The path to immortality through martial arts begins with being forced into marriage!

Cui Yi also learned some information about the duty hours of the Demon Suppression Division from Zhao Jingsheng.

The daily routine is a 9-to-5 shift or roll call, with two fixed days off each month.

Nominally, they are required to work at the branch headquarters or be assigned to other duties, but if they are assigned to patrol missions, they can openly roam freely throughout the area under their jurisdiction, enjoying a high degree of freedom.

Cui Yi was 100% satisfied with this job. It paid well, had little work, allowed him to legally access cultivation resources, and also provided him with a certain amount of power and social status.

really......

In any world, a secure job within the system is an extremely attractive and reliable option for ordinary people without extraordinary backgrounds!

The badge is there, but registration is still required to officially join the Demon Suppression Division.

Zhao Jingsheng pointed to another passageway outside the Examination and Merit Bureau, "The Records Bureau is in the next courtyard; there's a sign at the entrance. Lei Ming,"

"Xiao Lei, take Cui Yi over there and let him meet with his colleagues in the Records and Registration Department."

"Yes, sir."

Lei Ming respectfully agreed, and when he turned to Cui Yi, his attitude was much warmer and more respectful than before. "Brother Cui, please come with me."

"Mr. Chen, are you busy?"

Lei Ming greeted him familiarly and handed over Cui Yi's assessment documents, "This is Brother Cui Yi, who just passed the three-stage assessment by the Performance Evaluation Department."

"This Silver Badge Deacon was personally approved by Steward Zhao. I would be grateful if you could process his entry registration."

Upon hearing that it was personally approved by Director Zhao, the middle-aged man who had been replaced by Mr. Chen became much more efficient in his work.

In no time at all, all the procedures and the places where information needed to be entered were ready.

He then handed Cui Yi a token about half the size of his palm, two sets of neatly folded black outfits, and a allowance of one hundred taels of silver.

Cui Yi wasn't particularly interested in the clothes; they were just work clothes.

The token felt warm and smooth to the touch, and was entirely black, which made it feel rather strange.

It resembles jade but is not jade, it resembles gold but is not gold.

The front of the token is embossed with a Bixie pattern and the words "Donghai City Branch".

Lei Ming patiently explained, "This is the official deacon token. After a blood oath is performed, it can serve as proof of identity."

"In addition, our Demon Suppression Division also needs to use tokens for recording and redeeming achievements, so please keep them safe."

"Blood bond token, officially effective upon activation."

"Clothing must be worn when performing official duties, and supplies can be collected at the beginning of each month by presenting a token."

"If there are any additional needs or losses, please submit an explanation or use merit points to redeem them."

"I heard that Brother Cui is from out of town. Then you can go home and rest today. Come back tomorrow when you are feeling refreshed."

Cui Yi naturally wouldn't refuse the chance to leave work early, and after chatting with Lei Ming for a few minutes, he slipped away.

After Cui Yi left, Lei Ming found Zhao Jingsheng and asked, quite puzzled, "Manager Zhao, based on the experience he's demonstrated in these three real battles, shouldn't he be eligible for a direct promotion to Gold Rank?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Jingsheng slowly withdrew his gaze, his face showing little surprise, clearly indicating that he had also considered this issue.

"That being said, his potential, combat strength, and temperament have indeed met the standards for being directly awarded the Gold Badge, and even... far exceed the standards."

"But, Xiao Lei, you must remember one thing."

"A tree that stands out in the forest will be felled by the wind; a mound that rises above the bank will be eroded by the current."

Lei Ming's expression hardened, and he listened attentively.

"Cui Yi was too sharp today."

"Do you know what it means to bestow such accolades upon a young man whose cultivation is still in the Qi Refining stage?"

Before Lei Ming could answer, Zhao Jingsheng continued, "That means he will instantly become the focus of the entire branch, and possibly even spread to higher levels very quickly!"

"Praise will come, but with it comes ubiquitous scrutiny, jealousy, and suspicion!"

"Even... the suppression and scheming behind the scenes."

"A boy with no background or connections is, in some people's eyes, the best stepping stone."

"Therefore, I hope that you will keep the results of Cui Yi's assessment today a secret and not mention them to anyone."

"Um."

Zhao Jingsheng nodded, looking towards the passage with a hint of anticipation in his eyes, "Whether he's a dragon or a worm, it ultimately depends on his own destiny."

......

......

Qingshuifang, on the street.

As soon as Cui Yi reached the corner, he spotted a steamed bun shop.

The steaming hot buns were incredibly tempting on this cold day, and many people were queuing up around them.

Besides these, there was also a young beggar, who was staring longingly at the buns that were being bought up one after another.

The stall owner was a plump middle-aged woman wearing a greasy apron. She was efficiently packing buns for customers when she glanced up and saw a little beggar standing in front of her stall. She immediately waved the rag in her hand impatiently, as if shooing away a fly.

"Get out of here, you little beggar!"

"You're blocking my business! I'm not giving it to you no matter how much you look at it, get out!"

The little beggar trembled when he was scolded, but unlike other beggars, he did not immediately shrink back or shamelessly beg.

He stubbornly took a small step back, still standing there defiantly, his eyes still fixed on the steamed buns.

Cui Yi wasn't usually one to meddle in other people's business, but seeing the boy's stubbornness, he was suddenly struck by a sudden realization.

In my previous life, I wasn't from a wealthy family. I struggled my way up from the countryside to attend university in a big city.

Who knew that after graduation I couldn't even find a decent job and ended up doing some door-to-door sales work.

Because his salary was so low, after deducting rent and utilities, the amount of money left for him was so little that even eating a fast food meal was a luxury.

Although we are not rich or powerful now, we no longer need to worry about the cost of buying a few steamed buns; let's just consider it as making a good connection.

A little more kindness may lead to a lot of consequences in the future; who can say for sure?

Cui Yi walked straight to the stall, took out some loose silver, and then reached out to rub the little beggar's head: "Give me five steamed buns, pack them up."

The plump woman paused for a moment, glanced at Cui Yi's clean and neat appearance, then looked at the dirty little beggar, a strange look flashing across her face.

"Tsk, there are plenty of kind-hearted young masters these days, but there are so many beggars on the street, how can they possibly help everyone..."

That being said, there's no reason not to do business when it comes to her. What does it have to do with her if someone spends money to buy steamed buns as a gift?

She pursed her lips, but her hands moved swiftly and efficiently.

She deftly lifted the lid of the steamer, quickly wrapped five steaming hot meat buns out of the steamer with oil paper, and handed them to Cui Yi in a bulging bundle.

After Cui Yi handled it, he directly handed it to the little beggar.

"Here, eat it while it's hot."

The meat buns so close at hand were an irresistible temptation for the little beggar.

His dirty little face instantly turned red, his big, clear eyes stared intently at the oil paper package, and his Adam's apple bobbed violently.

However, to Cui Yi's surprise, the little beggar did not immediately reach out to take it.

"For...for me?"

"Okay, take it."

Perhaps it was Cui Yi's overly calm and composed gaze that made him relax slightly, or perhaps it was the fragrance that kept wafting into his nostrils that completely broke down his last line of defense.

The little guy sniffed sharply, as if he had made up his mind, and instead of reaching out to take it, he quickly grabbed a bun from the oil paper package!

He quickly stuffed the bun into his mouth and took a big, hard bite!

The aroma of meat burst in his mouth, causing his thin body to tremble slightly, and his eyes instantly reddened.

But he held back his tears, swallowing the large mouthful before finally raising his head.

"I...I'm Mu Yangyan! Thank you so much for the steamed buns today, big brother. I'll remember you!"

"I'll repay your favor in the future!"