High-level martial arts: Long spear with black flames to suppress demons.

The next morning, the sun shone brightly.

Shen Chang'an slept until after nine o'clock before slowly getting out of bed. The physical strength he had expended in the series of battles last night had been largely replenished thanks to his powerful recovery ability at the Fifth Realm.

He rubbed his eyes, picked up his phone, and glanced at it.

The town's night watchman's work group was bustling with activity. After last night's major crackdown, nothing much went wrong in any of the districts today.

Old Zhao, on the other hand, sent him a long string of private messages:

"Director Fang from the Municipal Bureau came down last night. Although he didn't send any new Lantern Bearers to be stationed here permanently, he did transfer a full-strength elite combat team to our branch. They are well-equipped, so we can let them handle regular monsters or evil cultivators around the third realm. This will make things easier for you."

"In addition, your reward has been approved. This time you've done a great job, receiving 10,000 contribution points plus a cash subsidy of five million, which has already been deposited into your personal account."

"Also, Li Xiwan has woken up. Her mental state is recovering well. Once the observation period is almost over, I'll take her home from the hospital. I'll handle the rest, so you don't need to worry about it."

At the end of the message, Baiyin also sent a "Cat is so cute, thumbs up.jpg" emoji, clearly indicating that this little spirit cat also knew about Shen Chang'an's glorious achievement of single-handedly breaking through the evil cultivator's stronghold last night.

"Finally, some good news!"

Seeing the notification of 10,000 contribution points and 5 million credits, Shen Chang'an's heavy heart, which had been heavy from spending all his savings, finally brightened up.

He casually replied "Received," then got up, washed up, changed into loose loungewear, and went downstairs.

The floor-to-ceiling windows on the first floor were open. In the courtyard, Zhang Hai was pruning the branches and leaves of several bonsai trees with large pruning shears, while Aunt Li Yue was watering the flowers and plants with a watering can, creating a peaceful and idyllic scene.

Seeing Shen Chang'an come downstairs, Li Yue immediately put down the kettle and greeted him with a smile, "Chang'an, you're awake? I've kept some congee with preserved egg and lean pork and some pan-fried buns warm in the pot for you. Go wash your hands and eat."

"Okay, thank you, Aunt Li."

Shen Chang'an ladled out a bowl of porridge, picked up a steamed bun, and sat down at the stone table in the courtyard.

Zhang Hai put down the scissors, walked over and sat down opposite him, asking seemingly casually, "I heard there was quite a commotion last night? Were you hurt?"

To avoid worrying his elders, Shen Chang'an took a sip of porridge and waved his hand dismissively, saying, "It's nothing serious. I just ran into a few ignorant evil cultivators and took care of them."

Zhang Hai could easily tell that the young man was downplaying the issue. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said meaningfully, "Director Fang from the Municipal Bureau rushed down overnight, so this is probably no small matter. But since you're back, I won't ask any more questions."

"You're not on duty during the day today. I've already spoken to Lao Zhao, and I've also arranged for you to take leave from school. Just stay home and rest for the day, and don't go out unnecessarily."

Zhang Hai gave instructions.

"Okay, Uncle Zhang."

Just then, Li Yue overheard their conversation and immediately chimed in with a gossipy grin, teasing, "I heard from Lao Zhang that you went to rescue a girl in your class last night? How was it? Was the girl so moved by your heroic rescue in the middle of the night that she's ready to repay you with her body?"

Shen Chang'an almost choked on his porridge, and helplessly tore off a tissue to wipe his mouth: "Aunt Li, please stop teasing me. That girl was kidnapped because I wasn't wearing a hood during a mission. It was just an innocent misfortune."

"Oh, even so, our Chang'an is so handsome, he'll definitely have his own thoughts about this afterward."

Li Yue pulled up a chair and sat down. Looking at Shen Chang'an's outstanding appearance, she said with a sigh, "=."

"However, it's normal for you to have high standards now. When you date in the future, you'll most likely still want to find someone in the industry."

Li Yue analyzed logically: "Right now you're in a small place like Qingzhou District, so you don't have many opportunities to meet people in the industry, and you might not even find anyone you like. But once you go to university or a big city, there will be plenty of high achievers there. Find someone in the industry you know well and who can understand you, and that will make your life more stable in the future."

Shen Chang'an shook his head and quickly ate two bites of pan-fried buns: "Aunt Li, I work so hard every day that I don't even have enough time to sleep. How can I have the mind to think about dating?"

Upon hearing the topic of "going to university," Zhang Hai suddenly perked up, leaning forward and asking, "Speaking of which, Chang'an, the college entrance exam is just around the corner. Where are you planning to go to university? Do you have a preferred school?"

"I don't have any plans."

Shen Chang'an answered truthfully.

"I'm usually a slacker in class, I basically sleep through class, I'll just go wherever I can get into."

"Hey! What are you looking at, kid? Why are you even looking at your college entrance exam scores!"

"If we don't look at college entrance exam scores, what do we look at?"

He froze for a moment.

Zhang Hai said, "Go wherever you want! Our Zhenye Division system has a special recruitment channel!"

Seeing Shen Chang'an's slightly puzzled look, Zhang Hai explained, "You lamplighters, you work tirelessly day and night to maintain social stability. How could you possibly have time to cram and study like ordinary students? The higher-ups aren't stupid, so they've created an internal channel specifically for young geniuses like you. Generally, as long as you break through to the second realm before the age of eighteen, you can get into any of the top universities in the country simply by filling out an application—you can choose any one you want!"

"Is there really such a good thing?"

Shen Chang'an was genuinely surprised this time. He had no idea that he possessed the privilege of being admitted to universities nationwide without taking the entrance exam.

"Of course."

Zhang Hai nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Then, Zhang Hai coughed twice, his eyes flickering slightly. He asked casually, but with a hidden agenda, "Um... Chang'an, since you can choose any school you want, have you considered... applying to the same university as Qingqing? You two grew up together, so if you go to another city, it'll be good to look after each other at the same school, right?"

"If possible, then..."

"Snapped!"

Before Zhang Hai could finish speaking, Li Yue slapped him on the shoulder and glared at him angrily: "What are you doing, old man, making all this random arrangements! The children's future is their own choice; stop meddling!"

His wife had exposed his little scheme to marry a rich man, and Zhang Hai blushed, coughing dryly as he waved his hand, "I was just saying it casually! Take it as a suggestion, just pretend I didn't say it!"

Shen Chang'an looked at the lively couple and didn't feel offended at all. On the contrary, he felt that the warm and lively atmosphere in the house made him feel particularly relaxed.

He smiled and smoothed things over by echoing Zhang Hai's words: "It's alright, Uncle Zhang. After the college entrance exam, we'll see which city Qingqing wants to study in, and then I'll consider it."

After eating and drinking my fill, I greeted the elderly couple, took the empty bowl into the kitchen, and then slowly went upstairs to my room.

Watching Shen Chang'an's figure disappear around the corner of the stairs, Li Yue's smile vanished, and she turned around and slapped Zhang Hai's arm in an annoyed manner.

"You old fool, what nonsense were you spouting just now? It's not even a sure thing yet, aren't you afraid of scaring Chang'an!"

Zhang Hai put down his teacup, sighed, and said in a low voice, "What do you know? If I don't quickly sound him out and try to match him up, he'll really be gone once he finishes his exams!"

Zhang Hai pointed upstairs, his expression serious: "Chang'an is a loyal and kind boy. No matter how high he flies in the future, he'll definitely remember us old folks. But if we don't act quickly now, he'll have absolutely no connection with our Qingqing anymore!"

"Think about it, this kid has the cultivation of the fifth realm, is handsome, and well-mannered. When he goes to the provincial capital or the capital, which of those young ladies and princesses from all those powerful families won't be scrambling to get close to him? When he goes out into the world of Chang'an, he'll stand out like a crane among chickens, attracting countless eyes! If we don't take advantage of this now, we won't even have a chance later!"

After listening, Li Yue also looked worried, but still shook her head: "That's true, but you know what Qingqing thinks of Chang'an. Although she doesn't dare to say it openly to our faces, can't we see her disdain and dissatisfaction in private?"

"In her eyes, Chang'an is just a good-for-nothing who got into No. 1 High School through your connections and sleeps in class every day."

Li Yue tentatively suggested, "How about... we just tell Qingqing everything? Tell her Chang'an's true identity in the Zhenye Division?"

"No! Absolutely not!"

Zhang Hai shook his head without hesitation and refused, "The work of the Night Watch is too bloody and too dangerous. How old is Qingqing now? I absolutely cannot let her come into contact with these dark aspects now. At least I have to wait until she finishes her college entrance examination before telling him, and then wait until she finishes her university studies safely. Then I will use my old connections to arrange for her to work in a safe clerical position in the logistics department of the Night Watch system."

Hey! You!

Li Yue was so angry she laughed.

"You don't want your daughter to know how outstanding Chang'an is, yet you want them to date. So why are you bringing this up now?"

"Let's develop our relationship like a blind box for now!"

Zhang Hai said matter-of-factly, "Won't it just happen naturally after I graduate from university?"

"That's called trying to block both ends!"

Li Yue rolled her eyes.

"On one hand, they're keeping it from their daughter, and on the other hand, they're blaming her for looking down on him. Besides, with Qingqing's current arrogant and unyielding attitude, how could she possibly be interested in Chang'an, who's currently completely useless?"

Zhang Hai was also displeased upon hearing this, and retorted, "Who taught her that? Isn't it because you spoiled her! You never give Qingqing the stars or the moon, and you've raised her to be so arrogant and domineering, without any sense of consideration!"

"Zhang Hai, do you have any conscience?! Did I teach her? Every time Qingqing acts cute, who's the one secretly slipping her pocket money behind my back? And now you're blaming it all on me, huh...?"

The elderly couple were sitting in the yard, bickering and shifting blame for their parenting responsibilities.

"Ding-dong—"

The doorbell suddenly rang.

"I'm too lazy to argue with you!" Li Yue glared at Zhang Hai, stood up, straightened her clothes, walked to the courtyard gate, and pulled open the gate.

Standing outside the door was a sweet and lovely young girl wearing a light-colored casual sweatshirt. She was also carrying several exquisite food containers.

Li Yue was taken aback. She didn't know anything about the personnel within the Zhenye Division, and asked疑惑地问道, "Miss, who are you looking for?"

Hello!

Bai Yin bowed politely, a sweet smile on her face, her big eyes curving into crescents.

"I'm from the Zhenye Division, and I'm also Chang'an's colleague. You must be Aunt Li, right? Chang'an often tells me how delicious your cooking is. I happen to be off today, and I heard that Chang'an was exhausted from his mission yesterday, so I brought some good food to visit him."

Upon hearing that he was Shen Chang'an's colleague, Li Yue's initially wary gaze instantly transformed into one of enthusiasm.

"Oh, it's Chang'an's colleague! Please come in, please come in!"

Li Yue beamed with joy and quickly welcomed Bai Yin inside.

Bai Yin walked into the courtyard and immediately saw Zhang Hai sitting at the stone table.

She knew, of course, that this was a retired senior colleague, so she greeted him very politely: "Hello, Uncle Zhang."

Zhang Hai held his teacup, and he naturally knew that the girl in front of him was Lingmao's colleague.

"You're so thoughtful, little girl. You must have suffered a lot at the bureau from that kid Chang'an, right? Go on, he just finished eating and is in the innermost room on the second floor."

"Okay, Uncle Zhang, I'll go upstairs now!"

Bai Yin nodded sweetly, picked up the food box, and walked briskly up the stairs to the second floor.