20: Report

The banquet was halfway through, and the guests were clinking glasses and exchanging toasts, creating a very lively scene.

Just as Family Head Liu was once again offering a toast to Tang Cheng, Tang Cheng spoke up in a low voice.

"A few days ago, a Resentful Spirit appeared near Fuhe Village and bewitched the villagers, almost causing a major disaster. I wonder if Clan Chief Liu knows about this."

A flash of displeasure crossed Family Head Liu's eyes, but he maintained a gentle smile on his face. "Town Head Tang, it is indeed a pity, but I have never heard of what you mentioned. However, any Source Beasts that sneak in should indeed be killed."

Town Head Tang took a sip of wine. "But the border at Fuhe Village is the responsibility of your Liu Family."

"I heard that your Liu Family happened to recall many hands back to the clan during those few days? Because the border guard was empty, such a situation occurred."

A look of realization appeared on Family Head Liu's face, followed by a hint of sorrow. "Town Head Tang, this matter is my fault."

"Our Liu Family needs to guard the borders of seven villages, but our Family's population has always been sparse, so all our young men were sent out.

This year happens to be my hundredth birthday. I missed them dearly, so I thought of having them come back for a gathering. After all, past a hundred years, I don't know how much time I have left."

As he spoke, tears glinted in the corners of Family Head Liu's eyes, but his jet-black hair and smooth, wrinkle-free skin made his words less than convincing.

"The border has been at peace with those Source Beasts from Beyond the Border for so many years. I thought a few days wouldn't be a problem and wanted them to come home for a bit so I could enjoy some Family happiness. Who would have thought that a problem would occur in just those few days?

The young men are not at fault. If the Town Head wants to punish someone, then punish this old man himself."

Tang Cheng smiled, but his gaze was cold. Including himself, the Town Chief's Mansion only had two Spirit Rank Contract Masters, while as many as four had appeared at the Liu Family's banquet today.

Punish him? He would have to ask the Liu Family members, who had already stopped eating and were staring at him with cold eyes, if they agreed.

"Family Head Liu has a sincere heart, so I cannot say much. However, the corresponding compensation for the villagers of Fuhe Village and the subsequent resettlement work will require much effort from Family Head Liu."

A look of satisfaction flashed in Family Head Liu's eyes; this new Town Head was someone who knew how to adapt to the situation.

"That is only natural. I will send servants to handle this matter tomorrow."

This was just a small interlude in the banquet, and the lively atmosphere was quickly restored.

Late at night, the banquet ended.

After seeing off all the guests, in a room decorated with Ice Lotus, Family Head Liu was having a private talk with a middle-aged man.

"Have you found out the background of that Tang Cheng?"

"I have. This Tang Cheng comes from the Tang Family, a Seventh-Rank Notable clan in the county seat. He is a son of a branch line, but his Talent is quite good. At only forty-seven years old, he has already reached the Spirit Rank Middle Stage."

"As for coming to our Heyu Town, besides gaining experience, it's unclear if he carries any Family missions. However, there should be other forces protecting him."

Family Head Liu's fingers lightly tapped the armrest of his chair, making a crisp 'da-da' sound. It was unknown what he was plotting in his mind.

"Liu Xu, you must keep a close eye on the altar. Once the Great Sacrifice has begun, it cannot be stopped. Our Liu Family's promotion to the Seventh Rank depends on this single stroke; there must be no mistakes."

The middle-aged man, whose expression had been indifferent, now looked solemn. "Yes, Family Head. I will certainly not fail the Family's trust. What does the Clan Chief intend to do about Tang Cheng?"

By the end, the man's expression had turned sinister, as if hinting at something.

Family Head Liu shook his head in silence. "We cannot touch him. Killing a Spirit Rank Contract Master is nothing, but if he is the Town Head, the Dynasty will certainly investigate thoroughly."

...

The wind and snow in Heyu Town stopped and started, and the accumulated snow always stayed at about calf height.

Braving the wind and snow, Chu Shengfan carried the luggage his mother and father had packed for him and came to his grandfather's window, looking into the dim room.

He bowed toward the window, then bid farewell to his parents and siblings, and stepped out the door with a flourish.

'Crunch, crunch.'

The sound of footsteps on the snow had a sandy texture.

A Contract Master's pace is much faster than an ordinary person's. To avoid getting lost, Chu Shengfan stopped and started, arriving in town at about seven in the morning.

Only when Chu Shengfan safely entered the city gate did a shadow that had been trailing far behind him brush the snow off his body and head back the way he came without looking back.

Chu Shengfan first went to Medicine Heart Hall to drop off his luggage. As expected, Sun Chunchen had prepared an excellent room for him. Except for personal clothing, the room was fully furnished, and the utensils were much better than those at home.

However, Chu Shengfan was in a hurry to report to the Town Chief's Mansion, so he didn't stay long and rushed over there.

After showing his token to the guard at the gate, he followed his memory from yesterday to the Logistics Department.

Compared to yesterday, there were several more people here, seemingly chatting about something, making the lonely courtyard a bit lively.

"Really? Just last night, the people of an entire village, Qihe Village, disappeared? Brother Liu Yuan, you're not lying to us, are you?" The speaker was a young man in a light green robe.

"How could I lie to you? Just now, when I went to the Investigation and Guard Office, I heard those Guard Soldiers reporting it personally," Liu Yuan argued hurriedly.

"In one night, a village must have five or six hundred people, right? Just gone like that? Could it be that another powerful Source Beast escaped from Beyond the Border?" someone whispered excitedly.

"That shouldn't be possible. To do it so silently, what Realm of Source Beast would it be? Doesn't that mean our town isn't safe either?"

A young man with a somewhat cold and hard face seemed dissatisfied with the fearful expressions of his companions. "What's the panic? Even if there's a powerful Source Beast, it wouldn't dare enter the town. Do you really think the three major families and the Town Chief's Mansion are pushovers?"

The others seemed somewhat afraid of this cold-faced young man. After he spoke, everyone else fell silent.

The scene cooled down a bit. Chu Shengfan, who had been standing to the side acting as if he were invisible, spoke softly at this moment.

"I am Chu Shengfan. I wonder where I should sit?"

After he spoke, the others finally seemed to notice his presence. "Where did this kid come from? How did you get in?"

"Could he be here to find a parent?"

Chu Shengfan was fair-skinned and delicate. Although he grew up in a village, the Chu Family couldn't be considered ordinary farmers; after all, his grandfather was an Intermediate Alien Tier Contract Master.

Having read and studied since childhood, he was not much different from the sons of the families in town.

Naturally, Chu Shengfan was mistaken by these future 'colleagues' for a child who had come to the Town Chief's Mansion to find a parent.

After they finished their chatter and the scene quieted down slightly, Chu Shengfan spoke again.

"I'm not here to find anyone. I'm here to report for duty. Where should my seat be?"

Hearing the boy say this seriously, the scene fell silent once more.

One of the young men, wearing a white robe embroidered with green and light green floral patterns and looking somewhat flamboyant, asked with a smile.

"Since you're here to report, do you have any proof?"

Chu Shengfan thought for a moment, pulled the token from his robe, and handed it to the flamboyant young man.

The flamboyant young man took the token, looked at it carefully, and then looked around at the others in disbelief. "It's real. This kid is really here to report for duty."

"Not our Logistics Department. Why would a child come here? Is Director Bai's eyesight..."

Before he could finish, a sinister voice came from outside the door. "What's wrong with my eyesight?"

The flamboyant young man's body stiffened, and he immediately changed his expression, looking back with a flattering smile.

"Sharp, sharp! Director Bai's eyesight is truly good. You have the ability of foresight, knowing this kid will be someone important in the future, so you brought him to our Logistics Department early."

"Glittering tongue." Bai Liangshu casually patted the flamboyant young man's head and then introduced to the others.

"His name is Chu Shengfan. He will be your colleague from now on. He is young, so everyone please take care of him."

Then he looked around and pointed to a spot on the east side of the room, the second seat on the left in the third row, saying to Chu Shengfan, "You'll sit there from now on. Today, you should familiarize yourself with the environment and walk around the Town Chief's Mansion. You'll officially start work tomorrow."

"Yes." Chu Shengfan cupped his hands toward Bai Liangshu.

Bai Liangshu nodded and then glanced at the flamboyant young man. "You take him for the next few days and make sure he gets familiar with our Logistics Department's business procedures."

The flamboyant young man had obvious curiosity about Chu Shengfan, so he nodded and replied enthusiastically, "Okay, I will definitely complete the task."

Listening to the tone of his speech, Chu Shengfan felt it was a bit strange and silently judged in his heart: this person's personality is a bit too flighty and not steady enough.