Chapter 405: Personnel Changes

"You little brat, when did you advance to Upper Sixth-Rank? You only just became a Newly Promoted Sixth-Rank not long ago..."

Zhao Xun couldn't help but size up Yang Ling from head to toe, completely unable to fathom it.

Yun Buchuan was also somewhat astonished. Advancing from Lower Sixth-Rank to Upper Sixth-Rank was no less difficult than going from Ninth-Rank to Sixth-Rank.

In the martial arts path, the further you went, the harder it became. How was this kid moving faster and faster?

Xu Wenjun said with a half-smile:

"Isn't this thanks to the two of you lending a hand?"

Yun Buchuan said nothing.

Zhao Xun also remained silent.

"Upper Sixth-Rank, have you crossed the Life Tribulation?"

The middle-aged layman asked once more.

Yang Ling: "I have already crossed the Life Tribulation."

He felt there was nothing to hide in front of a Third-Rank Grandmaster Supreme.

Forcing a secret would only invite trouble.

"You've already crossed the Life Tribulation?"

Xu Wenjun was briefly stunned, and the look he gave Yang Ling gained a hint of gravity.

An Upper Sixth-Rank this young, several years younger than even that Xie Zhihu.

Even in the Capital, the three Princely Capitals, and among the Four Top-Tier Sects, this was exceedingly rare!

"The key thing is... the Ironclad Department has never produced an Upper Sixth-Rank this young..."

When this thought crossed Xu Wenjun's mind, he suddenly felt some of his resentment toward the kid's more presumptuous actions melt away.

If he had been promoted to Upper Sixth-Rank at such an age, he'd have walked right past grandmasters with his nose in the air.

Yun Buchuan and Zhao Xun exchanged a glance, suddenly wondering if Yang Ling had already been Upper Sixth-Rank back when he killed Mingxin that day.

Lu Yunchen couldn't help asking:

"Back when I was in charge of assessing you, did you hold back?"

"Enough. Mind your own affairs. Do not pry excessively into a colleague's cultivation matters. This is the Ironclad Department's rule. Have you all forgotten?"

The middle-aged layman said coolly.

Lu Yunchen hastily shut his mouth.

"Your Vital Qi is near perfection, correct?"

The middle-aged layman said again.

Lu Yunchen's mouth opened once more.

Yun Buchuan and Zhao Xun immediately walked over to Yang Ling, circling around him several times.

Xu Wenjun also couldn't help but lean in, intending to get a closer look.

The middle-aged layman cleared his throat, and only then did the three snap back to their senses and step aside.

But the expressions on their faces were stranger than the next.

They'd seen plenty of Upper Sixth-Ranks. Upper Sixth-Ranks who'd crossed the Life Tribulation were nothing special either, everyone had to go through that step.

But an Upper Sixth-Rank who had crossed the Life Tribulation and reached Near Perfection Vital Qi, now that was genuinely rare.

"Reporting to the Department Head, this subordinate's Vital Qi has reached Near Perfection."

Yang Ling cupped his fists.

The middle-aged layman was quite satisfied with this answer. He chuckled and nodded:

"Near Perfection is good. It lays a solid foundation for your future advancement to Fourth-Rank.

From Near Perfection to Perfect Vital Qi, no external assistance can help.

Do you plan to settle your mind and polish it properly?"

"This subordinate was just thinking the same."

Yang Ling said.

This answer also pleased the middle-aged layman.

"I have seen countless young prodigies polish their Vital Qi to Near Perfection, only to fail at reaching perfection, succumb to the temptation of breaking through to Fifth-Rank, and choose to advance one after another."

"I hope you will not be one of them. A Fifth-Rank promoted from Perfect Vital Qi and a Fifth-Rank promoted from Near Perfection Vital Qi are fundamentally different."

"This subordinate will heed the Department Head's teachings! I will definitely strive with all my might for Perfect Vital Qi!"

Yang Ling said gravely.

Zhao Xun suddenly laughed: "Department Head, our Ironclad Department rarely produces an Upper Sixth-Rank with Near Perfection Vital Qi like this.

Yang Ling is this young, and he's worth nurturing. Why not apply to the higher-ups for a Crimson Ghost Ginseng for him to take?"

Yang Ling looked at Zhao Xun in disbelief. What a good man!

He'd already consumed one, so he couldn't take a second.

But if the Ironclad Department really did award him another Crimson Ghost Ginseng, that worked too.

He could trade it for Vital Qi Age Defying.

Yun Buchuan's face showed helplessness.

Xu Wenjun couldn't help but smile, lightly shaking his head as if he'd heard a joke.

"Crimson Ghost Ginseng?"

The middle-aged layman looked at Zhao Xun and scolded with a laugh:

"Do you know that even when our Ironclad Department applies for a single dose of Vital Qi Age Defying nowadays, we get mocked and ridiculed?

Yang Ling hasn't yet rendered meritorious service worthy of a Crimson Ghost Ginseng.

If this Department Head went running to apply, it wouldn't just be mockery and ridicule, it would be outright derision. They wouldn't even give me a single root!"

Zhao Xun wore an embarrassed smile.

The middle-aged layman said, whether for Zhao Xun's ears or Yang Ling's:

"Each of the Twelve Sacred Martial Medicines is extremely precious. If one person takes an extra portion, someone else gets one less portion.

Without sufficient justification, that Grand Secretary won't approve it."

He looked at Yang Ling: "Yang Ling, you are about to head to Fire Flood Dragon Island for the Sixth-Rank Top Hundred Battle. If you achieve good results, I can help you apply to exchange the reward for a Crimson Ghost Ginseng.

This item will be of immense benefit to you after you break through to Fifth-Rank."

Yang Ling could only bow and express his thanks. He couldn't very well say he'd already consumed a Crimson Ghost Ginseng, since he couldn't account for where it came from.

He'd just have to take things one step at a time and deal with it when the time came.

The moment Yun Buchuan and Zhao Xun heard "Fire Flood Dragon Island," a flicker of surprise passed through both their eyes.

Lu Yunchen quietly gasped sharply. This year's Sixth-Rank Top Hundred Battle was actually being held on Fire Flood Dragon Island? That would mean... a free-for-all?

"Xu Wenjun, I'll have Li Zhong temporarily take over the Director position of the Third Division, Command Division.

You will temporarily serve as Director of the First Division, Bandit Apprehension Division."

The middle-aged layman finally got to the main topic, taking out an official seal and tossing it to Xu Wenjun.

Xu Wenjun accepted the outcome with equanimity.

He took the official seal, performed a cupped fist salute, and accepted the order.

"Lu Yunchen, you can't stay in Yunwen Provincial Capital anymore. Remain here at the Capital Ironclad Department for now."

"Go to Zhao Xun's Fourth Division, Public Security Department, and serve as a Chief Constable."

"Do you harbor any resentment?"

The middle-aged layman's gaze landed on Lu Yunchen.

Lu Yunchen didn't dare harbor any resentment. He immediately accepted the order.

A Chief Constable held no official seal, so he received nothing at all.

"Yang Ling, you're young, but you've performed quite brilliantly in the local regions."

"During this period, a great many Rong tribe scouts have fallen at your hands."

"There were those of the Copper Generation, and also Silver Ten of the Silver Generation."

"If it weren't for this case in Xiangfeng Prefectural Capital, I'd have transferred you to the Capital for duty within a year or two anyway."

"This time, you'll temporarily serve as a Chief Constable under the Director of First Division, Public Security Department. Learn more things, and build up your credentials and merits."

"As for subsequent arrangements, that will depend on your future performance."

The middle-aged layman said coolly.

Before Yang Ling could speak, Yun Buchuan was already stammering in shock:

"Department Head, why isn't Yang Ling going to the Third Division? This subordinate happens to be short a Chief Constable."

"Oh? Do you have objections to this Department Head's arrangements?"

The middle-aged layman's brow furrowed slightly.

Yun Buchuan said sheepishly: "I wouldn't dare, it's just..."

"There is no 'it's just.' Are you asking this Department Head to take back what I just said?"

"This subordinate wouldn't dare."

Yun Buchuan immediately straightened up.

"Nothing else. Take Yang Ling to the First Division, Public Security Department.

While you're at it, have him undergo reassessment. As a member of the Ironclad Department, cultivation level must be registered in the books at all times. Lead by example."

The middle-aged layman waved his hand.

Yun Buchuan reluctantly cupped his fists:

"This subordinate obeys."

As they departed, Li Zhong asked with some curiosity:

"That Yang Ling clearly has a better relationship with Yun Buchuan. Why did you assign him to the First Division, Public Security Department?"

"Precisely because he's close with Yun Buchuan that he can't be placed under Yun Buchuan."

"An unseasoned fledgling eagle, how can it truly soar across the skies?"

The middle-aged layman said with a faint smile.

Li Zhong nodded thoughtfully:

"You are most perceptive, sir."