Library

The chaotic streets were swept and cleared; shards of glass were embedded in dark red blood, and broken signs were wedged diagonally against the curbs.

Police sirens wailed from dawn until dusk, and the sounds of shouting and running echoed through the narrow alleys from time to time.

Citizens hid in their rooms with curtains drawn tight, daring to use only the lowest-wattage bulbs in their living rooms.

Mei Ye and the Demon-Suppressing Guards dragged their battered bodies onto a transport vehicle to return to the North River Demon Suppression Bureau headquarters.

However, as the wheels of the armored transport rolled over the shattered highway, the wind, laden with the smell of scorched earth and dust, blew in through the window and struck Mei Ye's face. He felt no sense of relief.

His pupils constricted as he stared at the towering building of the Demon Suppression Bureau, his mind going blank.

The comrades beside him also leaned over to look at the headquarters, and the entire vehicle erupted in an uproar.

"What the hell!"

"Was the headquarters invaded?"

"This is too brazen!"

A massive chunk of the side of the Demon Suppression Bureau headquarters had collapsed, the black hole looking like a wound carved out by force.

Concrete rubble was piled half a person high, and twisted rebar protruded from the break like jagged claws.

Endless black smoke billowed out as the fire department sprayed high-pressure hoses to extinguish the flames.

A furious Wei Wushuang rushed out of his official vehicle, standing before the building and staring at his base of operations with eyes split by rage.

October 27th became a day of eternal shame for the North River Demon Suppression Bureau.

According to the post-incident report, the southwestern Sinking Cult had gathered thousands of followers to launch a surprise raid near Beigu Tower, unearthing a high-ranking official from the Qing Dynasty who had been buried three hundred years ago.

Niohuru Mutebu.

A general from the reign of the Qianlong Emperor—this was the conclusion archaeologists reached after studying the coffin. Yet, people remained baffled regarding the life of this Qing general, having no idea why the cult would seek out such an antique.

Beyond Niohuru, the cult had split off another force to infiltrate the Demon Suppression Bureau headquarters. Amidst heavy security, they took away the cult's Holy Son whom Wei Wushuang had captured, and even released the demons and martial artists held in the underground prison. The officers guarding the headquarters were in total disarray, scrambling everywhere to recapture the prisoners.

Meanwhile, the cult protector Bai Jiaming took advantage of the chaos to stir up trouble. He coordinated with the cult followers, killed the Demon-Suppressing Guard who had been torturing him, blew up the bureau building, and made a clean getaway.

The Demon Suppression Bureau lost all face over this. The captain was dragged before the mayor and berated for his incompetence; in the office corridors, one could vaguely hear a Palace Storage Realm bigwig unilaterally beating the living daylights out of a Dragon Extreme Realm practitioner.

Captain Wei, his face bruised and swollen, flew into a rage upon returning to the bureau, slamming his office door so hard the entire floor shook.

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

But while the bureau's prison was stuffed with the cult's peripheral members, not a single true cadre had been caught.

Regarding this, Mei Ye could only sigh that the country was truly teetering in the wind, a portrait of a dynasty at its end.

The office was heavy with the smell of smoke, and the thick curtains were drawn, leaving the light dim and murky.

"Sit."

Wei Wushuang, who had just returned from the conference room, had his collar unbuttoned, and heavy dark circles hung beneath his eyes.

The nights of interrogating cultists had left him physically and mentally exhausted.

The mayor's high-pressure tactics made it even harder for him to breathe.

Mei Ye sat down in a chair; the leather surface was worn to a shine, and it let out a faint creak as he sat.

"You put in a great effort during this operation."

Wei Wushuang said, "Without your discovery, our Demon Suppression Bureau might have been left completely on the defensive."

"It was my duty."

"That's a good mindset to have. Our Demon Suppression Bureau needs people like you." Wei Wushuang spoke a string of bland, harmless platitudes. "I discussed it with the committee, and we decided to award you a Guardian Medal."

"A Guardian Medal?"

Mei Ye was stunned.

The Guardian Medal was awarded by the Demon Suppression Bureau to those who had performed meritorious service. It was the most common medal; basically, any Demon-Suppressing Guard who worked for a few years would have one.

But for Mei Ye's age, receiving this medal was somewhat exceptional.

"To commend your heroic performance in opposing the cult."

Wei Wushuang said methodically, "Several of your comrades are satisfied with your performance. You deserve this medal."

"Thank you, Captain."

Mei Ye said after a moment of silence.

"It's the organization's decision, don't thank me."

Wei Wushuang said. He treated Mei Ye this way mainly because, during this operation, he had unexpectedly discovered that this young man's combat effectiveness was terrifyingly high. Aside from his realm being too low to handle powerful enemies, he had no flaws.

After returning to headquarters and considering it for a night, Wei Wushuang decided to increase his investment and cultivation of Mei Ye.

The current state of the Demon Suppression Bureau was too embarrassing; they had been slapped in the face by the cultists.

Citizens widely questioned the bureau's capabilities, and complaint calls were driving the front-desk operators insane.

Even Wei Wushuang himself, standing in the headquarters building, often suspected that the North River Demon Suppression Bureau was too backward and too corrupt.

After some painful reflection, he decided to start with the young ones and ensure he raised a few capable hands who could shoulder the burden.

As for the existing, experienced Demon-Suppressing Guards, Wei Wushuang thought it best to forget them.

After all, having worked in Donghai City for over a decade, he knew well enough that the old-timers were a bunch of bastards who loved to bully newcomers.

The only ones who were obedient and willing to sacrifice for the people were likely the greenhorns fresh out of university.

"You just had a breakthrough, right?"

Wei Wushuang looked at Mei Ye's sharper brows and eyes as he spoke.

"Yes."

Mei Ye nodded. After the cultists' operation, he had accumulated many merit points. He figured he would be able to increase his strength again shortly.

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

Wei Wushuang rested his chin on his hands and said with satisfaction.

A Qi Gathering Realm initiate of this age was something he could tolerate.

Not so weak that he could be ignored.

And not so strong that it would affect the political balance.

"The library has a few decent ones. Go borrow a few and take a look."

Wei Wushuang told Mei Ye.

In truth, Wei Wushuang could have handed his own martial arts to Mei Ye and taken him on as a direct subordinate.

However, Mei Ye was too arrogant.

Previously, Mei Ye had killed a member of the Qilin Dragon Group with a single blade strike, which had infuriated him.

Therefore, Wei Wushuang decided to suppress Mei Ye for a while; once the kid hit a wall, he would step in to teach him how to conduct himself.

"But when you go to choose your martial arts, be mindful. It is best to find ones that those around you are also practicing.

You must know, in the progress of martial arts, the help of one's peers is crucial."

"I understand, thank you, Captain."

Mei Ye smiled, his fingertips tightening unconsciously. His merit points had already accumulated enough.

If there were more martial arts for him to improve with, he would certainly not decline.

After all, the battle with Epstein had made him deeply realize that his strength was insufficient.