The divine manifestations began at the Gongwei Division.

"Zhou Heng is the son of Zhou Lingyun, a centurion of the Imperial Guard."

He began learning literature at the age of three, but by the age of seven, he could not recognize more than a hundred characters, so he gave up.

He later studied medicine, but was expelled after a year.

Then he practiced martial arts and swordsmanship for many years, but never mastered it.

The young man slowly walked a step away from Zhou Heng, looked at Zhou Heng, and slowly spoke.

Zhou Heng's face darkened.

Its predecessor had a truly dark history.

"Zhou Baihu died in the line of duty. Before his death, he used his merits to earn the opportunity to have his son inherit his property."

Six months ago, Si Lixu helped you escort your coffin back to your hometown.

Am I wrong?

The young man's eyes were full of scrutiny.

"so?"

Zhou Heng glanced at the danger countdown.

The danger countdown has not started.

So, although this young man seems aggressive, is he not dangerous at all?

"Although you have not officially joined the Bureau, your name is already on the list of the Guard Bureau."

"Now that you've joined the Guardian Bureau, it is your duty to protect the world and vanquish demons."

Youth Road.

"so?"

"To fail to kill a demon is dereliction of duty."

The young man stared at Zhou Heng, his voice turning cold, "Don't tell me you didn't realize the blacksmith in this blacksmith shop was a monster."

"none of your business."

Zhou Heng said, then turned and left.

They immediately started digging up his dark history, without even introducing themselves. They really think they're so great.

"presumptuous!"

The young man roared and reached out to grab Zhou Heng.

Zhou Heng didn't even turn his head; he kicked him directly.

The young man's expression changed, and before he could react, he was kicked in the abdomen.

An overwhelming force surged forth, and he was sent flying backward uncontrollably.

He flew more than two zhang (approximately 6.6 meters) before his body bent and he barely managed to regain his balance.

He was both ashamed and angry. He gripped the hilt of the knife tightly with his right hand, ready to draw it from its sheath.

Just then, Zhou Heng flashed and appeared in front of him.

He kicked the hilt of the sword, sending the half-drawn blade flying back into place.

Then, Zhou Heng's sheathed longsword landed on his shoulder with what seemed like a slow but actually fast motion.

The young man's face turned bright red instantly. He tried desperately to stand up straight, but he couldn't manage it.

On the contrary, the powerful force on his shoulders pressed his body downwards, and he was about to kneel on the ground.

"Brother Zhou, please show mercy!"

Just then, Lü Zian came running up, panting, and shouted loudly.

"Brother Zhou, Brother Zhou, we're on the same side."

He ran to Zhou Heng's side and subconsciously wanted to touch Zhou Heng's knife, but Zhou Heng glanced at him and he withdrew as if his hand had been burned.

"Brother Zhou, this is Chen Zhaowu, the Demon-Slaying Captain of the Imperial Guard."

Lu Zian said, "He was sent by the department to deal with the disturbances in Ningyang County, and Commandant Chen also brought your letter of appointment."

Zhou Heng looked at Lü Zi'an, and just as the sweat dripped from Lü Zi'an's forehead, he finally slowly raised his hand.

"Remember to introduce yourself next time, or you might get beaten to death."

Zhou Heng said calmly.

The face of the demon-slaying captain Chen Zhaowu turned from blue to purple, and the veins on his hand holding the knife stood out.

"Zhou Baihu registered you as someone who has never been enlightened, but Lu Zian's report says you are a ninth-rank strongman."

Chen Zhaowu gritted his teeth and used a great deal of effort to suppress the urge to continue his attack.

He was cursing inwardly as well.

Is this some kind of rip-off?

Is this a ninth-rank strongman?

Even as an eighth-rank assassin, I couldn't even last a single move against him!

That kick and that slash, the skill was so simple and natural, clearly showing that he had already reached the level of an eighth-rank assassin!

Moreover, it's the perfected eighth-grade assassin realm!

"What level of cultivation have you reached?"

Chen Zhaowu asked indignantly.

"Brother Zhou, don't misunderstand. Captain Chen isn't interrogating you. It's just that the department knows you quelled the rebellion in Ningyang County, and now they're sending you and Captain Chen to carry out another mission."

You will be fighting side by side from now on. If you know each other's strengths, you won't be at a loss when things happen.

Lu Zian explained.

Chen Zhaowu nodded stiffly, his face expressionless.

Zhou Heng looked at the two of them and remained silent.

Lü Zian understood and tugged at Chen Zhaowu's sleeve.

"I am an eighth-rank assassin, skilled in using both knives and fists."

Currently serving as a two-star captain in the Imperial Guard.

Chen Zhaowu snorted and said.

"An eighth-rank assassin, skilled with a knife."

Zhou Heng then spoke.

"What does 'two-star captain' mean?"

He asked casually.

"Gentlemen, this isn't the place to talk. Shall we find somewhere else?"

Lü Zian said.

Zhou Heng and Chen Zhaowu's fight in the street had already attracted a crowd of onlookers.

Zhou Heng glanced in the direction of the blacksmith's shop.

"Don't touch it."

"Do you think I'm some old-fashioned tyrant who indiscriminately kills innocent people?"

Chen Zhaowu scoffed, "Since he hasn't harmed anyone, why would I touch him?"

I was just testing you.

If you're inflexible, then you're not qualified to be my partner!

Lu Zian stood between the two men, fearing they might start fighting again, and pushed and pulled them back to his house.

After the three of them were seated, Lü Zian answered Zhou Heng's question.

The Imperial Guard is a huge organization. When you first join the Imperial Guard, if you don't have enough strength or merit, you can only become a Secret Service Officer.

Through accumulating merits and good deeds, one can be promoted to the rank of captain.

Based on the amount of merit, captains are divided into captains without stars, one-star captains, two-star captains, and three-star captains.

In terms of rank, a captain without a star is a lower seventh-rank officer, while a captain with one star is a higher seventh-rank officer.

Two-star and three-star captains are respectively lower and upper sixth-rank officers.

Going up further up, one would reach the fifth-rank Zhenfu Shi (镇抚使).

Above the garrison commander is the commander-in-chief, who holds the rank of third grade.

Chen Zhaowu was already a two-star captain at a young age, which shows that his strength was extraordinary.

"Brother Zhou, you quelled the rebellion in Ningyang County. The Commander personally ordered your promotion to Captain, an exceptional honor."

Lu Zian took out a palm-sized token and handed it to Zhou Heng.

Zhou Heng took it; it was quite heavy and had a cool touch, appearing to be made of bronze.

One side of the token read "Guardian," while the other side bore his name, with the smaller characters "Captain" below it.

"Employee badge?"

Zhou Heng thought about it with great interest.

Chen Zhaowu pulled out his token from somewhere and fiddled with it in his hand, inadvertently turning the side with the name "Chen Zhaowu" towards Zhou Heng.

Aside from the fact that the name on the token is different from Zhou Heng's, there are two raised stars above the three characters "Chen Zhaowu" near the top of the token.

childish.

Zhou Heng silently rolled his eyes.

"Brother Zhou, your official robes are still being made. They should be ready by the time you return to the capital."

Lu Zian continued.

"What is the salary of a captain?"

Zhou Heng put the token away and casually asked.

"A captain without a star receives a salary of six hundred taels of silver per year."

Chen Zhaowu interjected, "A two-star captain's salary is one thousand taels a year."

Zhou Heng pursed his lips. Who asked you about a two-star captain?

Lu Zian picked up the conversation and went on to explain all the other benefits of the Imperial Guard.

In addition to their salaries, the Imperial Guard could also purchase cultivation pills at prices lower than the market price.

In addition, martial arts skills within the Guardian Division can be exchanged for based on merit.

If one's merits are sufficient, one can even invite a high-level martial artist to provide one-on-one guidance.

These are all benefits of the Guardian Division.

Living on the edge of a knife, one naturally receives very generous benefits.

His salary alone was far higher than that of ordinary officials.

"Thanks to you, Brother Zhou, I've done a good job this time and have been promoted from a part-time undercover agent to a full-fledged undercover agent."

Lu Zian said with a smile, "This time, I will cooperate with the two of you."

"You're a scholar, and taking the imperial examination to become an official is your path. If you have a choice, you shouldn't become a spy."

Zhou Heng said calmly.

Lu Zian was stunned for a moment, a look of surprise flashing across his face.

While everyone else was concerned about what the mission was and whether they could complete it, Zhou Heng was the first person to advise him against becoming a spy.