Unwilling to Accept Defeat

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

The blue clothes were gone. Clad in brocade robes, he looked even more heroic.

The Tenth Rank official uniform had a vivid green base, its fabric covered in interconnected embroidered branch patterns. The tri-colored brocade bands along 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 crossed a river.

The cloth sash at his waist had been replaced with a brown cowhide belt, fastened in the middle by an iron buckle shaped like a horse's head.

A cowhide pouch now hung at his right hip, while the Goose Feather Saber at his left had been replaced by a brand-new one—wider, heavier, and sharper than an ordinary Night Guard's.

Besides the Imperial Prison Bureau badge, whistle, and other items, the cowhide pouch contained an additional iron Night Guard waist badge.

The soles of his new black-and-white official boots were a little 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 his features also carried greater maturity.

Han Anbo said joyfully, "You're only Tenth Rank, yet a single set of official robes already makes you stand out like this. Starting at Subordinate Ninth Rank, there are five full sets: sacrificial robes, court robes, official robes, regular robes, and casual robes. You're a military official, so you'll get an additional set of battle attire. By then, won't you be incredible?"

Pointing at the cowhide pouch on Li Qingxian's waist, Yu Ping said, "Once that gets replaced with a Copper Fish Pouch and you wear a green sash with an iron official seal, I'll be able to eat whatever I want in the Divine Capital Office."

Li Qingxian and Han Anbo shook their heads with smiles.

The three left the 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.

Those ordinary Night Guards who had not yet entered the ranks were especially enthusiastic, calling out "Captain Li" and "Brother Li" loud and clear.

When the three entered the dining hall, Instructor Dong Ying and the Tenth Rank officers from each office were gathered together, chatting and laughing over breakfast. Yet some ranked 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 out of Chunfeng Residence with Zhou Hen behind them, following the pebble path toward the Night Guard side hall.

After taking only a few steps, they encountered someone approaching through the round archway ahead.

Both sides stopped, with green foliage lining the path between them.

Ye Han's gaze landed on Li Qingxian's green-based brocade robe of the Tenth Rank. He froze briefly, 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 let's skip the pleasantries." Zhou Chunfeng smiled faintly. Morning light fell across his handsome face, making him seem warm and gentle. Even his black-and-white hair did not make him look old; he was brimming with vigor.

"Yes." Ye Han stepped aside and stood to one side, slightly bent at the waist.

As Li Qingxian passed, he gave a perfunctory nod. Ye Han lightly nodded in return.

Once the three had gone by, Ye Han stared at Li Qingxian's retreating back. It felt as if an old vinegar shop had overturned inside his heart, leaving a sour taste he could not swallow.

His own momentum had clearly been soaring, yet Li Qingxian, who could not even write properly, had unexpectedly beaten him by one step.

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

After they had gone some distance, Zhou Chunfeng swept his eyes around and asked, "Did you see it?"

"See what?" Li Qingxian asked.

"You still trust people too easily. Ye Han looked at your official robes with ill intent. He called only me 'my lord' but said nothing to you. He must be unwilling to accept defeat," Zhou Chunfeng said.

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

"You are kind-hearted, after all. 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 usually held meetings, and over time it came to be known as the Directors' Hall.

Rows of pillars stood beneath the entrance eaves.

Looking inside, a tall vermilion threshold divided the space. The blue-stone floor inlaid with shattered white patterns was solemn, while six red courtyard pillars stood in two rows, beneath vivid blue-green beams.

Candle flames 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 aisle in between.

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

On the deepest wall of the Directors' Hall hung a painting. In it, an elderly man wore a bright yellow dragon robe with narrow sleeves and twelve chapter patterns, as well as a black gauze winged crown adorned with two dragons playing with a pearl. He sat upon a Nine Dragons Treading Clouds chair, his expression solemn.

Below the portrait, incense, candles, fruits, and offerings rested upon an altar table.

Before Li Qingxian even reached the entrance, he saw a Sixth Rank official who had arrived ahead of them face the Emperor's portrait, bow, and cup his hands. "May Your Majesty be in peace."

After speaking, the official went inside.

Li Qingxian looked around.

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

Several officials in either red or green robes gathered beneath the emerald trees, conversing in low voices.

"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 saw a familiar face.

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

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

The man had a broad body and a small head, ears that stuck out like sails, and hands full of calluses beneath his clasped fists.

Li Qingxian thought that he was only Subordinate Tenth Rank and was about to offer a greeting first, but Cao Ming lowered his hands and said with a smile, "Greetings, Little Lord Li."

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

Cao Ming merely smiled, then stepped aside to let them pass and followed behind the three.

Officials in the distance saw this scene and looked in surprise toward the young man dressed in Subordinate Tenth Rank official robes.

Cao Ming was no ordinary official.

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

Below the Director of the Divine Capital Office was a Deputy Director, equivalent to the Director's assistant. Some were Sixth Rank, while others were Subordinate Sixth Rank.

At present, the Divine Capital Office had five Deputy Directors. Cao Ming was one of them, overseeing investigations, arrests, combat, and other duties. Whenever a major case arose in the Divine Capital, he would inevitably be involved. He was a true holder of power in scarlet robes; even the ruler of a province would not dare slight him.

For a dignified Subordinate Sixth Rank Deputy Director to take the initiative in greeting a minor 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 joined Zhou Chunfeng and the others in cupping his hands toward Emperor Taining's portrait. "May Your Majesty be in peace."

After entering the Directors' Hall, Li Qingxian stopped.

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

Remembering Han Anbo's instructions, Li Qingxian walked behind a courtyard pillar and secretly observed.

The four leading grand master chairs of red sandalwood stood empty.

Those seated in the front row's red sandalwood round-backed armchairs wore scarlet official robes and Silver Fish Pouches, ranging from Principal Fourth Rank to Subordinate Sixth Rank.

Those seated in the rear rows on willowwood folding chairs ranged from Principal Seventh Rank to Subordinate Ninth Rank. They wore green official robes and Copper Fish Pouches.

Those standing behind the courtyard pillars were all Tenth Rank.

I couldn't even earn myself 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 clothes that did not match his status in the slightest.

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

The great hall was silent. Several officials of the Middle Three Ranks communicated by secret transmission, while all the others remained wordless.

Especially the Tenth Rank officials standing ramrod straight, their eyes watched their noses, their noses watched their hearts.

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