Chasing Moon Knife Technique!

Just as Chen Xia thought Jiang Xinglan was going to press him further, she simply nodded calmly.

"Mm, I believe you."

Jiang Xinglan continued, "Evil Techniques don't have a fixed boundary. Strictly speaking, only those that harm others are considered evil techniques. Even those who cultivate evil techniques are fine as long as they aren't caught and don't harm anyone."

Her words carried a deep meaning.

Essentially, as long as one didn't admit it and wasn't caught, what was the harm in cultivating them?

Meeting her gaze, Chen Xia understood that she had likely seen through something but chose not to pry.

"Thank you for your trust, Director!" Chen Xia no longer explained; they were on the same page.

"Mm."

Jiang Xinglan's thoughts drifted. She hadn't sensed any evil aura from Chen Xia. More importantly, Chen Xia's rapid promotion to Grade 2 and his excellent performance against the Blood God suggested he possessed some kind of talent.

However, Jiang Xinglan naturally wouldn't investigate such secrets. To her, it might even be a good thing.

"I have another book here for you." Shifting the topic away from evil techniques, Jiang Xinglan took a book from her cabinet and handed it to Chen Xia.

Chen Xia was slightly taken aback. Jiang Xinglan had previously given him a mid-grade bone tempering technique, which he hadn't used yet due to insufficient strength.

Now another cultivation method?

"Director, this is..."

"After the Blood God incident last time, the South City Branch Office raided all the hideouts of the Gathering Justice Mercenary Group, arresting many people. Among them, we found a knife technique, a mid-grade Chasing Moon Knife Technique. It's perfect for you!"

Jiang Xinglan looked at Chen Xia with her dark eyes and said slowly, "This knife technique was previously practiced by the leader of the Blazing Fire Mercenary Group on Xingou Street in South City. Later, it was obtained by the Gathering Justice group and eventually fell into the hands of the Patrol Inspection Office. I've taken it out specifically to reward you, through the official reward channel, not from my personal collection."

Hearing this, Chen Xia recalled a time at a tea house when he was with Captain Jiang Bing and Yang Hua from the Eighth Team. Captain Jiang Bing had mentioned that the leader of the Blazing Fire practiced a knife technique. He hadn't expected it to end up in his hands.

And it was mid-grade!

A mid-grade knife technique, worth at least two hundred thousand, made Chen Xia sigh with emotion. Now, things worth hundreds of thousands seemed to be within his easy reach.

Of course, this was also because Jiang Xinglan valued him. While she said it was an official reward, it was essentially a personal gift.

"Thank you, Director. I will definitely practice it diligently when I get back." Chen Xia genuinely lacked a knife technique, and since they were offering, he would accept.

Jiang Xinglan nodded. "These are minor matters. Next, you'll be promoted to Deputy Commander. There's something I need to tell you!"

"Please tell me, Director!"

"In Mengtang Street, which you will be in charge of, there are two major mercenary groups: Iron Blood and Beacon Fire. Iron Blood belongs to the Su family, and the Su family is in a cooperative relationship with my Jiang family."

"Additionally, in Baiyu Street, there are also two major mercenary group forces: Cangying and Wild Wolf. Cangying's influence is weaker than Wild Wolf's. The core leader of Wild Wolf is named Fang Haolong, a Grade 2 Eighth Stage martial warrior. It's rumored he's about to break through to Grade 3 Silver Bones. You need to be careful with the Wild Wolf mercenary group; they are backed by the Fang family and are not easy to deal with."

"Of course, if anything truly happens, I, your Director, will cover for you."

Jiang Xinglan continued, "The situation in these two streets is complex. To firmly establish yourself as Deputy Commander and manage them well, you'll need certain methods and abilities. It's best if you don't cause any major incidents during your tenure, as it could negatively impact you personally."

Hearing this information, Chen Xia felt that becoming Deputy Commander seemed rather complicated.

A Deputy Commander would independently manage two areas, which was far more demanding than being a captain under Zhou Tong. There were many things to worry about.

He also had to maintain the situation and avoid causing major repercussions.

"By the way, Director, what is the background of this Fang family?" Chen Xia asked, wanting to understand the underlying relationships.

"The Fang family?" Jiang Xinglan replied, "The Fang family has extensive connections in Yijiang City. One of the Deputy Futais of Yijiang City is from their family. They also have many connections among the middle management and above. Furthermore, they have influence even at the provincial level in Chujiang Province. Additionally, Deputy Director Qian of the Headquarters is also one of them. Although he didn't explicitly state it in the meeting, he has reservations about your promotion to Deputy Commander, but he didn't dare to oppose it because I was present."

"This Deputy Director Qian is a friend of Yang Hua's father from your South City Branch Office. The reason your nomination for Deputy Captain fell through previously was arranged by him."

"However, you don't need to worry. You are now a Deputy Commander and have a certain status. He won't dare to do anything to you. Besides the Fang family behind the Wild Wolf mercenary group, others are not much of a concern. Also, my Jiang family has people in higher positions."

Jiang Xinglan explained many details about the power dynamics in Yijiang City to Chen Xia.

It made him feel that Yijiang City was a place with deep waters.

As his status increased, he began to come into contact with influential figures in Yijiang City.

In such circumstances, only one's own strength could truly hold the situation together. Otherwise, for any slightly higher position, countless people would be vying for it.

He was fortunate to have Jiang Xinglan's support; otherwise, even with his Grade 2 martial warrior cultivation, it would have been difficult to get promoted in such a fiercely competitive environment.

Although martial warriors were rare, it depended on the location. In the realm of officialdom, there was no shortage of elite martial warriors.

A local mercenary group possessing strength close to a Grade 3 martial warrior indicated the presence of many experts within.

Of course, with Chen Xia's current strength, he could still manage the situation.

Although he was only a Grade 2 martial warrior, he had mastered several evil techniques. With these methods, coupled with the Seven Injuries Fist and the Eternal Night Blood Scripture he was cultivating, he was still growing.

When the time came, if anyone dared to provoke him, he would have ways to deal with them.

Moreover, there was one aspect of his promotion that Chen Xia hadn't anticipated.

In Baiyu Street, which fell under the jurisdiction of the Second Squad, there was a company called Hongsheng Hardware Factory. This was the company where his father had suffered a work-related injury and had not received compensation. This company now fell under his purview, allowing him to pursue compensation for his father.

"That's all for now. You can go back. Your letter of appointment will arrive this afternoon!"

After a conversation with Chen Xia, Jiang Xinglan said.

"I will definitely do a good job as Deputy Commander and not let down your cultivation, Director!"

Before Chen Xia left, he expressed his sincerity. If he didn't even put on this superficial show, he would be too rude.

"Mhm."

Watching Chen Xia close the door and leave, not long after, Lin Qinghan's graceful figure appeared in the room. Her long eyelashes blinked as she looked at Jiang Xinglan.

"What do you think of him?"

"A bit strange," Lin Qinghan said directly.

"Indeed." Jiang Xinglan smiled at Lin Qinghan. "This person's progress is incredibly fast, and he knows a special technique. Before, his fist force could penetrate the Blood God's qi shield. I see that not only did he not have any physical problems from practicing the special technique, but he was also full of vigor and spirit, very healthy. But the more this is the case, the more he's worth cultivating. I just don't know what this person will be like in the future."

Lin Qinghan said, "Chen Xia was born into poverty and couldn't get promoted for many years. The Director took notice of him and promoted him repeatedly. He should be grateful. Also, he risked his life to save his Captain before, showing some loyalty. His words and actions are also fine."

"After this, it depends on whether he can withstand the temptation of other forces. After all, the Fang Family's influence is not small, and they might try to win him over."

"Sitting in that position, the temptation of money is certainly there. If he joins another force, then there's nothing more to say."

Jiang Xinglan's eyes flickered. "However, our Jiang Family has many unmarried women. If he can continue to improve and reach Grade 3, he can barely be considered a match for someone from the Jiang Family. We can arrange one for him then."

"Director, that's a good idea."

Lin Qinghan smiled. "He's twenty-eight years old now. He once pursued a rich second-generation female student in college, but unfortunately, she didn't fancy him. It's said he was quite dejected for a long time because of it."

"But if he can truly become a Grade 3 Martial Master, he will have achieved something. Then, if we tie him to a collateral line of the Jiang Family, he will be on the Director's side."