Yunzhou Demon Suppression Division

You can all choose freely; there's no need to mind me.

Yan Shan twitched the reins and continued, "Accepting financial aid from a family naturally means bearing their brand. The Prefectural Commander position is the limit for aristocratic families."

The imperial court does not permit aristocratic families to hold the position of Guardian Envoy, monopolizing an entire province.

Glancing at the few people beside him, Yan Shan said, "Relying on aristocratic families, the highest we can reach is the Grand Commander position. If our talent is heaven-defying, then that's another story."

Wang Feng and the others merely listened. They were in their twenties and only at the Body Tempering Realm. Their talent was too mediocre. The Grand Commander position was still distant for them, let alone any other aspirations.

Siding with aristocratic families was already the best choice. That they could be brought to the Demon Suppression Division by Yan Shan was merely Qian Chengzhu's casual act.

The group traveled day and night, leaving Wan'an Prefecture. After seven days of constant travel, they finally arrived at Yunzhou. This city, named after Yunzhou itself, was the capital and a vital hub of the entire Yunzhou.

A hundred-meter-high city wall stood before them. The main city gate was about fifty meters wide, enough for over a dozen carriages to pass side-by-side.

Yan Shan's gaze fell on Su Ye, and he chuckled, "My mouth has gone dry these past few days. Once we get into the city, we'll have a good meal and find some girls to sing and dance for us. That way, I can play the host."

"Everything is up to Brother Yan's arrangements." The others understood and replied with clasped fists.

At the side gates, people flowed like a tide. Su Ye and the others waited for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before nearing the registration area.

Yan Shan took out a dark iron token from his waist and handed it to a middle-aged constable.

"Captain Yan, safe travels." After registering, the middle-aged constable respectfully handed the token back to Yan Shan.

Su Ye communicated with Da Hei, telling him to find a place to stay outside the city. He then followed the others into the city.

Following the crowd, the group finally stepped into the city. Inside, people bustled about, shops lined both sides, and the scene was incredibly lively. The long street stretched as far as the eye could see, and there were more than just a few of them.

"It's still early. Brothers, let's head to the Demon Suppression Division to register first, so we can get our accommodations assigned," Yan Shan said, walking ahead of everyone and looking back.

The Yunzhou Demon Suppression Division headquarters occupied over fifty mu of land. The group entered a courtyard with the words "Demon Suppression Division" carved in vermilion. At the registration desk, Su Ye took a wooden box from an old scribe.

Name: Su Ye Realm: Meridian Opening, third layer Weapon: Long saber, native of Linshan County, former constable... Can serve as a Captain.

Wang Feng, Ma San, Xue Ping: Demon Execution Guard.

"Alright, everything is in the box. As for the matter in Linshan County, Commander Qian will need to return to explain the details," the old scribe said, closing the ledger with a kind smile.

"Thank you, old sir."

Su Ye did not reveal his Body Tempering strength. Having just arrived in Yunzhou City, there were many strong individuals here, and it was always good to keep some strength in reserve.

The group walked out of the main hall. Xue Ping looked at Yan Shan, who was walking ahead, and asked, "Big Brother Yan, if the merit from Linshan County is awarded, what kind of reward will Su Ye receive?"

Yan Shan pondered before replying, "The matter in Linshan County relied entirely on Brother Su. A Commander position is certain, and perhaps he might even get to choose an Aperture Opening Realm martial art as a reward."

Hearing Yan Shan's words, Wang Feng and Xue Ping's faces were filled with envy. They regretted not seizing the opportunity to perform well. Although their strength was far inferior to Su Ye's, perhaps killing a few more lowly members of the Corpse Demon Cult could have earned them significant merit.

"So, he'll be Commander Su in advance," the others said enviously.

The group arrived at their assigned accommodations. Wang Feng and the other two were only Demon Execution Guards and were arranged in one courtyard.

Su Ye, as a Captain, though not of high rank, was assigned a standalone small courtyard according to regulations.

Inside the small courtyard, Su Ye opened the wooden box. Inside was a three-foot-long saber, two sets of dark black official uniforms with dragon embroidery along the collar, and a dark iron token. The front was engraved with "Su Ye," and the back read "Captain."

Time flew by. The next morning, Su Ye changed into his brand-new official uniform, the dark iron token at his waist, and the standard-issue saber hanging on the other side. As he went out, he saw Wang Feng and the other two waiting for him in the distance.

"Let's eat something together, Su Ye."

After a few pleasantries, the group had a simple meal at the Benevolent Hall and headed straight for the Demon Suppression Division's training grounds.

Yan Shan strode towards Su Ye and the others in the training grounds. He said solemnly, "This is not a recruitment period. I will explain things to you brothers."

"Our Demon Suppression Division has always operated on a 'work before eating' principle. Martial arts must be exchanged for merit."

Originally, Wang Feng and the others had been looking forward to choosing suitable martial arts for themselves. Hearing this, they were greatly disappointed. Although they didn't show it on their faces, the atmosphere around them became somewhat subdued.

Seemingly sensing their dejection, Yan Shan said, "Newcomers do have benefits. As long as you complete one mission outside, you can go to the Martial Arts Repository and choose a Yellow Grade martial art technique for free as encouragement."

"With your brothers' strength, completing five or six low-level missions to exchange for two Yellow Grade martial skills for self-defense should not be difficult."

Yellow Grade martial skills require five contribution points, cultivation techniques require ten. Mystic Grade martial skills cost fifty contribution points, cultivation techniques one hundred. After that, it increases tenfold.

"As for Heaven Tier cultivation techniques..." Yan Shan paused slightly, not continuing.

Ma San counted on his fingers and said, "Heaven Tier cultivation techniques would require a full ten thousand contribution points?"

"It's good enough that there's something to exchange," Wang Feng said, knowing the preciousness of Heaven Tier cultivation techniques.

"Big Brother Yan, what was the value of the Qi Gathering Pills Commander Qian gave Brother Su last time?" Wang Feng asked curiously again.

Yan Shan, who was walking ahead, paused. After all, that bottle of Qi Gathering Pills was given out by Qian Chengzhu with calculations, and he had brought himself along.

Since the trip to Linshan County, he had harbored resentment, always feeling like he had lost face. Thinking of this, he turned back and said, "There are too many types of pills. Qi Gathering Pills are for improving cultivation, second only to Breakthrough Pills in value, and they cost ten contribution points."

"Others like antidotes and healing are much cheaper."

"Commander Qian's single move alone was two Yellow Grade techniques," Xue Ping said enviously.

"You can't generalize. After all, cultivation techniques can be freely copied, but pills are different. Ingredients and alchemists are indispensable. Moreover, the ingredients used for alchemy are all aged medicinal herbs."

Hearing Wang Feng's words, the others couldn't help but nod frequently.

At this moment, Yan Shan, walking at the front of the group, continued to explain: "The Demon Suppression Division has loose management; you only need to complete one to three missions per month. Of course, the stronger your power, the greater the difficulty of the corresponding missions will be. The specifics of this are handled by dedicated personnel."

In front of a courtyard with red walls and green tiles, Yan Shan pointed towards the main hall and said, "This is the Imperial Decree Hall. This is personally inscribed by the Great Ancestor, and the monthly assessments are the foundation of our standing."

"Brothers, the more Demonic Beasts we slay, the less suffering the citizens will endure, and we can accumulate more merit."

"Big Brother Yan speaks the truth."

The Imperial Decree Hall was crowded with people, about dozens of them sitting or standing. On the left, a bulletin board over fifty meters long was filled with death notices.

Behind a row of carved dragon wooden windows on the right, eight or nine women with pleasant appearances, dressed as scribes, were constantly signing and stamping for people coming and going.

The arrival of the group did not attract anyone's attention. Yan Shan introduced to the group, "You mustn't accept these mission documents casually. Once you take them, there's no turning back."

After a few more instructions, Yan Shan walked out of the Imperial Decree Hall alone. Having just returned to Yunzhou City, he still had many matters to attend to.

The group dispersed, each looking at the mission documents on the wooden wall. Su Ye scanned the area, from low-level Sentience-stage imps at the beginning to some great Demonic Beasts of the Aperture Opening Realm. The sheer number was staggering, but considering the vast territory of Yunzhou, it was barely acceptable.

"Why aren't there any mission documents for the Core Formation Realm and above?" Xue Ping asked, scratching his head.

Hearing Xue Ping's voice, many men in the hall chuckled and said, "Core Formation Realm? You must be new here, brother."