Demon Suppressing Division Main Courtyard, Front Hall.
This was the central hub of the entire Blackwater Division, bustling with activity.
Stacks of case files rose like mountains as Division Servants hurried back and forth with documents in their arms.
Every order concerning demons was issued from here.
At the far end of the hall, beside a quiet little tea table,
two figures sat across a chessboard, sipping tea as they played. A group of Guards stood respectfully nearby.
The players were Commander Zhou Tian of the Demon Suppressing Division and its chief steward, Steward Liu.
Commander Zhou placed a piece and fixed his gaze on the board. A moment later, he smiled. "Steward Liu, it's been a few days. Your chess has improved."
Steward Liu shook his head. "You flatter me, Lord Zhou. I've been weak as a kitten my whole life, unlike you, my lord, who can take the field and slay demons. I spend my days playing chess to pass the time."
That was true enough, but as steward of the entire Demon Suppressing Division, Steward Liu handled the registries, supplies, and overall coordination of its daily affairs.
His standing in the Division was far from low.
Commander Zhou raised his teacup and took a sip, casually glancing toward the entrance. "That Lin Guanhuo who just left—do you think he can settle the matter?"
Steward Liu pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "It'll be difficult. Those are three Yellow-Skinned Weasels that have cultivated into real demons. To be safe, we'd need to send a registered Martial Artist of at least Seventh Rank. He's a Newcomer, going alone. I don't like his chances."
"Is that so?"
Commander Zhou said, "I think the lad's got something about him. How about we make a bet?"
"What would my lord like to wager?" Steward Liu asked.
"I hear Autumn Phoenix Tower just received a batch of Qiong Jiang, a rare drink shipped in from County City. One hundred taels a jug." Commander Zhou held up a finger and wagged it. "Let's bet one jug. I say the lad will return victorious."
Steward Liu was a man of refined tastes himself, and seeing Commander Zhou in high spirits,
he smiled at once. "Since you're in the mood, my lord, I'll take that bet."
Just as he finished speaking,
a figure appeared at the entrance to the hall.
He carried two cloth sacks casually in one hand and walked slowly into the room.
It was Lin Guanhuo.
He still wore the same black shirt and cloth shoes, and he was spotless from head to toe.
He looked nothing like someone who had just risked his life battling demons. He seemed more like he'd just gone to buy vegetables at the street corner.
"Is that... Lin Guanhuo?"
At the sight of Lin Guanhuo, the hall, which had been noisy moments before, grew noticeably quieter.
Many Division Servants who had been sorting case files stopped writing.
One after another, they turned their eyes toward Lin Guanhuo.
Lin Guanhuo had already become something of a celebrity among them. Just earlier, he'd taken on the assignments of six people by himself.
Everyone still remembered the scene clearly.
But...
"Lin Guanhuo? Why's he back already?"
"How long has it been? Less than two hours, right? I haven't even finished copying my case files!"
Someone noticed the cloth sack Lin Guanhuo was carrying.
"What's he got in that sack?"
"Silver? Doesn't look like it. Doesn't look like a weapon either... But it seems heavy."
Someone glanced at the sky outside and frowned. "It takes two hours round-trip just to ride to Big Fish Town, even if you push the horse hard. If he's back already... I doubt he even made it there."
"Looks that way to me."
"He probably rode out of the city and circled around before getting scared and turning back. Or he just made up some excuse to get out of the job—said the demons ran off or something."
"Tch. I thought he was some hidden badass, since he dared take the assignment alone."
Someone shook his head in disappointment. "Turns out he's just a show-off and a coward. He ran back without even laying eyes on the demons. He's not much better than the rest of us..."
Murmurs spread throughout the hall.
Lin Guanhuo acted as if he hadn't heard a thing. He simply carried the sack straight toward the far end of the hall.
Then he stopped beside the chessboard where Commander Zhou and Steward Liu sat.
"You're back?"
When they saw Lin Guanhuo return, Commander Zhou and Steward Liu exchanged a glance, their expressions a little odd.
Back already...?
That was far too quick. They hadn't even finished their game.
Lin Guanhuo's expression remained calm. He gave them only one answer. "The job's done."
"Done?"
Commander Zhou set down his chess piece and furrowed his brow. "Lin Guanhuo, it takes at least two hours to ride from here to Big Fish Town and back."
"Are you telling me you got there and killed three Yellow-Skinned Weasels that had become demons in the time it takes to drink a pot of tea?"
Commander Zhou's voice lowered, sounding half like a warning and half like a lecture. "Lin Guanhuo, you're young and new here. If you botched the job, that's understandable. But don't lie."
Lin Guanhuo didn't try to defend himself. He simply said, "I haven't lied."
With that, Lin Guanhuo flicked his wrist.
He tossed the cloth sack forward.
Thud, thud—
A series of muffled thumps rang out, and the sack's mouth fell open.
"What is that?"
Several people nearby looked puzzled and stepped closer.
Then...
A foul, bloody stench spread through the hall!
"Th-this is...?"
"Ugh!"
The very next moment,
everyone present saw it clearly!
Three bloody Yellow-Skinned Weasel heads rolled out of the sack!
Even separated from their bodies,
their eyes were still wide with fury, their teeth bared in snarls!
Only then did everyone realize—
the sack Lin Guanhuo had brought was full of Yellow-Skinned Weasel heads?
That guy was ruthless!
At the same time, a dense wave of demonic energy continued to spread around them.
Only Yellow-Skinned Weasels that had cultivated into demons could possess such Killing Intent!
"Ugh!"
"That's disgusting!"
Some people hurriedly retreated from the stench.
Others trembled at the sight of the bloody scene!
And at last, they understood.
Lin Guanhuo hadn't lied!
"Good!"
A loud shout rang out.
Commander Zhou slapped his thigh.
His stern face was instantly filled with admiration. "Clean and decisive! My younger brother Zhou Cang had a good eye! You're a fine prospect!"
Lin Guanhuo had now proven that he had more than just talent.
He had the skill to back it up!
Commander Zhou thought of how he'd doubted Lin Guanhuo just moments ago, only to be slapped in the face almost immediately.
And yet, what a satisfying slap it was!
He'd gladly take one every day.
Commander Zhou turned to Steward Liu, who was still staring in shock, his mood soaring. "Old Liu, looks like I've won that jug of wine."
Steward Liu finally came to his senses and smiled.
He'd lost a jug of wine, but won the Demon Suppressing Division a Kirin Son.
He was more than happy to concede. "Ha ha, I accept the loss."
"He deserves a reward!"
Commander Zhou waved his hand generously and gave the order at once. "Steward Liu, give him six hundred taels in reward money! Also, take him to the Storehouse and give him ten Qi Boosting Powders."
At this, the people present couldn't help but grow envious once more.
Lin Guanhuo had earned six hundred taels in reward money all to himself, and ten Qi Boosting Powders were worth several hundred taels more.
In just two hours, Lin Guanhuo had made a thousand taels.
They were envious, but not jealous.
After all, if they had gone in his place, the Yellow-Skinned Weasels would probably have eaten them alive by now.
Before they'd even finished envying him, Commander Zhou's gaze suddenly fell on the long saber at Lin Guanhuo's waist.
That was the saber Lin Guanhuo had obtained from Huang Bao back then.
For Lin Guanhuo, who'd been nothing more than a White Servant in the Miscellaneous Room Courtyard, it had been a fine weapon.
But now, it was clearly no longer enough.
Commander Zhou shook his head. "Lin Guanhuo, that saber of yours is too old and worn. How can you travel the Jianghu without a good weapon?"
As he spoke, Commander Zhou looked at Lin Guanhuo as if he were his own son. "But I happen to have a fine saber here!"
As he spoke, Commander Zhou took out his Brocade Bag and gave it a shake.
Whoosh, whoosh!
A flash of light—
a sheathed long saber appeared out of thin air in his hand.
It was a green long saber, with auspicious cloud patterns engraved on its scabbard.
The saber hadn't even been drawn, yet a chill had already swept through the entire hall.
At the sight of it, the Division Servants couldn't help exclaiming in admiration. "What a saber! What a fine saber!"
"A precious blade for a hero! Commander Zhou's being incredibly generous. That saber would probably fetch several hundred taels on the market!"
"Commander Zhou's treating Lin Guanhuo like his own son!"
A few registered agents couldn't help commenting. "I remember a Silver Badge Agent who specialized in saber techniques asked Commander Zhou for this precious blade several times, but he never gave it to him..."
"Commander Zhou might be showing favoritism..."
"What do you know?" A Bronze Badge Walker snorted. "Commander Zhou sees his talent."
"Looks like our Demon Suppressing Division's about to have another genius it'll cultivate with everything it has..."
With everyone watching, Commander Zhou handed the long saber to Lin Guanhuo.
Then he said, "This saber's called Longqing."
"I got it by chance after slaying a Snake Demon years ago. It may not be a Spirit Weapon, but it can at least slice through iron like mud."
Lin Guanhuo took the saber and ran his hand over its cold scabbard, clearly feeling the keen edge of the blade within.
He immediately held it in both hands and said solemnly, "Thank you, Commander, for bestowing this saber."
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