Chapter 220: Promoted to Inspector of Zhen Mo Si

"What, you've finally thought it through? Or has something else happened in Outside Qingzhou?"

Wu Daoan walked ahead unhurriedly.

He had warned the other party before that the path of cultivation was far more rugged than the young man imagined; a thousand years might seem long, but in truth it was but a snap of the fingers.

For cultivators, one's lifespan was always the most precious thing.

What surprised him somewhat was that Shen Yi had repented far faster than he had expected.

"If it's about Qingzhou, then there's no need to speak further. Even if you are a disciple of the Martial Shrine…"

"A registered disciple," Shen Yi said softly.

"This old man knows!" Wu Daoan replied peevishly, turning his head back. This boy was truly incomprehensible. For anyone else, becoming a true disciple of the Martial Shrine would be a blessing upon their ancestors, yet this one not only failed to climb higher by taking the cue, but honestly and straightforwardly spoke up to correct him.

It was utterly absurd.

"Even if you are a registered disciple of the Martial Shrine! We truly cannot spare any extra strength."

Wu Daoan spoke the truth. Although this group of Wu Xian had realms superior to the Nine Provinces Commanders, before condensing a Golden Body dharma-phase, they could not crush a Demon King either. Once they were locked in stalemate, it would instead leave the Martial Shrine's defenses hollow.

If a Slain Hunyuan Realm martial artist were free, he would not mind, given Shen Yi's talent, to step out and ask one or two Grandmasters to lend a hand.

Right now, there really was no one available.

"Qingzhou is temporarily fine," Shen Yi shook his head and said.

"…" Wu Daoan fell silent and glanced at him, a few more doubts rising in his heart.

Nothing wrong? If nothing were really wrong, then how did Jiang Yuanhua end up in such a wretched state?

He had assumed Shen Yi had been sent to the imperial capital for refuge.

The two stepped into a courtyard. Before they could even sit down, someone strode in quickly: "Lord Wu, Jiang Yuanhua of Qingzhou has submitted his duty report. Please review it."

Wu Daoan paused slightly, noticing a detail in the other's words.

Before Jiang Yuanhua's name, a title was missing.

He reached out to take the report, but saw the man before him first bow to himself, then look toward Shen Yi beside him and smile: "Commander Shen, first time meeting."

Shen Yi cupped his fist in return.

"Mm?"

Wu Daoan casually flipped open the report and cast an interested glance at the young man: "So you've been promoted to Commander."

Even though he did not think much of Zhen Mo Si, he could not help but feel a bit surprised.

Last time he came, the other was already the youngest Zhen Mo General Wu Daoan had ever seen. In just two or three months, he had become the youngest Nine Provinces Commander.

After reading the duty report word by word, Wu Daoan's expression did not change. He merely waved his hand to dismiss the man from Zhen Mo Si: "Bring Jiang Yuanhua in. This old man will go see him shortly."

When only the two of them remained in the courtyard.

The old man in the blue robe sat down on a bamboo chair unhurriedly, patted his hem: "Youlong Tao took over his position as Commander, but superfluously let you act as a stand-in for a while. If this old man isn't mistaken, it's because you ate something you shouldn't have."

"Written so vaguely, do you really take this old man for a fool?"

Wu Daoan looked up and gave a cold snort.

Jiang Yuanhua could not overcome the Demon King; the two fought until gravely wounded. At that point, someone needed to step forward and finish things off.

Clearly, Shen Yi's formidable talent could devour every last wisp of Golden Body aura—unheard of in all of Daqian's history. With enough incense and vow power, breaking through a realm was only natural.

After Jiang Yuanhua was gravely wounded, without the Martial Shrine's permission, he had presumptuously handed the Commander's jade tally to him, using this young man to slay the heavily wounded Howling Moon.

Fearing the Martial Shrine's censure, the duty report before them came to be.

"Necessity overrides protocol; how could we be stubborn and unyielding men."

Wu Daoan gestured for the young man to sit.

"…"

A trace of admiration flickered in Shen Yi's eyes. Worthy of a shrine-keeper who served the Golden Body—truly as wise as Shenxu Laozu of the Martial Shrine.

The excuse he had prepared in advance was now useless.

He sat down opposite without ceremony.

"Ridiculous. My Martial Shrine disciple… registered disciple, still needs to stand in as Commander for his Qingzhou?"

Wu Daoan raised a brow. As expected, he had guessed right; the other was now left speechless.

He said lightly: "Since you've returned, then cultivate the Yin God Method diligently. As for the title of consuming incense, Zhen Mo Si still has a vacancy for a Deputy Inspector. You take it for now."

"What is an Inspector?" Shen Yi asked, expression unchanged.

"A Deputy Inspector," Wu Daoan said, finally finding a chance to regain face, and smiled with satisfaction: "Above the Nine Provinces Commanders, there is one Inspector and two Deputy Inspectors, who oversee the main office of Zhen Mo Si."

"By rights, the Inspector needs to be filled by those Slain Hunyuan martial artists, responsible for patrolling the Nine Provinces and resolving demon troubles in each region. You don't meet the conditions."

Having given a benefit, one naturally had to explain the reason, otherwise given the young man's manner, he'd probably think it was his due.

The old man looked toward him: "However, the Inspector is currently not in Daqian, and the two Deputies unfortunately perished, so the positions have remained empty until now. You happen to be from Zhen Mo Si, and you slew a Demon King. There's no need to handle affairs—just hold the title and enjoy the incense and vow power. It doesn't really break the rules."

"Of course, if you're bored and want to go sit in the office, that's up to you. Only when the time comes and you're faced with those Generals and Commanders begging for aid, don't feel bad about being unable to help and losing face."

"Understood."

Shen Yi listened quietly.

He suddenly cast a slightly emotional gaze toward the distant Martial Shrine.

It had been a long time since he'd enjoyed such treatment—like when one was starving, an old man filled the table with chicken, duck, fish, and meat, and finally brought wine for fear he'd choke.

"Enough. Come with this old man to see Jiang Yuanhua. Once you've seen him, you can also go greet your fellow disciples."

Wu Daoan rose slowly: "Although it's called the Martial Shrine, in truth it's no different from an immortal sect. Those people count as half your senior brothers and sisters. If you have any questions about cultivation in the future, and I'm not around, you may also consult them."

"Thank you for your trouble, Lord Wu," Shen Yi rose as well.

"No need to keep calling me 'lord.' If you think well of this old man, call me Zhu Shixiong Wu."

A touch of gentleness entered Wu Daoan's eyes. He had finally waited this prodigy in. This was the Martial Shrine's good fortune.

The two stepped out.

"..."

Drifting and swaying, Jiang Yuanhua was led into a room with a face full of bewilderment.

Then he saw the missing Shen Yi, and the old man in a blue robe in front of him was none other than the temple keeper of this place, Wu Dao'an.

"Yuanhua greets Lord Wu."

Both were Yin Spirit cultivators, and the old man was still a higher-realm Wu Xian. Knowing the other could see him, Jiang Yuanhua dared not show the slightest discourtesy.

After finishing his salute, he secretly shot a glance at Shen Yi.

Wasn't he told to wait outside? How, in the blink of an eye, had he met with someone from the Wumiao even before him? He worried the other might let something slip.

After all, although Shen Yi was powerful, one look told you he was no good with words.

"What are you winking and nodding for? You only know how to salute this old man, but the moment you see your direct superior, you go mute?"

Wu Dao'an glared at him.

"Direct superior?"

Jiang Yuanhua stared at Shen Yi in astonishment, saw the other give him a slight nod, and knew this was a reminder that everything had already been explained.

But... how did he get promoted?

Let alone that he hadn't yet "yielded" the merits, even if he took all the merits, how could he possibly hold that position?

Above the Commander, what other position could there be? It could only be Inspector.

Could it be that the strength of a Slain Hunyuan Sect Master had been exposed?!

One had to know that the one who achieved Slain Hunyuan was not only Shen Yi, but also Qiulan, who was in Qingzhou. If this matter were exposed, it would inevitably bring a great deal of trouble.

Jiang Yuanhua took a deep breath, suppressed the worry in his heart, and respectfully cupped his fist: "Jiang Yuanhua of Qingzhou, greets Lord Inspector."

(End of chapter)