The Library

The chaotic streets had been cleaned up. Shards of glass lay embedded in dark-red blood, and broken signboards jutted crookedly beside the curb.

Sirens had sounded nonstop from morning to night. Every so often, shouts and running footsteps echoed through the narrow alleys.

The citizens hid in their homes, curtains drawn tight. They didn't even dare turn on the living-room lights any brighter than the lowest setting.

Mei Ye and the Demon-Suppressing Guards also dragged their battered bodies back to the Demon Suppression Bureau headquarters in a transport vehicle.

However, as the armored transport's wheels rolled over the ruined road, the wind carried the stench of burning and dust in through the windows, striking Mei Ye's face—and he felt no relief.

His pupils contracted as he stared at the Bureau's high-rise, his mind going blank.

His comrades beside him also crowded over to look at the Demon Suppression Bureau headquarters, and the whole vehicle erupted.

"Holy crap!"

"Did someone break into headquarters?"

"They're completely out of control!"

A huge section of the side of the Demon Suppression Bureau headquarters had collapsed. The black hole looked like a wound bitten out by brute force.

Chunks of concrete lay piled half a man high, while twisted steel bars jutted from the broken edge like bared claws.

Billows of black smoke poured out without end as firefighters blasted the flames with high-pressure hoses.

Wei Wushuang stormed out of the official vehicle, stood in front of the building, and stared at his home base with eyes nearly popping from rage.

October 27

became a day of everlasting shame for the North River Demon Suppression Bureau.

According to the investigation report, the Southwest heretical cult, the Sinking Cult, gathered several thousand followers and launched a surprise attack near Beigu Tower, digging up a high-ranking official from the Qing Dynasty, three hundred years ago.

Niohuru Mutebu

He had been a general during the Qianlong Emperor's reign, according to archaeologists who examined the coffin. Yet to this day, people remained completely baffled about the life of this Qing general, with no idea what the cult wanted with such an old relic.

Aside from Niohuru, the cult had dispatched another unit to sneak into the Demon Suppression Bureau headquarters. Amid layers of security,

they took away the cult's Holy Son, whom Wei Wushuang had captured. They also released the demons and martial artists imprisoned in the underground prison. The Bureau officers guarding headquarters were thrown into chaos, scrambling everywhere to catch the escapees.

Meanwhile, the cult's Guardian, Bai Jiaming, seized the opportunity to wreak havoc. Working with the cult followers, he killed the Bureau officers who had tortured him, blew up the Demon Suppression Bureau building, and left.

The Bureau had lost all face over this. The mayor dragged the lieutenant in for a thorough dressing-down, and even from the office hallway, one could faintly hear a Palace Storage Realm big shot beating a Dragon Extreme Realm cultivator one-sidedly.

Lieutenant Wei returned to the Bureau with a bruised and swollen face and flew into a rage. He slammed his office door so hard that the whole floor shook.

The team leaders were under immense pressure, organizing people to hunt down cultists every day.

But the Demon Suppression Bureau's prison was packed with the cult's peripheral members, while not a single true leader was among them.

Faced with this,

Mei Ye could only sigh. This country really was buffeted by wind and rain, looking like a dynasty on the brink of collapse.

The office reeked of smoke. Thick curtains were drawn, leaving the room dim and gloomy.

"Have a seat."

Wei Wushuang had just returned from a meeting room. Two buttons at his collar were undone, and heavy dark circles hung beneath his eyes.

Interrogating cultists night after night these past few days had left him exhausted in body and mind.

The mayor's intense pressure made it even harder for him to catch his breath.

Mei Ye sat down in front of a chair. Its leather seat had been worn smooth, and it let out a faint creak beneath him.

"You played a major role in this operation," Wei Wushuang said. "Without what you discovered, our Bureau might have been completely caught on the back foot."

"It was my duty."

"It's good that you understand that. The Demon Suppression Bureau needs people like you." Wei Wushuang blandly rattled off a few perfunctory words. "I discussed it with the committee, and we've decided to award you a Guardian Medal."

"A Guardian Medal?"

Mei Ye was taken aback.

The Guardian Medal was an award the Demon Suppression Bureau gave to those who had distinguished themselves. It was the most common medal around; basically, any Demon-Suppressing Guard who served for a few years would end up with one.

But given Mei Ye's age, receiving the medal was somewhat exceptional.

"To recognize your bravery in fighting the cult," Wei Wushuang said methodically. "Several of your comrades were impressed by your performance. You've earned this medal."

"Thank you, Lieutenant."

Mei Ye fell silent for a moment before speaking.

"It was the organization's decision. Don't thank me," Wei Wushuang said.

The main reason Wei Wushuang was treating Mei Ye this way was that during the operation, he had unexpectedly discovered just how terrifyingly capable the young man was. Apart from his low realm, which kept him from handling powerful enemies, he had no shortcomings.

After returning to headquarters and thinking it over all night, Wei Wushuang decided to invest more in Mei Ye and give him greater support.

The Demon Suppression Bureau had been humiliated. The cultists had practically flown right over their heads.

The citizens widely questioned the Bureau's abilities, and the complaint calls were close to driving the front-desk operators mad.

Even Wei Wushuang himself, standing inside headquarters, often wondered whether the North River Demon Suppression Bureau was too backward and too corrupt.

After some painful soul-searching, he decided to start with the younger generation. He had to raise a few capable hands who could shoulder responsibility.

As for the experienced Demon-Suppressing Guards already on hand,

Wei Wushuang thought better of it.

After all, he had worked in Donghai City for over a decade. He knew well enough that the old hands were a bunch of bullies who liked picking on newcomers.

The only ones who listened and were willing to work for the people were probably the greenhorns fresh out of university.

"You just broke through, didn't you?"

Wei Wushuang looked at Mei Ye's now-sharper features as he asked.

"Yes."

Mei Ye nodded. After the cultists' operation, he had accumulated even more Merit Points. He could probably raise his strength again in a moment.

"Then it's time for you to pick out a few martial arts for the Qi Gathering Realm."

Wei Wushuang rested his hands beneath his chin and spoke with satisfaction.

A young man reaching the early stages of the Qi Gathering Realm at this age was within the bounds of what he could tolerate.

Not so weak that people would ignore him.

Not so strong that he would upset the political balance.

"There are a few passable books in the library. Go borrow a few and take a look," Wei Wushuang said to Mei Ye.

Actually, Wei Wushuang could have passed on his own martial arts to Mei Ye and taken him on as a direct disciple.

But Mei Ye was too proud.

Mei Ye had once killed someone from the Qilin Dragon Group with a single slash, which had infuriated him.

So Wei Wushuang decided to keep Mei Ye in check for now. Once the young man hit a wall, Wei Wushuang would step in and teach him how to behave.

"But when you go choose martial arts, remember to pick ones that the people around you practice, if possible.

You should know that having help from fellow disciples is crucial to making progress in martial arts."

"I understand. Thank you, Lieutenant."

Mei Ye smiled, his fingertips tightening unconsciously. He had already accumulated plenty of Merit Points,

and if there were more martial arts available to help him improve, he certainly wouldn't refuse.

After all, his battle with Epstein had made him acutely aware of how weak he was.