Biochemical Martial Arts: Supreme Heavenly Venerate

The green-robed civil official looked at Ji Xueying below him with a mix of shock and suspicion, as well as the inspection certificate in her hand.

He wasn't certain whether this Blood Blade Ji was beyond the supreme sovereign of the Four Territories, only that the intent of the woman's blade was terrifyingly strong, sending an instinctive warning through his soul and leaving him feeling extreme danger.

Therefore, even as a formidable Fifth Realm official, he was likely no match for this Blood Blade Ji.

The green-robed civil official then turned his gaze to Lin Rui and the group of county soldiers.

He saw the Capital Commandant's badge that Lin Rui took back and played with in his hand.

The demeanor of the green-robed civil official eased somewhat, "Who are you? What has happened here? Why did you conflict with Inspector Zhang and knock him out?"

This young lad is so young, perhaps just turned 18, and yet he is already a Seventh Rank Martial Virtue Capital Commandant?

That Blood Blade Ji must be his protective demon, right?

I truly have no idea what his background is, for someone so young to possess such a powerful demonic protector.

At this moment, the county soldiers all reveled in their schadenfreude, smiling broadly with delight.

That Inspector Zhang always acted high and mighty in front of them, but today someone managed to hold him down; it seemed he was about to suffer a significant loss.

The team leader smiled wryly and gave a brief explanation, "Prefectural Governor, this is Capital Commandant Lin Rui, Lord Lin. Just as Lord Lin was entering the city, Inspector Zhang was disrespectful and clashed with him. He might also be implicated in last month's murder case of Wang City officials, which is why Lord Lin ordered his protective demon to capture him."

The green-robed civil official couldn't help but frown deeply.

He thought to himself that this Martial Virtue Capital Commandant was perhaps too ruthless. Even if Inspector Zhang was arrogant and had offended him, there was no need to forcefully link him to the blood case of Wang City Government Office.

Who doesn't know that it was the doing of the Heavenly Demon from beyond the realm? It was a major case caused by the full-scale war between the Governor of Shazhou and the Heavenly Demon.

He was about to ask Lin Rui if he had any evidence when he saw Lin Rui below, with an indifferent demeanor, salute him, "Prefectural Governor Dong, I am Lin Twelve, humbly serving as a Seventh Rank Martial Virtue Capital Commandant, sent to Wang City Prefecture by the order of the Shazhou Defense Envoy to take up the post of Deputy Defense Envoy of Wang City, as well as to act as the Defense Envoy of Wang City!

Seeing this man obstructing my entry into the city and acting suspiciously, I wanted to arrest him and interrogate him in prison, to see if this wretch is colluding with the outer demons."

Prior to his arrival, Lin Rui had roughly understood the officialdom of Wang City Prefecture and knew that the civil official in the green robe, named Dong Linghui, was the Prefectural Governor of the prefecture.

His tone of voice suddenly became harsh, his eyes fierce and threatening, "The northern city gate and Wang City Government Office are just a stone's throw away. When the massacre in Wang City occurred, this man, as the gate inspector, was highly suspicious. Where was he at the time of the incident? Why didn't he detect and warn? Did he let the murderer into the city?

These are all things that I want to investigate clearly!"

The heart of the green-robed civil official jolted, and he promptly withdrew the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

Not only was this youth a Martial Virtue Capital Commandant, but he was also about to take charge of the defense of Wang City? What exactly was his background?

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Furthermore, although this young man is using the Wang City disaster as an excuse for retribution, his arguments do sound quite reasonable, and cannot be considered as making unfounded accusations.

"So that's how it is!"

The green-robed civil officer leapt down from the city gate tower, cupped his fists in return, and said, "I sensed a powerful Demonic Qi here just now, and thought a fiend was causing trouble, so I hurried over. Since it's Lin Rui's protective demon, then there's no problem."

He then didn't even mention the matter involving Inspector Zhang, but with a polite smile said, "It just so happens that your arrival, Sir Lin, is most timely. In light of the calamity that struck Wang City a month ago, our prefecture is currently in complete disarray. The lowly demons within the city are all restless. The citizens here are longing for an official like you as they long for rain.

Would you care to accompany me to the prefectural office? I can introduce you to some colleagues and also hold a welcome banquet in your honor."

However, Lin Rui shook his head without hesitation, "Thank you for your kind offer, Eastern Prefectural Chief, but the Capital Commandant entrusted me with a decree upon my appointment to take control of Wang City. He ordered me to immediately set things in order and exercise my Capital City Division authority to oversee this prefecture on behalf of the Emperor.

With such a heavy responsibility, I dare not delay. Once I've dealt with the affairs within the office, it won't be too late to pay a visit to the prefectural office."

Zhuang Mingyue had instructed him before his departure that there was no need to interact too much with local officials at the start of his tenure. He was to first establish his authority and secure his position. Afterwards, it would be easier to deal with these local officials.

And indeed, as a member of the Emperor's personal bodyguard, an arm and an eye of the Emperor, there was initially no necessity for him to be overly involved with the civil service.

The green-robed civil officer felt a hint of disappointment upon hearing his response, as his intention was to lure Lin Rui into the prefectural office. Once Inspector Zhang was within the premises of the office, there would be no way to take him away.

Since Lin Rui was unwilling to go, the green-robed civil officer didn't insist.

This was originally an issue for the Prefectural Governor, after all. That bastard Inspector Zhang clearly intended to show his master support and give Lin Rui an initial show of power.

Now that trouble had arisen, it was naturally up to the Prefectural Governor himself to resolve it.

"Very well, then. Dong Linghui will be waiting at the prefectural office anytime to welcome your esteemed arrival!" The green-robed civil officer said with a smile, cupping his fist towards Lin Rui before turning and entering through the city gate.

At this moment, the looks in the county soldiers' eyes at the city gate had changed, now filled with a hint of awe.

Before, they had not perceived the difference in status between themselves and Lin Rui, the Capital Commandant. It was only after witnessing this exchange between Lin Rui and the Prefectural Chief that they realized Lin Rui, the former constable who had patrolled the streets with them and caught fiends, had become someone who could now stand on equal footing with their own Prefectural Governor.

Besides, they had no idea that Lin Rui had already been appointed the defense envoy of their prefecture!

However, Lin Rui was still as approachable as ever, not showing the slightest hint of arrogance. "My friends! Once I've sorted out the office's affairs, I'll invite you all for drinks. Call everyone, those who've been to Silver Moon County and those who haven't, we'll have tables running all day long!

Also, by the command of the Garrison Commander, I am to recruit a hundred able-bodied men in Wang City to join the Imperial Dragon Guards. If you know someone who's capable, disciplined, and has a loyal and courageous disposition, feel free to recommend them, or step forward yourselves.

However, let me make it clear beforehand, I don't want anyone who's too weak. Our Imperial Dragon Guards cannot be below the late phases of the Second Realm at the very least, and preferably those with bloodlines. Once in the Imperial Dragon Guards, one must also adhere to military laws and discipline. Don't come if you are unsteady by nature and cannot accept restrictions."

Upon hearing this, the county soldiers' eyes lit up, and they were supremely excited!

The Imperial Dragon Guards, the personal troops of the Emperor! Neither in terms of salary and benefits, nor in status and position, could county soldiers compare.

Although the vast majority of them did not meet the requirements, who didn't have one or two powerful friends or relatives?

A couple of the more quick-witted county soldiers had already turned and rushed to the Wang City Government Office to report the news, while the rest surrounded Lin Rui as he entered the city, like stars circling the moon.

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The Wang City Government Office was indeed located just behind the north city gate, less than 100 meters away, situated in the busiest part of Wang City Prefecture.

After looking around, Wang Sen couldn't help but exclaim, "What a formidable Heavenly Demon from beyond the domain!"

Lin Rui also slightly nodded, contemplating that the murderer's methods were indeed much more ingenious than his, and extremely fierce and terrifying.

It was said that on the day of the incident, during broad daylight, with a stream of passersby and a constant flow of traffic, no one noticed that a bloodbath had occurred inside the Wang City Government Office.

All 200-something people in Wang City were killed silently.

It wasn't until half an hour after the incident, when the four Imperial Dragon Guards at the door realized no one had come to take over their shift and went inside to look for someone, that they discovered everyone in Wang City had died, even the cats and dogs that were kept inside.

This showed just how ferocious and domineering the murderers were.

The Wang City Government Office was built very impressively, with a façade seven bays wide, the same regulation as the prefectural government office, majestic in appearance, with two plaques hanging one above the other, one reading "Imperial City Division" and the other "Imperial Dragon Guards of Wang City."

There was also a crowd of people standing at the door, respectfully waiting.

On that tragic day, there were only about twenty survivors from Wang City, a total of three clerks and twenty-two Imperial Dragon Guards, all of whom were off-duty for various reasons and had thus fortunately survived.

These people, having received advance notice from the prefectural soldiers, had all rushed over. They bowed slightly with respectful expressions as they greeted, "We pay our respects to the Defense Officer!"

This new Defense Officer's protective Demonic Qi had just clashed with the local Prefect at the city gates, releasing a sky-reaching blade intent to confront the Prefect from afar, without losing ground.

Although they hadn't been present to witness it, they had heard the accounts of the prefectural soldiers and had felt the disturbance at the city gates, so they dared not underestimate Lin Rui because of his young age.

This person, at such a young age, had become the Defense Officer and was accompanied by a demonic beast surpassing the king realm. Not only was his strength formidable, but his background must also be extremely profound.

Lin Rui smiled and slightly nodded: "Rise! I am new here and am ignorant of the local situation. Our Wang City has just experienced great hardship and is short of manpower. You must take up the responsibilities and give much support to me, so we can uphold the face of the Imperial City Division."

Feeling something was amiss, he turned to look at a group of warriors in green standing behind the door, his expression puzzled: "Who are you people?"

These warriors in green were definitely not from Wang City; their attire and demeanor were all wrong.

"My lord, please allow me to report!" This was one of the three surviving clerks, named Wen Tailai and holding the position of chief scribe at Wang City.

He explained with a smile: "These gentlemen are from the Criminal Investigation Department of the Inspectorate. They recently captured a Heavenly Demon from beyond the domain and intended to transfer it to the state city.

However, they were intercepted by numerous Heavenly Demons en route and were forced to retreat into the city, temporarily residing in our office and borrowing the iron prison of Wang City to detain the foreign demon."

At this moment, a middle-aged man dressed in heavy armor stepped out from the group of warriors in green and saluted: "My lord, I am Dou Ming from the Criminal Investigation Department of the Inspectorate. Pressured by the Heavenly Demon from beyond the domain, we had no choice but to take refuge here, borrowing the iron prison of Wang City to detain the external demon.

I ask for your understanding and leniency!"

Lin Rui couldn't help but exchange a glance with Wang Sen.

Both of their eyes held a strange expression.

A Heavenly Demon from beyond the domain? One of their own kind was caught by these people?

"Take refuge temporarily? There is no such rule, is there? Can't they stay at the post station?"

Lin Rui did not show a friendly face to Dou Ming; he had previously dealt with the head of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Inspectorate, Wang Judge, and had a decent impression of him. However, this Judge Dou was breaking the rules of the Imperial City Division.

This person was a sixth-rank official, and his cultivation was not weak either, already at the peak of the Four Realms, with extremely strong vital energy.

Yet Lin Rui only glanced at him coldly before turning his gaze to Wen Tailai, sternly questioning, "Since when did the mighty Wang City Government Office of the Imperial City Division become a post station? Did this chief scribe take it upon himself to decide this, or did these constables take advantage of the fact there's no one in Wang City? What audacity."

He huffed softly: "It's quite a coincidence though! One of the tasks assigned to me by the Lord Commandant is to investigate the massacre that happened in Wang City a month ago, to avenge our fallen brethren. Bring someone to lead the way to the prison for me; I want to see what this Heavenly Demon from beyond the domain looks like and whether it's related to that tragic case in our office."

The people in front of the office looked at each other upon hearing this.

By now, two quick-witted Imperial Dragon Guards had already taken the initiative to lead the way, guiding Lin Rui inside the office.

Seeing this, Judge Dou Ming hesitated slightly but still swallowed the words that had reached his lips.

After all, the other man was the esteemed Defense Officer who had no reason to be stopped from visiting his own prison.

Moreover, he couldn't stop him. Standing right behind the Lin Commandant was the Ice Jade-eyed Blood Blade Ji, who was staring at them with a cold gaze.

Even a slightly superior king realm would be considered equivalent to someone from the fifth realm, let alone someone surpassing the emperor realm?

He exchanged glances with Wen Tailai, both thinking that this new Defense Officer didn't seem easy to fool.

The Wang City prison was built in the northeastern corner of the office. As Lin Rui entered, a damp and decayed smell hit him.

Lin Rui was unfazed, following the two Imperial Dragon Guards briskly further inside.

The prison was extremely large, not only covering an area of five acres but also extending deep underground, with three layers of underground chambers dug out.

The Heavenly Demon from beyond the domain captured by the Criminal Investigation Department was being held in the bottom layer.

When Lin Rui and Wang Sen saw the Heavenly Demon, they both paused, surprise showing in their eyes.

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