There were many demon cultivators living in the Capital, but most were wandering demons who had left their homes and tribes behind, without the protection of their own kind. To better integrate into human society, they maintained lifestyles similar to humans—going to work each day, earning money, and saving up to buy homes.
In the country's Capital, when demons gathered together, those who owned apartments in good school districts would attract envious glances from lesser demons. Similarly, those who worked at Fortune 500 companies would hold their heads high when chatting with others.
When news spread that Lord Heavenly Dao would visit the Capital, the local demons had been working themselves to the bone, determined not to lose face to those traditional demons from the countryside who looked down on them.
After discovering that Lord Heavenly Dao disliked demon cultivators approaching him, they immediately switched to curry favor with Shen Changan instead. After all, all roads lead to Rome—the method of transportation doesn't matter as long as you reach your destination.
Shen Changan was stunned by their overwhelming enthusiasm. Sitting in the luxury car and watching the scenery zip past the window, he worried whether the Security Department personnel would suspect him of showing off when they saw him arrive in a luxury car.
In the pavilion, Dao Nian studied the Go board before him. He placed a black stone on the left, contemplated it for a moment, then placed a white stone on the right.
"Master, Mr. Shen has left." Shen Tu stood outside the pavilion, watching the silent Dao Nian with trepidation. Whenever his master played Go against himself, major events would unfold.
"I know." Dao Nian lifted his gaze from the board. "The demon cultivators in the Capital are quite sensible. They'll take good care of him."
Shen Tu's expression shifted slightly. Compared to those demon cultivators guarding the Beast Tribe's Divine Temple, the demons in the Capital were far more worldly and knew better how to please Master.
"Someone is obscuring Heaven's secrets. What do you think they're planning?" Dao Nian toyed with two Go stones, one black and one white, making them click together with a crisp sound.
Shen Tu's eyes flickered. "Master, who in this world could possibly obscure Heaven's secrets?"
"Indeed, who could accomplish such a thing in this day and age?" Dao Nian tossed away the stones, stood up from his wheelchair, and vanished.
"Master?!" Shen Tu's heart lurched. Looking up, he saw the smog-filled sky suddenly clear to perfect blue, and he froze in realization.
For beings like them, the mortal realm's air pollution made little difference. For him to clear away the smog before leaving was for… Shen Changan?
Master is becoming more and more like a being capable of emotions.
"Mr. Shen, please go right in. I'll wait for you here." Gou Cheng opened the door for Shen Changan with a bright smile. "If anything happens, just call me. I'll rush in immediately."
"It's fine, I'm just going in to make a report." Shen Changan's smile twitched slightly. He was only going to give a work report, not enter negotiations. Dao Nian's employees are too serious.
Passing through the building's entrance, Shen Changan underwent multiple security checks and identity verifications before finally entering the main office area. The interior wasn't the grand, opulent space he'd imagined, but rather a scene of bustling activity.
Employees, some in uniform, others not, hurried past him, clutching various documents, barely sparing him a glance.
"Excuse me, where is the Security Department Director's office?"
A man pointed toward the third floor without looking up. Shen Changan dodged two staff members hurrying his way and started climbing the stairs.
After a few steps, he noticed that these ordinary-looking stairs were equipped with layers of security systems. Even an inconspicuous potted plant contained alarm sensors.
His steps slowed briefly, but he didn't stop, continuing upward. Staff members occasionally passed by, making Shen Changan feel like the most superfluous person in the entire building.
Countless surveillance cameras recorded Shen Changan's every move from various angles, while department heads sat behind monitors, watching the young man on screen without blinking.
"He's noticed the security systems in the corridor."
"Watch his expression when he looks at the flower pot—he definitely spotted something inside it."
"Despite everyone's indifferent attitude, he hasn't shown any timidity. He's a young man with remarkable fortitude."
Just as Shen Changan reached the second-floor landing, a beautiful young woman hurried past, accidentally dropping her folder, scattering documents everywhere.
"I'm sorry, these documents might be confidential, so I can't help you pick them up." Shen Changan stepped back two paces.
"It's fine." The beautiful woman smiled, bending down to collect the papers. Her graceful figure was almost impossible to look away from.
But after spending time with Dao Nian, Shen Changan had become immune to both male and female beauty. Not only did he not look twice while she picked up the documents, he gentlemanly averted his gaze entirely.
"Cautious, clear-headed, and immune to beauty's temptation," one director commented with slight regret. "It's just a pity his appearance is too striking, otherwise he'd make an excellent recruit." Still, seeing his outstanding qualities made them feel relieved—at least he had sufficient ability to protect himself.
"Our department has no appearance requirements." Without anyone provoking Director Zhao, he had reverted to his usual amiable demeanor. "Anyway, if he ever decides to join the Security Department, none of you can compete with me for him."
"We won't compete with you, but which team he chooses to join won't be your decision," another director said seriously. "Talent is rare, and we must respect talented individuals' preferences."
Zhao He snorted—he knew these old foxes weren't to be trusted.
After watching the beautiful young lady leave, Shen Changan climbed to the third floor, where someone was already waiting: "Mr. Shen? Please follow me, the leaders will be here shortly."
Seeing this uniformed young man's polite smile, Shen Changan felt he'd finally returned to reality—at least someone was willing to look him in the eye.
Following the uniformed officer into a room, he saw only one desk and chair in the center, while several tables were arranged against the wall. The setup strongly resembled an interview scene.
"Please have a seat." The uniformed officer pointed to the lone desk and chair.
Perfect. Shen Changan understood—this really was going to be a tripartite trial.
Less than three minutes after he sat down, five or six people filed in. He recognized the last person from Wuming City, back when he didn't know he'd caught a plague ghost, this leader who seemed very kind, praised him repeatedly.
"Hello, leaders." Shen Changan stood up.
"Comrade Xiao-Shen, please sit down. Let's talk slowly." Director Wang gave Shen Changan a warm smile. No one would've guessed that just days ago, he'd been the most opposed to Shen Changan joining the Security Department.
"The reason we called you to the Capital is mainly to inquire about your life and work situation these past few years." Director Wang said. "We absolutely respect your personal choices and won't force you to do anything. We just need to explain some things about your physical condition."
Shen Changan knew they wanted to discuss his Ten-Lifetimes Meritorious Body, so he nodded silently.
"Your constitution is rather special compared to ordinary people, as you must be aware."
Shen Changan continued nodding.
"We've specifically researched many related records, but there's little documentation regarding cases like yours. We've compiled a summary which might not be entirely accurate, but we hope it'll be helpful."
"Based on initial analysis, you might be what legends call a Ten-Lifetimes Meritorious Body. Such individuals, after reaching adulthood, possess a constitution that inspires awe in ghosts and spirits, but also seems particularly prone to attracting supernatural occurrences. In young people's terms, you have a protagonist's 'trouble magnet' physique."
"But don't worry too much. As long as justice remains in your heart, you will be immune to all evil." Zhao He took over, explaining to Shen Changan in detail. "If this were several hundred years ago, you might have become a holy priest or something similar. It's a pity, modern society doesn't place much value on such things.
Shen Changan: "..."
Not at all, thank you.
The precautions these leaders mentioned weren't much different from what Grandpa Zhang and Master Yanyin had told him. As they continued, Shen Changan thought they would again invite him to join the Security Department, but surprisingly, the military-uniformed leader sitting in the middle said: "We know you're unwilling to join the Security Department, and we fully respect your choice. I have some photos of your father from his youth—I thought you might want these."
He pulled out a document envelope and walked over to Shen Changan. "Your father was a remarkable man."
Shen Changan took the envelope, gently untied the string around the clasp, and took out a thick stack of photographs. Most were group photos of his father with others, taken when he was about Shen Changan's current age.
Shen Changan went through them one by one. When he reached the last one, his hand stopped.
This picture showed his father standing in front of a tent, with a few twinkling stars visible in the hazy sky. His father's skin was gleaming dark, flashing bright white teeth in a smile, with eagles soaring in the blue sky above.
It was a photo taken in the early morning.
"This is the last photo of your father before he passed away." Seeing Shen Changan hanging his head silently, the military leader gently patted his shoulder. "I think you should be the one to keep it."
"Thank you." Shen Changan carefully gathered the photos, stood up, and bowed deeply to the uniformed military leader.
"Good boy." The military leader smiled, his eyes reddening slightly. "I heard you attended university here in the Capital. Since you're here, stay in the capital for a few more days."
"Yes." Shen Changan nodded. "I came with a friend this time. I'd like to show him around."
"That's good, that's good." The military leader wanted to say more, but seeing Shen Changan's hands tightly gripping the document envelope, he felt all words would be pale.
Facing such a child, no one had the heart to speak harshly. When Shen Changan left, Zhao He even personally escorted him downstairs.
"If you ever change your mind, you can come find me anytime. The doors of our Special Division will always be open for you." As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao He's expression changed slightly. There seems to be a... strange aura lingering around?
A ghost?
No, which ghost dares to appear at the gate of the Security Department? Does it feel reincarnation is not fun and wants to be exterminated instead?
"Mr. Shen, are you done?" Gou Cheng approached with a beaming smile. "How about we go get something to eat?"
Zhao He glanced at Gou Cheng. This person seems to have a strange aura as well.
But his cultivation level was too low to discern anything clearly. He could only watch as Shen Changan left in a luxury car.
Luxury car?
Zhao He suddenly became alert—was someone trying to corrupt Shen Changan with material possessions, trying to steal him away from them?
While Zhao He in the Capital was still worrying about how to retain talent, the Beast Tribe's Divine Temple was thrown into endless panic by Heavenly Dao's sudden arrival.