novellaaa Chapter 98: Zheng Tong's Heart Returns
Chapter 98: Zheng Tong's Heart Returns
The next day, at 3:45 AM, in the Mingli Hall, the council hall of the Demon Suppression Division's branch.
The vermilion gates swung open, and black-armored guards stood at attention, swords at their sides. The atmosphere inside was not much different from usual, yet an undercurrent seemed to be stirring. Deacons, clerks, and captains of various ranks filed in and took their places according to their positions. Several deputy captains and senior inspectors were also already seated.
Zhou Yan sat upright in the main seat, his face calm and expressionless. Only the faint dark circles under his eyes revealed a hint of weariness.
When the time came, Zhou Yan slowly spoke, his voice not loud, but clearly carried throughout the hall: "I have summoned you all today because there are two important personnel matters that need to be decided immediately, so as not to delay official business."
The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to them.
"The first matter," Zhou Yan's gaze swept over everyone, "Captain Liu Xiong led his troops to investigate the strange movements of monsters in Qixing'ao of Mangcang Mountain a few days ago. Yesterday, we received an urgent report that they encountered a rare beast tide and a suspected Core Formation Realm ferocious beast in the valley. Their troops suffered heavy losses, and Captain Liu... is still missing and his fate is unknown."
A low murmur arose from below the hall.
Zhou Yan paused for a moment, then said, "As for Deputy Chief Zhao Kun, he left the city many days ago to investigate a clue in an old case and has not returned since. There is no news of him, and he may have encountered an accident while investigating the case."
This news added to the mystery, and the people below looked at each other and whispered among themselves.
Zhou Yan raised his hand to stop the discussion, and continued, "The military situation is urgent, and the demonic threat has not been eliminated. However, the daily operation of the branch and the stability of the local area cannot be compromised. The positions of the captain and deputy captain are of great importance and cannot be left vacant for even a day. After careful consideration and taking into account the current situation of the branch, I have decided..."
He paused, his gaze falling on Zheng Tong, the deputy head of the criminal investigation unit on his right, who had a thin face and was resting with his eyes closed.
"Zheng Tong is promoted to Deputy Chief of Criminal Affairs, temporarily assuming the position of Chief, and will be in charge of all defense and extermination matters of the branch."
Zheng Tong's eyes, which had been slightly closed, suddenly opened.
In that instant, he felt as if all the sounds around him had faded away. The whispers below, the autumn wind outside the window, even his own breathing and heartbeat seemed to freeze for a moment.
Captain?
These two words cast a huge rock into the desolate lake of his heart.
Years have passed. From a greenhorn in the Demon Suppression Division, he rose step by step to the position of Deputy Chief of Criminal Investigation through his daring, hard work, and rigorous investigation methods. But upon reaching this position, it was as if he had hit an invisible wall. Liu Xiong feared his uprightness, Zhao Kun disliked his rigidity and inflexibility, and his scheming colleagues regarded him as an oddity. Countless important extermination operations were excluded, and countless merits that should have been hiss were glossed over, but he silently kept them in mind and continued to do his job well.
He thought his life would likely end here. He'd remain in that small space of the interrogation room, judging criminals, checking files, until he grew old. Though occasionally a sense of resentment would rise—those who fawned rose to high positions while those who truly did the work were confined to their corners—how unfair the world was. But it was his nature. He'd rather remain a deputy constable forever than learn those obsequious, underhanded tactics.
But now...
Beneath the calm, placid surface of Zheng Tong's gaunt face, a turbulent undercurrent was brewing. Zhou Yan, the chief clerk… would he really promote him, a "cold-blooded" criminal official, to temporarily serve as the head constable at a time like this? Not some senior, more socially adept individual, nor one of Liu Xiong's trusted confidants, but Zheng Tong himself?
An indescribable, scalding torrent surged up his throat, almost causing him to lose his composure. He forcibly suppressed it; the turmoil flashed briefly in his sunken eyes before being replaced by a deeper solemnity.
This is not just a promotion, it is trust, it is a trust, and it is the most important opportunity of his life—perhaps the only one—that allows him to truly realize his ambitions and no longer be hindered by those petty people!
He stood up, his movements still steady, even slower than usual, as if confirming that this was not an illusion. He clasped his hands in a fist salute to Zhou Yan, bowing deeper than ever before, his voice trying his best to remain flat and even, yet a slight, suppressed tremor could still be heard:
"Your humble servant...accepts the order. I will certainly fulfill my duties and live up to your trust."
Every word seemed to be hammered out from the depths of his chest.
Zhou Yan nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to Sun Wenyuan, who was standing to the side and behind the main seat.
"Sun Wenyuan, the head of the document room, is diligent and conscientious, well-versed in documents and records, and has considerable experience in coordination and scheduling. Effective immediately, he is promoted to the position of acting deputy captain, assisting Captain Zheng and this officer in handling the branch's daily affairs and logistical support."
This time, the uproar in the hall was even louder! Although Sun Wenyuan was trusted by Zhou Yan, he was ultimately a civil official. His sudden rise to the high position of deputy commander was truly unexpected by many.
Sun Wenyuan took a deep breath, stepped forward, walked to the center of the hall, and bowed deeply to Zhou Yan. His voice was clear and steady: "Wenyuan thanks you for your promotion, sir! I will certainly work diligently to assist Commander Zheng and you, sir, and fulfill my duties faithfully!"
Looking at the various expressions on the faces below, Zhou Yan slowly said, "In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken. Commander Zheng is experienced and prudent, and Deputy Commander Sun is meticulous and thoughtful; both are the most suitable candidates at present. I hope that all my colleagues will give their full support, work together, overcome these difficult times, and ensure the peace and tranquility of Qingzhou Prefecture."
His words, though calm, carried an undeniable authority. Most people quickly realized—a superior's promotion naturally vacates a position, a common occurrence in officialdom. Zheng Tong's promotion to head constable, and the resulting changes in his position as deputy head of criminal investigation, along with the potential for further personnel changes, presented an opportunity for many present!
Having grasped this point, the surprise and doubt on many faces were quickly replaced by eagerness. Soon, someone stepped forward and loudly echoed, "Your Excellency is wise! Commander Zheng and Deputy Commander Sun are both outstanding individuals, certainly capable of handling the task! We will fully cooperate!"
"Exactly! With Chief Liu unfortunately in danger, the branch needs a pillar like Chief Zheng to stabilize the situation!"
"Deputy Captain Sun is familiar with internal affairs; with his assistance, we'll surely achieve twice the result with half the effort!"
In an instant, voices expressing loyalty and supporting the appointment rose and fell. Any doubts that might have existed before quickly vanished in the face of this overwhelming trend.
Zheng Tong stood there, accepting the congratulations and glances from his colleagues. He seemed oblivious to the sincere, obsequious, or inquisitive looks that fell upon him. His mind was still reeling from the immense shock of the sudden appointment.
The pent-up frustration of these past years, the loneliness of being misunderstood, the dissatisfaction with the unhealthy practices within the branch, and the deep-seated sense of responsibility and ambition that had never been extinguished... all these emotions surged at this moment, ultimately converging into an incredibly clear understanding:
From this moment on, everything was different. Zhou Yan, the person in charge, gave him this knife and this position. If he continued to bury himself in his work and mind his own business as before, he would be letting down this opportunity and failing to live up to his years of perseverance.
He raised his eyes, his gaze passing over his noisy colleagues, and landed on Zhou Yan again. Zhou Yan was also looking at him, his deep eyes filled with scrutiny, expectation, and a heavy trust.
That one glance made Zheng Tong make up his mind.
He suddenly moved.
Amidst the growing clamor in the hall, he pushed aside his colleagues who were trying to offer their congratulations, and with steady yet exceptionally firm steps, walked to an open space in the hall. Then, under the astonished gazes of everyone, he knelt on one knee before Zhou Yan.
"Thump."
The crisp sound of a knee hitting a hard gold brick drowned out all the noise.
The room fell silent instantly.
Zheng Tong straightened his back, clasped his hands together, and raised them above his head. His face, usually so rigid and serious, seemingly devoid of expression, now held an almost solemn gravity. He spoke, his voice not loud, but each word seemed to be uttered with all his might, carrying with crystal clarity throughout the entire Mingli Hall:
"Tong is a mere military man, rigid in nature, and not good at socializing. I am grateful that you, sir, have not abandoned him and have entrusted him with an important task."
He paused, his gaze burning intensely, like a blazing ember:
"From this day forward, my life and my very existence are in the hands of you, sir, and the Qingzhou branch! I will use my sword and my soldiers to protect our branch and safeguard our people! I will uphold discipline and cleanse the corrupt! I will obey orders without hesitation, even unto death! If I break my word today, fail to live up to your trust, or harbor even the slightest selfish thought—"
He raised his head, looked directly at Zhou Yan, and spoke slowly and deliberately:
"Heaven will punish, Earth will destroy!"
The final four words struck like four heavy hammer blows, slamming into everyone's hearts. This was no ordinary statement; it was a blood oath made with the heart of martial arts, with one's own life and future! It meant binding oneself completely to Zhou Yan's ship, with no turning back!
Everyone was stunned by this sudden and solemn oath of allegiance. Even Zhou Yan was moved.
This kneeling, this vow, was powerful and resounding. It not only demonstrated his absolute personal loyalty but also declared to everyone that the once marginalized and rigid official in charge of criminal justice would now assume full power in a completely new capacity. The new power structure had been firmly established in such an undeniable manner.
Zhou Yan rose, quickly stepped down from the main seat, and personally took Zheng Tong's arm, steadily lifting him up. Their eyes met, and Zhou Yan said gently, "Captain Zheng, please rise. I know your character well. I trust you."
Zheng Tong stood up with Zhou Yan's help, feeling the strength and warmth from that hand, and the last trace of unease in his heart turned into determination. He clasped his hands in a fist salute again, but said nothing more.
Zhou Yan's gaze swept over the various expressions on the faces of the people below, and he said loudly, "Since that's how it is, then it's settled. Everyone return to your positions and perform your duties. Dismissed."
"Congratulations, sir!"
Everyone bowed and watched Zhou Yan lead Sun Wenyuan into the inner hall. Immediately, many people gathered around Zheng Tong with complex expressions, their congratulations even more enthusiastic than before, but with a noticeable increase in reverence. Zheng Tong's face remained expressionless; he simply clasped his hands in greeting, his movements concise and powerful.
Outside the Mingli Hall, the autumn sun shone brightly, casting a pale gold hue on the roof tiles of the Demon Suppression Division's branch. A new chapter had quietly begun after this seemingly ordinary yet subtly dramatic meeting. The true undercurrents and strategic maneuvers were slowly unfolding in the deeper, unseen realms. That upright figure kneeling and swearing an oath would become a silent and unwavering cornerstone in this new situation.