"This may not be an award ceremony, but it is a testament to supreme honor!"
The Lord of Wuye City's voice was deep, yet at this moment, it seemed exceptionally resonant:
"Warriors whose names have been called, please ascend to the high platform to receive your rewards. Those who are unable to move will have their rewards accepted by relatives."
Accompanying a gust of wind, people on the high platform brought forth two large rows of heavy wooden chests. Inside the sandalwood boxes, gold and silver coins clinked, emitting a melodious sound that, amplified by the sound-transmitting artifact, reached the plaza, captivating the hearts of all.
"Do I have to go up and accept the award?"
In the plaza, Xu Mu stood stunned. He had never expected his name to be among the six individuals who had earned first-class merit.
Saving Yin Shui'er and killing that marten demon – although it was this body that had done it, no one had seen it.
"No wonder, even for a few hundred catties of food, they had to send an ability user to your village to notify you."
Nangong Mao Guan suddenly understood.
He had been wandering that day and encountered an ability user from the Demon Suppression Division. The other party, filled with fear and hesitation, did not enter the village.
Upon seeing him from afar, the person handed him the scroll of notification and asked him to deliver it to the village chief of Fengqing Village, specifically instructing him to bring more people to Bu Luo City, as there would be many things to collect.
After reading the contents of the scroll, he had wondered at the time, if it was just for such a small amount of supplies, why didn't the ability user simply bring them along when they came? Why the special trip?
"It seems your abilities are not weak. You must show me sometime," Nangong Mao Guan gave a thumbs-up. For ordinary soldiers, first-class merit was an unattainable peak, promising a lifetime of glory and wealth.
"Let's skip the demonstration, I'm afraid senior will laugh," Xu Mu shook his head. This matter actually had little to do with him; it was all done by that other fellow.
Although he could be considered a second-stage cultivator, without firearms, he possessed only brute strength.
His only ability was not one that could be used to kill.
"The people of Fengqing Village are unaware of your reported death, so no one will come forward to accept it on your behalf."
"If it's inconvenient for you, I can go up and see for you."
...
"Go up and accept it for him?"
"Elder, since when have you been so eager?"
The maiden in white dress and veil, her voice gentle:
"I think you want to see that Ji Chang, don't you?"
His intentions exposed, Nangong Mao Guan felt no embarrassment. He merely chuckled, then stated with righteous indignation:
"I'm just curious about what has happened to this young fellow."
"In his current state, if your brother still possessed his former strength, he might even be able to defeat him."
"At that time, a genius long trapped in a cage, his Dao heart obscured, would re-emerge into the martial world, stirring up a storm."
The old man sighed. Even as the domain lord, he felt it was a pity that the genius of the Nangong family had vanished. That individual had almost swept through a generation, his achievements only surpassed by those above him.
"But he's already gone mad. He's shaved his head, lost an arm, and spends his days either chanting Buddhist scriptures or wandering in the forbidden grounds. Those mysterious beings seem to pity him, otherwise he would have died long ago."
The woman shook her head repeatedly. She was, in fact, the one who had held the greatest hopes for her brother.
But those hopes had long since vanished amidst years of futile effort.
She had to admit that the man of exceptional talent from back then was no more. Revenge, the reshaping of his Dao heart – such things were no longer possible.
...
"Fengqing Village, they haven't received the notification?"
On the high platform, seeing that various parties had sent representatives and were gradually collecting the rewards for first-class merit, Xu Mu's spoils remained untouched.
Wu Ye asked several times, but no one responded from the crowd. He then turned to Yin Zhongxiu.
The latter also looked perplexed:
"Bai Si, did you actually deliver the items?"
"Delivered... delivered. As you instructed, I found an old man outside the village and had him pass the items to their village chief!"
A young man in red robes, with a thin face, stammered his reply.
He had clearly handed the items to that old man and explained it very clearly. Could it be that the old man had a poor memory and forgot about it?
"Actually, their coming here would be of no use. Xu Mu has no close relatives in Fengqing Village. If these items are not distributed properly, it might even lead to disaster."
"Then let's store them here for now. When his master is willing to appear, we will give the items to him. Whether he wants them or not is not our concern," Yin Zhongxiu said unhurriedly, making a decision for Xu Mu's matter.
"Xu Mu's first-class merit award will be temporarily held by the Demon Suppression Division. Should in the future..."
"I will!"
Just as the entire assembly was discussing why no one was coming forward to claim Xu Mu's reward, a female voice suddenly rang out.
Wu Ye's remaining words caught in his throat. Yin Zhongxiu's pupils contracted, and he silently turned his head.
"Oh, someone has come," Nangong Mao Guan, who had just pushed his way to the front of the crowd, scratched his nonexistent eyebrows with a look of pity, feeling somewhat awkward.
"Xu Mu was recruited by me into the Demon Suppression Division. Since his master has not appeared, it is only natural that I should safeguard his belongings."
Yin Shui'er's voice echoed throughout the plaza. Wu Ye was slightly taken aback, then looked at Yin Zhongxiu with hesitation:
"This... this probably isn't in accordance with the rules. You and Xu Mu are not related..."
"Who says we're not related?" Yin Shui'er snorted, then stood up, walked to the city lord, and snatched the sound-transmitting artifact from him. "Forgive me, City Lord Wu."
"I am Yin Shui'er of the Demon Suppression Division. I recruited Xu Mu into the Demon Suppression Division. By all rights, I am Xu Mu's superior, yet I owe him many personal favors."
On the high platform, the maiden's expression was calm, the breeze ruffling her dark hair.
Many people were confused. What did Yin Shui'er's words have to do with the grand assembly?
Even Wu Ye, suppressing his anger, said sternly:
"I respect your uncle, but that does not mean you can be disrespectful and act recklessly with me!"
"If you wish to safeguard Xu Mu's belongings, you may take them. Those who have earned first-class merit, and the niece of Governor Yin, are trusted by the populace."
"But why did you snatch the sound-transmitting artifact from my hand? What about delaying the progress of the assembly?"
At the junction of Wu Ye's forehead and his temples, faint blue veins pulsed. It was evident that he was extremely angered by Yin Shui'er's actions.
She had snatched the item from his hand in front of all the citizens of Bu Luo City and hundreds of ability users from various factions, putting his dignity as city lord to shame.
"Rest assured, City Lord Wu, the progress of the assembly will not be delayed."
Yin Shui'er's expression was impassive. With the sound-transmitting jade ring artifact in her left hand, her slender and fair right hand flicked through the booklet below.
"Is not the next part of the assembly to mete out punishment to the criminals of this Xishan campaign?" The maiden's eyes were lowered, a hint of killing intent hidden within them.
"Since City Lord Wu is reluctant to announce the list, you previously had my uncle act on your behalf."
"Then now, let me do it."