Chapter 18 Conferment of Titles

Over the next few days, all the trainee Demon Suppressors continued to practice the "Mountain-Slaying Style" under Zhao Shan's guidance and tried to master all three forms of the "Demon-Subduing Blade Technique".

After days of arduous training, although everyone's progress was slow, their breathing became much more steady, and a sharper edge appeared between their brows.

Shen Lian sheathed his sword and took a deep breath.

After several days of repeated practice, he has been able to initially connect the "Mountain Splitting Style," "Wave Cutting Style," and "Mountain Breaking Style."

When the three moves are executed in succession, the sword strikes are continuous, combining both strength and gentleness.

The "Mountain-Breaking" interception technique is particularly effective, often disrupting the opponent's rhythm and seizing the initiative in simulated sparring.

[Martial Arts]: Tiger-Taming Stance (Minor Success) (4/5), Demon-Subduing Blade Technique (Minor Success) (2/5)

The "Tiger-Taming Stance" is only one step away from mastery, and the "Demon-Taming Blade Technique" is also steadily progressing towards minor mastery.

Shen Lian could feel his internal energy and blood becoming more and more abundant, and he was able to control his power more easily.

"Brother Lian, your swordsmanship is getting more and more frightening." Li Hu came over, his face full of admiration. "When you were sparring with Lin Hao just now, your 'Mountain-Splitting Style' interrupted his attack and he almost lost control of his sword."

Lin Hao was second only to Wang Lin in strength among all the trainee Demon Suppressors, but he was easily defeated by Shen Lian in just a few moves.

Shen Lian shook his head and said, "I'm still far from it. I've only just touched the threshold. I'm afraid I'm still not good enough to face demons."

Li Hu sighed, "This 'Demon-Subduing Blade Technique' is indeed not easy to master. I've practiced it for so long, but I still haven't been able to fully understand it."

Shen Lian patted him on the shoulder: "Everything must be done step by step. As long as you persist in practicing hard every day, you will master it sooner or later."

Li Hu nodded emphatically upon hearing this.

The assembly bell rang over the training ground.

Zhao Shan strode over, followed by two junior officers, Chen Biao and Sun Yan. The three of them had solemn expressions and their eyes swept over all the trainee demon slayers present.

"Everyone, line up and assemble!" Zhao Shan shouted.

The thirty trainee demon slayers quickly stood in three neat rows, each one upright and their aura much calmer.

After months of hard training, they have shed their initial naiveté and gained a sharper edge.

Zhao Shan stood with his hands behind his back, looked at everyone and slowly said, "Since you entered the Demon Suppression Division, you have been practicing stance training, swordsmanship and learning to identify demons every day."

Today, the Demon Suppression Division officially bestows upon you the title of "Demon Suppression Envoy"! From this moment forward, you are true Demon Suppression Envoys.

Upon hearing this, the many trainee demon slayers were overjoyed.

Conferring of ranks!

I've been in the Demon Suppression Division for three whole months now, and I've been practicing stance training and swordsmanship every day for the sake of becoming a formal Demon Suppression Envoy.

Shen Lian exhaled, his heart filled with excitement.

After three months of hard work, I have finally earned my recognition.

"Being awarded a title is not just an honor, but also a responsibility." Zhao Shan's gaze swept over each young face. "Qinghe County is going through a turbulent time. Evil spirits lurk, and the people are filled with fear. As demon-suppressing envoys, we should protect the peace of this region."

"Now, confer ranks!"

After Zhao Shan gave the order, Chen Biao and Sun Yan immediately directed several Demon Suppression Envoys to step forward, carrying sets of brand-new flying fish robes. The robes and cuffs were embroidered with the unique swirling cloud patterns of the Demon Suppression Division. Each flying fish robe had a copper waist tag with the words "Demon Suppression" engraved in the center and the name and number engraved on the back.

The crowd held their breath, staring intently at the flying fish robe that symbolized status.

Zhao Shan personally picked up the first flying fish suit.

"Shen Lian, step forward!"

"yes!"

"Yes!" Shen Lian strode forward, knelt on one knee, and raised his hands above his head.

Zhao Shan solemnly placed the flying fish robe and waist token into his hands, and said in a deep voice, "From this day forward, you are the official Demon Suppression Envoy of the Qinghe County Demon Suppression Division. I hope you will fulfill your duties diligently, protect the people, slay demons and monsters, and live up to the reputation of this robe and token!"

"Your subordinate obeys! I will not fail the Commander-in-Chief or the Demon Suppression Division!" Shen Lian's voice was firm as he steadily held the heavy flying fish robe and waist token in his hands.

Subsequently, Zhao Shan conferred ranks on 29 people, including Wang Lin, Lin Hao, and Chen Yun. With each name called, one person stepped forward, knelt on one knee to receive the rank.

Soon, all thirty newly appointed Demon Suppressors changed into brand-new flying fish robes, with bronze waist tags hanging from their waists, gleaming with a unique metallic luster.

They stood in a line, their bodies as straight as pine trees.

Zhao Shan looked at the crowd in the training ground and said, "From now on, you will shoulder the responsibility of Demon Suppressors. Recently, a womanizer has been appearing in Qinghe County, and so far, several young women have been assaulted. Your first task as Demon Suppressors is to arrest this womanizer and bring him to justice."

Catching the flower thief?

Everyone was stunned upon hearing this. No one expected that their first task after becoming official Demon Suppressors would be to capture a flower thief.

"Commander, what are the other party's characteristics?" Wang Lin asked.

Zhao Shan said in a deep voice: "The flower thief has committed the crime three times recently, in Guihua Lane in the west of the city, Huai Shu Hutong in the east of the city, and Liutiao Lane in the south of the city."

The crimes were committed between midnight and early morning, targeting mostly women living alone or young women whose husbands were away. The perpetrator possessed exceptional agility, quickly scaling walls and escaping after each theft, leaving virtually no trace at the scene.

Chen Biao added, "The county constables twice set up ambushes to try to arrest him, but he noticed them in advance and escaped."

Sun Yan distributed several case files: "These are the interrogation records of all the victims and the crime scene investigation records. Although there aren't many details, you can still find some patterns. Your task is to conduct surveillance in the areas where he might commit crimes, and try to catch him red-handed the next time he strikes."

Zhao Shan smiled and said, "I'll entrust this case to you newly appointed Demon Suppressors for two reasons. First, although this thief is despicable, his combat strength is not high. He should be a beginner in the Body Tempering Realm, which is perfect for you to practice on. Second, the main force of the Demon Suppressor Division is still investigating the mastermind behind the missing persons case, and we are short-handed. You are now official Demon Suppressors and have the power to enforce the law, but you must also remember the law. Although this person is a lecherous thief, his crime does not warrant death. The main focus should be on capturing him."

"yes!"

The newly appointed Demon Suppression Envoys were excited. This was their first mission, and they naturally hoped to capture the flower thief successfully.

Inside the government office.

Shen Lian picked up a scroll and began to study it carefully.

He discovered that the flower thief's targets were not randomly chosen.

The victims mostly came from middle-class families, with houses of a certain size, but weak security, and the houses were often located near back doors or alleys, making it easy to escape.

Furthermore, the intervals between his crimes have been continuously shortening, from once every half month initially to about every ten days recently, indicating that his arrogance is gradually increasing.

He unfolded a map of Qinghe County and circled three places with a charcoal pencil.

Osmanthus Lane in the west of the city, Locust Tree Alley in the east of the city, and Willow Alley in the south of the city.

This is the location of the flower thief's three most recent crimes.

Judging from the trajectory, the flower thief seemed to be circling around the city, but he always avoided the areas near the Demon Suppression Bureau and the county government office.

This suggests that the flower thief was familiar with the streets and alleys and most likely had lived in Qinghe County for a long time.

Moreover, the other party is a meticulous person.

Otherwise, it would have been impossible for him to escape from the county government's ambush twice.

Capturing the other person is by no means easy.