"Junior Brother Chen, we are fellow disciples. There’s no need for such formalities."

Qin Ruiyang collected himself and returned the salute, a hearty smile instantly appearing on his face as he spoke.

"Master departed for the State City in quite a hurry. Before he left, he took you, Junior Brother Chen, as his closed-door disciple. This is a joyous occasion for our Zheng Martial Arts Hall.

I’ve been tied up with military matters and haven’t been able to come and congratulate you. Please forgive my delay, Junior Brother Chen."

Chen Cheng waved his hand. "Senior Brother Qin, you’re being too formal. If anything, I should have been the one to visit you."

"Ah, we’re martial brothers. We shouldn’t be strangers. From now on, let’s just visit each other more often when we have the time."

Qin Ruiyang spoke casually, then pointed to the gift boxes his men had brought over.

"It’s just a small token of my esteem, nothing too valuable. They are all Medicinal Materials highly beneficial for a Martial Artist’s vitality and blood. You should be able to use them, Junior Brother."

"Then thank you, Senior Brother Qin." Chen Cheng didn’t refuse and immediately led Qin Ruiyang into his courtyard.

Qin Ruiyang was slightly surprised to see that Shen Qingyao and Shen Qingshuang were also there.

After they all took their seats in the main hall and exchanged some pleasantries, Qin Ruiyang’s expression turned serious.

"I just heard about what happened last night, so I rushed over from the military camp without a moment’s delay.

For a Wind and Rain Tower assassin to dare force their way into the Zheng Martial Arts Hall... they’re outrageously bold!

Master Zheng is not here, and as the head disciple, I have a responsibility to protect the Zheng Martial Arts Hall.

Don’t worry, Junior Brother. I’ve already selected a squad of one hundred elite soldiers to be stationed at the Zheng Martial Arts Hall.

Furthermore, I will report the matter of the Wind and Rain Tower assassin to my father and have him dispatch the Protectorate Army to surround and destroy their forces in the Black Market."

The Protectorate Army excels at both offense and defense. An armored, hundred-man squad of its elite soldiers possesses Practical Combat Power far exceeding that of twenty or thirty Hospital Martial Artists at Skin Grinding Realm Perfection.

With an elite hundred-man squad and the Zheng Martial Arts Hall’s own Hospital Martial Artists, the defensive force would likely be on par with the Inner City Guard Headquarters.

Forget about a Muscle Strengthening Realm Perfection assassin like Bing Cui; I’m afraid even a B-rank Wind and Rain Tower assassin at the Bone Forging Realm wouldn’t be able to get in.

This move by Qin Ruiyang was a truly grand gesture. Chen Cheng was taken aback, and even Shen Qingyao and Shen Qingshuang were secretly rendered speechless.

"Then I must thank you, Senior Brother Qin," Chen Cheng said, cupping his hands in a salute.

Qin Ruiyang waved it off. "This is simply my duty as a disciple of the Martial Arts Hall. There’s no need for thanks, Junior Brother Chen."

Having the Protectorate Army guard the Zheng Martial Arts Hall was, of course, the best possible solution, but Chen Cheng still had some reservations. He said,

"Mobilizing the Protectorate Army to guard the Martial Arts Hall... isn’t that against regulations?"

Qin Ruiyang replied, "Master Zheng is now the Vice Director of the Sanmen Prefecture’s Inspection Department. He holds an official post.

Linji City is a Prefecture City under the rule of the Great Dao Sect. Both the City Lord’s Mansion and the Protectorate Army are under the Great Dao Sect’s command.

With something like this happening at the Zheng Martial Arts Hall, how can Master Zheng have any peace of mind while he’s away serving the Sect?

No one is going to dare say a word against me mobilizing a mere hundred-man squad."

"You have a point, Senior Brother," Chen Cheng acknowledged with a slight nod.

’I have to admit,’ he thought, ’holding a post in the Government Office really gives you backing. A force like the Protectorate Army isn’t just powerful, it’s downright domineering.’

Reading his expression, Qin Ruiyang could see that Chen Cheng was impressed, and he couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride.

Of course, he had discussed bringing his soldiers to guard the Zheng Martial Arts Hall with the Qin Family Patriarch, Qin Qiyuan.

To the Qin Family, this was a small matter, but it was a way to earn a massive favor from both Mr. Zheng and everyone else at the Zheng Martial Arts Hall.

As for the Jiang, Wang, and Shen families, they couldn’t find a single thing to criticize; all they could do was watch with envy.

And as for Mr. Zheng’s closed-door disciple, Chen Cheng, the Qin Family naturally hoped to recruit him into their ranks.

Qin Ruiyang spoke with great sincerity. "The position of Purple-clothed Guard in the Demon Suppression Department is just a leisurely post. With your exceptional Martial Arts Talent, Junior Brother Chen, you won’t be able to fully apply yourself there.

Our Master’s lineage of Martial Arts is best suited for a career in the army. As his closed-door disciple, if you were to serve in the military, your future would be limitless.

Right now, I happen to have a vacant position for a Hundred Households under my command. If you’re willing, Junior Brother Chen, I can recommend you for it.

In the future, as your cultivation progresses, promotions to Thousand Commander and even Vice Marshal will come naturally.

And it’s not just limited to Linji City. If you ever want a position in the State City’s army in the future, I can help pull some strings for you there as well."

These words took Chen Cheng completely by surprise, and he realized Qin Ruiyang was trying to recruit him.

With the Qin Family’s extensive influence, using their connections to get a position in the Protectorate Army would certainly be a secure path.

However, he knew that with his current Martial Arts Power, joining the Protectorate Army wasn’t a good fit for his development.

Before Chen Cheng could even open his mouth to respond, Shen Qingyao and Shen Qingshuang could no longer sit still.

Shen Qingshuang, in particular, shot Qin Ruiyang an icy glare, her face a mask of frost.

’In her eyes, Chen Cheng was a diamond in the rough that she had personally discovered in the Ruyi District. Now that the dust was just beginning to be wiped away, his true brilliance was starting to show.’

’For Qin Ruiyang to come and try to snatch him away so brazenly was nothing short of banditry.’

"Senior Brother Qin," Shen Qingshuang said, her tone sharp, "the Protectorate Army is burdened with endless military duties and strict regulations. One is constrained at every turn. Junior Brother Chen is accustomed to his freedom; a post in the Protectorate Army might not be a good fit for him."

Shen Qingyao, on the other hand, turned to Chen Cheng and said languidly, "Junior Brother Chen, how could the Protectorate Army possibly offer a better future than the Demon Suppression Department?

In all of Linji City, which Government Office is the most powerful? Is it not the Demon Suppression Department? Even the Protectorate Army is subject to our jurisdiction.

As for future prospects, you think the Protectorate Army has them, but the Demon Suppression Department doesn’t?

If you stick with me, Junior Brother Chen, you’ll have endless opportunities to suppress and slay demons, earning countless Merits. In three to five years, you’ll easily be promoted to a Chief-Level Purple-clothed Guard.