Zhao Hu was not someone who could not accept defeat. Knowing full well that his skills were inferior, he gritted his teeth and forced out those three words.
Although his heart was filled with unwillingness, he had no choice but to admit that Qin Bo's strength surpassed his own.
Elder Sun Yu stepped forward, looked at Zhao Hu, and said earnestly:
"Zhao Hu, failure is not frightening. What matters is learning from it."
"Qin Bo's strength was not achieved overnight. You must understand that improving your strength is not only about breaking through realms, but also about comprehending and applying martial techniques."
Zhao Hu lowered his head and replied, "The elder's teachings are correct. Zhao Hu understands now."
Elder Sun Yu then turned to Qin Bo and said approvingly:
"Qin Bo, you performed excellently this time. You are worthy of taking on the position of Day Roamer Envoy. But you must never become arrogant or complacent. The missions ahead will be fraught with danger, and the safety of Yunzhou City will rest on your shoulders."
"Rest assured, Elder. Qin Bo will certainly fulfill his mission."
Qin Bo clasped his fists and spoke firmly.
"Right, I almost forgot."
"As a Day Roamer Envoy, you can command five to ten Demon Suppressing Guards. However, since you are a newcomer, I doubt any veterans will want to join under your command."
"Fortunately, you can choose a few from among the newcomers below, though you will have to see whether they are willing."
As Elder Sun Yu spoke, he pointed toward the group of newly qualified Demon Suppressing Guards standing nearby.
Qin Bo followed the direction of Elder Sun Yu's finger and saw excitement and anticipation gleaming in the eyes of every one of the new Demon Suppressing Guards.
They had just passed the assessment and were filled with longing for the missions ahead. They also yearned to follow a capable superior.
Qin Bo stepped forward, swept his gaze over everyone, and said:
"Everyone, I am Qin Bo. I believe you all know that I was just promoted to Day Roamer Envoy by special exception."
"This time, I can choose several people to become my subordinates. I wonder if anyone is willing?!"
For a moment, everyone below the platform looked at one another.
Although Qin Bo had defeated Zhao Hu just now, deep down, they still regarded him as a newcomer just like themselves.
Naturally, none of them was willing to submit to another, and even less so to place themselves under someone else's command.
Unexpectedly, however, the first person to speak was Zhao Hu.
"Qin Bo, I, Zhao Hu, acknowledge you. I am willing to be the first to become your subordinate. I hope you will accept me!"
The moment Zhao Hu said this, everyone was stunned.
No one had expected Zhao Hu, who had just lost to Qin Bo in a bout, to be the first to step forward and declare his willingness to become Qin Bo's subordinate.
Qin Bo was likewise somewhat surprised as he looked at Zhao Hu. In Zhao Hu's eyes, he saw sincerity and resolve.
Qin Bo smiled faintly and said, "Zhao Hu, I believe in your strength and courage. Welcome aboard."
With Zhao Hu taking the lead, the new Demon Suppressing Guards who had been looking at one another began to waver.
At this moment, Zhou Ruixue also exchanged a glance with Lin Yu.
They understood what the other was thinking.
"Young Master Qin, we are willing to become your subordinates as well!"
"That's right, we are willing to join. I hope Young Master Qin won't find us lacking."
"I am willing too!"
Four of the five people in Zhou Ruixue's squad were willing to join. Only Li Yao wore a troubled expression.
Seeing that the four members of Zhou Ruixue's squad had all expressed their willingness to join, Qin Bo was overjoyed and said:
"How could I find you lacking? It is my honor to have you join me. Let's work hard together and complete our missions."
Everyone's eyes immediately turned toward Li Yao, who still wore a troubled expression.
Zhou Ruixue looked at Li Yao and asked softly, "Li Yao, what's wrong?"
"I... I am also willing to become your subordinate, but..."
Li Yao spoke slowly, but he was afraid that Qin Bo would deliberately target him afterward.
After all, he had spoken disrespectfully to Qin Bo before.
Qin Bo seemed to see through Li Yao's concern. He stepped forward, patted him on the shoulder, and said with a smile:
"Li Yao, I did not take what happened before to heart. Everyone in the Demon Suppressing Division is here to protect Yunzhou City and resist the strange. Those minor frictions in the past are not worth mentioning."
"Since you are willing to join, then we are comrades-in-arms who will fight side by side."
Li Yao felt warmth in his heart and looked at Qin Bo gratefully.
"Day Roamer Envoy Qin, thank you for being so magnanimous. I was indeed wrong to be so rude before. From now on, I will follow you wholeheartedly and do my utmost."
"Good. We are all brothers and sisters. If we work together with one heart, there is no hurdle we cannot overcome."
Qin Bo looked around at everyone, his gaze resolute.
"Understood!"
Qin Bo then turned and addressed Elder Sun.
"Elder, these people will do."
"Good. Since that is settled, you may leave. Next, go collect your supplies and your assignments. A squad is still a squad, but there are also special affiliations."
After Elder Sun finished speaking, he waved his hand, signaling that everyone could leave.
Afterward, all the newcomers went to the supply distribution area.
Every newcomer could receive two sets of clothing, one weapon, and one token.
The clothing had been specially designed by the Demon Suppressing Division and represented its public face.
An ordinary Demon Suppressing Guard received a black-and-white uniform with the words "Suppress Demons" written on it.
The clothing Qin Bo received, however, belonged exclusively to a Day Roamer Envoy.
A great sun had been embroidered on it, its radiance shining over the earth, representing the duties of a Day Roamer Envoy.
A Day Roamer Envoy was an official position in the Demon Suppressing Division dedicated to dealing with the strange, much like someone specifically responsible for handling strange cases.
There was another position as well: the Night Roamer Envoy.
It was not that they belonged to the night. Rather, they were people who operated in the shadows.
They were responsible for intelligence, investigation, and so on.
Qin Bo looked at the set of clothing embroidered with the great sun and felt a surge of mission in his heart.
He knew deeply that the position of Day Roamer Envoy carried immense responsibility. Every mission concerned the safety of the people of Yunzhou City.
After collecting their clothing, everyone chose their weapons.
Qin Bo merely glanced over them and had no interest at all.
He had already bound his lifebound weapon, so he had no thoughts about these weapons whatsoever.
But the next moment, the butcher's knife strapped behind Qin Bo began to tremble.
Qin Bo froze.
"What's going on?!"
He then drew his butcher's knife and saw it trembling toward a certain direction.
Qin Bo followed its indication.
A blood-red greatsword lay quietly in a corner.
That was the butcher's knife's target.
"You want that?!"
Qin Bo asked, baffled. The butcher's knife then trembled twice in response.
Qin Bo had no choice but to reach out and pick up the blood-colored greatsword.
After he carried it out, the steward at the entrance stopped him.
"Envoy, this blade is a second-tier spirit weapon. You cannot choose it. This spirit weapon requires fifty contribution points to redeem."
"Oh, am I not allowed to redeem it either?"
The steward took Qin Bo's token, only to discover that it already contained five hundred contribution points.
He quickly smiled.
"Of course you can, Envoy. You absolutely can."
These contribution points had been directly awarded to Qin Bo by the Demon Suppressing Division based on his achievements.
Simply reinforcing the Ghost King's seal already counted as a major accomplishment. The five hundred points had even been held back; otherwise, he might have received more than a thousand contribution points.
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