Battalion Commander's Appreciation

Chapter 4: Battalion Commander's Appreciation

"Very good, a wise choice."

Bai Yan clapped his hands and chuckled lightly.

Ren Hong and Li Kaiyao sheathed their Spring Embroidered Sabers, exchanged a look, and simultaneously knelt before Bai Yan, speaking in unison, "We are willing to serve you, my lord!"

Having killed Ye Zhiji, they were now in the same boat as Bai Yan.

From this moment on, they had no other path but to obey Bai Yan's commands.

[Ding, detected host has slain Ye Baili, completing the 'Vengeance is Mine' mission. Received max-level Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms. Claim reward?]

[Ding, detected host has slain Liu Hu, completing the 'Avenge My Father' mission. Received max-level Lightness Skill, Lightning-Fast Movement Steps. Claim reward?]

Two system prompts sounded in succession.

Bai Yan responded mentally, "Claim."

Countless profound characters appeared in Bai Yan's mind, the secret manuals and essential points of the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms and Lightning-Fast Movement Steps.

In that instant, two small figures appeared in Bai Yan's mind, rapidly demonstrating the detailed techniques and key principles of both divine skills.

Bai Yan's comprehension of both martial arts instantly reached max level.

"My lord, what do we do next?"

Ren Hong asked Bai Yan nervously, "Ye Baili is dead, how do we explain this to the Battalion Commander?"

"Explain? What explanation is needed?"

Bai Yan chuckled lightly, "Ye Baili was killed by Liu Hu. What does that have to do with us?"

"The Hundred-Household Ye was brave and fearless, taking the lead. He disregarded his own safety to capture Liu Hu."

"It's just a pity that Liu Hu was insidious and cunning, using despicable means to ambush the Hundred-Household Ye, causing him to unfortunately fall off a cliff, his fate unknown."

"Before falling off the cliff, the Hundred-Household Ye successfully killed Liu Hu, and we found Liu Hu's corpse and brought back his head."

"Are there any problems with this?"

"Yes! Your subordinate understands!"

Ren Hong and Li Kaiyao lowered their heads simultaneously.

Then, Bai Yan struck Ye Zhiji's corpse with a palm, turning it into a mist of blood. At the same time, he swept away the remaining bloodstains on the ground, all of it falling down the cliff.

Ye Zhiji's death didn't require any reason to cover up; he was merely a Squad Leader.

Dead was dead, the Pacification Bureau wouldn't care.

"Let's go, back to the Pacification Bureau."

Carrying Liu Hu's head, Bai Yan and the other two walked out of the bamboo forest.

Upon returning to the village, the bandits had already been killed by the Imperial Guard, who were now cleaning up the battlefield and searching for their fallen comrades.

Seeing Bai Yan and the other two return, the Fourth Squad's Brigade Leader, Song Jiangfeng, stepped forward.

Noticing Ye Baili's absence, he quickly asked, "Where is the Hundred-Household?"

The three of them remained silent and shook their heads, saying, "The Hundred-Household was pushed off the cliff by Liu Hu, his fate is unknown."

"This is Liu Hu's head. The Hundred-Household killed him before falling off the cliff."

"The Hundred-Household fell off the cliff?"

Song Jiangfeng was shocked and filled with anxiety. He didn't doubt Bai Yan's story at all.

No one would have imagined that a mere Brigade Leader could kill a Hundred-Household.

Besides, Bai Yan had only met Ye Baili for the first time today.

The two had no past grievances, so Bai Yan had no motive to kill him.

"We can only send people to search below the cliff. Let's hope the Hundred-Household is blessed with good fortune."

"That's all we can do."

Song Jiangfeng sighed.

In truth, he no longer held out hope for Ye Baili's survival.

After collecting the bodies of their comrades, the group left the village and rendezvoused with the first and second squads outside.

Seeing Bai Yan return alive and well, Zhao Guangli breathed a sigh of relief.

"Well done, you haven't disgraced your father!"

Upon learning that Bai Yan had killed over a dozen bandits, Zhao Guangli patted Bai Yan's shoulder forcefully, his excitement evident.

He and Bai Lizheng were like brothers, and he was genuinely happy to see Bai Yan grow capable.

At the same time, everyone also learned of Hundred-Household Ye Baili's fall from the cliff, which dampened their spirits somewhat.

"Let's go, we'll report this matter to the Battalion Commander when we get back and ask him to make the decision."

The group set off back to the Northern Commandery Investigation Bureau in Yongtang City. Bai Yan submitted Liu Hu's head and recounted the events.

Throughout the entire process, Battalion Commander Zheng Haihan remained silent. Finally, he waved his hand, dismissing Bai Yan.

Bai Yan didn't know if he was suspected, but even if he was, he wasn't afraid.

Ye Baili had already been reduced to a bloody mist, and the Imperial Guard would never find any evidence.

Even if the truth came out in the end, Bai Yan would just betray the Imperial Guard and wander the martial arts world alone.

With the system around, Bai Yan could live very well wherever he went.

For the next few days, the Northern Commandery Investigation Bureau remained calm.

Just as Bai Yan had expected, the people at the Pacification Bureau couldn't find any clues.

Battalion Commander Zheng Haihan sent people to search the bottom of the cliff, but they found nothing. In the end, they could only rule that Hundred Household Ye Baili had died in battle.

After this, the matter of Ye Baili's death was completely closed, and no one ever mentioned Ye Baili again.

As for his nephew, Ye Zhiji, no one had asked about him from beginning to end, as if everyone had forgotten his existence.

A few more days passed, and Bai Yan and the other three Squad Leaders were summoned by Battalion Commander Zheng Haihan.

Zheng Haihan sat leaning back in his chair at the main seat of the central hall, exuding an imposing aura.

Bai Yan stood shoulder to shoulder with the other three Squad Leaders.

"This mission was handled well. Although Ye Baili died, your contributions were significant."

Zheng Haihan swept his gaze over Bai Yan, Zhao Guangli, and the others below, lingering slightly on Bai Yan. He continued in a solemn tone:

"The bandit leader Liu Hu has been killed, and all the bandits have been exterminated. This is a great merit."

"Each Squad Leader will be rewarded fifty taels of silver, and each Squad Leader twenty taels."

"Especially Bai Yan, who killed sixteen bandits and brought back Liu Hu's head. He will receive an additional reward of a third-grade martial art!"

"Bai Yan, you are already a first-rate martial artist. Focus on your cultivation and don't disappoint me."

"Thank you, sir!"

Everyone clasped their fists in response. Zhao Guangli, Song Jiangfeng, and the others looked at Bai Yan with envy.

They knew that Bai Yan had caught the eye of Battalion Commander Zheng Haihan.

A first-rate martial artist at eighteen years old had a completely different value than first-rate martial artists in their thirties and forties.

Bai Yan had immense potential and would surely break through to the Innate realm in the future. The position of Hundred Household was definitely his.

As for them, their potential had been exhausted, and their martial arts progress would not be significant in this lifetime.

To be promoted to Hundred Household, they would have to leave Yongtang for a local prefecture or county.

But who would be willing to give up the prosperous Yongtang to develop in a prefecture or county?

"You may withdraw."

Zheng Haihan waved his hand.

"Your subordinate takes his leave."

Everyone clasped their fists, bowed, and turned to leave the central hall.

Once outside the door, the other three Squad Leaders immediately surrounded them. Song Jiangfeng said:

"Bai Yan, you've really made an impression on the Battalion Commander this time. You have to treat us."

The other two Squad Leaders quickly chimed in.

"That's right, that's right, you definitely have to treat us."

"If you don't have enough money, we can help you pool some."

Bai Yan had immense potential and would surely be promoted to Hundred Household, or even Battalion Commander, in the future.

If they didn't build a relationship now, when would they?

None of the Squad Leaders wanted to miss this opportunity.

Bai Yan smiled and said:

"Treating you is no problem. Let's go to Baiwei Tower."

"But I need to go to the Scripture Pavilion first. Let's schedule the treat for tonight. You guys go collect your rewards first."