Chapter 59: You brat, could you be the Yan emperor's love child?

Seven days later.

The Lin family moved to Yan Du.

Lin Chuan's first task upon arriving in Yan Du was to go to the Exorcism Office to pay respects to Imperial Director Zhu Zhengzhi.

Few people knew about Lin Chuan joining the Exorcism Office; to ensure safety, Imperial Director did not make his identity public.

Exorcism Office Headquarters.

Zhu Zhengzhi, who was reviewing documents, saw Lin Chuan arrive, waved for the deputy officer to step back, and raised an eyebrow at him.

"It's not easy to have you kid holding a post!"

"You only came to report after eating a month's official rations for free? Under heaven, there's no one more comfortable in their post than you."

"Thank you, Imperial Director, for your kindness." Lin Chuan bowed and smiled.

"I misjudged you; I didn't expect your shamelessness to surpass your swordsmanship," Zhu Zhengzhi teased.

Lin Chuan looked innocent, saying, "As a junior, I am devoted to the Exorcism Office, but my health is poor; I can only rest and recuperate, and only after healing can I better repay Imperial Director's kindness."

"Slick-tongued!"

Zhu Zhengzhi waved his hand, sending a large stack of documents to Lin Chuan, saying, "You've come at the right time; help me review these documents, and meanwhile pick a few tasks to complete."

"We can't really let you kid eat and drink for free, can we?"

Lin Chuan's swordsmanship talent has been verified, but Imperial Director still hopes that the junior will hone himself more; a sword cultivator lacking killing intent is destined not to achieve greatness.

He does not wish for Lin Chuan's path of cultivation to be without any obstacles.

"As the Imperial Director orders, I shall obey."

Lin Chuan sat down and began seriously reviewing the many documents of the Exorcism Office.

This review took up most of the day.

When discussing court affairs, case examinations, and criminal investigations, Lin Chuan is not skilled; in the end, he still needs Imperial Director's guidance.

Sitting in this position, Lin Chuan discovered that turmoil across the lands of Great Yan is not uncommon, though ordinary people rarely come into contact with it.

Besides some minor demons that cannot be restrained by their nature causing chaos, what troubles the Exorcism Office even more are the inhuman demonic cultivators.

Within the Yan dynasty, demonic cultivators mostly originate from the human race, disguising themselves in daily life, making them hard to detect.

When demon cultivators act, they are ruthless and decisive, unlike minor demons who act on instinct; they usually have meticulous schemes,

They even scheme to include the Exorcism Office in their calculations.

This also causes many demon slayers to perish at the hands of demon cultivators.

After reviewing many documents, Lin Chuan's understanding of the Yan dynasty's situation increased considerably.

"Lin Chuan, what do you think about the demon cultivator issue?" Zhu Zhengzhi asked casually.

The Exorcism Office takes it upon itself to slay demons and eradicate evil.

"How so?"

"My wife is the Supreme of the Demon Tribe, and she used to be a Demon Venerable!"

Of course, demon cultivators differ from one another.

The rule of demon cultivators is based on absolute power suppression; there is rarely talk of loyal devotion.

"Today you are the Demon Lord; tomorrow, if I surpass your strength, I will likely slay you without hesitation—that's the daily life of the demonic path."

This is a group of cultivators who have brought deceit and the wickedness of human hearts to the extreme.

Even Demon Venerable Mo Sangyu came from that path.

In response to Imperial Director's question, Lin Chuan answered: "Human nature is such; there is no absolute fairness in the world, and demon cultivators will always exist."

Zhu Zhengzhi laughed, "You really dare to say that."

"Who doesn't know this?"

"If people live in peace and contentment, happy and fulfilled, who would want to become a demonic leader?"

But the one who dares to say that to his face is Lin Chuan, the first.

Lin Chuan said gloomily: "This is recorded in the documents; I didn't say it, Imperial Director, you can't blame me."

The demon cultivators recorded in the documents are mostly those who have been oppressed, with no avenue to report to officials, or have suffered hardship, tragic childhood, etc., turning to the demonic path to seek revenge.

Only a tiny minority of demon cultivators are purely evil for pleasure.

Imperial Director pondered, "What, do you find them pitiful?"

Lin Chuan shook his head, "Those who are pitiful inevitably have hateful aspects; moreover, slaying demons and eradicating evil is the duty of demon slayers, so there's nothing to pity."

"Having this view is not bad."

Imperial Director sighed, "Among demon slayers, many are beguiled by demonic cultivators; a moment of compassion leads to the end of death and disappearance."

"Given their different stance, they should not be soft-hearted."

Lin Chuan's guiding principle is only one.

Everything that is disadvantageous to me and those around me is bad.

Whether demon, monster, or human, it's the same.

No matter how tragic the opponent, if they should be killed, kill them; if they touch my interests, I will not tolerate it.

Imperial Director said, "Among those people, not few are as steadfast in speech as you, but human emotions and desires are not so easily controlled."

"When that time truly comes, under various influences, thoughts waver, and the heart changes."

Having said that, Imperial Director threw out a document.

"This task is given to you; test whether your resolve is as firm as you just said, and will not be swayed by the words of demon cultivators."

"No problem."

Lin Chuan took the document, his gaze sweeping over it.

The task concerns frequent infant disappearances in several small towns of a certain region; the Exorcism Office sent people once, but found no clues.

Initially determined to be the work of a Demon Cultivator.

Although Lin Chuan is only at the Soaring Sky Realm, his combat power is undoubtedly that of the Embryonic Transformation Realm, making him a minor expert within a prefecture.

Sending Lin Chuan on this mission is quite fitting.

After receiving the mission dossier, Lin Chuan pulled out a piece of parchment from his bosom and handed it to Zhu Zhengzhi, saying, "Imperial Director, please do me a small favor."

Zhu Zhengzhi stared, both angry and amused,

"I was wondering why you're so obedient today; it turns out you've set up a trap waiting for me here."

"Saying that is inappropriate."

Lin Chuan said solemnly, "You have high hopes for me; the responsibility on my shoulders is weighty, and I also want to become strong quickly."

"I have gone to great lengths to obtain a list; it contains all the necessary cultivation resources."

"Please take a look and see if you can get them."

Lin Chuan spread out the list and placed it before Zhu Zhengzhi.

He glanced at it, his face instantly darkening: "You brat, are you trying to empty the national treasury?"

The materials on the list, he, the Imperial Director of the Demon‑Slaying Office, couldn't even recognize them all; those he could identify were extremely expensive.

To say they are "worth a city" is not an exaggeration.

The items on the list are part of the materials needed to restore Tu Shan Jiao Jiao's soul.

Lin Chuan said earnestly, "My wish is not to empty the national treasury, but first to strengthen myself, then to repay the Demon‑Slaying Office, and to repay the emperor."

Impossible!

Zhu Zhengzhi vetoed, "Even if I were willing to give you these things, the Yan emperor would not agree!"

Lin Chuan blinked and said, "Why don't you submit a memorial, Imperial Director? Perhaps the Yan emperor would then agree."

Zhu Zhengzhi said, "Your talent is indeed not bad, but you have no merits or achievements, and you are not a high‑ranking official; how could the Yan emperor agree?"

"You should try first,"

Lin Chuan advised, "Perhaps the Yan emperor sees me as promising material and is willing to cultivate me wholeheartedly."

Zhu Zhengzhi: "???"

You brat! You definitely have a background!

Last time I already felt something was off; you damn well aren't the Yan emperor's illegitimate child, are you?