Before the grand and imposing prefectural yamen.
Two teams of soldiers in red armor stood quietly.
Exuding a palpable aura of killing intent.
Even Chen Nan was moved by it.
It wasn't just the killing intent they exuded.
More importantly, all these individuals were late-stage Soul Gathering realm powerhouses.
This was quite outrageous.
Considering that when he first arrived in the Underworld.
The strongest person he had encountered was Yuan Zun.
And Yuan Zun at that time was merely at the peak of the Soul Gathering realm.
Even when facing the Form Transformation realm Yue Shan, and that green-eyed zombie, he was powerless.
However.
Upon arriving at Guangling Prefecture, he discovered.
That the Soul Gathering realm was truly everywhere.
Indeed.
The strength of a prefectural city was in no way comparable to Tongcheng.
Actually, this was also understandable.
Tongcheng was equivalent to a county-level city in the mortal realm.
It didn't even count as a prefecture-level city.
While Guangling Prefecture was comparable to a provincial capital city in the mortal realm.
Tian Bo explained, "They are from the Demon Suppression Division!"
"The Demon Suppression Division is an independent entity within Guangling Prefecture."
"They are solely responsible for investigating bizarre and strange cases in the martial world."
"And to join the Demon Suppression Division."
"One must possess a cultivation level of Soul Gathering realm or above!"
Chen Nan understood.
He then followed Tian Bo into the prefectural yamen.
At this moment, many officials from Guangling Prefecture had already gathered on both sides of the yamen entrance.
Most of them were third, fourth, or fifth-rank Yin Messengers.
Without exception.
Apart from the third-rank Yin Messengers who appeared somewhat young.
The fourth and fifth-rank Yin Messengers were all middle-aged or elderly.
After all, it was extremely difficult to become a high-ranking Yin Messenger.
When Chen Nan appeared.
Those Yin Messengers cast looks of disbelief.
They had heard that the newly appointed sixth-rank Yin Messenger was very young.
But they never expected him to be a young man in his twenties.
However.
Sensing that his cultivation was only at the eighth level of the Form Transformation realm.
Many of them showed disdain.
Because many people present had cultivation levels far exceeding Chen Nan's.
Of course.
Some also showed awe towards Chen Nan.
Despite his young age.
There was a powerful and calm aura emanating from his every move.
He did not appear timid simply because he was new to Guangling Prefecture.
Putting aside other matters.
This presence alone was enough to impress.
Subsequently, Chen Nan followed Tian Bo to the courtroom of the Guangling Prefecture yamen.
Yuan Zun, dressed in official attire, sat on the main hall.
Beside him was a middle-aged man with thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a cold expression.
He was also wearing the official uniform of a sixth-rank Yin Messenger.
Moreover, his features bore a striking resemblance to Song Ziwei.
Without needing to guess, it was obvious.
He was undoubtedly Song Ziwei's biological father.
Song Linhui, the Provincial Governor of Guangling Prefecture.
In addition, there were other high-ranking officials from the Guangling Prefecture yamen.
Chen Nan noticed the killing intent in Song Linhui's eyes as he looked at him, but he remained fearless. He bowed and saluted, "Your subordinate Chen Nan greets Lord Yuan, and Lord Song!"
Yuan Zun laughed heartily, "We are all sixth-rank Yin Messengers, Lord Chen need not stand on ceremony!"
Chen Nan produced a letter and respectfully said, "Half a month ago, this subordinate received an appointment letter from the Great Emperor, assigning me to report to Guangling Prefecture!"
"I am here today to submit my report!"
The scribe quickly stepped forward and handed the official document to Yuan Zun.
Yuan Zun took it, glanced at it, and then asked, "Since you received the appointment letter half a month ago, why are you only reporting today, Lord Chen?"
As soon as these words were spoken.
The atmosphere in the courtroom abruptly dropped to a freezing point.
Everyone felt the air grow thin.
There was a suffocating sensation.
Because many people knew that Chen Nan had been ambushed.
And the mastermind behind the ambush was sitting beside Yuan Zun.
Now, Yuan Zun openly mentioning this matter.
Was tantamount to tearing down the facade with Song Linhui.
As expected.
Song Linhui's expression became even more somber.
He seemed surprised that Yuan Zun would ask this question.
Was this a declaration of war?
Of course.
None of that mattered.
What was important was how Chen Nan would answer.
His answer would directly determine his future situation in Guangling Prefecture.
And it would also determine whether he would be an enemy or a friend to Song Linhui.
"I reply to Your Lordship, this is this subordinate's fault!" Chen Nan bowed, "When I was coming to Guangling Prefecture, I encountered a few stray cats and dogs."
"They wanted to bite me, so I chased and beat them!"
"It's my fault for being too young and hot-headed."
"I shouldn't have bothered with a pack of stray cats and dogs."
"It is precisely because of this that it delayed my reporting time."
As soon as these words were spoken.
Everyone felt their scalps tingle.
A chilling sensation spread through them.
No one had expected Chen Nan to be so audacious.
To equate those who ambushed him to stray cats and dogs.
This was practically in front of Song Linhui.
And in the faces of the Yin Messengers of Guangling Prefecture.
He was shamelessly slapping Song Linhui's face!
This young man!
He was truly too arrogant, showing no regard for Song Linhui!
The moment Chen Nan killed Ji Tai Mei.
He and Song Linhui had stood in absolute opposition.
He could not afford to show any leniency.
Compared to the shock of others.
Yuan Zun was aware of Chen Nan's straightforward and passionate personality.
He said, "Since there was a reason for the delay, this matter will be set aside for now."
"There is something I would like to ask Lord Chen."
"Do you know who wanted to harm you?"
"If you have any evidence, you can present it."
"Although you hold no official position at the moment, you are, after all, a sixth-rank Yin Messenger of the imperial court."
"Daring to harm an imperial court's sixth-rank Yin Messenger."
"This is already a crime punishable by extermination of the nine generations!"
Song Linhui's heart trembled violently.
He thought Yuan Zun merely wanted to use this opportunity to subtly reprimand him.
He never expected him to want to completely eliminate him.
This old fellow was becoming increasingly arrogant.
Showing no regard for him!
Chen Nan smiled, "A dog bit us, how can we bite back?"
"If we did, what would be the difference between us and the dog?"
"Wouldn't you agree, Provincial Governor Song?"
He looked at Song Linhui with a smile.
As soon as these words were spoken.
Countless people felt goosebumps erupt all over them.
What is called a slap in the face?
This was a slap in the face.
For a moment.
Everyone felt a surge of excitement.
Guangling Prefecture had not seen such an assertive Yin Messenger for many years.
His arrival would surely make Guangling Prefecture more lively.
However.
Behind the liveliness, there were bound to be many who became sacrifices.
Song Linhui displayed a faint smile, "Lord Chen speaks wisely, a dog bites us, and we naturally cannot bite back!"
Although he smiled.
His heart was filled with immense killing intent.
Chen Nan, you little brat, you killed my people.
And now you openly insult this official.
Truly going too far.
However.
Engaging in mere verbal sparring is ultimately the act of the incompetent.
You will soon pay the price for your arrogance and presumption!
"Let's not dwell on this!" Yuan Zun changed the subject and said, "Since you were sent by the Great Emperor, we will naturally abide by the Great Emperor's decree and assign you to a suitable post."
Speaking of which, he looked at Song Linhui, "Lord Song, in your opinion, what post should Lord Chen be assigned to?"