Demon Suppression Headquarters.
Compared to the clamor when she first returned to the capital a few days ago.
Today, the General Bureau appeared quite solemn.
Jiang Yuechu traveled smoothly without obstruction.
Just as she arrived at the entrance of the main hall, she saw Deputy General Liu, whom she had met previously, walking out holding a stack of files.
Seeing Jiang Yuechu, Deputy General Liu paused, quickly turned sideways, and saluted.
"Lord Jiang."
Jiang Yuechu nodded slightly.
"Is Deputy Commander-in-Chief Zhao present?"
"Yes, he is. The Lord is currently reviewing official documents inside the hall."
Deputy General Liu lowered his voice, his expression somewhat strange, "However... the Lord seems to be in a good mood today. When This subordinate went in just now, I even heard him humming a tune."
In a good mood?
The current situation is urgent; a Demon Saint is about to emerge in Jiangnan.
Yet this person still has the leisure to hum a tune?
Jiang Yuechu raised an eyebrow and stepped over the threshold.
Inside the main hall.
Zhao Zhongliu was leaning back in a Grand Tutor's Chair, holding a cup of hot tea and squinting his eyes.
Hearing footsteps, the old man kept his eyes squinted.
"You're here?"
Jiang Yuechu cupped her fist in salute.
"Greetings, Lord Zhao."
Only then did Zhao Zhongliu open his eyes, his gaze sweeping over her.
Immediately, a hint of sharp light flashed in his pair of cloudy old eyes.
"Ten Marks?"
Jiang Yuechu did not hide it and nodded.
Zhao Zhongliu sat up straight and clicked his tongue in wonder, "I remember when you returned to The Department two days ago, you were only around Eight Marks, right? How many days has it been?"
Since he was in the Mountain Gazing Realm, it was not surprising that he could discern her cultivation level at a glance.
"By chance."
"What a 'by chance'."
Zhao Zhongliu smiled and put down his teacup.
"Girl, the reason I called you here today is for some good news."
"When you were in the Region before, did that boy Wei He mention anything to you?"
Jiang Yuechu was startled.
Something Wei He mentioned?
She probed cautiously.
"Longyou Commandery... Commander?"
Zhao Zhongliu nodded.
"That's right."
"When the General Bureau initially proposed that you temporarily assume the position of Commander, the opposition within The Department was considerable."
"After all, back then, you were just a newcomer who had recently joined The Department. Although you had some talent, neither your qualifications nor your strength were enough to convince the masses."
Speaking of this, Zhao Zhongliu smiled.
"But now, things are different."
"A seventeen-year-old Silver Robe Inspector."
"Above Taihu Lake, you killed a Lotus Cultivation Demon King with a single strike."
"Now you are at the Perfection of Ink Dot Realm Ten Marks, only a step away from the Seed Lotus Realm."
"Since you possess the strength to kill a Seed Lotus expert, then those two words, 'temporarily assume'..."
"It's time for them to be removed."
Jiang Yuechu frowned slightly.
She looked at Zhao Zhongliu, a trace of confusion flashing in her eyes.
"Lord."
"I am already a Silver Robe Inspector. If I become the Commander of the Region, then my Silver Robe title..."
Would I still keep it?
In her understanding.
An Inspector Envoy is a Central Commissioner, holding high status, immense power, and great freedom.
A local Commander, however, is a High-Ranking Regional Official, responsible for defending the territory.
These two belong to different systems.
Who serves as both an Imperial Commissioner and a Local Prefect?
Wouldn't that be chaos?
Looking at the confusion on the young woman's face.
Zhao Zhongliu shook his head, "Who told you that you cannot hold both positions?"
As he spoke, he slowly raised his hand and seemingly casually rested it on his lapel.
In reality, he deliberately pulled aside the black outer robe.
It was a dazzling flash of gold.
Jiang Yuechu's pupils suddenly contracted.
golden robe?!
Zhao Zhongliu looked at her shocked expression and said calmly:
"To be honest."
"Before this old man took the position of Deputy Commander-in-Chief..."
"I was also a golden robe Inspector of the General Bureau."
"..."
The corner of Jiang Yuechu's mouth twitched slightly.
She didn't know why.
At this moment, she just felt that the powerful old man in front of her had the aura of a seasoned, old braggart.
"Ahem."
As if sensing the strange look in the young woman's eyes, Zhao Zhongliu cleared his throat and slowly tidied his black robe.
"What? Are you shocked?"
Jiang Yuechu shook her head.
"I wouldn't say shocked, just... unexpected."
Zhao Zhongliu clicked his tongue, feeling unamused.
"I know what you are thinking."
"You believe that an Inspector Envoy is a special delegate of the General Bureau, traveling everywhere to monitor the world, while a Commander is a High-Ranking Regional Official, responsible for defending the territory, who must be stationed in one area."
"These two, one active and one static, have conflicting responsibilities. How can they be held by the same person?"
Jiang Yuechu nodded.
"Exactly."
"If I become the Commander, I will be confined to that small patch of land in the Region, dealing with complicated trivial matters."
"Wouldn't my identity as a Silver Robe Inspector then become nothing more than a decoration?"
Compared to a Dusi Commander, Jiang Yuechu preferred her current status.
After all, this style of going wherever there are demons and monsters truly suited her taste.
Making her obediently guard the Region... would be utterly boring.
Zhao Zhongliu scoffed, "Who told you that becoming a Commander means you have to be tied to a millstone, circling like an old ox?"
Jiang Yuechu frowned slightly.
"I would like to hear the details."
Zhao Zhongliu leaned forward and explained, "Inspector Envoy is a title."
"Commander is a position."
"These two have never been mutually exclusive."
"But..."
Jiang Yuechu still couldn't quite grasp it, "Even so, if I go to the Region, won't I have to sit in the hall every day?"
"If a demon or monster appears somewhere, and I happen to be absent..."
"Do you think the people below you are all dead?"
Zhao Zhongliu glared at her irritably.
"Commander, Commander—what's required is for you to command, for you to hold down the fort!"
"Ordinary minor demons and monsters will naturally be dealt with by the people below. If you, the Commander, had to personally handle everything, what is the court paying all those people for?"
"You only need to do two things."
Zhao Zhongliu extended two fingers.
"First, as long as you are present, or rather, as long as your name is present, the demons and monsters in the Region will not dare to act too recklessly, and the aristocratic families and Sects below will not dare to feign compliance."
"Second, if a formidable problem arises that even your subordinates cannot handle, or a calamity of the level of the Taihu Demon King, then you are required to act."
Speaking of this, Zhao Zhongliu paused and looked at her meaningfully.
"As for ordinary days..."
"Whether you want to drink tea in the Dusi Yamen, or return to the capital to report on your duties..."
"As long as the Region remains stable, and the overall situation is under control."
"Who cares what you do?"
Jiang Yuechu understood.
As long as she managed the Region well, she didn't have to stay there permanently... she would enjoy the resources and offerings of a Commander while retaining the freedom of an Inspector Envoy.
She was practically making a killing.
"Moreover... you've been to the Region, so you should know what the situation is like. To put it bluntly, most of the area is desolate. Unless it's for a special reason, which major demon is willing to go to the Region?"
Jiang Yuechu frowned slightly.
Li Qingyuan had told her this when she was in the Region.
Compared to the Region, most major demons prefer to occupy the Central Plains.
But..."Lord."
Jiang Yuechu said in a deep voice, "Ordinary major demons may look down on it, but that place is, after all, adjacent to the Demon Court."
"If the Demon Court launches a massive invasion..."
"The Demon Court?" Hearing this, Zhao Zhongliu laughed, "Then you definitely don't need to worry. That person is still in the Region. As long as he is alive, even a Guanshan major demon wouldn't dare to cross the threshold."
Jiang Yuechu's pupils constricted slightly.
There's a figure like that in the Region?
Why hadn't she heard Wei He mention it?
Damn.
How many more things was that guy hiding from her?
Since the conversation had reached this point.
If she refused again, it would be overly coy.
"Since the Lord holds me in such high regard."
Jiang Yuechu cupped her fists, her expression solemn.
"Then This subordinate would be impolite to decline."
Zhao Zhongliu nodded with satisfaction.
He casually tossed something from his sleeve.
Whoosh—
Jiang Yuechu raised her hand and caught it.
It was a palm-sized seal.
It was forged entirely from profound iron, topped by a crouching golden lion, emitting a chilling Evil Qi.
Eight large characters were carved on the bottom.
Longyou Commandery, Demon Suppression Command.
"Return to the Region as soon as possible. The General Bureau will send someone to relay the message to the Longyou Commandery... As for the other items, come find this old man to collect them before you leave."