Qin Shuang picked up the second stack of xuan paper. Section Leader Shen Hu Chan, Squad Leader Tang Bao Niu, members Zhang Tan, Liang Aniu, He Xiaohe, and Zhu Xiaoyao; Squad Leader Fang Henshao, members Cai Shuize, Tang Qimei, Chen Bu Ding, and Feng Bu Ba.
Shen Hu Chan!
When Qin Shuang saw this name, his first reaction was to wonder whether he had read it wrong or Yang Yuncong had written it incorrectly. He looked at Yang Yuncong in disbelief. Only after seeing Yang Yuncong nod at him with an indulgent smile did he become certain that his eyes had not deceived him.
Shen Hu Chan was a disciple of Master Lan Can and Ye Aichan of the Free and Easy Gate. Just as his name suggested, he was as fierce as a tiger, yet had already entered Zen. He possessed a tiger's strength, but his heart was tranquil. He was a steady man who could remain unfazed even with Mount Tai collapsing before him. He was brave and resourceful, indifferent to fame and wealth, overflowing with heroic spirit and utterly loyal. He was also a renowned figure in the Yu Unit (Camp)'s Divine Division.
Qin Shuang had never expected Yang Yuncong to assign someone like this to him, and he could not help feeling moved.
However, they were still in the government office, so some things were inconvenient to say aloud. Qin Shuang could only bury his gratitude deep in his heart.
Qin Shuang steadied himself and continued looking at the third stack of xuan paper. Section Leader Wang Dong, Squad Leader Guo Dalu, members Yan Qi, Nangong Chou, Mei Ruijia, and Mei Runan; Squad Leader Lin Taiping, members Feng Qiwu, Jin Dashuai, Kang Tong, and Lan Kun.
Wang Dong was likewise well known in the Yu Unit (Camp)'s Divine Division, but unlike Shen Hu Chan, whose reputation was illustrious, Wang Dong was infamous.
It was said that Wang Dong had once harbored great ambitions in his youth and wanted to establish an illustrious career. When he first entered the world, he had relied on his extraordinary intelligence and superb martial arts to solve one major case after another. For a time, he had been unrivaled, earning the title "the Soaring Eagle Among Eagles."
But several years ago, he encountered an unknown upheaval, causing his temperament to change completely. He became lazy and indolent, dodging anything he could avoid and making no effort to improve himself.
Although Qin Shuang did not understand why Yang Yuncong had assigned Wang Dong's squad to him, he trusted that Yang Yuncong would not harm him, so he accepted it calmly.
The last stack of xuan paper listed eleven people Qin Shuang knew nothing about: Section Leader Li Sheng Nan, Squad Leader Xiang Hong, members Wu Meng, Ge Zhong, Zhang Yan, and Hao Hao; Squad Leader Li Panggui, members Qu Xiu, Li Fu Sheng, Destroy Ghost God, and Nian Cangsheng.
None of the eleven belonged to the Divine Division. They were not even members of the Yu Unit (Camp). Qin Shuang looked at Yang Yuncong in confusion, only to see Yang Yuncong raise his index finger and point upward.
Qin Shuang immediately understood. These eleven people had actually been assigned by someone above!
Moreover, judging from Yang Yuncong's solemn expression, the two sides were not merely from different factions. They might even be enemies.
Looking over the information more carefully, Qin Shuang discovered that Li Sheng Nan was merely a beautiful nineteen-year-old girl.
But for someone to be entrusted by her superiors with leading a squad into an opposing faction to assume a post, she clearly had something extraordinary about her. He could not allow her age to mislead him.
Qin Shuang silently took note of this and secretly reminded himself to keep a closer eye on Li Sheng Nan.
"Now that you've read it, is there anything you'd like to say?" Yang Yuncong asked after Qin Shuang had finished looking over the list for some time.
"I know Uncle Yang has already fought for everything worth fighting for on my behalf. I understand the situation completely, and I have no objections to this list." Qin Shuang thought briefly before answering seriously.
Seeing that Qin Shuang's thoughts were clear and that he knew how to adapt to circumstances, Yang Yuncong was greatly comforted. His efforts in nurturing and caring for Qin Shuang had not been wasted. "Good. There's a mission here. Take it and have a look. I'll leave you some time this morning to meet your new subordinates and get acquainted with one another. You'll set out immediately this afternoon!"
"What mission? Is it really that urgent?" Yang Yuncong's sudden decision caught Qin Shuang somewhat off guard.
"This matter was personally assigned by His Majesty, and the Imperial Guards received the same mission." Yang Yuncong paused before continuing, "So..."
"So we not only have to finish it before the Imperial Guards, we also have to do it beautifully!" Qin Shuang immediately supplied the answer.
Because their duties overlapped in many areas, the Eastern and Western Depots and the Northern and Southern Guards were locked in fierce competition. To the emperor, this mutual restraint was the imperial art of controlling his subjects. To the parties involved, however, it meant tangled disputes, irreconcilable conflict, and hatred as incompatible as fire and water!
"Good that you understand. There's no time to waste, so hurry along! Do this well, and I'll personally request a reward for you from the commander." Yang Yuncong waved his hand, indicating that Qin Shuang could leave.
Qin Shuang opened the mission dossier as he backed out of the main hall. It contained only five brief words: "Bring back Ni Pusa!"
......
The first gathering of Qin Shuang's team was held at Fugui Mountain Villa, more than twenty li outside Chaoge City. It was not that Qin Shuang cared particularly about appearances. It was simply because Wang Dong was too lazy to travel, and he happened to be the seventh-generation master of Fugui Mountain Villa.
Fugui Mountain Villa was built halfway up a small mountain. The buildings were spacious and magnificent, with at least thirty rooms in total. The largest room was big enough to hold more than a dozen banquet tables at once.
But among all those rooms, aside from one large bed, there was no furniture or decoration at all. There were not even any tables or stools.
As Wang Dong put it, since a fat man could possibly become very thin, Fugui Mountain Villa could of course become very poor too. What was so strange about that?
What else could Qin Shuang do besides submit in admiration?
Thus, apart from Wang Dong, all fifty-six people could only stand.
Of course, no one minded. That large bed was even greasier than the tables in the kitchen. Let alone the women, even people like Tang Bao Niu and Guo Dalu, who were not particularly fastidious about cleanliness, would rather sit on the floor than on that bed.
Qin Shuang swept his gaze across everyone, his heart filled with pride.
Among the fifty-five people, Shen Hu Chan, Wang Dong, and Li Sheng Nan had already entered the Innate Realm, so there was no need to say more about them. Of the rest, aside from Zhong Ling and Situ Shuiling, all were either at the Postnatal Peak or at least First-rate Warriors.
As for Zhong Ling and Situ Shuiling, one was skilled in using poison and could command spirit beasts, while the other possessed superb medical skills and could bring the dying back to life. Both had special talents of their own.
Most importantly, all these people were still young and possessed limitless potential. Every one of them could be called a young elite and future pillar of the Dragon Guard.
With such a group under his command, what case could not be solved? What criminal could not be captured?
"Brothers and sisters, I am Qin Shuang. Welcome to the Divine Division of the Yu Unit (Camp) of the Dragon Guard, this big family!"
"From now on, we will be working in the same department. Some of you are already very familiar to us, while for some of you, today is the first time we have met."
"But whether you are old friends or new friends, I hope that in the days ahead, we can stand united and work together, dedicating everything we have to ensuring the eternal stability of the Great Shang imperial authority and defending the honor of the Dragon Guard!"
Before you continue