Chapter 189 Taking Up New Post in the State

Liu Ziming stood at the very front of the line, dressed in his crisp and handsome Squad Leader official uniform, his eyes slightly reddened. Behind him, a yamen runner held a jujube-red horse—the very one newly assigned to him after his promotion.

The horse was exceptionally spirited today, its mane groomed to a shine, its hooves pawing at the ground as it snorted.

Qi Huan and Zhou Huaian stood side by side beneath the city gate. Qi Huan was in plain clothes, hands clasped behind his back, looking into the distance, while Zhou Huaian was in his neat official robes, wearing a polite smile, though he glanced at Qi Huan from time to time.

At the third quarter of the Chen hour, a figure walked out from the city gate tunnel.

Chen Mu had changed into a worn cloth outfit today, carrying a small bundle on his back. The jet-black puppy he held in his arms was looking up, scanning its surroundings vigilantly.

The moment he appeared, the crowd stirred, and whispers rose one after another. Chen Mu clearly hadn't expected such a scene; he paused, his gaze sweeping over the familiar and unfamiliar faces before finally settling on Liu Ziming.

Liu Ziming took a deep breath and strode forward to meet him, while a nearby runner immediately led the jujube-red horse forward.

"Chen Mu, take this horse... The road to the Prefecture is long; how can you manage without a good mount?"

Chen Mu looked at the horse. It seemed to sense something and leaned in, its warm breath puffing against the back of his hand.

He remembered this horse. When he had borrowed it to go to Fenglang Ridge, it had run steadily and swiftly. When he returned covered in blood, it had simply waited for him quietly.

"This is your horse," Chen Mu said.

Liu Ziming widened his eyes, his voice rising.

"What's mine or yours? Are we brothers or not? Besides, I can just get another one later."

He said it lightly, but everyone knew that it wasn't easy to get a horse assigned by a county-level Demon Suppression Division, especially a fine steed like this.

Chen Mu stopped refusing and reached out to take the reins. The jujube-red horse nuzzled him affectionately, then lowered its head to sniff the little black puppy.

The little black puppy shrank back into Chen Mu's arms vigilantly, letting out a low whine, but it didn't actually attack.

Liu Ziming chuckled, his eyes rimmed with red.

"A fine horse for a hero. Don't embarrass our Yunmeng when you get to the Prefecture."

Just then, someone in the Demon Suppression Division formation finally couldn't help but shout.

"Chief Chen, take care!"

Then, voices rang out one after another. These people hadn't had deep friendships with Chen Mu, and some had even held him in contempt due to rumors, but at this moment, their words were sincere.

For the hot blood he had shed in Yunmeng, for the demons he had slain under his blade, and for the brief peace he had won for this city.

Chen Mu turned around and cupped his fists toward the dozens of people. He didn't say much, but everyone understood the meaning of the gesture.

The commoners finally gathered their courage, and a few bold women stuffed steamed buns and eggs into his hands.

Chen Mu did not refuse. He took a few symbolically, put them into his bundle, and thanked them one by one, until Qi Huan and Zhou Huaian walked over.

Zhou Huaian's face was piled with smiles.

"Chief Chen, may you have a bright future at the Prefecture. I will certainly govern Yunmeng diligently and not fail the trust of the people."

The words were well-spoken, but Chen Mu heard the subtext.

"I will govern Yunmeng well and not cause trouble, but don't speak ill of me at the Prefecture."

"Lord Zhou is very kind. I hope you remember what you said before: act according to the law and do not harm the people."

"Naturally."

Zhou Huaian's smile didn't waver as he stepped back half a pace, and then Qi Huan walked up.

"I can only see you off to here. The inspection isn't finished, and there are still some loose ends to deal with. You must remember that the Prefecture is not like Yunmeng; the various forces there are deeply intertwined. It is easy to dodge an open spear, but hard to guard against a hidden arrow. Wen Jingxing will not give up easily, and the claws of Beimang might have already reached there as well."

"Go carefully this time. We will... meet again in the Prefecture."

Chen Mu listened quietly and nodded when he finished.

Everything that needed to be said had been said, and all the farewells had been made.

Chen Mu swung onto the horse. The jujube-red horse snorted, and the little black puppy leaped nimbly into the saddlebag hanging in front, showing only half its head.

"Giddyap!"

Chen Mu gave a soft shout and flicked the reins. The steed trotted off along the official road. The long pavilion behind him grew distant, and the city shrank in size. He took a deep breath and cast aside all distracting thoughts.

The road ahead was long and treacherous.

But this was the path he had chosen: to slay demons, seize their longevity to grow stronger, ascend to the pinnacle of the martial Dao, and eventually attain immortality, transcending Reincarnation.

He looked down at the little black puppy in the bag. The little guy seemed to sense his resolve, lifting its head, its golden pupils sparkling in the sunlight.

"Let me give you a name."

Chen Mu pondered for a moment.

"Let's call you... Zhuifeng."

...

The city walls of Jingzhou Prefecture were high and its moats deep; its grandeur was far beyond what Yunmeng could compare to.

Chen Mu led the jujube-red horse and stepped into the city with the bustling crowd. Zhuifeng poked its head out of the bag, scanning the surroundings, letting out a low whine—it was unclear whether it was out of vigilance or curiosity.

The Demon Suppression Division yamen was not in the busy market area but in a relatively quiet district in the west of the city. Two stone mythical lions glared angrily, and the lintel was inscribed with the three gilded characters "Demon Suppression Division," far more majestic and imposing than the plaque at the Yunmeng County yamen.

In front of the gate stood four runners with swords, their gazes sharp, scanning the passersby.

Chen Mu stopped ten paces from the gate, tied his horse to the hitching post by the street, and walked toward the main gate holding Zhuifeng.

"Halt! This is a restricted area of the Demon Suppression Division. No unauthorized personnel allowed."

A runner stepped forward, reaching out to block him.

Chen Mu took out his documents and handed them over.

"Chen Mu of the Yunmeng Demon Suppression Division, reporting for duty as ordered."

The runner took them to inspect, and after confirming they were correct, his expression softened slightly as he stepped aside to let him through.

"Turn left after entering and go to the General Affairs Division to process your onboarding."

Chen Mu thanked him and stepped into the Demon Suppression Division gate.

Inside, there was a vast martial arts arena paved with blue bricks. Weapon racks held blades, spears, swords, and halberds, all gleaming with cold light. Dozens of men were sparring, their shouts echoing, fists and palms moving with such force that their Protective Aura surged—all of them were at least at the Middle Stage of the Dao Entry Realm.

On the east and west sides of the arena were rows of side rooms. From time to time, officials hurried by carrying scrolls. To the north was a wide, three-bay hall, which was likely the place for meetings.

The entire yamen had an expansive layout, and the atmosphere was stern and busy, completely different from the somewhat rustic, chaotic feel of the Yunmeng Demon Suppression Division.

Chen Mu took a quick look around and found a side room with a wooden sign for the General Affairs Division. The door was ajar, and Chen Mu knocked lightly.

"Come in."

A slightly weary, middle-aged male voice came from inside.

Chen Mu pushed the door open and entered. The room was not large but was piled high with files, ledgers, and various documents, leaving almost no room to stand. Sitting behind a desk was an official of about forty with a short beard, burying his head in paperwork, his brows tightly furrowed, with a cup of cold tea by his hand.

He was wearing the dark blue-black official uniform of a ninth-rank official; this was the General Affairs Division official, Duan Yanzhi.

Hearing footsteps, Duan Yanzhi did not even look up.

"What is it?"

"Chen Mu of the Yunmeng Demon Suppression Division, reporting for duty as ordered to process onboarding."

Upon hearing this, Duan Yanzhi pointed to an empty chair in front of his desk.

"Sit. The transfer order."

His words were concise and to the point, revealing the efficiency and impatience developed from long-term handling of complex affairs.

Chen Mu sat down as instructed and placed the transfer order on the table. Only then did Duan Yanzhi look up and quickly scan Chen Mu. Seeing he was quite young, dressed simply, travel-worn, and holding a small black puppy in his arms, he frowned slightly.

"Chen Mu?"

Duan Yanzhi's fingertips slid across the roster.

"Indeed, there is a record. Yunmeng County's recommendation of achievements... slaying the Five-Tailed Demon Fox, assisting in quelling the chaos at the City God Temple."

His tone was flat, revealing neither praise nor criticism.

The Demon Suppression Division handled countless demon infestations every day; the achievements from a border town like Yunmeng were not particularly outstanding here.