[Sin value-upper fifth rank, middle sixth rank] [Participation-70%] [Reward-seven additional forms of the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms; proficiency-first glimpse of the threshold] [Experience Points-1590/10000]
This is the first time I've encountered a fifth-rank sin value!
Sure enough, the truly vicious beasts are those corrupt dogs in the imperial court. One sentence, one document, and they can decide the lives of countless ordinary people.
Jia Huan's gaze turned icy before he left the Imperial Prison.
This trip had yielded a rich harvest.
His proudest skill, the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms, now had eleven forms, and his experience points had soared!
Of course, he had also sent the evildoers to the underworld, bringing justice to the people of Xinchang Prefecture!
The Northern Commandant Office, Celestial Pivot Office Garrison.
Inside the office, Wang Zhenglun took off his Flying Fish Uniform and changed into everyday clothes.
General Banner Qian and General Banner Zhao looked delighted. It seemed Lord Wang's transfer order had suddenly arrived.
Wang Zhenglun took the transfer order from a drawer, then looked at the two men.
"From this moment onward, I am no longer the Celestial Pivot Office Hundred-Household Commander."
The two General Banners grew tense, their hearts nearly leaping into their throats.
Without warning, Wang Zhenglun laughed.
These two fools were still in the dark, eagerly waiting for a meat pie to fall from the sky. Meanwhile, someone else had already handled everything beautifully-even a powerful junior third-rank official had met a miserable death in the Imperial Prison.
"Lord Wang, who exactly is taking your position?" Unable to contain himself, General Banner Qian asked outright.
Wang Zhenglun looked at them and declared with ringing conviction:
"Jia Huan!"
Boom!
General Banner Qian's world suddenly spun. As though struck by lightning, even his fat body shuddered.
General Banner Zhao's face twisted as he said in disbelief:
"Impossible! How long has he even been here? He lacks seniority. Even with connections reaching the heavens, he could never be promoted to Hundred-Household Commander. That is an ironclad rule of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!"
Wang Zhenglun snorted, admiration in his voice.
"Jia Huan led the investigation into Liu Strongman's sudden death at our Celestial Pivot Office Garrison. He uncovered the involvement of the associate prefect of Xinchang Prefecture and the Right Vice Minister of Works. Both have died in the Imperial Prison."
"With a contribution like that, even if he joined yesterday, he would deserve promotion to Hundred-Household Commander today!"
General Banner Qian felt as though he had fallen into an ice cavern, cold seeping through his entire body.
That insignificant little case?
The one I casually tossed to him?
I threw away my own opportunity like a worn-out shoe?
In an instant, General Banner Qian's heart clenched and his eyes reddened as overwhelming regret swept over him.
Why?!
Heaven is unjust!
Wang Zhenglun regarded him coldly.
"Regretting it until your guts turn green?"
"What do you have to regret?"
"A case with nothing to investigate-do you think you could have found a lead? Could you have wrapped it up cleanly in just a few days? If you had that ability, you wouldn't still be a General Banner at thirty-eight."
"In your hands, there wouldn't even have been a chance of avenging Liu Strongman, let alone uncovering a big fish like the Right Vice Minister of Works!"
After a pause, Wang Zhenglun spoke earnestly.
"You two have followed me for a long time. Before I leave, take this advice: know your place, or you'll have a bitter harvest to reap."
"In ability and resolve, you fall far short of Jia Huan. Behave yourselves and fulfill your duties as subordinates!"
The Geng-Character Office.
Jia Huan sat in the head seat with his eyes closed, resting his mind. His six men waited quietly as well.
Thud, thud, thud!
A rapid succession of heavy footsteps sounded in the corridor.
Jia Huan opened his eyes.
Scholar, Twin Whips, and the others were eager with anticipation.
More than a dozen officials entered the office, Officer Guo among them.
The three at the front carried trays.
One bore a silver-white Flying Fish Uniform.
One bore a brand-new Embroidered Spring Saber.
One held an Identification Plaque granting access to the Case File Archive.
It was an impressive display indeed.
Clearly, the treatment afforded a General Banner and a Hundred-Household Commander was worlds apart!
The leader wore a solemn expression and proclaimed sternly:
"Jia Huan, by resolution of the relevant authorities, you are hereby specially promoted to Hundred-Household Commander of the Celestial Pivot Guard, with command of the garrison. May you work diligently and strive forward, uniting those above and below you to achieve further merit!"
Jia Huan took a deep breath and answered with resounding firmness:
"Understood!"
The leader studied him for a long moment, then said approvingly:
"You are the youngest Hundred-Household Commander in the Embroidered Uniform Guard throughout the realm. Those at the top have already taken notice of you. Keep up the good work!"
With that, he led the others away, leaving only Officer Guo.
"Congratulations." Officer Guo smiled and cupped his hands.
Jia Huan thanked him sincerely:
"Thank you for looking after me, Lord Guo."
"Not at all. It was your own outstanding ability." Officer Guo waved a hand, then looked at the six subordinates and asked directly:
"You also earned merit in the Xinchang Dam case. After consideration, the Southern Office has decided to give you a choice."
"You may transfer to another garrison as General Banners, or remain in the Celestial Pivot Office, in which case you can only hold the rank of Great Banner."
Jia Huan remained silent.
He respected their individual wishes and could not force them to stay at the expense of their futures.
To his surprise-
"This subordinate wishes to remain in the Celestial Pivot Office!"
All six spoke in unison, without the slightest hesitation.
Although a General Banner could command more than twenty Strongmen, that could hardly compare to serving under their boss. Having witnessed his methods firsthand, they were even more convinced that following him was the wisest choice.
Never mind becoming Great Banners-even if they had to remain Strongmen, they would still gladly follow their boss!
"You command real respect." Officer Guo gave Jia Huan a meaningful look, more certain than ever that this young man had a future as splendid as brocade. He nodded and left the office.
"Congratulations, Hundred-Household Commander Jia!"
"Congratulations, Hundred-Household Commander Jia!"
The six cupped their hands, beaming with joy.
"Thank you for all your hard work, brothers." A smile appeared on Jia Huan's face.
"Boss, hurry and put it on," Scholar urged.
Jia Huan took off his black Flying Fish Uniform and changed into the silver-white one. He walked lightly around twice, looking even more heroic, his bearing extraordinary!
Of all the Embroidered Uniform Guard's attire, the silver-white Flying Fish Uniform was the most celebrated. The bright red worn by Thousand-Household Commanders was too ostentatious, while black was too somber.
"Boss, see this gold thread set into the shoulder and sleeve?" Scholar pointed it out as he explained:
"Once you become a Hundred-Household Commander, there are five gold threads to earn. Each promotion through merit gets you a new silver-white Flying Fish Uniform with one more gold thread. After all five, your achievements can earn you promotion to Deputy Thousand-Household Commander!"
Jia Huan nodded.
His goal of becoming a Hundred-Household Commander was already behind him.
Next, his ambition lay in those strips of gold trim on his Flying Fish Uniform!
Each added strip meant another step closer to Deputy Thousand-Household Commander!
Then he grasped the brand-new Embroidered Spring Saber. A pearl was set into its hilt, and its blade was forged entirely from meteoric iron, sharp enough to slice through iron as though it were mud. Its gleaming surface reflected a pair of ambition-filled eyes.
Scholar picked up the palm-sized black Identification Plaque and explained with a smile:
"Boss, take this to the Embroidered Uniform Guard's Experiences Office. It's your key to the Archive of All Under Heaven. You won't have to worry about running out of cases anymore-just go to the Case File Archive and choose one. Though a Hundred-Household Commander can only access the first floor."
"Just what I need!" Jia Huan accepted the Identification Plaque. He would rely on it to swiftly capture those with sin values and accumulate experience.
As they were speaking-
General Banner Zhao and General Banner Qian entered the office together. Both forced stiff smiles, especially the fat General Banner Qian, whose smile looked uglier than a grimace of tears.
The two cupped their hands and bowed, saying with utmost respect:
"Greetings, Hundred-Household Commander Jia!"
Jia Huan gestured for them to rise and said with a smile:
"My lords, why be so formal? We're all colleagues. Let's cooperate in our work from now on."
General Banner Qian hastily said:
"You honor this subordinate far too much. Just call me Little Qian. Whenever you have orders, my lord, Little Qian will be the first to charge forward."
"The same goes for this subordinate!" General Banner Zhao's voice was hoarse.
Jia Huan nodded with a smile.
"You two may withdraw."
"Understood!" The two left, one after the other.
After a long while, Jia Huan said quietly:
"Those two have held grudges for years and keep tripping each other up. That does nothing for the unity of the Celestial Pivot Office Garrison. Besides, the reversal in our positions is too great. They may obey my orders in words without carrying them out in earnest."
"The six of you should work hard and earn merit as soon as possible. I'll find an opportunity to transfer both of them away, and two of you will fill their General Banner positions."
After a brief silence, his tone turned chilling.
"Remember, don't let malicious competition ruin the bond between brothers. Otherwise, don't blame me for showing no mercy. You know my methods better than anyone!"
The six answered with unwavering resolve:
"We will obey your orders, boss!"
Jia Huan nodded in satisfaction.
In truth, he knew that in terms of ability, Scholar and Twin Whips would undoubtedly stand out. But to avoid leaving any resentment, he would let their achievements speak for themselves.
"Go home and rest. After so many exhausting days on the move, none of you need to report for duty tomorrow."
With that final instruction, Jia Huan left the office.
Before you continue