Everyone present felt their brains had short-circuited.
Although it was common for the brothers, full of youthful vigor, to get into fights in the barracks due to a momentary burst of temper.
But those were, after all, only low-ranking Demon Suppression Guardss.
When had two Captains ever fought openly in front of everyone?
What was even more baffling was that Jiang Yuechu, a girl who looked delicate and frail, managed to kick Song Ren flying with a single strike?!
That was Song Ren!
A veteran Captain who had served in the Demon Suppression Division for many years!
He was a genuine Minggu Realm expert!
How could he... be defeated so easily?
Just how terrifying was the strength of this newly appointed Captain Jiang?!!!
Countless gazes converged upon the human-shaped crater.
"Cough... cough, cough..."
Song Ren supported himself against the wall and struggled to stand up, blood foam leaking from the corner of his mouth with every cough.
An agonizing pain shot through the spot on his chest where he had been kicked, as if several bones had been broken.
But the physical pain was far less intense than the shock in his heart.
He knew his own strength best.
Relying on the resources of the Song Family and years of experience in the Demon Suppression Division, he had barely managed to step into the threshold of Bone Resonance a few years ago.
Although he couldn't compare to the so-called Prodigies.
Damn it, he was still a Bone Resonance expert!
Even when sparring with the Captains in the battalion who had achieved Bone Resonance Perfection, he had never been defeated so cleanly and thoroughly!
Recalling that kick just now... the force was nothing like the Qi and blood exertion of an ordinary Martial Artist.
The opponent's physical strength was absolutely incomparable to that of a normal Minggu Realm Martial Artist!
Thinking of this, Song Ren's last shred of desire to stand up and fight again instantly vanished.
He couldn't win.
He absolutely couldn't win.
Continuing to fight would only invite humiliation.
He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the churning Qi and blood in his chest.
Anyway, the opponent had already been assigned to the Vanguard Battalion.
Whether she could return alive was still up in the air.
Why should he bother arguing with someone who was likely going to die?
Thinking this, he forced a smile that didn't reach his eyes: "Heh heh... As expected of someone Lord Xu values. Captain Jiang's strength is formidable. I... am impressed."
"If you're impressed, shut your mouth."
Jiang Yuechu withdrew her gaze, nodded, turned, and left.
"What are you standing around for? Be late and I'll dock your pay."
"Huh? Oh! Yes!"
Chen Tong and the others awoke as if from a dream, not daring to dwell on Song Ren's situation, and quickly nodded and followed her.
They left behind a courtyard full of stunned Demon Suppression Guardss, and Song Ren, whose face was livid and who stood disheveled in the wind... Inside the barracks.
The few men, who usually dared to shout orders and boast, were now silent as muted gourds, not daring to take a deep breath.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on the figure in the main seat.
The news of Jiang Yuechu's promotion to seventh-rank colonel and command of the Vanguard Battalion had already spread throughout the entire Dusi.
As the group under her command, they naturally knew this.
They also knew what she was going to say today.
Jiang Yuechu's gaze slowly swept across every face.
After pondering for a moment, she slowly began to speak.
"I assume you all know already."
"A Core Formation Great Demon has appeared at Yumen Pass. The Xuan Battalion will mobilize entirely, led personally by Great General Wei."
"And I have been appointed Captain of the Vanguard Battalion."
Vanguard Battalion.
As soon as those three words came out, the faces of the men below instantly paled further.
"I don't need to elaborate on what the Vanguard Battalion is."
"I am not an immortal. Demons are merciless, and I cannot guarantee that every single one of you will return whole."
She stood up and walked over to face the crowd.
"Therefore, I am giving you a choice."
"Those who wish to stay will be my brothers from now on."
"Those who wish to leave, I won't stop you."
"You can report to the Clerk now. I will approve the transfer slip and move you to other teams. No one will make things difficult for you, and no one will call you cowards."
"After all, your life is your own."
After her words fell, the barracks became so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.
Everyone looked at each other, seeing hesitation in the other's eyes.
They were merely Jianghu origins; if they hadn't been desperate, who would come to the Demon Suppression Division just to make a living?
Even so, not everyone had the resolve to face death.
Core Formation Great Demon... that level of existence, just hearing about it was enough to make one tremble with fear.
After a long silence.
A sallow-faced man finally couldn't hold back and plopped onto his knees.
"Captain Jiang... no, Captain Jiang!" His voice was choked with tears. "It's not that this subordinate is afraid of death, but truly... truly, I have an eighty-year-old mother at home, and several young children waiting to be fed..."
Where there was one, there was a second.
"My Lord, my... my wife just got pregnant. I want... I want to live to see my son born..."
"My Lord..."
In an instant, half the men were kneeling.
Chen Tong was furious and was about to curse them out.
But just as he opened his mouth, he was met with a cold glance from Jiang Yuechu, and he forcibly swallowed his words.
Jiang Yuechu looked indifferently at the crowd, not finding them shameful.
Seeking fortune and avoiding disaster is human nature.
"Enough."
Jiang Yuechu waved her hand, interrupting their pleas.
"Those who want to leave, go."
The kneeling men were stunned, their faces full of disbelief.
Just... just like that?
"Thank you, My Lord! Thank you, My Lord!"
The men felt as if they had received a great pardon, scrambling and crawling out of the barracks, as if afraid Jiang Yuechu would change her mind.
In the blink of an eye, the previously somewhat numerous team was reduced to a mere five people.
Besides Chen Tong, Liu Ke, and No Abstinence, there were two other men who usually kept silent.
The barracks felt somewhat empty.
"Damn it!" Chen Tong finally couldn't hold back and spat viciously.
Monk No Abstinence shook his head and sighed, "Everyone has their own ambitions; you can't force it."
...
Jiang Yuechu looked at the remaining five people before her and remained silent for a moment.
"Starting today until we depart, you do not need to report to The Department anymore."
"Those who have wives, go spend time with them. Those who have no family, go drink, gamble, visit brothels—do whatever makes you happy."
"I will advance you three months' salary first. If that's not enough, come find me."
Having said that, she pulled a Hundred-Tael Silver Note from her bosom, placed it on the table, turned, and walked away, leaving them only a decisive silhouette.
Inside the barracks, the remaining five men looked at each other, momentarily unsure how to react.
The door closed, and the room became excessively quiet for a time.
After a long while.
Chen Tong scratched his head and spoke with a puzzled expression.
"What do you guys think My Lord does normally?"
Everyone was stunned by the question.
"My Lord told us to enjoy ourselves, but she acts as if nothing is happening."
"Isn't she afraid? That's a Core Formation Great Demon!"
Indeed... whether it was during normal days in the barracks or when they recently acquired that windfall, they had never seen Lord Jiang show any intention of celebrating with them.
Monk No Abstinence took a gulp of wine and smacked his lips. "this poor monk has never seen My Lord indulge in any recreation. Yesterday, this poor monk swallowed his pride and invited My Lord to listen to some music, and My Lord simply kicked this poor monk out the door."
"Hmph."
In the corner, Liu Ke, who had been silent all along, suddenly let out a cold laugh.
"A bunch of vulgar commoners."
"My Lord is a woman of noble Heart-Nature. How could she associate with the likes of you and indulge in wine, women, wealth, and Qi?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Tong stiffened his neck, ready to flare up, but Monk No Abstinence held him down.
Liu Ke merely continued speaking to himself: "When My Lord is free, she is probably tasting tea and reading, or playing the zither and painting. How could you possibly understand such elegant pursuits?"