68: Demon Cave Rift

"Comrade Chen Nian."

Qin Shan's voice was steady and powerful, echoing in the spacious room.

"Yesterday, you single-handedly defeated the Youdu Corpse Emperor in Tianyun District and even uprooted the long-troublesome Corpse Ghost Cult, successfully preventing a major crisis that could have overturned all of Donghai City."

"On behalf of the Spiritual Energy Bureau and the entire city of Donghai, I hereby solemnly express my gratitude to you!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Shan bowed deeply toward Chen Nian.

It was a standard ninety-degree bow.

Beside him, Secretary Li Wei did the same, his movements meticulous and filled with respect.

This scene left Chen Nian completely stunned.

The highest-ranking officer of the Spiritual Energy Bureau, a true giant of Donghai City.

Now, he was actually bowing to him?

If someone didn't know better, they would think Chen Nian was the Director.

This attitude was a bit too respectful.

He hurriedly said, "Director, Secretary Li, there's no need for this. Since I joined the Spiritual Energy Bureau and became a Spiritual Energy Bureau Agent, slaying demons and eliminating evil is part of my duty. This is what I should do."

Hearing this, Qin Shan's expression as he looked at Chen Nian was instantly filled with praise.

Good!

Well said!

Neither arrogant nor impetuous, not claiming credit for his achievements!

This young man truly possessed top-tier Heart-Nature and strength!

The long speech of rewards and encouragement he had prepared now felt somewhat redundant.

Any flowery words seemed pale and weak in the face of such simple and firm conviction.

"Well said, indeed."

Qin Shan nodded approvingly, then shifted the topic.

"However, merits are merits, faults are faults, and rules are rules."

"Comrade Chen Nian, the achievement you've made this time is a great feat that the Donghai City Psionic Bureau has not seen in decades."

"According to the regulations, your merit points have far exceeded the standard for promotion."

"Most importantly, with the strength and merit you've shown this time, you can fully choose to enter the management of the Spiritual Energy Bureau and enjoy the treatment a hero deserves."

"I wonder, what are your thoughts?"

Although Qin Shan also felt that letting such a strong person enter management was a bit of a waste of talent.

But those were the rules; it would be unfair not to tell him.

As for whether to join, it depended on Chen Nian's choice.

However, joining management was something many agents dreamed of.

The pay was high, the power was great, it was safe, and it was very easy.

Any other young person would surely agree without hesitation.

However, Chen Nian was stunned upon hearing this.

Enter management?

That wouldn't do!

If he couldn't be on the front lines slaying demons, wouldn't his System be as good as non-existent?

Chen Nian barely thought about it and shook his head directly.

"Director, I refuse."

His answer was crisp and neat, without the slightest hesitation.

"My original intention in joining the Spiritual Energy Bureau was to slay demons, eliminate evil, and uphold justice in the world."

"Management work might be important, but it's not for me."

"My battlefield should be on the front lines."

"I only want to use my own hands to kill those Demonic Evils that plague the world and protect innocent ordinary people from being harmed by them."

His words were powerful, every syllable revealing an unquestionable determination.

For a moment, the office fell silent.

Qin Shan and Li Wei just watched Chen Nian quietly, their faces full of admiration and respect.

What noble thoughts!

What pure awareness!

This was the spiritual core that their Spiritual Energy Bureau Agents should possess most!

Suddenly, they felt the figure of the young man before them grow incredibly tall in their vision.

Earlier, on the way here, they were still discussing him.

After all, there were far too many rumors about Chen Nian.

Brutal methods, decisive killing, cold and ruthless.

These labels had once made them worry that he was a defiant young man filled with violence.

They had even prepared several plans to deal with various demands Chen Nian might make.

But now that they had actually met him, they found that the rumors and reality were worlds apart.

This was clearly a sincere youth filled with a sense of justice and a heart for the greater good!

In an instant, both Qin Shan and Li Wei felt themselves starting to like this young man.

It was the heartfelt joy and appreciation an elder felt when seeing an outstanding junior.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Qin Shan said 'good' three times in a row, the joy on his face beyond words.

"Comrade Chen Nian, I am very happy that you have such awareness. It is our honor to have an agent like you in the Spiritual Energy Bureau!"

"Rest assured, we will not forget your achievements."

"What you did this time has made an immeasurable contribution to the stability of the entire Donghai City."

Qin Shan promised solemnly.

"In the future, whenever you have any needs, whether it's Cultivation resources or intelligence support, you can ask directly. Our Spiritual Energy Bureau will definitely do our best to provide them!"

However, after hearing this, Chen Nian just shook his head.

"Director, I don't need resources for the time being."

His answer once again exceeded Qin Shan and Li Wei's expectations.

He didn't want resources?

Then what did he want?

Chen Nian didn't keep them waiting long and directly stated his thoughts.

"I just want to continue slaying demons and eliminating evil."

"The thought that there might still be Demonic Evils out there hurting innocent people makes me feel uneasy all over."

"So, I want to ask the Director, are there any suitable tasks for me in the Bureau right now?"

"Preferably the kind involving high-level Demonic Evils or evil organizations that dominate an area."

He looked at Qin Shan, his expression incredibly serious.

“...”

The office fell into a brief silence again.

Qin Shan was stunned at first.

Then, almost subconsciously, he turned his head and exchanged a look with his secretary, Li Wei.

Both saw the same emotion in the other's expression.

Satisfaction!

It was an expression of extreme satisfaction!

This young man was indeed pure to the core!

Having achieved such an unparalleled feat, he didn't want power or resources. The first thing he asked for was to continue taking missions and slaying demons!

What kind of spirit was this?

This was the true spirit of a hero!

Qin Shan's heart was filled with emotion at this moment.

He originally thought the promise he gave was sincere enough.

Now it seemed that in front of this young man, those material things were instead an "insult" to him.

"There is!"

Qin Shan withdrew his gaze from the secretary and looked at Chen Nian, answering decisively.

"Since you've volunteered, we naturally cannot let you down."

"Right now, there is indeed a very suitable task for you."

Qin Shan's expression turned serious.

"However, the situation of this task is quite complex, and the danger level is very high."

"According to the fragmented intelligence we currently have, this incident is very likely caused by a 'demon cave fissure' opening in Donghai City."

"demon cave fissure?"

Chen Nian expressed his confusion.

This was a term he had never heard before.

Qin Shan nodded and began to explain.

"Demon Caves are special spaces left over from ancient times. You can understand them as a Small World isolated from our reality."

"In those Small Worlds, the environment is harsh and filled with countless powerful and ancient Demonic Evils. Under normal circumstances, a Demon Cave is completely sealed and has no connection to our world."

"But due to certain special reasons—perhaps shifts in the earth's veins or man-made destruction—these sealed Demon Caves might develop unstable 'fissures'."

"Once a fissure forms, it's equivalent to opening a passage between the Demon Cave and the real world."

"When that happens, the demons in the Demon Cave will pour into our world through the fissure, causing immeasurable disaster and destruction."

"The incident we are currently handling shows every sign that it is very likely caused by a newly opened demon cave fissure."

"This task was originally supposed to be personally overseen and commanded by me, with several elite Combat Squads assigned to handle it cooperatively."

"But if you want to take this mission, I can give you full authority over it right now."

"Not only that, the command of the several Combat Squads currently on-site can also be transferred to you. At that time, all those Combat Squads will be under your command."

Qin Shan's words contained a lot of information.

But Chen Nian didn't take any of that in.

His attention was completely captured by a few other words.

There are Demonic Evils!

And many of them!

That was enough!

"I'll take it!"

Chen Nian gave his answer without hesitation.

Seeing him agree so readily, a satisfied smile appeared on Qin Shan's face again.

He turned and signaled to Secretary Li Wei.

"Xiao Li, send a copy of the relevant mission briefing to Comrade Chen Nian's terminal."

"Yes, Director."

Li Wei immediately nodded and began operating his terminal.

[Ding! You have a new encrypted file. Please check.]

Chen Nian's personal terminal immediately sounded an alert.

The file reception was complete.

Qin Shan had also completed the main purpose of his trip.

"Good, then we won't disturb your rest any longer."

"There's no rush for the mission. You just finished one last night, so you can rest for a while and familiarize yourself with the data."

Qin Shan gave one last instruction and then left Chen Nian's private office with Secretary Li Wei.

The door slowly closed.

In the corridor, Qin Shan and Li Wei walked side by side.

"Director, this Comrade Chen Nian... is completely different from what the rumors say."

Li Wei finally couldn't help but speak, his tone carrying a hint of emotion.

Qin Shan nodded, feeling the same way.

"Yeah, where is he brutal or terrifying?"

"This is clearly an outstanding young man full of justice and kindness!"

"As expected, you have to interact with someone personally; you can't jump to conclusions."

Li Wei also looked in agreement.

"Yeah, I was a bit nervous just now, but now it seems I was completely overthinking it."

"This Chen Nian is really a good person."

At this point, their impression of Chen Nian had completely reversed, and they even felt a trace of sincere affection.

In their view, an agent of the Spiritual Energy Bureau should be exactly like this!

Strong, with conviction, and even more so, the determination to protect others!

...Meanwhile.

Inside the office, Chen Nian had already opened the mission briefing he just received.

On the terminal's light screen, the mission content was clearly displayed.

[Mission Code: Scar of the Abyss]

[Mission Background: In the Huai Gu District of Donghai City, there have been frequent reports of Demonic Evils appearing recently, causing multiple civilian casualties. The energy fluctuations at the scene are abnormal, and it is suspected that a 'demon cave fissure' has appeared.]

[Mission Objectives: 1. Investigate the truth of the incident and confirm the existence of the 'demon cave fissure'. 2. Hunt down all Demonic Evils in the area and clear the threat. 3. If the 'demon cave fissure' does exist, attempt to find and close it.]

[Special Authority: During the mission, you will have the highest command authority to deploy all Spiritual Energy Bureau Agents on-site.]

Chen Nian skimmed through the mission briefing.

He was very satisfied with this mission.

Frequently appearing Demonic Evils, and the possibility of a passage to a Small World full of demons.

How many points would that be?

He was already prepared to set off immediately and take a trip to Huai Gu District.