Chapter 222: Chapter 133: The Demon-Fiend Suppression Division
Chen Cheng could tell Shen Qingshuang was trying to set him up with Shen Qingxuan—playing the role of a matchmaker.
In terms of looks, Shen Qingxuan couldn’t compare to Mu Xiaowan. She wasn’t even in the same league as Shen Qingshuang or Shen Qingyao.
But she was, after all, a young lady from a Noble Family. Having been raised in luxury with ample nourishment, she was quite well-developed. Combined with her Martial Arts Cultivation, she was by no means unattractive. She could be considered fair-skinned and beautiful with a graceful figure, on par with Shen Qingshuang’s personal handmaiden, Su Zhiqing—a mid-to-upper-tier beauty.
’A woman like her would be barely acceptable as one of my concubines.’
It was just that Chen Cheng didn’t find Shen Qingxuan particularly appealing. He felt none of the heart-pounding thrill of love at first sight.
’Matters between a man and a woman should begin with affection but be bound by courtesy. The heart may be moved, but actions should be restrained. In the end, genuine feelings are what matter.’
Besides, Chen Cheng could sense that Shen Qingxuan was quite cold toward him and showed little sign of favor. In contrast, her cousins Shen Qinghui and Shen Qinghan seemed to admire him, their gazes holding a hint of affection.
Furthermore, neither Shen Qinghui nor Shen Qinghan was inferior to Shen Qingxuan in looks or disposition.
’If he really had to choose among the three of them, those two were actually a better fit.’
Of course, in truth, none of the three truly caught his eye.
’After all, in his eyes, even Shen Qingshuang and Shen Qingyao, hailed as the "Twin Jewels of Linji City," were merely passable. Why would he take a fancy to these three?’
After some careful thought, Chen Cheng gave a diplomatic reply. "Miss Qingxuan is beautiful and her Martial Arts Power is quite formidable. I’m sure many a young prodigy must admire her."
Shen Qingshuang asked quietly, "Does that mean you’ve fallen for my cousin Qingxuan, Junior Brother Chen?"
As a top Celestial Pride Level figure of Linji City’s younger generation, she had always held herself in high esteem. To be playing matchmaker for a subordinate was truly preposterous.
Deep down, she scorned such tasks and was quite averse to them. For other young talents like Yan Jian, she had simply arranged a marriage perfunctorily to deal with the matter.
But Chen Cheng was different. She had watched him rise from a mere Preparatory Constable to become a powerful figure in the eyes of the common folk, governing a district with a population of nearly ten thousand.
In both Martial Arts Talent and strategic intellect, Chen Cheng was extraordinary. But the crucial part was that even as his status and circumstances changed, the pride in his core never wavered. He always maintained that same air of lighthearted calm and unruffled composure.
In her heart, Shen Qingshuang was actually deeply curious. Just what kind of woman from the Shen Family would Chen Cheng choose for a concubine?
It was this intense curiosity that had possessed her to take on the errand.
Chen Cheng’s expression remained neutral. "Miss Qingxuan seems to be an extremely proud person," he said. "I doubt she would take a fancy to me."
Shen Qingshuang was sharp. How could she not understand his meaning? He simply wasn’t that interested in her cousin, Shen Qingxuan. ’After all,’ she thought, ’with a wife as breathtaking as Mu Xiaowan—a true peerless beauty—his standards must be sky-high.’
’As the saying goes, how could a Demon Beast accustomed to feasting on heavenly treasures deign to eat common fare?’
But she had already prepared for this. She waved a hand dismissively. "You needn’t worry about that, Junior Brother Chen. The very fact that my cousin Qingxuan is willing to help you join the Demon Suppression Department shows she has a degree of admiration for you."
Shen Qingshuang sighed softly and continued, "Among the young ladies of the Shen Family, my cousins Qingxuan, Qinghui, and Qinghan have agreed to the possibility of becoming your concubine. The others are unwilling.
"Of the three, my cousin Qingxuan is actually the best match for you. Her Martial Arts Talent is exceptionally high, not far behind my own. At just twenty years of age, she has already achieved Small Success in the Muscle Strengthening Realm.
"Furthermore, she has already spent time training with the Demon Suppression Department, so she’ll be a great help to you in the future.
"You should know that cultivation in the Bone Forging Realm, the stage after the Muscle Strengthening Realm, requires the Bone Tempering Pill. But even a Low Grade Bone Tempering Pill requires materials from a Tier Five Demon Beast to refine, making it far more precious than the Muscle Strengthening Pill.
"Even the Four Great Clans of the Inner City have a very limited annual allotment of Bone Tempering Pills.
"The various clans might be willing to use Muscle Strengthening Pills to cultivate young talents from outside their families, but they would never part with Bone Tempering Pills.
"To be perfectly honest, even my allotment of Bone Tempering Pills from the Shen Family isn’t enough. That’s why I had to join the City Guard Department and struggle all the way to my position as Chief of the South City Guard, which grants me an annual quota of two pills.
"With your Martial Arts Talent, you should be able to reach Muscle Strengthening Realm Perfection within three to five years. At that point, you will need Bone Tempering Pills to continue your cultivation.
"And in Linji City, the most reliable way to obtain Bone Tempering Pills is to join the Demon Suppression Department and exchange them for Merit.
"This is precisely why most disciples from the Four Great Clans of the Inner City choose to join the Demon Suppression Department after reaching the Muscle Strengthening Realm.
"You might not be very familiar with the Demon Suppression Department, so allow me to give you a brief introduction.
"At the founding of the Great Yu Dynasty, three main Government Offices were established: the Demon Suppression Department, the Guard Department, and the Inspection Department. Known collectively as the ’Three Departments,’ their status was superior to all other government bodies.
"Of the Three Departments, the Demon Suppression Department was once the most crucial. Its purpose is to suppress Demon Fiends. For centuries after the Great Yu Dynasty was founded, the land was plagued not only by Demon Beasts, but also by various rampant Demon Sects. The chaos wrought by the Demon Sects was a far greater menace than the beasts.
"Today, the Great Yu Court’s power has waned. The lands are carved up and controlled by various Sects and Noble Families. Our own Linji City is governed by the Great Dao Sect.
"However, the Demon Suppression Department still exists, and it holds the greatest share of Martial Arts Resources.
"In Linji City, it is far more difficult to enter the Demon Suppression Department than the City Guard Department. Even the lowest-ranking position, a Purple-clothed Guard, requires one to have reached Small Success in the Muscle Strengthening Realm."
