The Intruder

"Are you wrong?"

"No, you're just afraid of dying!"

Zhang Wei couldn't understand where this kind of courage came from.

Even after suffering a complete defeat, they still want to give others a hard time. Do they really think this is the real world where everyone has to give Emperor Ruyan face?

So what if you're good-looking? Even if you're a fairy, no one will pamper you!

A pungent, fishy odor filled Zhang Wei's nostrils. Looking at the pool of sweat gradually increasing in size, Zhang Wei frowned slightly in disgust, moved his foot away from the woman's face, and turned to the staff behind him: "Excuse me, may I now apply to waive the genius clause and apply to become an intern for examiner Liu Ruyan?"

Since they've just signed the papers and received their official positions, it's not really appropriate to just kill them.

But perhaps it would be feasible to ask in a different way?

Surely no one thinks there's still room for reconciliation between him and Liu Ruyan after things have escalated to this point?

Even Liu San Niang, whose three souls and seven spirits were sealed and whose body and soul were completely separated, and the so-called Liu family behind her, had already formed a feud with Zhang Wei.

In other words, Liu San Niang was simply not capable enough... Well, Zhang Wei didn't have the chance to see whether she was capable or not, since she was locked up by Zhang Wei while she was trying to argue with the Taihang patrolmen, so she couldn't use her abilities no matter how great they were.

In truth, the mechanism of calling out names and falling into disgrace is too buggy.

In the novel *Investiture of the Gods*, the Xiqi camp, which included many deities, was at a loss when faced with Zhang Guifang's "calling names to dismount" technique. In the end, they only managed to defeat her thanks to Nezha, who was immune to this technique due to his lotus puppet body, and their superior numbers.

Either you have a large number of people, or you are not a living being of flesh and blood; otherwise, this move is simply unsolvable!

Zhang Wei can't win against the Liu family for now. He'll have to wait until he's matured enough before dealing with this potential threat. He prefers to handle things himself. Of course, that's assuming the other party is perceptive enough. If the Liu family comes knocking on his door, he's not afraid to use his power to bully the weak.

What, you're the only one with elders while I'm all alone?

At worst, we can all use a lower-dimensional attack and see who has the bigger background in the end?

As for the Meteorological Bureau... Zhang Wei's initial idea was to do it as a side project, just like the patrolmen who had previously persuaded him to join. Since all travelers had to be pulled into the silhouettes on time, the meteorological bureau would give them quotas and rewards for each silhouette they helped to settle peacefully into the mortal world.

With the blessing of his ancestor, Zhang Wei's usual tasks of slaying demons and monsters to obtain quotas are also a double reward for him.

Why not take something that's free?

As for wanting to repay the benefits that Lao Zhang enjoyed, or wanting a job and protection quota... these are all trivial details.

It may sound harsh, but self-interest is the biggest driving force behind our choices!

Sentiment must come after interests. This does not mean that we do not value feelings; on the contrary, this is true human nature!

Killing Liu Ruyan inside the silhouette was a step back from the rules, but if that failed, crushing her head wouldn't be too difficult.

Hearing Zhang Wei's obvious hint, and seeing the crimson Taoist robe woven from malevolent energy that suddenly appeared on the other party, Sister Wang's lips twitched slightly as she came to her senses.

Okay, she took back what she had just said.

Just because someone looks young doesn't mean they're easy to bully.

Good heavens, this is practically telling you he's going to kill Liu Ruyan!

Of course, Liu Ruyan had a foul mouth first, and she also violated the rules by hiring her own shaman. She openly attacked interns and colleagues, and even threatened the weather. Even if Zhang Wei hadn't intervened, she would have been ruined.

But following the rules and procedures is one thing.

If the parties involved want to settle scores quickly, that's another matter entirely.

While this approach is logically sound, saying it in public is bound to cause some people to feel uncomfortable. It's important to understand that, due to the emergence of myths from various countries, meteorologists, originally only responsible for reporting the weather, now shoulder a much greater responsibility, somewhat like a combination of the ancient Imperial Astronomical Bureau and the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Under the pressure of demons, monsters, and countless gods, most of them were forced to stand on one side.

But wherever there are people, there is a world of its own.

Leaving aside those who, in the novice silhouettes, either willingly or unwillingly lit incense to evil gods and received blessings, and then joined the weather patrols, there are other unorthodox practices, such as household spirits like Liu Ruyan, local folk gods, and even other random and nonsensical things.

Those who begin their journey based on these principles, or rather, those who patrol, cannot be called bad, but given that they are inherently part of the same group as their patrons, these people naturally have a certain bias in their minds.

Simply put, it's the difference between helping relatives and helping those in the right.

Even the gods and Buddhas, who are known to be the most impartial and selfless, have their own stances.

As the saying goes, "Don't be chaotic in important matters, but seek personal gain in trivial matters."

The only advantage the latter has over the former is that it is less self-serving and less susceptible to external influence when facing crucial decisions. The former, however, is different. Once you've offered incense and enjoyed the blessings, you have to contribute in return.

Just like Liu Ruyan, who worshipped the household deities.

To put it nicely, they're descendants of immortals; to put it bluntly, they're nothing more than tools for others to accumulate merit. When they're useful, they're naturally carefully protected, but what if they quarrel with their master?

There are plenty of tools out there, maybe not as good as yours, but they're definitely more obedient. Besides, you'll only know if they're good after you've used them!

Whether in the mundane world or among travelers, just like in the present world, beneath the calm surface, there are always turbulent waves...

Under Zhang Wei's direct gaze, the staff member had long lost his composure. He didn't want to offend this exceptionally talented inspector destined for greatness, but as a logistics staff member with connections, it was one thing to be stubborn, but this was a matter of life and death, something he couldn't possibly decide.

But choosing the lesser of two evils, even if it's a bit against the rules, doesn't matter. Whether it can be done or not is another matter. First, let's make a good impression and leave a good impression: "This...this...I can't make that decision. I've never encountered this situation before. How about I write a report for you?"

"Creak..."

Just as everyone present fell into a moment of silence, the door to the passage Zhang Wei had come through was suddenly pushed open, and a boy with a sunny appearance, a youthful face, and even a bit of weakness, who looked like the kind of boy who would be bullied, strode in from outside. Behind him were staff members who were holding him around the waist and dragging him back with all their might.

"Liu Ruyan? Who's named Liu Ruyan?"

"Is it you?"

Seeing the unbridled youth, the examiners frowned slightly, but some of them subconsciously looked at Liu Ruyan, who was slumped on the stage.

With this certainty in mind, the young man didn't waste any more words.

He pulled a golden mask from his pocket and put it on his youthful face.