28: Pass the assessment

However, looking at Wang Fusheng's condition, the threshold for this External Guard position should be relatively low.

For ordinary people, it seems like an opportunity.

"May I ask, sir, what does this External Guard mean?" Jiang Chen asked.

"As you probably know, ordinary people who wish to join the Black Yamen need to pass four major assessments: village, town, prefecture, and commandery. Only by excelling in the commandery test do they have a chance to become a Black Yamen Demon Slaying Guard. If you make any mistake along the way, you will lose your qualification, so for ordinary people, joining the reserve is already the best they can hope for."

"But reserves are, to put it bluntly, cannon fodder. Out of ten thousand reserves, not even one might become a true Demon Slayer Guard."

"And they have to endure, at least for ten years."

"But the External Guard is different."

"They are still affiliated with the Black Yamen. Aside from not having a fixed salary or subsidies like pensions, everything else is largely similar to a Black Yamen Demon Slaying Guard. Accumulate a certain amount of merit, and you can quickly become a full member."

"This is also a bold reform currently implemented by the imperial court. You don't need to be on duty and have freedom of movement. Even just collecting clues about demons can earn you contributions. And contribution points can also be used to exchange for top-tier martial arts and resources within the Black Yamen."

"Of course, if you are dispatched by a Black Yamen Demon Slaying Guard, you must obey their orders," Wang Fusheng said.

After listening, Jiang Chen largely understood.

It was indeed as he had guessed.

The Black Yamen was simply short on manpower, and there were many experts among the common people who, lacking connections, couldn't join the Black Yamen and thus lost the opportunity to obtain Black Yamen Cultivation resources. But now, they could become temporary workers. Aside from not receiving government benefits, they could still accumulate merit to exchange for Cultivation resources.

For folk experts, higher-level Cultivation resources represented an opportunity to break through their class.

These Advanced Cultivation resources were basically controlled by aristocratic families and powerful clans.

The highest ordinary people could access were Profound Rank martial arts.

Unless a few exceptionally talented individuals could break through their Bottleneck, these people would quickly be recruited by upper-class forces, and commoners would never rise.

However, for some unknown reason, the Black Yamen resources were opened up this time.

However, Jiang Chen could estimate that one reason was the rampant spread of demons, which increased the pressure on the imperial court.

In the past, let alone Da Huai Village, even Dongfeng Town had never heard of any demon incidents, and there wasn't even a Black Yamen established.

Now, even Da Huai Village has demons appearing.

The situation is naturally grim.

Another point is that while the officials are offering such opportunities, the resources actually provided will not be too top-tier; the truly good things are still hidden away.

Nevertheless, these publicly available resources were currently the best for Jiang Chen.

The most important thing was his identity.

Although this External Guard identity wasn't that of a true government official, at least if he ever got into trouble, someone would be there to cover for him.

Jiang Chen also took the bounty order before he could act against the Black Tiger Gang; otherwise, he would have already been arrested and questioned by the authorities.

"Even as an External Guard, not everyone can join just because they want to."

"This official is temporarily serving as the Deputy Commander of the Dongfeng Town Black Yamen External Guard Corps. Every External Guard must have a clean background and certain potential, as in critical moments, the authority of an External Guard can be comparable to a Black Yamen Demon Slaying Guard, and they can even conduct on-site command," Wang Fusheng continued.

"Sir, these can't all just be empty promises, can they? There must be something substantial, right?" Jiang Chen asked with a chuckle.

Hearing Jiang Chen's words, Wang Fusheng's eyes narrowed slightly.

"This official believes you are a promising talent."

"How about this, you can choose any Secret Manual to learn from the Shangwu Pavilion in Dongfeng Town."

Shangwu Pavilion.

The Shangwu Pavilion was specifically open to officials of all Ranks in the imperial court.

That is to say, only by joining the government could one enter and choose martial arts.

What Wang Fusheng had just said about exchanging martial arts resources with merit from slaying demons was precisely what could be exchanged from that Shangwu Pavilion.

Of course, the Rank of Shangwu Pavilion in each place varied, and the martial arts materials stored within also differed.

"Thank you, sir."

"It is our duty to eliminate harm for the people."

Jiang Chen said.

Wang Fusheng chuckled inwardly, thinking, this naive boy, these aren't extra conditions. Joining the External Guard already comes with this benefit. If he had revealed everything from the start, Jiang Chen would only ask for more.

"However, according to the rules, before signing the contract, I must first assess your strength."

Saying this, Wang Fusheng walked into the courtyard with his hands clasped behind his back.

Jiang Chen also stood opposite Wang Fusheng.

Wang Fusheng raised his right palm.

"Come, throw a punch. If you can make me take a step back, you pass."

Although Wang Fusheng was stout, he was a genuine Martial Artist.

This could be seen from his actions.

And as Wang Fusheng moved, the Qi and blood throughout his body seemed to enter a state of combat readiness, capable of erupting with powerful energy at any moment.

Jiang Chen dared not be careless.

But he also didn't use all his strength.

He recalled that with ten thousand pounds of strength, he had only reached the third layer of the Houtian Realm.

Jiang Chen held back a little, using only eight thousand pounds of force.

He lunged forward and threw a punch.

When Jiang Chen's fist struck.

Wang Fusheng, who had been calm and composed with an almost imperceptible gaze, instantly widened his eyes at that moment.

He was like a rooster whose feathers had bristled.

He hurriedly circulated his own Qi and blood, condensing it in his palm. If it weren't for the sake of his Face, and also to give the newly joined Jiang Chen a show of force, he would have already dodged.

How could this guy's strength be so terrifying?

Boom!

Wang Fusheng only felt as if he had been struck by a giant beast.

His internal organs nearly burst on the spot.

But Wang Fusheng also relied on his Qi and blood to forcibly suppress this power.

Thud!

Wang Fusheng stomped his foot back fiercely.

He shattered the bricks on the ground, barely managing to stabilize against Jiang Chen's power.

This kid.

Pure strength.

It's comparable to the Houtian Realm!

Wang Fusheng screamed inwardly, but on the surface, he feigned indifference, appearing calm and collected.

After a moment of recovery, he shook his hand.

"These floor tiles are too old; they shatter with a light step."

"Congratulations, you've passed the assessment. Come with me to sign the contract." Wang Fusheng said, then walked forward. Out of Jiang Chen's sight, he repeatedly patted his chest, calming his Qi.

Jiang Chen looked at the calm Wang Fusheng, feeling a slight shock in his heart.

"So powerful."

"To be able to so easily."

"Withstand nearly one percent of my strength."