108: Chapter 108 Promotion, Prison Warden

The exposure of the Painted Skin Butterfly at the Qunfang Pavilion had completely poked a hornet's nest in the capital.

It directly caught the attention of the high-level officials in the Demon Suppression Division.

Right under the Emperor's nose, a demon had the audacity to disguise itself as a top courtesan to receive guests; this slap made the Demon Suppression Division's face burn with pain.

That night, Centurion Zhao Wuji received his orders.

Large groups of Demon Suppression Guards took to the streets with blades in hand, conducting sudden and thorough inspections of the capital's major brothels, shops, and even the private residences of some officials.

They didn't know until they checked, and the results were shocking.

Following the lead of the Painted Skin Butterfly, the Demon Suppression Division managed to root out several demons wearing human skins from the nooks and crannies of those entertainment districts.

The capital was in chaos overnight, with the sounds of executions and property seizures everywhere.

...

The next morning, in the meeting hall of the Demon Suppression Division.

People from all units stood straight.

Centurion Zhao Wuji sat in the main seat, holding a teacup and gently brushing away the floating leaves with the lid.

"Brothers, you've worked hard on last night's task."

He set down the teacup and looked up at those below: "But the primary credit goes to our colleague from the Internal Affairs Department, Chen Ran."

Everyone's gaze shifted in unison toward the back row.

"He remained calm in the face of danger and kept the big picture in mind, minimizing the panic among the common people."

Centurion Zhao Wuji tapped on the table:

"Based on his previous merits, the superiors have made an exception and promoted Chen Ran to Head of the Heavenly Prison's Internal Affairs Department, granting him the rank of Seventh-Grade Prison Official!"

The meeting hall fell into an eerie silence for a moment.

Many old-timers swallowed hard, exchanging glances with each other.

Becoming a Seventh-Grade Prison Official directly—this wasn't just a promotion, it was a complete transformation.

However, considering his previous achievements, few people found it truly unusual.

Chen Ran was already trusted by Divine Constable Lin, had gained many benefits through him, and had imprisoned many major criminals.

Today's demon incident was merely the catalyst to release the rewards early.

"Chen Ran, why are you still standing there in a daze?" Centurion Zhao Wuji picked up his teacup and blew on the steam.

Chen Ran stepped forward, cupped his fists, and dropped to one knee decisively.

"Thank you for the promotion, my Lord. Your subordinate will certainly do his utmost to guard the Heavenly Prison!"

Neither humble nor arrogant, his words were purely sincere.

Centurion Zhao Wuji nodded with satisfaction.

As soon as the meeting adjourned, Chen Ran stepped over the threshold and was blocked by a crowd before he could even find his footing.

"Lord Chen, congratulations, congratulations!"

"To wear these black official robes at such a young age, your future is limitless, Lord!"

"In the future, the Internal Affairs Department will be counting on you to provide for us, Lord!"

Several old jailers from the Internal Affairs Department offered their enthusiastic congratulations.

Li Changfeng was squeezed into the outermost circle, looking at Chen Ran with a bit of daze.

According to the official ranks of the Great Wei, the Head of the Internal Affairs Department was a Seventh-Grade Prison Official, while the ordinary members one level below were Eighth-Grade Lieutenants.

A seventh-grade status within the entire Heavenly Prison was only slightly lower than Centurion Zhao Wuji's rank as a Sixth-Rank Prison Supervisor.

The brother he was laughing and drinking with at the same table last night had woken up to become his direct superior.

Where the hell can one even go to reason with this?

"Brother Chen... oh no, Lord Chen." Li Changfeng rubbed his hands together and forced out a couple of dry laughs, looking incredibly awkward.

Chen Ran walked over and threw an arm around his shoulder: "Brother Feng, who are you insulting? You haven't even settled last night's bill yet; are you trying to act like a stranger to avoid paying?"

Hearing this, Li Changfeng froze for a moment.

Then his tense shoulders suddenly slumped, he let out a long breath, and grinned.

"Heh, you kid..."

...

After changing into the black official uniform of a Seventh-Grade Prison Official, Chen Ran walked down the stone steps.

A routine inspection.

Wherever he passed, the jailers on both sides quickly straightened their backs and pressed their hands against their trouser seams.

"Greetings, Lord Chen!"

Chen Ran gave a slight nod and went straight down to the Yi Ward, the high-security area on the lowest level of the Heavenly Prison.

Those imprisoned here were all ruthless characters; ordinary jailers would tremble just by getting close.

In the damp and dark cell, the Painted Skin Butterfly was pinned to the wall by black iron chains as thick as a child's arm.

After the severe beating last night, it only had half a breath left.

Its beautiful wings were tattered like two leaky palm-leaf fans, its flesh was torn, and it was oozing green blood.

Hearing footsteps, the Painted Skin Butterfly shifted its head with difficulty.

The face of 'Ruyan' printed on its wings was now distorted like a deflated ball.

It glared fiercely at Chen Ran, a wheezing hiss coming from its throat.

Chen Ran treated it as nothing more than a piece of ugly, rotten meat and ignored it completely.

Eye of Investigation, activate.

A translucent panel appeared.

[Prisoner: Painted Skin Butterfly]

[Realm: Sixth-Grade]

[Sin Value: High]

[Status: Heavily Injured]

[Life Experience: Hunted for the skins of beautiful young women, transformed into human form to suck the essence of men, hidden in a brothel for several years...]

[Talent: Painted Skin]

Chen Ran looked at the panel, feeling a surge of joy.

"It actually has a talent."

"A pity, I can't touch this piece of fat meat yet."

Chen Ran muttered to himself, a bloody light condensing in his hand.

This creature was a living witness that the higher-ups were keeping a close eye on. If it died mysteriously in the cell now, he, as the newly appointed Prison Official, would be held responsible.

A good meal is worth the wait.

Once the superiors finished the interrogation and squeezed out all its value, and the death sentence was passed, it wouldn't be too late to harvest it.

Chen Ran brushed the dust off his official uniform and turned to walk back.

...

Returning to the office of the Internal Affairs Department.

A dozen or so jailers from the Internal Affairs Department stood in two rows below, each one submissive, not even daring to make a sound.

A new official brings new rules; everyone was afraid the fire would burn their own heads.

A former colleague had become their superior overnight.

Anyone would have to carefully consider whether they had offended him in the past.

Chen Ran picked up the teapot and poured himself a cup of water.

"Everyone, stop being so tense."

He took a sip of water and said in a flat tone, "I don't like wasting words. How the Internal Affairs Department worked before is how it will work in the future."

"The shares you're supposed to get won't be a penny less."

As long as nothing goes wrong with the demons in the prison, everyone will have a good time."

"If anyone tries to play tricks under my nose and causes a mistake..."

Chen Ran set down the teacup, the porcelain base hitting the wooden table with a dull thud.

"I'll use that person to fill a demon's stomach. Do I make myself clear?"

The people in the hall felt their scalps tingle and quickly shouted in unison, "Understood!"

Chen Ran didn't use official jargon, nor did he shout any grand slogans about protecting the country.

These blunt and practical rules actually made this group of old-timers feel more at ease.

Just then, a jailer hurried in.

"Lord Chen, the Demon-Slaying Squad is here."

The jailer reported in a lowered voice, "They have an order from above, saying they want to take away several demons..."

"Demon-Slaying Squad?"

Chen Ran paused for a moment and slowly stood up.

These people were specifically responsible for hunting outside and rarely came to the filthy and smelly Heavenly Prison.

Others might not know what they were here for, but he already had a vague suspicion.

"Let's go and meet them."

Chen Ran led his men to the outer hall.

Several men in blood-colored martial attire stood there. The lead burly man had a blade slung across his hip and was originally kicking at pebbles on the ground with his toe.

Looking up and seeing the brand-new official uniform on Chen Ran, the burly man quickly pulled his leg back.

"Greetings, Lord Chen."

The burly man cupped his fists perfunctorily and handed over the order. "Ordered to take the Painted Skin Butterfly and the Wild Boar Demon, as well as the wolf demon imprisoned previously."

Chen Ran glanced at the official seal on the order and nodded to let them through.

"Go and bring them out."

Before long, the Painted Skin Butterfly and the Wild Boar Demon were dragged out.

These two Yao Beasts were within his jurisdiction, so it was relatively easy.

As for taking that wolf demon, it was more troublesome; it took quite some time to drug it and pull it out.

Chen Ran stood by the cell door and took a habitual glance.

The investigation panel popped up.

[Name: Green-Backed Wolf Demon]

[Realm: Sixth-Grade]

[Sin Value: Average]

[Talent: None]

None?

This was actually normal; not every Yao Beast possessed a talent.

Chen Ran sighed slightly, not particularly surprised.

He stepped back half a pace without showing any emotion, clearing the cell door.

He watched as the people from the Demon-Slaying Squad roughly fastened an iron chain around the wolf demon's neck and dragged it out like a dead dog.

"Lord Chen, thanks."

The burly man cupped his fists casually.

Chen Ran stood in place, watching the Demon-Slaying Squad disappear at the end of the corridor.

An hour later.

Chen Ran waited quietly, calculating that enough time had passed.

He clenched one hand, and several Blood Seeds condensed in his palm shattered with a snap.

Thump!

He could only sense a few muffled sounds coming from the outside world.

The next moment.

The heavenly book of prison suppression in his Sea of Consciousness slowly flipped open, and several pieces of information were transmitted.