Changing Soaring Dragon Steps! (Please Follow, Please Recommend)

The moment those words were spoken, the entire room fell silent.

Master Xu still wore that shrewd expression. After saying his piece, he stroked his beard and left.

Once Master Xu had gone, the previously quiet county yamen immediately erupted into an uproar.

The constables began discussing it heatedly, and that was all they talked about.

They had no interest in Head Constable Xie's promotion.

Whether he was promoted or not had nothing to do with them.

What mattered most was that the position of Constable Captain was now vacant!

How could a county yamen possibly be without a Constable Captain?

Now that the position was open, it meant they would be chosen from among them first.

Whoever was selected would not only receive a higher salary, but would also be able to command all the constables.

Even when squeezing oil from the people on the streets, they would be able to squeeze out more.

The constables were all extremely excited. Several had already begun preparing to apply.

Zhou An was entirely uninterested.

Whether he became a Constable Captain or not had nothing to do with him.

He only wanted a little salary, a minor official post, and a small measure of security.

More importantly, he needed to grind proficiency.

It was better not to stand out too much these days.

Though he had been in the spotlight quite a bit lately.

"Go back first today. I have something to take care of." Zhou An said this to Yu Hang before leaving alone.

Yu Hang had also been tense lately. With the Imperial Examination drawing nearer, he had grown increasingly subdued.

He did not say much, merely agreeing.

After leaving the yamen, Zhou An headed straight for the Demon Suppression Division.

At the entrance to the Demon Suppression Division, he happened to run into Head Constable Xie, who was dressed in the Demon Suppression Division's uniform.

Head Constable Xie saw Zhou An as well and immediately came over.

"Greetings, Lord Xie." Zhou An said with a smile.

Head Constable Xie repeatedly waved his hands. "Brother Zhou, you flatter me. You saved this life of mine. If you think highly enough of me when we meet in the future, just call me Brother Xie."

How could someone who made a living in the martial world lack any sense?

In Head Constable Xie's eyes, Zhou An's future prospects were immeasurable.

Though Zhou An was currently in the tiny An Ding County, who knew when he might soar to great heights?

Even if he did not curry favor with him, he certainly could not afford to offend him.

"Brother Zhou, are you here to register? Come in with me. I'll say you're my friend, so you can register discreetly."

Head Constable Xie also knew that Zhou An did not want to reveal his identity, so he patted his chest and promised to help Zhou An register discreetly.

Zhou An cupped his hands. "Many thanks, Brother Xie. I'll remember this favor. When we have time, let's have a meal together."

Making one's way through the martial world was not merely about strength; one also needed to understand human relations.

If others greeted you with a smile, you should return their courtesy.

Face was something people gave one another.

"Come with me, Brother Zhou."

Head Constable Xie led the way ahead.

It was Zhou An's first time at the Demon Suppression Division. Once he entered, he discovered that its layout was vastly different from that of the county yamen.

If the yamen constables were sun-dried salted fish, then the people of the Demon Suppression Division were like busy ants.

Every Demon Suppression Division member who passed by was in a hurry.

Zhou An also noticed that these members had genuine ability. Compared to the yamen's mediocre constables, they were much stronger.

"The Beast Cult matter is still being handled, so everyone is busy."

As Head Constable Xie explained, he led Zhou An to a secluded room.

"Division Magistrate Zhang is inside. Just go in."

After saying that, Head Constable Xie left.

Zhou An did not waste time. He knocked on the door and pushed it open.

The room beyond was not large, but it was well arranged, and the placement of the furniture showed considerable taste.

At that moment, Division Magistrate Zhang was bent over his desk, writing.

The Beast Cult affair was nearing its end, and much information needed to be reported.

The process was extremely complicated, and he had already worked through the night.

Hearing the door open, Division Magistrate Zhang looked up.

When he saw that Zhou An had arrived, he set down his brush and gestured for Zhou An to sit.

"Has Lord Zhang's injury improved?" Zhou An asked.

Division Magistrate Zhang brewed a pot of tea for Zhou An and placed a teacup before him. "It's not bad. The Demon Suppression Division has quite a few medicinal pills. I've recovered seventy to eighty percent, but I still need rest."

Zhou An took a sip. The tea had a rich fragrance; it was good tea.

Division Magistrate Zhang naturally knew why Zhou An had come. He took out a booklet. "I've recorded everything in detail. Take a look and see if anything is wrong."

Zhou An accepted it and flipped through it.

It contained some of his information, along with an assessment.

Among the very best of Third-Rate Experts.

"No major problems." Zhou An said. "Ordinary people can't just look up this information, right?"

Division Magistrate Zhang nodded. "Even if someone did find it, no one would disturb you. Rest assured on that point. It's the law of Great Chu. The reason for registration is simply so that we can find them if they cause trouble."

Zhou An understood. It was similar to filing records in his previous life.

"If there's nothing else, I'll be going first."

The matter had been settled, and his information had been registered. Zhou An was still waiting to return and grind proficiency, so he did not want to linger.

"Wait, Brother Zhou. I heard the yamen is recruiting a Constable Captain lately. Are you interested?" Division Magistrate Zhang suddenly stopped Zhou An and asked as if casually.

Zhou An frowned. "Lord Zhang is quite well informed. Head Constable Xie has just joined the Demon Suppression Division, so the yamen will definitely recruit a new Constable Captain. After all, someone still has to manage all those constables. But I have no interest at all. I'm not a very ambitious person. I just want a little freedom."

He truly had no interest whatsoever.

After becoming a Constable Captain, he would only have more matters to handle.

It would affect his proficiency grinding.

Who would become a Constable Captain with that kind of time?

Wouldn't working hard to grow stronger be far better?

What Zhou An was thinking now was to first find another method to develop the proficiency of Soaring Dragon Steps.

Then he could arrange his time to raise the proficiency of his three skills.

Or develop new skills.

Upon hearing this, Division Magistrate Zhang fell into thought.

Zhou An's frown deepened. He could sense that the other party definitely had something to say.

There was something behind his words. He surely had another purpose.

"Brother Zhou, it's like this. I want you to join the Demon Suppression Division."

Division Magistrate Zhang brought it up and was about to continue.

Zhou An immediately raised a hand, stopping him from speaking further.

"Lord Zhang, I appreciate your good intentions, but I truly am someone who does not like being constrained."

To gain something, one first had to lose something.

The authority, wealth, and status gained in the Demon Suppression Division were all fought for with one's life, and the constraints were immense.

If he truly joined, he would have no opportunity to grind proficiency.

He would be throwing away a watermelon to pick up sesame seeds.

He would not do that.

Division Magistrate Zhang said helplessly, "Brother Zhou, since we've already said this much, then let's leave it at that."

He truly had wanted to persuade Zhou An to join, which would add another capable figure to An Ding County.

But now, it seemed persuasion was useless.

He knew it was useless, so he did not press the matter further.

Zhou An said nothing more and left the Demon Suppression Division.

On the way back, he was already thinking about Soaring Dragon Steps, and he had come up with a specific method.