Chapter 106: Entering the Bureau
Chapter 106: Entering the Bureau
The next morning, Chen Mu slowly opened his eyes and stretched his body before getting up.
Having completed the final step of his Sinew Transformation Limit cultivation the day before, he allowed himself a rare break. He didn't engage in excessive training or contemplation, and even went to bed early the night before. Now, after a good night's rest, he felt more refreshed than ever.
Wearing a thin white long robe, Chen Mu stepped down from his bed and strolled to the doorway. Outside in the courtyard, a petite and graceful figure wielded a flexible sword, with a ray of morning light from the distant east shining upon the sword, making the sword's gleam resemble a cluster of pale golden pear blossoms, creating a rather elegant sight.
The sword practitioner was none other than Chen Yue.
In just over a year, Chen Yue had not only perfected her Skin Hardening Technique but also mastered her sword technique, reaching a level of proficiency. This was not only due to her natural talent but also her diligent cultivation, which was no less rigorous than Chen Mu's.
Every morning, when Chen Mu woke up, Chen Yue would also rise early and practice her sword in the courtyard. Today, she had even gotten up earlier than him and had been practicing for a while.
"Brother, you're awake."
Chen Yue saw Chen Mu at the doorway and, under the pale golden morning light, she smiled adorably. However, the little girl had grown up, and her previous childish cuteness had transformed into a more mature and graceful beauty.
"Mhm."
Chen Mu walked slowly into the courtyard.
Chen Yue sheathed her sword and ran over, looking up at Chen Mu with a slight bite to her lip. "You, you're going to the Demon Slayer Bureau today. You'll rarely be back here, and I've heard that in the Demon Slayer Bureau, not only do they often hunt demons outside to maintain the stability of the entire prefecture, but there are also many disputes among the families, both openly and secretly. Brother, you must be careful in everything..."
Seeing Chen Yue's expression, Chen Mu couldn't help but smile gently.
In the past, Chen Yue had always been concerned about him. Not to mention the times she stayed by his bedside when he was sick, but she also always considered his well-being and was unwilling to cause him any additional trouble, even when she wanted to go out and play.
The current Chen Yue had grown up a lot compared to the past. She had even started to understand the disputes among the families and some of the Demon Slayer Bureau's affairs, most of which she had learned from him after knowing that he was going to the Demon Slayer Bureau.
"Don't worry, there are very few people who can harm me now."
Chen Mu raised his hand to pat Chen Yue's head, but her head was already past his chin, so it felt a bit awkward to pat. Instead, he gently tapped her head.
"Mhm!"
Chen Yue smiled brightly.
She knew that Chen Mu had reached the Sinew Transformation Realm, and indeed, there were far fewer people who could harm him. Ordinary thugs, even dozens or hundreds of them, posed little threat to Chen Mu.
However, she didn't realize that when Chen Mu said "very few," he meant that there were very few people in the entire Yu Prefecture who could do so.
"Let me see how much your sword skills have improved."
Chen Mu nodded slightly and walked a few steps forward, raising his hand towards Chen Yue.
Chen Yue smiled softly and lifted her flexible sword, saying, "Watch my sword!"
The flexible sword trembled, and she pointed it at Chen Mu, releasing three rays of light that fell like raindrops.
This wasn't the first time Chen Mu had guided Chen Yue's sword skills, and he had always done so without using a sword himself. She knew that even if she exerted all her strength, she couldn't possibly harm Chen Mu, so she executed her sword technique without hesitation.
Facing Chen Yue's flexible sword, Chen Mu calmly raised his left hand, forming a sword shape with his index and middle fingers. With a slight movement to the left, then another, he finally curved his index finger and flicked it upwards.
Ding ding dong! The two rays of sword light on the left and right were instantly extinguished by Chen Mu's fingers. Chen Yue's flexible sword was then flicked by Chen Mu, bending upwards into a curved arc and stabbing back towards her.
Chen Yue was not surprised or flustered. Instead, she lowered her body, avoiding the rebound of her sword while drawing an arc with the entire sword, creating a pale golden arc under the morning light.
From behind and below, Chen Mu's fingers curved downwards again, striking three times in quick succession. Chen Yue's sword trembled violently, and she finally lost her grip, dropping the sword.
"Your quick adaptation has improved since the last time, and knowing to attack vital points is good. After mastering the sword technique, you should gradually detach yourself from the moves themselves... However, for now, you should focus on the sword technique itself, learning how to inflict damage and exploit weaknesses. You can gradually refine these skills over time."
Chen Mu nodded slightly towards Chen Yue and offered a few pointers.
Although he wasn't very familiar with the Kan Water lineage, from his current height of cultivation, even many of the older instructors in the Yu Clan Martial Academy were inferior to him. Naturally, he could guide Chen Yue's sword technique.
Chen Yue stood obediently to the side, listening attentively until Chen Mu finished commenting on her sword technique. She saw him off to the main hall, where they ate together, and then accompanied him to the doorway. After Chen Mu changed his clothes, he set off, and Chen Yue watched his departing figure until he disappeared into the distance.
Chen Mu waved goodbye and continued on his way, soon vanishing from sight.
Chen Yue took a deep breath as she watched Chen Mu's retreating figure. She lowered her head to look at the flexible sword in her hand, her eyes gradually becoming more determined. The days of leisure would eventually come to an end, and it had already been over five months. Chen Mu had to do what he needed to do, and she should also practice her sword skills more diligently, striving to enter the Skin Hardening Technique's Minor Success and comprehend the Sword Form. She hoped to help Chen Mu in the future.
...
Although Chen Mu had rarely ventured out during his five months at the Yu Clan's headquarters, his memory was excellent, and he had a clear understanding of the layout of the Yu Clan's streets and the inner city.
Currently, as he walked towards the center of the inner city, he soon left the Yu Clan's headquarters and arrived outside the Demon Slayer Bureau's office.
However, he didn't enter.
Instead, he stood quietly in front of a towering stele.
The Demon Slayer Bureau's office was solemn and quiet, with no guards at the main entrance. Occasionally, people came and went, and those who passed by glanced at Chen Mu, standing silently in front of the stele, with only a brief look before passing by without a second thought.
Within the Demon Slayer Bureau, below the Deputy Director, were the Demon Slayer Guards, divided into three different levels: White Robes, Green Robes, and Black Robes, from highest to lowest.
The Black Robes were the lowest-ranked Demon Slayer Guards, usually below the Sinew Transformation Realm, and often dealt with less harmful lower-level demonic creatures. More often, they were responsible for transmitting intelligence and information.
Above them, the Green and White Robes were the main force of the Demon Slayer Bureau in hunting down demonic creatures.
Most of those entering and exiting the Demon Slayer Bureau were Black Robes, hurrying with solemn expressions. Occasionally, a Green or White Robe would pass by with a more relaxed demeanor, glancing at Chen Mu, but none recognized him, quickly moving on.
Chen Mu didn't wait long; after a quarter of an hour, two familiar figures appeared in the distance, approaching from afar—none other than Xu Hongyu and Xiao He.
"Chen Mu," Xiao He called out, waving from a distance, but her voice was silent.
As they drew near, Chen Mu turned to Xu Hongyu, still wearing no makeup, her porcelain-like complexion needing no adornment. Her cheeks were flushed with vitality, and her lips were red and moist. Dressed in a white, gender-neutral robe, she exuded a sense of distant coolness more than beauty.
Xu Hongyu nodded slightly at Chen Mu and said, "Our names were registered yesterday. You can go to the office to get your identification badges and guard uniforms. But since you're unfamiliar with the Demon Slayer Bureau, let's go together."
Chen Mu smiled and said, "I was thinking the same."
Xu Hongyu nodded lightly and headed towards the main hall within the Demon Slayer Bureau, with Chen Mu and Xiao He following behind. Soon, they arrived at a hall located in the eastern part of the Demon Slayer Bureau's office.
The hall was quiet and not very spacious. Only an elderly man, wearing a black robe, sat inside.
"Xu Hongyu, Ning He, Chen Mu," Xu Hongyu addressed the elderly man.
The old man looked up, glanced at Xu Hongyu, and then at Chen Mu and Xiao He beside her. He raised his hand and threw over three identification badges, which drew three arcs in the air before landing in front of each of them.
Chen Mu caught one with a deft movement and examined it closely. It read, "Green Robe Guard Chen Mu of the Demon Slayer Bureau."
He glanced to the side at Ning He's badge, which read, "Green Robe Guard Ning He of the Demon Slayer Bureau."
Xu Hongyu's badge read, "White Robe Guard Xu Hongyu of the Demon Slayer Bureau."
The elderly man spoke slowly, "Take your badges and go to the back for evaluation, then get your guard uniforms."
Xu Hongyu, without much conversation, led Chen Mu and Ning He through the hall to the back, saying calmly, "The Demon Slayer Bureau is known for its direct and swift actions. There's no need to be as cautious as outside."
Chen Mu fiddled with his new badge and asked, "What's this evaluation about?"
"It's just a process," Xu Hongyu replied casually. "In the past, they would conduct an exam and issue badges and corresponding uniforms after a few days. Now, they often issue badges in advance, and the evaluation is just a formality."
As they spoke, the three arrived at a much larger but darker hall.
A crackling sound, like the striking of a fire starter, filled the air as a lamp was lit, illuminating the dark hall. The hall was spacious but empty, with only an iron pillar in the center bearing numerous marks of strikes and cuts. Next to the pillar was a rough piece of wood with many wooden swords stuck in it.
"Xu Hongyu," a voice called out from within the hall—the person who had lit the lamp, an elderly man with a neutral expression.
Xu Hongyu approached, drew a wooden sword, and relaxed her body, emitting five crisp sinew resonances—a sign of Sinew Transformation Perfection—before she snapped the wooden sword towards the pillar.
Crack!
The wooden sword shattered upon impact with the pillar, leaving a mark, but the old man remained expressionless, drawing a circle on a yellow paper as he watched.
"Ning He," he called out, and Ning He stepped forward lightly, drawing a wooden sword with one hand and emitting a clear sinew resonance before striking the pillar, leaving a mark, but not as deep as Xu Hongyu's.
The old man, unmoved, drew another circle and called out, "Chen Mu."
(End of Chapter)
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