The clamor of the establishment ceremony had faded, but the Public Security Bureau was still filled with a festive atmosphere.

Inside a room, Li Jingxuan sat at the head of the table, his prosperous-looking face flushed with excitement. He personally lifted a Zisha clay teapot and poured hot tea for his key confidants, putting on a full display of graciousness.

"Everyone, my promotion to Grand Commander of the Golden Scale Guard is all thanks to the great contributions you’ve all made."

Li Jingxuan set down the teapot, took out several pre-prepared scrolls of golden silk brocade and silk from behind his desk, and handed them out one by one. "These are the newly approved appointments. Everyone, take a look."

"With the establishment of the Public Security Bureau and my promotion to Grand Commander of the Golden Scale Guard, it is once again thanks to all your great contributions. These are your new appointments!"

Su Yu accepted the golden silk scroll meant for him; it felt warm and smooth to the touch. Unfurling it, lines of large, gilt characters met his eyes:

"Jing’an Captain Su Yu, for being the first to kill an Anomaly and for uncovering the secret of Black Stone... is hereby promoted to Zhenwu Captain, a Standard Ninth-Grade Official Position. He is granted one set of the Blood Wolf Pattern Official Uniform and one Zhenwu Copper Seal. He shall enjoy a Monthly Allowance of three hundred taels, be granted one thousand merit points, one fifty-year Vermilion Fruit, and ten bolts of Yun Jin..."

"Zhenwu Captain?"

A flash of delight appeared in Su Yu’s eyes.

’When the river rises, the boat floats high. With the Public Security Bureau established, I’ve gotten a direct promotion and a fortune to boot.’

’A Standard Ninth-Grade Official Position. I’ll have even more power in my hands from now on!’

’And all these rewards, especially that fifty-year Vermilion Fruit! It sounds like a precious medicine. Fifty years old... it’s probably worth at least five hundred taels on the market!’

’This time, I’ve truly gained both fame and fortune.’

Su Yu glanced around and saw that the others were also smiling, clearly having received their own rewards.

"Commander Lin."

Li Jingxuan looked at Lin Wanzhu, who was seated to his left, his tone growing more serious. "The situation in Black Stone City is turbulent this year, with troubles both internal and external. The Public Security Bureau bears a heavy burden, so I’ll need you to put in more effort."

Lin Wanzhu put down her golden silk scroll and clasped her fist in a dashing, heroic manner. "Rest assured, Grand Commander. I will not fail my duty!"

...

After leaving Li Jingxuan, Su Yu and Lin Wanzhu went to the Merit Pavilion together.

"Junior Brother, remember to have the Treasurer exchange your three hundred taels Monthly Allowance directly for an equivalent amount of merit points," Lin Wanzhu advised as they walked. "As the Public Security Bureau’s power expands, the purchasing power of merit points will only increase. This is a benefit exclusive to us on the inside."

"Okay, Senior Sister," Su Yu nodded.

"The Public Security Bureau’s focus going forward will be on two fronts. The first is the security of Black Stone City, and the second is the administration of the Black Water River."

"Are they reopening the waterways on the Black Water River now?" Su Yu’s eyes lit up as he looked at his Senior Sister.

As Su Yu’s gaze met hers, Lin Wanzhu’s heart skipped a beat. She gently tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear. "Yes, the Anomalies on the outskirts have been mostly cleared out. Over at Black River Crossing, small merchant ships have already started sailing, and even fishing boats are gradually entering the deeper parts of the Black Water River."

’Excellent!’

Su Yu couldn’t help but cheer inwardly. The Black Water River was a great treasure trove, and the incidents with the Anomalies had previously cut off any chance to explore it.

’Now I can finally go out on a boat and explore it again. With my swimming skills, I might just be able to harvest all sorts of treasures and rapidly increase my strength!’

The two of them stepped into the Merit Pavilion.

When the old man Tian Mo saw Su Yu and Lin Wanzhu, his cloudy old eyes instantly crinkled into slits, and his attitude became much more enthusiastic.

"Commander Lin, Su Yu, here are your new official uniforms and Waist Tokens."

Su Yu took the tray. The new official uniform was still black, but the totem on the chest had changed from a black wolf to a more ferocious-looking blood wolf. The Waist Token had also been replaced with a heavier Profound Iron Token.

"Elder Tian, please check my merit points."

"Su Yu, you currently have 6,100 merit points. Do you want to exchange them for anything?"

’This promotion came with another one thousand merit points. Adding that to the reward from the Black Water Pool mission, even though I’ve been spending them, my merit points have actually been accumulating.’

’But I’m still too far from the fifty thousand points needed for that Bone Marrow Cleansing and Bone Forging Pill. I wonder when I’ll be able to afford it.’

"Elder Tian, I’d like to exchange for three fifty-year-old wild ginseng roots, and another three hundred catties of Red Essence Earth Dragon Pork!"

"Alright, that’s nine hundred merit points in total. As for the rewards you received—the Vermilion Fruit, the Yun Jin, and so on—they will all be delivered to your residence later," Elder Tian said after making a note of it.

...

Black Stone City, Long Street.

Stepping out of the solemn gates of the Public Security Bureau, the bustling, lively atmosphere of the marketplace washed over them.

"Senior Sister, I’ll be heading back now," Su Yu said, about to take his leave.

"What’s the hurry?"

Lin Wanzhu suddenly stopped. Seeming to find the collar of her official uniform too tight, she gently tugged at it, and a breathtaking glimpse of her snowy-white cleavage flashed for a moment in the sunlight before vanishing.

She turned her head and gave Su Yu a slightly reproachful look. "The weather is so nice today. Do you really have the heart to let your Senior Sister walk back alone? Walk with me for a bit."

Su Yu looked at the fine weather and the bustling streets, then nodded. "Alright, I’ll walk you back, Senior Sister."

The two of them strolled side by side along the bustling Long Street.

The man was handsome and tall, looking majestic in his black uniform. The woman was heroic yet alluring, with a tall, proud figure. As this perfect pair walked down the street, they drew frequent glances from passersby, who moved aside for them with eyes full of envy and awe.

They didn’t speak much, but their shoulders would occasionally brush against each other, the subtle contact sending ripples between them.

"Sugar figures... Freshly made sugar figures here!" As they reached a street corner, a vendor’s cry rang out.

"Junior Brother, what’s that?" Lin Wanzhu’s beautiful eyes lit up; it seemed she had never seen them before.

Su Yu followed her finger and saw a small stall with a bundle of straw sticking out of it.

"Those are sugar figures. Come on, let’s go take a look."

The two approached the stall.

On the bundle of straw were all sorts of sugar paintings: a majestic general on horseback, an adorable little tiger, and even a remarkably lifelike model of the Black Stone City gatehouse.

The vendor was a short, middle-aged man. When he looked up and saw two officials in uniform standing before him, he was so startled his hand trembled, nearly spilling the molten sugar from his ladle.

"Aiyo! Greetings to you two officials! I don’t know... I don’t know what I can do for you!" the vendor said hastily.

"No need to be alarmed." Su Yu waved his hand gently. "We’d like to buy two as well."

Lin Wanzhu stared eagerly at the pot of golden molten sugar, itching to try. "Proprietor, can you make all of these?"

Seeing that this female official, though imposing, had a kind tone, the vendor grew a bit bolder and said with an obsequious smile, "Replying to the official, yes, I can make them all! What I’m best at is making figurines of people. You two are such a perfect match, like a golden boy and jade maiden descended from the heavens. Why don’t I... make a little figurine for each of you?"

At the words "perfect match," a blush flashed across Lin Wanzhu’s cheeks. She didn’t refute him, however. Instead, a hint of shy delight appeared in her eyes as she said softly, "Then make two for us!"

"Right away! If you two would please wait a moment!"

The vendor scooped a blob of scalding, amber-colored molten sugar from the pot, and his hands began to move like fluttering butterflies.

Kneading, rolling, pulling, and blowing!

The blob of sugar came to life at his fingertips, quickly taking shape. He then used scissors to meticulously trim out the hem of a robe and a bamboo skewer to pick out the eyebrows and eyes...

In just a few moments, two lifelike sugar figures appeared before them.

One was a young general in black armor, holding a long saber, his expression heroic and imposing—a perfect likeness of Su Yu.

The other was an alluring and beautiful woman in a green dress, her eyes smiling—a spitting image of Lin Wanzhu.

"Officials, they’re ready! I wish you two a long and happy life together, and swift promotions!" the vendor said flatteringly as he handed them over.

Lin Wanzhu accepted the pair of sugar figures. Looking at the miniature Su Yu, she couldn’t help but smile.

She turned to Su Yu, held up the sugar figures and waved them slightly, her smile as radiant as a flower. "Junior Brother, look, doesn’t it look just like you?"

"It does! His craftsmanship is really impressive!"

Su Yu praised him sincerely; the artisan really did have some skill. He took out a piece of Broken Silver and paid the vendor, giving the extra as a tip.

The vendor was instantly wreathed in smiles, endlessly spouting praises.

...

"This one’s for you." His Senior Sister handed the sugar figure of herself to Su Yu.

After taking it, Su Yu asked, a little confused, "Senior Sister, shouldn’t you be giving me the one that looks like me?"

"Why would I eat myself? I’m not going to eat myself. I’m going to eat you!" Lin Wanzhu said with a laugh, sticking out her fragrant tongue and happily licking the sugar figure in her hand.

Su Yu stared, a little stunned. His Senior Sister had never acted like such a young girl before. The contrast was incredible.

Especially when paired with her voluptuous figure and her status as a master of the Flesh Refining Realm.

As if sensing Su Yu’s surprise, Lin Wanzhu felt a bit awkward herself. She was already twenty-seven or twenty-eight, yet she was acting like this in front of him.

Still, she felt a strange sweetness in her heart. She had always been focused on martial arts, and with her considerable talent, she had quickly left her peers behind. She had never just gone for a walk through the streets with someone like this before.

Su Yu held up the sugar figure in his hand. Under the winter sun, a thread of sugar dripped from the "Senior Sister" figure, glistening and looking all the more beautiful.

He gave it a light lick. It was sweet and delicious.

"Senior Sister, these two sugar figures don’t seem to taste the same."

"Ah, really?"

"Yes. Let’s trade and try." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Before she could hesitate, Su Yu swapped with her, popping the half-eaten sugar figure she’d been licking into his mouth.

Lin Wanzhu instantly understood, her face flushing with a shy red. She stuck out her small, fragrant tongue and lightly licked the sugar figure in her hand, which was now dripping with a thread of sugar.