He Fenghua was taken aback for a moment before quickly composing his expression. With a forced smile, he said, "I'm just happy for you! With such an achievement under your belt, it brings glory to me as your superior."
Gu Qingfeng returned a smile and replied, "Oh, I see. For a moment, I was worried you were planning to steal my achievements."
He Fenghua's heart skipped a beat, but he maintained his composure and smiled, "Steal? This Demon Elimination Token that records the death essence of demons belongs to you. Everything is officially registered with the Demon Suppression Bureau. Even if I wanted to steal it, I couldn't. You can rest assured. Besides, I'm an upright official - I would never stoop to such petty behavior."
"Ah, that puts my mind at ease then," Gu Qingfeng continued smiling.
"Ahem," He Fenghua cleared his throat. "Is there anything else?"
Gu Qingfeng shook his head.
"Then you may leave. Go rest after your long journey."
"Yes, sir. I'll take my leave."
With that, Gu Qingfeng left.
He Fenghua stood there for a long while. After some time, he hurriedly ran to the door, looked left and right, and upon confirming that Gu Qingfeng had truly left, he let out a sigh of relief. He closed the door, hiding alone in the great hall, and continued laughing maniacally.
"Hahaha... What a fool! He actually believed it! Though the Demon Elimination Token is his and no one can take it away, the essence within it is captured by formations. All I need is a formation master to transfer all that essence to my token. Then, hahaha... all the credit will be mine!"
He Fenghua grew more excited as he thought about it, already envisioning himself getting promoted and reaching the pinnacle of success.
"Once I secure the credit and it becomes set in stone, no matter how much you struggle, no one will believe you with your lowly position! Hahaha... My promotion to Earth-rank Demon Eliminator is just around the corner!"
He Fenghua was so excited he couldn't sit still, like an ant on a hot pan, pacing back and forth in the great hall, occasionally breaking into foolish laughter, clearly fantasizing about becoming an Earth-rank Demon Eliminator.
"Lord He, what are you laughing about again?"
He Fenghua was startled, his whole body trembling in fright. He turned to see a sneaky figure peering through the window.
It was none other than Gu Qingfeng!
"You... you! Why are you back?"
He Fenghua's heart was racing, partly from being startled by Gu Qingfeng, and partly from worry that Gu Qingfeng had overheard his earlier monologue.
The demon's death essence hadn't been transferred yet - he couldn't afford any complications now.
"I forgot something important, so I came back," Gu Qingfeng smiled as usual.
"What is it?"
"I forgot to take my Demon Elimination Token."
He Fenghua's expression immediately changed, his heart sinking, but he still maintained his composure and said, "How am I supposed to report your achievements if you take the token? This matter concerning the Seven Demon Generals requires a direct audience with Lord Li, the Heaven-rank Demon Eliminator. Someone of your rank couldn't possibly meet Lord Li."
"That's no problem. Couldn't you just take me with you to see Lord Li?"
"Nonsense!" He Fenghua shouted with false authority. "Who do you think you are? What right do you have to meet Lord Li? Leave now! I need to report to the Demon Suppression Bureau. If there's any delay, can you take responsibility?"
"Lord He, are you sure you won't return my token?"
He Fenghua's expression turned extremely ugly. "You heard everything just now?"
"Yes, I did. I also heard that you're going to become an Earth-rank Demon Eliminator. Congratulations!" Gu Qingfeng's smile grew even brighter.
He Fenghua's expression changed as rapidly as a Sichuan Opera face-changing performance. Finally, his expression turned vicious as he stared intently at Gu Qingfeng, snarling, "So what if you heard? I am going to steal your achievement - what can you do about it? You're insignificant; no one would believe you even if you shouted it from the rooftops!"
"Is that so?" Gu Qingfeng muttered, then took a deep breath, and...
"Help! Someone come quickly!!!" His shout was so loud it nearly lifted the roof.
"He Fenghua is stealing..."
Before Gu Qingfeng could finish, He Fenghua frantically rushed over to cover his mouth. Gu Qingfeng refused to let He Fenghua's dirty hands touch him and quickly stepped back to avoid him.
Then he prepared to shout again.
He Fenghua immediately surrendered: "Don't shout! Stop! Here, take it! Take it all!"
He Fenghua had no choice but to give in because the demon's death essence hadn't been transferred yet. If this came to light now, the evidence would be irrefutable. Not only would he fail to become an Earth-rank Demon Eliminator, but he might even lose his current position as a Dark-rank Demon Eliminator.
Gu Qingfeng smiled as he took back his Demon Elimination Token from He Fenghua's hands.
"See? Wasn't that easier than being naughty?"
"Get out! Get out of my sight!" He Fenghua screamed like an angry fishwife.
Gu Qingfeng remained unperturbed and rubbed his thumb and index finger together, saying, "Hush money."
He Fenghua exploded with rage, his fists clenching so tight they creaked, looking as if he might pounce on Gu Qingfeng at any moment.
However, he restrained himself, aware that they were in the Yin Mountain County branch of the Demon Suppression Bureau, surrounded by many watchful eyes.
"You dare ask me for hush money? Dream on!" He Fenghua said through gritted teeth.
Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng took another deep breath: "Help! Someone come! He..."
"Don't shout! How much do you want?" He Fenghua frantically interrupted.
Gu Qingfeng smiled and held up one finger: "One hundred taels."
He Fenghua suppressed his anger and pulled out a silver note worth one hundred taels from his robe and gave it to Gu Qingfeng.
However, Gu Qingfeng shook his head and said: "Gold."
"One hundred taels of gold!? Why don't you just rob me outright!"
Gu Qingfeng smiled slightly: "What do you think I'm doing right now?"