Jiang Wuming, with Dongfang Xiaoyao, picked up Qin Xiaozhi and Xing Tian, then left the several locations, heading directly to the Jinling Hotel.
"I really didn't expect that returning to Jinling would be because of rejoining the Martial Department," Qin Xiaozhi remarked, gazing out at the scenery flashing by on the airport expressway, his voice filled with emotion.
Back then, he was expelled from the Martial Department for desertion, then injured someone and left Long Country. By chance, he joined the Zhanlong Hall and began to follow Jiang Wuming, campaigning in the dark world.
Later, he returned to Long Country with Jiang Wuming, reconciled with his family, had his name cleared, and even stayed in Jinling with Jiang Wuming for a few days.
During those days, Jiang Wuming, to seek justice for his adoptive father Su Shirong, annihilated the Yuan family and killed the ancestor of the Liu family in Jinling…
Now, he was returning to Jinling again, this time to join the Martial Department with Jiang Wuming, and specifically the Eastern Region Legion, which was spearheaded by the Qin family – this made him feel a surge of emotion, as if it were all a dream.
"Xiaozhi, don't get lost in your thoughts. We're going to meet another comrade, and then we'll have a good gathering tonight. We'll report to your grandfather tomorrow morning," Jiang Wuming, seated in the passenger seat, turned his head and said with a smile upon hearing Qin Xiaozhi's lament.
"Boss, who is the other comrade?" Qin Xiaozhi and Xing Tian asked in unison, both showing keen interest.
"You'll see him soon," Jiang Wuming deliberately kept them guessing.
Half an hour later, Dongfang Xiaoyao drove to the Jinling Hotel and parked in the parking lot.
Hmm?
At the entrance of the Jinling Hotel, Huangfu Weixia, dressed in a fiery red tracksuit, was looking around. Upon spotting Jiang Wuming, Qin Xiaozhi, Dongfang Xiaoyao, and Xing Tian walking out of the car, her eyes lit up, and she flashed forward, approaching them.
Swish, swish, swish…
At the same time, Qin Xiaozhi and the other two sensed Huangfu Weixia's presence and turned to look. They saw Huangfu Weixia approaching like a flash of red light.
"Teacher Wuming!"
Soon, Huangfu Weixia reached Jiang Wuming and the other three, greeting Jiang Wuming with an excited face.
"Boss, is this our new comrade?" Qin Xiaozhi asked knowingly. Not only did he see that Huangfu Weixia was a new comrade, but he also knew her detailed information, and even everything that had happened between Jiang Wuming and Huangfu Weixia.
This was because, after Jiang Wuming went to the East Sea, Qin Xiaozhi, operating under the principle of caution being the mother of safety, had thoroughly investigated everyone around Jiang Wuming, including the East Sea Godfather, Chu Wansong.
"Hello everyone, my name is Huangfu Weixia, and I am a student at the East Sea Martial Arts Academy. I am very happy to join the Zhanlong Squad with you all, and I hope for your guidance!" Hearing Qin Xiaozhi's question, Huangfu Weixia finally shifted her gaze from Jiang Wuming. Before Jiang Wuming could speak, she proactively introduced herself, her demeanor open and uninhibited.
"Brother Xiaozhi, thanks to Boss, I can fight alongside the beautiful Miss Huangfu in the future," Qin Xiaozhi said with a smile.
"Hello, my name is Xing Tian."
"Dongfang Xiaoyao."
Unlike Qin Xiaozhi, Xing Tian and Dongfang Xiaoyao were both people of few words, their introductions much simpler.
"Weixia, these three are my brothers and sisters from the Zhanlong Hall – Qin Xiaozhi, Xing Tian, and Dongfang Xiaoyao. Except for Xiaoyao, the other two are older than you," Jiang Wuming added after Qin Xiaozhi and the others had introduced themselves.
"Brother Xiaozhi, Brother Xing Tian, Sister Xiaoyao, it's a pleasure to meet you all." Huangfu Weixia was very gregarious, directly calling them brother and sister.
As she finished speaking, Huangfu Weixia turned her gaze back to Jiang Wuming and said, "Teacher Wuming, Chu Feng and Xiao Han also want to join the Zhanlong Squad, but they are too afraid to call you. They asked me to ask if it's okay. Xia Dong also wants to, but Dean Xia rejected her directly."
"Chu Feng and Xiao Han are not strong enough yet. We'll discuss it when they graduate. As for Xia Dong, she's still a child," Jiang Wuming stated his plan. By forming the Zhanlong Squad, in addition to inheriting his parents' legacy, killing foreign enemies, and protecting the country, he also aimed to use this opportunity to temper those around him. This way, they would have a greater chance of survival when the all-out war broke out in the future.
…
Long Country was vast and rich, with thousands of miles separating its east and west, north and south.
As darkness enveloped Jinling, it was still evening in the Northern Frontier. The sun had not yet reluctantly set, slanting across the western horizon, its residual light dyeing the clouds in the sky a magnificent hue.
Northern Frontier.
Ye Kunlun, the young master of Kunlun, accompanied by Yuan He, who wore a kasaya, arrived at the Kunlun Grand Hotel, escorted by a middle-aged man.
This hotel was an ancillary property of the Kunlun Sect, a five-star establishment and one of the best hotels in the Northern Frontier.
"Ye Kunlun, our Buddhist sect emphasizes ascetic cultivation. Such a luxurious hotel is not suitable for me. Why don't you and Master Han stay here, and I'll find my own place?" Yuan He looked up at the imposing Kunlun Hotel, slowed his pace, and called out to Ye Kunlun, who was walking ahead.
He had been assigned by the Great Elder of the Buddhist Sect to join the Western Region Guardian Squad. And Ye Kunlun, the young master of Kunlun, was the captain of the Western Region Guardian Squad.
"No!" Upon hearing this, Ye Kunlun stopped, turned his head, glared at Yuan He, and flatly refused.
"People from Wudang, Emei, and Bagua Gate can travel to Yanjing on their own. Why can't I, a monk, do the same?" Yuan He questioned.
Besides him and Ye Kunlun, the Western Region Guardian Squad also included the strongest successors from Wudang, Emei, and Bagua Gate, as well as their protector – Han Li, an elder of the Kunlun Sect with the strength of a three-star War God at the ninth stage!
"It's inconvenient for them to rendezvous with us," Ye Kunlun explained, then added with some annoyance, "Monk, the rise and fall of the nation is the responsibility of every citizen. As the strongest successor of the Buddhist Sect, protecting the country is your duty. If you dare to leave without permission and refuse to participate in the Guardian Squad, don't think your elders in the Buddhist Sect will discipline you; I'll break your dog legs myself!"
"Who says I don't want to protect the country? I just..." Yuan He retorted to Ye Kunlun defiantly, but halfway through, he immediately chickened out.
This was because, rationally, he knew that given Ye Kunlun's straightforward and aggressive style of handling things – if you disagree, just fight – if he revealed his true thoughts, he would undoubtedly be beaten black and blue.
As expected, even though Yuan He didn't finish speaking, Ye Kunlun asked with a glare, "You just what?"
"I just want to appreciate the scenery of the Northern Frontier girls. Shall we go together?" Yuan He rubbed his bald head and said with a grin. Before Ye Kunlun could react, he quickly changed the subject, "Also, since we're going to Yanjing to attend the Guardian Squad formation conference, why don't we go directly instead of staying a night in the Northern Frontier?"
"The Martial Department has arranged for us to travel with members of the Central Region Guardian Squad. Tomorrow, we will board a transport plane at the Northern Frontier military base to head to Yanjing," Ye Kunlun explained.
Central Region Guardian Squad? Yuan He's heart stirred. After meeting Ye Kunlun, he had learned about the five major Guardian Squads. Although the Central Region Guardian Squad protected the Central Region, it was formed by members of the Loulan Legion.
…
At the same time.
An off-road vehicle was traveling along the national highway from the direction of Loulan Ancient City towards the Northern Frontier. Inside the car were Wang Tuo, the commander of the Vanguard Regiment of the Loulan Legion, accompanied by Lin Xiao, Mo Ling, and An Lutou.
Behind their car was another vehicle, carrying a veteran of the Zhanlong Regiment, a three-star War God at the ninth stage, and a one-star War God named Yang Lin. The veteran was a battalion commander of the Zhanlong Regiment who had participated in the battle twelve years ago and had extensive experience fighting against foreign enemies. Yang Lin was the most outstanding genius in the Zhanlong Regiment. These six formed the Central Region Guardian Squad, with Wang Tuo as the captain.
"Brother Wang, since Jiang Wuming has joined the Eastern Region Legion's Guardian Squad, it will be very difficult for us to win first place," said An Lutou, son of the Northern Region Legion Commander, with some dejection in the first car.
When they passed by the Communication Camp base earlier, they had learned about the formation of the other four Guardian Squads, including the news that Jiang Wuming was the captain of the Eastern Region Legion Guardian Squad.
Upon hearing An Lutou's words, Mo Ling, daughter of the Central Region Legion Commander, and Lin Xiao, son of the Southern Region Legion Commander, both fell silent. After learning about the Guardian Squads, they had all been determined to perform well, stand out in the competition, and help Wang Tuo reach the pinnacle to become the future Marshal of the Martial Department. However, their confidence was shattered before they even began – how could they compete with that monster Jiang Wuming?
"The Martial Department doing this is clearly giving Jiang Wuming preferential treatment, allowing him to become the future Marshal of Long Country. It's too unfair..." After a brief silence, Lin Xiao couldn't help but speak. He still harbored deep hatred for Jiang Wuming.
"Don't casually discuss the decisions of the Martial Department!" Wang Tuo suddenly interrupted the three's discussion about Jiang Wuming.
"Uh..." Startled by Wang Tuo's words, An Lutou, Mo Ling, and Lin Xiao all paused, and then simultaneously recalled something. After the battle in Loulan Ancient City, Wang Tuo had proactively sought out Jiang Wuming, wanting to apologize and thank him in person, but Jiang Wuming had left early, and he was unable to fulfill his wish.
"We have two missions for participating in the Guardian Squad. First, to ensure that not a single foreign enemy alive leaves the Central Region we are responsible for, and also to prevent any civilian casualties in the Central Region due to foreign enemies! Second, we need to temper ourselves through combat and improve our strength as quickly as possible!" Soon, Wang Tuo's voice echoed in the car again. He stated the missions of the Central Region Guardian Squad, making no mention of his own competition for the future Marshal of Long Country's Martial Department.
"Brother Wang, although that Jiang Wuming is indeed a prodigy, you can't even have the courage to compete, right?" An Lutou became even more dejected. As the saying goes, when one person achieves success, their associates prosper. If Wang Tuo could reach the top, the future of the three of them would also be brilliant.
"It's not that I lack courage, but I believe that no one is more suitable to be the future Marshal of Long Country's Martial Department than Jiang Wuming!" Wang Tuo sighed softly, and the image of the young man appeared in his mind. That young man had repaid kindness with virtue, making him feel ashamed of himself!
…