Cultivating in Different Professions

Before, the idea of Wang Guan joining the Inspection Bureau would have been unthinkable to Wang Zang.

The Second Young Master Wang was neither a scholar nor a warrior. Just trying to secure an official post for him in Wuling City had nearly dragged the Wang Family down with him.

But this time, during the defense against the Tier Five Demon Tide, Wang Guan’s performance had been a pleasant surprise for Wang Zang.

The Wang Family had done nothing, yet purely because of Wang Guan, they had somehow become one of the parties that profited the most from repelling the Tier Five Demon Tide.

Even the Xie Family had been left disgraced.

Now, in Wuling City, the Wang Family was poised to surpass the Xie Family.

It had to be said that Second Young Master Wang deserved a great deal of credit for this.

Even so, Wang Zang hadn’t considered letting Wang Guan become an official before.

But by a stroke of coincidence, the Imperial Court had just established an Inspection Bureau.

Wang Zang immediately sensed the promising future of this Inspection Bureau.

To patrol the realm on behalf of the Emperor and to oversee all officials—this authority was in no way inferior to that of the Taiping Bureau, which was sanctioned by Imperial Authority to slay demons and eliminate evil.

Most importantly, unlike the Taiping Bureau, the Inspection Bureau had no requirements for one’s Cultivation!

With Wang Guan’s merits from defending the city, coupled with some maneuvering from the Wang Family, joining this newly established organization was not entirely out of the question.

A glint of wisdom shone in Wang Zang’s eyes. ’My second son has a special kind of luck about him. It’s worth taking a gamble. And those connections I have... it’s time to use them!’

......

"Brother Mu—"

Su Mu was packing his bags, preparing to leave the city to fulfill his duties as a Taiping Captain and patrol the mountain forests.

Suddenly, Wang Guan burst in, shouting and making a scene.

"Something’s happened! Something big!"

Wang Guan barged into Su Mu’s room without ceremony, plopped down at the desk, and immediately grabbed the teapot, gulping down a large mouthful of tea.

"What’s the big news?"

Su Mu asked calmly, looking at Wang Guan.

He didn’t really think Wang Guan could be involved in anything truly major.

With his status as Second Young Master Wang, and now a hero of Wuling City, who in the city wouldn’t show him some deference?

"Brother Mu, did you know the Imperial Court has formed a new Inspection Bureau?"

Wang Guan put down the teapot and said mysteriously, "From what I’ve heard, this Inspection Bureau was established specifically to target the Taiping Bureau!"

"Oh?"

Su Mu’s expression remained unchanged.

There was still little news about the Inspection Bureau; even the Taiping Bureau hadn’t received official word yet.

However, Wan Qing, Su Mu, and the others had discussed this matter and unanimously agreed that the court’s establishment of the Inspection Bureau was related to the fall of a Marquis of the Taiping Department.

They might have had their suspicions, but no one would voice such thoughts aloud.

Only someone like Second Young Master Wang, who was completely uninhibited, would dare say anything.

"Brother Mu, I heard that the Taiping Bureau had grown too powerful, and some people have been unhappy about it for a long time. Not long ago, two Marquises from the Taiping Bureau died in battle. Those people seized the opportunity to force the court’s hand, compelling them to establish the Inspection Bureau to carve up the Taiping Bureau’s power!"

Wang Guan said.

"Two Marquises died in battle?"

A look of shock crossed Su Mu’s face, and his heart sank.

This was the first time he had heard this news.

He wasn’t the only one; he was afraid even Wan Qing didn’t know yet.

Previously, the Taiping Bureau only knew that a Marquis had fallen, but everyone had assumed it was just one.

It turned out to be two!

The Taiping Bureau only had six Marquises in total. To lose two at once—no wonder the Taiping Bureau Headquarters had urgently summoned all the Governors back.

But that wasn’t even the biggest problem now.

The fact was, the Wuling Taiping Bureau had remained completely unaware of such crucial information!

What did this mean?

It meant that the Taiping Bureau’s intelligence channels had been compromised!

Even the Wang Family had gotten the news, yet the Wuling Taiping Bureau still hadn’t. Under normal circumstances, the Wuling Taiping Bureau should have been the first to receive confirmation!

Su Mu keenly smelled the scent of conspiracy.

"You said some people seized the opportunity to force the court’s hand. Who were they?"

Su Mu asked in a low voice.

"A lot of them."

Wang Guan said, "Several of Da Xuan’s great families, the Divine Weapon Pavilion, the Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect, and many Civil Servants were all involved."

Su Mu’s heart sank to rock bottom. This was possibly the worst-case scenario.

The Taiping Bureau was somewhat like the Jinyi Guard or other secret police agencies from Su Mu’s previous life. When in favor, they wielded immense power, but they also made enemies easily.

Once they lost power, enemies could be found everywhere.

However, this world was different from his previous one. Here, martial strength reigned supreme.

In the past, with the six great Marquises overseeing it, the Taiping Bureau commanded respect. Even those who disliked it had to grit their teeth and endure.

The Taiping Bureau’s ability to intimidate the world didn’t just rely on its Imperial Authority, but also on its own strength.

But now, with two of the six Marquises gone, the Taiping Bureau’s top-tier combat strength had been reduced by a third.

As a result, all the riff-raff that the Taiping Bureau had suppressed were now crawling out of the woodwork.

"Those bastards. They never stop to think, if the Taiping Bureau wasn’t here to fight off the demons, would they be living such peaceful lives?"

Su Mu snorted coldly.

"Second Young Master, thank you. This information is indeed very important."

Su Mu said gravely.

’Now I can be completely sure. Dai Jin and his people are targeting the Taiping Bureau.’

"Brother Mu, that’s not the big news I was talking about."

Wang Guan said, stunned.

"It’s not? There’s something else?"

Su Mu asked, surprised.

"What do the thoughts of those bigwigs in the Imperial Court have to do with us?"

Wang Guan chuckled. "Brother Mu, the big news I’m talking about is this!"

With a CLACK, he slapped a golden medallion onto the desk.

Su Mu looked down. The golden medallion was, shockingly, the medallion of an Inspector from the Inspection Bureau.

A surprised look appeared on Su Mu’s face. "Second Young Master, did you kill one of Dai Jin’s men?"

’Tsk, tsk. Second Young Master Wang acts even faster than I do.’

"No."

Wang Guan scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed. "This medallion is mine. My old man pulled some strings and got me into the Inspection Bureau."

"Hm?"

"But don’t worry, Brother Mu! Even though I’ve joined the Inspection Bureau, my heart will always be with you!"

Wang Guan said hurriedly, "The only reason I agreed to join the Inspection Bureau was for you, Brother Mu."

"Now that I’m in the Inspection Bureau, if they try to make a move against the Taiping Bureau, I can give you a heads-up!"

Su Mu: "..."

’Second Young Master Wang’s way of thinking is truly unconventional. Most of the time, I can’t even begin to guess what’s going on in his head.’

"Well then, let me thank you in advance."

Su Mu said slowly after a moment of contemplation.

Being able to keep track of the Inspection Bureau’s movements would be a good thing for him and for the Wuling Taiping Bureau.

"Brother Mu, why be so formal with me? We’re brothers who’ve been through thick and thin."

Wang Guan said nonchalantly, "Brother Mu, the big news I mentioned earlier is that I’ve discovered someone is investigating you!"

After all that talk, it turned out that none of the other matters were a big deal to Wang Guan. The fact that someone was investigating Su Mu—that was his "big news"!

"There’s this guy named Dai Jin. He’s the third-ranked True Disciple of the Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect and now a Fourth-Grade Inspection Envoy in the Inspection Bureau. I’m working under him."

Wang Guan continued, "That old coot even suspects I’m close to you, Brother Mu. But who am I?

You think I’ve watched hundreds of plays for nothing? My acting skills fooled him completely.

He totally trusts me now.

That old coot borrowed a Profound Weapon from the Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect, one that’s supposedly designed specifically to counter the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow.

The Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect has already sent someone to deliver that Profound Weapon to Wuling City. It should arrive in a few days.

He’s planning to make a move on you as soon as the Profound Weapon arrives, Brother Mu!"

"A Profound Weapon that counters the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow?"

Su Mu frowned slightly.

’This is the kind of confidence that comes from a major sect.’

’I have the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow, but they have Profound Weapons of their own.’

"Even if he has a Profound Weapon, he can’t just attack a Taiping Captain without any proof or justification."

Su Mu snorted coldly.

"Brother Mu, that old coot claims he has evidence that could be the death of you, but I don’t know what it is yet. Wait for me, I’ll try to find out more."

Wang Guan added, "I can’t be out for too long, or that old coot will get suspicious. I have to go. Wait for my news, Brother Mu!"

Su Mu watched Wang Guan’s hastily retreating figure, a thoughtful expression on his face.

’Evidence that could be the death of me, huh?’

’In that case, perhaps I should postpone my plan to leave the city and lie low for a while.’