A Loser's End

Chapter 18: Scum Have No Good Endings

After changing into his Company Commander-grade Flying Fish Robe, Bai Yan headed to the Scripture Pavilion, ascending to the fifth floor.

With his current cultivation, the only things he needed to guard against were unorthodox methods like poisoning and sneak attacks.

Thus, upon reaching the fifth floor, Bai Yan went straight to the section where antidotal medicines were kept.

After searching the shelves for a long time, he finally found something that suited his needs.

The Hundred-Avoidance Pill, a fifth-grade detoxification spiritual medicine.

"Three pills per bottle, giving me three chances to detoxify. That's enough," Bai Yan muttered.

Bai Yan took the Hundred-Avoidance Pills to the elder guarding the pavilion for registration.

He handed over the approval slip and registered; Bai Yan handled the entire process himself.

Just as Bai Yan walked out of the Scripture Pavilion, he saw Ren Hong and Li Kaiyao hurrying to meet him. Their faces were beaming with unconcealed joy as they cupped their fists and bowed to him.

"Greetings, Commander Bai!"

Everyone in the Pacification Bureau knew by now that these two were Bai Yan's trusted subordinates. Working with Bai Yan meant they shared both glory and hardship.

"Congratulations on your promotion to Company Commander!"

The two bowed respectfully to Bai Yan again.

"Get up," Bai Yan nodded. "Have you two chosen your secret manuals?"

"Yes! And we must thank you for your recommendation, sir!"

Ren Hong and Li Kaiyao exchanged a smile and quickly replied.

Although they hadn't made any major contributions in capturing the Flower Thief, they had benefited from Bai Yan's success. Not only did they each receive fifty taels of silver as a reward, but they were also granted permission to select a third-grade martial arts secret manual. This was a significant reward for Squad Leaders like them.

"Sir, someone from the Night Manor has come with a message."

Ren Hong's smile faded as he cupped his hands and said, "Ye Youcai has sent word that he is hosting a banquet at the Cloud Come Restaurant tonight and specifically invites you to attend."

Bai Yan nodded slightly. "Alright, I understand."

Bai Yan certainly wouldn't miss an invitation.

The Cloud Come Restaurant was a top-tier establishment in Yongtang City. The head chef was rumored to be a retired imperial chef from the palace.

Their best signature dishes were supplied in limited quantities each month, and even with money, they might not be available.

"Well, well, still on duty and already thinking about attending a banquet? Commander Bai, you just got promoted and you're leaving your post without authorization. That doesn't seem quite by the rules, does it?"

A sarcastic voice suddenly rang out, interrupting Bai Yan and Ren Hong's conversation.

Bai Yan turned his head and saw a middle-aged man in a Company Commander's Flying Fish Robe walking towards them, followed by two Brigade Leaders.

The Company Commander was arrogant, his face filled with pride, and his gaze towards Bai Yan held undisguised hostility.

"Sir, that's Company Commander Zhao Gaozhong."

Ren Hong leaned closer to Bai Yan's ear and whispered, his tone clearly tinged with apprehension. "Rumor has it he's Battalion Commander Wang Zheng's confidant. He's always been overbearing in the Pacification Bureau and is not someone to be trifled with."

Bai Yan had naturally heard of Battalion Commander Wang Zheng.

This man was the eldest grandson of the current Grand Chancellor, Wang Qingquan, and came from a prominent family.

Relying on his family background, he had managed to secure the position of Battalion Commander despite only being at the Innate realm.

According to the rules of the Imperial Guard, one had to possess at least Master-level strength to hold the position of Battalion Commander.

Even if a son inherited his father's position, if the successor failed to break through to the Master realm after the Battalion Commander's death, they could only succeed as a Company Commander.

Wang Zheng's exception was entirely due to his status as the Grand Chancellor's grandson.

"Is there something you need?"

Bai Yan looked at Zhao Gaozhong, his expression unreadable.

Seeing Bai Yan's cold demeanor and lack of reverence, Zhao Gaozhong's face immediately darkened.

"I just wanted to remind you, Lord Bai, that it is still official duty hours. As members of the Imperial Guard, it's best to follow the rules."

"Don't think you can act recklessly in the Pacification Bureau just because you've become a Company Commander. In terms of seniority and background, you're still far behind!"

"Did you come all this way just to say these pointless things?"

Bai Yan frowned, his tone filled with impatience. "If you're done, move aside. Don't block the way; you're an eyesore."

"Also, I am now also a Company Commander, your equal. If you want to lecture me, go take a piss and look at yourself. See if you even have the qualifications."

Regardless of who he was related to, Bai Yan had no intention of indulging him. Others might fear Wang Zheng, but Bai Yan didn't.

If they wanted to cause trouble for him, they'd have to rely on sheer strength.

"You...!"

Zhao Gaozhong was momentarily speechless by Bai Yan's retort, his face instantly turning red.

"Bai Yan, you truly have a sky-high level of audacity, you have no idea how high the heavens are or how deep the earth is!"

He suppressed his anger, adopting the posture of an elder lecturing a junior:

"I see you're young and just starting your career, and I intended to offer you some advice. What kind of attitude is this?"

Bai Yan let out a scoff, his disdain completely unconcealed:

"What attitude? Are we close? Do I need your advice?"

"Besides, who do you think you are? Acting all high and mighty with me."

Still being sarcastic, what a moron. When it comes to insults, I, Bai Yan, have never feared anyone!

"Come back and give me advice when you're a Battalion Commander."

"You meddling dog, chasing mice, a mere lackey thinks he's someone important?"

"Shameless, utterly lacking in any pretense of modesty."

Listening to Bai Yan's barrage of insults, Ren Hong and Li Kaiyao couldn't help but burst into laughter.

The onlookers also couldn't help but chuckle.

No one had expected that Bai Yan, besides his strength, also possessed formidable verbal skills, capable of such vicious insults.

Everyone could see that Zhao Gaozhong had come looking for trouble.

And to say he intended to offer advice because Bai Yan was young, only to be exposed so publicly by Bai Yan, was a huge embarrassment.

Zhao Gaozhong was so infuriated by Bai Yan's retort that his teeth were grinding, his chest heaving violently.

The lackeys behind him couldn't stand it and pointed at Bai Yan, shouting in anger:

"Bai Yan, you've only been in the Imperial Guard for a month! You got lucky catching a Flower Thief and became a Company Commander, and now you dare to be insolent in front of Commander Zhao? What right do you have to compare yourself to Commander Zhao!"

Bai Yan didn't even lift his eyelids, merely casting a cold glance at the lackey:

"I am, at least, a Company Commander. You, a mere Squad Leader, dare to bark at me?"

He took half a step forward, his aura suddenly surging:

"Are you trying to defy your superior?"

Before he finished speaking, a chilling killing intent erupted from Bai Yan, his eyes boiling with murderous intent.

The Squad Leader, struck by that gaze, felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar. He trembled and instinctively retracted his finger, lowering his head, no longer daring to utter another word.

Zhao Gaozhong's face turned pitch black, so grim it looked like water could drip from it. He clenched his fists tightly and roared in a low voice:

"Bai Yan, I advise you to be more low-key!"

"Young people shouldn't be too arrogant. Acting too presumptuously will lead to a bad end sooner or later!"

Bai Yan replied dismissively:

"If you're not arrogant, are you still considered young?"

Bai Yan said the latter half very softly, only audible to Zhao Gaozhong, who was face-to-face with him.

"Only losers have bad ends, just like you."

This sentence was like pouring oil on a fire, instantly igniting the rage in Zhao Gaozhong's heart.

He felt a surge of blood rush to his throat, his vision went black, and he was so enraged he couldn't speak a word.

At this moment, his face turned crimson, veins bulging on his forehead, trembling all over as he stood rooted to the spot, looking like a monkey whose backside had been set on fire.