After the Storm

The entire place immediately fell silent. The murmurs subsided, and all the Constable stood solemnly, their bodies tense, staring with awe at the white-clad man who walked in from the courtyard gate— Wang Ling.

He walked at the very front, his pace neither hurried nor slow, a Bloodfang Longsword strapped to his back, his face devoid of any superfluous expression, always utterly indifferent.

Before he even got close, a powerful aura surged forth, causing many of the Constable to tremble uncontrollably.

This is not only because of Wang Ling's strength, but also because of his cruel and ruthless methods.

In the past few days, a lot of news about Wang Ling has been circulating in the county town, most of which is about how he dealt with the dozen or so forces that colluded with the Han Family.

Anyone who dares to resist will be ruthlessly suppressed. Moreover, Wang Ling will not end their lives with a single sword strike, but will instead sever the prisoners' limbs, causing them to bleed to death in fear.

Such cruel and ruthless methods are terrifying, and many leaders and experts of various forces have been so frightened that they have turned themselves in to the authorities without Wang Ling even having to come to their door.

Therefore, this turmoil ended in less than seven days, much faster than expected.

One step behind was Ran Hongxia, still carrying Heavy Hammer on her shoulder, her body as solid as a mountain, her aura deep and imposing, a blade of grass dangling from her mouth. She possessed none of the gentleness one would expect of a woman, but rather the domineering ferocity of a man, as well as the wildness and untamed spirit of a wandering swordsman.

When Wang Ling arrived before the crowd, after a moment of silence, Shen Cheng shouted first, "Netherworld Pacification Bureau, the Office Chief the Shen Cheng, greets the two lords!"

"Yu Muqing, the Office Chief of the Yin-Yang Bureau, pays his respects, Your Excellency!"

We pay our respects to Your Excellency!

After the two men finished speaking, more than eighty Constable behind Shen Cheng shouted in unison.

Wang Ling remained calm and did not respond. Ran Hongxia, standing to the side, shouted loudly, "In the past few days, the Han Family and more than a dozen major forces in the inner and Outer City have been wiped out for colluding with the Yinyuan Sect. Many people in your Soul-Calming Office are also not clean."

However, you don't need to worry. Lord Wang is a man of strong principles and has thoroughly investigated you all. The fact that you are standing here listening to me means that you are all safe and sound.

Right now, the Soul Suppression Division of Jiangyin County is short-handed. After discussing with Lord Wang, we decided to promote some people to temporarily fill the vacancies.

Shen Cheng, from this day forward, you shall serve as the Chief Commissioner of the Soul-Calming Office, and concurrently lead the Night Patrol Office.

Shen Lian, you will succeed Shen Cheng and temporarily Netherworld Pacification Bureau.

Yu Muqing, you will continue to serve as the Office Chief the Yin-Yang Bureau.

Ran Hongxia rattled off the names of more than a dozen people in one breath, and all the vacant positions in the entire Soul-Calming Office had been filled.

Thus, the Soul-Calming Office was on the verge of paralysis, was finally able to start operating again.

"Thank you, sir!" Shen Cheng and the others shouted in unison.

"These are turbulent times, so everyone be careful. Although the Han Family has fallen, the Yinyuan Sect has sent powerful experts, and there's no guarantee that problems won't arise."

Ran Hongxia's words caused another stir in the crowd.

Previously, Yin Muhua alone had turned Jiangyin County upside down, and now that another powerful figure has arrived, many people are filled with fear.

Lin Qing frowned. He was about to leave Jiangyin County, and he didn't want any more trouble during that time.

"You don't need to worry. I'll stay here and oversee the city. With me here, those beasts from the Yinyuan Sect are nothing to fear. If you find any clues or traces of them, just report it to the Soul-Calming Office." Ran Hongxia shouted again, her voice so loud that it made everyone's ears ring.

Hearing these words, everyone felt much more at ease. Putting everything else aside, just looking at Ran Hongxia's physique, one could tell that she was very strong.

With her in charge, people like Yin Muhua have nothing to fear.

"Alright, that's all I have to say. Everyone disperse. Lin Qing, Shen Lian, and you other Office Chief, Constable Chief servants, stay here. Lord Wang has important matters to instruct you on," Ran Hongxia shouted again.

The Constable scattered in a flurry, leaving only eight men behind.

Wang Ling glanced around and said calmly, "I will stay in Jiangyin County for another seven days. During these seven days, you must find out the whereabouts of the Yinyuan Sect Fiend. I will take action to kill them."

Whether it succeeds or not, I will leave once it succeeds. Next March, Lin Qing, you will accompany Ran Hongxia to the Prefectural City.

"Yes." Lin Qing nodded.

"Before that, all of you must protect Lin Qing and make sure he doesn't die at the hands of the Yinyuan Sect Fiend," Wang Ling added.

Upon hearing these words, Shen Cheng and the others responded in unison, their eyes scanning Lin Qing with thoughtful expressions.

In the past, people were selected to join the Prefectural City Soul-Calming Office every year, but no one had ever received such good treatment.

There are two possibilities: either Lin Qing and Wang Ling have a close relationship, perhaps even being distant relatives, or Lin Qing obtained the Gold Token.

Either of these possibilities implies that Lin Qing is someone of considerable status, someone whom no one can afford to offend.

For a time, many people looked at Lin Qing with a newfound sense of awe.

Wang Ling's gaze swept across the crowd, taking in their expressions and revealing their suspicions. He then said in a deep voice, "Lin Qing is a martial arts prodigy. I am quite satisfied with him in this assessment and have already bestowed upon him Gold Token. I'm sure you all know the weight of that Gold Token. In short, any of you can die, but Lin Qing cannot!"

Shen Cheng and the others were all startled, and all sorts of complex gazes fell on Lin Qing, some with awe, some with envy, and some with emotion.

Every year, Soul-Calming Office Executive come to select talents, and a considerable number of Silver Token are issued each year, but Gold Token are either three or four, and their value is self-evident.

Silver Token only signifies that a Martial Artist has Talent, making them a genius in a county town, but not necessarily in Prefectural City. Gold Token, however, signifies that even in Prefectural City, Lin Qing is a martial arts prodigy, possessing superior talent, martial arts Talent, and other comprehensive qualities, and is highly likely to rise to become a prominent figure in the future.

"Alright, everyone disperse. Lin Qing, come with me!"

"Yes!"

Wang Ling got up and walked outside, Lin Qing quickly followed.

The two arrived at another small courtyard next door, which belonged to the Yin-Yang Bureau. Inside, there was a lush bamboo forest and several houses, all built of bamboo.

Lin Qing stepped inside, a delicate bamboo fragrance lingering around his nose.

Wang Ling did not sit down, but stood by the window with his back to Lin Qing, gazing into the distance.

There are still five months until next spring, and you absolutely cannot slack off during this time.

I bestow upon you the Gold Token; it is both an opportunity and a challenge.

When you travel to the Prefectural City later, the Soul-Calming Office Division will arrange an assessment, and your opponent will be a genius Martial Artist from the 128 counties of Shichuan Prefecture.

Furthermore, next year, Shichuan Prefecture will join forces with the Soul-Calming Office to eradicate the Yinyuan Sect in one fell swoop. This year, the conditions have been relaxed. Even those who are not from the Soul-Calming Office can participate in the selection as long as they have high Talent, high- Yin Bone Quality, and strong strength. The number of your opponents will be several times that of previous years.

Don't let your current strength make you complacent; your Yin Bone Quality is inferior, which is a huge disadvantage.

To compensate for this, one must master several martial arts techniques to create an advantage in the quantity of internal energy.

Wang Ling's words also made Lin Qing feel inexplicable pressure. Gold Token in his hand, he suddenly felt it was very heavy.

"Lin Qing will not let his guard down," Lin Qing said in a deep voice.

"The holder of the Gold Token will face challenges from others during the assessment. If you win, the Gold Token be yours; if you lose, it will be taken by someone else. If you embarrass me then, I will not let you off easily," Wang Ling said coldly.