Establishing Authority

Zhou Zheng pointed out the location to Yang Xiao and then left.

However, his expression as he left was slightly conflicted and he sighed, as if he had taken on a hot potato.

Yang Xiao didn't think much of it and walked alone to a Martial Arts Arena.

Before your eyes is a wide Bluestone square, with weapon racks standing on the side, displaying all kinds of weapons, including knives, spears, swords, and halberds.

At this moment, hundreds of Captain were gathered in the courtyard, some standing and some sitting, each with a different expression.

Yang Xiao walked into the courtyard, his steps neither fast nor slow.

The Captain in the courtyard noticed someone entering and looked up to scan the area.

In their eyes, Yang Xiao was just a young man in his early twenties, dressed in ordinary Demon-Suppressing Captain's uniform, nothing special.

So they all looked away and went back to doing their own thing.

Yang Xiao didn't speak, but slowly walked to the very front of the Martial Arts Arena, stood with his hands behind his back, and glanced at everyone present.

This stop brought him back into the public eye for many people.

The Captain gradually stopped talking and their eyes fell on the young man standing in the center of the field.

Some frowned, some looked puzzled, and some seemed thoughtful.

"Who is this kid?"

What are you doing standing there?

"New here? Never seen him before..."

Whispers rose and fell.

On the other side of the Martial Arts Arena, a burly old Captain stood up and walked towards Yang Xiao.

He looked to be around fifty years old, with a dark complexion and graying temples, but his eyes were clear and his demeanor was steady.

This man, named Zhao Kui, was a half-step Aperture-Opening Realm cultivator and quite famous among the Captain. It was said that he was just a step away from being promoted to Deputy General, but he was unlucky and had been stuck at that threshold for many years.

Zhao Kui walked up to Yang Xiao, looked him up and down, and a half-smile appeared on his lips.

"Hey kid, which team are you on? What are you doing standing here?"

Zhao Kui had actually guessed Yang Xiao's identity, but he was unwilling to accept it, or rather, he didn't want to accept it.

What right does a young man who hasn't been with the company long have to ride roughshod over a veteran Captain who's served for decades?

Zhao Kui was unconvinced and wanted to suppress the young man's arrogance before he revealed his identity.

Yang Xiao didn't reply, but calmly glanced at Zhao Kui, then scanned the surroundings again and silently counted the number of people.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Zhao Kui's smile deepened.

"What, not going to say anything?"

He took a step closer, lowering his voice slightly, with a hint of warning.

"Kid, let me give you a piece of advice: that position isn't for just anyone."

"You're just a young man, go back to where you came from, don't embarrass yourself here."

As soon as he finished speaking, many Captain in the courtyard heard him and turned to look.

Some looked on with curiosity, some with amusement, and others with a hint of indifference.

On the other side of the Martial Arts Arena, a young Captain in a brocade robe squinted, his gaze fixed on Yang Xiao.

Lu Mingchuan, a member of the Lu Family of Cloud Fir Commandery, possesses a cultivation level of Liquid Condensation Mid Stage, making him one of the top disciples among the scions of aristocratic families.

He came to the Demon Suppression Division to make a name for himself, and also to have an official position to protect his Lineage.

Lu Mingchuan, being well-informed, also guessed Yang Xiao's identity.

He didn't speak, but just watched quietly, wanting to see how this new Deputy General would respond.

Or, to put it another way, is it worth it for me to stay in this team?

In a corner of the courtyard, a thin, white-haired old man sat on the stone steps, holding a whetstone in his hand, slowly sharpening a long knife.

He appeared to be around seventy years old, with a gaunt face and his hair completely white, tied up on his head. But his eyes were frighteningly sharp, like those of a hawk.

He was known in the martial arts world as Old Saber Dao, possessing a peak cultivation level of the Liquid Condensation Realm, and his Saber Technique was sharp and ruthless.

Relying on his cultivation level, which was not much lower than that of a newly Deputy General, he acted arrogantly due to his seniority, disliked being disciplined, and often argued with Deputy General, so no Deputy General was willing to take him under his wing.

Upon hearing Zhao Kui's words, Old Saber paused in his actions, then looked over and sneered.

"A kid who hasn't even grown his first hair yet dares to come here and act like Deputy General? What, you think you can boss me around?"

He raised his head, his gaze falling darkly on Yang Xiao.

"Get out of here, don't get in my way."

In the center of the Martial Arts Arena, Yang Xiao finally moved.

He took out a waist token from his pocket and held it up in front of him.

The waist badge is entirely silver-white, engraved with intricate runes and the emblem of the Demon Suppression Division, with two large characters in the center: Deputy General.

The courtyard fell silent immediately.

When Zhao Kui saw the waist token, his pupils contracted slightly, but he quickly recovered and his smile widened.

"Oh, so he really is Deputy General."

He nodded, his tone still dismissive.

"But so what if he's Deputy General?"

"Experience, Merit, or ability—what do you have that makes us respect you?"

Upon hearing this, several troublemakers in the courtyard immediately stood up and began to condemn it.

Xu Qingshan clenched his fists, his heart filled with anxiety.

Yang Xiao frowned slightly, then let out a soft breath.

"It's very simple."

His voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.

"You think you can beat me?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kui frowned slightly, but quickly recovered and chuckled, saying:

"Deputy General quite the arrogance, General. Shall we have a contest?"

Yang Xiao did not answer, but simply put away his Deputy General's badge, stretched out one hand, and casually beckoned to Zhao Kui with his finger.

Zhao Kui's face immediately darkened.

Before he could even make a move, Old Saber could no longer contain himself.

"Arrogant!"

He took a step forward, his long sword carrying a sharp blade wind, and slashed towards Yang Xiao!

This strike was swift, precise, and ruthless, carrying the power of a peak-level Liquid Condensation expert. The wind howled, and the blade flashed like lightning!

The Captain in the courtyard retreated hastily, some of them exclaiming in surprise.

"Old Saber has made his move!"

"That kid's finished!"

Clang--!

Gently pinch the blade between two fingers.

Yang Xiao stood still, his right index and middle fingers together, holding Old Saber's long sword firmly between his fingers.

The wind from the blade dissipated, and the flash of light from the blade vanished.

Old Saber stared wide-eyed, his face showing disbelief.

He tried with all his might to draw the knife, but the knife seemed to be cast into Yang Xiao's fingers, remaining completely still.

Yang Xiao glanced at him indifferently.

"Is that all you've got?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he kicked out.

Old Saber was sent flying backward, crashing into a weapon rack at the edge of the Martial Arts Arena with a loud clatter, and his long sword fell to the ground.

The courtyard fell into a deathly silence.

Old Saber lay on the ground, his chest slightly sunken, blood gushing from his mouth, unable to get up for a moment.

Zhao Kui's expression changed completely.

He hadn't expected Yang Xiao to be so strong, and he certainly hadn't expected Lao Dao to be crippled in one move.

But things had already come to this point, and he couldn't back down.

"Do it!"

Zhao Kui gave a low shout and pounced on Yang Xiao first.

Several Captain who were on good terms with him also attacked at the same time, some throwing punches, some wielding knives, and some unleashing their Spiritual Power.

In an instant, the Martial Arts Arena was filled with the glint of swords and the howling of fists.

Yang Xiao stood still, his expression unchanged.

He raised his right hand, palm facing outward, gently exhaled from several Apertures, and then casually pushed.

A surge of powerful Spiritual Power erupted from his palm, sweeping out like a tidal wave!