Demon Suppression Bureau Chief Director, Shangguan Changyue

[Lifespan: 16/91.]

There were still 91 years of lifespan left!

Luo Chen closed his eyes and pondered for a moment, but ultimately did not continue deducing his blade techniques.

His current strength was sufficient.

His martial cultivation at the perfected Muscle Tendon Transformation realm ranked among the best of the many Demon Suppressing Guards in Qingyuan City.

Compared to his strength yesterday, it was as different as heaven and earth.

All my cultivation methods and martial skills are already perfected. Deducing subsequent techniques would consume too much lifespan.

I should leave some lifespan in reserve for unforeseen needs.

The next day.

As usual, Luo Chen faced the rising sun and began regulating his breathing, practicing his stance work.

It had already become a habit for him.

An hour later,

Yaoyao's call came from outside the courtyard.

"Brother Pot, time to eat~"

A smile appeared on Luo Chen's lips. He scooped up the running Little One and headed into the distance.

Demon Suppression Bureau.

The skies were clear and fresh today. As usual, Luo Chen arrived at the Training Ground.

After greeting several familiar people, he quietly waited.

Before long.

Yue Wuchang, lean and gaunt, arrived at the Training Ground with a long blade in hand, his body brimming with killing intent.

"Greetings, Colonel."

The reserve members stopped their cultivation and bowed.

"Mm!"

Yue Wuchang swept his gaze across them and nodded faintly.

Finally, his eyes fell upon Luo Chen at one side, and the killing intent on his face eased somewhat.

"I have an announcement. Starting today, reserve member Luo Chen will officially become a Demon Suppressing Guard!"

"Luo Chen, come with me."

After making the announcement, Yue Wuchang led Luo Chen toward a nearby pavilion.

Leaving behind a group of reserve members staring at one another in bewilderment.

"What's going on?"

"Wasn't there still a long time before the Demon Suppression Guard Assessment?"

"No Demon Suppressing Guards have been killed or injured recently either. There shouldn't be any need to replenish their ranks."

The reserve members' eyes went wide with disbelief.

Someone could not help saying sourly,

"Isn't it just because he has connections? Maybe he even got to skip the assessment."

"What young master came to the Demon Suppressing Guard to gild himself? Has he gone mad?"

"I heard he used to be connected to a Colonel..."

The discussions on the Training Ground entered Luo Chen's ears with perfect clarity.

Yet his expression remained calm, without the slightest ripple.

Following Yue Wuchang to the top floor of the pavilion, he looked down at the people coming and going below.

"Yesterday, the Demon Suppressing Guards responsible for the assessment already went to the scene to verify its authenticity."

"Congratulations. You are now officially a Demon Suppressing Guard."

Yue Wuchang removed his bloodstained robe, sat upright in a chair, and gently wiped down his long blade.

His tone was unhurried as he spoke.

Luo Chen cupped his fists and said gratefully,

"I must thank you for your support, Colonel."

If this Colonel had not opened a back door for him, he would have needed to wait quite some time longer.

"At the Demon Suppression Bureau, strength reigns supreme."

"Did you encounter any unexpected circumstances during the assessment?"

Yue Wuchang's words caught Luo Chen by surprise.

Still, he recounted the situation with the Skin Tempering Demon in full detail.

After a long while,

Yue Wuchang spoke with a somewhat grave expression.

"This Skin Tempering Demon has been active within a thousand li around Qingyuan City for the past year. Whenever it strikes, it hunts talented martial artists!"

"Once it sets its sights on someone, it rarely misses."

"The Chief Director suspects there is a traitor in the city, but one has never been found."

Luo Chen hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back. After some thought, he said nothing.

Yue Wuchang glanced at him and said,

"You want to ask whether a traitor has appeared inside the Demon Suppression Bureau?"

Before Luo Chen could nod, Yue Wuchang gently shook his head and explained.

"It's possible! And the possibility is very high!"

He sighed softly.

Yue Wuchang's answer caught Luo Chen by surprise.

"In any case, you must be even more careful from now on."

"Ordinary official Demon Suppressing Guards must take turns patrolling outside the city!"

"I can permit you to remain at headquarters and continue cultivating for half a year. Once this batch of reserve members completes their assessment, you can begin official rotations together."

Luo Chen's eyes flickered. He knew Yue Wuchang was protecting him.

"Colonel, I am willing to patrol outside the city."

His voice was firm and sonorous, filled with the high spirits of youth.

Yue Wuchang fell silent for several seconds before bursting into laughter.

"Good! Those who cower and shrink back on the martial path can hardly be entrusted with great tasks."

He stepped forward, lightly patted the youth's shoulder, and changed his tone.

"Consider this piece of Mysterious Gold Iron a gift for becoming a Demon Suppressing Guard."

"Your long blade was damaged in battle. This Mysterious Gold Iron can help you forge a treasured blade."

"Take it!"

Before Luo Chen could refuse, Yue Wuchang waved him away.

After Luo Chen left.

A woman slowly appeared opposite Yue Wuchang on the top floor of the pavilion.

She wore a simple, elegant long dress, her long hair cascading loose. Her expression was cool and aloof, while her beauty was utterly breathtaking.

The moment Yue Wuchang saw her, he hurriedly bowed respectfully.

"Chief Director!"

The newcomer was none other than Shangguan Changyue, Chief Director of the Qingyuan City Demon Suppression Bureau!

The woman walked to the viewing platform and watched Luo Chen's departing figure below, giving a slight nod.

"Did you personally follow him yesterday to complete the assessment?"

Yue Wuchang's heart tightened, but he still nodded.

He had just told Luo Chen that the Demon Suppressing Guards in charge of the assessment had gone to inspect the scene.

In truth, he had been uneasy and had personally followed in secret.

Luo Chen's early participation in the assessment had already violated the rules. Now that the Chief Director knew...

Shangguan Changyue was silent for a moment. She did not pursue the subject, instead looking at Yue Wuchang's bloodstained clothes.

"You fought that Skin Tempering Demon? How did it go?"

Yue Wuchang's feelings abruptly became complicated.

"It was extremely difficult to deal with. An ordinary Skin Tempering Demon's avatar cannot stray more than ten li from its true body, but... this one felt different to me. I searched within thirty li, yet found nothing at all."

Shangguan Changyue nodded, her tone unfathomable.

"Last night, the Wang Family's genius, who has hopes of entering the Latent Dragon Ranking, was also attacked. The two locations were separated by a full hundred li!"

A brief silence descended upon the pavilion.

After a long while.

The cool woman's voice drifted over at last, but her figure had already vanished.

"This Luo Chen is rather interesting..."

On the road back to the Training Ground.

Luo Chen abruptly turned around. The feeling of someone watching him from atop the pavilion vanished, yet there was no one in sight.

It wasn't Yue Wuchang. Then who could it have been?

No, the Withered Glory Art is starting to feel insufficient. When I get the chance, I need to continue deducing it.

For that brief instant just now, he had felt as though his entire body had been seen through. His blood and qi had nearly erupted beyond his control.

Fortunately, he circulated the Withered Glory Art with all his strength and finally suppressed the agitation in his heart.

As expected, the Demon Suppression Bureau is filled with hidden masters. Perhaps the little strength I have concealed amounts to nothing in their eyes.

Luo Chen became even more determined to patrol outside the city.

Even if there was danger, being able to hunt Demonic Beasts made it worthwhile.

Upon returning to the reserve Training Ground.

Countless curious gazes from young men instantly gathered around him.

Their mouths offered congratulations, but the envy in their eyes was impossible to conceal.

Luo Chen had always kept a low profile. Who would have thought his connection to the Colonel was so solid?

Had they known earlier, they would have befriended him sooner.

Even if they could not become official as quickly as he had.

Being able to befriend a martial genius and an official Demon Suppressing Guard was itself a form of resource and connection.

Unfortunately, it was too late.

That afternoon, under the guidance of a Demon Suppressing Guard, Luo Chen received an official Demon Suppressing Guard uniform and token.

He became an official Demon Suppressing Guard!