The divine manifestations began at the Gongwei Division.

"Salary?"

Han Zhengxiong was stunned for a moment; he never expected anyone to mention those two words to him.

As the commander of the Qizhou Guard, if Han Zhengxiong wanted to appoint a deputy, the people who wanted to be his deputy would line up all the way to the capital.

Who cares about that little bit of salary?

"The term 'deputy' is just used in private. Officially, you remain a Demon-Slaying Captain, and your salary will not change."

Han Zhengxiong said after a moment's thought.

Although the official salary will not change, he is in charge of the Qizhou Guard Office, so there are still many ways to work around it.

"If you're short of money, I can personally provide it to you."

Han Zhengxiong said that he had never seen a demon-slaying captain care so much about his salary.

For the Demon Slayer Captain, the other benefits of the Guardian Division were far more important than his salary.

For example, martial arts techniques, elixirs, and divine weapons.

These can be redeemed based on merit within the Guardian Bureau, but once you leave the Guardian Bureau, no amount of silver can buy them.

Han Zhengxiong hesitated for a moment, then added, "No problem with up to ten thousand taels of silver per year."

He was a shrewd and experienced man, and wisely added a restriction.

Otherwise, young people are so careless, and Zhou Heng cares so much about money, what if he asks for an exorbitant amount?

He didn't care about the money, but what if he couldn't pay it? Wouldn't that be embarrassing?

After all, he spent most of his money on cultivation, so he really couldn't come up with too much money all at once.

"Then let's forget about it."

Zhou Heng shook his head and said.

His salary was earned through his own abilities, so the fact that Han Zhengxiong personally supplemented it for him meant something else entirely.

He doesn't want to depend on anyone.

"never mind?"

Han Zhengxiong frowned slightly.

Xue Zhiwei and Chen Zhaowu also stared wide-eyed at Zhou Heng with disbelief.

"Old Zhou, do you not know what it means to be the deputy to the garrison commander?"

Chen Zhaowu nudged Zhou Heng with his shoulder and whispered, "This is like a windfall!"

As the deputy to the pacification commissioner, you are a big shot below the pacification commissioner and above the demon-slaying captains. Any demon-slaying captain must bow respectfully to you.

Although this isn't an official, formal position, it means you've caught the eye of the Garrison Commander and have a very high chance of becoming a real Garrison Commander in the future!

Even Chen Zhaowu himself was envious of such a good thing.

However, he was convinced in his heart.

Zhou Heng single-handedly killed Yao Lie, the leader of the Dajiang Gang, and Hei Jiao. Both his strength and achievements earned Zhou Heng's complete respect.

"I know."

Zhou Heng said calmly, "But I still prefer the feeling of being down-to-earth."

"A meteoric rise isn't for me."

Chen Zhaowu: "..."

Many people dream of instant success but fail to achieve it, yet you turn the opportunity away?

Han Zhengxiong looked at Zhou Heng and suddenly laughed.

"Good lad, you're the first person to reject me."

Since that's the case, I won't force you to do anything against your will.

A mischievous glint flashed deep in his eyes.

You don't want to achieve instant success, do you?

"You're the one who killed the Black Dragon, right?"

Han Zhengxiong continued, "This black dragon is a sixth-grade demon. Although I knocked it down a realm before, its foundation is still there. If it recovers one day, it will cause great harm."

This is a great achievement; according to the rules, your rank should be promoted.

He tapped Chen Zhaowu's shoulder with his finger.

Chen Zhaowu looked flattered.

"From now on, you are a two-star captain, just like him."

Han Zhengxiong said.

To advance in rank as a Demon Slayer Captain, one must accumulate merits and deeds; every star is earned through risking one's life.

Despite Chen Zhaowu's seemingly unreliable appearance, his success today is not solely due to his background.

He began slaying demons at the age of fifteen, suffering three serious injuries and countless minor ones.

Over three years, he killed more than ten demons, including several powerful demons of the ninth and eighth ranks, and only then did he accumulate merits and be promoted to the rank of two-star captain.

His success is due in part to the support he received from his family, and in part to his own willingness to work hard.

Just look at Xue Zhiwei and you'll know. Xue Zhiwei's family background is no worse than his, and his cultivation level is even one rank higher, but Xue Zhiwei is only a one-star captain now.

This shows how difficult it is for a Demon Slayer Captain to be promoted.

Zhou Heng was promoted directly from a captain without stars to a captain with two stars. While it's hard to say there will be no one like him in the future, it's certainly unprecedented.

Although he didn't become the deputy of the garrison commander in one fell swoop, it was still a meteoric rise.

A captain without stars is only the lowest rank among the demon-slaying captains, while a captain with two stars is already a core force.

"Commander Han—"

Xue Zhiwei suddenly spoke up, "I'm afraid that won't work."

"No? Do you think I'm not qualified to be rewarded for my contributions?"

Han Zhengxiong turned to look at Xue Zhiwei, a hint of displeasure flashing across his face.

"Of course not."

Xue Zhiwei shook his head. "Our merits in coming to Qizhou to handle this case should rightfully be determined by Governor Han, who asked you to review them."

only--"

She glanced at Zhou Heng with a strange look in her eyes and said, "Commander Zhou's achievements are not limited to this."

He also killed Yao Lie, the leader of the Dajiang Gang, as well as Lu Tongqing, the head of the Lu family, and Lu Tongguang, a seventh-rank expert from the Lu family.

The Dajiang Gang and the Lu family colluded with demons to concoct the Xiaoyao Powder, causing havoc on the world; their crimes deserve to be punished.

Captain Zhou deserves the most credit for solving this case.

Chen Zhaowu watched as the chicks pecked at the rice nearby.

A look of surprise flashed across Han Zhengxiong's face.

He arrived at the last minute after receiving a plea for help from Lü Zi'an.

Because of the urgency of the situation, Lü Zian only mentioned that a dragon had appeared in Dajin County, without mentioning the cause and effect of the matter.

Han Zhengxiong knew that they had come to Qizhou to investigate the source of Xiaoyao San.

However, Han Zhengxiong had his own things to do and didn't pay much attention to them.

He never expected that these young people would solve the case in just a few days.

They also caught all the culprits in one fell swoop.

Yao Lie, the leader of the Dajiang Gang, was also a seventh-rank expert.

In other words, in just a few days, Zhou Heng killed two seventh-rank martial artists and a black dragon that had fallen from the sixth rank to the seventh rank.

"By the way, this black dragon had a son, a crocodile demon of the seventh rank, who also died under Captain Zhou's blade."

Xue Zhiwei said.

Okay.

One more!

Even Han Zhengxiong couldn't help but show a hint of surprise on his face.

His recent distribution of rewards for meritorious service did indeed have a touch of wickedness.

However, upon careful consideration, he realized that even without deliberately exaggerating Zhou Heng's achievements, Zhou Heng deserved a promotion based solely on his accomplishments.

It's not a promotion to two stars.

It's a promotion to three stars!

"Congratulations on your meteoric rise to become the youngest three-star captain in the history of the Guardian Division."

Han Zhengxiong looked at Zhou Heng and clapped his hands with an appreciative expression.

Han Zhengxiong genuinely wanted to groom Zhou Heng as his successor, but unfortunately, he was rejected.

He used to think Zhou Heng was just young and impetuous, but now he sees the truth.

This kid clearly has enough confidence that he can establish himself in the Guardian Division without relying on anyone.

As the youngest three-star captain in the history of the Imperial Guard, this kid certainly has the confidence to back it up.

If he can cross the threshold from the lower three ranks to the middle three ranks, then the Imperial Guard might gain another great general.

Han Zhengxiong thought to himself, then smiled and said, "You can ask for a reward for being promoted to a three-star captain."

"Anything is fine?"

Zhou Heng's face finally showed a look of surprise.

"You wish!"

Han Zhengxiong rolled his eyes. "You two should explain to him what kind of rewards he can get for his contributions."

I'll go and talk to the magistrate of Dajin County first.

"Damn it, first Ningyang, now Dajin, these bastards really don't take me seriously."