Chapter 171: The Contest for the Deputy Commander Position

Chapter 171: The Contest for the Deputy Commander Position

In the training ground, all eyes were on the direction where the Wu Yuan Academy students were gathered.

Lin Jiaye's heart sank as she watched Jiang Ning standing tall on the arena.

With Jiang Ning's formidable strength, there was no doubt that he would secure the Squad Leader position.

The Squad Leader of the Inspection Bureau was an official of the Ninth Rank in the Great Xia Dynasty.

Although the difference between the Inspection Bureau and the Patrol Guards was merely a matter of seniority.

The gap between them was like that between heaven and earth.

A Ninth Rank Junior in the Patrol Guards was merely a low-level member within the power structure of the Inspection Bureau, tasked with the menial and laborious duties.

On the other hand, a Ninth Rank Senior Squad Leader had the authority to command nine Ninth Rank Martial Artists from the Patrol Guards.

This was a true Ninth Rank Martial Official with real power.

In other words, from this day forward, Jiang Ning was no longer an ordinary commoner but a Ninth Rank Martial Official with authority.

The status that came with this power was comparable to that of most Eighth Rank officials.

It was common knowledge that even in the prefecture city of Dongling, an Eighth Rank official was considered to have a certain level of status.

After all, the county governor in the prefecture city was only a Sixth Rank official.

As Lin Jiaye thought about this, her heart filled with even more regret.

Such a young martial artist, on par with Eighth Rank officials, had a bright future ahead of him.

Undoubtedly, he was the perfect match in her heart, a potential-filled partner.

But she also knew that it was no longer possible for her!

After that day's rejection, it was simply impossible!

On the other side.

He Jinyun, with his pale complexion and emaciated frame, stared at Jiang Ning on the arena, his expression somewhat dazed.

"Is it really that exaggerated?"

"It is a bit exaggerated!" Qin Xuan, dressed in a black robe with gold trim, nodded slightly and then added, "I know the strength of Lu Renyao, and with this punch, to face him head-on... I couldn't do it."

Qin Xuan then glanced at He Jinyun, "Not just me, but any normal martial artist who has reached the peak of the Eighth Rank in Wu Yuan Academy wouldn't be able to do this either! This punch is not something an ordinary person can pull off."

He Jinyun asked, "Why are you looking at me?"

Qin Xuan spoke up, "I feel that this young man is like you, also possessing innate divine strength!"

Upon hearing this, He Jinyun shook his head, "With my innate divine strength, even if I faced Lu Renyao with my bare hands, I wouldn't be able to achieve the level of dominance that this young man has!"

"In my opinion, you're both underestimating this young man!"

"His dominance is not just in strength, crushing Lu Renyao, but also in martial arts prowess, surpassing Lu Renyao. He must have mastered an excellent intermediate-level martial art, which is why he has such explosive power!"

Upon hearing He Jinyun's words, Qin Xuan's eyes narrowed.

"An intermediate-level martial art?"

"Yes!" He Jinyun nodded, "This is my assessment!"

"If that's the case, he'll be a formidable opponent for you, Brother He!" Qin Xuan exclaimed.

"He's a formidable opponent, but that's what makes it exciting, isn't it?" He Jinyun stuck out his tongue and licked the corner of his mouth, his face filled with excitement.

On the other side.

On the arena.

As the Wu Yuan Academy student, Lu Renyao, suffered defeat, no one else dared to challenge Jiang Ning on the arena.

After an incense stick's worth of time.

"Take it!" The host of the examination handed the identity token in his hand to Jiang Ning.

Then he said, "How about joining my command from now on?"

Jiang Ning accepted the token with a smile.

"Thank you for your trust, but I still want to compete for the position of Deputy Commander!"

"You have ambition!" The host praised.

As Jiang Ning jumped down from the arena, the crowd parted, and they looked at him with admiration.

Defeating an elite Wu Yuan Academy student with a single punch made them, as residents of Luoshui County, feel a sense of pride.

Before this, the three Wu Yuan Academy students had intimidated the crowd and easily secured the Squad Leader position.

They all thought that with the strength of the Wu Yuan Academy students, even the Squad Leader position would be taken by them.

It was common knowledge that if a local held power, they would at least consider the feelings of their fellow townsfolk.

But outsiders like the Wu Yuan Academy students didn't have such sentiments.

Instead of feeling jealous when Jiang Ning won the Squad Leader position, they felt delighted.

Some were even thrilled.

If one could do it, then so could two.

If Jiang Ning could win the Squad Leader position, it meant that the Wu Yuan Academy students from Dongling City were not invincible, and they too had a chance to win the Squad Leader position.

Below the arena.

"I have fulfilled my mission!" Jiang Ning smiled at Wang Jin.

"Good!" Wang Jin nodded heavily, then looked at Jiang Ning with a beaming smile.

Immediately, he turned to Yu Yuan, who was standing beside him, and said, "What do you think of my disciple?"

Upon hearing Wang Jin's words, Yu Yuan gave him a slightly jealous look.

"You're just lucky to have stumbled upon such a martial arts prodigy!"

As the owner of a martial arts academy, Yu Yuan could clearly see the immense potential hidden within Jiang Ning.

After three months of martial arts training, he had reached this stage.

As for how far he could go in the future, he dared not make any rash conclusions, nor could he even begin to imagine it.

But Yu Yuan knew that a disciple like Jiang Ning was a once-in-a-century talent in Luoshui County.

To have such a disciple was the dream of countless masters.

Including himself!

"Hehe—" Hearing Yu Yuan's words, Wang Jin couldn't help but smile.

Yu Yuan's envious and jealous gaze made him feel extremely flattered.

Opening a martial arts academy, teaching martial arts widely, and accepting disciples to train in martial arts, what was it all for? Primarily, it was for the succession of talent and the sense of accomplishment in cultivating disciples.

Now, as the first person from Luoshui County to win the position of Squad Leader, Jiang Ning had brought great honor, naturally making Wang Jin feel a deep sense of achievement.

Recalling the decisions he had made before, Wang Jin felt even more that he had been extremely wise.

"Congratulations, Jiang Shidi!" Zhou Xing came before Jiang Ning at this moment, raising his hand in congratulations.

"Congratulations, Jiang Shidi!!" Li Qing looked at Jiang Ning with a smile.

Jiang Ning then engaged in some small talk.

Time passed quietly.

Even with Jiang Ning's presence, Zhou Xing still didn't dare to step onto the arena at this moment.

Zhou Xing was well aware that he was not only no match for Jiang Ning but also couldn't even compare to the two who had been defeated by Jiang Ning.

As for the Xie family's Ninth Miss Xie and the elite student from the Wu Yuan Academy who had taken the stage, he had no confidence in defeating them.

In this situation, Zhou Xing could only patiently wait.

Generally speaking, the later it got, the weaker the participants would be.

Because true experts would not deign to wait.

Just like the first to take the stage, He Jinyun, and the few who followed.

As each defender of the arena took the stage, everyone still found it extremely difficult to hold the arena against the students of Wu Yuan Academy.

Even with their relatively strong physiques, they were completely outmatched when facing the elite Eighth Rank students from the academy.

The martial arts proficiency of the academy's students was simply too high.

With equal physiques, they would be at a disadvantage and subsequently lose.

After waiting for a long time, an entire hour passed.

Finally, Zhou Xing stepped onto the arena.

However, after managing to defend against an attacker from the Wu Yuan Academy, he was easily knocked off the arena by the next challenger.

"It's not as simple as it seems! I'm far inferior to Jiang Ning Shidi!" Zhou Xing stood before Jiang Ning and spoke.

Looking at the desolate Zhou Xing, Jiang Ning was about to say something.

Zhou Xing's expression brightened for a moment, and then he said, "It's fine! Jiang Ning Shidi, there's no need for consolation. This was already within my expectations!"

Then he turned to look at Wang Jin.

"Disciple Zhou Xing has failed to bring honor to the master!"

Wang Jin took a step forward and patted Zhou Xing's shoulder.

"You've already done very well! Being able to join the Inspection Bureau, you haven't let your father's nurturing go to waste!"

Hearing Wang Jin's words, Zhou Xing smiled at him.

The smile was a bit forced.

Then, Zhou Xing quickly adjusted his mindset.

He turned to Jiang Ning and asked, "Jiang Shidi, after I join the Inspection Bureau, can I come to work under you?"

"You're very welcome!" Jiang Ning replied.

"Then, I'll rely on Jiang Shidi from now on!" Zhou Xing bowed to Jiang Ning with a salute.

"No need for that!" Jiang Ning quickly helped Zhou Xing up.

Jiang Ning knew that Zhou Xing was a deep thinker. Previously, when Cheng Ran invited Zhou Xing to invest in him, Zhou Xing had also been invited.

However, Jiang Ning didn't dislike Zhou Xing.

Because, if calculated, Zhou Xing had indeed been of great help to him.

The wild ginseng that Zhou Xing had given him at the beginning was a gesture of buying his favor, but it was also undoubtedly a significant help.

The subsequent batch of wild ginseng that Jiang Ning bought from Zhou Xing was sold to him at half the price, which was also a great help.

All these things made it difficult for Jiang Ning to dislike Zhou Xing.

Moreover, Zhou Xing, with his Eighth Rank Martial Artist prowess, was a capable talent.

After joining the Inspection Bureau, Jiang Ning wouldn't be able to handle everything personally.

After all, improving his martial arts was his top priority.

The Inspection Bureau was always a sanctuary in Jiang Ning's eyes, a place that allowed him to grow.

He had no intention of dealing with administrative matters.

In this situation, he needed capable people to handle the tasks.

Zhou Xing was an excellent choice.

After all, he possessed the strength of an Eighth Rank Martial Artist.

At this moment, Zhou Xing looked at Jiang Ning, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

According to the original plan, he had wanted to bring Jiang Ning under his command.

But now, the situation had completely reversed.

However, Zhou Xing didn't regret this decision at all; it was a well-thought-out choice.

When he stepped onto the arena, he had already made up his mind.

As soon as the competition for the position began, he would immediately pledge his allegiance to Jiang Ning.

After what had just happened, Zhou Xing had realized that Jiang Ning was a once-in-a-century talent in Luoshui County.

A person like this, if they can be a friend, they cannot be an enemy.

If they can be relied upon, then there is no need to be haughty.

After understanding his position, he naturally made this decision.

But at this moment, he couldn't help but feel immense regret.

Thinking about the missed opportunity to invest in Jiang Ning, Zhou Xing couldn't help but feel immense regret.

If he had sent him off with great gifts, their relationship wouldn't have been just that of fellow disciples, but that of close friends.

The two relationships were completely different.

Now that Jiang Ning had leaped to success, the benefits he brought were also completely different.

"What a pity!!!" Thinking of the scene that day, Zhou Xing sighed inwardly.

After Zhou Xing was defeated on the arena, there were still local martial artists from Luoshui County who went up to challenge or defend their positions.

However, almost none of them succeeded.

It wasn't until the battle for the thirteen squad leader positions ended that, including Jiang Ning, only three martial artists from Luoshui County successfully secured the squad leader positions.

One of them was a woman named Ruan Hongmei, the second daughter of the patriarch of Fuyuan Escort Agency.

Her use of the long whip was like a swimming dragon, shocking everyone.

Because Ruan Hongmei was only the second daughter of the patriarch of Fuyuan Escort Agency, she didn't have a well-known reputation in Luoshui County before.

Not even as famous as Jiang Ning.

But now, she had surpassed everyone and won the squad leader position.

This was something no one had expected.

After the dust settled.

All fifteen squad leaders stepped onto the stage again.

Among them were two Seventh Rank Martial Artists.

The Seventh Rank Martial Artists automatically obtained the squad leader positions.

"Not bad!" The man overseeing the examination scanned the fifteen people before him and nodded.

"Quickly announce the next round for the deputy commander position!" He Jinyun said lazily.

The man overseeing the examination smiled slightly, showing no displeasure.

Because there was no choice, He Jinyun was a well-known young master from Dongling City.

A young master of a Fourth Rank Marquis, how could an Eighth Rank official like him afford to offend him?

Even if He Jinyun was a bit impolite at this moment, he could only respond with a smile.

The next moment.

He showed a hint of excitement.

"The Inspection Bureau is initially established, and there are still four vacant deputy commander positions. I believe you all know this!"

The man looked at the crowd and continued, "The four deputy commander positions will be competed for among you, and the winners will come from within you."

"As for the rules of the deputy commander competition, it's very simple!"

"Go up to the arena in pairs, and whoever defeats any squad leader will advance to the next round!"

"The final four winners will obtain the deputy commander positions."

At this point, the man added, "Let me remind you again, the deputy commander position is an Eighth Rank official position. If you miss this opportunity today, it will be as difficult as climbing to the heavens to obtain an Eighth Rank official position in the future!"

After the announcement.

The man walked to a corner of the arena.

"Alright! You can begin now."

On the arena.

He Jinyun scanned the crowd, his face showing excitement.

"I'll go first. Who will challenge me?"

For a moment, everyone retreated to the side of the arena, and no one stepped forward to face He Jinyun.

Jiang Ning also chose to do the same.

It was better to be cautious, and he knew he wasn't as well-connected as He Jinyun)



At this moment, there was no need to be the first to step forward.

Even if he had the confidence to defeat He Jinyun, there was still no need to do so.

Because defeating He Jinyun would also qualify him for the next round.

But by blocking this young master's path, he would offend this young master from Dongling City.

He wouldn't provoke such a well-connected young master, as the disadvantages far outweighed the benefits.

Moreover, there was no need to compete with He Jinyun.

Because there were four deputy commander positions.

Knowing the martial arts abilities of the crowd today, he was confident.

Among the fifteen squad leaders, only two were Seventh Rank Martial Artists, while the remaining thirteen were Eighth Rank Martial Artists.

In Jiang Ning's eyes.

Among the twelve Eighth Rank Martial Artists excluding himself, He Jinyun was probably the strongest.

Because He Jinyun was born with innate divine strength, an invincible talent among Eighth Rank Martial Artists.

Moreover, He Jinyun was a young master.

With such an identity, he had abundant martial arts resources and renowned teachers, so how could he be weak?

Even without competing with He Jinyun and the two Seventh Rank Martial Artists, there would only be three of them occupying three deputy commander positions.

But there were four deputy commander positions in total!

There was still one position left for him, so how could he not obtain it?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end