madnovel Chapter 74 The Bandit Army Directly Invites
Chapter 74 The Bandit Army Directly Invites
"Senior Brother Xu, Senior Brother Ouyang, you flatter me." Jiang Qi, unaware of Ouyang Chen's thoughts, simply cupped his hands in a humble manner.
Just as everyone at the Zhenyuan Martial Arts School was exchanging compliments and congratulations, a commotion suddenly broke out at the back of the crowd.
Turning my head, I saw several officers in black armor, exuding a sharp and capable aura, parting the crowd and striding towards me.
The leader, carrying the school flag on his shoulder, had a resolute face and piercing eyes.
"It's the garrison commander, the flag bearer!"
The City Garrison Command was responsible for the defense, security, and patrol of Licheng. It was one of the important military agencies of the Licheng government and wielded considerable power.
The officer in charge of the garrison walked straight up to Xu Zhao and Ouyang Chen, his voice booming: "I am Zhou Zhen, the garrison commander. Xu Zhao, Ouyang Chen, would you two be willing to join my garrison?"
Countless envious and jealous glances immediately fell upon them.
A direct invitation from the city garrison command! What an honor!
A glint of joy flashed in Ouyang Chen's eyes. Almost without hesitation, he immediately clasped his hands and bowed, saying, "I have long admired the reputation of the City Garrison Command. Ouyang Chen is willing to do my utmost!"
Although he was the young master of the Weiyuan Escort Agency, no matter how big the agency's business was, it was ultimately just a private force, and how could it compare to a government official?
Entering the city garrison not only elevates one's status but also greatly benefits the escort agency's business.
Xu Zhao hesitated for a moment, then clasped his hands in return: "Xu Zhao is willing to join the city's garrison and contribute to the defense of Li City!"
He didn't come from a prominent family, but he diligently practiced martial arts, all for the sake of this day!
Zhou Zhen nodded in satisfaction: "Alright, come with me."
"Yes!" The two dared not delay, hurriedly bowed to Jiang Qi, Zhang Xiao and the others to say goodbye, and then followed behind Zhou Zhen.
As Zhou Zhen turned around, his gaze lingered on Jiang Qi for a moment, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes.
"This boy is rated as having great potential, but he seems to have some connection with Lord Shen of the Demon Suppression Division... Well, since he has caught Lord Shen's eye, our city garrison division shouldn't try to compete with him."
He shook his head slightly and left with Xu Zhao and Ouyang Chen.
But before they had taken more than a few steps, another group of people arrived.
These people were dressed in black robes, with iron rulers and chains at their waists. Their expressions were cold and stern, exuding a chilling and sinister aura.
"The Department of Justice! It's someone from the Department of Justice!" someone whispered.
The Department of Criminal Investigation and Prisons is in charge of criminal investigation, arrest, interrogation, and detention. It specializes in major and important cases and is awe-inspiring.
Zhou Zhen, the garrison commander, stopped and looked around.
The officers from the Ministry of Justice paused for a moment, then quickened their pace and walked directly to Yue Qing of the Zhenyue Martial Arts School.
"I am Zheng Duo, the Chief Justice of the Criminal Investigation Department. Yue Qing, would you be willing to join my Criminal Investigation Department?"
Yue Qing was overjoyed and quickly clasped his hands in greeting: "Yue Qing is willing to join the Ministry of Justice!"
"Alright, follow me." Zheng Duo nodded, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, pausing briefly on Jiang Qi before looking away.
"This boy has a past connection with the Demon Suppression Division, and besides... never mind, it's better to avoid trouble."
Without saying much, he left with Yue Qing and his two companions.
"You arrived pretty quickly this time, Chief Executioner Zheng," Zhou Zhen quipped.
"No one can match Zhou Xiaoqi's swift movements, taking two at once," Zheng Duo replied nonchalantly.
Although the City Garrison and the Criminal Defense Department are both military agencies in Licheng, they do not get along due to past entanglements.
On days like today, when the results of the military examinations are announced, both sides are also vying for talent.
Zhou Zhen smiled faintly, waved his hand, and left with Xu Zhao and Ouyang Chen.
Zheng Duo glanced at it and walked to the other side.
The departures of staff from the city garrison and the prison authorities left the remaining personnel both envious and somewhat disappointed, sparking a flurry of discussion.
"Yue Qing from Zhenyue Martial Arts School, Xu Zhao from Zhenyuan Martial Arts School, and Ouyang Chen—they've truly achieved a meteoric rise!"
"Entering the city garrison and the prison administration means holding an official position! It's a source of great honor for one's ancestors!"
"I didn't even get a second-class ranking, so there's no hope for a military career, let alone a direct invitation from the government..."
"What's there to envy? Haven't you seen people who got top marks but nobody pays them any attention?"
A strange, sarcastic voice suddenly rang out.
Upon hearing the sound, they saw Xuan Le standing with her arms crossed, glancing playfully at something not far away.
"Brother Xuan is right, there's nothing to envy." Then another voice chimed in, "Martial arts cultivation emphasizes a solid foundation, taking one step at a time."
Those who borrow money to take drugs and forcibly boost their qi and blood, even if they manage to get an A grade, are nothing but empty shells. Their qi and blood might suddenly reverse, and no military officer would dare hire them.
The person who echoed this sentiment was none other than Yu Cang, the youngest bodyguard of the Qingshui Gang, who had been defeated by Jiang Qi during the martial arts assessment.
However, with the Qingshui Gang in turmoil, Yu Cang has taken the opportunity to break away, intending to seek another way out by relying on his martial arts achievements.
"Brother Yu is absolutely right!" Xuan Le, having found a kindred spirit, raised his voice even higher. "Borrowing money for drugs is like pulling up seedlings to help them grow. Unlike us, who take a steady and pragmatic approach, only then can we have a promising future!"
"That's right, that's right."
The two men's sarcastic remarks attracted a lot of attention.
Many who failed the exam or received lower ratings were already feeling resentful, and upon hearing this, they all showed expressions of agreement or schadenfreude.
However, amidst the clamor of discussion, a path parted again at the back of the crowd.
This time, there were only three people who came.
But the moment the leader appeared, the entire square fell silent for a moment!
He was dressed in a gleaming silver light armor, his posture was as straight as a spear, his face was handsome but cold and stern, and he exuded a fierce and arrogant aura of a battle-hardened elite, making people dare not look him in the eye.
"The invading army!"
"Commander Ke!"
The newcomers were Ke Jinglan, the deputy commander of the bandit army, and two deputies.
Exclamations of surprise rose and fell.
Unlike the local agencies such as the City Garrison Command and the Criminal Justice Command, the Bandit Army was directly under the imperial court. They were constantly fighting and suppressing bandits in the field, and their status was exceptional. The selection process was much more rigorous, and those who could enter the army were truly elite.
Ke Jinglan walked straight through the crowd without looking to the side, and the crowd automatically parted where he passed.
And the direction he came from...
They came for me?!
Xuan Le and Yu Cang's hearts pounded wildly!
Yes, Ke Jinglan and his two deputies were walking towards the two of them.
The bandit army! Invited personally by Ke Jinglan! An immense honor!
The two felt their hearts pounding in their throats, and unconsciously straightened their chests, ready to welcome this glorious moment.
And Ke Jinglan did indeed stop in front of the two of them.
Xuan Le's lips trembled with excitement as she rushed to bow, "Xuan...Xuan Le greets Commander Ke! I wish to..."
"Get out of here."
Ke Jinglan didn't look at him; her voice was as cold as the wind blowing in the dead of winter.
Then, his deputy took half a step forward and casually flicked his sleeve.
An irresistible surge of energy erupted, and Xuan Le and Yu Cang felt a tightness in their chests, their bodies involuntarily staggering to the sides, almost falling in a sorry state.
The ecstasy on their faces froze, replaced by shame, anger, and astonishment.
But the enemy troops ignored them and continued walking forward until they stopped again.
"I am Ke Jinglan, the deputy commander of the bandit army."
"Jiang Qi, Zhang Xiao, are you two willing to join my bandit army?"
In an instant, the entire room fell silent.
Countless gazes focused on Jiang Qi and Zhang Xiao.
Ke Jinglan! The undisputed top genius of the younger generation in Licheng, and the deputy commander of the Dang Kou Army, actually came in person to publicly invite Jiang Qi and Zhang Xiao to join the Dang Kou Army?!
Why should I?!