A heretical cultivator in Bureau 749, I'm the fiercest at pulling out tendons and skinning peop

Stepping out of Seven Colors Media, the afternoon sun outside was a bit dazzling.

Ji Zuodao narrowed his eyes, exhaled a long breath of stale air, and felt completely relaxed, with every pore exuding comfort.

Tsk, showing off at a brother company...it's fucking awesome.

Yes, he did it on purpose.

There was no deep planning involved, let alone any malicious intent; he simply couldn't hold back and wanted to show off.

Look at the treatment we get at the Jinghai 749 Bureau!

Look at our Jinghai Bureau Chief!

Isn't that awesome? Aren't you envious? Aren't you jealous?

Ji Zuodao was never a low-key person from a young age.

Before, we had nothing to show off, we were dirt poor, and our skills were just so-so, so what was there to show off?

He boasted that he was hung on a crooked tree and whipped for two hours after peeping at the empress bathing when he was five years old?

Things are different now.

As for his identity, he's a legitimate, officially employed investigator in Bureau 749; he's a big shot anywhere.

I received my year-end bonus, a thick stack of cash that felt heavy in my pocket.

To demonstrate true power, the Styx Ancestor's Dharma Image is bestowed upon him, and the Netherworld Blood Sea's divine powers are attached to his body. Although it's only a half-finished product, it's still impressive enough.

If we don't seize the opportunity and make a big splash...

What's the difference between that and traveling in fine clothes at night?

What a waste of this outfit!

Didn't you see that he didn't even take off his 749 Bureau uniform before brazenly returning to his hometown?

What picture?

I'm only after this outfit! I'm only after the prestige this uniform represents!

Wearing this outfit back in the mountains, standing in front of those great demons, the effect would be comparable to the top scholar returning home in glory.

When visiting relatives and friends for New Year's greetings, they can confidently ask for several hundred more money than they should—

We are public servants who have shed blood for the country and made contributions to the people. Shouldn't we give them more?

"Seven Seven, Doggy!"

Ji Zuodao waved his hand triumphantly, feeling that his back view must be extremely majestic at that moment.

"Let's go! I'll treat you to some good food and drinks!"

Qiqi had been quietly following beside him. Hearing this, she raised her little face, blinked her big eyes, and gently tugged at Ji Zuodao's sleeve with her small hand. Her voice was soft and sweet, carrying a hint of cautious expectation:

"Are we going back to my brother's house?"

"Yes, let's go home!"

Ji Zuodao bent down and ruffled Qi Qi's soft hair, his smile so bright it could slap toothpaste on his face.

"But before that, we need to take a detour, pay some New Year's visits, and maybe get some... oh no, I mean, receive some love and blessings from our elders, and bring some good things home!"

He straightened up, adjusted his crisp black trench coat, and walked with an air of nonchalance... no, rather, an air of arrogance, toward a certain direction from his memory.

Sunlight fell on his epaulets, reflecting a subtle yet undeniable gleam.

Showing off is an art.

Ji Zuodao felt that he had deeply grasped the essence of this.

Ji Zuodao led Qiqi and Gouye, wandering around and eventually returning to Ailao Mountain.

Fortunately, the mandrills whose bones he had broken and joints dislocated were still lying dead in the same spot, and were not taken away by any passing jackals, wolves, tigers, or leopards.

Ji Zuodao nodded in satisfaction, walked over to each one, and picked one up like he was arranging New Year's goods, then gathered them together with both hands.

With practiced "click-clack" sounds, he folded the already contorted posture into an even more "compact" shape.

Then he neatly stuffed it into the small, seemingly connected-to-another-dimensional human skin pouch at his waist.

One, two, three...

Soon, the mandrill that had been lying haphazardly was cleaned up, leaving only traces of its struggle and a few scattered black hairs on the ground.

After collecting his spoils, Ji Zuodao clapped his hands, determined his direction, and strolled towards the nearest demon king's cave he remembered.

Ji Zuodao visited every one of the seventy-two demon kings of Ailao Mountain, regardless of whether they had any connection with him or were victims of his mischief in his childhood.

The processes are basically the same:

Wearing that crisp 749 Bureau uniform, accompanied by Qiqi and Dog Master, they stood at the entrance of the cave, their smiles bright and harmless, and with a cupped-hand salute, they said:

"Dear Demon King XX, Happy New Year! Little Ji wishes you a Happy New Year! May your cultivation advance and may you enjoy good health and longevity!"

With that uniform, that pomp and circumstance, the demon kings couldn't help but take it seriously.

Besides, those who can reach the level of Demon King are all seasoned veterans who have lived for thousands of years.

They're very well-informed.

This kid joined 749, and he's no longer the mischievous monkey who only knew how to steal honey and bird eggs.

Then, the demon kings exchanged warm greetings in the cave:

"Oh! It's Xiao Ji! You've grown so much! You've made something of yourself! You've really made something of yourself!"

"Look, look! Such a handsome young man, and he even got a job in a government agency, a secure job! He's much better than my good-for-nothing brat!"

"Come, come in and sit down! Have a cup of tea! No, drink some wine! The finest spirit fruit wine!"

After exchanging pleasantries, it was time for the elders to give out red envelopes.

The demon kings were all very generous, showering the demons with spirit stones, aged spirit herbs, and fragrant spirit fruits...

They stuffed it into Ji Zuodao's arms as if it were free.

Even the quiet Qiqi received a small, exquisite gift; it was very thoughtful and meticulous.

The human skin bag at Ji Zuodao's waist bulged out and was stuffed full, indicating a very fruitful haul.

However, whenever Ji Zuodao left satisfied, carrying with him the "care of an elder,"

He could always feel the resentful, almost tangible gazes cast from the depths of the cave by the princes and heirs of those demons.

That look seemed to say:

Damn it, it's the Lunar New Year, why aren't you staying on your own mountain? What are you doing here showing off?

Can't a person even have a peaceful New Year? You might as well drive us crazy!

After paying respects to the mountain peaks, the final and most important stop was naturally the one on the back mountain.

Ji Zuodao strode confidently toward the Empress's cave, his mind racing with calculations:

We really need to talk about that time we got something for nothing!

Even if you are an empress, this matter cannot be left unresolved! We must demand an explanation.

At first, Ji Zuodao had a serious expression, firm steps, and even his back was straighter than usual.

He hadn't even had a chance to speak when he entered the fragrant grotto and saw the Empress reclining on the soft couch—

The empress merely raised her eyelids, glanced at him lazily, and then casually picked up a heavy embroidered cloth bag from under the small table beside her, flicking her wrist.

"Splash—!"

Thirty large, bright yellow gold bars, almost dazzling to the eye, rolled onto the bluestone ground at his feet.

The air fell silent for a moment.

Ji Zuodao's "righteous indignation" instantly melted away.

The next second, his knees buckled, and with a smooth and natural movement as if he had practiced it a thousand times, he slid down to his knees in front of the pile of gold bars with a "plop".

Her hands had already naturally begun to wrap around herself, her face beaming with a smile sweeter than honey, and her voice so obsequious it seemed to drip with oil.

"Oh my! My dear aunt! May you be blessed with good fortune! You look even more radiant, like you've aged eight hundred years! I, Xiao Ji, kowtow to you! Wishing you a prosperous New Year and unparalleled cultivation in the Ailao Mountains!"

The speed at which they changed their expressions was truly an art form.

The empress looked at him with a half-smile, extended her slender finger, pointed at him, and then pointed to a certain direction deep in the cave, the meaning of which was self-evident.

Ji Zuodao paused in his embrace of the gold bars, somewhat reluctant, but after looking at the heavy gold in his arms, he gritted his teeth.

You can't catch a wolf without risking your cub...

In the very end, Ji Zuodao left the Empress's cave with a complex expression on his face, clutching his lower back, grimacing, yet also beaming with immense joy at the harvest.

With thirty gold bars in his pocket and his human skin bag stuffed with New Year's money from various demon kings, he was truly overflowing with wealth and beaming with joy.

His walking posture is just a little awkward.

Ouch... that really hurts.

The Empress didn't used to like this kind of food.

Didn't you say you didn't like the gamey smell of kidneys?

Never mind, it doesn't matter.

Praying to the goddess was definitely worth it.

It's a bit tough on the kidneys though.