Chapter 24: Promotion to Acting Hundred Commander

Luoshui City, Commandant's Office.

A man dressed in a big red woven‑gold embroidered flying fish uniform stood silently before a map of Yongning Prefecture; he exuded authority without anger.

He was the Commandant of the Yongning Prefecture Embroidered Uniform Guard, Qin Chuan.

Beside him stood a Thousand Commander wearing a scarlet‑blue embroidered flying fish uniform, the Thousand Commander of Luoshui City Commandant's Office, Lu Tong.

Qin Chuan's face was calm, showing no joy or anger, his voice extremely calm.

"Lu Tong, what do you think?"

Lu Tong had a pair of narrow phoenix eyes, his features were quite handsome, and he shook his head.

"I will follow the commander's orders."

"Good, that's settled—we will go deep into White Egret Marsh and definitely capture that Wei Jing."

"Lu Tong, give the order to depart in half an hour."

After the Supervising Inspector stationed in Luoshui City, Lu Tong summoned all Embroidered Uniform Guard members to return urgently for the Heart Inquiry.

Every day over a hundred Embroidered Uniform Guard members took the test.

Everything had been going smoothly until midnight two days ago.

Someone discovered that Hundred Commander Wei Jing had vanished, and along the way he killed two Embroidered Uniform Guard members.

This was obvious—Wei Jing was a mole planted in the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

This was a major dereliction of duty on Lu Tong's part, and moreover Wei Jing was a veteran Hundred Commander who had held the post for at least twenty years.

Over those twenty years, who knows how much information he leaked to the outside? If someone made a big issue of this, dismissal would be lenient; a severe punishment could land him in a major prison.

The only solution now is to capture Wei Jing and interrogate how he evaded the annual Heart Inquiry Test.

If we can't catch him, it will be troublesome.

Lu Tong pressed his forehead, sighed, and then adjusted his mood.

"Come!"

"Summon the Hundred Commanders for a meeting."

Inside the Chief's Office of Bai Yun County, Shen Qing was drinking pine‑nut wine, gnawing on roast chicken, leisurely enjoying the afternoon.

These past few days Bai Yun County has been peaceful, with no demonic troublemakers.

During that time he went a few times to the pleasure quarters to listen to music, but only once or twice, after which he stopped going.

Mainly because his talent was lacking—he couldn't compare to the stars of his past life, let alone the singers of the capital.

It was really hard on the ears.

Shen Qing leaned back in a grand master's chair while the scholar waved a palm‑leaf fan beside him.

"Scholar, why do you insist on fanning? I'm an Innate Realm cultivator—I'm not afraid of heat."

"Aren't you tired?"

The scholar chuckled: "Fanning the lord is a small blessing; I'm not tired at all."

"Then keep fanning; rest if you get tired."

Shen Qing didn't say much more; the few capable underlings handled everything themselves.

In the future he would promote them well.

Just then, the black dog rushed into the courtyard.

"My lord, someone has come to Luoshui City again."

"Luoshui City?" Shen Qing remained seated and asked lightly, "Who is it?"

"He hasn't done anything lately—why is he coming again?"

"It's a Chief; he says his name is Li San Shui and has important business to see the lord."

"Let them in."

Not long after, a Chief about thirty years old strode in, his eyes locking onto Shen Qing as soon as he entered.

He bowed.

"Congratulations, my lord!"

"The Luoshui City Commandant's Office has an order to transfer you to Luoshui City for promotion to Acting Hundred Commander!"

"From now on you should be called Commander Shen, Lord Shen."

Soon Li San Shui explained the whole situation clearly.

After Wei Jing defected, Commandant Qin Chuan and Thousand Commander Lu Tong led five Hundred Commanders into White Egret Marsh.

Counting the defected Wei Jing, the Luoshui City Commandant's Office had only four Hundred Commanders left who could work—far from enough.

Thus Shen Qing also had a chance for promotion.

In fact this opportunity was seized by Shen Qing himself—he captured two moles and even brought the Censorate to them.

The scholar beside him was quick‑witted, hastily pulling the black dog at his side to bow.

"Greetings, Commander Shen!"

Li San Shui also smiled and clasped his hands; he is a subordinate directly under Thousand Commander Lu Tong, theoretically able to stand on equal footing with a Hundred Commander.

But it depends on the situation—Shen Qing is only twenty and already an Acting Hundred Commander; in terms of prospects he far surpasses those old timers in the Commandant's Office.

Thus Li San Shui naturally ought to adopt a different attitude.

"Congratulations, Commander Shen! I don't know what else you need to prepare; when can we set out?"

Shen Qing's travel funds were meager: a sword, a jug of wine, and several hundred silver notes.

He didn't need to bring clothes; he could buy them upon arrival in Luoshui City.

"No need—we'll depart immediately."

He then turned to look at the scholar and the black dog: "What are you standing around for? Hurry up and pack your things."

The scholar hurriedly pulled the black dog and walked toward Shen Qing's house.

Shen Qing called out to them: "Hey hey hey, what are you doing? I told you to pack your own belongings."

The scholar and the black dog both froze for a moment: "Sir… this…"

"What? You don't plan to go to Luo River City with me?"

"Willing! Willing!" The scholar immediately reacted, constantly bowing and saluting: "I, your humble servant, am willing to serve you like a horse and ox."

Shen Qing waved his hand: "Then hurry up and pack, and also tell Old Li and Lin Zikai to pack; in two hours, still at this place, no waiting for latecomers."

The scholar pulled the black dog and hurriedly ran out.

Old Li didn't have much of a reaction after hearing the news; anyway, since Shen Qing said to go wherever he said, after telling his family a few words at home, he hurried to the Chief Flag Office.

Lin Zikai was very surprised and exclaimed: "What! I get a share too?"

Afterwards, he ran very quickly; after all, he was a later recruit, only becoming a subordinate after being given a stern talking-to by Shen Qing, and being able to go along was quite a surprise.

The scholar was the most ostentatious; within just two hours, he notified all his seven great aunts and eight great uncles, and even set off two strings of firecrackers.

The black dog was the quietest one; he had no family or friends in White Cloud County, bringing only two sets of clothes and a knife, and waited in the Chief Flag Office.

After two hours, the entire Embroidered Uniform Guard rode out on tall horses, following Shen Qing as they left White Cloud County.

Behind them, dozens of Embroidered Uniform Guard members remained at the city gate, respectfully gazing at Shen Qing.

Their glances occasionally flicked onto the scholar, the black dog, and others, revealing a hint of envy mixed with regret.

They regretted that on the day Shen Qing had someone restrain Sun Jin, why they themselves had not intervened.