After satisfying his cravings at the Ruyi Tower, Lin Ji showed his face at the yamen to greet the county magistrate.
Regardless of whether it was necessary, it was important to let Magistrate Li know that he, as a constable, was still around.
It wasn't about power or profit, but rather the importance of the constable position in maintaining peace in the region.
Perhaps Magistrate Li didn't like him, but in his absence, Magistrate Li might not sleep well.
After dealing with these trivial matters, Lin Ji returned home to consolidate his cultivation.
But before he could start cultivating, he sensed a cultivator approaching his home from afar.
This was the wonderful use of enhanced senses.
With a thought, his divine sense, combined with extremely sharp senses, gave him a clear understanding.
Far more agile than the third realm's Spirit Eye.
As expected, moments later, there was a knock on the courtyard gate.
Lin Ji opened the door to find a stranger constable standing there.
"Are you Constable Lin from Qingyang County?" the constable greeted with a bow.
"Yes, who are you?" Lin Ji furrowed his brows, puzzled.
"I come from Liang City, specifically to deliver a letter to Constable Lin."
After handing over the letter, the constable inquired about the location of the official post in the county, then took his leave.
Lin Ji held the letter, feeling even more uneasy.
"So, my unease stems from this."
Lin Ji examined the envelope, which bore the seal of the official Zhang Chengfeng from Liangzhou Town.
The envelope felt heavy, as if there was something substantial inside. Lin Ji wondered why the official from Liangzhou Town suddenly sent him something. Could it be a congratulatory gift for his breakthrough to the fourth realm?
Tearing open the envelope, a token fell out.
Lin Ji caught the token and, with widened eyes, exclaimed, "Why is it the Execution Order? And in gold?"
The lowest-ranking official in the Monitoring Bureau held the Execution Order.
A sixth-rank constable held a silver Execution Order, which Lin Ji already possessed. Even though the constables in the capital held a higher rank than those in the counties, with a sixth-rank official position, they still only had a silver Execution Order.
Only the chief constable of a province, also a sixth-rank official, held a golden Execution Order.
The chief constable of a province oversaw the demon-hunting affairs of various cities and counties in the province.
When Lin Ji handled a case in Qingyang County, the case files were sent to Liang City, where they were compiled and eventually reviewed by the chief constable before being archived.
Holding the golden Execution Order, Lin Ji took out the letter from the envelope.
There were two sheets in total.
Mostly congratulatory words, praising Lin Ji for breaking through to the fourth realm at a young age and predicting a bright future.
"I just came out of seclusion today, and the letter arrives at night. Almost prophetic," Lin Ji squinted slightly and continued reading.
The content below was even more shocking.
"After reading this letter, set off immediately to Liang City to report for duty as the chief constable of Liangzhou."
"Chief constable of Liangzhou? Goodness!" Lin Ji was greatly shocked.
Although the chief constable of a province was only a sixth-rank official, there were higher-ranking officials such as fifth-rank wandering stars and fourth-rank commanding officers.
Not to mention third-rank town officials.
But the position of chief constable was far more than just a sixth-rank position; it was a necessary step for upward mobility within the Monitoring Bureau.
Simply having strong cultivation skills was not enough to make a mark in the Monitoring Bureau.
Experience in handling matters, personal conduct, temperament, and other aspects would be considered.
If one was just a strong individual who joined halfway, they might only be given the position of a fifth-rank wandering star and that would be the end of it.
For the Monitoring Bureau's legitimate descendants, if they were not recognized by the higher-ups, a fourth-rank commanding officer was almost the limit.
Only the chief constables of a province, despite being sixth-rank officials, were almost guaranteed to be candidates for future town officials. The current town officials in various provinces were mostly former chief constables.
In the entire realm, there were only nine town officials. A town official with a third-rank official position was a significant figure in the entire Great Qin Dynasty and, in a sense, more important than a prime minister in a dynasty.
"Sending me to be the chief constable of Liangzhou? This is too sudden," Lin Ji's frown deepened.
The unease in his heart reminded him that this matter was definitely not as simple as it seemed.
Soon, Lin Ji saw the end of the letter.
"Don't forget to bring what you should bring."
This was a nonsensical sentence, unrelated to the previous text, and even the entire letter.
But it was precisely this sentence that made Lin Ji suddenly realize.
"Right! I broke through to the fourth realm today, and there should be a follow-up to what Master Xingchi didn't explain last time."
Lin Ji realized that Master Xingchi's plan involved the court or even the Monitoring Bureau.
Otherwise, there was no reason for this letter to be signed with the official seal of Zhang Chengfeng, the town official, and for a demon hunter with considerable cultivation to be specially sent to deliver it.
"So, what does the position of chief constable mean? A reward? What kind of task deserves the position of chief constable as a reward?"
Setting aside the letter, keeping the golden Execution Order safe, Lin Ji pondered for a moment but couldn't figure out a rationale. He quickly packed some luggage and prepared to depart.
Since the letter clearly stated an immediate departure, he couldn't delay.
After bidding farewell at the county yamen, Lin Ji left the Qingyang County he had guarded for many years under the cover of night.
Qingyang County was only over a hundred miles away from Liang City.
Lin Ji traveled along the official road, not rushing, but by daybreak, he had already arrived outside Liang City.
Not a single demon was seen along the way.
It wasn't until he reached the outskirts of Liang City that Lin Ji's divine sense could detect the overwhelming demonic aura surrounding the city.
This demonic aura was many times stronger than the Hundred Ghosts Night Walk he had experienced.
"After this ordeal, even if Liang City ends up unscathed, the people in the city will likely suffer from illness, and even premature death."
Arriving at the city gate, he used the Execution Order to enter the city.
Before Lin Ji could find the official post to stay, he was stopped by someone.
"Constable Lin." Wu Fei, accompanied by a few subordinates, intercepted Lin Ji.
"Wu Chief, long time no see." Lin Ji smiled and bowed.
"Lord Zhang asked me to wait for you here. Follow me." Wu Fei's face showed a hint of hostility, but he didn't erupt. There was a hint of reluctance in his tone.
Not only Wu Fei, but even the constables behind Wu Fei didn't look pleased.
Lin Ji was puzzled as he couldn't recall ever offending Wu Fei.
With some confusion, Lin Ji followed Wu Fei to the outskirts of Liang City's yamen.
Stopping outside the yamen gate, Wu Fei halted his steps.
"You can go in by yourself."
"Thank you." Lin Ji thanked him and was about to leave.
But just as he took a few steps, Wu Fei's voice came from behind.
"Constable Lin, do you know how much trouble you caused Liang City by killing the demon general on the official road last time?"
Lin Ji was taken aback and turned to look at Wu Fei.
"I am aware."
"You know?"
"Now Liang City has been besieged by ten thousand demons for a month, all because of that incident." Lin Ji admitted calmly.
"Hmph, since you know, why don't you show a hint of shame? Do you know how many colleagues died at the hands of demons because of your recklessness, how many heroes perished in Liang City?"
"So what?" Lin Ji retorted.
This question left Wu Fei speechless.
"What do you mean, isn't this enough?"
Lin Ji chuckled lightly.
"As a demon hunter, what's wrong with killing a demon?"
"But..."
"What's wrong?"
(End of Chapter)