Promoted to Captain

Chen Bin hurried straight over to Kang Ronghao.

Then he let go, and the tiger's head hit the ground with a heavy thud.

"What is this..." The moment Kang Ronghao saw the tiger's head, his eyes widened, shock written across his face.

He recognized it instantly. This was Tiger Three's head!

But he suppressed his astonishment and called out in a steady voice, "A Jade Marrow Realm Tiger Demon?"

"Yes." Chen Bin nodded without expression.

"What about the others?" Kang Ronghao pressed.

"They're all dead!" Chen Bin replied calmly, as if reporting something utterly ordinary.

Everyone drew in a sharp breath. Truth be told, they had already expected as much.

Kang Ronghao glanced down at the tiger's head and asked again, "You killed it?"

Chen Bin didn't dare take all the credit. He quickly replied, "We killed it together!"

At that, Kang Ronghao's lips curled slightly, and he gave a derisive laugh.

He knew all too well what Tian Jie's lot were like. They wouldn't even draw their blades on an ordinary day, let alone kill demons.

"Chen Bin, you've done a good job hiding your realm," Kang Ronghao said meaningfully.

Chen Bin was slightly taken aback. He knew the other man had misunderstood, but figured it was just as well.

Kang Ronghao let the matter drop for the moment. His expression turned cold as he asked, "What about the child?"

Chen Bin cupped his fists and answered calmly, "I didn't find the child. When I reached the mountain pass, I encountered this Tiger Demon, but none of the village children.

"Then I heard a tiger's roar from the mountain that jolted me awake and chilled me to the bone. Right afterward, hurried footsteps came from deeper in the mountain.

"After thinking it over carefully, I believe the demons in the mountain are about to charge out.

"Captain Tian is already dead, and I'm not strong enough to fight them. I could only return first and seek reinforcements."

The child was still in the mountain. Could he be rescued? Not for now.

When Kang Ronghao heard this, he shot to his feet and roared, "What? You're saying—what?

"The demons in the mountain are charging out?"

Kang Ronghao took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.

It wasn't that he didn't want to believe Chen Bin. But the Mountain Lord's roar had been so terrifying that it had nearly shaken his soul loose. He had no choice but to believe it.

He knew the Tiger Demon on South Mountain must have been thoroughly enraged.

If the Mountain Lord charged down now, his entire group would be doomed.

A violent urge surged through him. He wanted nothing more than to draw his blade and cut Chen Bin down on the spot.

After all, with Tiger Three's head here, they had thoroughly offended the South Mountain Lord.

But what was done was done, and everyone was watching.

He couldn't send his subordinate to die in front of them all.

More importantly, among those present were several Captains under other Flag Officers who weren't on his side, as well as people from the County Office.

Killing Chen Bin now would only create more trouble.

He gradually began to think of retreat. Raising a hand, he said, "Since everyone's tired and the demons in the mountain are coming out, let's leave first!"

Then he casually ordered, "We've already investigated what happened here. We can't stay.

"There's no point continuing to guard this place.

"Pack up. We'll return to the Demon Suppression Division and report the situation to the General Banner."

Finally, he glanced at Chen Bin and said coldly, "As for you, wait for the General Banner's orders!"

The group scattered like startled birds and fled.

As for the bodies of Tian Jie and the others?

Who was Tian Jie?

Did our Demon Suppression Division even have a man by that name?

Fortunately, the Demon Suppression Division had prepared enough horses this time.

Chen Bin swung onto his own horse. Chen Chong rode his own sorry mount, while the County Office runners had no choice but to make their way back on foot.

Chen Bin wasn't familiar with the people from the Demon Suppression Division. He was closer to the runners from the County Office.

That was mainly thanks to Chen Chong. The runners ingratiated themselves with him, and by extension treated Chen Bin with particular warmth. Chen Bin didn't have to put in any effort to start a conversation.

So he didn't hurry back to the county town. Carrying the tiger's head, he rode back at an easy pace alongside the runners from the County Office.

By now, Tiger Three's imposing aura had faded, and the horses were no longer afraid.

"Chen Bin."

Ever since he'd seen Chen Bin return carrying the tiger's head, Chen Chong had stopped calling him nephew as he used to and now simply called him by name.

Chen Bin turned his head and gave a soft "Mm."

Chen Chong couldn't help asking, "What realm have you reached?"

"Jade Marrow!" Chen Bin answered without hesitation.

"Just as I thought!" Chen Chong sighed. "Brother Lingze has a fine son."

Chen Lingze was Chen Bin's father.

"Uncle Chong," Chen Bin said, "do you have any cultivation techniques?"

Chen Chong hesitated, then asked, "For advancing to Qi Gathering?"

"Anything will do." Chen Bin thought for a moment, then added, "Movement techniques would be best."

Chen Chong's face brightened at once. "Well, as it happens, I do have a movement technique!"

Chen Bin was delighted. "Then give it to me!"

The next day.

The Demon Suppression Division's offices were solemn and imposing.

After half a day of news spreading, everyone in the Demon Suppression Division already knew of the extraordinary feats Chen Bin had displayed the day before.

Chen Bin strode through the Demon Suppression Division with a cold expression. Wherever he went, people stepped aside, none daring to stand in his way.

Chen Bin entered the General Banner's office at an unhurried pace.

Wanbao County's General Banner, Wang Sheng, sat upright in the seat of honor, his expression imposing and his authority plain without a word.

He was fairly young, having been parachuted in from the Hundred Households Office.

Five Small Banners sat on either side. One or two Demon Suppression Captains stood behind each of them, all wearing solemn expressions.

Chen Bin swept his gaze over the Small Banners, then bowed respectfully to Wang Sheng in the seat of honor and greeted him in a clear, ringing voice. "Your subordinate Chen Bin pays his respects to General Banner Wang."

Wang Sheng's gaze was sharp as he fixed it on Chen Bin. "You're Chen Bin?"

Chen Bin remained calm and nodded. "That's right, sir."

He secretly checked that the system hadn't displayed a Red Name warning for Wang Sheng, and only then did he relax slightly, though he maintained his respectful expression.

Aside from his direct superior's superior, there was also a Red Name called He Yang, but Chen Bin paid him no mind.

"Very good, very good." A smile appeared on Wang Sheng's face as he continued, "Yesterday morning, Li Kun said you'd killed a Blood Change Realm Fox Demon and a Ghost Servant. I didn't believe him.

"Last night, you slew four hundred of the old Tiger Demon of South Mountain's little Ghost Servants, and even killed a Jade Marrow Stage Tiger Demon. I'd guess that was the old Tiger Demon's son.

"Very good.

"Just as it happens, Tian Jie is dead.

"Starting today, you'll take his place!

"You can start as a Demon Suppression Captain!"

Chen Bin could barely contain his joy. The corners of his mouth rose slightly as he cupped his fists in salute, his voice full of gratitude. "Thank you for recognizing me, General Banner Wang."

"Good." Wang Sheng smiled faintly and continued, "You've reached the point where Jade Marrow is about to give way to Qi Gathering. Go to the Martial Arts Pavilion to study a Mind Method, then choose a saber technique."

"Yes!" Chen Bin answered without hesitation and turned to leave.

"Wait!" Wang Sheng called.

Chen Bin stopped.

Wang Sheng said, "Before the end of your shift, go collect ten taels of silver in reward money."

This time, Chen Bin strode straight out, his steps brisk and unhesitating.