Imperial Guard Squad Leader, Missing Child Case

A martial skill's proficiency is divided into: Initiation, Minor Accomplishment, Major Accomplishment, and Perfection.

Thirty years of cultivation allowed this Thunderous Saber Art to be raised to Perfection.

It seems improving martial arts is simpler than internal energy cultivation.

Looking at his personal status panel now, the Martial Arts section had indeed been updated.

[Host: Su Fei]
[Talent: God-tier Insight Technique]
[Realm: True Qi Realm, Fifth Level]
[Martial Arts: Nine Yang Divine Art - Second Layer, Thunderous Saber Art - Perfection, Basic Fist Technique - Initiation]
[Current Cultivation: None]

"What a fine saber art!"

The Thunderous Saber Art is known for its fierce and domineering style, striking the opponent like thunder.

It perfectly complements the Nine Yang Divine Art's supreme Yang internal energy. With the two combined, the power is more than doubled.

He walked into the courtyard and channeled his internal energy to unleash a saber strike.

A bolt of Thunderous Saber light tore through the air, splitting the tree directly in half. It fell to the ground, kicking up dust.

If this were to strike a person's flesh and blood, it would be like slicing through tofu.

"If I had a good saber, the power of this saber art could increase by another thirty percent."

"Possessing a saber martial art, my current strength has improved by more than several times compared to my past self."

Even when facing a late-stage True Qi Realm expert, Su Fei felt no fear.

He could feel the surging True Qi within his body and the clear saber stances in his mind.

His heart was filled with joy.

Today, he not only resolved the trouble of Chen Hu but also obtained the Squad Leader position and the Thunderous Saber Art at Perfection.

As for offending the Hundred Households Officer, Su Fei no longer had any worries about it.

With the help of the God-tier Martial Arts System, he would soon reach the Xiantian Realm.

The next morning, Su Fei woke up feeling refreshed.

The True Qi within his body seemed even more active.

He got up, washed, changed into clean casual clothes, and headed towards the Imperial Guard's Thousand Households Office.

As soon as he reached the entrance of the Thousand Households Office, the guards on duty, who were Strongmen, greeted him enthusiastically.

"Good morning, Squad Leader Su!"

Su Fei nodded slightly. This treatment was entirely different from yesterday, clearly indicating that the events at the training ground yesterday had spread throughout the Thousand Households Office.

Although he wasn't a Squad Leader yet, he would be soon.

Entering the Thousand Households Office, Su Fei proceeded to the armory.

The clerk responsible for issuing equipment had been waiting for a long time. Seeing Su Fei arrive, he quickly stood up and said with a smile.

"Squad Leader Su has arrived. Knowing you would be coming today, your Flying Fish Robe and Spring Embroidered Saber have already been prepared."

As he spoke, the clerk took out a brand-new Flying Fish Robe and a sheathed Spring Embroidered Saber.

The Flying Fish Robe had Flying Fish patterns embroidered on the shoulders, and the scales on the robe seemed lifelike. A jade belt was also attached to the waist.

The Spring Embroidered Saber was about three feet long, but it didn't feel heavy in his hand.

Su Fei drew the Spring Embroidered Saber, and with a shing, cold light shot out in all directions.

"A fine saber!"

Su Fei exclaimed and then sheathed the Spring Embroidered Saber, fastening it to his waist. He put on the Flying Fish Robe, and it made him look tall and dignified, fully displaying the majesty of an Imperial Guard.

The clerk's eyes lit up, and he praised.

"Squad Leader Su, you were already handsome, but wearing this Flying Fish Robe makes you look truly spirited."

An Imperial Guard Squad Leader was a military official of the seventh rank, with a monthly salary of ten taels.

Although it was the lowest tier among military officials, it was still an official position, far superior to those mere Strongmen without rank.

Leaving the armory, Su Fei headed towards the Strongmen's barracks.

On the open ground outside the barracks, ten Strongmen dressed in black tight-fitting clothes were lined up and waiting. Upon seeing Su Fei approach, they immediately saluted in unison.

"Greetings, Squad Leader Su."

These ten Strongmen were Su Fei's direct subordinates, each with a robust physique.

Their gazes towards Su Fei held respect.

If you can't find the book by searching the title, you can try searching for the author. Perhaps the title has just been changed!

Yesterday, Su Fei's feat of lifting a thousand-jin stone lock at the training ground and crippling Chen Hu had already spread.

In their eyes, this eighteen-year-old Squad Leader was a genuine martial arts prodigy.

Furthermore, he was decisive in his actions, even crippling the Hundred Households Officer's nephew without a second thought.

It was clear he was a ruthless individual.

Following such a superior would surely lead to a bright future. Being a Strongman under Su Fei was far better than serving under any other Squad Leader.

Su Fei's gaze swept over the assembled men. The weakest of these ten Strongmen was at the sixth level of the Body Tempering Realm.

They were all in their twenties or thirties, representing potential talents among the Strongmen.

Su Fei nodded slightly. This foundation was quite good.

It seemed joining Commander Ling's command was the right decision; he had assigned him elite Strongmen.

"No need for formalities," Su Fei said in a deep voice.

"From today onwards, you are my Strongmen. You all understand the rules of the Imperial Guard. I have only two requirements for you: First, do your duties diligently and without slackening. Second, do not collude with external enemies. As long as you adhere to these two points, I, Su Fei, guarantee you will not be mistreated."

The leading Strongman stepped forward and clasped his fists.

"Subordinate Wang Meng, on behalf of my brothers, I assure you, Squad Leader Su, that we will strictly abide by the rules and obey your commands!"

Wang Meng was powerfully built. His father was a blacksmith and was at the ninth level of the Body Tempering Realm, the highest cultivation among them.

He also appeared to be a very steady and reliable person.

Su Fei nodded.

"Very good, Wang Meng, you will temporarily serve as the Captain of the Strongmen and be responsible for their daily training."

"Your subordinate obeys."

A flicker of joy crossed Wang Meng's eyes. I'm getting promoted already? He quickly accepted the order.

The other Strongmen also showed excitement. Su Fei's strength and decisiveness had convinced them. Serving under such a superior clearly offered a better future than following other Squad Leaders.

Just then, a messenger Strongman hurried over.

"Squad Leader Su, Commander Ling requests your presence in his study."

"Understood,"

Su Fei said to Wang Meng and the others.

"You may begin your training for now. I will return shortly."

Su Fei straightened his clothes and followed the messenger.

Upon arriving at Commander Ling's office, Su Fei pushed the door open. Commander Ling was seated at his desk, reviewing documents. Seeing Su Fei enter, he put down his vermillion brush and gestured to the chair opposite him.

"Sit."

"Thank you, sir."

Su Fei cupped his fists in greeting and took a seat.

Commander Ling picked up his teacup, took a sip, and spoke slowly.

"Su Fei, your performance in the training grounds yesterday was excellent. You displayed your strength and established your authority. While the Imperial Guard is a place that values rules, it values methods even more. Being able to control the situation will help you establish yourself in this Qingzhou Thousand Households Office."

"It was not a mistake to promote you to Squad Leader ahead of schedule."

Su Fei replied humbly.

"It is all due to your patronage, sir."

Commander Ling put down his teacup, his tone amiable.

"It's not entirely patronage."

"Your handling of Chen Hu yesterday was excellent. You spared his life but crippled his martial arts. This avenged the ambush and also denied Chen Zhenyu an excuse to target you. Your strategic thinking is far superior to that of martial artists your age."

Su Fei's heart stirred. So Commander Ling had seen through his intentions long ago.

Commander Ling changed the subject.

"However, strength and strategy alone are not enough. When serving in the Imperial Guard, merit and performance are also very important."

"Although you hold a position now, you have yet to earn any significant achievements."

"I have found a task for you, which will be your first mission since joining."

He picked up a file from his desk and pushed it towards Su Fei.

"Over the past month, children have gone missing in the western part of Qingzhou Prefecture City. So far, seven children have disappeared without a trace. After receiving the reports, the Qingzhou Prefecture yamen investigated for half a month with no leads, and then forwarded the case to the Thousand Households Office."

Su Fei opened the file. It contained the names, ages, and locations where the missing children had disappeared. The youngest was only five years old, and the oldest was ten. The disappearances all occurred around dusk, with the locations concentrated near the entertainment district in the west of the city.

"The Qingzhou Prefecture yamen investigated for several days but could not find any clues."