Chapter 25: Fight If We Disagree

Chapter 25: Chapter 25: Fight If We Disagree

Positions in the Demon Suppression Bureau were divided into seven ranks: Warrior, Squad, Squadron Commander, Hundred-Man Commander, Thousand-Man Commander, Governor, and Commander.

The foundational structure was based on units of five. Namely, a Squad Leader led five Warriors, and a Squadron Commander led five Squads. Above the Squadron Commanders, the Hundred-Man and Thousand-Man Commanders had their own distinct organizational setups.

Wu the Cripple led Lu Yuan to a training ground. A burly, middle-aged man with thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a commanding presence was already waiting there.

"Elder Wu," Qin Gang greeted Wu the Cripple.

"Mhm." Wu the Cripple nodded, stepping aside to reveal Lu Yuan. "This is Lu Yuan, son of Lu Ming, the Chief Constable of the Capital County Government Office. He has some talent. He needs a good shaping up, so don’t hold back on my account."

"Rest assured, Elder Wu. I have always treated everyone equally, without exception." Qin Gang smiled and gave Lu Yuan a brief glance before turning his head. "Chen Qiang, come here!"

"Yes, Mr. Qin!" a loud shout echoed across the drill ground.

Following that, with a SWISH, a figure swiftly arrived in front of the three of them. The man stood with a straight back and a stern expression.

"His name is Lu Yuan, and he will be following you from now on," Qin Gang said, pointing at Lu Yuan. "Take him away."

"Yes, Mr. Qin!" Chen Qiang agreed without another word. He glanced at Lu Yuan and turned on his heel. "Follow me."

"Yes, Squad Leader Chen!" Lu Yuan bowed respectfully to Wu the Cripple and Qin Gang, then followed Chen Qiang away.

"There are some things I need to tell you," Wu the Cripple said, taking a step closer and transmitting his voice directly to Qin Gang’s ears.

"What?" Qin Gang’s expression changed drastically after hearing the message. "Elder Wu, you’ve brought me a handful of trouble."

"Trouble? Or an opportunity? Doesn’t it just depend on how you handle it?" Wu the Cripple shot him a sidelong glance, offering a word of guidance.

"This..." Qin Gang fell deep in thought.

Meanwhile, Lu Yuan followed Chen Qiang across a distance of several dozen meters, swiftly arriving at a corner of the drill ground. There happened to be four people there. They all looked very young and were standing in three separate groups.

Lu Yuan heard Chen Qiang let out a long sigh.

"This is Lu Yuan, our newcomer. Get to know each other," Chen Qiang said casually as he swept his gaze over them.

"Lu Yuan, we know. He was recommended by Wu the Cripple, the gatekeeper." A teenage boy chuckled, a hint of disdain tugging at the corner of his lips.

"To be able to get in with a cultivation level below the Eighth Grade... impressive. Tell us, how exactly did you or your family manage it? Teach me too," another youth chimed in. He was the oldest among them, appearing to be eighteen or nineteen years old, with a face full of smiles. He looked like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

"My name is Liu Zhi, from the Hedong Liu Family." This came from a somewhat shy sixteen- or seventeen-year-old boy with red lips and white teeth.

The Hedong Liu Family; there was likely only one family that introduced themselves like that. They were a merchant family, extremely skilled in business. Rumor had it that the strongest member of their family was a Fifth Grade expert.

Thus, only the last teenager remained silent. He stood tall and straight, with handsome features, indifferent eyes, and a face radiating wealth and arrogance. Standing to the side with his arms crossed over his chest, he looked like a Transcendent looking down upon the mortal masses.

"My name is Lu Yuan. I am very happy to join the Demon Suppression Bureau, and I came here this morning brimming with excitement and anticipation.

"In my view, since the Demon Suppression Bureau’s purpose is to jointly eradicate demons and defend the righteous path, we should be united and friendly, help each other, and dare to entrust our backs and our lives to one another.

"If anyone doesn’t share this ideology or cannot achieve this, then forgive me for disagreeing with you, and I will not treat you as one of my own," Lu Yuan said calmly, sweeping his gaze across the four of them.

"Well said! Brother Lu said it perfectly. I agree with your statement, and I acknowledge you as a person!" Liu Zhi stepped forward, praising him highly. It was as if he had instantly found a kindred spirit.

Chen Qiang was slightly surprised, his estimation of Lu Yuan rising a notch. "Lu Yuan is right. His thoughts happen to coincide with my own. Since we are a single Squad, we must work together, help each other, and progress as a team!"

The teenager who had spoken first chuckled. "That sounded really nice, touching, and inspiring indeed. But out of the six of us, who is the weakest? Who needs to be taken care of the most?

"Isn’t it Lu Yuan?

"Someone who doesn’t even have an Eighth Grade cultivation base is preaching to us about helping each other, taking care of one another, and entrusting our lives...

"Sorry, but I simply cannot accept that!

"I joined the Demon Suppression Bureau to grow and improve rapidly, not to do charity work and be dragged down by dead weight!"

"Jianng Hongfei, you..." Chen Qiang glared at him, fighting the strong urge to give the boy a good beating. However, the youth hailed from the Jianng family, a Fourth-Grade Noble Family he could not afford to offend.

"What Young Master Fei said is exactly what I wanted to say. If you want to join us, you must first possess corresponding strength!" Yu Qiuyang, the smiling predator, immediately echoed. "Otherwise, on what grounds should we accept you? I don’t want to be held back in the future."

To survive in the Demon Suppression Bureau, the most important thing was having a backer and following the right person. Jianng Hongfei was undoubtedly an excellent choice.

[Upon re-entering the Demon Suppression Bureau, you have faced deliberate suppression from your superior and mockery and difficulties from your colleagues. As someone who already possesses the Counterattack System, this is absolutely unacceptable.]

[Issuing Quest: Defeat the provocateur and prove yourself. Reward: 500 Experience Points.]

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow and looked at Jianng Hongfei. "Am I the weakest? Will I be dead weight?

"If I defeat you, will that prove I am not the weakest?"

"You think you’re worthy of fighting Young Master Fei?" Yu Qiuyang immediately jumped in.

"Do you dare to fight me?" Lu Yuan ignored Yu Qiuyang, keeping his eyes solely on Jianng Hongfei.

"You..." Yu Qiuyang flushed with anger. He absolutely hated being ignored.

Jianng Hongfei’s heart stirred. Having just joined the Demon Suppression Bureau, he also needed an opportunity to showcase his strength and talent. Only then could he gain the attention of his superiors. And wasn’t beating up Lu Yuan, who hadn’t even reached the Eighth Grade, a guaranteed victory?

"If you want to fight Young Master Fei, you’ll have to get past me first!" Yu Qiuyang glared at Lu Yuan. He wanted to teach the boy a harsh lesson.

"Move aside!" Jianng Hongfei shoved Yu Qiuyang out of the way. He looked at Lu Yuan. "Fine, this young master will give you a chance to challenge me."

"Young Master Fei..." Yu Qiuyang stiffened slightly, looking rather embarrassed.

"Step aside!" Jianng Hongfei reprimanded him.

Left with no choice, Yu Qiuyang could only retreat to the side.

"Squad Leader Chen, is this allowed?" Lu Yuan looked at Chen Qiang.

"Intra-squad sparring matches are permitted," Chen Qiang nodded. It was good for them to fight a bit; only then could they foster better interaction. It would make it easier for him to manage them going forward. At the same time, it was the perfect opportunity for him to gauge their true capabilities.

With a SHING, Lu Yuan drew his saber and pointed it at Jianng Hongfei. "Bring it on."

"Heh. To deal with you, I don’t even need to use my blade." Jianng Hongfei clenched his fists, manifesting his Gang Qi to protect his body.

"Who do you think will win between this kid and Jianng?" Wu the Cripple asked from afar.

"Jianng Hongfei, most likely," Qin Gang answered. "He is from the Jianng family, after all. The Martial Arts he cultivates, as well as the guidance and resources he receives, are far beyond what Lu Yuan can compare to."

"But you missed the most important point," Wu the Cripple said, shaking his head.

Qin Gang understood immediately. "It’s true that Jianng Hongfei doesn’t take Lu Yuan seriously, but can Lu Yuan even break through his Gang Qi?"

"Let’s just watch," Wu the Cripple replied vaguely.

"You can do it, Brother Lu! I support you!" Liu Zhi pumped his fist in the air.

"Heh, just wait and watch him get pummeled by Young Master Fei," Yu Qiuyang sneered dismissively.

No matter how you looked at it, it was impossible for Lu Yuan to be Jianng Hongfei’s match. One was born into a Fourth-Grade Noble Family, while the other was merely the son of a Seventh-Grade Junior Constable...