Chu He: All of you, come at me together

Two days later!

At the arena in the Demon Suppression training grounds!

Today!

The place was a boiling sea of voices, because everyone knew a Company Commander would be selected here today.

Thus, Demon Suppression Guards from not only the Third Battalion but other battalions and even other armies had come to watch. Battles between martial artists, especially those at Second Rank or above, were precious opportunities for First Rank martial artists.

They could both hone their own aptitude for combat and secretly learn a few simple techniques they could use.

A quarter past noon:

Zhang Wei strode over from afar and sat in a chair above the arena. Several other Hundred Household Commanders sat around him, including Hundred Household Commander Sun, who was at odds with him.

"Brother Zhang, you have my condolences over Yuanbao's death!" Hundred Household Commander Sun looked at Zhang Wei with regret on his face, though a cold smirk surfaced at the corner of his mouth. "Had we known, we should have sent a few more Company Commanders back then. You must plan ahead for this joint operation, Brother Zhang."

Bang!

Zhang Wei clenched his large hand, cracking the teacup in his grip, and said coldly, "No need for your warning, Brother Sun. Just look after your own subordinates. If anything goes wrong during the mission, don't blame the Demon Suppression Bureau's merciless rules."

Then!

He raised his teacup and took a sip, a trace of gloom flashing through his eyes.

Yuanbao!

His most outstanding subordinate, a Company Commander at the second rank peak stage, had stood head and shoulders above others throughout the Yunzhou Demon Suppression Bureau. His breakthrough to Third Rank had been just around the corner.

Sadly, he had fallen in a chaotic battle against demons. Even Zhang Wei, who was accustomed to life and death, could not accept it for a time.

However!

This outcome had delighted Hundred Household Commander Sun. He had tried every means to win Yuanbao over, all to no avail. Just as he was at his wits' end, he heard of Yuanbao's death.

It was simply like riding a plane, mm-hmm... bliss soaring into the heavens!

"When do you intend to begin, Brother Zhang?" another Hundred Household Commander asked.

"Wait a little longer!"

Zhang Wei lifted his tea and took a sip. "One person has yet to arrive."

Someone was missing?

The Hundred Household Commanders looked down. All five Second Rank Squad Commanders of the Third Battalion had arrived, each brimming with fighting spirit.

Who else was there?

However!

Some of the Hundred Household Commanders had received word and knew that Zhang Wei had recently recruited an exceptionally powerful prodigy.

He had broken through to Second Rank after only a month in the Demon Suppression Bureau, qualifying him to compete for the position of Company Commander.

His name was Chu He!

Below!

The many spectating Demon Suppression Guards quietly exchanged words:

"I heard six Squad Commanders from the Third Army's Third Battalion qualify to compete for Company Commander. Five at the second rank early stage, one at the second rank middle stage."

"You have to admit, the Third Battalion's overall strength surpasses the other battalions. Commander Zhang himself is at the third rank peak stage, with extraordinary combat strength."

"They say Chu He is competing too. He only just broke through to Second Rank, so he's probably here to get a taste of it. His talent is pretty fierce, though."

"Chu He? The one who scared Li Wan'er half to death two days ago?"

"Who else? Cold, stern, and utterly merciless. His men say his only hobby is killing demons."

"Keep it down. He's here..."

A Demon Suppression Guard immediately warned them.

Everyone else turned to look into the distance.

They saw.

Chu He was striding over.

A copper coin flipped up and down in his left hand, while his right rested on the hilt of his Demon-Suppressing Saber.

His face was cold, and wisps of killing intent lurked in his eyes. Even these Demon Suppression Guards, whose hands were drenched in blood, dared not meet his gaze.

"Move aside!"

Chu He said coldly.

Whoosh...

The Demon Suppression Guards swiftly cleared a path to the arena, all staring at Chu He in surprise. His killing intent was too fierce.

It felt as though, if they dared hesitate for even a moment, he would dare cut them down in full view of everyone.

Chu He!

Above, the eyes of the Hundred Household Commanders narrowed at the sight of Chu He.

Their greater strength allowed them to sense even more clearly the indomitable fighting spirit and killing intent within him.

This might be a flaw in other sects, but in the Demon Suppression Bureau, it marked a promising prospect. The greater one's bloodlust, the less one feared demons.

Thump!

Chu He stood below the arena and cupped his hands.

"My lord, I'm not late, am I?"

"Right on time."

Zhang Wei nodded, then rose and said:

"Today, the Third Army's Third Battalion will select its Company Commander through arena combat. You will fight in pairs, and whoever wins the most bouts will be appointed Company Commander."

"To ensure fairness, all of you will serve as witnesses. Anyone who cheats or fails to use proper methods will be disqualified."

"Let the competition begin!"

Having finished speaking!

Zhang Wei slowly sat down, signaling that the paired bouts could begin.

At this moment!

The other Squad Commanders participating in the selection were still hesitating. Whoever entered the arena first would make it easier for those who followed to figure out his moves.

To play it safe, none wanted to enter the arena first. They wanted someone else to go ahead while they made further preparations.

Chu He looked at the arena above.

Without hesitation!

He stepped forward!

Leaping more than a dozen meters, he landed directly in the arena, swept his gaze across the other competing Squad Commanders, and said coldly:

"All of you, come at me together!"

What?

Hearing Chu He's words, the spectating Demon Suppression Guards froze. What did he mean, come at him together?

Could it be?

He intended to take on all the other Squad Commanders alone!

Hiss...

At that thought!

The Demon Suppression Guards sucked in cold breaths.

They quietly exchanged words:

"No wonder everyone says he acts so domineering. Seeing him today, that reputation doesn't do him justice. This is downright arrogance."

"Taking on all the other Squad Commanders alone? Where does Chu He get that confidence? Has his head swollen too much?"

Above!

Zhang Wei's eyes widened as well.

Chu He's words had shocked him badly too. Only yesterday, he had advised him not to lose heart if he failed, yet today, Chu He had given him:

The very model of an "I'll fight ten!" show-off!

Fuck!

With no backing and such a talent for showing off, how had he survived this long?!

"The prodigy under your command certainly has quite a personality, Brother Zhang!"

Hundred Household Commander Sun mocked.

His tone brimmed with smug satisfaction. Chu He's posturing would inevitably enrage the other Squad Commanders. Better yet if they fought to the death in the arena.

That way!

With his men divided, Zhang Wei would lose all face. What right would he have left to compete with him for a place at the Heavenly Mansion Pool?

Sure enough!

Hearing Chu He's words, the other competing Squad Commanders turned ashen.

"Arrogant! I, Zhou Ye, have come to seek your instruction!"

Bang!

A Squad Commander immediately leaped toward the arena, swinging his right fist. Black light flashed, accompanied by peals of tiger roars.

"It's the Tiger Explosion Fist!"

"That's a Third Rank fist technique. To produce that sound, he's clearly reached major accomplishment. That punch must carry several thousand jin of force."

"Such a fierce, powerful fist technique, with the momentum of an attack behind it, would be hard to meet head... holy shit!"

Before one Demon Suppression Guard could finish his analysis, he blurted out a curse.

They saw.

Chu He remained where he stood and threw a punch of his own. Peals of dragon cries and elephant roars resounded through the arena!

Bang!

The two fists collided!

Crack!

A faint sound of fracturing bone rang out. Pain crossed Zhou Ye's face, but his fighting will was far from ordinary. His right hand reached to draw his Demon-Suppressing Saber.

Bang!

Chu He's other fist struck his long saber!

Clang! Bang!

The Demon-Suppressing Saber at Zhou Ye's waist had only been drawn halfway before it was forcibly knocked back into its sheath. His right arm drooped limply as well.

Then!

He could only watch as a large foot slammed into his chest!

Bang!

Whoosh!

The powerful impact kicked Zhou Ye straight out of the arena. He landed on one knee, gasping with pain written all over his face.

One breath!

In just one breath, he had lost!

At the same time!

Chu He's cold voice rang out from the arena:

"Coming at me together is your only chance!"