Chapter 10: The Test of the New Official's Appointment!

High Willow City, Outer City, the southern district, Observatory Branch, South Star Tower.

Han Commander set the newly-delivered ink stone down beside the desk.

He reached for a brush, dipped it in ink, and began writing on a piece of paper.

Every stroke was decisive and forceful, the characters clear and the marks distinct.

"Come in!"

Footsteps were heard from outside the door, and before the visitor could speak, he said, "Close the door."

Without lifting his head from his writing, he spoke in a calm voice, "Mr. Lu has returned; he has a good impression of you. From now on, during the holidays, you may visit him."

"Although he is not a martial artist, he has been a temple priest at Wutong Temple in Qifeng Prefecture City for fifty years. His knowledge is vast, and his experience is rich. His understanding of the world far surpasses that of anyone in High Willow City."

As he spoke, Han Commander gradually stopped writing, and said indifferently, "If you are willing, starting from today, he can be the third person in High Willow City who knows your true name."

Lin Yan had joined the Observatory, using the alias Wu Chang.

His true identity was known by only two people in High Willow City.

The words were an indication to Lin Yan that Mr. Lu was a person he could fully trust.

As his voice faded, Han Commander set his brush down carefully, then finally raised his head to look ahead, his eyes lighting up slightly, "Indeed, clothes make the man."

The young man before him, dressed in a black robe with golden threads, fit perfectly, making him appear even more tall and upright.

His expression was solemn, his eyes bright and clear.

A sword hung at his left waist, adding a sense of sternness and readiness to strike.

On the right side of his waist, a small crossbow was hooked.

At first glance, he seemed brimming with youthful vigor, like the rising morning sun.

"Each division of the Observatory has its own storehouse and also books."

Han Commander continued slowly, "Previously, you trained your skin, flesh, tendons, and bones, completing the first major threshold of martial arts."

"Normally, as of today, you would be a martial artist at the second major threshold."

"But I am aware that you have exceptional talent and are already at the Inner Strength Realm."

At this point, a faint smile appeared on Han Commander's face, though he did not explicitly say it.

It was as if he implied,

You think your Concealing Breath Technique can trick me? I saw through your ruse in a glance!

"..."

For a moment, Lin Yan didn't know how to respond.

So, in Han Commander's eyes, it was the same as an admission.

He took the paper from the desk, blew on it lightly to dry the ink, and then said, "With your current position and achievements, you should be eligible to obtain cultivation techniques of the Inner Strength level from the Observatory."

"But advancing through the 'Refining Blood' and 'Cleansing the Marrow' stages in less than two years to reach the Inner Strength level, if such a matter were to spread, it would be too shocking."

Han Commander remarked, "Not everyone is tolerant or broad-minded; people are naturally envious, and your exceptional abilities could lead to unnecessary complications."

"Therefore, from today onwards, to the outside world, you will still be a martial artist at the second major threshold."

"However, this should not delay your martial arts practice at the Inner Strength level, so... I have prepared in advance a set of breathing exercises for the Inner Strength Realm for you."

With that, he raised his hand and swept the papers filled with text in front of Lin Yan.

Lin Yan took the papers and glanced at them.

Five Elements Inner Breath Technique.

This cultivation technique had been acquired by other means half a year ago.

Back then, using the Divine Skills of "Devouring Evil," he had managed to cultivate the "heart" and "kidneys" even without a cultivation technique.

Now, he was already beyond the Inner Strength Realm.

This technique was of no use to him currently.

What he needed now was a cultivation technique for the Refining Essence Realm.

He lifted his head, hesitating about what to say, but then suddenly paused.

A long-standing rumor at the Outer South Bureau claimed that Han Commander was abstinent, his studies suspected to be the Golden Body Child Skill, with loss of purity resulting in a loss of power.

"No need for tearful gratitude, nor do you have to kowtow and thank me,"

At that moment, Han Commander waved his hand and said, "Just work diligently from now on, and consider that thanks enough."

After finishing his words, Han Commander then opened a thick register, and spoke indifferently, "This is yesterday's city gate registry."

"I, in the name of inspection, acquired this registry from the City Defense Commander at the southern gate."

"On this page, there is the name of your older brother, Lin Lei."

With a tearing sound!

Han Commander casually tore off that page and handed it over.

Lin Yan took the page and indeed saw his second brother's name on the list of those who had left the city yesterday afternoon.

But below his second brother's name, there was another name, "Chen Yuannv."

The two of them had left the city together.

"So, that young girl really wasn't a ghostly apparition, but a dead person with a physical body. The soldiers at the city gate also failed to see anything amiss."

Lin Yan's heart trembled slightly, "But such a dead person, how is she different from an evil spirit? Why can she travel in broad daylight? And... she infiltrated the city without fear of Liu Zun Temple's deterrent power?"

"This 'Chen Yuannv' has a somewhat special identity. I will take charge personally and strive to investigate."

Han Commander paused, then added, "This matter is quite peculiar, be careful and cautious."

Lin Yan thought for a moment and said, "Is it possible that she actually came for me, went to my residence, but, not finding me there, took my second brother away and then lured me out of the city?"

Han Commander frowned, his facial scars twisting into something even more ferocious as he slowly said, "Logically, only we are aware of Wu Chang's true identity; it hasn't been leaked..."

Lin Yan fell silent for a moment, thoughts swirling in his mind.

A moment later, he spoke again with a heavy tone.

"What if she came for Lin Yan?"

"Hm?"

Han Commander's expression tightened, he whispered, "Lin Yan is just a young man from a poor family in the alleys, now barely a butcher in Linjiang Square. Could it be that in this identity, you have offended someone?"

Lin Yan pondered carefully and then shook his head, "I've always been kind to others. I have no enemies."

Hearing this, Han Commander's expression grew more complex. He coughed once and said, "I will re-examine this matter myself. In any case... be careful in the near future."

"However, Mr. Lu will be staying in Linjiang Square for the time being. As long as he is there, he's like a living amulet!"

"You ought to get closer to him. Additionally, the next time you meet him, do it as 'Lin Yan'. It will appear more sincere."

"As for your brother leaving the city..."

Han Commander flipped through the register, tore out the pages of the city's entry and exit records from yesterday, including the one from this morning, and shredded them into pieces.

It involved the Observatory's Linjiang Square Flag Commander who left the city in the middle of the night and returned alive. People with intentions would certainly investigate the reason.

If the registry only had Lin Lei's name erased, it would be equivalent to directly telling those who investigate that there is a connection between Lin Lei and Wu Chang.

So, it was better to destroy all traces.

The number of people coming and going every day in High Willow City was not small.

For instance, today, just around noon, three merchant caravans from Qifeng Prefecture City entered the city, nearly a hundred people in total.

"Destroying these pages, even the Observatory will have trouble explaining to the City Guard Mansion."

Lin Yan frowned and said, "Not to mention that Zhou Kui holds a grudge against you, and he has the backing of Qifeng Prefecture City."

"Let's just say Mr. Lu did it."

"Then there's no problem."

"There's something else."

Han Commander fell silent, then spoke again, "You are the Linjiang Square Flag Commander. Your monthly salary is increased to twelve taels of silver, with three medicinal baths and one Essence Boosting Pill."

"In addition, you have twelve men under your command, each with a monthly salary of four silver taels and one medicinal bath, all provided by the Outer South Bureau."

"But you must select these twelve men, and you are not allowed to pad the rolls."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yan rubbed his brows.

As far as he knew, the position of Flag Commander for Linjiang Square was currently vacant, temporarily managed by the Flag Commander of Qinghill Square from another district.

This suggested that the twelve minor flags currently in Linjiang Square were all people of Liang Hu, Flag Commander of Qinghill Square.

When Han Commander instructed him to select twelve new men, the underlying meaning was clear.

To replace the people left by Liang Hu and avoid being undermined.

Obviously, Liang Hu was not a confidant of Han Commander.

And to completely take over the authority of the Linjiang Square Flag Commander, he still needed to wrest it from Liang Hu's hands.

"So, is this the first challenge as Flag Commander?"