Chapter 56: Ninth Grade (Please follow, favorite, monthly tickets, and recommendation votes)

“I have one more question.”

Su Mu asked with a serious expression.

“Speak.”

Zhao Ponu was a man of few words.

“Before we officially join the Taiping Division, what is our status? Are we commoners, or do we hold official status?”

Su Mu asked, “Don’t misunderstand; I don’t care about the status itself. I just want to know if we have law enforcement authority. It’s about having legitimacy to act.”

It had been difficult for him to become a squad leader, earning forty points a day. If joining the Taiping Division meant reverting to being a commoner and earning only one or two points a day, he might just regret it. Without the boost of his status, his comprehension and aptitude would revert to their original, mediocre forms.

“Once you enter the Taiping Division, you naturally hold official status,” Zhao Ponu said. “A Taiping Commandant is seventh-rank; a Lieutenant is sixth to fifth-rank; and a Pacification Commissioner is fourth-rank. Rank is merely for measuring salary and benefits. Those at or above the rank of Taiping Commandant are treated as one grade higher when meeting officials. Before you have the words ‘Taiping’ embroidered on you and become a Commandant, you enjoy ninth-rank treatment. When performing duties outside, you are equivalent to a ninth-rank official.”

Su Mu was pleasantly surprised.

Interns were equivalent to ninth-rank officials? And a Commandant was already seventh-rank? The top official of the South City, the South City Sima, was only seventh-rank. Furthermore, a Taiping Commandant was treated as one grade higher, meaning a Commandant's true status was higher than that of the South City Sima!

What did they mean by "ascending to heaven in a single step"? This was exactly that. No wonder everyone spoke of the Taiping Division with both envy and fear. The Taiping Division truly enjoyed unparalleled prestige and favor.

“Since you were scouted by Lieutenant Lin Qihuan, follow him from now on,” Zhao Ponu said. “He will tell you the rest of the rules.”

As he spoke, Zhao Ponu strode away and disappeared at the end of the alley in just a few steps.

“Taiping Brother,” Lin Qihuan said, patting Su Mu on the shoulder, “stop staring. You’re still a long way off from reaching Old Zhao’s level. Let’s reintroduce ourselves. I am Lin Qihuan, a Lieutenant of the Taiping Division. I’ll be your boss from now on; you can call me that directly.”

“Boss, what do I need to do now?” Su Mu asked, feeling slightly constrained.

“I am already guarding the South City, so you don't need to move. Just keep doing what you were doing before,” Lin Qihuan said. “If you discover any traces of demons, do not act rashly. Notify me immediately.”

“I... don't need to move to the Inner City?” Su Mu asked, somewhat confused. He used to be a squad leader; wasn't he a Taiping Division intern now?

“What the hell would you do in the Inner City?” Lin Qihuan asked, puzzled. “Your current task is to keep an eye on the South City for me. As long as no demons appear, just do what you normally do. I won't interfere.”

“Since I’ve joined the Taiping Division, I can no longer be a constable for the South City Division, right?” Su Mu asked, puzzled.

“Strictly speaking, you aren't considered a member of the Taiping Division yet,” Lin Qihuan said. “Although we have granted you ninth-rank status, you are still in your probation period. If you don't pass, you'll have to go back to where you came from.”

“Your current strength is too weak. Even if I wanted to take you on missions, I couldn't. So, stay in the South City for now, practice more on your own, and keep an eye out for demons in the South City. That’s enough.” Lin Qihuan said nonchalantly. “As for your status as a constable, I suggest you keep it. Firstly, it makes things easier for you to act; secondly, isn't it good to receive two salaries?”

Su Mu was speechless. Was it even allowed to play it like this? However, since his direct superior had said so, he certainly wouldn't object.

“I will arrange for someone to help you change your household registration and handle the relevant paperwork. I'll have someone deliver your uniform, badge, and weapons later.”

Lin Qihuan looked cold and aloof, but he was actually quite warm-hearted. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gifted Su Mu the Wave-Subduing Saber Technique in the first place.

“That’s all. You’re too weak right now to do anything else,” Lin Qihuan added, not forgetting to give Su Mu a little blow to his ego.

“Boss, does the Taiping Division have any cultivation methods or martial arts manuals? How can I learn them?” Seeing that Lin Qihuan was about to leave, Su Mu hurriedly asked.

“Two ways: either buy them with silver, or exchange them for merit points,” Lin Qihuan said. “Those below the rank of Commandant can only purchase or exchange for Body Tempering techniques and one Blood Transformation technique. If you want them, go to the Inner City to exchange for them yourself.”

Su Mu thought about it and realized he had nothing else to attend to for the moment. By then, Lin Qihuan had already strode forward.

“Boss, if I find a demon, how should I notify you?” Su Mu shouted, slapping his forehead.

“You will know,” Lin Qihuan’s voice drifted back. His figure leaped up, jumping across several rooftops before disappearing in the direction of the Inner City.

“He’s actually a bit cool,” Su Mu muttered to himself as he watched Lin Qihuan vanish. He didn't know what Lin Qihuan's actual strength was, but he was certainly much stronger than himself; Su Mu couldn't see through him at all.

“Even though I didn't get to move to the Inner City as I hoped, having the status of a Taiping Division intern as a foundation gives me confidence even if I stay in the Outer City,” Su Mu thought to himself. “I can keep being a squad leader. Boss Lin is right—why wouldn't I take two salaries?”

Just as he was thinking this, Su Mu saw Wang Liu and two other constables running hurriedly from the mouth of the alley.

“Squad Leader, Constable Zhao has summoned you,” Wang Liu said, rushing up to Su Mu.

*Zhao Ji is looking for me?* Su Mu was puzzled. Lately, He Yuxing and Zhao Ji had almost no presence. They hadn't appeared before Su Mu's eyes for a long time. He wondered why they were suddenly looking for him. Had He Yuxing changed his mind and decided to officially appoint him as a constable? Or did they know he was already a Taiping Division intern?

With these doubts, Su Mu arrived at the South City Division's yamen. Zhao Ji was the acting constable, and although he hadn't been formally appointed, he was currently working in Xing Zhaofu's former office. The office was spacious and bright, though the messy documents on the desk were a bit of an eyesore.

“Squad Leader Su, several people have recently died for unknown reasons in Wulimiao Village outside the South City. The other squad leaders are occupied with important matters, so you will have to make the trip to investigate the situation,” Zhao Ji said coldly, pushing a dossier to the edge of the desk. “If it was a murder, catch the killer.”

Wulimiao Village was located on the outskirts of the South City and fell under its jurisdiction. Catching criminals and thieves was part of a constable's duty. Since Zhao Ji was still the acting constable, it was perfectly normal for him to assign tasks to Su Mu.

Su Mu pondered for a moment but did not refuse. He picked up the dossier and cupped his hands. “Understood.”

Just as he stepped out of Zhao Ji's office, Su Mu was pulled into a secluded spot by someone.

“You took the Wulimiao Village case?” Zheng Wang whispered, glancing around.

“I did. Constable Zhao assigned it, so it was hard to refuse,” Su Mu said. Solving cases also earned merit points.

“That man surnamed Zhao has bad intentions!” Zheng Wang sighed. “You shouldn't have agreed! I'm telling you, the Wulimiao Village case is suspected to be the work of a demon. We can't handle a case like that; it should be reported to the Taiping Division!”