Unwilling to Accept Defeat

Early the next morning, Li Qingxian put on his official uniform and examined himself in the bronze mirror.

The green robes were gone, replaced by embroidered garments that made him look even more heroic.

The Tenth Rank official uniform had a vivid green base, its fabric covered in linked-branch embroidery. The three-colored patterned brocade bands at the hem and sleeves were much wider than those of ordinary Night Guards.

On the rank badge at the center of his chest, a white horse trod upon a river.

The cloth belt at his waist had been replaced with a brown cowhide belt, its horse-head iron buckle fixed at the center.

There was now a cowhide pouch at his right hip, while the Goose Feather Saber at his left had also been replaced with a brand-new one, wider, heavier, and sharper than those of ordinary Night Guards.

Inside the cowhide pouch, besides the Imperial Prison Bureau token, whistle, and other items, was an additional Night Guard iron waist token.

The soles of his new official boots, black above and white below, were a fraction thicker.

Looking at himself in the mirror, Li Qingxian seemed at least an inch taller than when he had first looked into one. Not only did he appear more imposing, but there was greater maturity between his brows and in his eyes.

Han Anbo said jubilantly, "You're only Tenth Rank, yet just one set of official robes already makes you stand out like this. Starting from Subordinate Ninth Rank, there are five full sets: ceremonial robes, court robes, official robes, everyday robes, and casual robes. You're counted as a military official, so you'll get an additional set of battle attire. When that time comes, won't you be something else?"

Pointing at the cowhide pouch at Li Qingxian's waist, Yu Ping said, "Once that gets replaced by a Bronze Fish Pouch and you hang an iron official seal from a green cord, I'll be able to eat whatever I want at the Divine Capital Office."

Li Qingxian and Han Anbo shook their heads with smiles.

The three left their room and headed toward the dining hall beneath the brilliant morning light.

Along the way, everyone from the Street Patrol Office took the initiative to greet them.

The ordinary Night Guards who had yet to reach Entry Rank were especially enthusiastic, loudly calling him "Captain Li" and "Brother Li" one after another.

When the three entered the dining hall, Instructor Dong Ying and the Tenth Rank officers from each office gathered nearby, chatting and laughing over breakfast. Yet some Entry Rank Night Guards actually sneered and kept their distance.

After breakfast, Han Anbo and Yu Ping returned, while Li Qingxian entered Chunfeng Residence.

Before long, Zhou Chunfeng and Li Qingxian walked in front, with Zhou Hen behind them. They left Chunfeng Residence and followed the pebble path toward the Night Guard side hall.

After only a few steps, someone approached them from the arched gateway ahead.

Both parties stopped, the green-lined path between them.

Ye Han's gaze fell upon Li Qingxian's green Tenth Rank brocade robes. He froze for a moment, then hurriedly bent at the waist and cupped his hands. "Greetings, Lord Zhou."

"We're all family here. No need for such courtesy. We're in a hurry to reach the Directors' Hall, so we won't exchange pleasantries." Zhou Chunfeng smiled faintly. Morning light fell upon his handsome face, gentle and warming. Even his black-and-white hair did not make him seem old; he was brimming with vitality.

"Yes." Ye Han stepped aside and stood to one side, bowing slightly.

As Li Qingxian passed him, he gave a perfunctory nod. Ye Han responded with a light nod as well.

Once the three had passed, Ye Han stared at Li Qingxian's retreating back. It felt as though an old vinegar shop had overturned in his heart, leaving a bitter, indescribable taste.

His own momentum had clearly been flourishing, yet Li Qingxian, who could barely even write, had somehow gotten ahead of him.

After pondering for a while, he took out Heir of Prince Yuan's new invitation from his Heaven-and-Earth Ring. He looked at it, shook his head, and put it away again.

After they had gone some distance, Zhou Chunfeng glanced around and said, "Did you see it?"

"See what?" Li Qingxian asked.

"You still trust people too much. Ye Han's gaze at your official robes was unfriendly. He addressed only me as 'my lord' and did not speak to you at all. He must be unwilling to accept defeat," Zhou Chunfeng said.

Recalling Ye Han's expression, Li Qingxian said, "That's true. If he had taken it calmly and respectfully called me Lord Li, he would have been a venomous snake. If he had joked about my promotion, then he would have been someone without much scheming. His reaction was normal when you think about it. It actually puts one at ease."

"You really are kindhearted. Ah, I only hope Ye Han knows how to conduct himself." Zhou Chunfeng shook his head.

The three arrived outside the Night Guard side hall.

This was where the Directors held their daily meetings. Over time, it came to be called the Directors' Hall.

Rows of corridor pillars stood before its entrance.

Looking inside, a vermilion threshold divided the space. The bluestone floor, flecked with white stone patterns, was solemn. Six red courtyard pillars stood in two rows, while the blue-green roof beams were extraordinarily vivid.

Candlelight flickered. Between the two rows of red courtyard pillars stood six neat rows of chairs, three on the left and three on the right, facing one another with a broad passage left down the middle.

At the end of that passage lay a black stone platform about a foot high. It was empty, as if it lacked a chair.

On the innermost wall of the Directors' Hall hung a painting. It depicted an elderly man in a bright yellow dragon robe with narrow sleeves and twelve chapter patterns, wearing a black gauze winged crown adorned with two dragons playing with a pearl. He sat upon a Nine-Dragon Cloud-Treading Chair, his expression grave.

Beneath the portrait, incense candles and fruit were arranged upon an offering table.

Before Li Qingxian even reached the entrance, he saw a Sixth Rank official who had arrived earlier face the emperor's portrait, bow, and cup his hands. "May His Majesty enjoy peace."

After speaking, the official entered.

Li Qingxian surveyed his surroundings.

The Directors' Hall stood in the left side hall of the Night Guard Grand Hall. Its main entrance faced the great square, and farther to the left was Jinlin Garden, thick with flourishing trees and swaying flowers and grasses.

Several officials dressed in either red or green gathered beneath the emerald trees, speaking softly.

"Lord Zhou, Lord Zhou Hen." At that moment, someone approached from ahead and cupped his hands in greeting.

Zhou Chunfeng and Zhou Hen nodded lightly without saying much.

Li Qingxian looked over and recognized him.

It was the Sixth Rank military official who had led the Night Guards in escorting him to deceive the Demon Sect that day. The rank badge on his chest bore a lifelike brown bear.

Li Qingxian remembered that his name was Cao Ming. They had not spoken at the time.

The man had a large body and a small head, with ears that stuck out like wind-catching sails. His clasped hands were covered in calluses.

Li Qingxian thought that he was, after all, merely Subordinate Tenth Rank and was about to offer greetings first. To his surprise, Cao Ming lowered his hands and smiled. "Greetings, little Lord Li."

Li Qingxian naturally returned the greeting. "Greetings, Lord Cao."

Cao Ming merely smiled, then stepped aside and followed behind the three of them.

Officials in the distance who saw this stared in surprise at the young man wearing Subordinate Tenth Rank official robes.

Cao Ming was no ordinary official.

Every bureau under the Night Guard had one Fifth Rank Director, while Zhou Chunfeng, a Principal Fourth Rank official, was an exception.

Under the Director of the Divine Capital Office was a Bureau Affairs Officer, equivalent to the Director's deputy. Some were Sixth Rank, while some were Subordinate Sixth Rank.

At present, the Divine Capital Office had five Bureau Affairs Officers, and Cao Ming was one of them. He oversaw investigations, arrests, combat, and other duties. Whenever a major case arose in the Divine Capital, his figure would invariably be found within it. He was a true holder of real power in crimson robes; even a provincial lord would not dare slight him.

For a dignified Subordinate Sixth Rank Bureau Affairs Officer to take the initiative in greeting a small Subordinate Tenth Rank figure was already thought-provoking. For a Martial Cultivator who did not understand worldly affairs and only cultivated in silence to do such a thing was harder still.

Li Qingxian walked half a step behind Zhou Chunfeng. Upon reaching the threshold of the Directors' Hall, he and the others cupped their hands toward Emperor Taining's portrait. "May His Majesty enjoy peace."

Upon entering the Directors' Hall, Li Qingxian halted.

Some people sat in chairs, while others stood behind the courtyard pillars.

Remembering Han Anbo's instructions, Li Qingxian walked behind one of the pillars and quietly observed.

The four rosewood grand tutor's chairs at the head were empty.

Those seated in the front rows on rosewood round-back armchairs wore crimson official robes, Silver Fish Pouches at their waists. They ranged from Principal Fourth Rank to Subordinate Sixth Rank.

Those seated in the back rows on willowwood folding chairs ranged from Principal Seventh Rank to Subordinate Ninth Rank. They wore green official robes and Bronze Fish Pouches at their waists.

Those standing behind the courtyard pillars were all Tenth Rank.

I didn't even manage to get a folding chair... Li Qingxian thought.

Among the officials filling the hall, Zhou Chunfeng was an exception. He was not wearing official robes at all, but green casual attire, utterly at odds with his status.

Li Qingxian realized he had never seen Zhou Chunfeng wear outer garments of any other color. By rights, as one of the Middle Three Ranks and a figure among vermilion and purple, he ought to have worn crimson.

The hall was silent. Several Middle Three Ranks officials conversed through secret transmission, while the rest did not utter a word.

The Tenth Rank officials standing ramrod straight in particular looked at their noses, their noses at their hearts.

In a place holding more than a hundred people, not even a crow could be heard.