Elderly Martial Saint: Sixty Times the Cultivation Speed ​​at the Start

Inside the office of the Punishment Department, Xiao Zhengyan, the deputy chief inspector, sat in the main seat, his fingertips twirling pages of the roster, his expression impatient as he flipped through them very quickly.

The files on the table were piled high, with creases on the edges, but he was meticulous in his work. He would go through everything that caught his eye before tossing it aside for initial screening.

"Zhao Tiezhu, with a lower-grade bone structure, is at the early stage of the sixth level of Qi and Blood, and is thirty-eight years old."

He glanced at it and casually commented in his mind:

"He's alright, but at his age and with his current foundation, he can only break through to the first level of internal energy at most, which is not very useful."

The file was pushed to the left and fell into a stack of books marked "To be discussed".

"Sun Wenyuan, with a bone structure of the upper Bing level, is in the middle stage of the sixth level of Qi and Blood, and is forty-five years old."

Xiao Zhengyan didn't even raise an eyebrow before offering another comment:

"Useless."

"Qian Guangde, of medium build and bone, late stage of Qi and Blood Sixth Level, fifty-one years old."

This time, he didn't even bother to look at it closely and simply tossed the booklet aside.

"He's too old, his bones are practically hollow. Giving him a cushy job is fine, but the Punishment Division doesn't need someone like that."

As the deputy chief inspector of the Punishment Division, Xiao Zhengyan's temper was well known in both the prefectural city and the Heavenly Patrol Division. Anyone who could catch his eye had to be resourceful and have good aptitude.

Without these two things, no matter how impressive the achievements are on the promotion list, they won't catch his eye and he'll only be assigned to work in other ordinary county towns.

The first dozen or so cases were quickly reviewed; the patients were either of poor physical condition or too old.

Growing increasingly impatient, Xiao Zhengyan picked up his teacup, took a sip, and as the tea rolled down his throat, his brows relaxed a little.

He then sighed, "It's really not easy to find a good seedling. What kind of people are sending up here? I think I was just over twenty when I reached the Inner Qi Realm."

After marveling at his own talent and achievements, Xiao Zhengyan picked up the last two lists.

One of the people in the document is named Feng Fei.

"By the age of twenty-nine, one will have a strong constitution, perfect qi and blood in six aspects."

Xiao Zhengyan was able to examine the information here more closely, and after confirming that he was a promising talent, he turned his attention to his future achievements.

"Hmm, his resume isn't bad either. He's meritorious in suppressing bandits and has the heads of four fifth-level evil cultivators on his hands."

"Young, with solid cultivation, and impressive physical attributes."

"This is alright."

Finally, Xiao Zhengyan pushed Feng Fei's name list to the right, placing it in the pile of names pending, thus making a note of this person. If the next one wasn't suitable, then he would be the one promoted to deputy director this time.

Only one left.

Xiao Zhengyan raised his hand and flipped it open, but his movements stopped as soon as his gaze fell on it. He saw an unexpected name.

"Yi Yang, of medium build, with first-level internal energy, is sixty years old. Recommended by Qi Shujian, Inspector General of Yunlin County."

He stared at the line of text for two breaths.

The internal energy is at its highest level.

This level of strength is indeed eye-catching among a group of martial artists at the sixth level of Qi and Blood.

In the South City Prison, he alone guarded the high-prisoner area and killed nine evil cult leaders, including Feng Haiyuan.

Qianyang Tower purged corrupt officials, rectified its accounts, and uncovered a case of embezzlement.

He also served as the inspector of the archives and the jailer, handling both duties efficiently and effectively.

With such an impressive resume, it's safe to say that with her abilities and achievements, she has no problem being promoted to deputy director.

However, after reviewing all the lists, Xiao Zhengyan did not put the list with Yi Yang's name on it to the "pending" side; instead, he closed it.

"Not bad."

Xiao Zheng commented calmly, "He has a physique of Bingzhong and is only sixty years old. No matter how good he is at fighting, he is still an old and worn-out sword, unusable for great purposes."

He casually pushed the list aside, and it fell into the stack of files waiting to be circulated on the left.

"But he was sent by Qi Shujian after all. He's broken through to the third level of Inner Qi, and might even reach my level, so it's not good to offend him."

"Distribute it first, let the other departments see it too. Whoever wants to take it, can take it. The Punishment Department doesn't need this old bone."

Having finished dealing with everything, Xiao Zhengyan picked up his teacup again, blew on the floating leaves, and a hint of disdain on his lips. He didn't have a good impression of people like Yi Yang who got in through connections.

"What kind of trouble can a person who is about to give up possibly cause?"

Inside the Wanyangju Inn, Yiyang was sitting at the table drinking porridge.

It's the sixth day.

The room was quiet, with only the occasional sound of footsteps from the street coming through the paper windows.

The other candidates who lived next door were boasting to each other just a couple of days ago that they were sure to become deputy directors, but now they've all lost their enthusiasm. Only a few of them received official appointment notices, while the rest left somewhat disheartened.

Everyone knows that if someone truly had connections, the news wouldn't have taken so long to arrive once the roster was submitted.

The longer it drags on, the worse it looks. If it doesn't pass the review, it can only return to its previous county and wait for the next promotion list. It can't stay in the Imperial Observatory in the prefectural city, as there are no suitable positions there.

Yi Yang, however, remained unchanged, showing no concern whatsoever for not receiving any notification.

Just then, Jiang Yuexin came in from outside, carrying two bowls of freshly heated porridge. She asked quietly:

"Grandpa, haven't you sent any news yet?"

"What's the rush?"

"Good food is worth waiting for." Yi Yang picked up a piece of pickled vegetables with his chopsticks, put it in his mouth, swallowed it slowly, and said lightly.

Jiang Yuexin bit her lip and ultimately didn't ask any more questions. She could tell from the past few days that although her grandfather didn't seem to be in a hurry, he had been practicing his martial arts a lot at night.

After finishing his porridge, Yi Yang put down the bowl, but his mind was perfectly clear.

Most of the departments have already abandoned him.

Bingzhong's physique, sixty years old.

With such words at the forefront, even the most important figures would probably lose three points of patience to continue reading. Yi Yang was not in a hurry because the roster was still circulating in the prefectural city, and the four departments had not yet finalized their plans. There would still be opportunities later.

In the afternoon, two guards came to the gate of Wanyang Residence and brought news that several candidates had left the villa.

Some were admitted to the Exorcism Division, some were selected by the Knowledge Division, and one was taken to the Punishment Division. The atmosphere in the room became tense, and even the casual diners in the next room fell silent.

On the second day and the third day, it still wasn't his turn.

On the morning of the seventh day, Jiang Yuexin brought breakfast into the house and finally couldn't help but speak first.

"Grandpa, still no news?"

She spoke in a low voice, her grip on the rim of the bowl turning white.

Yi Yang picked up the bowl of porridge, blew on it twice, and slowly brought it to his lips.

"If it's not there, it's not there."

He put down his bowl and pointed to the pickled vegetables on the table for her.

"Eat first, the sky won't fall."

Jiang Yuexin looked at him and could only nod silently as she ate her breakfast.

At the same time, in the office of the Zhiwen Division, Wen Shiheng had two lists spread out in front of him.

The one on the left is Yiyang's.

He possesses the first level of internal energy, has the root and bone structure of Bing, and is sixty years old. He was personally recommended by Qi Shujian.

The one on the right is from the Wei River.

He possesses perfect Qi and Blood in the sixth level, has a superior constitution, is 29 years old, and his father was a veteran who died in the line of duty at the Sky Patrol Division.

Wen Shiheng compared the two lists three times, tracing the names lightly along the edge of the table with his fingertip.

In terms of cultivation, Yi Yang has a greater advantage. His inner energy is at the first level, which is something that someone at the sixth level of Qi and Blood cannot touch. Moreover, his position does not place much importance on age, and he can still contribute for a few more years even at the age of sixty.

As for the recommender, Qi Shujian's letter was not just for show. It was a personal recommendation from a county-level director, which carried considerable weight. Moreover, this director was a master of the third level of internal energy.

But he ultimately did not immediately write down his approval for Yi Yang's appointment.

Because the other father of Weihe was named Wei Chang'an.

Twenty-three years ago, when Wen Shiheng was the deputy director, Wei Chang'an was one of his spies.

That year, he took on a major case. If he handled it well, his path to becoming the patrol director would be much smoother.

So he sent out several of his best men to gather intelligence, and in the end, Wei Chang'an infiltrated one of the three major sects alone and brought back crucial information.

Finally, the intelligence came out, but the person was left behind.

But it was that intelligence that allowed Wen Shiheng to turn the tide in one battle.

Since then, he has climbed up step by step to where he is today.

Even after Wei Chang'an's death, he never mistreated the Wei family, and never neglected to provide them with the necessary care.

Now that Weihe has grown up, with good physique and solid cultivation, he has reached the point of being promoted to deputy director.

After pondering for a long time, Wen Shiheng finally pushed Yi Yang's list aside, paused his fingertip over Wei He's name, and then wrote a red annotation.

"Hire".

He leaned back in his chair and let out a soft breath.

This is both repaying a debt of gratitude and an investment.

Perhaps Weihe can play the same role as his father and contribute to his own ambition of that position?

Moreover, the other one is a sixty-year-old man. No matter how much trouble he causes, how long can he last?

On the afternoon of the eighth day, Song Tiecheng, who had disappeared after arriving in the prefectural city, came.

He was dressed in a gray, tight-fitting robe, with a long black iron staff across his back. He stood at the door, his expression still cold and hard, and he spoke very briefly.

"The matter is resolved."

Upon seeing that it was him, Yi Yang quickly invited him into the house, poured him a cup of tea, placed it on the corner of the table, and asked, "Is there anything wrong with me?"

Song Tiecheng didn't sit down, but leaned against the door frame, and spoke first:

"As far as I know, both the Punishment Division and the Information Division have appointed their personnel. The Punishment Division wanted Feng Fei, while the Information Division ultimately selected Wei He."

Yi Yang held the teacup steadily, his face expressionless, and simply asked:

"Where is the Exorcism Division?"

Song Tiecheng crossed his arms and looked out the window.

"Ji Yunzhang prefers young people with drive. At your age, you probably wouldn't pass his tests. Besides, he needs people with established skills and experience in dealing with strange beasts and monsters, so he won't take you in."

He paused, but didn't discourage Yi Yang, and continued, "But you still have a chance, because Youquan Division hasn't decided on the deputy director position yet."

After he finished speaking, the room fell silent for a moment.

Yi Yang glanced at him, waiting for his reply. He didn't know why the other person thought that Youquan Si would accept him.

Seeing that Yi Yang was looking at him, Song Tiecheng stopped beating around the bush and simply placed the small bronze plaque in his arms on the table and said...

"I have submitted my performance review and will return to Yunlin County tomorrow morning."

"This is a temporary pass from the Prefectural City's Sky Patrol Division. It will expire in three days. Keep it; you might need it later."

Yi Yang didn't rush to take it, but just watched him.

Song Tiecheng then said:

"Yan Wuyuan, the deputy chief inspector of Youquan Division, has a past relationship with my elder brother. I don't know the specifics of their relationship, but before I left, my elder brother specifically instructed me that if the other divisions refused to accept her, I should take the roster to Youquan Division and ask to see her directly."

After he finished speaking, he turned to leave.

Seeing that the other person was about to leave, Yi Yang called out to him from behind:

"Deputy Director Song."

Song Tiecheng stopped walking, but didn't turn around.

Yi Yang picked up the teacup, gently tapped the rim of the bowl, and said in gratitude:

"Go back and thank Director Qi for me."

Song Tiecheng nodded slightly, which was taken as his agreement.

As he reached the door, he uttered another sentence.

"Yunlin County has reserved the position of general manager for you. If things don't work out here, you can go back anytime. This is also my elder brother's intention."

As soon as he finished speaking, he left.

The footsteps faded into the distance along the alley and soon disappeared from sight.

Yi Yang stood at the door for a moment before raising his hand to close the door, and the room became quiet.

He slowly withdrew his hand and tapped his knuckles on the table.

Youquan Division.

Yan Wuyuan.