Enlightenment: Beginning as a Disposable Warrior-Chapter 184 - 140: Demon Slayer Bureau Judge, Candid and Open! (4K)

In the third month of late spring, the remains of snow in the city were melting away. The temperature was gradually warming up, and outside the city, it was the busy farming season.

People on Cyan Cloud Avenue were taking off their cotton-padded jackets and putting on lighter clothes.

After nearly three months, Su Mu returned to the front of the Cyan Cloud Demon Slayer Bureau's government office. A young constable, just transferred from the Patrol Department, caught sight of the approaching tall figure and shouted.

"This is the important site of the Demon Slayer Bureau, no one is allowed..."

Before he could finish, an older constable, about forty years old, hurried forward and slapped him on the back of the head. The young constable, feeling the pain and full of anger, turned around, only to be startled at seeing the old constable.

"Master, why did you hit me?"

"You little brat, it's for your own good. Mr. Li, please follow me!"

The older constable respectfully invited Su Mu into the Demon Slayer Bureau, leaving the young constable in a daze. When he came to his senses, a look of respect and slight regret appeared on his face.

"That, that man is Hero Li?!"

With the melting of winter snow, news of Hero Li killing the Flower-Picking Thief Bai Yi from Canghe County Town also spread and became widely known in the Cyan Cloud area.

As a constable of the Demon Slayer Bureau, he also heard that the matter at Lin Family Manor a month ago was related to Hero Li. However, it seemed to be a significant matter, and the news from Lin Family Manor was blocked by the government. Not many outsiders knew about it, and the young constable only knew so much.

"What, Li Feiyu has arrived?" Li Zhihe heard the servant's report and quickly put down the official documents he was reviewing to greet him swiftly.

A month ago, Li Feiyu caused a commotion at Lin Family Manor at the foot of Qingfeng Mountain. It was only afterward, under Li Zhihe's jurisdiction as the Demon Slayer Director, that he realized there was a Black Mountain Rebel Army base right under his nose.

At that time, confirming that Lin Family Manor was a rebel base filled Li Zhihe with both surprise and anger. It was such an oversight right under their noses, and the main culprit responsible for Lin Family Manor must hold a rather high position in the rebel army.

"Beneath the manor, there's a large underground cave where six Corpse Puppets were found, including an Iron Armor Corpse Puppet comparable to a top Seventh Grade. The 'Manor Master Lin' is most likely a remnant of the Corpse Puppet Sect. If it truly was all Li Feiyu's doing..."

The thought struck Li Zhihe with terror. Based on the confessions from those at Lin Family Manor who were captured or escaped, only one person broke in that night.

Among them was even a statement from Zhang Jin, a disciple of the Hong Saber from the Hongmen Martial Arts Hall.

Besides, for both the Lin Family Manor incident and the matter with the Guo Family in Donghe Town, Canghe County, Li Zhihe awaited Li Feiyu to come to explain.

"Mr. Li, please take a seat... Since last year, you've become even more impressive!" Upon meeting Su Mu again, Li Zhihe was greatly astonished. Originally, in his eyes, Li Feiyu had a cold and stern face but wasn't particularly handsome, exuding an aura of hostility.

Yet at present, that cold and stern face bore a few more hints of striking grace, as if in just a few months, he had undergone a transformation, becoming like a different person. It's no wonder the young constable earlier failed to recognize Su Mu at a glance.

"Director Li, I'm glad to see you're well."

"You all, leave us. Without my orders, no one is allowed near this stone pavilion today."

Once seated, Li Zhihe dismissed the servants. After a few cups of hot tea, he did not secretly arrange troops to surround the pavilion. Su Mu's heart stirred, and he proactively opened the conversation.

"Sir Director, is there something you'd like to ask?"

Li Zhihe's eyes flashed with a hint of brilliance before setting down his teacup and speaking, "The matter of the Guo Family in Donghe Town, Canghe County..."

"It was my doing. Guo Lie deserved to die."

Su Mu calmly stated after finishing his tea and spoke openly, making it clear from the start. The next step was entirely dependent on Li Zhihe's stance on whether the Blade Catcher Li Feiyu would continue to exist.

Since the lotus pond withered after last autumn and winter, it remained a bare expanse. Inside the stone pavilion, the atmosphere suddenly turned oppressive, and the only sound left in the world was the whistling of the wind.

"Mr. Li, this Silver Order..." After pondering for a long time, Li Zhihe unexpectedly spoke, and Su Mu inwardly sighed. It seemed that Li Feiyu's fate with the Demon Slayer Bureau had come to an end. Presently, he reached out and placed both the Wolf Head Silver Order and Profound Iron Tiger Head Order on the stone pavilion.

Today, whether or not Li Zhihe intended to encircle and kill him with troops, Su Mu had the confidence to escape. If Su Mu wished to leave, no one could stop him.

It was at this moment that Li Zhihe suddenly chuckled.

"Mr. Li, perhaps you've misunderstood." Li Zhihe poured another cup of tea for Su Mu. "I find that this Silver Order doesn't suit you. As early as last winter, I prepared a recommendation letter for the Qingzhou Demon Slayer Bureau. It was only delayed because of the continuous heavy snow of last winter, which blocked the roads, but I expect the letter to be sent these days."

"Mr. Li, have you ever heard of the Golden Order Blade Catcher who doesn't kneel before officials?"

Su Mu was taken aback, a scene from two years ago in the stone pavilion flashed in his mind. Su Mu prided himself on accurately judging people, and upon first meeting Li Zhihe, he sensed the man was broad-minded, not one to hold grudges.

This implied that Li Zhihe had long planned to recommend Su Mu for the position of a Golden Order Blade Catcher, merely waiting for him to appear today.

"I have heard a little about it. Lord Zhao from Canghe County mentioned it once or twice."

Upon hearing the mention of Lord Zhao from Canghe River, Li Zhihe paused, then felt a trace of anger, knowing the Zhao mentioned by Su Mu must be Zhao Pingyuan. This person seemed intent on poaching his people, but Su Mu's presence today explained everything.

"I really didn't misjudge Li Feiyu!"

Li Zhihe spoke slowly, "In that case, I won't elaborate. Let's discuss the assessment for becoming a Golden Order Blade Catcher. I only have the right to recommend; whether you'll be employed is entirely up to the Qingzhou Demon Slayer Bureau."

"Once the recommendation letter reaches the Qingzhou Demon Slayer Bureau, the bureau will send an examiner to Cyan Cloud. According to customary procedures, they'll likely send a Junior Seventh Grade 'Judge.' The Judge has an official rank equivalent to mine, but during special periods, their authority surpasses mine, as they oversee the Golden Order Blade Catchers within the Demon Slayer Bureau."

"Usually, the Judge will bring a First-Level Reward or a special examination issued by the Qingzhou Demon Slayer Bureau. Passing this examination allows one to officially become a Golden Order Blade Catcher and be recorded in the Qingzhou Demon Slayer Bureau's official registry."

"Mr. Li, are you interested?"

Demon Slayer Bureau's Judge, overseeing the Golden Order Blade Catchers.

A First-Level Reward, passing the examination allows one to be officially recorded in the Qingzhou Demon Slayer Bureau's official registry!

Su Mu's eyes glimmered at these words, having previously mentioned Zhao Pingyuan from Canghe County out of personal motives, truly wanting to hold some leverage.

Today, Li Zhihe spoke more clearly; this Golden Order offers an official standing, equivalent to a scholar's imperial examination, a leap into the dragon's gate.

The number of students from all over the country who endure ten years of hard study is countless, but in the end, how many can enter the court to become officials?

Su Mu naturally understood the preciousness of the Golden Order's recommendation, but he didn't expect that Li Zhihe would directly recommend him without seeming to mention any additional conditions.

Li Zhihe seemed to have discerned Su Mu's confusion and smiled as he spoke.

"The Qingyun Three Counties are remote, possibly thousands or even tens of thousands of miles from Qingzhou Prefecture. I've assumed the role of Cyan Cloud Demon Slayer Bureau Director for nineteen years, and the Three Counties haven't produced a single Golden Order Blade Catcher for several years."

At this point, Li Zhihe paused slightly.

"Regarding this matter, I surely have my own motives. If Mr. Li can succeed, this matter can also be considered an achievement of mine. In the future, should Mr. Li advance further, perhaps in my lifetime, I might be able to leave the Three Counties, benefitting from Mr. Li's success."

Li Zhihe was straightforward, saying directly that if Su Mu could achieve the Golden Order, it would be his accomplishment, whereas the phrase about benefiting from Su Mu's success was mere politeness. Li Zhihe was not willing to remain only in Qingyun County.

Giving in return for favorable actions!

Su Mu was always someone susceptible to soft words rather than hard ones. With Li Zhihe's direct expression of his thoughts, coupled with Li Zhihe's previous assistance at the Banquet of Hongmen, he already owed Li Zhihe a favor.

During the trip to Canghe County, he also utilized the resources Li Zhihe had laid out there; without them, avenging Uncle Li and Xiaohu wouldn't have gone so smoothly.

Immediately, Su Mu stood up and bowed to Li Zhihe with cupped fists.

"I am grateful to Lord Li for his recognition."

Li Zhihe smiled and stood up, supported Su Mu with both hands, "Mr. Li, there's no need for such formality between us. Please sit."

Without further hesitation, Su Mu retrieved two items from inside his lapel, one was the Dark Blue Order, and the other was a few volume account books. As soon as both items appeared, Li Zhihe's eyes immediately landed on the token.

"Is this... the Flood Order?"

"That's right."

Su Mu handed over the token, Li Zhihe's complexion changed slightly, and after receiving it, his mind raced, "Could it be that Mr. Li acquired this from the Lin Family Manor?"

"Director Li's eyes are as sharp as ever."

Su Mu then roughly recounted the events of that night, during which Li Zhihe was clearly taken aback but did not interrupt. After attentively listening, he asked.

"Director Li, do you have any doubts about what I said?"

Li Zhihe's expression became tense, he instinctively scanned the surroundings, then lowered his voice, "Let's not talk about anything else, just mention the Qingyun Army's three Commanders. Zhang Feng has been missing for several months, and he didn't return to the city that night."

Upon hearing this, Su Mu was startled, and several thoughts popped into his mind.

Could it be that the person who escaped from the inner courtyard of Lin Family Manor that night falsely reported Zhang Feng's name just to save his life?

"Every word I said is true."

"Of course, I trust Mr. Li..." At this point, Li Zhihe changed his tone, "Earlier, I couldn't confirm what happened at the Lin Family Manor. Today, Mr. Li brought the Flood Order, enlightening me. This time, eliminating the Flood Banner Lord is another matter of ridding the people of evil, on behalf of the Cyan Cloud people, I thank Mr. Li."

"This Flood Order can account for five times the Second-Class Merit, yet this matter should not be publicized for the time being. I will remember it for Mr. Li."

Li Zhihe showed considerable sincerity; previously, Zhou Tiande's head and token accounted for three times the Second-Class Merit, this time directly accounting for five!

"What are these account books?" At this moment, Li Zhihe's gaze fell on those yellowed account books, and since Su Mu had specially brought them, there must be a reason.

"Director, read them, and you will understand."

"Alright, allow me some time to review them."

Li Zhihe took one account book and started flipping through it, and before long, his eyes suddenly brightened, like a bird of prey spotting its target. After turning through page after page, this Director of the Cyan Cloud Demon Slayer Bureau immediately understood the significance of these account books.

"Mr. Li, is there anyone else aware of this?"

Li Zhihe knew Li Feiyu was not one to flaunt, but out of caution, he asked, and seeing Su Mu shaking his head, he immediately stood and paced inside the stone pavilion.

"Do you know what this represents?"

"All I know is... this thing is no use to me." Before leaving, Su Mu asked a question, "It's been several months since I've taken on a reward, is there any suitable reward available now?"

"Of course, I will command someone to bring it immediately."

Before long, Li Zhihe personally handed the Second-Level Reward and secret letters to Su Mu, and with that, Su Mu marched away.

"Mr. Li, you've truly surprised me... Zhao Pingyuan?"

Li Zhihe watched Su Mu's departing back, his heart ablaze. The Golden Order Blade Catcher assessment is extremely stringent, especially those at the Qingzhou Prefecture Demon Slayer Bureau often hold a bias against those from remote areas. Not being deliberately difficult is considered good fortune.

While he had high hopes for Li Feiyu, his heart didn't hold much confidence. Li Zhihe looked towards Qingzhou, his eyes revealing a fierce expression, his wide sleeves hiding clenched fists that trembled slightly.

As long as there's a slightest chance, Li Zhihe would not let it slip by.

Nearing twenty years in office, Su Mu is the only person who gave Li Zhihe the slightest hope of leaving Cyan Cloud.

Now that Su Mu came with this account book, if this success ensues, it would be another standing point for Li Zhihe, a step closer to leaving Cyan Cloud.

"Just wait... someday, I, Li Zhihe, will return triumphantly to Qingzhou!"

Only after leaving the Demon Slayer Bureau did Su Mu unfold the reward he obtained, casting a glance over it before his face showed a look of surprise.