A few days later, at Guanlan Restaurant in the Linshui district of Anping County, Han Xingmo formally hosted a banquet to celebrate his promotion to Junior Eighth-Grade [River Patrol Officer].
Compared to Chu Bai’s recent victory banquet that had shaken the entire city, this feast was somewhat smaller. The guests, however, were all influential figures from the various departments, and the atmosphere felt all the more intimate for it.
Chu Bai arrived as promised and presented a generous gift he had prepared in advance—a Lingxi Ink Jade statue that could nurture Water Spiritual Power, a great boon for any Water Cultivator.
"Senior Brother Han, congratulations. Going from Regular Ninth Grade to Junior Eighth Grade is a big step. From now on, the control of the Sanmu River’s waterways is all in your hands." Chu Bai raised his cup, his words laced with sincerity.
Han Xingmo was dressed in a deep cyan Water School Officer Uniform today, which gave him an exceptionally heroic and distinguished air.
He hurriedly stood up to accept the gift, his face glowing with pleasure as he said gratefully, "This is all thanks to your decisive blow on the Sanmu River, Junior Brother. Without it, I’d never have received this promotion. It’s a debt I will remember for the rest of my life."
The two sat facing each other at the banquet, trading drinks and toasts.
Chu Bai took the opportunity to inform Han Xingmo of his intention to gradually step back from his duties at the Evil Suppression Department to focus on preparing for the Celestial Examination.
"The Demon-slaying Team is on the right track now. If I continue to handle everything personally, it will only hinder my subordinates’ growth."
Chu Bai took a casual sip of Spirit Wine, his expression serene.
Han Xingmo nodded in deep agreement.
He knew very well that at Chu Bai’s current Realm, slaying demons was a trivial matter; the real test was the Celestial Examination in Qingzhou City, still more than a year away.
It was true; the Demon-slaying Team at the Anping Evil Suppression Department was now in a position to be left to its own devices.
Feng Qin was an experienced captain to begin with. After more than a year of working together, he had thoroughly internalized Chu Bai’s methods and leadership style. He would have no trouble commanding respect if he took over the daily patrols and Demon Slaying missions.
As for Deputy Captain Hu Hao, he had even used his Merit at the end of last year to officially obtain a [White Talisman]. Now, his period of accumulation was paying off, and he had already steadily advanced to the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer. Hu Hao had a meticulous mind and excelled at internal affairs and logistics. Paired with Feng Qin, they were one civil and one martial, one firm and one gentle. The two had been partners for so long that even without Chu Bai, the Demon-slaying Team would run as smoothly as ever.
"The fact that you can delegate power now, Junior Brother, shows that Anping County has truly become peaceful under your watch."
Han Xingmo sighed wistfully, then his expression turned solemn. He lowered his voice and said, "But, Junior Brother, there’s something you should prepare for. The Water Department received confirmed news in the last few days. The newly appointed Regular Eighth-Grade [Stream Water Spirit] is already making his way down the Sanmu River."
"Oh?" Chu Bai set down his wine cup, his gaze sharpening.
"That Water Spirit is a Divine Spirit officially instated by the Prefecture City. His Status is extremely high.
"The Sanmu River suffered greatly from the Sanmu Fairy incident. The Divine Spirit’s arrival in person is not just to suppress the remaining Water Charms, but also to restore the Merit of the river’s Water Vein."
Han Xingmo continued, "By my calculations, he should reach the borders of Anping County within the next three to five days.
When he arrives, the County Magistrate himself will lead the Commanding Officers from the County Yamen, the Evil Suppression Department, and the Water Department to the docks to greet him. This is a ’god-welcoming’ ceremony, a grand event the likes of which Anping County hasn’t seen in years."
"With the Water Spirit’s personal arrival, the Water Department will be like a tiger with wings," Chu Bai mused.
A Regular Eighth-Grade Imperial Decree True God’s Perception Power and Destructive Power within their own domain of water are far beyond what an ordinary Cultivator of the same Realm can match.
With this Great God watching over the area, even if Demons like the Age Evil or Water Monkeys were to appear again around the Sanmu River, they would likely be crushed by his Divine Power before even breaking the water’s surface.
"That’s a good thing."
Han Xingmo drained his cup with a hearty laugh. "With this Water Spirit here to keep the Water Vein in check, my job as a River Patrol Officer will get a lot easier. And you, Junior Brother, can go into seclusion at Qingfeng Courtyard with peace of mind, without having to worry about trivial Demons."
Chu Bai raised his cup in return, his gaze drifting to the shimmering surface of the Sanmu River outside the window.
With the arrival of this Divine Spirit, the Great Zhou Law Net was extending its tendrils deeper into this ancient waterway. And he, in turn, would use this rare moment of peace to strive for that one chance at a heavenly breakthrough.
On the Sanmu Riverbank outside Anping County, the signs of spring had grown more apparent with each passing day.
Willow branches sprouted tender green leaves, the river began to rise, and its wide, shimmering surface reflected the festive lanterns and colorful banners adorning both banks.
To welcome the arrival of the Regular Eighth-Grade "Stream Water Spirit," the Water Department and the County Yamen had jointly closed off a section of the river. The docks were covered with red carpets, and even the official boats moored at the bank had been repainted a lustrous crimson, creating a solemn and majestic scene.
Han Xingmo had been so busy these past few days that his feet barely touched the ground. As the new River Patrol Officer, he knew full well that this Water Spirit was not only his future superior but also the key to the Water Department’s revitalization.
He stood at the edge of the docks, personally directing the Warriors as they transported ceremonial offerings, his eyes filled with dreams of the grand future that lay ahead.
Meanwhile, in Qingfeng Courtyard, although Chu Bai rarely ventured out, he could still use his Hundred Feet Divine Thought to sense the vibrant, uplifting "Qi" that permeated the entire city.
It was the people’s yearning for the protection of a True God, and it was the resonance of the Law Net as it responded to the imminent installment of a deity of high Status.
However, amidst such profound tranquility and anticipation, disaster often brews in the most imperceptible of places.
Just as every department was in the thick of preparing for the god-welcoming ceremony, a piece of news struck like a bolt from the blue, traveling down the churning waters of the Sanmu River and instantly rocking the entire Anping County Yamen.
While on his way to assume his post, the Water Spirit had been assassinated!
’How is that possible?’
Chu Bai shot to his feet. But before he could even push open the door, the sound of frantic, almost runaway hoofbeats echoed from outside the courtyard.

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