Promotion

Valen Fortress was built in Imperial Year 456. It guarded the Changhe Highway, the only passage between the Far East Region and the central heartland of the Zichuan Family. It was known as the greatest fortress on the continent—apart from the Demon Race's Great Demon God Fortress—and was incomparably strong. There was even a saying: "As long as you hide inside Valen Fortress, you need not fear even the wrath of the gods!" Facts proved that Valen deserved this reputation. Four times, the Demon Race army launched massive offensives involving more than a million troops, and each time the Zichuan Family relied on Valen Fortress's sturdy walls to hold them back. Before it, the fierce Demon Race army could only retreat in defeat.

The Family's previous Chief, the famed commander Zichuan Yuanxing, had once said, "Without Valen, we would have perished twenty times over." This showed just how vital Valen was. The Far East Army's headquarters and main command were therefore established at Valen.

Zichuan Xiu and the other meritorious men who had taken part in the Hengchuan Battle were invited by Far East Army Deputy Commander Luo Bo to meet at the Far East Army General Staff Headquarters in Valen. But unfortunately...

The beautiful secretary politely told Zichuan Xiu, "Xiuchuan Flag Bearer, I'm terribly sorry—Deputy Commander Lin Bing called a military conference at the last minute, and Lord Luo is still in the meeting. He said that if you all arrived, you should wait in the reception room—my apologies."

With a grave expression, Zichuan Xiu leaned close to the secretary's face, glanced around, and whispered, "Miss, do you recognize that man in the Minor Banner Warrior uniform?" He pointed at an officer who had just walked out of the command headquarters building.

"Oh, he's a liaison officer sent by the Southwest Gexi Flag Bearer. He just went into Deputy Commander Luo's office to deliver documents..."

"He's a fake!" Zichuan Xiu declared decisively. "He's an assassin sent by the Liufeng Family!"

The secretary turned pale with fright. "But he has an officer's identification, a clearance order, and documents..."

"You don't believe me? I suppose that's understandable—we met the real liaison officer on our way here. He was already on his last breath. After telling us what happened, he died." Zichuan Xiu's tone brooked no doubt. "The assassin's target is Lord Luo Bo! Where did he go just now? We have to inspect every place carefully!"

Overwhelmed by the immense confidence in Zichuan Xiu's words, the secretary involuntarily replied, "He went to Lord Luo Bo's office just now—he was only there for five minutes, and I was beside him the whole time..."

"Give me the office key!" Zichuan Xiu snatched the key without waiting for an answer. "Five minutes? The other side is a professional spy. Five minutes is enough to plant thirty bombs!"

He entered the office and shut the door. "No one is allowed in—it's too dangerous!"

The Far East Army General Staff Headquarters fell into chaos. The military police hurried over, only to be ordered by Zichuan Xiu not to approach the office. From inside came the sounds of drawers and cabinets being searched, along with Xiuchuan Flag Bearer's muttering: "Where is it? Where? Come out already. I know you must have hidden it—I refuse to believe I can't find it!"

The crisis lasted five minutes, until Xiuchuan Flag Bearer appeared at the doorway, drenched in sweat. "Nothing found—maybe he hid it somewhere else!"

The officers, military police, and clerks present all deeply admired Flag Bearer Zichuan Xiu's courage and composure. Thus, no one noticed that the briefcase he had brought was much more bulging than before—and that it was making a gurgling sound inside.

Deputy Commander Luo Bo did not learn of the incident until the meeting ended. Greatly alarmed, he rushed back and opened the door of the locked cabinet. It was completely empty. He let out a wail of grief!

His subordinates all speculated that the Liufeng Family spy might have stolen the top-secret documents...

Luo Bo gritted his teeth. "Axu, you've done well!"

Zichuan Xiu looked utterly terrified. "Yes! This subordinate knows his crime! This subordinate should not have spoken recklessly without seeing things clearly, disrupted normal order, and caused comrades from our brother units to be wrongly arrested and suffer undeserved suspicion. This subordinate will certainly apologize sincerely and reflect upon his actions!"

Luo Bo roared, "Who cares if that Minor Banner Warrior dies!" Then he lowered his voice. "Where's my liquor? Three bottles of century-old wine and one bottle of Royal brandy!"

Zichuan Xiu looked completely baffled—as though he had never heard the word "liquor" in his entire life. "What liquor?"

"Stop playing dumb! The liquor you took from my office..." Luo Bo suddenly stopped.

"My lord, that can't be possible. The Far East Army maintains strict discipline. Drinking during working hours is forbidden—could there possibly be liquor in your office? Absolutely impossible. My lord observes military discipline and enforces the law like a mountain; everyone in the Far East knows this. How could such a thing possibly happen? Someone must be spreading shameless rumors to damage your good name. This subordinate absolutely will not believe it. Please rest assured, my lord!"

Luo Bo pleaded, "Don't be so ruthless... Just give me back the brandy."

Zichuan Xiu answered with a mysterious smile—a smile Luo Bo knew all too well. He had suffered because of it many times.

"Fine, you win! Just wait until next time."

"A formal document has arrived from the Commanders' Office: because Flag Bearer Zichuan Xiu displayed outstanding command ability in the battle at Hengchuan and brought honor to the Family Eagle Banner, this Commanders' Office, after seeking approval from the Chief and the Council of Elders, hereby commends Xiuchuan Flag Bearer and promotes him..."

Luo Bo drew out the words. "...to Deputy Commander! Order issued by: Supreme Commander Yang Minghua. Approved by: Staff Commander Luobo Minghai, Far East Army Commander Ge Yingxing, Border Defense Army Commander Ming Hui, Central Army Commander Lei Xun, Black Flag Army Commander Fang Jin, Imperial Guard Commander Pigu. Imperial Calendar: July 28, 778."

Zichuan Xiu was stunned as well. "Deputy Commander! Skipping over the Red Guard Captain rank and being directly promoted to Deputy Commander!" He had never expected this...