Chapter 25: Taking Office in Luo River City

Luo River City Guard Command.

Shen Qing wore a silver flying fish robe, hand on the Qing River sword at his waist, slowly walked out of the house, his whole person full of heroic vigor.

The scholar immediately stepped forward to flatter: "Boss, this suit is practically tailor-made for you."

"Exactly, exactly." Lin Zikai also hurried to follow: "I've never felt this suit look so good before!"

Shen Qing laughed heartily.

"You two sure know how to talk."

Although he dislikes flattery, there is one thing that cannot be denied.

People who know how to flatter speak very pleasantly, and the workplace is easier to navigate.

The scholar hehehed: "Sir, you say that, you let us praise others, we can't do that either—forging iron still requires personal strength."

Shen Qing waved his hand: "No more flattery, mount up, let's go see my new jurisdiction."

An hour ago, Shen Qing had just arrived at Luo River City and went straight to the Guard Command.

Here there are two Centurions awaiting assignment of jurisdictions.

After some dispute, Shen Qing chose the Western District of Luo River City, while the other two chose the Northern District and the subordinate Eight Mountains City respectively.

As soon as they left the Guard Command, the scholar hurriedly approached Shen Qing.

"Boss, just now when you went in, I went to inquire, and this Western District you're about to take charge of is not peaceful."

Lao Li looked at the scholar with some suspicion.

"We've only been in Luo River City for an hour; where did you go to learn about the Western District?"

The scholar straightened his joystick: "You think I just went where?"

"In the Embroidered Uniform Guard, everyone is a colleague; gathering information isn't that simple?"

"Let me tell you, this time there are three jurisdictions in total."

"The other two jurisdictions are quite ordinary, but this Western District is not ordinary—most of Luo River City's black-market trade is concentrated here."

"Here, major incidents occur every few days; deaths are commonplace."

"Accordingly, the Embroidered Uniform Guard here is the busiest."

"This is a hard bone among hard bones."

"Lately, this area has become chaotic again, with several martial sects entering Luo River City, seemingly competing for something."

"Some say it's a divine weapon, others say it's an extraordinary martial arts manual; anyway, opinions vary."

"So far, just the sects that have been identified number over a dozen—such as the Red Cloud Sect, the Qinglin Sword School, etc. —all have sent people."

Lao Li and Lin Zikai frowned at the words, wondering if it's really that dangerous.

Shen Qing felt his hands itch a little. "Danger is good—if it weren't dangerous, where would I gather traits? Where would I snatch elixirs?"

Shen Qing smiled faintly: "Come on, let's go—hearing you say that, I'm almost impatient."

"Let me see just how hard their bones are."

At the same time, many ruffians in the Western District shivered, looked up at the sky, and muttered.

"How come I always have a bad feeling?"

Luo River City Western District.

Inside the Embroidered Uniform Guard Centurion's office, it was unusually lively, people split into two sides, with arguments rising and falling.

On the left, a mustachioed junior flag officer, emboldened by drink, was shouting loudly.

"Brother Ma, I'm not saying this, but I truly feel dissatisfied for you."

"On what grounds should this Centurion position be given to someone else? In my view, it should go to you."

"In terms of strength, Brother Ma, you also beheaded a peak Houtian realm cultivator three months ago; in terms of seniority, you've been busy in the Embroidered Uniform Guard for over a decade."

"How can it not compare to this newcomer? I truly feel dissatisfied for you!"

The burly Chief Ma Kui took a big gulp of wine, his face flushed red, and he slammed the wine jar onto the table, shouting lowly.

"The people in the Guard Command just told me that the newcomer is merely a twenty-year-old greenhorn."

"In my view, he's another one with backing!"

On the right, the group led by Chief Fang Ming was relatively quiet, just drinking lightly.

A junior flag officer muttered: "He's good at bragging; in my view, he shouldn't even get a turn as Centurion—clearly it should be our Brother Fang."

"That's what I'm saying..."

Although the voice was soft, it also aroused considerable resonance, and it looks like this side is about to erupt.

Fang Ming turned back and glared at them, and they quieted down again.

Fang Ming is also dissatisfied, but he will endure.

At least before seeing Shen Qing, he won't act too rashly.

After meeting, if Shen Qing truly has backing, then assisting him for a few years is not out of the question; in a few years, Shen Qing might be promoted again, and if I serve him well, I might also gain some benefits.

If it really doesn't work out, I can still write articles later.

Fang Ming glanced at Ma Kui with some disdain.

There are many ways to respond, but Ma Kui chose the lowest—acting rashly without even knowing the situation.

He deserves to stay in that position for over a decade.

Just then, a somewhat sharp sound came from outside.

"Boss, look, this Centurion's office is indeed much more imposing than the Chief's office."

"Only then does it match our boss's status."

The room instantly fell silent; everyone knew the new Centurion had arrived.

"Where is the person? No one came to see the Centurion take office..."

Before his words even fell, Fang Ming had already taken the lead and run out, his petty officer also hurriedly followed.

Ma Kui's petty officer also wanted to move, but seeing that Ma Kui himself showed no movement, he stopped as well.

Outside the Chief of a Hundred Office, Fang Ming bowed.

"Chief Banner Fang Ming of the West Chief of a Hundred Office of Luo Water City pays his respects to the Chief of a Hundred."

The remaining Embroidered Uniform Guard all shouted: "Pay respects to the Chief of a Hundred!"

Shen Qing nodded lightly: "No need for formalities."

Fang Ming straightened up, secretly glancing at Shen Qing a few times; he was indeed very young.

"Isn't there supposed to be two Chief Banners in the Chief of a Hundred Office? Why are you the only one who came out?"

"This..." Fang Ming turned his head and glanced at the Chief of a Hundred Office.

Shen Qing also understood; it seemed someone wanted to give him a show of force.

"Looks like someone is causing trouble." Shen Qing waved his hand, gave a cold laugh, and led his men into the Chief of a Hundred Office.

Upon entering the Chief of a Hundred Office, his innate six senses sprang to life; several gazes filled with malice shot straight at Shen Qing's face.

Shen Qing chuckled lightly; interesting, he already had a performance on his first day in office.

Shen Qing walked to the main seat and sat down with an air of ease.

Hei Gou and the others stood on Shen Qing's left and right.

"Fang Ming, have a seat; I have something to say."

Fang Ming hurriedly returned to his seat.

Shen Qing glanced at Ma Kui; his face still full of contempt.

"You've seen it too; I also don't want to hide it from you—I don't care for this Chief of a Hundred position, and I'll be leaving soon."

"While I'm in office, you behave yourself, don't cause trouble; after I leave, this position will still be yours."

"Of course, if you want to test my methods, feel free to cause trouble and give it a try."

The petty officer behind Ma Kui immediately moved up close to him.

"Boss, look, he's submitting, right?"

Ma Kui also felt smug inside; whatever the Chief of a Hundred, he could easily manipulate.

The corner of his mouth twitched up slightly, his voice deliberately calm.

"Well, since you've put it that way, I suppose saying something about these so-called people isn't out of the question..."

In the next instant, Shen Qing's figure flickered to Ma Kui's front, lowering his head to look down at him.

A mighty aura surged forth, the oppressive pressure unique to the Innate Realm hitting him head-on.

Ma Kui abruptly stopped, swallowed a mouthful of saliva, and felt his breathing become extremely difficult.

Shen Qing's voice rang out.

"Why are you still here? Still barking like a dog?"

"Still taking things personally? Was that remark directed at you?"

"If you won't submit to me, then know your place—get out on your own, don't bring trouble upon yourself."

Ma Kui still wanted to get up and say a few defiant words, but his legs felt as if filled with lead, and he couldn't stand at all.

"Don't go too far; I'll tell you, in the Pacification Command of Luo Water City I'm also a top figure, so you—"

Before his words even finished, his whole body shot backward like a cannonball, smashing through several doors until he slammed into the artificial hill in the Chief of a Hundred Office's courtyard and came to a stop.

Ma Kui lay amid the ruins, struggled weakly, then his eyes rolled back and he fainted.

Everyone inside held their breath, unsure what to do.

Shen Qing's voice rang out again.

"You're still not leaving—do you also want me to escort you out?"

As soon as those words fell, these people basically crawled out of the room in a panic, grabbing Ma Kui and rushing out of the Chief of a Hundred Office.

Only after they had left the Chief of a Hundred Office did they dare to catch their breath.

A square-faced petty officer swallowed a mouthful of saliva, his legs still trembling: "How come I feel I was just a hair's breadth from death?"

"Just a feeling? I feel I've already died once, even leaking a few drops of urine."

The square-faced petty officer wrinkled his nose: "Just a few drops? Then why do I smell a stench of urine?"

He glanced around, and his face drastically changed.

"Oh no, the boss wet his pants!"