153: Chapter 154 Old Man Shen's Letter, the Commandant Arrives

"What is Chijin Hall?" Sun Daqian asked curiously.

"It's just a blacksmith shop."

Hearing it was a blacksmith shop, Sun Daqian immediately shook his head like a rattle.

"Not going, not going." His voice carried an instinctive resistance.

"Forging is too tiring. With these small arms and legs of mine, I probably couldn't even lift a hammer.

Hehe, Big Boss, is there any work that's a bit easier? Ideally, less work and more money."

Lin Ye's mouth twitched at the words.

No wonder this guy awakened a thieving-type Talent; with this idle, lazy personality—never sitting if he could lie down, never standing if he could sit—he was a perfect match for the Hand of Spell-Stealing!

"Since you don't want to forge iron, I can only send you to the Black Stone Gang to be a lackey."

With his relationship with Lei Hu, asking him to help place someone shouldn't be a big problem.

"A lackey?"

Sun Daqian thought about it and felt it was pretty good.

A gang lackey, isn't that just waving flags and shouting behind the boss? That's easy work.

Afterwards, Lin Ye took him to the Black Stone Gang.

The lackeys of the Black Stone Gang saw Lin Ye coming and didn't dare to block him. They stepped aside to make a path and respectfully called out, "Lord Lin."

This scene made Sun Daqian's eyes burn with envy, wondering when he could be so impressive.

"Lord Lin, what wind brings you here? Please, take a seat. Someone, bring tea!"

Seeing Lin Ye enter, Lei Hu hurriedly stood up and cupped his fists.

"Gang Leader Lei, sorry for the intrusion." Lin Ye also cupped his fists in return, then revealed Sun Daqian behind him.

"I came today because I want to ask Gang Leader Lei for a favor.

This is a fellow villager of mine. He's a newcomer and doesn't know anything. I wonder if Gang Leader Lei could arrange a bit of easy work for him?"

Hearing this, Lei Hu looked Sun Daqian up and down. Although he was very puzzled by his strange clothes, he didn't ask much.

"Haha, for such a small matter, there's no need for Lord Lin to come in person."

Lei Hu said with a wave of his hand, "It just so happens that the logistics department is missing a gatekeeper. Why not let this little brother go there?

He'll just be responsible for watching the gate every day. Room and board included, ten taels of silver a month. Lord Lin, what do you think?"

"Then many thanks to Gang Leader Lei."

Lin Ye naturally had no objections. He turned and instructed Sun Daqian, "Follow Gang Leader Lei and work hard from now on. Remember not to cause trouble, or I won't help you if something goes wrong."

Sun Daqian naturally understood Lin Ye's underlying meaning, which was simply not to use his Talent recklessly.

"Understood, understood!"

"Don't worry, Big Boss. I'll definitely work hard and never cause trouble for you!"

After saying that, he gave Gang Leader Lei a deep bow: "Hello, Boss!"

Lei Hu was also startled by Sun Daqian's sudden "Hello, Boss," but for Lin Ye's sake, he didn't get angry. Instead, he praised the young man with a kind Face for being very energetic.

After handling Sun Daqian's matter, Lin Ye didn't stay long. He chatted briefly with Lei Hu and then left the Black Stone Gang.

As for how this guy would fare in the future, that was none of his business.

...

One day, while Lin Ye was killing monsters and grinding Cultivation Technique proficiency on Heifeng Mountain, the demon suppression token in his bosom suddenly vibrated slightly.

Lin Ye casually pulled the black iron staff out of a Black Bear's body and took out the token to take a look.

It was a message from Old Man Shen.

"Kid Lin, the higher-ups are very concerned about the Qishan Village matter. In a few days, the Commandant will personally lead a team to check the situation. You should make preparations for the reception."

Lin Ye's brow twitched slightly.

The Commandant himself is coming to investigate?

That was the highest leader of the Demon Suppression Division at the county level; they wouldn't easily leave their post.

And now he was actually going to personally lead a team to a small place like Black Stone Town.

"It seems this matter is more serious than I imagined."

Putting away the demon suppression token, Lin Ye frowned slightly.

Returning to the town, Lin Ye first checked the construction progress of the Demon Suppression Division base.

With the Black Stone Gang working overtime, a massive building covering dozens of acres had basically taken shape. All that remained were internal decoration issues.

However, using it as a temporary reception center wasn't much of a problem.

Lin Ye sent people to the town to purchase some items to fill a few empty rooms.

Although the Commandant might not stay here for long, when a leader comes for an inspection, the necessary preparations must be made.

A few days later.

Lin Ye stood on the official road outside the north gate of Black Stone Town early in the morning, waiting.

He was wearing the standard official uniform of the Demon Suppression Division today. He didn't wear the dark soul; that thing had too much Killing Intent when worn. It was better to dress more formally when welcoming a superior.

He didn't bring the black iron heavy staff either, only carrying a black iron long saber at his waist, which was also the standard equipment for a Demon Suppression Guard.

Soon, a sound of horse hooves came from the distance.

Lin Ye looked up. Amidst the flying dust, a squad of cavalry was galloping from the end of the official road.

Six horses in total.

The leader was a pitch-black steed with four snow-white hooves, its long mane flying fiercely in the wind.

Sitting on the horse's back was a middle-aged man around forty years old, with a square Face and thick eyebrows.

He wore a dark red martial suit with a silver belt tied around his waist.

With just one look, Lin Ye felt a wave of pressure washing over him.

It was an aura naturally emitted after having been in a high position for a long time and holding the power of life and death.

Like a saber hidden in its sheath; even without being drawn, one could feel its sharpness.

Behind that Commandant followed five people. Judging by their clothes, they were all Demon Suppression Captains.

Among them was an acquaintance, Old Man Shen.

He was riding a reddish-brown warhorse, almost riding side-by-side with the Commandant in front.

Despite Old Man Shen being over sixty, he didn't show the slightest bit of old age while riding. Instead, he had an indescribable level of competence and sharpness.

Seeing Lin Ye, a hint of a smile appeared on Old Man Shen's Face, and he nodded slightly toward him.

The six people stopped not far in front of Lin Ye.

Seeing this, Lin Ye stepped forward and cupped his fists: "Lin Ye, Ninth-Grade Demon Suppression Guard of the Demon Suppression Division, welcomes the Commandant and the various Lord Captains."

Each of these people had a higher rank than him, so Lin Ye couldn't afford to be neglectful of any of them.

The Commandant pulled the reins and looked down at Lin Ye.

That gaze wasn't sharp—one could even say it was indifferent—but at this moment, Lin Ye felt as if he were being watched by a fierce beast, the hair on his body involuntarily standing up.

In Lin Ye's eyes, the person before him was unfathomable, like a deep well whose bottom could not be seen.

Clearly, the other party's Mental Energy was far above his own, which gave him this feeling of being unable to see through him.

"You are Lin Ye?" The Commandant spoke, his voice somewhat low and carrying an inexplicable majesty.

"Yes." Lin Ye bowed with cupped fists.

"Mm, not bad." The Commandant nodded, a hint of approval in his tone.

"To have such a cultivation at such a young age, no wonder Captain Shen praised you to the skies as soon as he returned. He has found a Talent for the Demon Suppression Division this time."

Old Man Shen chuckled from behind.

After speaking, the Commandant dismounted, his movements clean and agile.

"Let's go."

Having said that, he led the horse by the reins and strode toward the town.

Lin Ye and Old Man Shen exchanged glances and quickly followed.

"Tell me in detail about the Qishan Village matter," the Commandant asked as he walked.

"Yes!"

Lin Ye reported the situation he knew in full detail, though he slightly modified the information regarding Lin Dong.

After the Commandant finished listening, his brow furrowed slightly, then smoothed out again, as if he were thinking about something.