220: Chapter 220 Undercurrents, Changes

Demon Suppression Division, inner hall.

Sandalwood incense curled, its blue smoke like wisps weaving into strange shapes in the air, emitting a faint fragrance that calmed the mind and settled the spirit.

Lin Sheng sat upright on a rosewood chair, dressed in a black brocade robe, his face as cold as frost, like an emotionless jade statue.

He held a celadon teacup in his hand, his gaze passing through.

Below the hall, a Demon Suppression Guard wearing a Flying Fish Robe knelt on one knee, his expression respectful, not daring to even breathe loudly.

"Reporting to Lord, we just received news from an undercover source that the Family's silk shop in the south of the city, as well as two iron mines outside the city, have been sealed by the Ministry of Revenue in coordination with the City Defense Battalion."

The Demon Suppression Guard's voice was very low, tinged with a hint of nervousness.

Upon hearing this, Lin Sheng did not even lift his eyelids.

He merely gave a faint "Mn," his voice cold and detached, revealing no emotional fluctuations whatsoever.

"Understood."

Seeing Lin Sheng's reaction was so indifferent, the Demon Suppression Guard couldn't help but feel a bit surprised, but he dared not ask more, only lowering his head deeply to await further instructions.

Lin Sheng set down his teacup, his slender fingers tapping lightly on the table, producing a rhythmic tap-tap sound.

In this silent inner hall, the sound was exceptionally clear, as if it were tapping directly onto one's heart.

"The Wang Family has been raided, and the Family's industries have been sealed…"

Lin Sheng calculated silently in his heart, a cold, sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

The Cabinet's implementation of the Family tax, with such speed and ruthless methods, had indeed exceeded many people's expectations.

As one of the top elite families in the capital, the Lin Family had unfathomable resources and was naturally within the scope of this storm.

The sealed silk shop and iron mines were merely a test by the Cabinet, or rather, a warning.

If the Lin Family did not know how to behave and obediently bow their heads to pay that exorbitant Family tax, the next things to be sealed would likely be more than just these peripheral industries.

"Those old fogies in the Cabinet are quite calculating. If they want to use my Lin Family as a target, they'll have to see if they have the teeth for it."

A faint, cold sneer curled the corner of Lin Sheng's mouth, his eyes filled with sarcasm and disdain.

Wanting to use the Family tax to weaken the elite families—how could it be that easy? They had operated in the capital for nearly a hundred years, deep-rooted, their influence having long permeated every aspect of the imperial court and the public.

From the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers to local prefectures, where were there not people from the elite families?

This game of chess had only just begun; if the Cabinet continued to push forward, the final victor remained to be seen.

Lin Sheng collected his thoughts, setting aside the Family's disputes for the moment, and turned his gaze to the Demon Suppression Guard.

"How are things moving on Chen Ran's end?"

The Demon Suppression Guard replied hurriedly, "Reporting to Lord, your subordinate has been sending people to keep a secret watch."

"The transfer order you previously commanded, to send him to the Demon-Slaying Squad for training, has been officially issued, and the documents have already been delivered to the Zhenyu Division's Celestial Prison; it will take effect today."

Lin Sheng nodded slightly, a profound look flashing in his eyes.

"Very good."

He waved his hand, signaling the Demon Suppression Guard to withdraw.

When he was the only one left in the hall, Lin Sheng slowly stood up and walked to the window.

Outside the window lay a bleak autumn scene.

Withered yellow leaves swirled in the cold wind, eventually drifting helplessly to the ground, turning into dust and mud.

"The waters of the capital are becoming increasingly murky; undercurrents are surging."

Lin Sheng stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze as deep as an abyss, as if he could see through the blood and slaughter behind these layers of palace towers and bustling markets.

The conflict between the Cabinet and the elite families was intensifying daily, with various forces taking the stage, filled with hidden murderous intent.

At this critical juncture, the slightest disturbance could trigger a massive upheaval.

Although Chen Ran was just a small Prison Officer, he was involved in quite a few connections.

If this event continued to escalate, it was hard to guarantee that Chen Ran wouldn't be targeted by someone with ulterior motives and drawn into this storm between the elite families and the imperial court.

"Transferring him to the Demon-Slaying Squad to let him avoid the limelight is also a decent destination."

"Having Captain Xia An in charge of his training this time—given that kid's talent, I estimate his strength will improve significantly."

Lin Sheng thought to himself.

Although the Demon-Slaying Squad was dangerous, constantly fighting against demons and evil entities year-round, the casualty rate was extremely high.

But it was a relatively independent and pure place; it only cared about strength and did not ask about one's background, rarely being directly affected by court disputes.

Moreover, it had always been under the control of the Lin Family. Sending Chen Ran there would, firstly, allow him to avoid the coming political vortex in the capital, and secondly, serve as a test of his strength.

Deep in the Celestial Prison, in a specially-made cell, an elderly prisoner's eyes were filled with terror; one hand half-covered his throat, while the other pointed forward, as if he had seen some terrifying scene.

A young man in black robes stood before the cell door, faint purple flames radiating from his body, enveloping the prisoner.

Chen Ran's expression was indifferent, unmoved.

He raised his hand slightly, a faint light flashing in his palm as a devouring force suddenly intensified.

A moment later, the old man's head hung down limply, his life force completely extinguished.

[Detected that the prisoner Ma Liuguo has died; Reward: Three months of cultivation.]

[Netherworld Spirit Devourer consumed the Divine Soul; your Soul Power has increased.]

Chen Ran closed his eyes slightly, feeling the Soul Power that had appeared out of thin air within his body, a faint arc curving at the corner of his mouth.

"This demonic cult's Cultivation Technique is truly brutal, though I won't have as much time to come here to pick prisoners afterward."

He pondered inwardly.

Although this Celestial Prison was a filthy place, to him, it was a rare treasure trove for cultivation.

He only needed to patrol once a day to quietly seize the remaining cultivation of these dying people and convert it for his own use.

Over time, the strength of his Divine Soul would only grow stronger and stronger.

The Divine Soul that ordinary Cultivators would need years of hard practice to accumulate, he could easily obtain just by taking a walk through this Celestial Prison.

Just as Chen Ran was deep in thought, a flurry of hurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside the cell.

"Lord Chen, is Lord Chen here?"

A slightly sharp voice rang out from outside the door, tinged with a bit of anxiety and ingratiation.

Chen Ran slowly opened his eyes, the sharp glint in his pupils flashing and vanishing, instantly restoring his cold and indifferent appearance.

"What is it?"

His tone was calm, revealing no emotional fluctuations.

The person outside the door hurriedly approached; it was a Jailer wearing gray clothes.

The Jailer was covered in sweat, his expression carrying an unconcealable sense of excitement and awe.

"Lord Chen, someone has come from the Demon-Slaying Squad!"