Early that morning, Lu Chen arrived at the gates of the Qu River Water Transport Office.
Compared with the grim, martial atmosphere of the Dragon-Tiger Camp, the Water Transport Office had a distinctly bustling air.
Civil clerks in official robes came and went.
So did martial artists with weapons at their waists.
There were also merchant guild managers and leaders of river gangs passing in and out of the gates.
This place was like an enormous hub connecting the imperial court, merchant guilds, great clans, and the forces of the martial world.
Lu Chen glanced up at the Water Transport Office's signboard and walked inside.
Director Jiang Wangyue and Fang Xingzhou, commander of the water transport Martial Guards, were very pleased to see Lu Chen.
After all, his record was truly dazzling.
Champion of Scarlet Cloud County's Martial Examination.
He had cracked a major case in Gaolin County, single-handedly slain three Sinew-Piercing Realm experts, and crushed a rebellion.
Within a month of entering the Dragon-Tiger Camp, he had broken through to the Sinew-Piercing Realm.
"Lu Chen, welcome to the Water Transport Office."
Fang Xingzhou was powerfully built, with a resolute face. He looked at the young man before him, his face full of smiles. "It is a cause for celebration that our Great Zhou has such a talented young man as you."
He had broken through to the Sinew-Piercing Realm at seventeen.
He had slain several Sinew-Piercing Realm experts with only Skin-Tempering Realm cultivation.
Such achievements were enough to earn him the title of genius even in Bend River City as a whole.
Seated to one side in blue official robes, Jiang Wangyue also smiled and nodded. "Lu Chen."
"Now that you have joined the Water Transport Office, you are one of us."
"You are new here. If you need