「The next morning, at the crack of dawn.」

Su Yu changed into a brand-new, black, cloud-patterned martial outfit. It was a new set of clothes from the Yang Sisters. The tailoring was perfect and the stitching was fine, making him look sharp without restricting his movements.

His sword, Mo Yuan, hung at his waist, and the Black Water Flood Dragon Skin on its scabbard gleamed with a cold, dark light in the morning sun.

The young man cut a heroic figure, his true sharpness concealed.

After passing through two streets, Su Yu arrived at the eastern section of Black Stone Avenue, the most prosperous street in the Outer City.

An imposing, three-story stone building stood there. Two menacing stone lions guarded the entrance, and a plaque above bore the three gilded words: Law Enforcement Office.

This was the newly established center of power for the Outer City. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"Junior Su, over here."

Lin Wanzhu had been waiting for a while. Today, she wore the Silver Threaded Martial Officer Uniform of a Vice Commander. It stripped away her merchant-like air, replacing it with a heroic, dashing demeanor.

Her beautiful eyes lit up when she saw Su Yu, and she greeted him with a smile.

"Let’s go. I’ll take you to meet our direct superior, Commander Li Jingxuan."

The two of them walked through the main gate side by side.

"Senior Sister, who is this Commander Li?" Su Yu asked in a low voice.

Lin Wanzhu kept her eyes forward and lowered her voice. "This Commander Li oversees five squads and is in charge of security for Golden Scale Avenue and several wealthy, important towns outside the city. His authority is immense. But I’ve scoured all the records in the Outer City and can’t find a single trace of his past. It’s as if... he appeared out of thin air."

"Have you thought of anything?"

A thought struck Su Yu, and he immediately understood.

He tilted his head slightly, leaning close to Lin Wanzhu’s ear. His warm breath brushed against her delicate earlobe as he whispered, "From the Inner City?"

Lin Wanzhu felt the masculine presence near her ear and shivered almost imperceptibly. She didn’t pull away, instead lowering her voice even more. "Exactly! It’s highly likely! But we have no concrete intelligence. Some speculate that Commander Li might even be from the Li Family, one of the three great families!"

"The Li Family?"

Su Yu’s gaze sharpened.

Of the three great families, he had learned a bit about the Wang Family from watching operas. Legend had it they were descendants of the great General Wang, who had once split a river with his spear, slain a vicious flood dragon, and protected Black Stone City.

As for the Zhao Family, he’d met Zhao Jiu Ge during the Martial Examination, whose slanted, phoenix-like eyes had left a deep impression.

But this was the first time he had ever heard of the Li Family.

"I’ve heard the Li Family has a good reputation. They control Black Stone City’s lifeblood industries, like the grain supply. The world is in chaos now, and while grain prices have risen, they haven’t spun out of control. That’s because the Li Family is keeping things stable behind the scenes."

As they spoke, the two crossed the central courtyard.

Lin Wanzhu stretched lazily, completely unconcerned about Su Yu beside her. Her already snug uniform instantly tightened, tracing a breathtakingly curvaceous outline. The fullness of her chest seemed about to burst from the fabric.

"Whether Commander Li is actually from the Li family is still unconfirmed. But as for his way of doing things, your senior sister here has managed to figure out quite a bit lately."

"Oh? And what have you learned, Senior Sister?" Su Yu asked, looking straight ahead, affecting the air of a perfect gentleman discussing business.

But Lin Wanzhu was perceptive and had already noticed his furtive glances from the start. She shot Su Yu a seductive look, the corners of her lips turning up in a slight smile.

She deliberately leaned closer to Su Yu, her rounded, fragrant shoulder bumping against him gently. "This Commander Li only cares about the missions assigned from above. He couldn’t care less about other mundane affairs; you could even call him lazy. He dumps most of the day-to-day work on me, his deputy."

"But there is one other thing that interests him: money!"

Su Yu’s brow furrowed at this. ’Isn’t he just a scion from a noble family who’s come to the Outer City to line his pockets?’

Lin Wanzhu continued with a meaningful tone, "But this is actually a good thing for us. A greedy superior isn’t scary. What’s scary is one who isn’t greedy but gives disastrous orders. As long as we keep him well-fed, many things within the Golden Scale Law Enforcement Team will actually be easier to handle."

Su Yu nodded. ’Senior Sister has a point, it’s just going to be expensive.’

"Hiss... wait. Senior Sister, why didn’t you tell me beforehand? This is my first day reporting for duty, and I’ve come empty-handed."

"Pfft."

Seeing Su Yu’s pained expression, Lin Wanzhu rolled her eyes at him. "Don’t worry, your senior sister here already thought of that."

"Take it. I prepared it for you ahead of time." As if by magic, she untied a delicate Purple Sandalwood Box from her waist, opened it, and handed it to Su Yu.

Su Yu opened it, and his pupils constricted.

Inside, besides two hundred taels in silver notes, lay a section of lotus root. It was as crystalline as white jade, but its joints were as crimson as fresh blood.

Red Lotus Root!

This was a precious aquatic herb. Consuming it could greatly enhance one’s Qi and Blood and even slowly improve one’s constitution. It was worth even more than most precious spirit fish.

"Senior Sister, this is too valuable. I’ll send you the silver for it later." Su Yu accepted the wooden box, looking at his senior sister with gratitude.

"Send what silver? This is a thank-you gift from the Lin Family. During the Martial Examination, if you hadn’t stepped in to help, how could Lin Dong and Lin Jing have advanced so smoothly? Not to mention, you offended that madman Sun Shi to help them."

She looked at Su Yu, her eyes filled with a soft affection and admiration. "Besides, if you don’t accept it, that girl Lin Jing has already threatened to show up at your residence with a whip and block your door until you do."

Su Yu shook his head helplessly. With Lin Jing’s fiery temper, she was more than capable of causing such a scene.

"In that case, I must thank you, Senior Sister, and the Lin Family for your generosity."

...

Law Enforcement Office, Commander’s room on the second floor.

The room’s furnishings were the height of luxury: a purple sandalwood desk, an embroidered silk carpet, and a topographical map of Jian’an Prefecture hanging on the wall. In the corner, a Boshan incense burner released wisps of Dragon’s Saliva Fragrance.

"Your humble subordinate, Su Yu, reporting for duty."

Su Yu took a step forward and, without a change in expression, smoothly pushed the Purple Sandalwood Box to the center of the desk. His movements were as fluid as running water.

Behind the desk sat a portly, middle-aged man.

This was Li Jingxuan.

Upon seeing the box, his eyes, which had been narrowed to slits, opened slightly. He gently opened the box and glanced inside.

The next moment, a friendly smile spread across his face.

"Hahaha! Su Yu, a top-five finisher in the Martial Examination, a prodigy from a humble background! Having a formidable general like you join my Golden Scale Law Enforcement Team is like adding wings to a tiger! Come, come, have a seat!"

He didn’t rush to discuss official business. Instead, he personally picked up a Zisha Clay Teapot and poured a cup of tea for Su Yu.

The emerald-green tea swirled in the white porcelain cup, faintly coalescing into the shape of a cloud. The aroma wafted into his nostrils, instantly refreshing his mind.

"Try it. This is the Inner City’s exclusive Cloud Mist Spirit Tea. Drinking it regularly can sharpen your vision and refresh your spirit."

Su Yu accepted it with both hands and took a sip.

The tea went down his throat, slightly bitter with a sweet aftertaste. A cooling sensation rose within him, and much of his fatigue instantly vanished.

"Excellent tea!" Su Yu praised sincerely. "The Commander truly has all the best things here. Your subordinate is basking in your glory today."

"Ai, what’s this about basking in glory? Once you enter this door, we’re all one of us!" Li Jingxuan’s smile widened. He waved a hand magnanimously. "If you like it, drink more! Take some with you when you leave!"

"Oh, Commander Li," Lin Wanzhu teased from the side, leaning back in her chair with a playful smile. "Now you’re playing favorites. I work my fingers to the bone for our Law Enforcement Team, but I’ve never seen you offer me this fine tea."

"Commander Lin, what you’re saying is an injustice!" Li Jingxuan said with a laugh and a wave of his hand. "You must take some back with you this time!"

With the tea as an icebreaker and Senior Sister Lin present, the three of them chatted smoothly. Su Yu could clearly feel that he had earned Li Jingxuan’s initial acceptance and approval.

After three rounds of tea.

Li Jingxuan set down his teacup. Though the warm smile remained on his face, his eyes had grown deeper. The merchant-like air receded, replaced by the imposing aura of someone in a position of power.

"Captain Su."

"Since you’re Commander Lin’s junior, I won’t speak to you with official formalities."

Li Jingxuan tapped his fingers lightly on the desktop, making a steady TAP, TAP sound. "This job with the Law Enforcement Team might look glamorous, but it’s a hot potato. The three great families and Commander Pang are all watching us. The mess outside the city, in particular, must be cleaned up as soon as possible."

"We have the money and the manpower, but when it comes down to it, we have to produce results."

Su Yu’s expression turned serious. He stood and cupped his fist. "Please give me your orders, Commander!"

"Good!"

Li Jingxuan pulled a large sheepskin map from under a pile of documents and spread it across the desk.

The map was densely marked with all sorts of red circles and black crosses—a shocking sight.

"This is the jurisdiction under my Golden Scale Team."

He pointed to an area outside the city and said in a grave voice, "Yunshui Town, Qingxi Town, Black River Crossing... this entire region is now swarming with refugees. Strange incidents are happening frequently, and there are even evil cultists inciting riots. The trade routes have been cut off, and tax collection is in chaos."

Li Jingxuan stared intently at Su Yu and held up three fingers. "Three months!"

"You may choose any one of these locations, but you must produce results! I’m not saying the chaos has to be completely quelled by then, but at the very least, the trade routes must be open and there must be peace on the surface!"

Su Yu knew this first mission was his test. If he did well, he would have a future in the Law Enforcement Team.

If he did poorly, he feared Li Jingxuan would no longer be so polite.

"Rest assured, Commander Li. Within one month, I will restore order to Qingxi Town and return to you a clear and peaceful land!" Su Yu chose Qingxi Town without hesitation. If he could do something for his hometown along the way, he was naturally willing.

"Good! Here is the Black Iron Command Arrow. Go!"

Su Yu took the command arrow. It was cold to the touch and heavy in his hand.

...

After leaving Li Jingxuan’s room, Su Yu and his senior sister went to the records archive on the first floor.

Paperwork was exchanged, signatures thumb-printed, and seals stamped.

A Civil Servant respectfully presented a heavy Waist Token with both hands.

The Waist Token was forged entirely from Black Profound Iron, bone-chillingly cold to the touch. The front was engraved with the ferocious head of a Bian Beast, while the back was inscribed with the three large words "Golden Scale Su Yu".

"The formalities are complete." Lin Wanzhu straightened her collar. "Junior Su, I need to take Lin Dong and the others to deal with the gangs in the city. Many of them have been fighting fiercely over territory recently. For matters outside the city, I won’t be able to help you for the time being. Be careful."

"Don’t worry, Senior Sister. I understand," Su Yu nodded.

Just as they were about to part ways, Lin Wanzhu didn’t leave immediately. Instead, she glanced around, then suddenly stepped half a pace closer. That familiar orchid fragrance wafted over him again.

She lowered her voice, a trace of annoyance and helplessness in her tone. "There’s another troublesome matter I need to give you a heads-up about."

"Because Sun Yan was stripped of his captaincy, his squad was never formed. The members who were originally meant for his team... someone pulled some strings and had them forcibly stuffed into your squad!"

Su Yu’s brow furrowed. ’This was probably the work of the Iron Armor Martial Arts Hall. They’re the only power that holds a grudge against me right now.’

"According to the rules, you have the right to recruit five team members. Besides yourself, the higher-ups will at most assign one person to your team, which should leave you with three open spots to fill as you see fit. Now, they’ve shoved three people on you at once, leaving you with only one spot left to fill!"

There was a hint of regret in Lin Wanzhu’s voice. "Junior Su, a single official position in the Law Enforcement Team can be sold for at least three hundred taels of silver on the black market right now. If you play your cards right, people would be scrambling to give you five hundred taels for it!"

Su Yu nodded, instantly understanding what she meant.

’This cost me over a thousand taels of silver. The Iron Armor Martial Arts Hall really did a number on me this time.’

"It’s fine, Senior Sister. Go take care of your business. I’ll go meet these new team members!"