Chapter 223 - 133: The Duty of Suppressing Demon Fiends

Furthermore, you must have an impeccable background and be recommended by one of the Four Great Clans of the Inner City to even qualify for the Demon Suppression Department.

If you wish to make achievements on the Martial Dao and reach the Bone Forging Realm, then serving in the Demon Suppression Department is your best option.

While serving in the Demon Suppression Department, you’ll frequently be dispatched to deal with various demonic threats and battle powerful Demon Beasts. Danger is inevitable.

If you prefer a stable career, you can slowly climb the ranks in the City Guard Department or the Protectorate Army. You can still obtain Bone Tempering Pills by reaching the Chief Level in the City Guard or the Thousand Households Level in the Protectorate Army, but it’s far more difficult than getting into the Demon Suppression Department.

After all, a Chief-level position might not have a vacancy for years. Even when one does open up, it becomes a focal point of contention for all the major families, making promotion incredibly difficult.

Honestly, if I had a choice, I wouldn’t want to be a Chief in the City Guard Department. I’d rather be in the Demon Suppression Department, killing Demon Beasts on missions and cultivating the Martial Dao in my free time. No need for daily plotting and scheming, just a life of freedom."

With that, Shen Qingshuang let out another long sigh.

"Fighting Demon Beasts is too dangerous," Chen Cheng said.

Shen Qingshuang blinked, her tone full of profound meaning. "Junior Brother Chen, you’re a Chief Constable at the Lishui Sub-Department. You think that isn’t dangerous?"

That question left Chen Cheng at a loss for words.

A Chief Constable of the City Guard Department seems to hold great authority, almost as if they wear a Protective Talisman that makes Jianghu Martial Artists go out of their way to avoid them.

But the dangers of the position were omnipresent—the kind of life-threatening perils that could erupt at any moment.

This wasn’t just true for Lishui District. Back in Ruyi District, Liu Yunfeng had brought this issue up many times.

In short, conflicts between people were far more treacherous than conflicts between people and Demon Beasts. At least Demon Beasts didn’t resort to schemes and trickery.

Fighting a Demon Beast was a straightforward contest of raw power. Win, and you got to eat Demon Beast Meat and trade for Merit. Lose, and you ended up in the Demon Beast’s stomach. It was simple and direct.

’Perhaps Shen Qingshuang is right. Joining the Demon Suppression Department really is the proper path. But for her to say all this, she must have an agenda. She’s undoubtedly trying to strike a deal with me.’

At this thought, Chen Cheng’s expression grew serious. "Senior Sister Shen, if I want to join the Demon Suppression Department, do I have to marry Miss Shen Qingxuan?"

Seeing how cautious he was, Shen Qingshuang seemed to breathe a heavy sigh of relief. She suddenly let out a chuckle. "Not necessarily. Like you said, my cousin Qingxuan is incredibly proud. Within the Shen Family, only I and one other person can handle her.

While your strength is impressive, it’s not a given that you’ll be able to catch her eye.

She said that if you join the Demon Suppression Department, the two of you can take your time getting to know each other. If you’re compatible, then you can naturally discuss the matter of marriage."

"Oh!" Chen Cheng grunted, though he thought to himself, ’I doubt I and Shen Qingxuan would ever be compatible.’

"So, you’re genuinely interested in a position with the Demon Suppression Department?" Shen Qingshuang asked.

Chen Cheng asked humbly, "Is my Martial Arts Power high enough?"

Shen Qingshuang stared at Chen Cheng for a long moment before finally speaking. "You were able to kill the Flying Thief Ren Fei and you easily destroyed the Tiger and Leopard Gang. With that, you still don’t think you can be a Purple-clothed Guard in the Demon Suppression Department?"

With a serious expression still on his face, Chen Cheng said, "Against a Tier One Demon Beast, I think I could hold my own."

"Then that’s enough! Slaying a Tier One Demon Beast also earns you Merit in the Demon Suppression Department."

Shen Qingshuang flicked her sleeves. ’Others might not know, but how could she fail to guess that Chen Cheng had been holding back his true strength all this time?

In her eyes, Chen Cheng’s true combat strength was in no way inferior to that of her cousin Shen Qingxuan or Yan Jian.

If that weren’t the case, their master, Mr. Zheng, wouldn’t have made a special exception for Chen Cheng, allowing him free access to the study.

That was a privilege that even she and Qin Ruiyang, his two True Disciples, had never been granted.

In Linji City, she might question the judgment of the City Lord himself, but she would never, ever doubt the judgment of her master, Mr. Zheng.

Chen Cheng was definitely extraordinary!

’Perhaps if Chen Cheng joins the Demon Suppression Department, he’ll manage to surprise me even more?’

After this silent thought, Shen Qingshuang continued, "Since Junior Brother Chen wishes to join the Demon Suppression Department, I’ll make the arrangements. For now, just focus on cultivating the Martial Dao and wait for my notification.

Wait here for a moment. I have a few things to arrange."

With that, Shen Qingshuang strode into a side room. She emerged a moment later and led Chen Cheng into the inner courtyard.

The inner courtyard was also filled with large, red lanterns, bathing the area in bright light.

At the entrance to the main hall stood several men in martial attire, swords at their waists. They stood solemnly, the security clearly tight.

"Greetings, Second Miss!"

The pair walked straight toward the main hall. As they reached the entrance, the swordsmen all bowed respectfully.

Shen Qingshuang gave a slight nod, then pushed open the doors and stepped inside first, with Chen Cheng following right behind her.

Once the two of them were inside the main hall, the guards carefully closed the doors again.

Inside the hall, two middle-aged men of about forty, dressed in long robes of blue brocade, occupied the seats of honor. Yan Jian stood at a lower position, his body slightly bowed, looking extremely cautious as he engaged them in conversation.

When Shen Qingshuang and Chen Cheng entered, all three men turned to look at them.

"Father, Second Uncle!"

Shen Qingshuang bowed, then made the introduction. "This is Chen Cheng.

Junior Brother Chen, this is my father, Shen Zhiyuan, and my second uncle, Shen Zhiheng. Chief Yan is marrying my cousin, his daughter."

Chen Cheng hurriedly offered a cupped-fist salute. "Chen Cheng greets the two Master Shens."

"So, you’re Chen Cheng." Shen Zhiyuan sized him up carefully before nodding slightly. "Qingshuang has told me that you possess extremely high talent for the Martial Dao. Despite coming from a Humble Family, you’ve relied on your own strength to rise all the way to Chief Constable in just a single year and have really started to make a name for yourself.

Seeing you in person today, you are indeed remarkable."

’The Shen Family has been established in Linji City for nearly a century. The current Patriarch is Shen Qingshuang’s grandfather, who is rumored to be a Martial Artist at the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm.’

’Although Shen Zhiyuan and Shen Zhiheng were smiling, they faintly exuded a tyrannical aura, creating an oppressive feeling that was impossible to ignore.’

’These two are likely Perfect Martial Artists of the Bone Forging Realm,’ Chen Cheng noted silently. He then hurried to say humbly, "My accomplishments today are all thanks to Senior Sister Shen’s guidance."

’This wasn’t false modesty or deliberate flattery. After he joined the City Guard Department, Shen Qingshuang had indeed been instrumental in his meteoric rise. He went from a Preparatory Constable to the Chief Constable of the Lishui Sub-Department, a position equivalent to a Half-step Chief Constable. She had truly exerted a great deal of influence on his behalf.

Otherwise, with no connections, he would probably still be a Preparatory Chief Constable in Ruyi District, worrying about how to get a Muscle Strengthening Pill. He had received tangible benefits, and he had to acknowledge that debt of gratitude. That was just basic decency.’

Shen Zhiyuan smiled faintly. "For one so young, you already understand how to be modest and polite, neither arrogant nor impetuous. That is very good indeed."

Beside him, Shen Zhiheng also laughed. "I have also heard a bit about Chief Chen. The youngest Chief Constable in the Outer City District this year, and you even ranked first in the Lishui Sub-Department assessment. Truly excellent.

As he spoke, he glanced at Yan Jian and added, "Jian’Er was also the youngest Chief Constable in the Outer City District in his time. He’s quite remarkable as well.

By the way, Elder Brother, my youngest daughter, Yun’Er, is also reaching marriageable age. Why not have Chief Chen marry Yun’Er as well?

Then I, Shen Zhiheng, would have two of the Outer City District’s youngest Chief Constables as live-in sons-in-law. That would be excellent."

Shen Zhiyuan waved his hand. "Second Brother, you’re quite the wishful thinker. Qingshuang worked so hard to cultivate two such young talents for our Shen Family. If both of them become your sons-in-law, what will our other brothers think? Wouldn’t they all blame me, the eldest brother, for showing favoritism?"

Shen Zhiheng gave an awkward laugh. "You can’t say that. My Yun’Er is a rare beauty. Perhaps Chief Chen will fall for her at first sight. If the young ones take a liking to each other, we, their elders, can hardly stand in their way, can we?"

"You’re just being greedy!" Shen Zhiyuan chided. "Third Brother’s daughter, Qingxuan, is already twenty and isn’t betrothed yet. How can we let you hog all the promising young men for yourself?"

At this point, Shen Qingshuang spoke up. "Father, Chief Chen and Qingxuan have already met. Qingxuan is amenable to the idea of Chief Chen joining the Demon Suppression Department, and I agree with her."

"Mm, that’s excellent." Shen Zhiyuan nodded, his smile growing wider. "Joining the Demon Suppression Department isn’t a bad path. If he can break through to the Bone Forging Realm in the future, he’ll be a true powerhouse in Linji City. Our Shen Family will naturally grow even stronger then."

He didn’t forget to add a few words of praise for Yan Jian. "Jian’Er is also doing well. He hasn’t even officially married into the family, yet he’s already thinking of how to serve the Shen Family.

The Zhou Family in the South City District relies on the Wang Family’s backing to cause trouble for us. If Jian’Er succeeds in this endeavor, your status in the family as his father-in-law might just surpass my own!"

Shen Zhiheng chuckled. "You exaggerate, Elder Brother. Jian’Er may have proposed the plan to eliminate the Zhou Family, but doesn’t its success depend on our niece, Qingshuang, who is the Lord Chief Steward at the South City District City Guard Headquarters? The greatest credit should belong to her."

Shen Zhiyuan laughed heartily. "Now that’s what I like to hear."

’Listening to their exchange, Chen Cheng grew thoughtful. So, this isn’t just about Yan Jian’s wedding. It seems the Shen Family is also planning to make a move against the Zhou Family.’

’If that’s the case, then this is good news for me. With the Zhou Family gone, I’ll have a lot fewer problems. I wonder what kind of plan Yan Jian and Shen Qingshuang cooked up to deal with them.’

’It seems I’ve been called here to take part in this matter as well.’