Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1267: 418: Seize the Opportunity, Turmoil Brought by the Eldest Young Master, Hongmen Scroll_4

Securing the position of Vice Chief of Punishment in Hongmen City represents a massive opportunity for his career. Should he perform his duties effectively and satisfy the expectations of Xia Chuan and Director Li, his reputation will inevitably flourish. With such backing, he need never worry about lacking the chance to carve out a legacy within Great Xia.

“Are you all intending to crowd around me indefinitely? Entering the Martial Arts Pavilion is no small task; would it not be a foolish waste to ignore your Cultivation time?”

Meanwhile, across the floor, Xia Yuzong concluded his second fist technique sequence. Finding himself cornered by the onlookers, he tilted his head, offered a polite bow with his small hands, and addressed the crowd in his youthful, clear voice.

At these words, the men were shocked back to their senses.

Most hastened to return to their designated training zones, though a handful lingered, casting sidelong glances and showering the boy with accolades.

“The Eldest Young Master’s talent must be the pinnacle of all Xia City, is it not?”

“Not merely Xia City; finding a six-year-old at the Earth-digging Realm anywhere among the Nine Towns would be impossible. To label him the most gifted soul in the Moao South Slope is no exaggeration.”

“Indeed, indeed. At his current speed, I suspect the Eldest Young Master shall shatter through to the Cold Resistance Level while still in his early teens. Truly, the Moao South Slope lacks anyone who could compare to his innate aptitude.”

……

Overhearing these murmurs, Xiang Liang—who had been preparing to depart—paused in his tracks. He glanced back, curious to observe how the young boy might handled such heavy praise.

Upon hearing the crowd’s adulation, Xia Yuzong’s youthful face displayed no vanity, but rather a hint of mild annoyance. He folded his hands in a respectful gesture and spoke: “You flatter me excessively; please, return your focus to your own Cultivation!”

For a six-year-old lad, such composure in the face of widespread praise was genuinely striking.

Those who had lauded him felt the sting of embarrassment, yet none dared offer a retort. They bowed in return and retreated to their assigned duties.

As for those who had already walked away, they turned their gazes back to Xia Yuzong, their eyes shimmering with unmasked admiration.

Xiang Liang was more forthright, watching the boy with a look of profound approval. Regardless of the circumstances, a child of six years who remained unmoved by the adoration of others was extraordinary. Given Xia Yuzong’s noble lineage and status, this humility felt all the more impressive.

“Legend says that when the Eldest Young Master was born six years ago, the Lord himself declared he would become a dragon of the Xia Family. It seems that prophecy is finding its fruition.”

With a faint smile, Xiang Liang turned and exited the Martial Arts Pavilion, his destination home. He needed to prepare himself before presenting his credentials at the Prison Department to see Li Tiancheng.

Wang Yuxiu was delighted to welcome her husband back from his period of seclusion, bustling to tidy the house and prepare a meal for him, clearly overjoyed.

Xiang Liang only remained at home for half an hour before departing for the Prison Department’s main hall. Once the guards had announced him, he strode inside. Seeing Li Tiancheng working diligently at his desk, he offered a deep bow: “Silver Order Prison Warden Xiang Liang presents his respects to the Chief!”

“Eleven mane strength—a commendable feat!”

Stunned by his progression to eleven mane strength in a mere two months, Li Tiancheng looked at Xiang Liang with genuine, heartfelt admiration.

“You are too kind, Chief. If not for the invaluable opportunity gifted to me by the Minister and yourself, I could never have advanced so rapidly.”

Ignoring the modesty, Li Tiancheng waved his hand to bypass the pleasantries. He reached for a blue-bound booklet on his desk and gestured for a guard to deliver it to Xiang Liang.

The sight of the blue cover ignited a suspicion in Xiang Liang’s mind. Once he took the manual and saw the title inscribed on the surface, he realized his instincts were correct.

The cover was clearly embossed with the words “Hongmen Scroll.”

The Prison Department governed the criminal statutes of Great Xia, and as Prison Wardens, their duties spanned investigations, detainments, judicial punishments, and, when circumstances demanded, executions. Such complex operations necessitated rigorous adherence to protocol.

To maintain consistency, the Prison Department distributed scrolls to all districts in Great Xia, divided into red and blue volumes. The red scrolls detailed closed cases finalized by the Headquarters, whereas blue scrolls were reserved for unresolved, active investigations.

The world of the Ice Abyss is fraught with peril. Even in the might of modern Great Xia, the monthly casualty toll remains high. Some vanish, some fall to Cold Beasts, others to Deceitful Monsters, and many to the treachery of fellow humans.

The Prison Department was tasked with unravelling the truths behind these deaths. If the perpetrator was revealed to be a Cold Beast or a Deceitful Monster, the department could rest easily. The true nightmares were human-driven crimes, which demanded a deep dive into motives and identities—be they internal or external. Every detail had to be transparent.

If a case remained unsolved, it languished as a cold case, permanently marked with the name of the investigator, which inevitably damaged their record and potential for promotion. Consequently, all Prison Wardens dreaded the sight of a cold case.

Every station was mandated to keep these dossiers, meaning every station held its own blue scroll. The moment a Prison Warden spotted such a volume, the urge to flee was almost overwhelming.

Now, holding the blue scroll of Hongmen in his own hands, Xiang Liang felt exactly that dread. Furthermore, the thickness of this particular volume was nothing short of staggering. It was heavier than any record he had encountered up to this point.