When Hou Niao returned to the Roll-Call Office, the other five men's attitudes had grown somewhat subtle. All were Jincheng natives, each with relatives serving in the Quanzhen Sect, and they were keenly sensitive to certain matters.
Hou Niao had only just brewed his first pot of tea for the day when someone appeared before him. It was Jiang Nanying, whose father served in the Central Army Prefecture.
"Of the four squads in the South City Prefectural Office Inspection Bureau, the First Squad has never had a leader. Starting today, it does. We're willing to acknowledge you as our squad leader, Senior Brother Hou."
Before Hou Niao could react to Jiang Nanying's words, Yu Guanglie came over too. His background was somewhat like those of several women at the Heavenly Fragrance Tower, but fortunately, his father had several brothers-in-arms in the sect who had shared life-and-death experiences with him. Thus, everything had gone smoothly for him, and he had never felt the hardships of life or cultivation.
"Senior Brother Hou, thank you on behalf of our fallen Quanzhen comrades. Whatever you need from now on, just say the word. I won't utter a word of objection."
Hou Niao felt rather embarrassed. He had not acted entirely out of public spirit, and their praise now made him feel he did not deserve his reputation.
Next came Ma Rujun, a small, thin fellow who looked as though he had not quite finished growing. In fact, apart from Hou Niao, he was the oldest among them. His great-uncle oversaw a very important city on Tianfeng Plain, and his way of expressing goodwill was quite amusing.
"Are you married, Senior Brother Hou? I have an older female cousin who is still unwed. Accomplished in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, with a face like a