"Over the past few days, I imagine you’ve all gotten a glimpse into the inner workings of the Great Zhou Bureaucracy."
Judge Li didn’t waste any words, getting straight to the point. "That being the case, who among you wishes to join my Merit Department?"
The moment he finished speaking, three people stepped forward in unison and bowed.
"We are willing!"
One of them was none other than the iron-tower-like Lü Qing. He had always been a straightforward person, and a place like the Merit Department, where one’s worth was judged by their achievements, suited him perfectly.
"Good! Good! Good!"
Judge Li clapped his hands and laughed heartily, repeating "good" three times. He was clearly delighted with a promising talent like Lü Qing, whose defense was unparalleled. "Join the Merit Department, and so long as you have the courage to strive, I will personally guarantee your future prospects!"
After securing the three recruits, Judge Li’s gaze shifted to the remaining students.
"I know that while I succeeded in the examination, my foundation is still unstable, and I need to further polish my temperament."
Ji Li did not choose the Merit Department. Instead, he stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said calmly, "Therefore, regarding the matter of my official appointment, I would like to request a postponement."
After his defeat in the Immortal Official Examination, this once-ostentatious Scion of the Ji Family was now like a treasured sword sheathed, his entire bearing having become much more reserved and profound.
Vice Dean Lu He, standing to the side, nodded to himself, a flash of approval in his eyes.
’Victory and defeat are common occurrences. What’s rare is to face defeat without despair, and instead use it as an opportunity to temper one’s Dao Heart. It seems this loss might not have been a bad thing for him after all.’
As for Ji Li’s specific arrangements, with the mighty Ji Family backing him, the Daoist School had no need to worry.
Next, Wang Qingli and another quiet student chose to remain at the Daoist School. Lu He agreed with a smile, adding their names to the list of Stewards.
Finally, everyone’s gaze fell, as if by unspoken agreement, upon Chu Bai.
As the top scorer of the examination, his decision was undoubtedly the most anticipated.
Chu Bai took a deep breath, stepped forward, and gave a respectful bow to Judge Li and the three deans. In a clear voice, he announced:
"I have decided to return to Anping County and accept a position in the Evil Suppression Department."
At his words, a brief silence fell over the room.
Judge Li’s brow twitched. He seemed surprised, but on second thought, it made sense.
Chu Bai had given this decision careful thought.
While the benefits offered by the Evil Suppression Department might seem ordinary, his ambitions were lofty; he had no intention of settling into a comfortable post for long.
Furthermore, his respected mentor, Daoist Zhang, resided in Anping County.
Even though he now possessed a White Talisman, having someone to provide constant guidance on his cultivation path was an intangible benefit that was simply priceless.
And the final reason...
The stern face of Zhang Cheng appeared in Chu Bai’s mind.
It was only after entering the Daoist School and learning about the higher-level rules that he truly understood. Back during the Anping County Examination, although his performance in the Dao Heart evaluation had been sufficient, such an abstruse assessment was incredibly difficult to judge.
If the Chief Examiner hadn’t pushed back against the consensus, even risking damage to his own career to petition the Daoist School for a final ruling that granted him a Class A, Chu Bai might not have had such a smooth start to his journey.
This debt of gratitude for being recognized, though unspoken, was something he had always kept in his heart.
Now, Zhang Cheng happened to be short-handed, and he happened to need tempering. Returning to lend a hand would be a way of honoring that debt.
"The Evil Suppression Department... It does suit you, actually."
Vice Dean Lu He gave Chu Bai a long look and remarked, "Your combat prowess has always been far beyond that of your peers. Going there will indeed be far more fulfilling for you than staying at the Daoist School or taking a desk job at the Merit Department."
Since Chu Bai’s mind was made up, no one tried to stand in his way.
After all the arrangements were made, three had joined the Merit Department, two had remained at the Daoist School, and one was returning to a local post. A few others were still hesitating, not having decided on their specific path.
Judge Li didn’t press the matter. With a wave of his large sleeve, he declared:
"Very well. The appointments are concluded for now. No matter where you go, do not forget that you are Immortal Officials from our Daoist School. Do not tarnish our good name!"
"Yes!"
The crowd responded in unison.

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