The next morning, Li Qingxian put on his Official Uniform and looked at himself in the bronze mirror.
The common robes were gone, replaced by an embroidered brocade gown that made him look even more dashing.
The Tenth-Grade Official’s Uniform was a vibrant green, covered in an embroidered pattern of interlocking branches. The tri-colored brocade sash at the hem and on the sleeves was much wider than that of an ordinary Night Guard.
On the patch centered on his chest was a white horse treading on a river.
The cloth belt at his waist was replaced with a brown leather one, with an iron, horse-head buckle fastened in the middle.
A new leather pouch hung on his right hip, and the Yanling Saber on his left had been replaced with a brand-new one—a bit wider, heavier, and sharper than that of a regular Night Guard.
Inside the leather pouch, in addition to the Imperial Prison Department waist token, a whistle, and other items, was a new Night Guard Iron Waist Token.
The soles of his new Official Boots, black on top and white underneath, were a fraction of an inch thicker.
Li Qingxian gazed into the mirror. He seemed at least an inch taller than the first time he’d looked into it. Not only did he appear more imposing, but his eyes and brow also held a new maturity.
Han Anbo said cheerfully, "And this is just Tenth Grade, with only one Official Uniform, yet you already look so distinguished. Starting from Junior Ninth Grade, you get a full five sets: sacrificial robes, Court Attire, formal robes, everyday robes, and casual attire. Since you’re a Military Officer, you’ll also get a set of battle armor. Imagine how you’ll look then!"
Yu Ping pointed to the leather pouch at Li Qingxian’s waist and said, "Once that gets upgraded to a Copper Fish Pouch and you’re wearing an Iron Official Seal on a green ribbon, I’ll be able to eat whatever I want at the Divine Capital Bureau."
Li Qingxian and Han Anbo just shook their heads and smiled.
The three of them walked out of the room and headed toward the Dining Hall in the brilliant morning light.
Along the way, everyone from the Street Patrol Room proactively greeted them.
The Ungraded, ordinary Night Guards were especially enthusiastic, calling out "Captain Li" and "Brother Li" loud and clear.
The three entered the Dining Hall. Instructor Dong Ying and the Tenth-Grade officials from the other rooms came over, and they all ate breakfast, chatting and laughing. However, some of the other Graded Night Guards actually sneered and kept their distance.
After the meal, Han Anbo and Yu Ping headed back, while Li Qingxian went to the Chunfeng Inn.
A short while later, Zhou Chunfeng and Li Qingxian emerged from the Chunfeng Inn, with Zhou Henn following behind. They walked along a cobblestone path toward a side hall of the Night Guard headquarters.
After a few steps, a figure emerged from a round archway ahead, walking toward them.
Both parties stopped, flanked by lush greenery.
The man opposite them, Ye Han, stared at Li Qingxian’s green Tenth-Grade brocade robe, stunned for a moment. He then quickly bowed with his hands clasped and said, "Greetings, Lord Zhou."
"We’re all colleagues here, no need for such formality. We’re in a hurry to get to the Disciplinary Hall, so we won’t stand on ceremony." Zhou Chunfeng gave a slight smile, his handsome face warm and pleasant in the morning light. His salt-and-pepper hair didn’t make him look old; instead, he seemed full of vigor.
"Yes, sir." Ye Han stepped to the side, bowing slightly.
As Li Qingxian passed, he gave a courteous nod, and Ye Han nodded back lightly in response.
After the three had passed, Ye Han stared at Li Qingxian’s back, a sour feeling churning in his gut, as if he’d overturned a vat of old vinegar.
’I was the one with all the momentum,’ he thought, ’but Li Qingxian—a man who can barely even write—beat me to it.’
He pondered for a moment, then took a new invitation from the Heir of Prince Yuann out of his Qiankun Ring. He looked at it, shook his head, and put it back.
When they were some distance away, Zhou Chunfeng glanced around and said, "Did you see it?"
"See what?" Li Qingxian asked.
"You’re still too trusting. The way Ye Han looked at your uniform was hostile. He addressed me as ’Lord’ but didn’t say a word to you. He’s clearly resentful," Zhou Chunfeng said.
Li Qingxian recalled Ye Han’s expression. "You’re right. If he had acted composed and respectfully called me Lord Li, he’d surely be a venomous snake. If he’d joked about my promotion, he’d be a simpleton. His reaction was actually quite normal, all things considered. It’s almost reassuring."
"You have a kind heart. Ai, I just hope Ye Han knows what’s good for him." Zhou Chunfeng shook his head.
The three arrived outside the side hall of the Night Guard headquarters.
This was where the Disciplinary Officers usually held their meetings, and over time it had come to be known as the Disciplinary Hall.
Rows of pillars lined the front of the hall.
Looking inside, beyond the high, crimson threshold, the floor was paved with solemn flagstones of blue-gray stone flecked with white. Two rows of six red pillars stood tall, and the blue and green beams of the ceiling were exceptionally vibrant.
Candlelight flickered. Between the two rows of red pillars were six full columns of chairs—three on the left and three on the right, facing each other—leaving a wide aisle down the middle.
At the end of the aisle lay a black stone platform, about a foot high. It was empty, as if missing a chair.
On the far wall of the Disciplinary Hall hung a painting. It depicted an old man in a narrow-sleeved, bright yellow Dragon Robe with the twelve imperial symbols. He wore a black silk cap adorned with two dragons chasing a pearl and sat on a Nine Dragons cloud-treading throne, his expression solemn.
Below the portrait, an altar held offerings of incense, candles, and fruit.
Before Li Qingxian even reached the entrance, he saw a Sixth-Grade Official who had arrived earlier bow toward the Emperor’s portrait and say, "I respectfully wish for His Majesty’s well-being."
After speaking, the official entered.
Li Qingxian scanned his surroundings.
The Disciplinary Hall was the left side-hall of the main Night Guard Hall. Its great doors faced a large plaza, and further to the left lay Jingling Garden, where lush trees and vibrant flowers flourished.
A number of officials, dressed in red or green robes, were gathered under the verdant trees, conversing in low voices.
"Lord Zhou, Lord Zhou Henn." Just then, a man walked up, clasped his hands, and bowed.
Zhou Chunfeng and Zhou Henn nodded slightly without saying much.
Li Qingxian looked over. It was a familiar face.
It was the Sixth-Grade Military Officer who had led the Night Guard escort when he deceived the Demon Sect. The brown bear on his chest patch looked lifelike.
Li Qingxian remembered his name was Cao Ming. They hadn’t spoken at the time.
The man had a large frame but a small head, with ears that stuck out. His clasped hands were covered in calluses.
’I’m only a Junior Tenth-Grade official, after all,’ Li Qingxian thought, and was about to greet him first. But to his surprise, Cao Ming lowered his hands and said with a smile, "Greetings, Mr. Xiaoli."
Li Qingxian returned the greeting smoothly, "Greetings, Lord Cao."
Cao Ming just smiled, stepped aside to let them pass, and then fell in behind the three of them.
Some officials in the distance saw this exchange and looked on in astonishment at the young man in the Junior Tenth-Grade Official’s Uniform.
Cao Ming was no ordinary official.
Within the Night Guard, each bureau was supposed to be headed by one Fifth-Grade Disciplinary Officer. The Fourth-Grade Zhou Chunfeng was an exception.
Below the Disciplinary Officer of the Divine Capital Bureau were the Directors, who served as deputies. Some were Sixth-Grade, others Junior Sixth-Grade.
The Divine Capital Bureau currently had five Directors, and this Cao Ming was one of them. He was in charge of investigations, combat, and other such duties. Whenever a major case broke out in the Divine Capital, he was sure to be involved. He was a true powerhouse in a crimson robe, someone whom even a provincial governor wouldn’t dare to slight.
For a distinguished Junior Sixth-Grade Director to proactively greet a minor Junior Tenth-Grade character was intriguing enough. For a Martial Cultivator who ignored worldly affairs to focus solely on his cultivation to do so was even more astonishing.
Li Qingxian, half a step behind Zhou Chunfeng, walked to the threshold of the Disciplinary Hall. Following Zhou Chunfeng and the others, he clasped his hands toward the portrait of Emperor Taining and said, "I respectfully wish for His Majesty’s well-being."
Upon entering the Disciplinary Hall, Li Qingxian stopped.
Some people were seated, while others stood behind the pillars.
Remembering Han Anbo’s advice, Li Qingxian moved to stand behind a pillar and observed his surroundings discreetly.
The four Purple Sandalwood Master Chairs at the head of the room were empty.
The men sitting in the front rows, in Purple Sandalwood Armchairs, wore crimson Official Uniforms with Silver Fish Pouches at their waists. Their ranks ranged from Senior Fourth Grade to Junior Sixth Grade.
Those in the back rows, sitting on willow-wood folding chairs, were ranked from Senior Seventh Grade to Junior Ninth Grade. They wore green Official Uniforms with Copper Fish Pouches at their waists.
Standing behind the pillars were all the Tenth-Grade officials.
’I didn’t even rate a folding chair...’ Li Qingxian thought.
Among all the officials in the hall, Zhou Chunfeng was the exception. He wasn’t even wearing an Official Uniform, but rather a green set of casual attire, which was completely at odds with his status.
Li Qingxian realized he had never seen Zhou Chunfeng wear an outer garment of any other color. Logically, as a Middle-Third Grade official who had reached the High Ranks, he should be wearing crimson.
The hall was silent. A few of the Middle-Third Grade officials were communicating secretly through voice transmission, but the rest of the officials said nothing.
This was especially true for the Tenth-Grade officials, who stood ramrod straight, their eyes fixed on the tips of their noses, their minds turned inward.
In a hall with over a hundred people, there was absolute silence.