A Young Heart Grows with Each Passing Year-Why Waste It on Fear and Panic?

"Of course I will not yield this duty to anyone else!"

"Who else but me could fill the position of Chief Squad Leader?"

Chen Fan spoke loudly. As he raised his head, his eyes met Cao De's.

"A young heart grows with each passing year—why waste it on fear and panic?"

"Alas!"

"Fine!"

"Since you meet the requirements, and Old Huang has guaranteed and recommended you, I hereby officially appoint you as Chief Squad Leader of the Ping An County Brocade Guard Precinct!"

"I will send a carrier pigeon to the Dragon Abyss Prefecture Brocade Guard Thousand-Household Office. Your waist token will arrive before long. At year's end, you can make a trip to the Dragon Abyss Prefecture Brocade Guard Thousand-Household Office to register your records and, while you are there, exchange your merits at the Thousand-Household Office for whatever you need."

Cao De sighed and spoke earnestly.

Chen Fan understood what he meant. He was advising Chen Fan not to be too hasty, but there was also a veiled threat in his words.

Naturally, Chen Fan let it go in one ear and out the other, not caring in the slightest.

"Thank you, Centurion!"

Chen Fan said in a deep voice, accepting gladly.

Cao De studied the young man before him again. Chen Fan had joined the Brocade Guard only a year ago, yet he had silently cultivated the Body Tempering Fist to the fifth stage of the Divine Treasury Realm.

Yet he had kept his strength hidden all along. Had Cao De not suddenly made trouble for him, he might never have revealed his true abilities.

As for the story about Chen Fan being poisoned and nearly dying some time ago, Cao De did not believe a word of it. He believed Chen Fan had merely been acting, trying to fish him out.

How had this little bastard hidden himself so deeply?

If you had revealed such talent earlier, I would have spared no effort in nurturing you.

But through a twist of fate, I pushed you to stand against me. Now that things have come to this, I cannot let you live!

Cao De calculated inwardly. Since he had already driven Chen Fan to the opposite side, the more terrifying Chen Fan's talent was, the more uneasy he became. As long as Chen Fan lived, Cao De would know neither sleep nor appetite.

"From today onward, the Brocade Guard's ten squads will be commanded separately by you and Chief Squad Leader Li. Chief Squad Leader Li will be responsible for patrolling Ping An County City and ensuring that no demons infiltrate the city."

"As for you, Chief Squad Leader Chen, you will patrol outside the city. You must ensure that the towns and villages under Ping An County's jurisdiction no longer suffer demon harassment."

"The towns and villages under Ping An County have suffered from demons for far too long. Now that the Brocade Guard's ten-year inspection term is approaching, and our Centurion Office has gained another powerful, promising young Chief Squad Leader, it is time to declare war on the demons of Ping An County!"

"Today, we shall eradicate the demon scourge!"

Cao De rose to his feet and spoke before everyone.

"Centurion, I believe that before repelling enemies abroad, we must first pacify matters within. Demons are already running rampant throughout Ping An County City. Should we not thoroughly purge the demons within the county city first, before slaying those outside it?"

Chen Fan immediately voiced a different opinion.

"Chief Squad Leader Chen, do you know what you are saying?"

"Our Ping An County City is flourishing in prosperity. Where are these demons supposedly running rampant?"

"Oh, right. I also heard about what happened at Wangchun Pavilion some time ago. To be honest, I never expected the owner behind Wangchun Pavilion to be a demon."

"But that was only an accident. Do not treat an isolated case as the norm. That will make you lose yourself!"

Cao De said with a smile.

"Centurion..."

"Enough. My decision has been made. No more need be said!"

"Could it be that Chief Squad Leader Chen intends to oppose his immediate superior the very day he takes office?"

Chen Fan wanted to argue, but Cao De cut him off before he could finish. Cao De's tone grew several degrees heavier, and his gaze at Chen Fan darkened.

"This subordinate accepts the order!"

Chen Fan could only cup his fists and accept the order, then step aside.

"Since the assignments have been decided, go and attend to your respective duties!"

Cao De waved his hand. Everyone withdrew one after another, and Chen Fan left the Martial Arts Field unwillingly.

"Do not be so upset. Being able to appoint you as a Brocade Guard Chief Squad Leader in public already felt like carving out his own heart. Yet you just had to rub salt into his wound at a time like this. Were you determined to force him into a rage?"

Huang Chengyue patted Chen Fan's shoulder and said with a laugh.

"I knew my proposal would not be accepted. I only said it to disgust him. After all, what he has done is as obvious as lice on a bald head for many people to see, yet he still wants to whitewash everything and pretend all is well."

Chen Fan spoke with great disdain.

"Hahaha."

"I truly did not misjudge you."

"Here, take this Thousand-Forged Embroidered Spring Blade forged from black iron."

"Our Centurion Office does not lack Chief Squad Leader uniforms. If there are none in stock, you can have a set tailored in the city. But our Brocade Guard Precinct only has two Thousand-Forged Embroidered Spring Blades forged from black iron—one with Li Mo, and one with me. Now that you have become a Chief Squad Leader, take this blade and use it!"

Huang Chengyue laughed heartily, removed his sidearm, and handed it to Chen Fan.

"Elder Huang, I cannot accept this."

"Even if you have stepped back from the front line, you are still an honorary Brocade Guard Chief Squad Leader. How could I take what you cherish?"

Chen Fan refused.

"That day, when I watched you spar with Sun Jian, the Hundred-Refined Embroidered Spring Blade in your hand was covered in chips. Some parts of its edge had even curled."

"This Thousand-Forged Embroidered Spring Blade forged from black iron has been with me for more than twenty years, but in all those years, it has rarely left its sheath. It has followed me, rotting away alongside me."

"If you keep refusing, must it follow me into the coffin and be buried with me?"

"Such a fine blade ought to slay demons, banish evil, and sweep away the injustices of this world. By staying with me, it has been a pearl cast into darkness. Do you really want it to gather dust in my hands and rust along its blade?"

"Listen to me. Take it!"

"With you wielding this blade, I will be happy. It will also mean that I have found a good home for this old companion that has followed me for over twenty years!"

Huang Chengyue directly placed the Thousand-Forged Embroidered Spring Blade forged from black iron into Chen Fan's hands.

"Thank you, Elder Huang, for granting me this blade!"

Chen Fan cupped his fists in a bow and thanked him from the bottom of his heart.

The Brocade Guard's standard Hundred-Refined Embroidered Spring Blade was forged from refined iron. It could be considered a sharp weapon, but as Chen Fan's strength grew, it had now become rather inadequate.

The sidearms used by Brocade Guard Squad Leaders were also Hundred-Refined Embroidered Spring Blades, no different from those carried by ordinary Brocade Guard members like Chen Fan. But upon reaching the rank of Chief Squad Leader, one could use a Thousand-Forged Embroidered Spring Blade forged from black iron.

As for Centurions and Thousand-Household Officers, they were firmly middle-ranking members of the Brocade Guard. Most of their sidearms were treasured weapons exchanged from the Brocade Guard armory with merit points, rather than these standard-issue weapons.

Chen Fan carefully examined the Thousand-Forged Embroidered Spring Blade forged from black iron. Though it was a standard-issue weapon, it was no inferior to a low-grade treasured weapon. It was also sturdy and durable; even when used to slay a demon of the Divine Treasury Realm, it would absolutely not chip or curl.

Moreover, the blade was extremely heavy, likely weighing over a hundred jin. It sat heavily in his hand. Without a certain level of martial cultivation, one simply could not wield it. But such weight was nothing to Chen Fan now.

"Good blade!"

"With this treasured blade, slaying demons will certainly be much easier in the future!"

Chen Fan could not help but sigh in admiration.

"Cao De has sent you to lead men in patrolling the towns and villages under Ping An County. He will surely incite the demons of Black Mountain to attack you, so you must be exceedingly careful."

"The demons of Black Mountain are not to be underestimated. You must not confront them head-on yet. If you encounter the three peak great demons—Mountain Lord, Howling Moon, or Three-Eyed—leave immediately."

"With your aptitude, given time, you will surely surpass Cao De and surpass those three great demons. We have waited all these years already; we are not lacking another year or half!"

Huang Chengyue spoke earnestly.