Of everyone present, it was actually Sixth Madam Luo Yunzhi who was the most shocked.

She wore a smile and her beautiful eyes lingered on Chen Cheng, but her thoughts had already drifted far away.

She vaguely recalled the first time she had ever met Chen Cheng.

Back then, at Luo’s Shop in the Ruyi District, she and her brother, Luo Mingyu, had been standing by a second-floor window, while Chen Cheng was just a thin, cautious little prison guard.

Neither she nor Luo Mingyu could have ever imagined that one day, Chen Cheng would grow into such a pivotal and influential figure.

Even someone as high and mighty as City Guard Director Mao Yong had come to recruit him in person, promising the high-ranking position of Official in the Inner City Guard Headquarters.

The authority of the Inner City Guard Headquarters far surpassed that of the four headquarters in the Outer City Districts. Even the position of Official was nearly equivalent to a Chief of an Outer City District headquarters.

In a county under the Prefecture City’s jurisdiction, such a position was comparable to the esteemed County Magistrate.

Forget someone from a Humble Family; even the core members of the Inner City’s Four Great Clans would struggle to climb to such a high position.

And now, all it would take was a single word of acceptance from Chen Cheng to secure this post.

In just two short years, he would have gone from a lowly little prison guard to an Official in the Inner City Guard Headquarters.

To rise so quickly, despite coming from a Humble Family with no background or connections.

Such a thing would be considered a miracle in the world of officialdom, not just in Linji Prefecture, but in the State City or even the entire Great Yu.

Of course, opportunity is crucial for a person’s rise, as is meeting various benefactors along the way.

Luo Yunzhi considered herself something of a benefactor to Chen Cheng, but if she were being honest with herself, the role she played was minor. She had merely recruited him to be a Tributor for Luo’s Shop, recognizing his potential back when he was a nobody.

’But was his success today really just a matter of opportunity?’

’If it were a matter of opportunity, any member of the Inner City’s Four Great Clans would have had an incomparable advantage over him.’

’Anyone else in his position absolutely could not have created such a miracle in the political world.’

Deep down, Luo Yunzhi desperately hoped Chen Cheng would accept. Such a decision would benefit Chen Cheng, the Zheng Martial Arts Hall, and the Luo Family as well.

’Even if Mr. Zheng were in Linji City,’ she thought, ’he would probably approve of Chen Cheng accepting Mao Yong’s offer, wouldn’t he?’

However, Chen Cheng’s response took everyone completely by surprise.

"Thank you for your generous offer, Lord Mao, but I must report this matter to my master before I can give you an answer."

Chen Cheng said, giving a slight bow.

’To be honest,’ he thought, ’I’ve become quite adept at navigating the world of officialdom. My path has taken me from a Preparatory Constable to a Chief Constable, and now to a Purple-clothed Guard in the Demon Suppression Department.’

’Relying on the Government Office and having official power as a backer is the most secure way to live.’

’And in the political hierarchy, the position of Official in the Inner City Guard Headquarters is undoubtedly better than that of a Purple-clothed Guard in the Demon Suppression Department.’

’The way of officialdom is that the higher the rank, the easier the work. A post like Official in the Inner City Guard Headquarters is already considered high-ranking.’

’I could just find a capable subordinate to handle the daily affairs while I stay behind the scenes, drinking tea and giving orders.’

’That would leave me with enough time to focus on cultivating the Martial Dao.’

’It wouldn’t even interfere with leaving the city to slay demons and earn Merit.’

’The Chiefs of the City Guard Headquarters in the Four Outer City Districts often leave the city to slay demons. Even some Chief Constables do the same, using the pretense of supporting local regions, as long as their own jurisdictions are stable.’

’This is standard practice, since the important positions in the City Guard Department are all held by members of the Inner City’s Four Great Clans.’

’What those family scions want is simply to reap benefits, so naturally they wouldn’t pass up the chance to earn Merit by slaying demons outside the city.’

The position of Official in the Inner City Guard Headquarters had all sorts of benefits, but Chen Cheng had to politely decline.

He had several reasons for this. First, he didn’t know what Mao Yong’s true intentions were.

’Pies don’t just fall from the sky; there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Mao Yong wouldn’t be showing such unprompted kindness if he didn’t want something in return.’

’If I rashly accepted and became an Official in the Inner City Guard Headquarters, I would likely become a pawn for Mao Yong, and by extension, the Jiang Family behind him.’

’My future actions would inevitably be constrained by the Jiang Family.’

’On the other hand, the Shen Family had, after all, done me the favor of helping me rise. If I were to turn around and align myself with the Jiang Family, wouldn’t that make me a shameless, two-faced opportunist?’

Chen Cheng didn’t consider himself some virtuous gentleman, but he had always lived by one principle: to follow his own heart.

’To forge good iron, you need a strong hammer. Ultimately, your own strength is your greatest guarantee.’

’I have always been this way, never abandoning this principle even when my Martial Arts Power was weak.’

’Besides, I now have enough power to firmly control my own destiny. Why should I passively accept the position of Official in the Inner City Guard Headquarters and get entangled in all the needless strings that come with it?’

"Oh?" Mao Yong’s smile froze. He truly couldn’t imagine anyone refusing such a great offer.

After all, he hadn’t attached any conditions.

But Mao Yong was a powerful figure, after all. After a brief moment of shock, he quickly recovered and said with a faint smile:

"As the saying goes, ’A teacher for a day is a father for life.’ It is truly rare to see someone so young who understands how to respect their master and consult them before making a major decision."

"Very well. If that’s the case, then I shall not insist."

After speaking, Mao Yong immediately took his leave. It wasn’t until he had exited the Zheng Martial Arts Hall and settled into his luxurious carriage that he let out a long sigh.

"From beginning to end, that young man, Chen Cheng, was composed and unperturbed. He was humble and polite, yet possessed an unyielding backbone."

"I fear Linji City is truly about to produce another Zheng Hun..."

Recalling his first impression of Chen Cheng, he suddenly shivered and muttered to himself: