Chapter 99 - 97: The New General Department Chief
"You’ve been a tremendous help today," Liang Chuan Mountain expressed his gratitude.
If Song Changming hadn’t come today, he feared he would have met a grim fate in this turmoil.
His death would have left his wife, children, and entire family in danger. The thought constantly filled Liang Chuan Mountain with a lingering fear.
"This city’s unrest might take some time to settle down. How about recovering at my place?" Song Changming suggested to Liang Chuan Mountain.
"No need. I’ll summon Lv Gang and the others. We can get through this period together," Liang Chuan Mountain replied.
Song Changming did not press further, knowing his Song Residence couldn’t accommodate too many. He advised Liang Chuan Mountain to contact him immediately if any danger arose.
The two families were actually not far apart, so mutual aid wouldn’t be slow.
Thus, several more days passed.
During this period, Liang Chuan Mountain, along with Lv Gang and various Patrol Guards, formed an alliance, ensuring no one dared to provoke them again.
Meanwhile, in Three Alleys, because of Song Changming’s presence, a few unwise provocateurs were driven away. The entire alley was preserved, and no family suffered casualties during the unrest.
At the same time, news finally came of the Imperial Court’s military forces.
It was said that the army advanced in three directions, already deep within Donglai Prefecture. They passed through each county city without facing any resistance, surrendering without a fight.
Soon, the army reached Donglai County City, quelling the chaos and capturing numerous wrongdoers.
Seeing this vast array of armored warriors, no one dared commit any further disturbances in the city.
Learning that the Governor had fled, the army then divided its forces to track his whereabouts, seemingly unwilling to let Xiao Jingchuan slip away.
After the Imperial Court discovered that Donglai Prefecture was under military control, they quickly appointed a new Governor to assume office.
The new Governor and officials enabled the Governor’s Mansion, paralyzed for over ten days, to start working again.
The order devastated in Donglai Prefecture began to be reconstructed and restored.
Looking back at the past ten days, the city’s inhabitants felt disoriented, as if they had just climbed out of Hell. Only now did they truly feel they could see the light again, without the nightly anxiety and insomnia.
Song Changming’s Public Security Bureau also welcomed a new General Director.
The first thing this new General Director did was collect the dossiers of the existing officials and Patrol Guards, initiating a thorough investigation.
The anticipated purge of officials began.
This purge aimed not only to remove the remnants of the former Governor’s clique but also to expel corrupt officials and those with lackluster abilities.
The vacancies left would be filled by newcomers under the new Governor’s command.
As expected, Song Changming smoothly passed through this purge without a hitch.
The affair with Xiao Shuyun was not mentioned by anyone.
Beyond that, his background was immaculate, rising from local farmers, a model of grassroots success.
His past achievements and strength were exceptional among the elite, without a doubt in capability.
Regarding corruption and bribery, Song Changming had no significant prior offenses.
Though not a spotless clean stream, he hadn’t crossed the line. Compared to other Patrol Guards, he was much more disciplined.
It was only natural for Song Changming to pass smoothly without a hitch.
His distinguished past even earned him an initial meeting with the new General Director.
He arrived at an inner courtyard of the General Department.
This place was where Xie Shihuan often stayed, occasionally taking a solitary rest here when fatigued.
Xie Shihuan loved flowers, so although the courtyard wasn’t large, it was surrounded by various flowers. Even with autumn’s onset, it was still filled with fragrance, and the garden was verdant with spring hues.
It wasn’t Song Changming’s first time in this inner courtyard; he had come here to report tasks to Xie Shihuan in the past.
But today, the familiar figure standing in the courtyard appreciating the flowers with hands behind their back was no longer there.
"Subordinate Song Changming greets you, sir," Song Changming said, cupping his hands in salute as he stepped into the courtyard.
"No need for formalities," the new General Director turned and replied.
The new General Director wore armor, a ceremonial headdress, and at his waist hung a longsword. His half-grown black beard and narrow, bright eyes gave him a shrewd appearance.
"I reviewed your past records and accomplishments. Quite impressive, especially given your youth. You are truly admirable," Zhuang Ren said with a mild smile and a gentle tone.
"You’re too kind, sir," Song Changming replied stably.
"The report I received mentioned you have reached the Fifth Realm of Body Refining, leading your peers in the General Department. Is that so?" Zhuang Ren asked further.
"Indeed, I have reached the Fifth Realm of Body Refining, but I haven’t formally competed with the other Patrol Captains," Song Changming replied cautiously.
"Come, exchange a few moves with me," Zhuang Ren said straightforwardly.
He wanted to personally gauge Song Changming’s strength, and the simplest way was to test it himself.
As he spoke, the new General Director unsheathed the sword at his waist.
The sword’s blade was unusually broad and didn’t have the thinness of a typical sword edge, giving it an impression of extreme sturdiness.
Seeing this, Song Changming understood it was impossible to decline, so he simply drew his Dragon Pattern Saber.
"A fine saber!" Zhuang Ren praised as he saw the Dragon Pattern Saber drawn, then added.
"Don’t hold back against me. Use all your strength. I just have one request: do not damage the flowers here, as I am fond of them."
"Yes." Song Changming responded.
"Come!" Zhuang Ren said with a faint smile, he had already sensed the continuously accumulating and rising sword momentum from Song Changming.
Very strong, which made him very satisfied.
The next moment, Song Changming warned to be careful, then gathered strength under his feet, his figure shot out like an arrow from a bowstring.
Just two steps, and the distance between them was instantly shortened.
In a single breath, the Soul-breaking Saber was unleashed, a sinister wind entangled its blade, as if countless fierce ghosts emerged from behind Song Changming and the blade, rushing together at the opponent in front.
For a moment, Zhuang Ren only felt the sky darken as if he had fallen into an ice cavern.
Before the sword arrived, the ’momentum’ oppressed, disturbing the soul!
This extraordinary, naturally formed blade, Zhuang Ren had already made a judgment in his heart.
Superior Blade Skill in the Perfection Realm!
The strength of this young patrol guard in front of him far exceeded his expectations!
"Good lad!" Zhuang Ren’s expression lost its relaxed and indifferent look, the longsword in his hands suddenly thrust forward.
The sword light was like the breaking dawn, scorching and boiling!
If Song Changming’s sword momentum was naturally formed, like a big net canopy covering down.
Then the new General Director’s sword was like the hottest beam of light from the blazing sun, directly piercing through the net he had woven.
A hundred ghosts dissolved, its skyrocketing sword momentum instantly dissipated Song Changming’s sword momentum influence.
The clash of sword and blade, a giant force surged from the blade, Zhuang Ren’s figure shook, but did not retreat a half step.
"An astonishing qi power, much stronger than ordinary martial artists in the Fifth Realm of Bone Forging!"
Seeing the new General Director not being suppressed by his qi power, Song Changming also completely let go, his outstanding sword skill subsequently spurted out.
In an instant both exchanged dozens of moves.
No matter how Song Changming accelerated and exerted force, the opponent could always match the strength of his blade.
In terms of strength, he might be slightly stronger, but it was only a slight advantage.
Regarding speed, the opponent matched his offensive pace with ease.
It was evident that the strength of this new General Director was unfathomable.
Song Changming estimated that this person was at least above the Sixth Realm of Body Refining Cultivation, possibly even reaching the Seventh Realm!
And his sword skill was also at the peak of perfection!
"So strong!" Song Changming secretly thought.
At this moment, Zhuang Ren suddenly accelerated again, the longsword in his hand instantly transformed into nine sword shadows, pointing at Song Changming.
Song Changming could not dodge in time, instinctively performed the Flying Sword Technique, wielding the sword faster and more dexterously.
"Oh!" Zhuang Ren sensed the fundamentally different sword momentum on Song Changming’s blade.
The long blade cut through the air, producing a sound like a hundred birds singing, or like the sound of wind chimes.
The way of wielding the blade also completely changed from just now.
"This is another set of sword skills! Although not perfected, the sword’s might is extremely strong!"
These thoughts flashed through Zhuang Ren’s mind, everything changed in an instant.
The collision of sword and blade in the air was continuous and rapid, almost beyond the visual perception.
Only light and shadows remained flickering, intersecting!
In the end, Song Changming took a step back, gasped twice, clasped his hand and said, "My lord’s martial arts are superior, I admit defeat."
It seemed he blocked the opponent’s nine swords just now, as if he was not at a disadvantage.
But he knew himself that the opponent held back at the end, didn’t go all out, otherwise, he would have at least three more sword holes on his body just now.
This martial officer parachuted in from the Imperial Court of the Imperial Capital, indeed had extraordinary strength.
Admitting defeat was not embarrassing.
"In my years, I didn’t have your skills, I just practiced martial arts for twenty more years than you." Zhuang Ren shook his head, putting away his sword.
Today, the strength Song Changming demonstrated indeed brought him a huge surprise.
This was undoubtedly a capable and efficient officer.
"With your martial courage, why didn’t the previous Governor of Donglai take you along?" Zhuang Ren asked.
If he were that Governor, no matter what, he would have recruited Song Changming before fleeing.
"Having been in Donglai Prefecture for so many years, I can’t think of a reason to leave." Song Changming replied directly.
It wasn’t that the Governor of Donglai didn’t want to take him away, but he himself wanted to stay and not associate with them.
Zhuang Ren patted Song Changming’s shoulder, nodding, "Staying is a wise choice, that Xiao Family Governor is finished, no matter how chaotic the court is, he is just a small prefecture governor who can’t withstand it."
"In the future, do a good job under my leadership. If there’s an opportunity, I’ll take you to the Imperial Capital!"