207: Chapter 207: Urban Management Officers

Xiao Ran knew City Lord Li Qingge had investigated him.

With the influence of a Body Integration Stage expert, uncovering his identity was as easy as a flick of the wrist.

Fortunately, City Lord Li Qingge didn't press him further; he simply picked up a token from the desk and handed it to Xiao Ran.

"This is your reward."

Xiao Ran took the token and looked down at it.

The token was pitch black, with two words engraved on the front—Patrol Guard.

The back was engraved with the pattern of the Sword Qi Great Wall, and that golden Sword Intent looked lifelike.

"Patrol Guard?"

Xiao Ran was stunned.

City Lord Li Qingge nodded: "Yes, Patrol Guard."

"A squad leader of the Sword Qi Great Wall Patrol Guard, managing twenty subordinates, responsible for the public security of the city's eastern district."

Xiao Ran's mouth twitched.

Patrol Guard?

Isn't that just city management?

He, a Demon Son of the Eternal Night Demon Sect and a Soul Transformation Stage expert, was actually going to be a city manager?

City Lord Li Qingge seemed to read his mind and smiled.

"What? You look down on it?"

Xiao Ran shook his head hurriedly: "No, no, it's just..."

City Lord Li Qingge waved his hand: "You might not know that although the name 'Patrol Guard' sounds ordinary, in the Sword Qi Great Wall, the authority of the Patrol Guard is not small."

"The shops, inns, and restaurants in the eastern district are all under the jurisdiction of the Patrol Guard."

"Who opens a shop, who closes down, who pays taxes, and who causes trouble—it's all up to the Patrol Guard."

He paused and looked at Xiao Ran.

"Furthermore, the squad leader of the Patrol Guard can report directly to the City Lord's Manor."

"In other words, if you have any issues in the future, you can come directly to me."

Xiao Ran's heart jolted.

Report directly to the City Lord?

This power was indeed not small.

"Thank you, City Lord."

He quickly stood up and cupped his hands.

City Lord Li Qingge waved his hand: "No need for thanks, this is what you deserve."

"Go on, report to the Patrol Guard."

"The captain there is named Han Tie; he's a rough fellow but a good man. I've already spoken to him, so work well with him."

Xiao Ran stood up and took his leave.

Walking out of the City Lord's Manor, Xiao Ran looked at the token in his hand.

Patrol Guard Squad Leader?

He, a Demon Son, had actually become a city manager.

If Li Changsheng found out, he'd probably laugh his head off.

Through the Soul Link, Li Changsheng's voice came through: "Xiao Ran, how are things on your end?"

Xiao Ran: "The City Lord gave me the position of Patrol Guard Squad Leader."

Li Changsheng was stunned: "Patrol Guard? Isn't that just city management?"

Xiao Ran: "..."

Li Changsheng burst into loud laughter: "City management! Xiao Ran, you've become a city manager! Hahaha!"

Xiao Ran's expression shifted.

"It seems you don't know how much power I have. Do you believe I'll take my men to inspect your shop?"

That's right, Li Changsheng also intended to follow Xiao Ran's lead and open a shop.

Except he was opening a restaurant.

Li Changsheng immediately stopped laughing.

"Wait, wait, wait, I was wrong."

"But seriously, the Patrol Guard has a lot of power in the Sword Qi Great Wall. Work hard; it'll make things easier for us in the Far North Land later."

Xiao Ran nodded: "I know. I'm done talking to you; I need to go report in."

He cut the link and headed toward the eastern district.

The eastern district, Patrol Guard Station.

This was a small courtyard with gray walls and black tiles. Two locust trees stood by the entrance, and under their shade, several Patrol Guards in black uniforms were drinking tea and chatting.

When they saw Xiao Ran approaching, they quickly stood up.

"Halt! What's your business?"

A burly man with a face full of scars blocked his path.

Xiao Ran took out his token: "The new Patrol Guard Squad Leader, here to report."

The burly man was stunned. He took the token, glanced at it, and his expression changed.

"You're Xiao Ran? The Xiao Ran who saved the Monster Hunting Team?"

Xiao Ran nodded.

The burly man hurriedly stepped aside, his face beaming with smiles: "My apologies! Captain Xiao, please come in! Captain Han is inside waiting for you."

Xiao Ran entered the courtyard and walked down a corridor to a room.

The door was open, and inside sat a middle-aged man with a dark complexion, a sturdy build, and bright, piercing eyes.

Void Refinement Peak.

"Captain Han?" Xiao Ran asked.

The middle-aged man looked up and stared at him: "You're Xiao Ran?"

Xiao Ran nodded: "Yes."

Han Tie stood up, sized him up, and nodded.

"Not bad, you look like you're here to work. Sit."

Xiao Ran took a seat.

Han Tie poured him a cup of tea and pushed it toward him.

"I heard about what happened yesterday."

"You saved the Monster Hunting Team and brought honor to our Patrol Guard."

"In the past, those high-level Cultivators in the city looked down on the Patrol Guard, calling us watchdogs."

"Now it's better; the Patrol Guard has produced a hero. Let's see who dares look down on us now."

Xiao Ran picked up the teacup and took a sip: "Captain Han, you flatter me."

Han Tie waved his hand: "I'm a rough man; I like to speak the truth."

"Do you know who that Captain Zhao you saved yesterday is?"

Xiao Ran shook his head.

Han Tie said: "Captain Zhao is the younger brother of the Monster Hunting Team's General Captain, who is a Body Integration Stage expert."

"By saving his brother, it's equivalent to him owing you a favor. If you have any trouble in the Sword Qi Great Wall in the future, looking for him will surely be right."

Xiao Ran's heart stirred.

This was an unexpected pleasant surprise.

Han Tie then gave him an introduction to the Patrol Guard's situation.

The Patrol Guard was divided into three large battalions, with each battalion overseeing five squads.

Han Tie was the Captain of the Second Battalion, managing five squads and about a hundred people.

Xiao Ran was the leader of the Third Squad, with twenty men under him, responsible for the security of the eastern district.

"The eastern district is the most prosperous part of the Sword Qi Great Wall, filled with shops, inns, and restaurants, and the crowd is quite mixed."

"Your task is to maintain order, handle disputes, collect taxes, and catch thieves."

"If someone causes trouble, warn them first. If they don't listen, arrest them."

"Once arrested, send them to the Patrol Guard prison; they'll behave after a few days in lockup."

Perhaps the City Lord really had spoken to him, as Han Tie explained everything to Xiao Ran point by point.

Xiao Ran nodded repeatedly.

Finally, Han Tie stood up.

"Come, I'll take you to meet your team members."

The two walked out of the room and into the courtyard.

Twenty people were already standing in the courtyard, wearing black uniforms with long sabers at their waists, standing straight.

When they saw Han Tie come out, they shouted in unison: "Captain Han!"

Han Tie waved: "Alright, stop shouting."

"This is your new squad leader, Xiao Ran. You'll be working under him from now on."

Twenty pairs of eyes snapped toward Xiao Ran.

There was curiosity, scrutiny, and even a hint of defiance in their gazes.

A young man who looked even younger than them—on what basis could he be their leader?

Xiao Ran saw the look in their eyes and knew what they were thinking.

He didn't explain; he just said calmly: "My name is Xiao Ran. Follow me from now on, and I won't let you down."

Although some were unconvinced, no one dared to give Xiao Ran a hard time at this moment.

So they immediately responded.

"Understood!"

Han Tie patted Xiao Ran's shoulder: "Alright, get yourself familiar with the environment. I'm off."

He turned and left.

Xiao Ran looked at the twenty men.

"Let's go, take me for a tour around the eastern district."

The twenty men followed him out of the courtyard and toward the eastern district.

The eastern district was the most prosperous street of the Sword Qi Great Wall.

Shops lined both sides of the street: restaurants, tea houses, inns, pharmacies, Magical Artifact shops... everything was there.

Pedestrians were like a woven fabric, traffic flowed like water, and the sounds of hawking, chatting, and bargaining intertwined, creating an incredibly lively atmosphere.

Xiao Ran walked in front, with the twenty Patrol Guards following behind him in two neat columns, their steps synchronized.

Their black uniforms were particularly striking in the sunlight, and the long sabers at their waists reflected a cold glint.

Passersby made way one after another, whispering among themselves.

"A new Patrol Guard squad leader? So young?"

"I heard it's that Xiao Ran who saved the Monster Hunting Team!"

"For real? Someone so young could save the Monster Hunting Team?"

"I'm telling you, he's a Soul Transformation Stage expert!"

Xiao Ran was a bit surprised as he listened to these discussions.

He hadn't expected that he would already be famous before even officially starting his duties.