Heavenly Oversight Bureau

Shen Bai's hand, holding the teacup, paused slightly at these words. He then drained the cup and asked, "Has something happened?"

Normally, if Zhou Qing came to him, they wouldn't discuss these kinds of matters.

Shen Bai figured it must be something important.

Zhou Qing nodded. "The Heavenly Oversight Bureau will be here in a few days. The county magistrate has really been losing a lot of hair lately."

The Heavenly Oversight Bureau?

Hearing those three words, Shen Bai had an epiphany.

The Great Zhou Dynasty was divided into five administrative levels: capital, prefecture, province, county, and district, with the county being the lowest and progressing upwards.

The Heavenly Oversight Bureau was a special department.

It was established right after the Great Zhou Dynasty was founded.

It oversaw matters of the pugilistic world above and Bizarre Entities below.

Anything related to the pugilistic world or Bizarre Entities fell under the Heavenly Oversight Bureau's purview.

Now, with the dynasty in turmoil, the Heavenly Oversight Bureau had been assigned an additional duty: annual inspections.

They would visit all civil and military officials of the Great Zhou Dynasty, whether in capital-level cities or county-level ones.

The inspection content was simple: from the assessment of civil and military officials to the management of the surrounding areas.

All of this would be combined to give a specific score.

Then, the score would be reported to the emperor in the imperial palace, who would make the final decision.

Whether it was promotion or demotion, reward or punishment.

For the many officials of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the annual inspection by the Heavenly Oversight Bureau was a matter of life and death.

What Zhou Qing had just mentioned was also a method used by members of the Heavenly Oversight Bureau during their inspections.

They would transform into common folk, asking the surrounding residents for their true thoughts and the actual situation.

Shen Bai felt the tea had gone cold, so he had Zhang Chaofeng refill the pot with hot water before saying, "Don't worry, since you're working here in Ascending Cloud County, I naturally understand these things."

Those involved in the pugilistic world weren't just about fighting and grievances; they also valued human relations and social etiquette.

Shen Bai had connections within the yamen, so doing these things well was to ensure Zhou Qing fared better there.

It was also to give face to the county magistrate.

Zhou Qing nodded. "In that case, I'll be going now. There are still many shops to notify, lest something goes wrong later and the county magistrate blames me, I'll be dragged down with him."

Shen Bai saw Zhang Chaofeng had just returned and whispered a few words to him.

Before long, Zhang Chaofeng came back with two cured pieces of meat.

"They'd just go to waste if we didn't eat them anyway, Old Zhou, take them home with you."

Don't underestimate these two pieces of cured meat. With the dynasty in turmoil, many common folk had to wait for special occasions, like New Year's or other festivals, just to have a meal with meat.

It was only because Shen Bai's pawnshop was doing well that his own life was secure.

Zhou Qing didn't stand on ceremony; there was no need for formality between the two of them. He took the cured meat and left the Shen Family Pawnshop.

After Zhou Qing left, Zhang Chaofeng had already sorted out the day's accounts.

The daily routine of a pawnshop was like this: organize accounts, sit on duty, and then verify accounts again at night.

"Boss, I might have to go back tomorrow," Zhang Chaofeng said, placing the ledger aside.

Shen Bai twirled the teacup in his hand. "Didn't you say it would be a few more days? Did your wife go back to her family's home early again?"

Some time ago, Zhang Chaofeng had mentioned this, and Shen Bai had already approved his leave.

Today, he was just answering casually.

Zhang Chaofeng said helplessly, "A woman's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea. They're like eels, even more changeable than eels."

Shen Bai nodded. "Then you don't need to come in tomorrow. There's been a lot happening in Ascending Cloud County lately, so be careful on your way back and forth."

Zhang Chaofeng agreed.

Shen Bai yawned, ready to go back and continue grinding his Blood Sword Dance.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the pawnshop.

Shen Bai looked in the direction of the sound and saw Cheng Shuang, dressed in yellow, walking in with light, small steps.

Seeing this, Shen Bai familiarized pointed to the backyard, signaling to talk there.

Cheng Shuang didn't waste words, silently following Shen Bai to the backyard.

Backyard.

Shen Bai sat on a stone stool, motioning for Cheng Shuang to sit before speaking.

After sitting down, Cheng Shuang said, "I'm about to set off for Maple Forest Province to report back to the Five Immortals Sect."

Shen Bai nodded. "That's good. After all, Maple Forest Province is much larger and safer than Ascending Cloud County."

Cheng Shuang opened her mouth, wanting to say more, but hesitated.

Shen Bai looked at Cheng Shuang strangely. "If you have something to say, just say it. I don't like people who beat around the bush."

Cheng Shuang said helplessly, "If you're going to Maple Forest Province, you can visit the Five Immortals Sect when you have time. You've helped us tremendously this time, and the Five Immortals Sect will surely welcome you with open arms."

Don't be fooled by the fact that it was just a minor Five Hearts Sect leader; this matter was extremely important to the Five Immortals Sect.

Ultimately, it was because the Five Hearts Sect leader was a traitor to the Five Immortals Sect.

If he continued to cause trouble, the Five Immortals Sect would be affected to some extent.

So, Shen Bai's help in solving this big problem was of immense benefit to the Five Immortals Sect.

Shen Bai chuckled. "If I have time, I'll certainly pay a visit."

Currently, Shen Bai had no plans to go to Maple Forest Province.

There were too many strange things in this world, and with the current instability of the dynasty, Shen Bai felt it was quite good to stay in this small county town.

"Then I'll be going now."

Cheng Shuang stood up and left the backyard.

Shen Bai watched Cheng Shuang's retreating figure until she disappeared before retracting his gaze.

"Time to grind."

For him, the Five Hearts Sect incident was merely an interlude. He had simply taken money to resolve a problem for someone, and it hadn't stirred many ripples in his heart.

Having lived two lives, only truly shocking major events could stir Shen Bai's emotions.

Not long after, the sound of Shen Bai practicing his sword echoed from the backyard.

One day and one night passed extremely quickly.

During this time, Shen Bai went out to eat again. After simmering and taking a dose of medicine, his proficiency in Blood Sword Dance steadily increased.

While grinding for proficiency, Shen Bai also pondered the source of Malevolent Qi in his mind.

But currently, he couldn't find a stable source.

These things were crucial for him to activate his Divine Ability and for that Divine Ability to undergo qualitative change, so besides grinding proficiency, this was Shen Bai's primary need.

By the next day, as dawn approached, Shen Bai yawned and lay on a chair, resting for the time it takes an incense stick to burn.

Only after his Essence, Qi, and Spirit had somewhat recovered did he prepare to go out for breakfast.

The breakfast shop was not far from the pawnshop. This was a place Shen Bai frequented, and the surrounding residents were quite familiar with him.

"Shopkeeper Shen, the usual?"

The waiter, with a cloth draped over his shoulder, wiped the table clean before asking with a smile.

Shen Bai nodded, said "the usual," and patiently waited.

Not long after, all the dishes were served.

Shen Bai ate while listening to the conversations of the surrounding residents.

But just then, a figure caught Shen Bai's attention.