Shen Chu dragged the wounded black-masked leader and ran wildly.
The two passed through dense woods, climbed over earthen slopes, and finally stopped in a hidden mountain hollow.
Here, dense shrubs and uneven rocks surrounded them. The moonlight was mostly blocked by the canopy, with only a few scattered rays falling upon the ground.
After confirming there were no pursuers behind them, Shen Chu finally released the black-masked leader and helped him sit on a flat rock.
The black-masked leader gasped heavily. He lowered his head to glance at the bone-deep wound on his arm, then looked up at Shen Chu, his eyes brimming with gratitude and his voice thick with emotion.
"Good brother! I was right about you! In a situation like that, you actually dared to turn back and save me! I'll remember this favor! Once this matter is settled, I'll report to the Flag Master and get you promoted! Forget squad leader—even becoming a ten-man leader won't be a problem!"
Shen Chu sat down opposite him, putting on the look of a thoroughly loyal subordinate. He chuckled. "Thank you for your support, Leader! But... Leader, your subordinate truly wants to improve. I want to improve so badly! Do you think you could promote me right now? There's no need to wait until we get back."
The black-masked leader froze slightly, a flicker of imperceptible wariness passing through his eyes.
He fell silent for a moment, as though weighing something.
In the end, he nodded. He took a black command token from his waist, traced several lines across it with his finger, and handed it to Shen Chu. "Fine! Since you have such ambition, I'll promote you to ten-man leader right now! From today onward, you may command a squad of ten and report directly to me!"
Shen