County Magistrate Qian Shen sat in the main seat, holding a Spirit Jade Tea Cup of pure, lustrous green.
Beside him sat several powerful Directors, all of them Great Cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Stage. Within Anping County, these individuals were the true power brokers, whose every word and deed could determine the livelihood of tens of thousands.
"The County Captain is still a bit too impetuous."
Water Department Director Shi Guanqiao gently blew on his tea, the swirling vapor from the Spirit Tea blurring his somewhat delicate features.
He cast a sidelong glance at the empty mahogany armchair on the left side of the hall and let out a long sigh.
Just a quarter of an hour ago, after sensing an urgent message from Chu Bai, Zhang Cheng had practically shot up from his seat. Without any regard for etiquette, he transformed into a streak of Escape Light and vanished from the skies above the County Yamen.
"Given the earth-shattering incident with the god-welcoming, and with Director Zhang being the head of the Evil Suppression Department, it’s his duty to be involved. How could he not be in a hurry?"
Another Director spoke in a measured tone, his words barbed. "I just wonder whose hand is behind an act as outrageous as assassinating a Regular Eighth-Grade Divine Spirit."
"Let’s hope no one waded into murky waters unknowingly, lest they end up bringing ruin upon themselves..."
The men exchanged glances, each of their gazes heavy with unspoken meaning.
The Water Uncle’s death was no accident.
In Qingzhou, a place thoroughly covered by the Great Zhou Law Net, for a True God to be killed so silently meant someone powerful was pulling the strings from behind the scenes.
But that, at least, was no concern of theirs.
County Magistrate Qian Shen shook his head gently and set down the cup. The sound of jade on wood was a soft clink.
He surveyed the room, his tone low and deliberate. "Our superiors will handle the assassination investigation; that is not our duty. However, as for the aftermath... what do you all propose?"
Shi Guanqiao put down his cup, a sharp glint in his eyes. "The Water Uncle is dead and the position is now vacant. However, the authority for this post was granted to my Water Department."
"As I see it, once the investigation concludes, our County should petition Dayuan Prefecture—and perhaps even the Qingzhou Celestial Decree Department—for a decree allowing us to enshrine a new Water Uncle to stabilize the Water Veins."
"Enshrine another? Director Shi, you make it sound so simple!"
Another director immediately retorted with a cold laugh. "Our Anping County went through great pains to secure a Regular Eighth-Grade True God position, and that was only because the Divine Spirit in question was being transferred from elsewhere. He was killed the moment he arrived. We’ll be lucky if our superiors don’t punish us. What makes you think they’d be so kind as to grant us another?"
"But if we are rewarding based on merit, my department recently had an Inspector who sacrificed himself in the line of duty. He performed great services for the people. If we could enshrine him as a Heroic Spirit, it would not only be a testament to our County’s grace, but an act of immeasurable Merit."
Everyone’s tone grew more urgent. Moments ago, they were mourning the Water Uncle; now, they were already squabbling over the spoils from his divine seat’s remains.
A Regular Eighth-Grade divine seat granted a Status equivalent to the Qi Cultivation Perfection realm and came with Divine Dao Authority over a territory.
Whichever department managed to secure that Heroic Spirit seat for one of their own would gain an incredibly useful subordinate.
"Enough!"
Qian Shen snapped his head up, his once-gentle voice suddenly turning cold and severe. The pressure of his words seemed to make the very air in the hall sink.
This County Magistrate usually presented himself as an affable peacemaker and rarely displayed his authority before his subordinates. His uncharacteristic shift in demeanor made them all shudder inwardly.
"The case has yet to be solved and the man isn’t even in his grave, yet here you are, squabbling over the loot. What kind of behavior is this?"
Qian Shen rose to his feet and turned his back to the room, his voice laced with a deadly chill. "Instead of coveting this position, you would all be better served by looking inward. Think carefully: were you, your disciples, or your clansmen involved in this incident? If the investigators from the Prefecture City unearth something unsavory and the blame falls on my head..."
He spun back around, his eyes locking onto Shi Guanqiao and the others as he said coldly, "When that time comes, I won’t be making excuses for anyone."
As soon as he finished speaking, the hall fell utterly silent.
Shi Guanqiao took a sip of tea, hiding the hint of a triumphant smile in his eyes.
He understood perfectly. Qian Shen’s words were seemingly a warning, but in reality, they were setting the tone: whoever jumped the highest now in pursuit of the divine seat would become the prime suspect in the assassination.
Since no one else dared to contend for it, the Water Department, as the "victim," could simply sit back and reap the rewards.
While he might not secure a new divine appointment, he could use this opportunity to demand more manpower and expand his department’s resources and authority. To appease the Water Department, his superiors would most likely agree.
Just as Shi Guanqiao was mentally calculating how to best exploit this chaos to maximize the Water Department’s authority, a shimmering blue Communication Token at his waist began to vibrate violently.
Shi Guanqiao probed it with his Divine Thought, and his leisurely expression instantly froze.
His pupils contracted, and his expression turned grim.
"I’ll be right back!"
Without bothering to bow to Qian Shen, Shi Guanqiao transformed into a flash of azure light and burst through the roof of the County Yamen with a thunderous BOOM, his speed generating rumbling echoes in his wake.
The director who had spoken earlier shook his head with a cold smile. "That Shi Guanqiao... he always prides himself on his composure, but it seems he’s a bit too impetuous as well."
From the head seat, Qian Shen watched the flash of azure light fade into the distance. A flicker of imperceptible worry crossed his eyes before his expression quickly returned to one of calm composure.

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