nyslfriends Chapter 70 After the Turmoil
Chapter 70 After the Turmoil
The entire place immediately fell silent. The murmurs subsided, and all the constables stood solemnly, their bodies tense, staring with awe at the white-clad man who walked in from the courtyard gate—Wang Ling.
He walked at the very front, his pace neither hurried nor slow, with a blood-red longsword strapped to his back. His face was devoid of any superfluous expression, always utterly indifferent.
Before he even got close, a powerful aura surged forth, causing many of the constables to tremble uncontrollably.
This is not only because of Wang Ling's strength, but also because of his cruel and ruthless methods.
In the past few days, a lot of news about Wang Ling has been circulating in the county town, most of which is about how he dealt with the dozen or so forces that colluded with the Han family.
Anyone who dares to resist will be ruthlessly suppressed. Moreover, Wang Ling will not end their lives with a single sword strike, but will instead sever the prisoners' limbs, causing them to bleed to death in fear.
Such cruel and ruthless methods are terrifying. Many leaders and experts of various forces were so frightened that they went to the yamen to surrender themselves without Wang Ling even having to come to their door.
Therefore, this turmoil ended in less than seven days, much faster than expected.
One step behind was Ran Hongxia, still carrying a heavy hammer on her shoulder, her body as solid as a mountain, her aura deep and imposing, a blade of grass dangling from her mouth. She had none of the gentleness a woman should have, but rather the domineering fierceness of a man, as well as the wildness and unruliness of a wandering swordsman.
When Wang Ling arrived before the crowd, after a moment of silence, Shen Cheng shouted first, "Shen Cheng, the Chief of the Jingming Division, pays respects to the two lords!"
"Master Yu Muqing of the Yin-Yang Division pays his respects, Your Excellency!"
"We pay our respects to Your Excellency!"
After the two men finished speaking, more than eighty constables behind Shen Cheng shouted in unison.
Wang Ling remained calm and did not respond. Ran Hongxia, standing to the side, shouted loudly, "In the past few days, the Han family and more than a dozen major forces in the inner and outer cities have been wiped out for colluding with the Yin Yuan Sect. Many people in your Zhenhun Division are also not clean."
However, you don't need to worry. Lord Wang is a man of strong principles and has already investigated you thoroughly. The fact that you are standing here and listening to me means that you are all safe and sound.
Right now, the Soul Suppression Division of Jiangyin County is short-handed. After discussing with Lord Wang, we decided to promote some people to temporarily fill the vacancies.
Shen Cheng, from this day forward, you shall serve as the Chief Envoy of the Soul Suppression Division, and concurrently lead the Night Patrol Division.
Shen Lian, you will take over from Shen Cheng and temporarily serve as the head of the Jingming Division.
Yu Muqing, you will continue to serve as the head of the Yin-Yang Department.
...
Ran Hongxia rattled off the names of more than a dozen people in one breath, and all the vacant positions in the entire Soul Suppression Division had been filled.
Thus, the Soul Suppression Division, which was on the verge of paralysis, was finally able to start operating again.
"Thank you, sir!" Shen Cheng and the others shouted in unison.
"These are turbulent times, so be careful. Although the Han family has fallen, the Yin Yuan Sect has sent powerful experts; there's no guarantee that problems won't arise."
Ran Hongxia's words caused another stir in the crowd.
Previously, Yin Muhua alone turned Jiangyin County upside down, and now that another powerful figure has arrived, many people are filled with fear.
Lin Qing frowned. He was about to leave Jiangyin County, and he didn't want any more trouble during that time.
"You don't need to worry. I will stay in the city. With me here, those beasts from the Yin Yuan Sect are nothing to be afraid of. If you find any clues or traces of them, just report it to the Soul Suppression Division." Ran Hongxia shouted again, her voice loud enough to make people's ears ring.
Hearing these words, everyone felt much more at ease. Putting everything else aside, just looking at Ran Hongxia's physique, one could tell that she was very strong.
With her in charge, people like Yin Muhua have nothing to fear.
"Alright, that's all I have to say. Everyone disperse. Lin Qing, Shen Lian, and you other department heads, all the servants, stay here. Lord Wang has important matters to instruct you on," Ran Hongxia shouted again.
The constables scattered in a flurry, leaving only eight people behind.
Wang Ling glanced around and said calmly, "I will stay in Jiangyin County for another seven days. During these seven days, you must find out the whereabouts of the Yin Yuan Sect demons. I will take action to kill them."
Whether it succeeds or not, I will leave once it succeeds. Next March, Lin Qing, you will accompany Ran Hongxia to the prefectural city.
"Yes." Lin Qing nodded.
"Before that, all of you must protect Lin Qing and make sure he doesn't die at the hands of the Yin Yuan Sect's demons," Wang Ling added.
Upon hearing these words, Shen Cheng and the others responded in unison, their eyes scanning Lin Qing with thoughtful expressions.
In the past, people were selected to join the town's Soul Division every year, but no one had ever received such good treatment.
There are two possibilities: either Lin Qing and Wang Ling have a close relationship, perhaps even being distant relatives, or Lin Qing obtained the Golden Token.
Either of these possibilities implies that Lin Qing is someone of extraordinary status, someone that no one can afford to offend.
For a time, many people looked at Lin Qing with more awe.
Wang Ling's gaze swept across the crowd, taking in their expressions and revealing their suspicions. He then said in a deep voice, "Lin Qing is a martial arts prodigy. I am quite satisfied with him in this assessment and have already bestowed upon him a golden token. I'm sure you all know the weight of a golden token. In short, any of you can die, but Lin Qing cannot!"
Shen Cheng and the others were all startled, and all sorts of complex gazes fell on Lin Qing, some with awe, some with envy, and some with emotion.
Every year, deacons from the Soul Suppression Division come to select talents, and a considerable number of silver tokens are issued each year. However, gold tokens are required in quantities of three or four, and their value is self-evident.
A silver token only signifies that a martial artist has talent and is considered a genius in a county town, but may not be as successful in a prefectural city. However, a gold token signifies that even in a prefectural city, Lin Qing is a martial arts prodigy with top-notch talent, martial arts skills, and other comprehensive qualities, and is very likely to rise to become a prominent figure in the future.
"Alright, everyone disperse. Lin Qing, come with me!"
"yes!"
Wang Ling got up and walked outside, and Lin Qing quickly followed.
The two arrived at another small courtyard next door, which belonged to the Yin-Yang Bureau. Inside, there was a lush bamboo forest and several houses, all built of bamboo.
Lin Qing stepped inside, a faint bamboo fragrance lingering around his nose.
Wang Ling did not sit down, but stood by the window with his back to Lin Qing, gazing into the distance.
"There are still five months until next spring. During this time, you must not slack off."
I bestow upon you the golden token, which is both an opportunity and a challenge.
When you go to the prefectural city in the future, the Soul Suppression Division will arrange an assessment. Your opponent will be a genius martial artist from the 128 counties of Ishikawa Prefecture.
Furthermore, next year, Lord Ishikawa will join forces with the Soul Suppression Division to eradicate the Yin Yuan Sect in one fell swoop. This year, the conditions have been relaxed. Even those who are not from the Soul Suppression Division can participate in the selection as long as they have high talent, high-quality Yin bones, and strong strength. The number of your opponents will be several times that of previous years.
Don't let your guard down just because you have some strength now. Your Yin Bone quality is inferior, which is a huge disadvantage.
To compensate for this, one must master several martial arts techniques to create an advantage in the quantity of internal energy.
Wang Ling's words also made Lin Qing feel inexplicable pressure. Holding the golden token in his hand, he suddenly felt it was very heavy.
"Lin Qing will not let his guard down," Lin Qing said in a deep voice.
"The holder of the gold token will face challenges from others during the assessment. If you win, the gold token will be yours; if you lose, it will be taken by someone else. If you embarrass me then, I will not let you off easily," Wang Ling said coldly.