But upon seeing Chen Cheng’s bearing and presence with his own eyes—his calm, collected, and dignified manner—Mao Yong realized he was wrong. Terribly wrong.

The young man before him was destined for great things.

In fact, he greatly resembled someone else—a supreme expert who could make the entire Martial Arts Realm of Linji City tremble at the slightest provocation: Zheng Hun!

’This young man is truly worthy of being Zheng Hun’s closed-door disciple,’ Mao Yong thought to himself. ’If I had discovered someone like him earlier, I’m afraid I too would have felt an appreciation for his talent and recruited him to cultivate under my guidance!’

Mao Yong’s smile grew even more affable. "You must be Chen Cheng?" he asked.

Chen Cheng gave a slight nod. "I am."

"Mm, not bad," Mao Yong praised again. He then glanced over at Shen Qingyao, Shen Qingshuang, and Qin Ruiyang, and said coolly,

"So, you three are here as well?"

"Yes," the three of them replied respectfully.

Although they were the core Direct Descendants of the Four Great Clans of the Inner City, Mao Yong was, after all, a man who stood near the pinnacle of power in Linji City. They couldn’t afford to be disrespectful.

As the saying goes, "Clouds follow the dragon, and wind follows the tiger; when a Saint arises, the world takes notice."

Seeing Shen Qingyao and the other two subtly gravitating toward Chen Cheng only further convinced Mao Yong of the young man’s extraordinary nature.

Qin Ruiyang was a Direct Descendant of the Qin Family and had already been promoted to Vice Commander of the Imperial Guard. He was sure to one day take over as the Commander of the Imperial Guard, becoming one of the most powerful figures in Linji City.

As for Shen Qingyao and Shen Qingshuang, they were the peerless twin beauties of Linji City, known for being proud and aloof. Even Jiang Lang—the foremost martial artist of Linji City’s younger generation and the designated successor to the City Lord—found it difficult to earn a smile from them.

The other young Celestial Prides of Linji City were even less worthy of their notice.

In the eyes of Linji City’s many young prodigies, one could say that Shen Qingyao and Shen Qingshuang were as proud as swans—Fairies to be admired from afar, but never approached.

Yet now, all three of them were gathered around Chen Cheng.

’Don’t tell me this young man actually has the bearing of a Saint?’

Mao Yong was taken aback for a moment. He sized up Chen Cheng again, but all he saw was a handsome-faced, tall young man. He had an air of outstanding talent, yet it was subtle and restrained.

’No, that can’t be right. It must be a misconception. After all, Linji City just produced one Zheng Hun. How could another figure of such breathtaking talent appear so soon?’

After carefully pondering the relationships between them, Mao Yong shook his head slightly. He concluded that Shen Qingyao and the others were only here because of Chen Cheng’s status as Zheng Hun’s closed-door disciple.

But regardless, it was an indisputable fact that Chen Cheng was a rare young prodigy whose future achievements would be boundless.

Recruiting him and carefully cultivating his talent would, at the very least, forge a valuable connection. It would be a great gain.

At this thought, Mao Yong’s expression turned serious, and he adopted a solemn tone.

"Chen Cheng, I have heard that during your time in the City Guard Department, you worked your way up from a Preparatory Constable to become the top Chief Constable of Lishui District, accumulating considerable Merit along the way.

Serving as a Purple-clothed Guard in the Demon Suppression Department now is a waste of your great talents.

Why not come to the Inner City Guard Headquarters and take up the position of Official? What do you say?"

Upon hearing this, both Shen Qingyao and Shen Qingshuang seethed inwardly.

It was one thing for Qin Ruiyang to vie for Chen Cheng on behalf of the Qin Family.

But why was Mao Yong, the City Guard Director, getting involved? ’Don’t tell me the City Lord’s Mansion also wants to poach talent from the Shen Family?’

Qin Ruiyang was also quite surprised, and at the same time, extremely curious as to what Chen Cheng would choose.

After all, the position of Official in the Inner City Guard Headquarters was equivalent to a Thousand Commander in the Protectorate Army. It was hardly comparable to a minor, marginal post like a Hundred Households.

Furthermore, the position of Official in the Inner City Guard Headquarters was an excellent Protective Talisman. Once Chen Cheng assumed this role, absolutely no one would dare to have designs on him again.

After all, an Official of the Inner City Guard Headquarters resided within the City Lord’s Mansion, which was heavily guarded.

Who would be foolish enough to risk offending the City Lord’s Mansion by making a move against one of its people?

Wouldn’t that be a death wish?

From any angle, the offer Mao Yong had put on the table far surpassed Qin Ruiyang’s.

As long as Chen Cheng had his wits about him, there was no reason for him to refuse.