Hall of Bestowing Merit

He looked at the crowd behind him and continued to ask, "Did any of you notice anything unusual?"

The old man, anxious to take his grandson home, had been waiting by the door and hadn't seen anyone. The speaker was an old man in his sixties.

The others also shook their heads upon hearing this. Su Ye knew in his heart that perhaps only he could see the female corpse.

It might not be a corpse at all, but rather a ghost. However, its power was too terrifying. He would definitely need to investigate thoroughly after returning to the Demon Suppression Division this time.

"Since there's nothing else, you may all leave," Yang Tao said before heading to the Hedong County yamen with Su Ye. In the yamen's main hall, the Hedong County Magistrate, having learned of the situation, hastily summoned the county assistant and then ordered, "Go and pacify the citizens. Tell them the talk of the earth trembling is just a rumor, and there's no need to panic."

"Thank you, sirs, for your rescue. Although I am the county magistrate, my father and son were held hostage by Demonic Beasts, leaving me no choice but to report falsely. I will certainly inform the Prefect about this matter," County Magistrate He said with deep shame during the banquet.

Yang Tao snorted, "County Magistrate He, your family's lives are important, but does that mean my brothers should die?"

"Of the five who set out on this journey, only I remain. This matter will be decided by the Prefectural Commander."

Yang Tao understood that if the family of a county's magistrate was captured by Demonic Beasts, a thorough investigation would reveal that the Demon Suppression Division also bore some responsibility. This was why he hadn't immediately apprehended County Magistrate He.

With that, Yang Tao stood up abruptly and cupped his hands towards Su Ye, saying, "Captain Su, let's go. We'll head back to Yunzhou City now."

"Sirs, why not wait until morning to leave?" County Magistrate He called out from outside the yamen, trying to persuade them to stay.

"This matter is concluded, and we need to report back. We won't trouble you further, Lord He," Yang Tao said, emphasizing the word "Lord" heavily before turning to leave.

Su Ye and the other boarded their horses and galloped towards Yunzhou City. Midway, Yang Tao spoke with resentment, "These Demonic Beasts are practically spitting in the Demon Suppression Division's face. Although Yunzhou is a border region, we can't let Demonic Beasts run rampant like this."

"Why don't we both jointly report this matter to bring it to the attention of those above?"

Su Ye nodded slightly but didn't reply. He had a general understanding of Yunzhou's current situation from the two individuals from the Blood Lotus Cult. He had intended to verify it, but now...

The incident in Hedong County made him even more convinced that this matter was not false.

If things truly escalate to this point, Yunzhou might not remain peaceful. He would need to make plans early. If the situation became so severe that it was beyond recovery, he would have no choice but to leave Yunzhou and find another place.

"Notify Big Black and tell him to find a hiding place," Su Ye said as he and Yang Tao spurred their horses onward.

Three days later, at the main hall of the Yunzhou Demon Suppression Division, the two men entered the Imperial Decree Room together. A middle-aged man resembling a scribe picked up the head of the Mountain Ghost from the desk. After confirming it multiple times, he stamped a red seal on the official document.

"Your meritorious deed has been recorded," the scribe said, pushing a tray forward. "These hundred taels of silver are a bonus according to regulations."

As he recorded it, the scribe reminded them, "The ledger states you can go to the Hall of Bestowing Merit and choose any Aperture Opening Realm cultivation technique."

Before Su Ye could respond, Yang Tao beside him exclaimed in surprise, "Captain Su, what kind of mission did you accept? The reward is an Aperture Opening Realm cultivation technique!"

Su Ye didn't want to elaborate and vaguely mumbled a few words before hastily taking his leave. As he walked out the carved dragon wooden door, he vaguely heard discussions.

"Is that kid the one who took the Mountain Ghost mission a while back?"

"Now that you mention it, I remember. He's actually still alive."

Just then, Zheng Yu, whom Su Ye had met before, chimed in, "What do you guys know? Even though this kid is only in the Meridian Opening Realm, his strength isn't weak."

"I heard that when he was in Linshan County, he already killed several Martial Artists in the Meridian Opening Realm. If he got lucky, completing the Mountain Ghost mission wouldn't be surprising."

"It's just that, I heard his Commander position was snatched away by someone."

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"Captain Zheng, what do you mean by that?" The onlookers, curious, asked.

"I wouldn't dare say too much about this. If you want to know, find out for yourself."

Zheng Yu finished speaking and left. As he walked out the wooden door, he quickened his pace, darted out, and blocked Su Ye's path, cupping his hands. "Captain Su, where are you going?"

"You are... who?" Su Ye asked calmly, looking at the man.

"I am Zheng Yu. A few days ago, when Captain Su accepted the Mountain Ghost mission, I happened to be there."

Zheng Yu then sighed softly, "I've also heard a little about the incident in Linshan County."

"We all risk our lives for a better future. You should have been given a Commander position. To only receive an Aperture Opening Realm cultivation technique now is truly disheartening."

Su Ye's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression remaining unchanged.

"Tell me your purpose."

Zheng Yu led Su Ye to a corner and said, "It's not that I'm being nosy, but the Qian Family has acted very unethically."

"Brother Su, to be honest, I have a good relationship with Young Master Wu."

"He was also very indignant when he heard about this. So he asked me to come find you. Since the Qian Family is ruthless, with your strength, you could befriend the Wu Family and also rise steadily."

Su Ye didn't care about the Commander position itself. However, the fact that the Qian Family had directly intercepted it was something he had never expected.

Normally, the Qian Family was a prominent family in Yunzhou City. Why would they act so petty? This matter had undoubtedly reached others' ears, so it couldn't be false.

Su Ye would not let this matter go easily. Once his strength improved again, he would definitely take back what belonged to him.

Su Ye cupped his hands. "I'm used to being alone. Thank you for Young Master Wu's kindness."

"As for the Qian Family matter, I will decide for myself."

Getting too involved with aristocratic families was not a good thing. Before he had grown strong enough, it would create many constraints. If he accepted their favors, he would have to do their bidding and would be labeled as part of their faction, making him feel inferior. Wasn't that just asking for trouble?

Zheng Yu clicked his tongue and shook his head. "Captain Su, don't rush to refuse. Perhaps you'll change your mind tomorrow. You can come find me then."

After bidding farewell to Zheng Yu, Su Ye didn't return to his lodging directly. Instead, he took a detour and headed straight for the Hall of Bestowing Merit.

In the rear hall of the Demon Suppression Division, a five-story pavilion stood tall amidst strict security and dense formations, surrounded by red walls.

Su Ye approached the pavilion quickly and stopped before the vermilion gate. He saw an old man with white hair leisurely lounging on a reclining chair.

The old man slowly opened his eyes. "Bring me the Black Iron Token."

Su Ye took out the Black Iron Token as instructed. The old man gave him the impression of being very ordinary, so much so that he couldn't sense any cultivation fluctuations from him.

But how could such an important place as the Hall of Bestowing Merit be where an ordinary old man would be?

The old man's eyes were cloudy. As he took the Black Iron Token, he merely glanced at it briefly. "First time completing a mission, one Yellow Grade martial art."

He continued, "Oh, and there's a special reward, one Mystic Grade martial art."

"All the Aperture Opening Realm ones are on the third floor. Go pick one yourself."

"As for the third floor and above, they are not places you should go. Don't wander around. Copy it down in a book, and remember to return it. Remember, remember, absolutely do not spread it outside."

After a few instructions, the old man took a sip of tea, waved his hand, and closed his eyes, humming a tune Su Ye didn't understand, and spoke no further.

Su Ye had long heard of the Hall of Bestowing Merit. The first floor housed all the common-grade martial arts and was open to everyone in the Demon Suppression Division, not excluding even a mere handyman.

If you can't find the book by its title, you can try searching by the author. Maybe it's just been renamed!