NOVEL WEB Chapter 45 I Became the Leader of Group Four
Guardian Martial Department's main hall, typically the office of the Chief Officer, Zheng Yuanqiu.
Chang Sui led Shen Qing inside, one after the other.
As Shen Qing stepped into the Guardian Martial Department's rear hall, the heavy wooden door slowly closed behind him.
Chang Sui moved forward and said, "Shen Chasi, please. The master has been waiting in the inner room for quite some time."
"Thank you," Shen Qing clasped his hands respectfully.
He adjusted his collar and strode towards the quiet room with large strides.
Upon entering the quiet room in the main hall, Shen Qing saw the steady and authoritative face of Zheng Yuanqiu.
At that moment, he was sitting calmly behind the desk, his sharp eyes focused and brows furrowed, pondering something unknown.
Shen Qing approached and spoke with a steady and powerful voice, "Lord Chief Officer, Shen Qing of the Sixth Group, reporting as ordered."
Zheng Yuanqiu slightly raised his head, his gaze lingering on Shen Qing for a moment before he said, "Shen Qing, do you know why I urgently summoned you here?"
Shen Qing met Zheng Yuanqiu's eyes without any hesitation, "This humble officer is not wise, but I guess it might be related to Xi Shaoqin, the death of Xi Chasi."
"Well, you're somewhat clever," Zheng Yuanqiu nodded lightly, his tone growing more serious, "Xi Chasi was, after all, one of our people from the Guardian Martial Department, a proper official of the court. The Military Department has already taken over this matter."
"But I heard that Xi Chasi's death is related to a demon. In that case, we cannot sit idly by; we need to investigate thoroughly. Slaying demons is within the duty of our Guardian Martial Department."
"You usually act decisively and have outstanding ability. I intend to entrust this heavy responsibility to you. What do you think of the position of Chasi of the Fourth Group? Do you want it?"
Make me the head of the Fourth Group?
Upon hearing this, ripples of emotion surged in Shen Qing's heart.
His first reaction was not to feel fortunate but to suspect that there was considerable intrigue in this matter.
Ever since the demise of his Sixth Group, Zheng Yuanqiu had not replenished the staff, always making him serve as a "Lone Rider."
Now, by coincidence, Xi Shaoqin of the Fourth Group had died, leaving a vacancy that needed filling.
In this way, wouldn't the Sixth Group's staffing effectively be eliminated?
Shen Qing remembered that the Chief Officer before him was a member of the Huang Tian Sect. The Guardian Martial Department people who went to Taiping County a few months ago were betrayed and killed by him.
Now he's reducing the staffing again, making it feel like Zheng Yuanqiu was deliberately weakening the Guardian Martial Department, turning it into a powerless government office.
Knowing that this newly established office was also responsible for seeking out and eradicating rebels like the Huang Tian Sect, was it possible the sect was planning new actions?
This possibility couldn't be eliminated.
Moreover, the Cat Demon has been lurking in the Inner City for some time. Xi Shaoqin had been investigating for so long with his group, and not a single clue was found; it was extremely troublesome.
He had no confidence he could unravel this matter.
It was clearly a mess, a curse for whoever took it on.
For a moment, Shen Qing thought of many things, but he remained as calm as water on the surface, without revealing the slightest hint.
After a while, Shen Qing bent over, clasped his fists, looked at the ground, and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "My lord, this humble officer feels inadequate, unworthy of such an important task. I hope you choose someone more capable."
"I believe Dong Jing, Dong Chasi of the First Group, and Xie Zongyong, Xie Chasi of the Second Group, are both quite competent and should be able to handle this..."
As Shen Qing spoke, he noticed a shadow falling across him, stopping his words as he looked up.
He saw Zheng Yuanqiu standing up from his chair, moving to stand before him.
"Unwilling to accept?" Zheng Yuanqiu's eyes were like a cold pool, deep and chilling, with these four words squeezed out from between his teeth, tinged with a hint of interrogation.
Shen Qing looked up, his gaze exceptionally firm, and his Qi Sea churned involuntarily, his Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique activating automatically, driving a surge of True Qi. He took a deep breath and continued, "Mr. Zheng, it's not that I intend to refuse, but truly my abilities are limited..."
Before he could finish, the air seemed to quiver slightly.
An oppressive force burst from Zheng Yuanqiu, enveloping Shen Qing.
Shen Qing felt as though his whole body was trapped in a quagmire, even his breathing became labored.
"You'd better think carefully before answering me," Zheng Yuanqiu said with a half-smile.
Shen Qing's eyes narrowed, unable to resist the urge to reveal the truth about him.
But seeing that Zheng Yuanqiu hadn't used his full strength, after some consideration, Shen Qing lowered his head and said, "Sir trusts me; by right, I should do my utmost to uncover the truth."
The oppressive force around him suddenly vanished.
Shen Qing immediately felt a lightness throughout his body.
Zheng Yuanqiu patted Shen Qing's shoulder with a pleased smile, saying earnestly, "Good, I knew I didn't misjudge you. From today, you are the Chasi of the Fourth Group of our Guardian Martial Department, commanding all the officers under the Fourth Group, responsible for thoroughly investigating the demon related to Xi Shaoqin."
Shen Qing expressionlessly bowed to accept the order.
"Now that rumors of the Cat Demon are increasingly rampant, you are given one month to investigate this demon. Either slay it on the spot or capture it, remember, whoever is involved, you must investigate thoroughly, no leniency. If you fail, you should resign with disgrace. Now get out and get busy!"
Shen Qing opened his mouth, bowed silently, and withdrew.
Upon exiting the main hall, Shen Qing, usually composed, couldn't help but show a trace of anger on his face.
Fine, you think I'm easy to bully because I have no background, right?
Shen Qing took out the incriminating letter Zheng Yuanqiu had given to the Huang Tian Sect, his expression hardening.
Hope you don't blame me then.
He secured the letter close to his body, setting aside these thoughts.
...
In the courtyard of the Guardian Martial Department, Shen Qing sat at the head position, summoning the former officers of the Fourth Group.
They had already received orders, knowing that the young man before them was their next Chasi, the one they would work under from now on.
Shen Qing looked at them, noting that most had a hint of indifference on their faces, their eyes carrying more or less a trace of disdain, which he had anticipated.
Though these people were not from families as prestigious as the Thirteen Lines, they had some background, not simply from the lower social strata, so naturally, they wouldn't have a fond regard for him, an outsider.
Shen Qing didn't care; he wasn't counting on these people anyway.
"The Lord Chief Officer has ordered us to find out within a month the demon behind Xi Chasi's murder. If we don't, all of us will be dismissed and dealt with. From now on, all of you must be on full alert and do your utmost to investigate. Did you understand?"
Upon hearing his words, everyone showed some reaction, responding perfunctorily.
"Haven't you eaten?" Shen Qing shouted, his True Qi surging, a fierce aura emanating from him.
The officers of the Fourth Group in the room immediately felt a chill.
This cultivation was at the Qi Hai Realm!!!
They suddenly realized that Shen Qing seemed different from the Chasi they had in their minds.
Some quick-thinking officers immediately changed their attitudes, promptly responding, "Understood!"
"If understood, then hurry up and investigate," Shen Qing said sharply.
They exchanged glances and then one by one went out to investigate the city for the demon.