Chapter 200 Initial Conferment of Merit

By the time the team returned to the Prefecture Demon Suppression Division, it was already the afternoon.

Everyone was covered in dust and grime, their bloodstains still unwashed, drawing side-glances from the guards at the entrance. As Bai Junyi dismounted, he stumbled, and Lu Dachuan quickly steadied him.

Bai Junyi stood straight with the help of Lu Dachuan's arm, looked at everyone, and instructed in a hoarse voice:

"Take Zhao Si to the Medicine Demon Division first. Everyone else, return to your barracks to wash up and rest. One hour from now, follow me to the main hall to report the mission details and hand over the proof."

Everyone nodded in agreement and dispersed.

Upon reaching the barracks, Ling Xiaoning collapsed onto his bunk the moment he entered, too exhausted to move even a finger, and whined complainingly:

"I'm exhausted! This round trip has made my bones feel like they're falling apart... It's killing me..."

Seeing his childish behavior, Lu Dachuan couldn't help but laugh and scold him:

"You brat, you only killed a few snakes, what are you whining about? Look at Chen Mu, he hasn't said a word. Hurry up and get up to fetch water and wash yourself; you reek of fishy blood."

Feng Qing shook his head, silently hung up his longbow, and took a few gulps from his waterskin. Chen Mu, on the other hand, remained silent, drawing well water to wash off the dried stains on his body.

Since his return, Zhuifeng had been following closely at his heels, its short little legs paddling frantically as it circled him, seemingly confirming that Chen Mu was safe and sound. Chen Mu bent down to pat its head and took a small piece of dried meat from his pocket. Zhuifeng sniffed it, carefully took it, and crouched to the side to gnaw on it slowly, yet its eyes never left Chen Mu.

One hour later, at the main hall of the Demon Hunting Division.

Cheng Xiaoqing was dressed in a black official robe with a copper seal at his waist, sitting upright on a tiger-skin chair. Huo Chao stood by his side with his arms crossed, his eyes sweeping over everyone like torches.

Below the hall, the group stood in formation.

Bai Junyi stepped forward first, knelt on one knee, and presented the package in his hands with both palms.

"Reporting to the Banner Master and General Squad Leader, Team C was ordered to clear the demon infestation in Shi Town and has now returned to report!"

Cheng Xiaoqing did not speak but gave a slight nod. Huo Chao stepped forward, took the package, and roughly inspected it.

The venom sacs were intact, the snake gallbladders were preserved, and the back scales were as hard as iron. One scale, in particular, was the size of a bowl, pitch-black as ink, with metallic luster along its edges.

"What is the situation in Shi Town?"

After a long while, Cheng Xiaoqing spoke slowly in a low voice.

Bai Junyi remained kneeling and reported in a steady voice.

"Replying to the Banner Master, there were seven Black-Scaled Serpent Demons in Shi Town. The largest was about four zhang long and as thick as a water bucket; it had attained intelligence, was adept at spitting toxic mist, and had tough scales. The other six were slightly smaller but fierce. Countless villagers were killed or injured, the village head's family perished, and most of the others fled or went into hiding."

Mentioning this, Bai Junyi paused before continuing.

"After Team C arrived, we were besieged by the serpent demons on the main street of the town. After a fierce battle lasting two quarter-hours, all seven demon snakes were executed. Our team member Zhao Si suffered broken ribs and internal organ damage; the rest of us sustained minor injuries. The proof of the demon snakes is here; please inspect it, Banner Master and General Squad Leader."

Huo Chao had finished the inspection, retied the package, placed it before Cheng Xiaoqing's desk, and turned to help Bai Junyi up. He looked him over and, for once, lowered his tone.

"How are your injuries?"

"I am fine, subordinate; a few days of recovery will suffice."

Bai Junyi managed to stand straight, though his face was slightly pale, and he stubbornly insisted.

Cheng Xiaoqing watched him for a while, then his gaze passed over him to sweep across the others behind him, finally landing on Chen Mu, where it lingered for a moment before moving away.

"The demon infestation in Shi Town was initially rated as Grade C-High by the Demon Search Division."

"There were seven Black-Scaled Serpent Demons, one of which was nearing the threshold of transforming into a Flood Dragon. The true rating should be between Grade C-High and Grade B-Low. It is no small feat that your Team C returned with all members and only one seriously injured."

"According to the Demon Suppression Division's regulations on merit assessment, clearing a Grade C-High demon infestation grants all members Grade C-Mid merit. Those who kill the lead snake on the front lines receive an additional Grade C-High merit. Those seriously injured will receive preferential compensation, and all expenses for Medicinal Pills will be covered by the division."

Hearing this, everyone in the hall was visibly moved.

Merit! In the Demon Suppression Division, merit was life, it was one's future, and it was the hard currency used to exchange for Cultivation Techniques, Medicinal Pills, and divine weapons.

While Grade C-Mid merit wasn't the highest, it was a generous reward for a single mission. Especially the extra Grade C-High merit; if Bai Junyi claimed it for himself, it would be enough to take a huge step forward on his path to promotion.

Ling Xiaoning looked at Chen Mu with sympathy, almost certain that this merit would be pocketed by Squad Leader Bai.

Unexpectedly, Bai Junyi raised his head slightly and clasped his fists to reply.

"Banner Master, the slaying of the lead snake this time was not my achievement alone. Feng Qing's armor-piercing arrow severely wounded its vital points, Lu Dachuan held the front, Shen Suning and Ji Xiang harassed the flanks, and the final killing blow was delivered by Chen Mu. I absolutely dare not claim this merit alone."

Upon hearing this, a flash of surprise crossed Cheng Xiaoqing's eyes, and he glanced at Huo Chao.

Huo Chao nodded slightly and asked in a deep voice.

"Reporting the truth has always been the rule of the Demon Suppression Division. Bai Junyi, tell us the details of the battle."

Bai Junyi answered in the affirmative and began to recount the events from their arrival in Shi Town, the discovery of the demon snakes, the formation of their battle line, and the process of the fierce battle, detailing everything clearly.

His words were concise, yet he explained the key points clearly. When he spoke of Chen Mu killing three demon snakes in a few breaths, saving Ling Xiaoning and Shen Suning, and finally coordinating with the others to slay the lead snake, the expressions of Cheng Xiaoqing and Huo Chao changed slightly.

"Chen Mu." Cheng Xiaoqing suddenly spoke.

Chen Mu stepped forward half a step, lowered his eyes, and cupped his hands.

"You are new to the Prefecture, and this was your first mission. You were calm in the face of battle, decisive in your strikes, saved your comrades in danger, and slew the demon snake on the front lines. Is what Bai Junyi said true?"

Chen Mu did not hesitate and admitted it.

"It is true. Comrades fighting side-by-side should naturally support one another."

Cheng Xiaoqing stared at him for a moment, seemingly finding this person quite interesting, and slowly nodded.

"Good. Since that is the case, the extra Grade C-High merit will be divided among Bai Junyi, Feng Qing, and Chen Mu. Bai Junyi will be credited with thirty points for proper command, Feng Qing with twenty-five points for the critical strike, and Chen Mu with twenty-five points for meritorious service on the front lines and saving others."

After speaking, he looked toward Huo Chao.

"General Squad Leader Huo, what do you think?"

Huo Chao pondered for a moment and nodded slightly. "Fair."

"Thank you, Banner Master." Bai Junyi led the group, and everyone bowed in thanks.

"Then it is settled. The merit records will be entered into the Demon Archive Division's files today. You may use your waist tokens to check and redeem them. Alright, you may all go now and get some good rest."

Bai Junyi saluted again and led the group out of the main hall.

Not until they stepped out of the courtyard gate, leaving behind the stern and oppressive atmosphere of the main hall, did Ling Xiaoning let out a long sigh of relief and pat his chest as he said:

"Oh my mother! That look from Banner Master Cheng—every time he looks at me, I feel like I've been scraped by a knife."

Lu Dachuan chuckled and threw his arm around Ling Xiaoning's shoulder.

"Kid, you can't take that much? Banner Master Cheng's Aura was forged in a mountain of blades and a sea of blood. We earned Grade C-Mid merit this time; it was worth it. When the merit points come down, Brother will take you to the Demon Archive Division to open your eyes."

Ling Xiaoning looked back at Chen Mu, grinned, and laughed.

"Chen Mu is still the best, earning extra merit. I'm so envious."

Shen Suning also spoke softly.

"If not for Chen Mu's rescue, we probably wouldn't have lived to receive this merit."

Lu Dachuan patted Chen Mu on the shoulder and said in a rough voice:

"Brother Chen, this old brother is impressed. Your blade is fast, accurate, and ruthless. Next time we go on a mission, we must fight side-by-side again."

Chen Mu responded to each of them, but his expression remained calm.

Merit was certainly important, but what he was calculating in his heart was the eight hundred-plus years of Lifespan plundered from slaying the serpent demons. He was one step closer to the Perfection of the second level of the Hunyuan Wuji Calamity Body.

But it was not enough, far from enough.

He wanted more.