A Young Heart Grows Stronger with Every Passing Year-Why Waste It on Fear and Panic?

"Of course I'll gladly accept the responsibility!"

"Who else could take the position of Zongqi Officer but me?"

Chen Fan said loudly, raising his head. He happened to meet Cao De's gaze.

"A young heart grows stronger with every passing year—why waste it on fear and panic?"

"Alas!"

"Very well!"

"Since you meet the requirements, and Old Huang has vouched for and recommended you, I hereby officially appoint you Zongqi Officer of the Ping'an County Jinyiwei Baihu Office!"

"I'll send a carrier pigeon to the Longyuan Prefecture Jinyiwei Commander's Office. Your waist token should arrive soon. At the end of the year, you can visit the Commander's Office to register. You can also use your Merit Points to exchange for anything you need there."

Cao De sighed and spoke earnestly.

Chen Fan understood what he meant: Cao De was cautioning him not to be too eager, and there was a veiled threat in his words as well.

But Chen Fan let it go in one ear and out the other. He didn't care in the least.

"Thank you, Baihu Master!"

Chen Fan replied solemnly, readily accepting the appointment.

Cao De looked over the young man before him once more. In just a year since joining the Jinyiwei, Chen Fan had quietly trained to the Fifth Stage of the Spirit Concealment Realm using nothing but a copy of Body Tempering Fist.

Yet he had kept his strength hidden all along. If Cao De hadn't suddenly made a move against him, Chen Fan might never have revealed it.

As for the story that he'd been poisoned and nearly died some time ago, Cao De simply didn't believe it. He thought Chen Fan had only been putting on an act to lure him out.

How had this little bastard hidden himself so well?

If he'd revealed this kind of talent sooner, I would have spared no effort to cultivate him.

But now, by a twist of fate, I've pushed him to the opposite side. It's too late to let him live!

Cao De weighed his options. Now that he had made Chen Fan his enemy, the more terrifying Chen Fan's talent seemed, the more worried he became. As long as Chen Fan lived, Cao De would never know peace!

"Starting today, you and Zongqi Li will each take charge of five of the Jinyiwei's ten squads. Zongqi Li will patrol Ping'an County and make sure no Demonic Creatures slip into the city."

"As for you, Zongqi Chen, you'll patrol outside the city. Make sure the towns under Ping'an County's jurisdiction are no longer harassed by Demonic Creatures."

"The towns under our jurisdiction have suffered at the hands of Demonic Creatures for far too long. The Jinyiwei's Ten Year Inspection period is about to end, and our Baihu Office has gained a powerful, promising young Zongqi Officer. It's time to declare war on the Demonic Creatures of Ping'an County!"

"Purge the Demonic Creatures—starting today!"

Cao De rose to his feet and addressed everyone.

"Baihu Master, I think we should secure our rear before dealing with outside threats. Demonic Creatures are running rampant inside Ping'an County. Shouldn't we purge the county town first, then go after those outside?"

Chen Fan immediately voiced his objection.

"Zongqi Chen, do you know what you're saying?"

"Ping'an County is thriving. Where are these so-called Demonic Creatures running rampant?"

"Oh, right. I heard about what happened at Spring View Pavilion some time ago. To be honest, I never expected the owner behind it to be a Demonic Creature either."

"But that was an isolated incident. Don't mistake the exception for the rule. You'll lose sight of yourself that way!"

Cao De said with a beaming smile.

"Baihu Master..."

"Enough. I've made up my mind. There's nothing more to discuss!"

"Zongqi Chen, are you planning to defy your direct superior the moment you take office?"

Chen Fan tried to argue, but Cao De cut him off before he could finish. His tone hardened, and his gaze toward Chen Fan turned cold.

"This subordinate accepts the order!"

Chen Fan could only clasp his fists and obey, then step aside.

"Now that the assignments have been settled, everyone can get to work!"

Cao De waved them off. Everyone left, and Chen Fan reluctantly walked away from the Training Ground.

"Don't let it get you down. Appointing you Jinyiwei Zongqi Officer in front of everyone must have been like cutting out his heart. You just had to rub salt in the wound right then—were you trying to make him blow his top?"

Huang Chengyue patted Chen Fan on the shoulder, smiling.

"I knew he wouldn't accept my suggestion. I only said it to get under his skin. What he's done is as plain as lice on a bald head to plenty of people, and he still wants to keep up appearances."

Chen Fan said scornfully.

"Hahaha!"

"I knew I hadn't misjudged you."

"Here, take this Thousand-Forged Embroidered Spring Blade made of black iron."

"Our Baihu Office has no shortage of Zongqi Officer uniforms. If we're out of stock, you can have the city tailor make one. But our Jinyiwei Baihu Office was only issued two black-iron Embroidered Spring Blades: one went to Li Mo, and the other to me. Now that you're a Zongqi Officer, take mine."

Huang Chengyue laughed heartily, drew his own blade, and handed it to Chen Fan.

"Old Huang, I can't accept this."

"Even if you've stepped back from active duty, you're still an honorary Jinyiwei Zongqi Officer. How could I take something you love?"

Chen Fan refused.

"When I saw you sparring with Sun Jian the other day, your Hundred Refinements Embroidered Spring Blade was full of notches. Some parts of the edge had even curled."

"This black-iron Thousand-Forged Embroidered Spring Blade has been with me for over twenty years, but it's rarely been drawn in all that time. It's just stayed by my side, growing old along with me."

"If you keep refusing, are you going to make it follow me into the coffin, too?"

"A fine blade like this ought to slay Demonic Creatures and sweep away injustice from the world. With me, it's a pearl cast before swine. Do you want it to gather dust in my hands until the blade rusts?"

"Listen to me. Take it!"

"I'll be happy knowing you have it. At least I'll have found a good home for the old companion that's been with me for over twenty years!"

Huang Chengyue placed the black-iron Thousand-Forged Embroidered Spring Blade in Chen Fan's hands.

"Thank you for the gift, Old Huang!"

Chen Fan clasped his fists and bowed, expressing his heartfelt gratitude.

The Jinyiwei's standard Hundred Refinements Embroidered Spring Blade was made of refined iron and counted as a fine weapon. But as Chen Fan's strength grew, it had become next to useless.

The sabers carried by Jinyiwei Xiaoqi Officers were also Hundred Refinements Embroidered Spring Blades, no different from the ones carried by ordinary Jinyiwei members like Chen Fan. But Zongqi Officers were allowed to use Thousand-Forged Embroidered Spring Blades made of black iron.

Baihu and Qianhu Officers were firmly part of the Jinyiwei's middle ranks. Most used precious weapons exchanged for Merit Points from the Jinyiwei armory, rather than these standard-issue blades.

Chen Fan examined the black-iron Thousand-Forged Embroidered Spring Blade closely. Though it was standard issue, it was no worse than a low-grade treasure. It was also sturdy and durable; even when slaying a Demonic Creature in the Spirit Concealment Realm, its edge wouldn't chip or curl.

The blade was also extremely heavy, probably weighing over a hundred pounds. It sat like a stone in his hand. Without a certain level of martial cultivation, no one could wield it. But to Chen Fan, with his current strength, the weight was nothing.

"What a fine blade!"

"With this treasure in hand, slaying Demonic Creatures will be even easier from now on!"

Chen Fan couldn't help exclaiming.

"Cao De sent you to patrol the towns under Ping'an County. He'll definitely incite the Black Mountain Demonic Creatures to attack you, so be extremely careful."

"The Black Mountain Demonic Creatures are not to be underestimated. You absolutely mustn't confront them head-on yet. If you run into Mountain Lord, Howling Moon, or Three Eyes—the three top Great Demons—leave at once."

"With your talent, given time, you'll surpass Cao De and those three Great Demons. We've waited all these years; we can wait another year or two!"

Huang Chengyue spoke earnestly.