Shen Ye

At Chen Shan's words, Xu Zhengxiong's expression turned extremely solemn.

"Old Chen, are you sure people from the Heavenly Supervision Bureau are here?"

Chen Shan nodded. "I'm sure. People from the Heavenly Supervision Bureau have already arrived at the County Yamen. They're probably meeting with the county magistrate now."

"Could there be demons or an evil cult in Qingshan County?"

One of the deputy constables asked curiously.

"Maybe they're just passing through. Who knows? It's probably just a formality."

Another deputy constable spoke up.

"Let's hope it's an evil cult and not demons. Otherwise, with our strength, we'll be in trouble."

"What's there to be afraid of? Even if there are demons, aren't the Heavenly Supervision Bureau's officials here? We'll probably just be helping out."

As Fang Xing listened to their discussion, he didn't join in. He simply listened in silence.

Demons or an evil cult.

Neither possibility was a small matter.

At the very least, not in a place like Qingshan County.

Fang Xing didn't dwell on it.

All he had to do was wait.

He'd know what was going on soon enough.

Even if demons had really appeared, the Heavenly Supervision Bureau's people were there to hold the fort.

If he couldn't win, couldn't he just run?

His Gale Step had now reached the pinnacle of perfection.

When it came to running away, he had more going for him than anyone else.

A crowd gathered in the main hall of the County Yamen, while the runners from the four departments waited in their respective offices.

Summoning all the constables and deputy constables could only mean something major was happening.

The sun climbed higher.

Around the third quarter of the Chen hour, three figures appeared in the distance before Fang Xing and the others.

They were Lin Zheng, the deputy county magistrate of Qingshan, and Zhang Chen, the county magistrate of Qingshan.

They were the top officials in Qingshan County, yet walking ahead of them was a young man dressed in black.

Even the county magistrate and deputy county magistrate of Qingshan could only follow behind the young man in black.

The moment the three appeared, the entire main hall of the County Yamen fell silent.

Everyone's eyes fixed on the young man in black at the front.

Although they didn't recognize him, anyone with a discerning eye could tell he was no ordinary man.

The aura he gave off was composed and unhurried, yet an invisible pressure seemed to bear down on them.

"So that's someone from the Heavenly Supervision Bureau. He really is an expert!"

Fang Xing couldn't tell exactly how strong he was, but he could sense an oppressive aura.

He radiated such power at a mere glance. There was no need to guess: the young man in black was at least a Transformation Force expert.

After all, Fang Xing himself was at the Dark Force level.

Even at the peak of Dark Force, no one could make him feel a sense of dread.

This young man in black had to be at least at the Transformation Force level.

Even setting aside his position, his strength alone was impressive.

The hall was silent as the grave.

As the three drew closer, everyone straightened their backs.

Soon, the three stood before them.

The young man in black swept his gaze over the crowd, pausing briefly on Fang Xing.

For a moment, Fang Xing felt as if he'd been seen through.

But the feeling vanished in an instant.

"Lord Shen, everyone is here. These four are the constables of Qingshan County. They'll follow your every order."

Once they reached the group, County Magistrate Zhang Chen spoke with a beaming smile.

Seeing the county magistrate's attitude, everyone regarded the young man in black with even greater respect.

That settled it. This man was definitely an important figure from the Heavenly Supervision Bureau.

The young man in black surveyed the crowd, his expression calm. "Let me introduce myself. My surname is Shen, and my given name is Ye. I'm from Jiang Province City. I've summoned you all today because of a certain matter."

At that, everyone perked up and listened with full attention.

"This matter concerns an evil cult. I need you all to lend a hand."

"If you have orders, my lord, we'll do everything we can to help."

Constable Yang Bo was the first to speak, his face ingratiating.

An important figure from the Heavenly Supervision Bureau—if he could catch the man's eye, his future might look very different. He might even rise another step.

The other three constables promptly chimed in as well, their voices filled with respect.

Fang Xing and the other deputy constables remained silent, their expressions calm.

Still, those words confirmed his guess.

This important figure from the Heavenly Supervision Bureau had come for the Fire Worship Cult.

Shen Ye looked at them and nodded. "Then I thank you all. However, this operation needs to be discreet. We shouldn't bring too many people. Just a few will do."

At his words, Zhang Chen asked, "Then how many people do you intend to bring, Lord Shen?"

"Just five," Shen Ye replied coolly.

"Five..."

The other deputy constables exchanged glances.

It looked like they'd only be able to pick one of them to go along, besides their boss.

"Add him. The rest aren't needed," Shen Ye said, raising a hand to point at someone.

Me?

Fang Xing was slightly taken aback when Shen Ye chose him, but he quickly recovered and stepped forward. "I await your orders, my lord."

"Fang Xing..."

The other deputy constables watched in surprise. Xu Zhengxiong and the others looked astonished too.

But when Yang Bo saw that Fang Xing had been chosen, he couldn't stay calm.

He bowed and said, "Lord Shen, he's only been a martial artist for about two months. His strength probably isn't enough. I'm afraid he'll hold up your plans. Why not choose someone else?"

At those words, the constables exchanged glances, and Xu Zhengxiong frowned.

Yang Bo seemed to be targeting Fang Xing, but in truth, he was targeting Xu Zhengxiong.

He was plainly saying that Xu Zhengxiong's man wasn't good enough.

How could he put up with that?

Xu Zhengxiong immediately spoke up. "Lord Shen, Fang Xing may have been a martial artist for only a few months, but he's quite capable. He once killed a Bright Force martial artist. He certainly won't hold up your plans."

Fang Xing was one of his own men. As his boss, Xu Zhengxiong had to stand up for him.

Being selected to join the operation was no ordinary opportunity.

Getting noticed by the Heavenly Supervision Bureau didn't guarantee they'd take an interest, but if they remembered him, his future would be boundless.

"Your name is Fang Xing?"

Shen Ye ignored the two men and looked at Fang Xing as he asked.

Fang Xing nodded. "That's right, my lord. My name is Fang Xing. Fang, as in the four directions, and Xing, as in the stars."

Shen Ye nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to Yang Bo.

"You think he isn't strong enough?"

Xu Zhengxiong's expression changed, but he didn't dare say anything. A hint of delight flashed through Yang Bo's eyes, and he immediately replied, "Lord Shen, I feel his strength is a little lacking. It would be safer to choose someone else."

Xu Zhengxiong's expression darkened, but he couldn't say anything more now.

"Hmm. You have a point. Someone too weak could indeed ruin the plan. In that case, you won't be joining the operation. With Fang Xing, four people will be enough."

Shen Ye spoke indifferently.

Yang Bo: "...?"

Shen Ye's words left everyone dumbfounded.

Yang Bo was especially incredulous.

He'd made a suggestion, only to get himself "kicked out"?

"Lord Shen, you... you mean you're replacing me with him?" Yang Bo stammered, stunned.

"An Dark Force martial artist in place of a Bright Force one. Is there a problem?" Shen Ye asked, his expression calm.

Dark... Dark Force?!

As soon as Shen Ye said that, every eye turned to Fang Xing, and everyone's pupils shrank.

He was at the Dark Force level...

How... how was that possible?!

How could he have reached Dark Force?!

Shen Ye's words shocked not only the constables and deputy constables. Even Deputy County Magistrate Lin Zheng and County Magistrate Zhang Chen were astonished.

Lin Zheng was particularly surprised.

He remembered clearly that Fang Xing had only recently entered Bright Force.

He'd reached Dark Force in just over two months.

He was an absolute prodigy!

If he'd reached Dark Force in two months, breaking through to Transformation Force would surely be no problem in the future.

The hall fell silent.

Those words left Yang Bo rooted to the spot.

Dark Force!

The words exploded in his heart like a thunderclap.