17: I didn't expect to be so valued by the higher-ups.

Zhao Zhen was furious, feeling like he was about to explode.

He stormed into Zhang Wu's room, fuming.

His Face, usually composed, was now distorted with anger.

"Lord Zhang," his voice was sharp and trembling, filled with disbelief, "Are you mistaken?"

"How could that Li Dong, the boy from Li Family Village, possibly kill a Foundation Establishment Stage Demon Beast?"

"This... there must be something wrong here!"

"Did he get too bold, falsely report his achievements, and deceive everyone?"

He roared, every word laced with suspicion and unwillingness.

It was as if Li Dong killing a Yao Beast wasn't a merit, but a conspiracy.

It was an open provocation to his, Zhao Zhen's, authority!

Zhao Zhen had intended to use a borrowed knife to kill.

But the knife didn't harm Li Dong; instead, it cut himself.

How could he endure this?

Zhang Wu's normally calm Face suddenly turned grim.

The atmosphere in the room became oppressive and dangerous.

He looked up, his gaze sharp, staring at Zhao Zhen.

His tone was icy, carrying an unchallengeable authority: "Zhao Zhen, mind your words!"

He heavily put down the pen in his hand with a "bang."

The teacup on the table even jumped.

"The mission report was personally reviewed by me, Zhang Wu."

"Every word, every sentence, has been carefully verified."

"What Li Dong said is all true, not a single lie!"

He paused, then emphasized his question: "What evidence do you have to prove he's lying?"

"Or are you, Zhao Zhen, suggesting that I, Zhang Wu, am blind and deaf?"

"That I can't even distinguish the truth from falsehood in a report?"

His voice wasn't loud, but every word was piercing.

Each one struck Zhao Zhen's heart.

Smashing all of Zhao Zhen's suspicions and defenses to pieces.

Zhao Zhen was rendered speechless by Zhang Wu's firm attitude.

His Face alternated between green and white.

He knew that on the matter of the report's authenticity, he had already lost.

He could only change direction, weakly arguing.

"Even... even if he really, by good luck, killed a Foundation Establishment Stage Demon Beast, so what?"

He stiffened his neck, his voice dry and sour.

"It must have just been good luck!"

"This kind of person, he just got incredibly lucky; his strength isn't necessarily that great."

"He's not at all worthy of Lord Zhang praising him like this!"

He tried every means to belittle Li Dong's achievement.

He wanted to portray that astonishing feat as a mere coincidence.

All to preserve his ridiculous Face and crumbling authority.

Hearing Zhao Zhen's stubborn and unreasonable arguments, Zhang Wu could no longer suppress his anger.

He suddenly stood up, pointed at Zhao Zhen's nose, and loudly cursed: "Zhao Zhen! Enough!"

His voice was loud, echoing in the room, carrying a terrifying pressure.

"Li Dong, at the Body Tempering Realm, killed a Foundation Establishment Stage Demon Beast—how astonishing is that achievement?"

"This is a miracle that our Mu Shi County Demon Suppression Division hasn't seen in many years!"

"You refuse to acknowledge his contribution, and instead, you slander him, malign him!"

"What exactly are your intentions?!"

The more he spoke, the angrier he became, practically pointing at Zhao Zhen's nose as he cursed.

"Could it be... could it be that you, Zhao Zhen, are so narrow-minded?"

"You can't stand to see others stronger than you?"

"You can't stand for our Demon Suppression Division to produce a true Genius?!"

His roar exploded in Zhao Zhen's ears like thunder.

It made Zhao Zhen dizzy, almost unable to stand steady.

Zhao Zhen was completely stunned by Zhang Wu's barrage of scolding.

He opened his mouth to retort but found he had nothing to say.

His Face flushed crimson, his body trembled, so angry he almost fainted.

He truly hadn't expected Zhang Wu to disregard his Face so completely and scold him like this, all for Li Dong.

He felt utterly humiliated and incredibly enraged.

The hatred for Li Dong in his heart grew wildly, like a venomous snake, threatening to consume him.

He clenched his fists tightly, his fingernails digging into his flesh, but he felt no pain.

Only one thought remained in his mind.

Li Dong, I, Zhao Zhen, am not finished with you!

After scolding Zhao Zhen, Zhang Wu's chest was still heaving violently, clearly still angry.

But he knew this was not the time to dwell on Zhao Zhen.

More importantly, he needed to make everyone aware of the Demon Suppression Division's stance and his support for Li Dong.

He tried to calm his emotions, then raised his voice.

He announced loudly to the entire Demon Suppression Division outpost:

"I, Zhang Wu, in my capacity as the Deacon of the Mu Shi County Demon Suppression Division, solemnly declare!"

"Li Dong, in this extremely dangerous mission in Black Wind Ridge, performed outstandingly, fearless of danger, and incredibly brave!"

"He successfully killed a Foundation Establishment Stage Yao Beast, the Black Scaled Python, a tremendous contribution!"

"To commend his contributions, the Demon Suppression Division has decided to heavily reward Li Dong!"

"He will be awarded one thousand contribution points and ten Mid-Grade Spirit Stones!"

"He will also receive the qualification to Cultivate for three days in the 'Spiritual Qi Secret Chamber' within the outpost!"

"At the same time, the Demon Suppression Division fully supports Li Dong in participating in the upcoming Demon Suppression Baptism!"

"No person, no force, is allowed to obstruct, make things difficult for, or even frame Li Dong for any reason, by any means!"

"Anyone who dares to violate this will Face the Demon Suppression Division's most severe punishment!"

Zhang Wu publicly stepped forward to support Li Dong.

His declaration was like a reassurance for everyone; the tide suddenly turned.

Zhang Wu was a Deacon of the Demon Suppression Division; his status was not low, and his words carried weight.

What he said was significant, and no one dared to disbelieve it.

This public praise, coupled with the generous rewards, was the best proof of Li Dong's strength.

It was also the most powerful response to those who had doubts.

Those who had been half-skeptical of Li Dong's strength were now completely convinced.

No one dared to spread rumors anymore.

People now looked at Li Dong with shock, admiration, and even a hint of fear in their eyes.

The name Li Dong instantly became well-known throughout the Demon Suppression Division outpost.

Soon, everyone in the entire Mu Shi County knew his name.

He was like a bright star that had suddenly appeared, dazzling and with strong momentum.

Zhou Shaoyang had been secretly observing the situation from a corner.

When he heard Zhang Wu so openly support Li Dong and give him so many good things, his eyes almost popped out.

He truly hadn't expected Li Dong to be so highly regarded by the higher-ups.

He immediately understood that his previous thoughts and actions were truly foolish and laughable.

He immediately put on a fawning smile and scurried over to Li Dong.

He bowed and flattered: "Brother Li, Brother Li is truly young and promising, a heaven-sent Genius! This strength is too astonishing! Before... before, I, Zhou Shaoyang, was blind and ignorant, I offended you greatly, please, Brother Li, be magnanimous and don't bother with me, just... just let me go like a fart!"

As he spoke, he cautiously stole glances at Li Dong's expression.

He was afraid Li Dong would hold a grudge and make things difficult for him.

He knew in his heart that he could no longer afford to provoke the current Li Dong.

Li Dong looked at the dramatically changed Zhou Shaoyang before him, a faint smile playing on his lips.

He said nothing, just lightly nodded, which served as a response.

He didn't take these so-called scions of influential families seriously at all.

Neither their previous contempt nor their current flattery affected Li Dong's mood.

His goal had always been clear: to become stronger.

Strong enough to protect his family and guard what he wanted to protect.

As for characters like Zhou Shaoyang, they were merely small pebbles on the roadside, not worth his effort to bother with.

Compared to Zhou Shaoyang's flattery, Li Dong was more concerned about another matter.

Zhao Zhen had suffered such a great loss; what would his next move be?

What more insidious methods would he employ?

Li Dong knew Zhao Zhen's character well: vindictive, ruthless, and he would never let things go just like that.

Although the incident in Black Wind Ridge failed to kill him and instead boosted his strength, this would likely only provoke Zhao Zhen to become even more frantic and unscrupulous.

He had to remain vigilant at all times, carefully prepared.

Only then could he establish himself in the Demon Suppression Division, protect himself, and also protect his sister, Li Xue.