Chapter 186

"Oh?"

But we need to output 【N】 then space then translation. The translation should be the English rendering of the Chinese line, preserving meaning. We'll include the quotes.

Thus:

【1】 "Oh?"

Fu Lingyuan's face showed surprise; she had only asked casually, not expecting Qin Shuo to actually voice what she was thinking, and her phoenix eyes immediately brightened, flashing with an unusual light.

We need to keep it concise but not add extra. Let's produce: Fu Lingyuan's face showed surprise; she had only asked casually, not expecting Qin Shuo to actually say what she was thinking; instantly her phoenix eyes brightened, flashing with an unusual color.

Fu Lingyuan's face showed surprise; she had only asked casually, not expecting Qin Shuo to actually voice what she was thinking, and her phoenix eyes immediately brightened, flashing with an unusual light.

We'll output: Fu Lingyuan's face showed surprise; she had only asked casually, not expecting Qin Shuo to actually say what she was thinking; instantly her phoenix eyes brightened, flashing with an unusual color.

"Is Colonel Qin willing?"

"Not willing!"

Qin Shuo did not hesitate at all.

Even though he already had many troubles, he truly did not want to risk his life for a petty post to offend the Four Great Clans of the Inner City.

Even though he already had many troubles, he truly did not want to risk his life for a petty post to offend the Four Great Clans of the Inner City.

We'll output that.

Nie Lao Deng had a saying he approved of; wearing this Demons Suppression Office uniform, outwardly many people feared and dreaded him, daring not to move against him.

We'll output: Nie Lao Deng had a saying he approved of; wearing this Demons Suppression Office uniform, outwardly many people feared and dreaded him, dare not move against him.

But what about behind the scenes?

Spears are easy to dodge, hidden arrows hard to guard against.

Now there are already enough people watching him; even the Demons Suppression Hall and Divine Captors Office either covet him or hold grudges.

If he offends the Four Great Clans of the Inner City again, it would truly be enemies everywhere he looks.

Leading a team to search the Four Great Clans sounds mighty.

To some extent, this represents Fu Lingyuan's recognition and esteem of his strength and ability.

It might even be interpreted by those below that whoever leads the search of the Four Great Clans together with the three generals is the next Demons Suppression General.

But such honor, the danger behind it, is beyond what ordinary people can imagine.

This is also why he firmly refused.

"Colonel Qin is quite frank."

Fu Lingyuan was somewhat surprised, but not angry.

Searching Wind Thunder Valley was her order; she led it, and any resentment in Wind Thunder Valley would be directed at her.

But the subsequent city-wide search is different; the Demons Suppression Office must act against all major forces in the city simultaneously, and personnel will necessarily be dispersed.

At this point, whoever leads the team will directly face the pressure of the great clans.

Those who can live in the inner city are either rich or noble, not merely ordinary wealthy merchants, but families with background and strength.

Relying solely on a Demons Suppression Office uniform cannot even deter the Four Great Clans, let alone the Prefectural Office, City Lord's Mansion, and Yunzhou Army Garrison.

Each of these places is a veritable dragon's pool and tiger's den.

Among them, the Prefectural Office, City Lord's Mansion, and Yunzhou Army Garrison can only be personally searched by Fu Lingyuan; no one else can substitute.

The remaining Four Great Clans can each be searched by one of the Three Great Demons Suppression Generals.

Thus, one clan remains, requiring selection from the Yunlong Colonels to lead a team to search it.

And Qin Shuo is the person Fu Lingyuan selected.

She just didn't expect him to refuse so straightforwardly.

"This matter is truly dangerous; Colonel Qin, newly arrived, would have to shoulder this heavy burden, which is indeed too much for a strong person. If so, let's first go back."

A flicker of disappointment flashed in Fu Lingyuan's eyes, but she did not insist, gesturing that Qin Shuo could leave.

"Chief, I still have a question."

Qin Shuo rose to leave, but could not help his doubt, asking:

"As Chief of the Demons Suppression Office, you could directly order me; why specially summon me to inquire?"

"Searching the Four Great Clans is no small matter; it could easily cost lives! Although I am Chief, I also do not want to use authority to command others to die for me!"

Fu Lingyuan's expression remained calm.

Qin Shuo momentarily lost focus, then spoke again:

"It's not that I consider myself inferior; within the Demons Suppression Office, experts are as numerous as clouds."

"Besides the three generals, there are several Yunlong Colonels stronger than me; Chief, why did you single me out?"

The Demons Suppression Office is a government post with a fixed quota; it's always one position per person.

The three great Demons Suppression Generals above have not retired; below, even if a Yunlong Colonel is outstanding in ability and meets merit standards, unless transferred to another prefecture, he cannot be promoted to Demons Suppression General.

Thus, within the Yunzhou Demons Suppression Office, there are several Yunlong Colonels who have achieved Visceradefect Accomplishment, even Perfection.

These people, in seniority, ability, and achievements, are not inferior to him.

No matter how you look at it, Qin Shuo does not consider himself indispensable.

Moreover, he has had little contact with this Chief; there's no reason for her to take a liking to him.

"Of course it's because you're strong enough, have a solid backing, and have no burdens!"

Fu Lingyuan is straightforward; she speaks without many twists and turns, speaking frankly:

"Colonel Qin possesses Buddhist divine abilities and once traveled together with Master Kong."

"Regardless of the actual situation, you now have a connection with the Great Dragon Temple."

"Although the monks of the Great Dragon Temple always value harmony and do not contend for victory, even the Four Great Clans are somewhat wary of them."

"Having this connection with Master Kong, even if the Four Great Clans wanted to act against you, they'd have to weigh the consequences."

"Furthermore, several other Yunlong Colonels might be stronger than you."

"But none of them are free of family ties; they either have many dependents or need to make a living in the city, or have familial obligations, giving them many concerns."

"Once they act, they inevitably hesitate, unwilling to utterly offend the Four Great Clans."

"Colonel Qin, however, is different; you are alone, with no attachments."

"Even if you offend the Four Great Clans, unless they dare to strike a killing blow, they cannot really do anything to you."

"Therefore, in my view, aside from the three Demons Suppression Generals, you are the best choice."

These words, spoken plainly and sincerely by Fu Lingyuan, also moved Qin Shuo slightly.

Perhaps having seen many bosses who painted pies in a past life, encountering one who actually cares for subordinates now makes him somewhat unaccustomed.

Everyone has their own aspirations; since Colonel Qin has no intention of stepping forward, the chief of this office won't force him either.

Go back first and wait for the order; when the time comes, just search the outer city together with the other Demon Suppression Colonels.

Fu Lingyuan's expression remained wooden, showing little emotional change from start to finish, indicating that he indeed had no intention of forcing Qin Shuo to do anything.

Qin Shuo clasped his hands in farewell.

As he was about to step over the threshold, the scene of their first meeting in Songyang Prefecture City flashed into his mind—Fu Lingyuan kicking Yue Shan onto the long street.

He paused his steps, turned to look at the petite figure who had withdrawn her gaze and was now wiping clean her Phoenix Wing Cloisonné Halberd, and said with a smile:

"Chief, if I take on this assignment, what benefits would there be?"

"Benefits?"

Fu Lingyuan raised her phoenix eyes slightly, first startled, then broke into a smile and said, "What benefits do you want?"

"Benefits?"

The Demon Suppression Office never lacks benefits!

Why, as one of the three major violent organs the imperial court uses to face the martial world, does the Demon Suppression Office have an extremely high annual death rate yet still attract large numbers of martial artists willing to join?

The reason is simply that the Demon Suppression Office offers good benefits, high pay, and plenty of perks.

As demon hunters often self‑deprecatingly say, being a Colonel in the Demon Suppression Office means, aside from dying quickly,

Whether it's pay, benefits, or the experience of duty, it's far better than that of the neighboring Martial Suppression Hall and Divine Constabulary Office.

In the Demon Suppression Office, as long as you dare to risk your life, benefits are never lacking!

"The more demon beast inner cores, the better!"

Qin Shuo was not polite either, directly stating his conditions.

To risk his life for this uniform, he doubts he can do it; but if extra pay were offered……

Then we can talk about it.

"Do you want to break through to the True Condensation Great Perfection?"

Fu Lingyuan, too, had cultivated step by step from internal strength, so she instantly saw through Qin Shuo's true purpose.

"Not bad."

Qin Shuo did not deny it.

His biggest shortcoming now is that his martial realm is too low and his true essence insufficient; although he possesses various top‑secret arts, he cannot unleash their true power.

Moreover, further refining the Dragon‑Elephant Golden Body Divine Intent Diagram requires the True Condensation Great Perfection.

Therefore, he now craves anything that can speed up the condensation of true essence.

Especially demon elixirs!

"Demon beast inner cores are naturally available at the Demon Suppression Office, but if you want to quickly break through to the True Condensation Great Perfection, it's best to take Earth Origin Pills."

Fu Lingyuan said after consideration.