"Really, just a nominal position?" Chen Fei was stunned, not expecting such an offer.

After all, if that were true, Flying Leopard would give him a nominal position, allowing him to join in name only. He could quit whenever he wanted while still maintaining his freedom as an individual, and yet enjoy those top-tier privileges—how could he not be tempted? In fact, although his current Cultivation Level and strength were terrifying, the various restrictions and troubles of secular society meant he truly needed a status like this to arm himself.

"Of course, it's true. I can guarantee that while ensuring your freedom, I'll do my best to secure a high-ranking position for you. At the very least, a department-level one, where local officials would have to bow their heads slightly when they meet you," Chief Luo promised, patting his chest with a look that said he was certain of winning Chen Fei over.

"Department-level? Isn't that equivalent to the top one or two leaders in Northern Mountain City?" Chen Fei muttered, his expression a little strange. He hadn't expected the rank to be so high.

After all, Huang Tao had worked himself to death just to become mayor, and his rank still hadn't been promoted from the deputy department level to the full department level. Yet now, Chen Fei could obtain it with ease—and it was a special kind of department-level rank that made local officials bow their heads. This is incredible! I never thought I, Chen Fei, would see such a day.

But this also revealed just how much the state valued special individuals like Ancient Martial Artists. After all, they possessed Extraordinary Martial Power. If left uncontrolled, they would undoubtedly threaten social stability and, in a worst-case scenario, could even threaten national security. Therefore, the state had to ensure these people did not get out of control, which naturally required a combination of methods—enticement, appeasement, and a firm hand, all applied simultaneously.

Of course, the cost of the state's enticements was calculated based on an individual's "danger level." For example, it would not be an exaggeration to say that an Innate Level Expert could seriously destabilize society. Thus, a very high rank, such as provincial-level, was necessary to show sincerity. After all, there were nearly a four-figure number of provincial-level officials nationwide, but the number of Innate Level Experts, even including the entire Ancient Martial Arts circle and those overseas, was definitely less than a hundred. The contrast made the situation very clear.

"If you're willing to truly serve the country with all your heart, then after a three-to-five-year probationary period, forget department-level, even a provincial-level rank would be well within your reach. Want to give it a try?" Elder Luo continued to persuade, his eyes narrowed, trying to completely tie Chen Fei to the nation's ship.

He was telling the truth. As far as he knew, any Innate Ancient Martial Artist willing to join the organization and serve the country and its people was granted a provincial-level position after a three-to-five-year probation. There were no exceptions. This was, indeed, a huge temptation.

"Provincial-level!?" Even Chen Fei couldn't help but take a sharp breath, his face filled with shock and surprise.

A provincial-level rank was practically that of a governor, a viceroy in charge of an entire region. I never realized being Innate was so valuable...

"Elder Luo, you can stop tempting me. I don't like the feeling of being constrained; it's not for me. However, I can accept joining the organization in name for now. Besides, I'm a patriot of the new era, am I not?" Chen Fei said with a smile, managing to resist the temptation.

If he had been offered such treatment before receiving the inheritance from that master of the Cultivation World, he would have agreed immediately without a moment's hesitation. But reality had no "ifs." His ambitions now lay elsewhere, so he could only refuse.

Although Elder Luo was a little disappointed, he knew this was the best possible outcome. A smile appeared on his face as he asked, "So, you're agreeing now?" He wanted to confirm one last time.

"Yes, I agree to join Flying Leopard," Chen Fei nodded.

"Hahaha, that finally puts my mind at ease! Chen Fei, thank you for giving this old man some face and agreeing to join Flying Leopard. Honestly, if we couldn't find a 'backer' like you, our organization would be in a truly precarious position," Chief Luo first laughed excitedly, then suddenly bowed deeply to Chen Fei.

"Don't! Chief Luo, what are you doing? Please, get up, get up…" Chen Fei's face soured. With a wave of his hand, a mysterious force smoothly pushed Elder Luo upright. He couldn't let an old man like this bow to him. He didn't want his own lifespan shortened by accepting such a reverent gesture.

"Truly an Innate Ancient Martial Artist. Your methods are incredible," Elder Luo couldn't help but sigh, feeling the mysterious power that had lifted him. He, Mr. Luo, was no ordinary person either; he possessed the strength of an elite 'King of Soldiers,' equivalent to a First-Class Ancient Warrior. Yet now, in front of Chen Fei, he hadn't even had the chance to use his strength before being effortlessly lifted. He finally understood why that old fox Ma Dong was so terrified of Chen Fei. These Innate Experts were genuinely worthy of their fear.

"But Chief Luo, is Flying Leopard's situation really as bad as you say? To the point of being precarious?" Chen Fei couldn't help but ask. He found what Elder Luo had said earlier to be unbelievable. Flying Leopard is a provincial-level special department, isn't it? Is the situation really that terrible? Using words like 'precarious' seems like a wild exaggeration. He must be joking.

"Sigh, I'm not exaggerating. It's the absolute truth. Since you're one of us now, there are some things you should know," Elder Luo sighed and said slowly. "Nominally, our Flying Leopard has three branches and one headquarters. But in reality, we only have this Jiangnan Province Sub-base and the headquarters in the Lingnan Mountains of Qinzhou Province."

"Qinzhou Province has the only official road into the Lingnan Mountains, so placing the Flying Leopard Headquarters there makes sense. What does it matter if you're missing two bases?" Chen Fei nodded and asked.

"Because those two bases were gradually taken away from us over the past few years. In other words, they were reclaimed by the higher-ups…" Pausing for a moment, he continued, "Furthermore, you should know that Flying Leopard has the position of Chief Instructor and five Deputy Instructors. However, the Chief Instructor post belonged to that senior. Ever since he was assassinated a few years ago, the position has remained empty. The higher-ups never released the news and have kept it quiet."

"Is that so?" Chen Fei frowned, sensing the problem.

"As for the remaining five Deputy Instructors," Elder Luo went on, "Lei Long is one, but he has long since lost his strength. The other four—three Ancient Martial Artists and one Ability User—are all of similar strength, so none of them can take overall command. As a special department founded with the goal of eradicating the Tiger Leopard Hall, having only three Half-Step Innate experts and one barely-holding-on Half-Step S Rank is pathetic. It certainly warrants the word 'precarious.'"

"Well..." Chen Fei was speechless. He hadn't expected a provincial-level state special department to be in such a miserable state, lacking even a single Innate Expert to hold down the fort. It really is a terrible situation.

"Do you see now why I've had to tolerate the Tiger Leopard Hall again and again?" Elder Luo's voice rose with indignation as he vented his pent-up frustration. "It's not that I don't want to uphold justice and eliminate evil, but Flying Leopard simply doesn't have the strength anymore! Take that culprit you mentioned, a Half-Step Innate Powerhouse. Who in Flying Leopard do you think could take him down?"

At his question, Chen Fei's lips curled into a smile. He suddenly pointed to himself and grinned. "Isn't that simple? I'll go."

"You? But... but…" Elder Luo was stunned speechless by Chen Fei's sudden declaration.

"Chief Luo, you can't stop me this time. That bastard laid a hand on my patient. For a doctor, that's both a disgrace and a line you do not cross! Besides, Northern Mountain is my turf now, isn't it? Causing trouble on my turf... are they looking down on me?" Chen Fei said with a smile, his eyes narrowed and his voice laced with killing intent. He meant every word. He was utterly disgusted with those bastards. It was one thing for them to hire assassins to attack him in Hong Kong. But now they had the audacity to harm his patient right under his nose and cause trouble on his territory in Northern Mountain. That was the last straw! He truly couldn't tolerate it any longer.

"But that culprit's identity is extraordinary. He is one of the two top disciples of Luo Zun, the shadow and servant of the Tiger Leopard Hall's Third Leader," Elder Luo said, still full of apprehension. He was worried that provoking the man would draw out that unreasonable madman, Luo Zun, which would lead to immense trouble.

"No problem. If he dares to come, I'd like to see for myself what this legendary Luo Zun is really like," Chen Fei said, eager for the challenge. He himself possessed the strength of the Qi Refining Fourth Layer, equivalent to an Early-Stage Innate Ancient Martial Artist. With plenty of trump cards, he was full of confidence. Even if his opponent turned out to be terrifyingly strong and far beyond his level, didn't he still have his master as a backup? Based on his memories, his master's cultivation was at least at the Innate Mid-stage Peak, possibly even the Later Stage of the Innate Realm. That alone gave him plenty of courage.

"...Alright, then." After a long silence, Elder Luo finally gritted his teeth and nodded, pulling out a set of credentials. "I had these prepared for you before you came. As for the culprit... he's extremely arrogant and isn't bothering to hide his tracks at all, so we know where he is."

"Not hiding his tracks at all? He certainly is arrogant," Chen Fei said, his eyes narrowing into a smile. "But I appreciate people like that. It saves me the effort of looking for him."

He casually took the credentials and glanced at them. There was no photo, only a name and a number, stamped with the bright red steel seal of the National Security Bureau. In the bottom right corner, a leopard was hastily printed.

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