Chen Wei had become famous.
In the past, when he walked along the cloud paths, the immortals would at most cup their hands and call him Lord Chen. Things would be different now. Any deity who saw him would have to give him a thumbs-up and praise him: "Lord Chen, you truly excel in both civil and military affairs!"
With one casually spoken suggestion from Great Emperor Ziwei, the Great Heavenly Venerable had nodded his approval.
Right then and there, he bestowed an Imperial Decree upon Chen Wei, granting him a purely military post: Nine Heavens Demon-Suppressing Grand Commander!
It was quite a resounding title.
Grand Commander sounded imposing enough to command awe in every direction, but in reality, it was an empty shell.
The Heavenly Court assigned Chen Wei ten Heavenly Generals and a thousand Heavenly Soldiers, but established no separate office for the Demon-Suppressing Grand Commander. Naturally, the trusted men he could actually put to work were still the same four who had worked under him in the Discipline Inspection Court.
Two office signboards, one shared staff of Immortal Officials.
With another title came a corresponding increase in duties. From now on, all matters concerning demon-slaying in the Mortal Realm, great and small, and all memorials submitted by the various Mountain Gods and earth gods would require Chen Wei's attention first. If he encountered a tricky case, he would even have to make a personal trip to inspect the scene and determine whether it met the Heavenly Court's criteria for dispatching Heavenly Soldiers and Generals.
In short.
It was a thankless assignment that meant more work and running errands everywhere.
Chen Wei was thoroughly dejected.
But Ma Muzhi and the other trusted men under him were so excited they could no longer tell north from south.
Lord Chen