Is my younger brother the protagonist?

"Ah... yes!"

Lu Feng immediately answered.

Then!

He and the other Demon Suppression Guards quickly followed Chu He out of the courtyard, watching the imposing, domineering figure ahead.

All five men were filled with awe. Someone who could brazenly call the slaughter of sect disciples a major achievement, and even demand an explanation from their sect, was definitely a man ruthless in both intellect and methods.

As long as a man like this survived, he was destined to soar ever higher. By following him, they, too, would surely rise rapidly.

After all:

In life, choices mattered more than effort.

Following the right person.

Could spare you decades of detours.

"Notify the Heavenly Martial Guard to collect the bodies." Chu He swung into the saddle and ordered, "Burn the entire village to the ground. Leave nothing but scorched earth for three li."

"Also, I intend to visit my home in Green Mountain Commandery. All of you will accompany me."

"Yes, sir!"

Lu Feng and the other four answered in unison.

Surprise and delight flickered in their eyes. Since Chu He was willing to take them home with him, it proved he already considered them his own people.

This would greatly benefit their future prospects. Once Chu He soared to success, this connection alone could benefit them for the rest of their lives.

Halfway there!

One Demon Suppression Guard left the group to notify the Heavenly Martial Guard in Feiyun County to collect the bodies and handle the aftermath.

This was one of the Heavenly Martial Guard's duties: cleaning up after the Demon Suppression Guards and handling miscellaneous matters.

Feiyun County was not far from Green Mountain Commandery's seat!

Riding swiftly, Chu He and the others saw the outline of a city after only ten hours. Though it could not compare to Yunzhou City, it was still a major city in the region.

Green Mountain City!

As the seat of Green Mountain Commandery, it governed twelve counties and housed the commandery governor, a Six Doors branch, and even second-grade constables.

Furthermore, a battalion from the Demon Suppression Bureau was stationed within the city. This had kept Green Mountain City safe, with evil demons rarely causing trouble.

The moment they entered the city!

The cries of numerous vendors reached them:

"Come take a look! A divine fish caught from the river, already awakened to intelligence! Eat it, and you're guaranteed a longer life! With this fish, your life... your ailments will be saved!"

"Miraculous strength pills, with three guarantees: guaranteed to restore your masculine vigor, guaranteed to keep you standing tall, guaranteed to keep you up all night!"

"Sir, your hometown certainly is lively," Lu Feng said, glancing at the vendors shouting their hearts out nearby.

"Everything beautiful rests on safety!" Chu He replied, then rode straight toward the east of the city.

Lu Feng and the others hurried after him, though they kept looking back at the vendor selling strength pills.

In the east of the city!

Outside a residence spanning several li!

The two guards at the entrance perked up as soon as they saw Chu He and hurried forward:

"Master, you're back!"

"Mm!"

Chu He dismounted and handed the reins to one of the guards, then pointed at Lu Feng and the others following him. "Arrange rooms for them in the residence. Apart from the forbidden grounds, place no restrictions on where they go."

"Yes!"

The guard answered and led the five bewildered men into the luxurious residence, where the paths were paved throughout with fine bluestone.

At that moment!

Chu He took a chest from his horse and strode toward the inner courtyard.

Only when he reached the study at its very center did a faint smile appear on his icy face.

If Lu Feng and the others had seen this, they would certainly have been astonished. In their impression, Chu He's face was either expressionless or exceptionally cold.

Whew!

Chu He exhaled a breath of stale air and pushed open the door!

"Brother, you're back!"

Inside the room.

Hearing the sound, a handsome, scholarly youth immediately stood, looking toward the doorway with delight all over his face. He hurried out and gave Chu He a one-armed hug. As for why it was one-armed.

Because he only had a left arm!

There was nothing beneath the clothing on his right side. He was Chu He's younger brother, Chu Nan, who had depended on Chu He for survival since childhood, just as Chu He had depended on him!

Chu Nan stepped back twice, looking at Chu He's flying-fish robe:

"It really suits your bearing, Brother. As expected of my big brother-you said you'd join the Demon Suppression Guard, and you did."

"I'll have the kitchen make a few good dishes later. Tonight, we brothers have to celebrate properly."

"All right!"

Chu He nodded and said:

"I won't disturb your reading. This is a gift I prepared for you. It's cold, so wear more layers."

With that!

Chu He headed outside. When he reached the door, he suddenly looked back and said:

"A-Nan, remember: I'll always be your big brother. Whatever difficulties you face, I'll help you resolve them."

"OK!"

Chu Nan's expression changed, and he nodded.

Hearing Chu Nan's answer, Chu He's expression eased considerably. Inwardly, he breathed a sigh of relief and strode out of the study.

Inside the main room!

Chu He sat upright in the seat of honor, recalling the scene in the study just now. A book had lain on the desk: the Heavenly Cripple Technique.

Chu He had found it for Chu Nan back then, but Chu Nan had said he disliked practicing martial arts and preferred reading.

Regarding this.

He had not insisted. After all, Confucian cultivators did exist within Great Qian. Though they possessed little combat strength early on, once they attained sudden enlightenment, they could comprehend the true meaning of Confucianism and draw upon the world's vast righteous Qi to repel their enemies.

Yet now, he had suddenly taken out the cultivation manual to read.

"His appearance, behavior, tone of voice, and the code phrase all matched. At least the body is his."

Chu He murmured.

His final question had not been casual. The term {OK} was unique to his ancestral planet, and no one else could possibly know it. Even Chu Nan had only learned it after Chu He taught him several times.

"System, are you sure Chu Nan's soul hasn't changed?"

"Host, don't worry. His soul has remained the same throughout. However, there is a special presence inside the jade pendant against his chest. It should be the remnant soul of some powerful being."

A jade pendant!

A remnant soul!

Wasn't this the protagonist's treatment? Good grief, he had actually become the protagonist's older brother.

Knock! Knock!

Chu He tapped the tabletop twice!

Hum!

A man appeared in the corner, dressed in black robes, his face obscured by a dim light.

Thud!

He dropped to one knee before Chu He and said:

"Greetings, my lord."

"Have they all been gathered?" Chu He's icy voice rang through the room.

"Reporting to my lord: the disciples from every region have all been summoned. Five hundred have talents suited to combat."

"Most are already on the verge of breaking through to become martial artists. However, without a graded cultivation technique, forcing a breakthrough will likely take some time."

"Furthermore, after ten years of nurturing, they all regard you as the sole object of their loyalty. They will not betray you."

The figure spoke quickly.

"Very good!"

Chu He nodded.

These several hundred people were all orphans he had ordered others to adopt years ago, raised and trained throughout Yun Province!

Previously!

His plan had been to lead these disciples into a sect, slaughter their way through, and seize it if he could not join the Demon Suppression Bureau.

At the same time, he could help the disciples become martial artists. With this foundation, he would have some ability to protect himself in this world.

After all, this was a world overrun by demons and monsters. Being safe now did not mean he would be safe in the future. To protect himself and A-Nan, he had to keep growing stronger. Besides, his soul, which was growing stronger at every moment, was also urging him to become stronger.

Now!

A terrifying idea had emerged in his mind, growing ever stronger, impossible to erase.

Resolve flashed in his eyes as he said gravely:

"Pass down my order: have them join the Demon Suppression Bureau in batches. They must pretend not to know one another and devote themselves to cultivation."

PS: This book is a new attempt by Xiaobai. The protagonist acts decisively and kills without hesitation. Feel free to offer any suggestions.