Shen Changqing had just left the Zhao Family when he saw someone approaching.
Looking at the person coming toward him, Shen Changqing’s eyebrows slightly lifted. He was familiar with the person before him; it was a clerk from Yongfu Pawnshop, who was actually also a member of the Heavenly Inspection Guard.
Yongfu Pawnshop served as the base of the Heavenly Inspection Guard in Lin’an City, and everyone inside was a member of the Guard.
The man replied, "The shopkeeper invites you regarding a matter. He said that for the issue Lord Shen previously asked us to investigate, there are already some leads."
"Lord Shen, please follow me!"
The man walked ahead, while Shen Changqing followed a few steps behind toward Yongfu Pawnshop.
In terms of secrecy, the operations of the Heavenly Inspection Guard in Lin’an City weren’t much to speak of, with just a pawnshop serving as their fig leaf. But in fact, even without the fig leaf of Yongfu Pawnshop, the Heavenly Inspection Guard would have had no issues at all. The Heavenly Inspection Guard was under the Demon-Subduing Division. Even if they had openly displayed a signboard, it would have been permissible. The Heavenly Inspection Guard stationed in Lin’an City was merely a message-receiving point; the actual work of gathering intelligence from various locations was performed by other operatives.
Lin’an City wasn’t large, and it took only a short while to travel from the Zhao Family to Yongfu Pawnshop.
Shen Changqing was a familiar face at Yongfu Pawnshop, so as soon as he entered, he went straight to the inner hall.
Upon seeing this, Situ Bei hurriedly stood up.
"Lord Shen has arrived!"
"Brother Situ," Shen Changqing nodded slightly, also exchanging greetings. Having dealt with Yongfu Pawnshop on numerous occasions, the two of them had become quite familiar. Moreover, since Situ Bei was somewhat older, Shen Changqing addressed him respectfully.
Once seated, Situ Bei handed Shen Changqing a square wooden box that was on the table.
"Lord Shen, about half a day ago, a member of the Heavenly Inspection Guard delivered this item, claiming it was brought here for Lord Shen on behalf of the Demon-Subduing Division. Please have a look!"
"The Demon-Subduing Division?"
Shen Changqing was curious. As he received the wooden box, it felt somewhat heavy in his hands. Without any reservation, he directly opened the wooden box in front of Situ Bei.
Inside was a rectangular token.
Shen Changqing picked up the token. One side bore the inscription ’Demon-Subduing Division,’ while the other displayed his name, ’Shen Changqing.’ In the lower corner, the words ’Yellow Rank Demon Hunter’ were engraved.
A Yellow Rank Demon Hunter Identity Token!?
Meanwhile, Situ Bei watched Shen Changqing open the wooden box. He saw him examining the token and instantly caught the words "Yellow Rank Demon Hunter."
Immediately, he congratulated respectfully, "Congratulations to Lord Shen on your successful promotion to Yellow Rank Demon Hunter! A promising future awaits you, and becoming a Defender Envoy is also within reach!"
"You flatter me, Brother Situ."
With a slight smile, Shen Changqing put the token away; this was his second Identity Token. He still had on him his original Identity Token as a novice Demon Hunter.
According to the rules, upon promotion to Yellow Rank Demon Hunter, he should have submitted his original Identity Token. However, as he hadn’t returned to the Demon-Subduing Division, many steps had been omitted.
After securing the token, Shen Changqing looked at the other items inside the wooden box.
Three sealed letters.
A Pure Spirit Jade Pendant.
A book, on which was written: Heavenly Martial Gang Qi.
Heavenly Martial Gang Qi... it seems to be a martial arts technique. Why would the Demon-Subduing Division specifically send a martial arts technique? What’s their intention?
Besides that, only a porcelain bottle remained.
Shen Changqing first put away the Pure Spirit Jade Pendant, then opened one of the letters. It was an appointment letter, indicating he was to temporarily assume the position of County Magistrate of Lin’an City, and it even bore a great seal.
He didn’t recognize the seal very well. However, a seal on a letter from the Demon-Subduing Division was surely no ordinary thing.
"Does Brother Situ recognize the seal on it?" Shen Changqing handed the appointment letter over to Situ Bei.
Upon seeing this, Situ Bei took the letter with both hands. After a brief glance, his pupils contracted. "This is the seal of Great Qin! The Demon-Subduing Division intends for Lord Shen to temporarily assume the position of County Magistrate of Lin’an City. Congratulations are in order!"
"So it is the seal of Great Qin."
Shen Changqing showed no smile as he casually put away the appointment letter. Its arrival meant he truly had no way out of this. Temporarily acting as County Magistrate... clearly, this was to allow him to legitimately serve as the Defender of Lin’an City.
Immediately after, Shen Changqing opened the second letter, which contained the judgment concerning the Zhao Family. Just as he’d thought, the Imperial Court deeply abhorred collusion with demon evils. Once the judgment was issued, the Zhao Family’s chances of survival were completely severed.
""The Zhao family’s time has come to an end!"" Shen Changqing sighed.
Although Situ Bei hadn’t seen the letter’s contents, he could guess much from Shen Changqing’s words and smiled dismissively.
"Lord Shen, you’re still young and don’t understand these matters. Zhao Fang dared to collude with demon evils, so the entire Zhao Family deserved death. This concerns the safety of Great Qin. If such acts aren’t punished, wouldn’t everyone dare to betray Great Qin and the Human Clan in the future? The deaths of the Zhao Family serve as a warning to others. This is the fate of those who dare to collude with demon evils!"
"Brother Situ speaks wisely," Shen Changqing nodded. He didn’t dwell on it too much. Killing one was still killing; exterminating the entire Zhao Family was also killing.
Only at this moment did Shen Changqing suddenly realize that, at some point, he had become cold-blooded.
Perhaps it’s the influence of the Demon-Subduing Division. Finding an excuse, he didn’t dwell on it.
Cold-blooded or compassionate... one’s environment shapes one’s character. Having joined the Demon-Subduing Division, one couldn’t afford to be soft-hearted; otherwise, you might be the one to die.
Soon, Shen Changqing opened the last letter. It contained a message from Jiang Zuo. The gist was that, considering the mission’s risks, the higher-ups had decided to grant him some benefits and advised him to be careful. When the Demon-Subduing Division could spare forces from elsewhere, they would come to support him at the first opportunity. Before that, he was to ensure the safety of the citizens of Lin’an City. Finally, it explained the origins of the Heavenly Martial Gang Qi and the contents of the porcelain bottle.
After putting away the letters, Shen Changqing glanced at the Heavenly Martial Gang Qi and the porcelain bottle for a moment before tucking them into his robe, leaving only the empty wooden box on the table. This wasn’t the right time or place to study the Heavenly Martial Gang Qi, and as for the matter of Pulse Condensation, he didn’t plan on letting too many people know.
Having secured his belongings, he looked towards Situ Bei. "Brother Situ, did you call me here just because the Demon-Subduing Division sent something, or is there another matter?"
"Some days ago, Lord Shen asked me to inquire if anything strange had occurred within a fifty-mile radius, and it just so happens that I have received some news."
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