Upon returning from the execution grounds, the scent of blood had not yet completely faded within the Anping Evil Suppression Department, but a solemn atmosphere had already quietly enveloped the entire Government Office.
Zhang Cheng was swift and decisive, giving no one any chance to catch their breath or conspire in private.
Without pausing, he immediately ordered the Gathering General Drum to be struck, summoning all personnel of the department to assemble at the Main Hall.
At this moment, after the case of the Sanmu River Wild God, the Evil Suppression Department had already undergone an internal baptism of fire that shook it to its core.
Team Two had been almost entirely wiped out, and many of the civilian Clerks connected to the Luu Family had been thrown into the dungeons.
But just as great waves sift sand, a new group of people had also distinguished themselves in this upheaval of blood and fire.
In the open space before the Main Hall, over two hundred people stood in several dark, dense rows. The few remaining Evil Suppression Guard teams were fully armed, their battle flags snapping in the gentle breeze.
Chu Bai stood at the very front of the crowd, his expression composed.
Zhang Cheng, for his part, had changed into an extremely formal, dark gold official robe, with an ivory-white Jade Belt fastened at his waist and Black Leather Boots on his feet.
He stood upon the high platform, looking down at the crowd below. The pressure of a Foundation Establishment Stage Great Cultivator spread out like a slow tide, silencing the entire assembly.
"Recently, the Sanmu River case exposed the severe mismanagement within our department. Collusion between humans and demons, officials stealing what they were supposed to guard, and even the live sacrifice of children occurred right under our noses for years! This is a disgrace to the Anping Evil Suppression Department, and it is a disgrace to me, Zhang, as well!"
Zhang Cheng’s voice, like a great bell, boomed and echoed across the empty courtyard.
"With approval from the Qingzhou Evil Suppression Department, starting today, the Anping Evil Suppression Department will abolish its original three-team structure! We will streamline our organization, simplify our ranks, and formally reorganize into two independent teams!"
As soon as he spoke, a low buzz of whispers erupted from the crowd below. Everyone exchanged glances, utterly shocked.
Abolishing the original three-team structure meant a complete redistribution of power within the Evil Suppression Department. This was a true teardown and rebuild!
Zhang Cheng gave them no time to discuss. He thrust a single finger into the air and declared in a harsh voice:
"First: the [Demon Slaying Team]!"
"Its focus is on man-made calamities. It will specialize in monitoring all human-related transgressions within Anping County, from Officials and the Noble Race to local thugs and even heretical organizations.
"On the offense, they can enter mansions to make arrests; on the defense, they can monitor all other officials. This team must not only possess Cultivation, but also be familiar with the Great Zhou Laws and be mentally tough!"
"Pang Song, you performed meritoriously in the recent purification and are a man of integrity. I hereby appoint you Captain of the [Demon Slaying Team]!"
Pang Song’s face was flushed red, and he was so excited that even the armor on his body trembled slightly.
He strode out from the ranks, knelt on one knee, and declared in a voice that shook the heavens, "This subordinate accepts the order! I will ensure that those parasitic worms who harm the common people have nowhere to hide!"
Zhang Cheng nodded slightly, then his gaze swept across the entire assembly, and his tone became exceedingly grim:
"Second: the [Demon-slaying Team]!"
"Its focus is on the supernatural and the uncanny. It will specialize in slaying Demons within our borders, inspecting Secret Realms, and handling all strange and unpredictable phenomena.
"This team is the sharpest spear of our Evil Suppression Department. When it is unsheathed, it must draw blood. Only those with the greatest combat strength and the firmest will are worthy of this duty."
Hearing this, the gazes of the more than two hundred people below the platform shifted in unison, landing on the young man standing at the very front.
Zhang Cheng’s gaze also fell upon Chu Bai, his eyes revealing undisguised gratification and high regard:
"Chu Bai, you single-handedly fought a Wild God and saved thousands from fire and flood. Your combat prowess is there for all to see. I now promote you to Captain of the [Demon-slaying Team] and formally bestow upon you the title of Regular Ninth Grade [Demon Slaying Officer]!"
The crowd below finally erupted, the uproar almost loud enough to tear the roof off.
Although everyone had expected Chu Bai to be promoted, the title of [Regular Ninth Grade Demon Slaying Officer] still struck every one of them like a heavy blow.
In the Great Zhou Official System, at a County-level Government Office, the leap from Junior Ninth Grade to Regular Ninth Grade was a massive threshold.
Countless people trained for a lifetime, even performing meritorious deeds several times over, only to linger at the nominal rank of Junior Ninth Grade.
To obtain a substantive post at the Junior Ninth Grade was to already have real power in hand, just like Chu Bai’s previous title of [Patrol Banner Inspector].
Yet Chu Bai, who had joined the department only a few short months ago, had now leaped up to become one of the two core figures of the Evil Suppression Department.
This wasn’t just a promotion; this was an exceptional, paradigm-breaking appointment!
"Director Zhang, restructuring is a major undertaking. Appointments must be made with greater caution."
Amidst the widespread shock, a sinister and somewhat effeminate voice suddenly rang out.
Deputy Director Hee Yan stepped out slowly from the ranks. His venomous, snake-like eyes swept over the crowd before landing coldly on Chu Bai.
Although he had been scared witless at the execution grounds, in the face of a power struggle, the interests of the Noble Race backing him compelled him to step forward.
"[Demon Slaying] is an internal matter, related to the stability of the official court. Captain Pang has deep seniority and is a veteran of the department, so his appointment is beyond reproach."
Hee Yan’s tone was calm, but every word was a verbal dagger: "But the [Demon-slaying Team] is a unit that fights to the death, facing vicious and malevolent demons and evil spirits.
"Although Banner Inspector Chu accomplished a miraculous feat, he has been in his post for less than a hundred days, and he is merely eighteen years old.
"To let a young man who has never led men, never witnessed a true Demon Race uprising, serve as a team captain... I fear he will not command respect, and there is a great risk of things going terribly wrong!"
"Indeed."
Another Deputy Director, Li Gou, also stepped forward. Though he and Hee Yan were usually at odds, they were united in the matter of undermining Zhang Cheng’s authority.
"Personal ability doesn’t equate to the ability to lead. The Demon-slaying Team will face bizarre scenarios that change in an instant. Banner Inspector Chu is too young; I’m afraid he won’t be able to command the situation."
Aside from them, the most resentful person was the captain of the original Team One.
He had originally thought that in this reorganization, he would at least get a piece of the pie, but he never imagined his position would be snatched away by some wet-behind-the-ears kid.

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