Ninth Level of Kaiyuan, Gate of the Transcendent

"Yesterday? It was just like that..."

Su Ye briefly recounted the events of the previous night.

"I have to thank Director Zhang for applying for the Mithril Inner Armor for me; it allowed me to escape from that serial killer."

"And the Storage Bracelet, it was thanks to this item that I could launch a surprise attack and wound that serial killer."

"Later, through a stroke of luck, I broke through to the Ninth Level of Kaiyuan and was able to kill that serial killer. To be honest, I still can't quite believe it."

Zhang Baichuan nodded.

"Mm, it's about what I expected. That serial killer was a Transcendent at the first heaven. Facing you, an ordinary martial artist, he was too careless. He didn't even use his protective Star Power, allowing you to pierce his heart with a single strike. That was quite a close call."

Protective Star Power?

Was that the layer of power that stopped the long saber from penetrating further?

Su Ye silently noted the term.

Meanwhile, Zhang Baichuan let out a hearty laugh.

"Su Ye, you killed the serial killer who was causing chaos in Fangyuan City. That's a great deed. I want to thank you on behalf of all the citizens of Fangyuan City and the victims' families!"

"Additionally, you killed a first-heaven fallen one, so you'll receive one million in cash."

There were rewards too?

Su Ye raised an eyebrow.

This wasn't a loss.

However...

Seeing Su Ye raise an eyebrow, Zhang Baichuan thought he was unsatisfied and quickly explained.

"Killing a first-heaven is indeed not much for a one-million reward, but besides this million in cash, you'll also get 15 merit points."

Su Ye was confused: "Merit points?"

"That's right. Merit points are the most important reward in the military system. You'll understand later. The more you cultivate, the less useful money becomes. Many resources simply cannot be bought with money."

"The more precious something is, the less it circulates on the market. You can only exchange for them using merit points."

"You can see the specifics for yourself."

"Once you earn merit points, your merit exchange system will be unlocked. You can check it yourself in the Patrol Bureau's internal system later."

Su Ye was already eager to pull out his phone and check.

However...

"Don't rush that. I advise you to go home first. Otherwise, when your family wakes up and finds you gone, they'll worry."

Zhang Baichuan reminded him with a smile.

Su Ye looked at the sky outside.

The horizon was already showing the first light of dawn. Indeed, it was almost morning.

"Thank you for the reminder, Director. I'll head back now!"

Standing up, Su Ye noticed that his wounds no longer hurt at all. The places scratched by the sharp knife were already scabbing over rapidly, looking like they would be completely healed in two to three days.

The redness and swelling on his face had completely disappeared.

He put on his jacket.

His family probably didn't know he had gone through a life-and-death battle last night.

"Here!"

Zhang Baichuan tossed him a bottle of medicine.

"This is the best wound medicine from the Patrol Bureau. Apply it twice a day, and you'll be healed in two days."

For patrol officers like them, it was better not to let their families know if they were injured.

"Thanks."

Su Ye smiled, tossed the medicine bottle into his Storage Bracelet, and opened the door, ready to leave.

But...

"Oh, right, there's one more thing I forgot to tell you."

Zhang Baichuan spoke again, his voice a little low.

"Zheng Feng was found dead."

"Dead?"

Su Ye stopped in his tracks, turned his head, and looked at Zhang Baichuan with feigned disbelief.

"I only saw Zheng Feng thrown aside by that serial killer yesterday. He... he's actually dead?"

Zhang Baichuan nodded. "Actually, when Liao Tingting told us Zheng Feng was captured as a hostage by the serial killer, we knew Zheng Feng was doomed. That serial killer wouldn't let anyone he came into contact with go."

"Su Ye, you did very well. You saved Liao Tingting, and you stayed to fight the serial killer alone for Zheng Feng."

"As a patrol officer, you've done everything you could. You don't need to carry any burden."

"Even... if there's a next time, I'd rather you protect yourself. You're much more important to Eastern Huang than Zheng Feng is."

Zhang Baichuan had ulterior motives for this last sentence.

Although it was a patrol officer's duty to save hostages, Su Ye hadn't fully grown yet. He had an infinite future ahead of him.

Zhang Baichuan wished Su Ye had been able to harden his heart and stall for a few more minutes, waiting for other members of the Patrol Bureau to arrive, instead of confronting Zheng Feng and the murderer alone.

Su Ye lowered his head.

He concealed the complex expression on his face.

"I understand, Director Zhang. I'll head back now."

Let Zhang Baichuan continue to misunderstand.

When Su Ye returned home, Liu Ruxin was preparing to go grocery shopping.

Next to the Patrol Bureau's family housing was a market with fresh and cheap vegetables, fruits, and meat, as well as many snack shops.

Since moving here, Liu Ruxin's happiness index had been soaring.

"Xiao Ye, you're...?"

"I went out for a morning workout and happened to bring breakfast back."

"Oh, good, good!"

Silky smooth tofu pudding, crispy sesame pancakes, steaming hot buns, and the little lady's favorite tomato and egg noodle soup.

"Wow, this is delicious!"

Su Baobao held a bowl larger than her head, eating with a beaming smile.

"Brother, I really love this breakfast."