A little over a month later, in the duty room of the Anping Evil Suppression Department.
Sandalwood smoke curled in the air. County Captain Zhang Cheng sat upright in a large, ornately carved chair, his fingertips gently rubbing a report whose ink was still wet. His deep gaze fell upon Chu Bai, who stood below with his head bowed.
"Very good."
Zhang Cheng set down the scroll, a rare smile appearing on his usually stern, dignified face. "Over the past six months, the case files on Demons in Anping County have decreased by nearly forty percent. The Demon-slaying Team under your command has truly given this district a new look."
Zhang Cheng was, from the bottom of his heart, satisfied with Chu Bai, the Demon Slaying Officer he had personally promoted.
He recalled how he had gone against all opposition to force through reforms, disbanding the three original disorganized teams and restructuring them into two elite units: "Demon Slaying" and "Demon Suppression." This move had undoubtedly encroached upon the interests of many local bullies and conservative factions in the County.
At the time, the County Magistrate’s attitude had remained ambiguous, and the local noble families were stirring in the shadows, waiting to see the farce come to an end.
However, Chu Bai had silenced everyone with one bloody achievement after another.
In the Great Zhou Bureaucracy, where strength and political record were what mattered, the ability to get things done was the most convincing argument of all.
"Ever since you personally carved out that poisonous tumor, the Luu Family, the atmosphere in the city has certainly cleared up."
Zhang Cheng sighed, leaning forward slightly. "Those families who used to love making trouble in the shadows now make a wide berth whenever they see the Iron Token of our Evil Suppression Department. This newly established Demon-slaying Department has finally carved out a fearsome reputation for itself in Anping."
Chu Bai’s expression remained composed, showing no hint of pride at the praise. He simply clasped his hands and replied, "It is all thanks to your masterful planning, Sir. I was merely following orders."
Zhang Cheng gave a noncommittal smile, then his tone suddenly shifted, becoming somewhat teasing. "However, I’ve recently heard that you’ve been getting quite close to the Wuu Family?"
The atmosphere in the duty room seemed to freeze slightly at the question.
Ever since leaving the Daoist School and gaining the status of an Immortal Official, Chu Bai had been seen as Zhang Cheng’s most trusted confidant—his sharpest blade within the Evil Suppression Department.
Zhang Cheng’s sudden mention of the Wuu Family seemed like a casual question, but it carried a hint of a test. In the world of officialdom, it was often the beginning of a taboo when a trusted subordinate became too privately involved with an outside noble family.
Chu Bai looked up, his gaze neither servile nor overbearing, his voice still clear. "Reporting to you, Sir. Wuu Shang of the Wuu Family is an old acquaintance of my teacher, Daoist Zhang. Owing to this old connection, my teacher recommended me, and I did indeed help them with a small private matter."
At this, he paused, his tone becoming completely frank. "However, I was promoted by you, Sir, and would never dare to neglect my duties for personal reasons.
"Regarding the Wuu Family’s search for the Fox Demon, they once privately offered me a Dharma Artifact as a gift. I have already sealed it in the department’s treasury and registered it.
"As for the secluded residence they gifted me afterward to thank me for facilitating the Spirit Fox contract, I did, after careful consideration, accept it in my private capacity."
After hearing this, a flicker of movement crossed Zhang Cheng’s eyes. The tight line of his mouth relaxed completely, and he nodded repeatedly in satisfaction.
’This kid is sharp, alright.’
The Wuu Family had first offered the Dharma Artifact for the task of "privately searching for the Fox Demon."
At that time, if Chu Bai, as a Demon Slaying Officer, had directly accepted a lavish gift to do their bidding, the Evil Suppression Department would have become nothing more than the private army of a noble family. It would have lost its credibility, and Zhang Cheng would have lost face.
By sealing it away, Chu Bai had maintained his integrity and shown his superior the utmost respect.
Later, the Spirit Fox submitted, and Chu Bai mediated the contract, allowing the Wuu Family to gain both face and combat power. The residence they gifted him after the fact was no longer a fee for services rendered, but a gesture to befriend a promising young up-and-comer.
Accepting the residence was a matter of social grace. Refusing it would have made Chu Bai seem aloof and difficult, and might even have aroused the Wuu Family’s suspicion.
"The Wuu Family has been relatively well-behaved these past few years. It’s not a bad thing for you to have some dealings with them; it will make things more convenient for you in the city."
Zhang Cheng waved his hand, and that subtle hint of a test vanished into thin air, replaced by the look of a senior who greatly valued his junior. "As for that Dharma Artifact sealed in the treasury, go and retrieve it today.
"Since you’ve shown such integrity, I, as County Captain, can’t let a subordinate who has performed meritorious service go without a proper weapon."
"Thank you for your patronage, Sir!"
Chu Bai bowed deeply once more.
Zhang Cheng picked up his teacup and took a gentle sip, sighing inwardly. ’He knows his limits, understands when to advance and when to retreat, and has some real skill.’
’This kid... with the vast, rolling Destiny of the Great Zhou, he might really have a promising future.’
He set down his teacup, leaned back in his chair, and spoke in a leisurely tone. "The year is drawing to a close, and the end-of-year evaluations from the Celestial Observatory and the Merit Department will be announced soon."
Zhang Cheng pointed to the scroll on the desk, a confident smile on his face. "With your accomplishments at the Sanmu River and with the Demon-slaying Team this past year, your ’excellent’ rating is set in stone. In the Great Zhou Immortal Dynasty, the cultivation resources that this kind of record can be exchanged for are far more substantial than your meager salary."
"I thank you for your support, Sir," Chu Bai said, bowing.
Zhang Cheng waved his hand, his deep gaze fixed on Chu Bai as he said meaningfully, "I know your ambitions don’t stop here. In the end, a small pond like Anping County cannot hold a True Dragon. From now on, you must strive even harder. Don’t let your talent go to waste."
Zhang Cheng still felt a sense of awe when he recalled the first time he met Chu Bai at the Dayuan Prefecture Daoist School.
This was the prodigy who had made history at the Dayuan Prefecture Daoist School by completing all his studies and graduating in just one year!
In the Great Zhou, it was as difficult as ascending to the heavens for an ordinary Cultivator to rise through the ranks.
The vast majority of Daoist Cultivators who had obtained a White Talisman had to grind it out in the massive bureaucracy, accumulating seniority and countless merits for ten, even dozens of years, before they could even hope to secure a spot on the Heaven-Scaling Ladder.

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