Starting as pearl divers, they have endless jobs.

Chapter 209 Receiving Another Award, At the Forefront of the Storm

Facing everyone's gaze, Chen Ye showed no sign of panic, but instead revealed a strange, bitter smile.

“Master Yan, I’m also wondering about this.”

He shrugged, looking rather helpless. "After I came in, in order to test this demoness, I used my best skills from my time in Pingkang to flatter and fawn over her to the extreme."

"Who knew that this demoness wouldn't fall for it and directly revealed her true form as a skeleton, trying to scare this junior to death."

"At the time, I thought that since I was going to die anyway, I couldn't die in such a pathetic way. So I mustered up my courage and made a few comments about her skeletal frame, saying that she had bad teeth and was a bit buck-toothed, which affected her overall beauty."

"..."

Master Yan and his disciples all stared at Chen Ye as if he were a monster.

Dislike...dislike that the witch's skull has buck teeth?
Is this something a normal person can do?
Chen Ye seemed oblivious to their stunned expressions and continued, "She seemed very angry at the time, her demonic energy almost ripped the courtyard apart. Seeing how angry she was, I thought I'd ease the tension and suggested she dance for me under the moonlight..."

Before he could finish speaking, a young student behind Master Yan couldn't help but burst out laughing. But he quickly realized that the occasion was inappropriate and covered his mouth with his hand, his face turning red.

The others also shrugged, wanting to laugh but not daring to.

Master Yan's lips twitched uncontrollably. In all his life, this was the first time he had ever heard of something so outrageous.

Faced with a terrifying demoness who can drain the lives of thirty-seven people in an instant, instead of thinking about protecting themselves or escaping, they are here commenting on her appearance and even asking her to dance.

How incredibly bold do they have to be?

Then Master Yan took a deep breath and looked at Chen Ye with an extremely complicated expression: "So that demoness said she wanted to come back to find you because of your shocking remarks?"

"I guess that's probably it," Chen Ye nodded seriously. "Perhaps it's because she has roamed the world for hundreds of years and has seen many people who fear her, hate her, and want to kill her, but this is the first time she has seen a mortal who is not afraid of death and dares to tease her about her true appearance, so she finds it... novel?"

"That should be it." Master Yan nodded slowly, accepting the statement, and then said, "Inspector Chen, you used yourself as bait today to find out the truth about the demons, and you deserve the greatest credit."

"I will personally report this matter to His Majesty and Commander Shen in detail."

"Master, you flatter me. I am unworthy of such praise," Chen Ye said humbly, bowing with his hands clasped.

The case has finally come to a conclusion. Although the real culprit was not caught, it was found that the evil person from the Nine Nether Sect was behind it, and the other party was forced to give up a mortal avatar that had been painstakingly cultivated. The Xuanjing Division can finally give the court an explanation.

……

Before dawn the next day, the entire Yunzhou officialdom was struck by a violent earthquake!

The massacre of Zhang Jingzhi's family, the Vice Minister of Rites, was investigated by the Xuanjing Division and the Academy, and it was confirmed that it was the work of a demon from the Nine Nether Sect!
When the news reached the palace, the Empress was furious!
Under the emperor's nose, in the most virtuous place, such demons have infiltrated, which is simply a slap in the face to the Great Chen Dynasty!

A strongly worded imperial edict was issued from the palace, dismissing the commander of the city patrol in charge of the capital's defenses and the chief constable of the Six Doors, who was in charge of maintaining order, on the spot for negligence and imprisoning him in the imperial jail to await his fate!
For a time, every official in the capital who was even remotely related to city security lived in fear.

Immediately following, a second imperial edict was issued, in which the Empress ordered the promotion of Wang Po, the deputy commander of the Imperial Guards, to the new commander of the City Patrol Division, and ordered him to thoroughly investigate the entire city and capture all the hidden evil spirits within three days!
The atmosphere in the entire city of Yunzhou instantly became tense and oppressive.

Squads of heavily armored city defense soldiers took to the streets, checking each house one by one. Anyone found to be suspicious or an unknown martial arts figure was immediately arrested and imprisoned in the imperial prison for strict interrogation.

The city gates were heavily guarded, and the checks on people entering and leaving were more than ten times stricter than before.

Amidst this storm that swept across the entire city, two commendation orders were quietly delivered to the Xuanjing Division and the Academy.

The Empress praised Master Yan highly and bestowed upon him numerous literary treasures.

The other commendation order was specifically given to Chen Ye.

In the council hall of the Xuanjing Division, Commander Shen Lian sat high in the main seat, his expression still stern, but his eyes held a hint of warmth than usual.

He looked at Chen Ye, who was standing ramrod straight below, and slowly spoke, his voice echoing in the hall.

"Chen Ye, in this case of Zhang Shilang's massacre of his family, you used yourself as bait to uncover the demon's whereabouts, and your contribution is indispensable."

"His Majesty has decreed that you have been praised for your courage and wisdom in the face of danger, and have been promoted to the rank of Zhaowu Colonel, with the official rank of sixth grade."

As soon as the words fell, everyone in the hall was shocked!
Everyone present looked at Chen Ye with a complex mix of envy and jealousy.

Zhaowu Colonel! Rank 6!

How old is this kid? How long has he been working here?

This promotion speed is faster than a rocket!
Chen Ye's heart stirred, but he remained outwardly calm, bowing and saying, "Thank you for Your Majesty's great favor! Thank you for your guidance, Commander!"

Shen Lian looked at him, a rare hint of approval appearing on his usually stern face. "This is what you deserve, but I must also remind you that with a promotion and more power comes more scrutiny! So you must be more cautious in your actions from now on."

"I understand."

Meanwhile, at the Grand Tutor's Mansion.

Inside the study, Wu Daofu held an ancient book in his hand, but hesitated to turn the page.

Zhang Jingzhi was a protégé whom he had personally promoted, and yet he died so mysteriously, with his entire family wiped out. This was undoubtedly a slap in the face to him, the head of all officials.

"Nine Nether Sect..."

Wu Daofu put down his book, tapped his fingers lightly on the table, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

Why did this demonic sect suddenly appear? And why did they specifically target its disciples?
Is it a coincidence, or is someone targeting him behind the scenes?

Then he thought of Chen Ye.

Since the autumn hunt, this once infamous young man has repeatedly found himself in the eye of the storm, each time with astonishing results.

This time, he directly seized enormous credit and rewards from this shocking case.

"interesting."

Wu Daofu's lips curled into a meaningful smile. This young man seemed to be even more extraordinary than he had imagined.

……

Meanwhile, in the embroidered pavilion of the Grand Tutor's mansion, Wu Mengwei's face was full of joy.

She already knew the news from outside. When she heard that her lover was so capable, and that he had even received the Empress's commendation not long after joining the Xuanjing Division, an indescribable sense of pride and sweetness instantly filled her heart.

She covered her burning cheeks, her heart pounding, feeling that her lover was the most amazing hero in the world.

Immediately, an indescribable longing welled up in my heart.

I really want to see him right now.

(End of this chapter)