Chapter 389 - 371: Merger of 2 Mansions, First Entry into the Inner City

’My progress in Martial Arts has been meteoric. I wonder if I can be considered the top genius in all of Black Stone City now.’

After witnessing Zhen’Er’s Wood Spirit Body, Su Yu now understood that the geniuses in this world were far more incredible than he had ever imagined.

His seemingly astonishing progress in Martial Arts was, in reality, only enough to make a name for himself in Black Stone City.

No wonder the Thousand Mechanism Tower had ranked him outside the top one hundred on the Hidden Dragon List.

And even that ranking was with the help of his Cyan-Scaled Eagle’s potential.

’But that’s perfect. So many monstrous geniuses are waiting for me to catch up to and surpass them, one by one. Otherwise, life would be too boring!’

...

Public Security Bureau Headquarters, Council Hall.

A wisp of elegant sandalwood smoke curled up into the air within the hall.

Pang Xuan sat in the main seat, a rare, relaxed smile on his face. Su Yu and the other Great Commanders stood on either side, seated in their respective positions.

"This morning, we received an urgent 800-li dispatch with news of a great victory from Cangya Pass." Pang Xuan’s gaze swept over everyone, his voice booming like a great bell. "Atop the pass, the Celestial Victory General unleashed a world-shocking Great Divine Power. He summoned the Infinite Divine Bow and, with a single arrow, shot and killed the Black Lotus Sect’s Earth King of the Abyss on the spot! The Black Lotus rebels have retreated three hundred li and are in a full-scale withdrawal!"

Hearing this, everyone in the hall jolted, their expressions finally relaxing.

For days, battle reports of the Black Lotus Sect’s advance had been flying in like snowflakes, suffocating the entire upper echelon of Black Stone City. This incredibly significant victory was undoubtedly a much-needed shot in the arm.

"Not only that, the second batch of elite reinforcements dispatched from Qingzhou Prefecture has already crossed the natural barriers and is rushing to Cangya Pass day and night. For the short term, the defensive line there is secure," Pang Xuan continued to deliver good news.

"Excellent! As long as Cangya Pass holds, nothing will happen to us in Black Stone City." Great Commander Ye Xiaohong clapped his hands and laughed, and the other Commanders also beamed with delight.

Pang Xuan, however, raised his hand slightly, interrupting their optimism. His face grew serious. "But while Cangya Pass has held, the consumption of resources on the front line is a bottomless pit. As the logistical hub, Black Stone City cannot afford any mistakes. To that end, the higher-ups have already made a decision."

Everyone held their breath and fixed their gazes on Pang Xuan.

"The higher-ups have decided to take advantage of this period of stability on the front lines to fully initiate the operational integration plan for Black Stone City’s Inner and Outer Cities. And the first step is to completely merge our Public Security Bureau with the Inspection Bureau!"

"What? A merger!"

The moment he spoke, the Great Commanders’ expressions changed drastically, and the atmosphere in the council hall instantly froze.

They all knew the old saying: one mountain can’t have two tigers.

Mansion Master Pang Xuan had just dropped this bombshell out of the blue. Once the two bureaus merged and authority was restructured, what would become of their positions as Great Commanders?

Pang Xuan took in their changing expressions and smiled faintly, reassuring them, "There is no need to panic. Since its establishment, our Public Security Bureau has slain Demons and quelled riots, bringing order to the Outer City. The higher-ups are well aware of the hard-earned merits we’ve accumulated. This merger is actually a tremendous opportunity for us. After the merger, the two bureaus will support each other, and both will fall under the direct jurisdiction of the City Lord’s Mansion!"

"Furthermore, after the merger into the Public Security and Inspection Divisions, I will still be in full command of the Public Security Division. Not only that, but because the Inner City’s defenses are currently stretched thin, we will also take over some of its defensive sectors! The territory and authority in your hands will not shrink. In fact, they will expand!"

"Mansion Master is wise! We swear to follow you to the death!"

Ye Xiaohong was the quickest to react. He immediately stood up, clasped his fists, and bowed, his voice booming with praise.

The other Great Commanders also snapped back to their senses, their worries vanishing. They all rose and clasped their fists. With Pang Xuan still as their direct superior and the legitimate chance to extend their power into the Inner City, this was undoubtedly an excellent outcome.

After that, Pang Xuan laid out several more preparations for the upcoming integration of the Inner and Outer Cities before concluding the meeting.

In the end, however, he asked Su Yu to stay behind.

"Commander Su, this afternoon, you’ll accompany me on a trip to the City Lord’s Mansion in the Inner City."

’The Inner City?’

Su Yu’s heart stirred. He had never been inside the Inner City before; it was impossible for him not to be curious.

And now, just like that, he had the chance to see it for himself.

"Yes, Mansion Master. May I ask the purpose of this trip to the Inner City?"

"Don’t worry, I’m attending a high-level meeting. You’re just to accompany me. I’m having you come along because you’ve never been to the Inner City, and I want you to see it ahead of time."

"Yes, thank you, Mansion Master!"

Su Yu felt relieved. He clasped his fists and accepted the order.

...

「Afternoon.」

At the gate of the Inner City, Su Yu was already waiting atop his Crimson Dragon Scale Horse.

Before long, a black Exotic Beast came galloping over, with Pang Xuan on its back.

The beast resembled a Dragon Scale Horse, but its entire body was covered in heavy scales that looked as if they were cast from black jade, glinting with a cold metallic light under the sun. A dark golden horn, about a foot long, grew from its forehead, emitting intimidating fluctuations of demonic power.

HISS...

The Single-Horned Ink-Scale Beast let out a long cry and came to a halt. Its eyes stared at the Crimson Dragon Scale Horse beneath Su Yu as it blew two plumes of warm, white vapor from its nostrils.

Pang Xuan burst out laughing, patting his mount. He chided with a smile, "Stop staring, that one’s a male, too. Behave yourself, we’re entering the city!"

Only then did the Single-Horned Ink-Scale Beast resentfully flick its tail.

Su Yu urged his horse to follow. After having their Tokens inspected at the city gate, the two entered the Inner City’s access tunnel.

The tunnel was very long; they rode for a full quarter of an hour before passing through it.

In the next instant, the view ahead opened up dramatically.

What came into view were vast stretches of vermilion pavilions, their glazed tile roofs shimmering under the blazing sun like a brilliant, crimson sea.

Pavilions and towers rose in layers. In the far distance, a skyscraper-like tower that seemed to pluck the stars from the sky had its upper half hidden amidst faint, auspicious clouds, while a flock of immortal cranes circled gracefully among them. It was a truly transcendent and otherworldly sight.

Su Yu couldn’t help but be shocked. ’Is this fucking Black Stone City?’

’No wonder the Inner City of Black Stone City looks down on the Outer City,’ he thought. ’It looks just like one of the Major Cultivation Sects from ancient times. There’s just no comparison to a scene like this.’

The two continued forward on horseback.

Shops lined both sides of the wide, white jade street. Martial Arts Pavilions, Treasure Medicine Shops, and Hidden Treasure Chambers of Commerce selling all sorts of precious Pills and Demon Beast Demon Pills stood side-by-side in neat rows.

They passed a teahouse from which the aroma of Spiritual Tea immediately wafted out. The adjacent Treasure Medicine Shop had a century-old Fire Ginseng placed right at its entrance for display.

A Martial Artist with a powerful aura, riding something similar to a Wild Rhino Beast, was observing it closely at the entrance.

Along the way, various Martial Artists riding Exotic Beasts passed by. Su Yu was shocked; in just this short time, he had passed more than a dozen Martial Artists of the Muscle Forging Realm.

"You see? There are many Martial Artists in the Inner City, and most are at the Muscle Forging Realm or above. You may be number one in the Outer City and have repeatedly performed great deeds, but do not become arrogant. After the Inner and Outer Cities merge, managing the Inner City’s public security will be a huge headache. I intend to entrust you with this heavy responsibility."

Pang Xuan looked at Su Yu, making no effort to hide his intention of entrusting him with great importance.

Su Yu took a deep breath and cupped his fists. "I will not fail the trust you’ve placed in me, Mansion Master!"

’My current strength is clearly not enough to manage the Inner City’s security in the future,’ he thought. ’I don’t know what Pang Xuan is thinking. Does he genuinely want to give me a major role, or does he have other plans?’

However, seeing so many experts served to motivate Su Yu once again.

’After breaking through to the Ape Tendon Realm, I started thinking of myself as the number one genius in Black Stone City, which was arrogant. Faced with so many experts in the Inner City, what’s the use of being a so-called genius at a low Realm?’

...

The two rode on, and after about a quarter of an hour, they slowly came to a stop before a magnificent and imposing mansion.

The main entrance to the mansion was a Profound Iron Archway dozens of yards high. A massive, black-and-gold plaque hung above the archway, inscribed with three powerful words: City Lord’s Mansion!

Su Yu raised his eyes and surveyed his surroundings.

To one side of the mansion’s plaza was a huge Beast Residence, used specifically for stabling various Exotic Beast mounts.

At this moment, a massive White Tiger, a full five meters long and looking like a small hill, was lying in the very center of the Beast Residence.

The White Tiger’s fur was as white as silver, without a single speck of another color. The ’king’ character on its forehead was as black as ink, and a viscous Evil Qi faintly swirled around its body.

Merely by lying there quietly, it terrified the surrounding Exotic Beast mounts into keeping a wide distance.

’A White Tiger Demon Beast at the Profound Bone Realm!’

Su Yu swept his Divine Sense over it and was greatly alarmed. ’Whose mount is this? Some major figure?’