Chapter 364: A Crushing Defeat

"What did you say?!"

Gao Wanli truly thought she had misheard.

A respectable Rank Dan Xiu, wanting to join the Zhan Cheng Office—who would be willing to refuse?

Even if this Rank Six was not one of her own people, as long as they joined the Zhan Cheng Office, on paper they would be the strength of the Zhan Cheng Office!

For Xu Yuan, that was also a matter of face.

Moreover, driving people out like this would truly offend a Rank Dan Xiu severely!

Xu Yuan remained calm: "My Lord Gao is not old, yet your ears and eyes are already dull? This official says they are not people of the Qu Hui Bureau and should not attend today's meeting."

Mr. Lu's face turned a flush of red, his eyes spitting fire: "Does My Lord Xu truly wish to humiliate this Lu so?"

Xu Yuan glanced at him: "A mere Rank Six, daring to act presumptuously in my Zhan Cheng Office?"

Xu Yuan flicked his finger.

The sword pill flew out.

Since returning to Zhan Cheng, Xu Yuan had constantly fed it, raising the sword pill to the standard of Rank Five as well.

Diliu—

The sword pill instantly arrived before Mr. Lu's brow.

Mr. Lu opened his mouth, and his own sword pill spat out as well.

Both were very restrained; they did not manifest the form of a "sword" within the duty room.

Mr. Lu's sword pill was the size of a pigeon egg.

Xu Yuan's sword pill, having just risen in standard, was now only the size of a soybean.

The two sword pills collided.

They emitted a light "ding," seeming not intense.

On Mr. Lu's sword pill, a patch of fine cracks immediately spread!

A flush of red rose again on Mr. Lu's face.

Before, it was due to shame and anger; this time, it was because he had suffered severe internal injuries.

Mr. Lu barely suppressed the injury, swallowed his heavily damaged sword pill in one gulp, then bowed his head and rushed out the door.

Gao Wanli never expected Xu Yuan to be so "vulgar"!

Not only did he drive people out directly, but he struck out at the slightest disagreement.

And yet Mr. Lu was defeated and retreated in a single exchange.

Gao Wanli's face instantly turned as black as a pot bottom.

Was this not clear? This bastard Xu Yuan had risen to Rank Five at some unknown time!

That is why Mr. Lu was no match.

Gao Wanli was very unwilling to believe it, because Xu Yuan was too young; could he rise to Rank Five?!

Xu Yuan had no interest in playing any open or hidden struggles with Gao Wanli.

So today, very decisively and directly, he found an excuse and struck out, beating Mr. Lu.

I am a full-time official; my standard is higher.

I do not intend to engage in empty pretense with you.

I will make you directly recognize reality!

Mr. Jiang stood behind Gao Wanli; his face also turned pale in an instant.

Xu Yuan looked at him without courtesy and asked: "Does Mr. Jiang also require this official to personally invite you out?"

Mr. Jiang looked at Gao Wanli; Gao Wanli, though a hundred thousand times unwilling, could only nod heavily.

Mr. Jiang secretly breathed a sigh of relief and walked out silently.

Xu Yuan snorted coldly: "Very well, now that there are no idlers, our Qu Hui Bureau may deliberate."

There are four patrol duty rooms within the city; according to previous precedent, each patrol duty room requires an Inspector to hold the post.

Currently, there are only Inspectors Shi Bading and Wan Yun; this official decides to promote Fu Jingyu and Di Youzhi to Inspectors. Does anyone have objections?"

No one would have objections to the candidate Fu Jingyu.

The other Inspector would be selected from the other Investigators under Xu Yuan.

The reason it fell on Di Youzhi was that he was already Rank Seven.

His standard was suitable.

Jia Yi and Mao Dabin sighed inwardly.

Jia Yi was also already Rank Seven.

He had just risen the day before yesterday.

After the promotion, Jia Yi had specifically reported to My Lord.

My Lord Xu had spoken several words of commendation, but made no other promises.

Jia Yi then knew he would not be among the first batch promoted to Inspector.

Jia Yi felt some loss, but not disappointment, since he had long prepared himself mentally.

In these few months, he often regretted that one step slow means every step slow.

But My Lord had indeed treated him well; naturally, there would be no second thoughts.

If the first batch does not include him, then he will wait for the second batch.

Jia Yi did not object; Xu Yuan's other subordinates had even less right to object.

Yet Gao Wanli, who had just been dealt with by Xu Yuan, suddenly spoke: "Four Inspectors; one position should be reserved for Lu Yuanxiang."

Xu Yuan had not expected this woman to be so unable to distinguish the situation.

"Why?" Xu Yuan asked coldly.

"Mr. Lu is willing to join the Purification Bureau. Is a man of his standing, a Sixth Rank, not worthy of an Inspector post?" Gao Wanli spoke with righteous indignation.

In her view, securing an "Inspector" position for Lu Yuanxiang, who had followed her to Zhan Cheng, was a trivial matter.

Xu Yuan did not answer Gao Wanli's question but asked instead, "How long has my lord been in the Purification Bureau?"

"Six years."

"Then you are considered a veteran," Xu Yuan's voice grew stern: "Then my lord should not be unaware that not just anyone can enter our Purification Bureau.

To join the Purification Bureau, one must first have their background checked for purity, and their own body inspected for parasitic evil spirits.

Only after passing these examinations does one qualify to enter the Purification Bureau."

Gao Wanli angrily said, "Lu Yuanxiang is absolutely without issue..."

Xu Yuan waved his hand to cut her off: "It is not a matter of you saying there is no issue and there being no issue. Only if I, my lord, say he has no issue, does he have no issue!"

"You!" Gao Wanli was left speechless with rage.

Xu Yuan continued, "This investigation will take at least several months. Does the Zhan Cheng Office have to wait for him for several months?

Moreover, what does being Sixth Rank matter? High standards only indicate that one's personal strength is formidable.

But an Inspector must lead subordinates to handle cases; what is tested is not merely personal strength.

If Lu Yuanxiang is willing to join the Purification Bureau, we naturally welcome him.

If he passes the review, I, my lord, am willing to grant him a position commensurate with his standards.

For example, a Supervisor within the office.

But if he wishes to become an Inspector, to lead a team alone, he must prove his ability in future affairs."

Xu Yuan snatched two appointment documents.

The names Fu Jingyu and Di Youzhi were already written on them.

Xu Yuan took out his official seal: "I have finished speaking. If my lord has no other reason to object, I will apply the seal."

Gao Wanli opened her mouth, but truly could find no reason to refute.

Xu Yuan then brought the great seal down, stamping it with a sharp clap.

"From this day forward, Fu Jingyu and Di Youzhi shall be Inspectors!"

Colleagues stepped forward one after another, smiling and clasping their hands to congratulate the two.

Gao Wanli suddenly stood up, her face dark, and swept her sleeve before leaving.

Yet no one paid her any mind.

In today's confrontation, Gao Wanli was utterly defeated.

By nightfall, after Gao Wanli had calmed down, she summarized the situation herself, feeling she had lost because that rascal Xu Yuan did not play by the rules.

Lu Yuanxiang, a Sixth Rank, was originally Gao Wanli's ultimate weapon.

But as soon as he appeared, Xu Yuan shattered his sword pill.

You, the esteemed Lawkeeper of the Zhan Cheng Office, did not even follow the custom of "first sending a subordinate to engage," but went straight to handling it yourself!

Where is your status?

But she could find no fault in it.

Xu Yuan's greatest advantage was his youth.

Even if all of today's events were made public, others would most likely only comment with a single phrase: "Young and reckless."

So what?

Would it make superiors think Xu Yuan was "unsteady," requiring more tempering?

Xu Yuan had just been promoted to Lawkeeper; at his age, it was impossible for him to be promoted again in the short term anyway.

For Xu Yuan, there was almost no damage.

But for Gao Wanli, it was a disastrous start and a total defeat.

The Zhan Cheng Office had four Inspector posts, yet she, as the Vice Lawkeeper, managed to secure none of them.

Xie Qingman was even able to snatch one from He Youxing.

(End of this chapter)