his anger.

If they reconciled, how could he make the Heavenly Herb Pavilion repay the losses from swallowing up ten sets of his treasured armor?

Ten sets of treasured armor!

Their market value was six hundred and eighty thousand.

The Heavenly Herb Pavilion had withheld six hundred and eighty thousand in payment for his goods. After dragging it out for several months, the late fees would have to amount to at least several hundred thousand, right?

Add in the monthly compound interest, round it up, and demanding ten million in compensation would not be excessive, right?

He had his justification.

Next, he only had to wait until he was strong enough before going to their door to collect the debt.

Gu Jinlai diverted part of his attention and glanced at the flame beside his consciousness-body.

There had definitely been several dozen Heavenly Herb Pavilion disciples who had died by his hand that night.

Yet his Karma had only risen from the tenth level to the eleventh.

"That's it?"

Gu Jinlai sneered.

As a giant of the demonic path, who did not carry more than a dozen levels of Karma?

He looked again at Overawing the World, which had been raised to mastery.

Having filled in the shortcoming in his movement technique, he was now even more powerful.

He recalled the scene of rampaging through the Heavenly Herb Pavilion and slaughtering to his heart's content.

Breaking the rules!

Shattering restraints!

Acting without the slightest scruple!

That feeling...

It was exhilarating.