Chapter 10: Review

After completing the mission, they returned to report to the Exorcism Bureau.

Chen Jisheng was diligently working at his desk in the Bureau, displaying his exemplary work ethic.

"Governor Chen, we have successfully dealt with the Wang family mansion mission," Shi Xiaohan nodded slightly and placed the jade pendant from her waist on Chen Jisheng's desk. "We should split the credit evenly between me and Gu Xu."

Chen Jisheng took the jade pendant and tapped it twice.

The pendant burst into a colorful glow.

The entire mission unfolded before his eyes in the form of a holographic projection.

Gu Xu and Shi Xiaohan obediently stood beside Chen Jisheng, watching the "replay" together.

Gu Xu called this process "review."

Chen Jisheng once said, "For the Exorcism Bureau, firsthand experience is always our most valuable learning material."

Whenever subordinates returned from a mission, Chen Jisheng would gather them to watch the "replay."

If there were any mishandled or improvable aspects during the mission, Chen Jisheng would immediately point them out and demand that his subordinates remember them well.

Being a cultivator of the Exorcism Bureau was a high-risk job.

In the process of dealing with ghosts, even a small mistake could be fatal.

Perhaps this time, luck was on their side, allowing them to escape unscathed.

But fortune would not always favor them.

If their luck was slightly worse next time, they might end up as a meal for some insignificant ghost or monster due to a trivial oversight.

...

At this moment, Shi Xiaohan was particularly nervous, facing the impending storm. She huddled behind Gu Xu like a trembling quail, lacking her usual confidence and flamboyance.

"Shi Xiaohan?" Chen Jisheng began the criticism.

"I'm here," she replied.

"As a cultivator of the second stage, do you think you're invincible?"

"No, I don't."

"Hmm, still being stubborn. You always rely on your slightly stronger cultivation to think you're unbeatable, treating missions as if they were outings, never bothering to be cautious or use your head. Look, this time the painted-skin ghost played tricks on you, and you fell for it."

"It was despicable and dishonorable, not adhering to martial ethics!" Shi Xiaohan tried to argue.

"Talking about ethics with ghosts and monsters? You must be living in a dream!" Chen Jisheng sneered. "If it weren't for Gu Xu saving you today, you would have either died or suffered greatly!"

Shi Xiaohan lowered her head, and her pitiful eyes glanced at Gu Xu.

Gu Xu took a step forward and cupped his hands. "Governor Chen, this is also my responsibility. I failed to inform her about Madame Wang's abnormal behavior in advance."

But Chen Jisheng completely ignored him.

"Shi Xiaohan, I will deduct one month's salary from you this time. I hope you learn your lesson," Chen Jisheng stared at Shi Xiaohan, delivering her fate with sternness.

Shi Xiaohan let out a sigh of relief.

Luckily, it was just a salary deduction.

For her, it was insignificant.

Last time, when Chen Jisheng punished her by cleaning the Exorcism Bureau's toilet, that was the real ordeal.

Now it was Gu Xu's turn to be nervous.

The opposite of Shi Xiaohan.

As a poor laborer, he wasn't afraid of cleaning toilets but dreaded having his meager salary deducted by Chen Jisheng.

However, at this moment, Chen Jisheng suddenly became pleasant.

"Gu Xu, there are two things I want to discuss with you and get your opinion."

"Sir, please say."

Chen Jisheng's words made Gu Xu feel a bit surprised.

A domineering boss like Chen, who always does things his own way, would actually ask for his opinion?

He heard Chen Jisheng say calmly, "The first thing, I want your colleagues to watch this video and learn from you on how to deal with ghosts.

"Those brutes are just like Shi Xiaohan. When they encounter ghosts, they only know how to fight blindly. If they fall for the ghosts' tricks one day, they probably won't know how they died."

"Of course, no problem." Gu Xu replied immediately.

At the same time, his tense heart gradually relaxed - it seemed that Chen's evaluation of him this time was not bad, so he should not be docked his salary.

As for whether his moves would be secretly learned by others... Gu Xu was not worried at all.

All the knowledge and skills he currently possessed could be found in the Exorcism Bureau's library, and were not some secret martial arts that could not be passed on.

If others could learn, that was their ability.

It was similar to the knowledge of mathematics and science in his previous life, which was freely written in books.

Some people could grasp it with just a glance, while others could rack their brains and still not understand...

"The second thing is related to the 'Supreme Northern Pole Demon-Slaying Ghost-Killing Talisman' you drew," Chen Jisheng continued, "Gu Xu, are you willing to produce a certain number of... let's say, ten 'Ghost-Killing Talismans each month, to be handed over to the Exorcism Bureau's storeroom? This will allow other cultivators to exchange and use them based on their merits."

"Similar to the 'Tranquil Heart Pill' and 'Spirit Gathering Pill'?"

"Yes," Chen Jisheng nodded. "In my view, the talismans you draw are powerful weapons for dealing with low-level ghosts. If we can popularize them, it may significantly reduce the casualties of the Exorcism Bureau's cultivators and the civilians of Great Qi."

Gu Xu pondered for a moment and asked, "What benefits will I receive?"

He asked this question not because he was too focused on personal gain but because his time was extremely precious.

He hoped that the benefits he gained from drawing talismans would compensate for the time he spent on them.

He also believed that Chen Jisheng could understand his difficulties.

"You will receive an equivalent amount of merits for all the talismans exchanged by other cultivators," Chen Jisheng replied. "In other words, every time someone exchanges one of your 'Ghost-Killing Talismans' from the storeroom, you will receive fifteen merits as a reward."

"Of course, if the effectiveness of your 'Ghost-Killing Talismans' exceeds expectations, we will reassess their value."

"That's no problem!" Gu Xu readily agreed.

By giving a talisman to someone else, he would earn merits equivalent to a value of 1.5 ghosts.

This meant that he could earn merits while lying at home and didn't need to constantly risk his life on missions.

This deal was simply too profitable!

Chen Jisheng was truly a great boss!

"Governor Chen, here are the talismans that should be submitted this month. Please check them!" Thinking this, Gu Xu decisively took out ten 'Ghost-Killing Talismans' from his pocket and placed them on Chen Jisheng's desk.

Seeing Gu Xu's radiant face, Chen Jisheng's expression revealed a complicated smile.

What a sensible child, but unfortunately, he won't live past thirty.

Meanwhile, Shi Xiaohan felt quite surprised—she didn't expect Gu Xu to still have so many talismans in his pocket after a fierce battle!

This guy was truly adept at hiding things!

"Lastly," Chen Jisheng continued, "our Bureau's Yang Ji's mother passed away the day before yesterday. According to Great Qi's customs, he needs to resign immediately and return home to mourn for three years.

"As a result, the position of 'Jishi' is now vacant and needs to be filled as soon as possible.

"Therefore, Gu Xu, I have recommended you to the higher authorities for the position."

"Me?" Gu Xu's eyes lit up.

Was this finally an opportunity for a promotion and a raise?