Establishing Authority! Reaping the Rewards!

"Huh?!"

The sudden question stunned Li Yue. Still reeling from what she had just witnessed, she could only open her mouth instinctively, unable to utter a word.

Just then!

"Li Yue! Don't be afraid! I'm coming!"

A voice brimming with "heroic spirit" rang out from the mouth of the alley!

Zhang Meng arrived at "just the right moment," charging in with "hurried" steps, a carefully cultivated look of anxiety and confidence on his face.

He was ready to put on a grand show for Li Yue: the hero saving the beauty and turning the tide! He had even worked out how he would comfort the frightened Li Yue after dealing with those "frenzied" Carrion Rats, and give that newcomer, who was surely scared out of his wits, a "lesson" while he was at it...

However...

The moment Zhang Meng charged into the alley and saw the scene before him, the expression on his face... froze completely!

The chaotic scene he had expected was nowhere to be found!

Nor was there any sign of the newcomer panicking or Li Yue's lovely face paling with fright!

There was only...

The thick stench of blood hanging in the air!

The three Carrion Rat corpses on the ground, slain cleanly and efficiently, yet gruesome in death!

And...

The newcomer he had been ready to "teach a lesson"-Dongfang Yueming-was calmly sliding his saber back into its sheath, as though he had merely swatted a few flies!

And Li Yue... was staring blankly at Dongfang Yueming as though he were a monster!

The smugness, anxiety, and confidence on Zhang Meng's face... froze in an instant. As if struck by an immobilization spell, he stood rooted to the spot, his expression comical and stunned, like a statue turned to stone in an instant!

Time seemed to stand still for a few seconds.

At the mouth of the alley, Zhang Meng stood there like a clown, wearing that comical, rigid expression, unable to advance or retreat.

Dongfang Yueming glanced at him, the faintest hint of a smile curling at the corner of his mouth, but said nothing more.

Li Yue also finally recovered from her extreme shock. Her gaze turned cold and complicated as she looked at Zhang Meng, with a trace of disgust she could barely conceal. Sharp as ice and clever as snow, how could she still fail to understand that this "test" gone out of control was surely Zhang Meng's doing?

Just as the atmosphere grew unbearably awkward.

"Ahem!"

A deliberate cough broke the silence.

Captain Wang Zhen and Zhao Tieniu also appeared "just in time" at the mouth of the alley.

When Wang Zhen saw the three Carrion Rat corpses on the ground, cleanly killed, and Dongfang Yueming standing there unscathed and composed, a flicker of barely concealed astonishment flashed through his sharp eyes!

But he was a seasoned veteran, after all. He quickly forced down the turmoil in his heart and once again put on the calm demeanor expected of a captain.

Wang Zhen's gaze fell on Dongfang Yueming, carrying a trace of appraisal and gravity. He said in a deep voice, "Dongfang Yueming, it seems your strength far exceeds my expectations! Good! Very good!"

He stepped forward and patted Dongfang Yueming on the shoulder, sincere approval in his voice. "On behalf of the Third Squad, I formally welcome you aboard!"

"Thank you, Captain." Dongfang Yueming gave an appropriately measured smile, but he was clearly more concerned with practical benefits and asked directly, "So... do these Carrion Rats count for contribution points?"

"Hahahaha!" Wang Zhen burst into hearty laughter at his words, as though he had heard something amusing. "Of course they count! They absolutely count! And they'll count for plenty!"

He glanced at the clearly abnormal Carrion Rat corpses on the ground, then cast a meaningful look at Zhang Meng, whose face had turned ashen. With a grand wave of his hand, he said generously, "These Carrion Rats may only be low-level mortal beasts, but the fact that you dealt with them so cleanly and efficiently shows your strength! Here's what we'll do: I'll give you 10 contribution points for each of the three! That's 30 points in total! Consider it a welcome gift!"

Ten contribution points each?!

Dongfang Yueming's eyes lit up! That was far more than he had expected! By normal standards, the reward for killing an ordinary Carrion Rat might not even be 3 points!

"That's great! Thank you, Captain!" Dongfang Yueming beamed, the unexpected windfall putting him in an excellent mood.

At the number, Zhang Meng's fists clenched instantly, his nails nearly digging into his palms!

His heart was bleeding! He was roaring inside!

Ten points?! A Carrion Rat is worth 3 to 5 contribution points at most! And that's only because they were driven berserk by the drug! The captain is clearly...

He was just about to argue when he met Captain Wang Zhen's gaze, icy to the bone and full of warning!

That look seemed to say, You caused this, so you'll have to pay the price! Dare to say another word, and you'll bear the consequences!

It was as though a bucket of cold water had been poured over Zhang Meng. All his resentment and anger were crushed beneath that invisible pressure, and he could only lower his head in humiliation, not daring to raise any further objections.

Zhao Tieniu, standing on the other side, had been silently observing the scene the whole time. He examined the Carrion Rat corpses carefully, and the more he looked, the more alarmed he became!

The clean saber cuts and precise fatal wounds all displayed their wielder's superb saber skills and calm combat mindset!

Hiss... is he really a freshman who just enrolled? Zhao Tieniu's initial appraisal of Dongfang Yueming had given way to profound amazement and wariness! This level of strength... is incredible! Even against an ordinary Early Flesh Refining Realm cultivator, he could probably put up a fight, couldn't he?!

Captain Wang Zhen paid no further attention to the sour-faced Zhang Meng. Instead, he turned to Dongfang Yueming and said pleasantly, "All right, Dongfang Yueming, you did exceptionally well on today's 'test'! You can get off work early; go back and get some rest. Report to the patrol station at eight sharp tomorrow morning to start work officially. Your uniform and identity badge will be ready by then."

He paused, then added, "Oh, right, you'll receive today's 6 basic contribution points as usual!"

"Thank you, Captain!" Dongfang Yueming flashed another radiant smile. In high spirits, he nodded to everyone, then turned and strode away. Today had been highly fruitful: not only had he earned 36 contribution points, he had also established his authority and left certain people humiliated. It was simply perfect!

Watching Dongfang Yueming's departing figure, Wang Zhen slowly let his smile fade. He turned around and fixed Zhang Meng with a cold, piercing gaze.

"Zhang Meng."

"C-Captain..." Zhang Meng's heart trembled.