Chapter 18: Collective Amnesty

“This time I have summoned you all here to discuss an important matter. Recently, strange and sinister cases have been occurring one after another, and the common people across the land are living in misery. As the Seven Stars Martial Hall, how can we simply stand by and do nothing? I have decided to lead everyone in our hall to join the Bureau of Tranquility and Justice, so that we may protect this region. What do you all think of this?”

The eldest disciple seemed to have anticipated the news beforehand and immediately chimed in, “Naturally, everyone in the hall follows Master’s lead. Moreover, to safeguard the peace of this land is the heartfelt wish of all martial artists like us.”

You must be his stooge, Ling Chi thought inwardly. What a stream of polite phrases, but not a word about compensation. Everything’s already been decided—what choice do we disciples have but to comply? In this era that so highly values respect for one’s teachers, if you refuse, you’ll simply be expelled from the school.

Besides, holding an official position is not entirely without its merits. In the future, having such an identity could serve as a useful cover for certain matters.

The disciples exchanged glances and responded in unison, “We will obey Master’s decision!”

Zhao Qing nodded as he looked at his disciples. He had watched nearly all of them grow up, with Ling Chi being the only one who joined a bit later. Still, he’d always been obedient. Seeing that Ling Chi showed no sign of dissent, Zhao Qing felt satisfied.

Meanwhile, Silver Emblem Captain Cao Hubao rose from his seat and spoke, “The Seven Stars Martial Hall enjoys a sterling reputation in Crane County. From now on, Master Zhao and your esteemed disciples shall be our colleagues—we’ll all be stirring the same pot. The Bureau of Tranquility and Justice answers only to His Majesty, standing apart from the six ministries of court. It is a special department dedicated to apprehending, exterminating, and expelling those who cause turmoil, whether they be demonic entities, heretical cultists, or infamous criminals, within the Celestial Dynasty. It also serves as the Emperor’s close guard, monitoring the empire. When summoned to court, its officials need not kneel.

“The Bureau is headed by two Martial Commanders, overseeing peace and security across the realm, reporting only to the Military Commander. Beneath them are four Jade Emblem Grand Commandants, each responsible for the east, west, south, and north. Each region is in turn overseen by a Gold Emblem Captain, with several Silver Emblem Lieutenants stationed in various prefectures. Each county is headed by a Bronze Emblem Captain responsible for local security, and each town is overseen by a Garrison Captain who commands the local banners.

“Master Zhao will personally serve as the Bronze Emblem Captain for Crane County, a sixth-rank official. As for you disciples, Master Zhao will make arrangements. The prefecture will assign or dispatch specialists in law, communications, and case management. I trust your responsibilities are now clear.

“As for remuneration, you will receive monthly stipends ranging from five silver coins to twenty gold coins, according to your rank. There are also material rewards during the major festivals. These are just the basics. For martial artists, the most valuable things—secret techniques, rare herbs, magical artifacts—will be allocated or exchanged according to your merits and achievements. The higher you rise, the rarer the rewards. Once you become part of the organization, you’ll soon appreciate the benefits of having the imperial court at your back. However, when the Bureau assigns missions, I hope you will all exert yourselves to the utmost.”

Cao Hubao’s powerful voice echoed through the hall as he watched the expressions of those present. The disciples were all young—the eldest, the senior brother, was no more than twenty-four or twenty-five, while the youngest, Ling Chi, was just fifteen. Their vigor and spirit pleased him.

Zhao Qing now rose to his feet and said, “Sixth, in the battle at Willow Town, you slew the Blood-clad Fiend Corpse and saved your fellow disciples. Your contribution was great, and you will be rewarded. Tell us about this Blood-clad Fiend Corpse—Lord Cao inquired about it before you arrived.”

Ling Chi realized his master was offering him a chance to distinguish himself.

“Yes, Master. That fiend corpse was blood-red from head to toe, especially its eyes, which were scarlet. Its hair was withered, its nails black and long, and it moved with incredible speed. Its body had been refined to be as hard as metal. Only after a fierce struggle, using all my hidden skills, did I manage to destroy it. I heard that it was created by a mysterious individual. However, during our fight, neither the Lin Family’s talisman master nor that mysterious person appeared.

“But throughout the battle, I could sense someone watching from the shadows, though they never made a move.”

Ling Chi spoke evenly and calmly.

Cao Hubao’s brows twitched—this youth had such skill? To slay a fiend corpse alone, even among soldiers, one could boast of being a true hero.

“Were you able to see its face? How tall was it?” Cao Hubao suddenly asked.

“My lord, its features were indistinguishable. It was about my height, lean and wiry, and the bloodstained garments obscured any details about its attire. After I slew it, because someone was lurking nearby, I had no time to burn the corpse. Unless someone removed it, the remains should still be at the entrance of the cinnabar mine.”

“If my guess is correct, that fiend corpse was likely refined by a remnant of the Corpse Refining Sect named Qu Zhang. I wounded him a month ago and have been tracking him ever since. I never expected to find a clue here. This merit will be recorded to your name. Once the Bureau is established in Crane County, you may exchange it for rewards.”

Cao Hubao’s expression finally changed. That beast Qu Zhang—slaughtering villages and razing towns without a second thought. When I catch him, I’ll tear him apart bone by bone.

Ling Chi quietly melted back into the crowd, aware that some of Cao Hubao’s attendants were covertly sizing him up. Having just joined the Bureau, it was unwise to make enemies so soon. At the very least, he intended to secure some benefits first. But alas, the world rarely goes as one wishes. As he was pondering, a raspy adolescent voice broke the silence:

“Hey! You there, kid—I think you’re about my age. You took down a fiend corpse? I don’t believe it. Unless you beat me in a fight, I won’t believe you.”

Ling Chi looked up and saw a youth glaring at him through flared nostrils.

Ling Chi was speechless. Whose entitled brat was this? Was there no adult in his family?

“This young master appears both valiant and remarkable. However, I have a rule—unless there’s something in it for me, I never make a move. I hope you’ll understand.”

“Something in it for you? What do you want—money, secret techniques, magical weapons? Name it!” The youth was ready to make promises on the spot.

“That depends on what you have. I won’t refuse gold, silver, secret arts, or rare treasures.”

Ling Chi noticed that Zhao Qing and Cao Hubao said nothing, and guessed that Cao Hubao wanted to test the martial hall’s disciples. So, he decided to play along.

“If you can beat me, I’ll give you a secret technique. But if you lose, you have to become my little brother. Do you dare?”

The youth, with his raspy voice, exuded utter confidence.

“Very well, I accept. What shall we compete in?” Ling Chi nearly laughed aloud. What a spirited, naive youth—he’d be doing the world a disservice not to teach him a lesson.

“I excel in all forms—fists, swords, blades. I’ll let you choose first,” the youth boasted loudly.

“Competing with blades or swords could lead to injuries. Why don’t you two just use fists?” Cao Hubao suddenly interjected.

“Hahaha, excellent! Fists it is—I love the feel of fist against flesh. Let’s go to the training ground; there isn’t enough space here,” the youth said eagerly.

Ling Chi followed with resignation, while his seniors cheered him on, urging him to teach the arrogant youth a lesson and bring honor to the martial hall.

The registered disciples quickly cleared the grounds. The two youths faced each other across a distance of ten or twelve yards.

“Cao Bianjiao of the Bureau of Tranquility and Justice, Ying Prefecture, requests your guidance.” So the raspy-voiced youth’s name was Cao Bianjiao. Wait—his surname was also Cao. Could he be Cao Hubao’s son?