But now they wanted him to become a Prefecture Chief. ’That’s going too far,’ he thought.

’There are plenty of masters at the Unity Realm in any Prefecture-level City. In fact, within the Observatory of a city like that, the Unity Realm is just considered average.’

’If I go and become Prefecture Chief, can I even keep my own subordinates in line?’

Once the thought crossed his mind, Shen Bai didn’t hesitate to ask it aloud.

He believed in asking questions when they arose; there was no need to be shy about it.

This was especially true now. Qian Wu was right here, and Shen Bai had just answered one of his questions, which had put him in a good mood.

It was the perfect time to bring it up.

Qian Wu shook his head after hearing Shen Bai’s question. "These are Lord Yin’s instructions. I’m not privy to his deeper intentions."

Elder Mu grabbed Shen Bai’s arm from the side. "You can’t go to Nanxing Prefecture. I don’t know what Lord Yin is thinking, but that place is an absolute mess."

"Shen Bai is only at the Meridian Realm. For him to go there would be like a sheep walking into a tiger’s den—extremely dangerous."

At this, Elder Mu proceeded to explain the entire situation in Nanxing Prefecture to Shen Bai.

Shen Bai frowned as he listened to Elder Mu’s explanation.

"It seems a trip to Nanxing Prefecture would be extremely dangerous."

He could tell from Elder Mu’s tone, and his own analysis confirmed it: Nanxing Prefecture was in chaos.

Numerous factions were entrenched there—and not just the Xinhua Academy, the Wild Taoist Sect, and the Wild Buddha Sect. There were other powerful Demonic Forces as well. To make matters worse, that branch of the Observatory was leaderless. ’If a young man like me goes there,’ he thought, ’I’ll have a very hard time commanding respect.’

Qian Wu shook his head. "I know what you’re thinking, and I understand how you all see this. But these are Lord Yin’s orders, and I am powerless to refute them. I know Shen Bai is a genius of the younger generation, but a fledgling must leave its mother’s embrace to learn how to soar through the sky."

"Can I refuse?" Shen Bai asked bluntly.

"Yes."

To his surprise, Qian Wu’s answer was just as decisive.

"Lord Yin said that if you are unwilling, you don’t have to go. He doesn’t want to force you, since a melon forced from the vine is never sweet. But," Qian Wu added, "Lord Yin also said that you will go."

"And why would I go?" Shen Bai stroked his chin.

’Anyone who isn’t an idiot would refuse,’ he thought. ’After all, the risks are just too great.’

Qian Wu spoke slowly. "In this world, strength is what matters most. But there are things that exist outside the realm of personal strength."

"Power, connections, wealth—these things are all critically important. The Prefecture Chief of a Prefecture-level City wields the authority of the Great Zhou Country. If you go, the city will be yours to command. That’s the first point."

Shen Bai nodded. "That is a fair point."

Becoming Prefecture Chief and controlling the affairs of an entire prefecture was a tempting prospect, but it wasn’t enough to convince Shen Bai.

Qian Wu continued, "You’ve offended three Demonic Forces. The Wild Taoist Sect, the Wild Buddha Sect, and Xinhua Academy are all behemoths. The Wild Taoist Sect and Wild Buddha Sect have suffered heavy losses, but they will inevitably vent their rage on you. Fenglin State can’t protect you."

"If they truly decide to kill you, they will exhaust every possible means to do so. But a Prefecture-level City is different."

"The city is filled with masters. On top of that, Nanxing Prefecture itself just went through a major reshuffle, so it’s difficult for more experts from the outside to infiltrate. You would only need to deal with the Demonic Forces already within the city limits. This is a form of protection. A dangerous one, to be sure, but protection nonetheless. That is the second point."

"Another valid point," Shen Bai conceded.

It was just as Lord Qian had said. Compared to facing the entire Wild Taoist Sect of Great Zhou, the Prefecture-level City was ironically the safer place to be.

These Demonic Forces didn’t play by any rules of honor. Shen Bai was now a tall tree catching the wind, and his enemies would jump at any chance to snuff him out in the cradle.

"And what else?" Shen Bai asked. "It seems you aren’t finished, Lord Qian."

Qian Wu nodded and continued, "Within Nanxing Prefecture, there remain fifteen Deceitful Objects, all of which you may use at your discretion. That is part of it. Furthermore, you will have free rein over everything there."

"Lord Yin said that on any matter, you are to act first and report later. As long as you don’t do something that affects the very destiny of Nanxing Prefecture, you may act for your own convenience."

Shen Bai raised an eyebrow. "By that logic, wouldn’t I basically become a local Duke?"

Qian Wu burst out laughing. "I know what you’re trying to say. You mean a ’local emperor.’ Don’t you worry, our Saint Martial Emperor, His Majesty, doesn’t get hung up on such proverbs. You’re right. It is exactly as you imagine."

"A fledgling needs to leave the nest to fly, so the mother eagle will give it a strong wind to help it take flight. Are all these reasons, when taken together, enough for you?"

Before Shen Bai could even react to these words, Liu Wufeng and Elder Mu exchanged a look, the utter astonishment clear in each other’s eyes.

Every one of the three points Lord Qian had made was incredibly tempting.

First, it meant a rise in status. In the future, even Liu Wufeng would have to address Shen Bai as Lord Shen.

Second, while their current situation seemed peaceful and safe, it was actually brimming with hidden crises.

By going to the recently-purged Nanxing Prefecture, Shen Bai would have ample time to develop his strength and gain a buffer.

Third, Shen Bai would be like a local emperor there, with more than ten Deceitful Objects at his disposal.

Any one of these points was enough to make a person wild with desire.

Shen Bai mulled it over for a moment, then clasped his hands behind his back and nodded. "Alright. I’ll do it. I appreciate you making the trip, Lord Qian."