“You call this 'fine'?”
Gu Chengming looked down at the paper effigy at his feet, which was emitting a burnt, foul stench. His expression was somewhat subtle.
He thought to himself that this capital of Daqian was truly a dragon’s pool and a tiger’s den—dangerous at every step. This was only his first night, and he hadn't even had a warm meal yet before this intimidating 'welcome' arrived as expected, and with such insidious methods.
If not for the Zhou Rites, he might have met his end in this gutter today.
“Phew...”
Beside him, Yu Wenqiu saw that he was responding normally, and her tense nerves finally relaxed. She rushed to the paper effigy, crouched down, and a glimmer of spiritual light condensed at her fingertip as she carefully inspected the severed neck.
She was about to say, “It’s good that you’re okay, just be more careful in the future,” but when her divine sense swept over the headless paper body on the ground, the rest of her words got stuck in her throat.
Her eyes widened as if she had seen something impossible. Her mouth slowly formed an 'O' shape and didn't close for a long time.
“Eh?”
Yu Wenqiu pointed at the paper effigy, her fingertip trembling slightly: “You... you’re the one who dealt with this?”
Gu Chengming looked at her strangely and nodded. “Yes, is something wrong?”
Is something wrong? You’re asking what's wrong?!
Yu Wenqiu felt the concentration of the residual resentment, the faint fluctuations emanating from the paper skeleton, and the heart-palpitating pressure that remained even after its death... she felt a chill rush from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head.
She didn't answer. Instead, she took three steps back until she reached the door. One hand was even hidden behind her back, clutching an extremely precious 'Delusion-Breaking Talisman.'
Her divine sense swept over Gu Chengming, trying to find any trace of him being possessed or inhabited by an evil spirit.
Gu Chengming felt uneasy under her gaze. “Elder?”
She took a deep breath, stared intently into Gu Chengming’s eyes, and asked at a rapid-fire pace: “Gu Chengming, let me ask you this.”
“The third volume of the story script, section four! When the male lead faces his delirious Junior Sister, what were the three options provided?!”
Gu Chengming recalled for a moment and then recited fluently:
“Option one: Take advantage of the situation and fast-forward directly to the dual cultivation plot. Result: Junior Sister’s favorability drops to zero.”
“Option two: Act with righteous indignation, knock her unconscious, and then splash her awake with cold water. Reward: dao heart +1.”
“Option three: Use internal energy to expel the poison for her, acting with passion but stopping at propriety. Afterwards, hide your contribution and fame. Result: Junior Sister’s favorability +10, hidden sub-route unlocked.”
“Phew...”
Hearing these familiar options, Yu Wenqiu’s tense shoulders instantly slumped. The talisman in her hand slid back into her sleeve, replaced by the relief of surviving a disaster.
“Good, good. It should be the real Little Gu.”
Yu Wenqiu muttered a sentence, then quickly stepped forward and circled Gu Chengming several times, clicking her tongue as she went. She repeated: “...This evil spirit was really killed by you?”
Gu Chengming said helplessly, “Yes.”
He finally realized that Yu Wenqiu had just thought he was possessed.
Yu Wenqiu hesitated. She looked at the headless paper effigy and then at the unharmed disciple before her. She still couldn't understand it.
“This was a third realm evil spirit...”
Speaking of which, she suddenly thought of something and asked tentatively: “Did Elder Ren give you some life-saving trump card before we left?”
Gu Chengming was also slightly startled upon hearing this.
“third realm?”
He looked at the paper effigy in shock, thinking to himself that it had felt as weak as a clay chicken or a straw dog. At the exact moment this thought arose:
【Hundred Bones Resonating slowly wakes up...】
【Huiyuan Sword Manual slowly wakes up...】
【Qingxin Art...】
“?”
Gu Chengming now knew why that third realm evil spirit had felt like a stray dog.
Setting aside the indignation and worry of the Hundred Bones Resonating and Huiyuan Sword Manual after they woke up, the question of 'why a third realm evil spirit was insta-killed by a first realm cultivator' was temporarily brushed aside in the somewhat subtle atmosphere.
Gu Chengming didn't explain much, only vaguely mentioning 'Elder Ren’s gifts before the trip' and that 'the evil spirit seemed to be at the end of its rope.'
After her initial shock, Yu Wenqiu tactfully didn't press for details. As long as he was okay, that was a blessing.
By the time the morning light was bright and the gloom in the guest room had completely dissipated, Yu Wenqiu’s expression didn't lighten much. She stared at the broken paper effigy on the ground with a furrowed brow. Her usual lazy temperament was gone, replaced by the gravity of a sect elder.
“Little Gu, this matter isn't that simple.”
Yu Wenqiu lightly poked the severed paper head, her tone heavy. “Evil spirits love to feed on human vitality, but most are muddled. Even high-level evil spirits with intelligence rarely commit crimes so brazenly in a place like the capital.”
“And yet it struck neither earlier nor later, but precisely on your first night in the capital, right before you were to report to the Night Guard Division...”
Gu Chengming nodded slightly. He was a newcomer who didn't even know the roads yet; where would he have enemies? It was likely someone was targeting the Wenjian Sect.
“What do you mean, Elder?”
“Take it with you.”
Yu Wenqiu pointed at the remains on the ground. “This is ironclad evidence. A third realm evil spirit sneaking into the capital to commit murder—according to the Night Guard Division’s rules, handling an entity of this level usually requires several veteran second realm Night Guards led by a junior banner to set up an array to take it down.”
“Now you’ve achieved such a great feat before even starting your job, and as the victim to boot. It’s perfect to take this along.”
Gu Chengming understood. He immediately found a piece of black cloth, wrapped up the foul-smelling paper remains, and carried them in his hand.
The Night Guard Division was located in the northwest corner of the inner city, backed by the Imperial City and facing the marketplace. Unlike the red walls and glazed tile roofs of the Six Ministries, the buildings of the Night Guard Division were a somber, deep ink color.
The towering perimeter walls were built from solid blocks of black basalt, covered in dense runes that emitted a heart-chilling cold even in broad daylight. Instead of stone lions, two ferocious Bi'an statues stood on either side of the main gate, their beastly eyes seemingly inlaid with some special crystal.
Gu Chengming carried the strangely shaped black bundle and followed behind Yu Wenqiu.
It was currently the hour for the morning roll call, and many Night Guards were coming and going through the main gate. Most were in a hurry, carrying the scent of night dew and lingering blood, clearly having just finished their night patrols.
Gu Chengming thought that carrying a bundle clearly emitting the aura of an evil spirit would lead to him being stopped and questioned by the guards. He had even prepared a mental script to deal with a rigorous inspection.
However, the reality exceeded his expectations.
When he reached the gate, the two guards in heavy armor with their hands on their sword hilts only glanced at the bundle. Upon sensing the residual baleful aura of a third realm evil spirit, they actually stepped back in unison to clear the path. They even lowered their heads slightly, casting a gaze of slight respect toward Gu Chengming.
Gu Chengming was startled, feeling a bit puzzled.
Passing through the gate, they reached a wide bluestone road leading to the inner hall. Tall pagoda trees were planted on both sides, their canopies blotting out the sun and making the light inside the division appear dim.
The Night Guards they encountered along the way all looked sideways when they saw the black bundle in Gu Chengming’s hand.
“Hiss... such heavy baleful aura! What’s in that bundle? It feels like an evil entity of at least the peak of the second realm, right?”
“That colleague looks very unfamiliar. Which chiliarch’s subordinate is that fierce man? Coming to hand in a task so early in the morning?”
Whispers drifted into his ears with the wind. In those gazes, there was curiosity and inquiry, but even more so, there was genuine respect and envy.
Although Gu Chengming hadn't put on the official uniform yet, he had clearly won the first wave of respect with this 'corpse' in his hand.
Yu Wenqiu walked ahead. Hearing the surrounding discussions, she remained calm and indifferent on the surface, but she was quite satisfied in her heart.
As the two crossed the front courtyard and were about to head toward the Merit Hall responsible for registering achievements—
“Which blind fool is showing off in the division?!”
The voice arrived before the person. Immediately after, a burly figure strode out.
The newcomer was the very same Vice commander Liu they had met yesterday. At this moment, he lacked all the geniality he had shown at the dinner table. He wore a set of black iron heavy armor covered in blade marks, his cape fluttering behind him. His resolute face was filled with fury, and his tiger-like eyes were wide, radiating a baleful aura as if he were coming to demand an explanation.
As it turned out, half a quarter-hour ago, while Vice commander Liu was processing documents in the back hall, a subordinate had rushed in to report that an unfamiliar young man had arrived in the front courtyard. He was carrying the corpse of what seemed to be a third realm spirit-type evil spirit and was walking in ostentatiously, drawing a crowd of Night Guards and stealing all the limelight.
Vice commander Liu’s heart had skipped a beat.
Although the Night Guard Division encouraged slaying demons, any third realm or higher evil spirit being slain had to be reported to the Merit Hall in advance for expert inspection. Who would just walk in with a corpse without a word?
His first reaction was that the bastards from the neighboring Demon-Slaying Bureau or the Ministry of Justice were looking for trouble again. Those grandsons loved to snatch credit from the Night Guard Division. They must have killed a powerful evil spirit outside and intentionally bypassed the regular procedures to parade it through the Night Guard Division's courtyard, mocking their incompetence and security flaws.
If this can be endured, what cannot?!
Vice commander Liu, bursting with anger, charged out aggressively. However, when he rounded the corner and saw the youth in green standing under the shade of the trees holding the black bundle, he instantly froze.
His forward momentum stopped so abruptly that his feet skidded on the ground, kicking up sparks. Vice commander Liu stood dazed, his face full of shock. He looked at Gu Chengming, then at the bundle emitting a thick baleful aura, his brain unable to process the situation for a moment.
Wasn't this the Wenjian Sect disciple who had just arrived in the capital yesterday and whom he had told to report today?
“commander Liu.”
Seeing the newcomer, Gu Chengming’s expression remained normal. He wasn't intimidated by the other's aura; he simply bowed respectfully and spoke in a calm, gentle tone: “This disciple was just about to seek you out to report. I didn't expect to disturb you; it is truly my fault.”
“Report...”
Vice commander Liu swallowed hard, his eyes fixed on the bundle in Gu Chengming’s hand. He spoke with some difficulty: “That thing in your hand... is it a greeting gift?”
“I suppose so.”
Gu Chengming gave a wry smile and lifted the bundle slightly. “Last night, Elder Yu and I stayed at the Listening to Rain Pavilion. Unexpectedly, we were ambushed by an evil spirit in the middle of the night. This creature was skilled in nightmare enchantment. I managed to slay it by chance. Elder Yu said this matter is of great importance and feared there might be a mastermind behind it, so she had me bring it to the division for you to decide, sir.”
“Nightmare enchantment? Listening to Rain Pavilion?”
Upon hearing this, Vice commander Liu’s face instantly darkened. As a high-ranking official of the Night Guard Division, he naturally knew what this implied.
Although the Listening to Rain Pavilion wasn't the property of royalty, it was located in the inner circle of the capital, a place covered by Imperial Dragon Qi. For an evil spirit to dare strike there, and specifically against a newly arrived sect disciple? This was a direct slap to the face of the Night Guard Division!
He stepped forward quickly and, without hesitation, reached out to lift a corner of the black cloth.
“Hiss—”
The moment he saw the headless paper effigy inside, Vice commander Liu sucked in a breath of cold air, his pupils shrinking violently. “Yellow paper bones, corpse oil soul... Is this the work of the Dry-faced Gentleman’s lineage? Or...”
He quickly closed the cloth, his expression becoming more solemn than ever. This was a genuine third realm Nightmare Wandering Corpse, and looking at the refinement technique, it was definitely the work of an evil path master. Even if he sent a full squad of veteran second realm Night Guards, they would likely suffer heavy casualties if caught unprepared.
Vice commander Liu looked up, his gaze toward the calm young man becoming extremely complex. Even with Yu Wenqiu protecting him, an ambush on the spiritual level often happened in an instant. To emerge unscathed from such a bizarre assassination and even counter-kill the spirit so decisively...
This made him recall his suspicion from yesterday.
Vice commander Liu took a deep breath and quickly adjusted his mindset, adopting a more stable elder-like posture. He spoke solemnly: “This matter is no small thing; it was clearly intentional. Rest assured, now that you’ve entered the gates of the Night Guard Division, we won't let you suffer any grievances.”
“I’ll have people send this corpse to the Hall of Geomancy for a deep investigation. No matter who is behind this, anyone who dares touch a member of my Night Guard Division in the capital will pay the price!”
With that, he waved his hand and summoned two trusted subordinates to carefully take the bundle. Then he added, “Let’s go process your enrollment first and get your identity waist plate.”
“With this 'skin' on you, there won't be many blind fools in this capital who dare try anything again.”
Gu Chengming had no objections and followed Vice commander Liu into the inner hall.
The Merit Hall was the busiest place in the Night Guard Division. Usually, it was crowded with Night Guards handing in missions or exchanging merits. But today, because Vice commander Liu was personally leading the way, the noisy hall instantly fell silent.
The clerk in charge was an elderly official. Seeing Vice commander Liu, he hurriedly put down his pen and came out in fear and trepidation.
“Sir, why have you come in person?”
Vice commander Liu waved his hand and threw a token representing special approval onto the desk. “Wenjian Sect inner disciple, Gu Chengming. Follow the special recruitment process and enroll him directly.”
The old clerk took the token, glanced at Gu Chengming with a flash of surprise, but his hands were fast. He quickly flipped through the register and began recording.
“Origin: Wenjian Sect.”
“Cultivation: First Realm, Ninth Level.”
“Rank...”
Writing to this point, the clerk looked up at Vice commander Liu.
Vice commander Liu pondered for a moment before saying, “According to the rules, those newly entering the division are all Night Guards. However...” He glanced at Gu Chengming and thought of that third realm evil spirit, adding: “He shall temporarily hold the rank of Night Guard but enjoy the treatment of a junior banner. Once he has earned merits in the future, he will be promoted accordingly.”
The clerk was shocked—this was a leapfrog treatment! But he didn't dare ask questions and quickly finished writing.
A moment later, a waist plate forged from black iron, cold and heavy to the touch, was handed to Gu Chengming. The front was engraved with the words 'Night Guard,' while the back bore Gu Chengming’s name and the character for 'Seven,' representing his rank.
“Gu Chengming, keep it safe.”
Vice commander Liu pointed at the plate and explained patiently: “The ranks of our Night Guard Division are linked to the official system of Daqian.”
“The most basic Night Guard corresponds to a Seventh-Rank Military Official of Daqian, but this is just a nominal rank and is considered entry-level in the division. They are mainly responsible for daily patrols, investigations, and handling low-level supernatural cases.”
“Above that is the junior banner, also commonly known as a centurion. This gives you the qualification to lead a team independently and take on slightly more troublesome cases.”
Speaking of this, he looked at Yu Wenqiu with some emotion. “When Elder Yu left her post back then, she held the rank of centurion. But that was because Elder Yu was indifferent to fame and didn't care to compete. Based on seniority, she should have been promoted long ago.”
Yu Wenqiu felt as if ants were crawling on her skin. Her gaze drifted, looking quite embarrassed.
“Above the junior banner is the senior banner, also known as a chiliarch. At this level, you are the backbone of the division and even have the authority to mobilize local garrisons to assist in cases.”
Vice commander Liu patted Gu Chengming’s shoulder and said earnestly: “The Night Guard Division values solid achievements. Although the Daqian officialdom is messy, our promotion path is the most fair. How many demons you kill and how many evils you eliminate will change the color of this plate. No one can erase that.”
Gu Chengming rubbed the slightly rough black iron plate, feeling a faint but resilient power of law contained within it.
A Seventh-Rank Military Official. Although not high, this was indeed his first formal identity obtained in this mortal world. He was no longer a person outside the system, but a member of the Daqian establishment.
The moment he hung the plate at his waist:
【The Zhou Rites Heavenly Rectifying Art looks at the waist plate representing your official status and feels quite gratified.】
【If names are not rectified, then language will not be in accord with the truth of things. If language is not in accord with the truth of things, affairs cannot be carried on to success. Now that you have this official status, you have entered the orthodox path.】
【Zhou Rites Heavenly Rectifying Art Favorability +5】
【Current Favorability: 43 / Friendly】
Looking at the prompt that popped up, Gu Chengming felt amused.
As expected... debating scriptures in the sect for three months had yielded no results, yet after only two days in Daqian, killing an evil spirit and getting an official seal caused his favorability to soar like a rocket.
At this rate, it probably wouldn't take more than a few months to unlock a special CG.
Rate on N.U.
