Chapter 20: An Unexpected Performance Evaluator

Shanglu was amused by the furtive look on Du Feng’s face and walked over to ask him, “Why are you standing so far away?”

“Lu, the place you live in is famous for being haunted. I don’t dare get too close. If a ghost locks onto me, wouldn’t that be terrible?” Du Feng explained his reason.

Shanglu sized him up, then burst out laughing. “You? Hoping to be haunted by a ghost? Dream on.”

“Huh?” Du Feng didn’t understand. How could being haunted be a good thing?

But he didn’t ask further, only peered into the alley at the haunted house, curious. “Lu, aren’t you afraid to live in a place like this?”

“Why should I be? I find it quite nice.”

“Have you ever met a ghost in that house?”

“Of course. A gentle, virtuous, beautiful, and kind married lady ghost.”

“Hahaha, you really know how to joke, Lu.” Du Feng didn’t believe him, thinking Shanglu was just teasing.

Shanglu didn’t explain further. He was about to head out for the yamen when Du Feng called him back.

“No, Lu, the performance review isn’t at the yamen—it’s at the training ground. I was worried you’d go to the wrong place, so I came to find you specially.”

“The training ground?” Shanglu asked, finally understanding. Because the review involved testing cultivation, the yamen didn’t have enough space for everyone to demonstrate their abilities. The training ground, where the county’s strongmen usually drilled, was spacious enough and had been temporarily designated as the review site.

The two immediately headed for the training ground.

On the way, Shanglu asked, “Why is it just you? Where are the others? Still investigating the strange happenings at Yunhua Mountain?”

“Investigate what? They were diligent for the first few days, and then it was all just for show,” Du Feng said irritably.

He told Shanglu that the other white-clad constables had decided Shanglu wouldn’t pass the review, so they’d already found new positions, just waiting for him to be dismissed so they could “jump ship.” Two of them had even joined Sun Ying, which infuriated Du Feng—he’d argued with them, nearly coming to blows.

“They’re off currying favor with their new boss now, for sure,” Du Feng grumbled. “A bunch of ungrateful wretches.”

Shanglu smiled, apparently unbothered, but curiously asked, “What about you? Did you find a new boss?”

Du Feng shook his head. “I’m not that kind of person! I’m loyal. If I have to find one, it’ll be after you’re officially dismissed.”

“If only you hadn’t added that last part,” Shanglu chuckled, giving Du Feng a deep look before dropping the subject.

He changed the topic, “You had your review a few days ago, right? How did it go?”

The white-clad constables at the yamen weren’t formally appointed; they were like auxiliary police or temporary workers. They had reviews, but each local yamen handled their own.

“Barely passed with a low grade,” Du Feng replied.

“How did you end up with a low grade?”

Shanglu frowned. Du Feng's abilities and attitude shouldn't warrant such a poor evaluation.

“I didn’t bribe the constable,” Du Feng shrugged, his tone full of sarcasm. “For us white-clad constables, getting a good review isn’t about ability—it’s all about silver. All the money I’ve saved was sent home for my mother; I had nothing left to give them, so of course the grade wasn’t good.”

Chatting as they walked, Shanglu and Du Feng soon arrived at the training ground.

Although it was still early, the place was already crowded. Aside from the constables, there were attendants from the black-clad division, laborers from the strongmen’s squad, jail guards, storehouse guards, and the local militia.

Not only were the formally appointed officers present, their white-clad subordinates had come as well to cheer them on. Work could wait, but flattery had to be timely.

Shanglu spotted his own white-clad constables in the crowd. Just as Du Feng had said, they were sticking close to other officers.

These men noticed Shanglu, too. Some looked embarrassed, avoiding eye contact, while others pretended not to see him at all. No matter their reaction, none greeted Shanglu.

“Bah! No loyalty at all!” Du Feng spat on the ground.

Shanglu felt like laughing—the scene before him had a certain absurdity, as if saying, “Let’s not stay in touch anymore; I’m afraid someone might misunderstand.”

Yet, jumping ship now was a bit premature.

Du Feng wanted to argue with them, but Shanglu held him back. They waited a while, and soon the leaders of the three divisions and the heads of the six departments arrived, escorting the registrar and the county magistrate.

Naturally, the registrar and the magistrate didn’t stand out on the field; they sat in a temporary pavilion. The division leaders kept their subordinates in check, waiting for the review officials to arrive.

They waited until the sun was high in the sky before the review officials from the prefecture finally arrived, fashionably late.

The crowd was restless, grumbling and complaining, but when they saw the officials, the entire training ground fell silent in an instant.

Even the most unruly among them were stunned into silence.

For on the robes of the two review officials, fierce tiger patterns were embroidered.

The nation of Ba revered the white tiger as its totem; only one kind of official could wear tiger embroidery—shaman officials.

“Shaman officials! It’s the shaman officials!”

“The review is being overseen by shaman officials!”

“If we catch the eye of a shaman official, can we enter the Shaman Academy? Rise to glory and reach the pinnacle of life?”

After a brief hush, the training ground erupted—shouts and cries of astonishment everywhere.

It wasn’t just the minor officers who were confused; even the registrar and the county magistrate in the pavilion were shocked and bewildered.

What on earth is going on? Why have shaman officials come to our county for the review? Is something major about to happen?

Despite their confusion and unease, the magistrate and the registrar quickly rose to greet the newcomers. According to Ba’s customs, review officials were to be treated as one rank higher, and shaman officials—possessing supernatural powers—were not to be slighted.

Meanwhile, after the surprise, Constable Ma’s face turned ashen. He knew trouble was brewing.

During a previous operation to capture a notorious bandit, everything was going well, but eager for merit, he ordered the constables to take risks. The result: the bandit escaped, and several white-clad constables lost their lives.

Shanglu’s predecessor died during that operation.

To say Constable Ma was responsible would not be an exaggeration.

Because of this, and with his cultivation in decline, Constable Ma’s review was destined to be poor. That’s why he tried to pull strings and bribe his way through.

He thought his money had secured him a passing grade and perhaps a decent evaluation.

But never did he expect that the official he bribed wouldn’t show up—instead, shaman officials had arrived!

Constable Ma’s mind was in turmoil; he felt his prospects in this review were grim.

Sun Ying, beside him, hadn’t noticed his brother-in-law’s panic. His gaze was locked on Shanglu.

Seeing Shanglu surprised, Sun Ying couldn’t help but laugh.

“Haha, stunned, aren’t you? Shaman officials have eyes like hawks—no matter what tricks you try, you can’t cheat before them. You’re sure to fail this review…”

He didn’t finish his sentence before a slap landed hard across his face.

A clear handprint appeared, and his cheek swelled instantly.

Sun Ying clutched his face, eyes full of shock and confusion.

The one who slapped him was none other than Constable Ma.

“Brother… Constable, why did you hit me?”

“You dare curse me to fail the review? Believe it or not, I’ll kill you!” Constable Ma glared, eyes bloodshot, breathing heavily like a wild beast—terrifying.

Sun Ying was frightened, hurriedly explaining, “Curse you? I didn’t—I was talking about Shanglu…”

“Shut up!” Constable Ma, frustrated and irritable, found Sun Ying unbearably noisy and refused to listen.

Sun Ying felt wronged, but didn’t dare argue, swallowing his explanation.

He turned to glare at Shanglu, his gaze poisonous, teeth clenched as he thought:

“It’s all your fault I got slapped! Made me lose face in front of everyone! When the review’s over and you’re dismissed, just wait—I’ll find a way to ruin you!”