Chapter 143: Missed Opportunity
Chapter 143: Missed Opportunity
Southern District.
Nine Streets.
In a bustling tavern located on the main street, people gathered, creating a lively atmosphere. The first floor was almost full, and even half of the private rooms on the second floor were occupied by figures in long robes, quietly dining and drinking.
This tavern had only opened two months ago, and its location was one of the best in the market streets. With a constant flow of pedestrians passing by and its proximity to the alley where the market discarded its garbage, it was no wonder that no gangs or troublemakers dared to disturb the peace. As a result, the business had been thriving from the very beginning, always filled with customers.
Such a prosperous business.
Yet, surprisingly, no gangs or other forces had tried to extort money from them, not even demanding 'residence fees' or 'business fees'. Even the occasional visits from the leaders or deputy leaders of the Red Gold Gang were polite and respectful, without a hint of their usual arrogance.
Moreover, the local clerks patrolled the area daily, intentionally or not, their eyes shining brightly as if ready to pounce on any troublemakers.
To have such a thriving business without any backing was naturally impossible.
Whenever someone gazed upon this bustling tavern from a distance, they couldn't help but marvel at Zhang the Butcher's incredible luck. After all, he was just a simple butcher who had married an ordinary woman, and yet his nephew had risen through the ranks, serving as a squad leader and clerk administrator before moving to the inner city and joining the Demon Slayer Bureau. He had become a prominent figure beyond the imagination of commoners.
Although Chen Mu had not shown much favor to Zhang the Butcher's family, except for taking slightly better care of Chen Hong, his third aunt, his rising status had attracted the attention of various influential forces in the region.
In just a few short years...
Zhang the Butcher's family had acquired properties, moved into a new mansion, and even opened this tavern just two months ago. They had transformed from a humble butcher's family into wealthy tavern owners, raking in profits daily. It was a remarkable change of fortune.
On the second floor of the tavern, in the innermost room, a desk was placed with several account books piled on top. Behind the desk, a woman sat with a slight frown, meticulously calculating each entry in the account books.
Compared to a few years ago, Zhang Youying's face no longer carried any trace of childishness.
She carefully recorded each entry, using an abacus to calculate and then transcribing them with a brush.
Suddenly,
The sound of firecrackers erupted outside the tavern, creating a continuous crackling noise that seemed festive and lively. The commotion disturbed Zhang Youying's thoughts, making it impossible for her to continue her calculations. She put down her brush and looked outside.
Just then, a young servant with a beaming smile entered the room, and she asked him, "What's happening outside? Who's getting married?"
In those days, firecrackers were considered precious, and ordinary commoners couldn't afford to use them. They would usually strike bamboo joints to create a similar sound. To use so many firecrackers, it was likely that a wealthy family from the Nine Streets was celebrating a wedding.
The servant's face glowed with excitement as he spoke during a brief pause in the firecrackers, "It's a joyous occasion! I heard that our boss's relative, Official Chen, has been promoted to the Director of the Inspector General's Office! Boss Zhang is setting off many firecrackers outside. I don't think they'll finish setting them off in half an hour. I wonder what rank the Director holds..."
Upon hearing the servant's words, Zhang Youying stood there in a daze.
Director of the Inspector General's Office...
The young servant may not have fully understood the significance, but she did. It was a newly established government office in the inner city, headed by a prominent figure from the capital. Its authority and status even surpassed that of the City Lord of Yu City.
The Director of the Inspector General's Office held a high position within the Inspector General's Office, far above the rank of a mere clerk administrator. The difference in status and power was immeasurable. Their authority was so vast that they could oversee the entire Yu City and even Yu Prefecture, and even the City Lord and Governor might have to yield to their commands.
It was one of the highest positions in Yu City.
Chen Mu...
Had he reached such heights?
Ever since Chen Mu's rapid rise, many had predicted that his future would be extraordinary, and she had no doubts about it. But the Director of the Inspector General's Office... had it only been a few years?
Zhang Youying turned around, feeling a bit lost as she looked at the pile of account books.
Now, it seemed she had achieved her own aspirations, recording and calculating accounts daily and living a comfortable life. But for some reason, a complex emotion stirred within her.
Had she...
Missed something?
...
Yu Prefecture.
North of Jingyu County.
Deep within a dense forest, a group of people worked together to drag a massive, bright red rhinoceros corpse from the woods. They then began cutting down trees to build a simple cart.
Standing in front of the enormous rhinoceros corpse was Xue Lin, clad in the official uniform of the Deputy Commander of the Demon Slayer Bureau. There were traces of blood on his clothes, but his face bore a faint smile.
This rhinoceros demon was extraordinary, ranking above the fourth tier! It was the first 'fourth-tier' demon he had hunted since his promotion to Deputy Commander. Although the term 'fourth-tier' might require the prefix 'semi,' it was still far superior to the third tier.
While the killing of this demon was a collective effort involving many members of the Demon Slayer Bureau, it was primarily due to Xue Lin's significant progress in the martial path. He had finally comprehended the 'Departure Fire' Intention Realm, which allowed him to defeat the demon.
"This time, when the Director returns to Yu City, he will likely be promoted to the full Commander position, removing the 'Deputy' title."
"One of the Xue family's White-Robed Guards standing nearby had a hint of reverence in his eyes, and he couldn't help but voice his admiration."
Xue Lin smiled faintly and said, "It's hard to say. Currently, all three Director positions in the Demon Slayer Bureau are filled, and no one is stepping down anytime soon. Although I've comprehended the Departure Fire Intention, it's still difficult to have an additional Director position established in the Demon Slayer Bureau."
"Whether they add a new position or not, it's only temporary. With your natural talent and abilities, throughout the entire Yu Prefecture, aside from the Four Great Sects, no one among the younger generation can compare. Your promotion to Director is just a matter of time."
Another White-Robed Guard standing beside them echoed in agreement.
"Hmm."
Xue Lin nodded slightly.
The difference between a Deputy Director and a Director was not just a matter of a single word; the gap in status and other aspects was significant. In the Demon Slayer Bureau, there were some valuable items that even a Deputy Director with sufficient merit couldn't exchange for. Only a full Director had the qualifications to do so.
For him, now that he had comprehended the Departure Fire Intention, as long as his Body Tempering Technique advanced further, reaching Bone Forging Mastery and eventually Perfection, it was only a matter of time before he was promoted to a full Director.
Even more so in the future, there might be an opportunity to vie for the position of Head of the Demon Slayer Bureau. That position was crucial in maintaining the connection between the Seven Mysteries Sect and Yu Prefecture. In the past, it had always been filled by someone sent from within the Seven Mysteries Sect. But if his talent was sufficient, and he advanced to the Five Viscera Realm in the future, catching the attention of the Seven Mysteries Sect, it wasn't impossible for him to take on that role. At that time, the Xue family's influence would take another step forward.
Xue Lin felt a surge of relief and looked up at the azure sky, his thoughts drifting to a certain person.
In the 1619 Book Bar, he had read a flawless version!
Chen Mu.
It was strange to think about it, but he had never paid much attention to this person before, nor had he taken him seriously. He had considered Chen Mu to be just like Ning He, one of Xu Hongyu's followers. It was already known that he didn't care much about Xu Hongyu, let alone her followers.
Who would have thought that during the Great Demon Turmoil, this seemingly ordinary Chen Mu would suddenly reveal his ability to comprehend Intentions. Although it didn't attract much attention due to the major event of the Four Great Sects' arrival in Yu Prefecture, it had left him deeply frowning.
Because at that time, he hadn't even comprehended an Intention himself.
As a result, he felt that someone might compare Chen Mu to him to evaluate who was the most outstanding among the younger generation in Yu Prefecture. Although he didn't think that he, having reached the Bone Forging Realm, would be weaker than Chen Mu, the fact that he hadn't comprehended an Intention made his argument unconvincing.
Moreover, thinking back to his previous encounters with Chen Mu, the man had always stood by Ning He's side, appearing as an insignificant follower. But now, suddenly, he had become a figure worthy of comparison, which made Xue Lin feel even more irritated.
But now, he had finally comprehended the Departure Fire Intention, and with this Intention and his Bone Forging cultivation, no one in the younger generation of Yu Prefecture could challenge his position. Only disciples from the Four Great Sects could rival him.
At this moment, Xue Lin felt a sense of relief, and the previous irritations dissipated completely.
Just as they were cutting down trees to make a simple cart to transport the enormous Rhinoceros Demon's body back to Jingyu County, a figure suddenly appeared in the distance and rushed towards them.
"Hmm?"
Xue Lin's eyes flickered slightly as he recognized the person. It was someone from the Xue family, not from the Demon Slayer Bureau, and their duty was to transmit intelligence. Seeing them running in such a state, he wondered what had happened.
The group temporarily halted their work on the cart.
Soon, the Xue family's messenger reached Xue Lin and said, "Sir, there's news from Yu City. The White-Robed Guard Chen Mu from the Demon Slayer Bureau has been promoted to the Director of the Inspector General Bureau, and an additional Director position has been established in the Demon Slayer Bureau, which he will also hold!"
What nonsense is this?
Xue Lin was momentarily stunned.
For a White-Robed Guard from the Demon Slayer Bureau to be promoted directly to the Director of the Inspector General Bureau was already a leap of several ranks, almost unbelievable. And now, they were specifically adding another Director position in the Demon Slayer Bureau for Chen Mu. Could it be that Chen Mu had recognized Inspector General Yan Jingqing as his foster father?!
"Impossible!"
"Absolutely impossible!"
The White-Robed Guard beside him frowned deeply and said, "That Chen Mu from the Yu family does have some talent and ability, but with his capabilities, being promoted to the Deputy Director of the Demon Slayer Bureau is already a stretch. For him to hold the positions of Director in both the Inspector General Bureau and the Demon Slayer Bureau is simply preposterous!"
The messenger took a deep breath, calming the agitated blood from his full-speed run, and stole a glance at Xue Lin, whose expression had turned strange. But he continued, "The City Lord said that Chen Mu is a young man with the maturity of an elder. He is extremely patient and acts with steadiness and decisiveness. Judging from the fact that he has entered the Bone Forging Realm and comprehended the Soothing Wind and Thunder Quake Intentions, his cultivation has already reached a high level. However, he has been patient and kept a low profile. If not for the Hao family repeatedly provoking him, he might have remained unknown until now. It's a pity that the Xue family didn't foresee this and failed to recruit him..."
The messenger's words hung in the air, and the entire group fell silent.
The White-Robed Guards and the Xue family's elite forces all looked at each other, their faces showing expressions as if they were listening to an incomprehensible text.
Bone Forging? Soothing Wind and Thunder Quake Intentions? Wasn't it said that this man came from a humble background and only started cultivating at the age of twenty, and it had only been four or five years? If this man had truly cultivated to such a realm in just four or five years... what kind of monster was he?!
(End of Chapter)
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