"What do you want with me?"
Jiang Che frowned slightly, suspicion on his face.
From their previous encounters, he could tell that Zhu Qingqing held him in some contempt. But he did not care about that, nor did he intend to have anything more to do with her.
Yet unexpectedly, she had come looking for him instead.
"This... this subordinate does not know."
"Fine, I understand."
Jiang Che waved a hand, not particularly concerned.
West City Training Ground.
Several dozen soldiers clad in padded robes sat gathered lazily together, quietly spreading word about Liu Zhi and Jiang Che, whom they would be meeting today, discussing their origins and backgrounds.
But if one looked down from above, one would see that the dozens of men had formed several small circles. Especially whenever Jiang Che and Liu Zhi were mentioned, they deliberately avoided the few men in the corner.
Because if Jiang Che and Liu Zhi had not come, the positions of deputy commander—and even commander—would very likely have fallen into their hands.
"Damn it, all that effort for nothing. I already sent out the gifts, yet those bastards above dropped people in from the sky. Damn my luck." Among them, a short but burly man could not help swearing.
He was dissatisfied both with Jiang Che and the others being parachuted in and with those people in the county office who had taken his silver yet failed to get anything done. Worst of all, they had not even hinted at returning it.
He could only swallow the loss in silence.
"That's enough, Old Jin. Stop grumbling. If it reaches the ears of that Liu and that Jiang, you'll have a hard time of it later," Hu An, a young man beside the short, stocky fellow, advised.
"What's there to fear? Even if they hear me, I'm not afraid. I don't plan to keep hanging around West City anyway. I'll be transferred out in a few days. What can they do to me?"
Old Jin snorted.
"What, are you planning to stir up some trouble and put a few thorns under the eyes of those two new arrivals?" Hu An asked Old Jin with great interest.
"And why not?"
"For the sake of all the years we've spent together, let me give you a few reminders. Neither of those two is easy to provoke. Liu Zhi used to be the commander of Tai'an Prefecture's Wind Camp.
"And this Jiang Che is no simple man either. I heard he was still an auxiliary soldier last month, yet this month he became deputy commander outright. Rumor has it that the newly appointed county lieutenant thinks very highly of him."
The man surnamed Jin spat.
"So he's some pretty boy. Losing to someone like that is damned stifling. No, when the time comes, I have to trade blows with him."
"And you, Old Deng? You planning to make some trouble too?" Hu An turned his gaze toward the rough-clothed man beside him, who held a blade and remained silent. He knew exactly what these two were made of.
Jin Dayya shouted fiercely enough, but when the moment came, he might not actually dare to kick up a fuss.
Deng Yan, however, was different. He was a ruthless man.
His strength was fairly well known even in Yanggu County. His methods were particularly vicious and his saber techniques sharp and fierce. He had been a favorite in the eyes of the previous county lieutenant, but before he could be promoted, that county lieutenant had been transferred away.
As a result, he had been left stranded here, neither high nor low. Quite a few people had tried to recruit him, but Deng Yan had privately made his position clear: whoever could make him deputy commander would have his allegiance.
Deng Yan slowly opened his eyes and glanced at Hu An. A thin saber scar ran across his eyelid, making his gaze exceptionally sharp. He said flatly,
"That has nothing to do with you. Worry about your own affairs first."
Hu An smiled awkwardly, but did not get angry. Instead, he resumed chatting with Jin Dayya.
A little while later, a squad of soldiers in neat cloth armor poured into the training ground. All the lazy West City soldiers swiftly rose to their feet, formed ranks, and prepared to welcome Jiang Che and Liu Zhi.
Liu Zhi walked at the very front, clad in black armor with a solemn expression. Jiang Che followed at his side in a dark martial robe. After achieving Flesh and Blood Manifestation, he no longer feared the bitter cold.
Even though he was not dressed particularly thickly, he did not feel the slightest chill.
Geng Dabiao, Xu San'er, and a somewhat youthful-looking young man stood at the rear. He was Xu San'er's eldest son, Xu Chenghu, whom Xu San'er had introduced to Jiang Che as an attendant.
Upon the stone platform at the center of the training ground, Liu Zhi and Jiang Che stood to the left and right.
Below them, Xu San'er was the first to speak.
"Greetings, Commander Liu, Deputy Commander Jiang."
Publicly, and in Liu Zhi's presence, it would not have been appropriate to address Jiang Che as commander.
Geng Dabiao followed immediately after him, followed by the dozen or so soldiers they had brought. These men were the elites who had previously accompanied Jiang Che on the escort mission, and Jiang Che had taken the opportunity to bring them under his command.
Only then did the soldiers of the West City Martial Camp pay their respects.
But in stark contrast, not only were their ranks disorderly, their voices were uneven as well.
Liu Zhi raised his right hand, suppressing the commotion below, and said in a deep voice,
"From today onward, Liu officially assumes the position of commander of the West City Martial Camp. I will not pursue your past actions, but from now on, whoever pays lip service while acting otherwise or disobeys orders, do not blame me for showing no mercy."
After saying this, he turned his gaze toward Jiang Che and gave a slight nod.
Jiang Che understood. As commander, Liu Zhi needed to maintain his authority and had no need to say too much. But Jiang Che was the deputy commander, and the following words needed to be announced by him.
"Before coming here, Jiang had already learned about the state of the West City Martial Camp. Seeing it today, it is indeed as expected. By law, there should be one hundred men, yet all of you together number only sixty or seventy.
"I do not care who has swallowed the pay for those vacant slots. But from today onward, the camp must be fully staffed. There will be two training drills every day. Whoever does not wish to stay, we can part on good terms, and I will see you all politely out the gate.
"But if you are willing to remain here, then you must follow this camp's rules, Commander Liu's rules, and my, Jiang Che's, rules. Those who violate the regulations will be severely punished without exception.
"Do you see these men?"
As he spoke, Jiang Che pointed toward Geng Dabiao and the others.
"They are here to fill the vacancies and replace those who leave."
"I've said my piece. Who agrees, and who objects?"
Beneath the stone platform, the crowd erupted into commotion and heated discussion.
"Two drills a day? How could anyone's body endure that?"
"Exactly. Isn't that asking for our lives?"
"Ah..."
Seeing this, Hu An gave Jin Dayya a look, signaling for him to speak up.
But Jin Dayya, who had just been raging with indignation and even shouting that he would make Jiang Che pay, now watched his nose, his nose watched his heart, as though he had entered a meditative trance.
Hu An inwardly thought, Just as expected. This old bastard is only good at talking big.
"Deputy Commander Jiang, Deng has something to say."
The taciturn Deng Yan paid no heed to the gazes around him. He lifted his head and stared straight at Jiang Che.
"You object to Jiang's words?"
"No. It is simply that Deng has heard Deputy Commander Jiang's methods are extraordinary and his strength exceptional. I too am addicted to martial arts as though it were my life, so I wish to ask Deputy Commander Jiang for a few pointers. If I lose, I will submit to whatever punishment Deputy Commander Jiang sees fit."
"And if you win?"
"Then Deng hopes Deputy Commander Jiang will either politely send me out of the camp, or yield this deputy commander's position to me."
Deng Yan said in a deep voice.
"Fine. Then come up."