At noon, Jiang Wuming, Qin Xiaozhi, Huangfu Weixia, Dongfang Xiaoyao, and Xingtian arrived at the entrance of the Martial Division Headquarters by helicopter, landing on the road in front of the main gate.
"Thank you for the ride."
Jiang Wuming expressed his gratitude to the pilot before leaping out of the helicopter with Qin Xiaozhi and the other three.
"Master Wuming!"
At the entrance of the Martial Division Headquarters, a white-haired old man, holding a teacup, was listening to Peking Opera and drinking tea. Upon seeing Jiang Wuming and his group of four, he put down his teacup, picked up a notebook and a pen, and walked out of the guardhouse, greeting Jiang Wuming proactively.
He knew Jiang Wuming and had met him twice before.
The first time was when Jiang Wuming brought Xingtian to find Qi Wufu to inquire about the past events of Jiang Zhan and Ye Jinmei.
The second time was when Jiang Wuming, along with other members of the Dragon Country delegation, departed for England to attend the Global Martial Arts Conference.
"Hello, Grandpa."
Jiang Wuming was slightly surprised by the guard's proactive greeting, but he responded with a smile.
"Master Wuming, my little grandson admires you greatly. He repeatedly urged me to get your autograph if I saw you again. I'd be much obliged!"
The guard, showing his yellowed teeth, smiled and handed the notebook and pen directly to Jiang Wuming.
"Uh... certainly."
Jiang Wuming was somewhat bewildered but quickly signed his name under the guard's expectant gaze.
"Thank you, Master Wuming! With your autograph, my grandson can brag to his classmates until graduation! However, I won't give it to him directly. I'll use it as leverage – if he doesn't practice martial arts diligently, I'll take back your signature."
The guard happily stroked his beard.
"—"
Jiang Wuming found it both amusing and frustrating. He then asked, "By the way, Grandpa, have the other guarding teams for the North, South, West, and Central regions arrived?"
"They have all arrived. You are the last team." The guard smiled.
"Thank you."
Jiang Wuming thanked him with a smile and then, without further delay, led Qin Xiaozhi and the other three into the Martial Division Headquarters compound.
As the guard had said, the members of the other four guarding teams had arrived and were already gathered on the Martial Division's training ground.
According to the Martial Division's arrangements, the establishment ceremony for the five guarding teams was to be held on the training ground.
Jiang Wuming's eyes scanned the area and he spotted many familiar faces, such as Ye Kunlun, Yuan He, Ye Feng, Gu Tianlong, and Wang Tuo, among others.
Besides them, there were also several young talents in the other four teams, each possessing strength above that of a nine-star martial artist.
The protectors of each guarding team were all at the ninth stage of the three-star War God level!
Swish, swish, swish...
With the arrival of Jiang Wuming and his four companions, the vast training ground instantly fell silent. The members of the other four guarding teams ceased their conversations and turned their gazes uniformly towards Jiang Wuming and his group.
They only knew that Jiang Wuming was the captain of the Eastern Region Legion's guarding team, but they were unaware of the other members of the team.
This was because Qin Yuanzheng had reported to Qi Wufu that Jiang Wuming would decide the personnel for the Zhanlong team himself. Upon hearing this, Qi Wufu had instructed Qin Yuanzheng not to report the details, leaving all decisions to Jiang Wuming.
Under such circumstances, even those with connections within the Martial Division Headquarters could not ascertain the members of the Zhanlong team.
Everyone first looked at Jiang Wuming, then their gazes swept across Huangfu Weixia, Xingtian, and Dongfang Xiaoyao in succession, finally settling on Qin Xiaozhi, and their expressions all showed a hint of surprise.
Huangfu Weixia, a genius from the East Sea Martial Arts Academy, was quite well-known among the younger generation in the Dragon Country's martial arts circles; almost everyone present knew her.
Xingtian had accompanied Jiang Wuming north to the capital and had made a name for himself in the capital by dealing with the Luo family, thus becoming famous among the younger generation in the Dragon Country's martial arts circles.
Dongfang Xiaoyao, as the Shadow Charm of the Zhanlong Hall, had been unknown until recently, but she had gained fame after single-handedly killing five nine-star martial artists from beyond the territories at Hanshan Temple.
As for Qin Xiaozhi...
Among those present, only Gu Tianlong, Ye Feng, and Wang Tuo from the Central Region Legion knew Qin Xiaozhi.
What surprised them was not Qin Xiaozhi's unfamiliar face to many, but his strength – a six-star martial artist!
Although the Martial Division had not set specific requirements for the strength of the guarding team members, judging by the foreign enemies who had appeared recently, most of them were above the nine-star martial artist level.
Consequently, various legions believed that nine-star martial artists were the threshold for joining the guarding teams, and therefore, all members of the other four guarding teams were above the nine-star martial artist level.
Jiang Wuming clearly felt the doubt in everyone's gazes. He glanced at Qin Xiaozhi from the corner of his eye and saw that Qin Xiaozhi remained calm, seemingly indifferent to the attention.
This reassured Jiang Wuming. Without saying anything, he quickened his pace, leading the four towards the training ground.
"What's going on?"
"Why does the Eastern Region Legion's guarding team have a six-star martial artist?"
"Exactly, this is too strange! A six-star martial artist shouldn't even be considered for the guarding team!"
...
At the same time, the previously quiet training ground became agitated. Those who did not know Qin Xiaozhi began to discuss him with great confusion.
"No need to be surprised, he's got connections!"
At this moment, Lin Xiao, the son of the Southern Region Legion Commander and a member of the Central Region guarding team, said mockingly.
Swish, swish, swish...
As Lin Xiao finished speaking, those who didn't know Qin Xiaozhi turned their gazes towards him.
"Brother, what do you mean?"
"Are you saying that guy has a powerful background?"
Two of them couldn't help but ask.
"That guy's name is Qin Xiaozhi. He's the son of Qin Yuanzheng, the Eastern Region Legion Commander!"
Lin Xiao revealed Qin Xiaozhi's identity publicly.
"Wow, that's how it works?"
"The guarding team's mission is perilous. What can a six-star martial artist do?"
"Even if he's just getting a golden badge, can't he do it less conspicuously?"
Upon hearing Lin Xiao's words, others began to speak, many of their remarks filled with indignation.
This was because they all understood the significance of the guarding team's establishment, and many had gone through fierce competition to earn the opportunity to join.
Now, someone had joined through connections, which directly displeased them!
"Conspicuously? Heh, you all don't know, this Young Master Qin is quite a legend. Back then, he was serving in the Martial Division, but during a mission, he deserted and was expelled. Yet, after a few years, he suddenly transformed from a deserter to a hero – the Martial Division issued a document stating that this young master Qin hadn't deserted, but instead, while his comrades bravely resisted, he found a place with a signal to report the news..."
Lin Xiao spoke with cold sarcasm, but halfway through, he felt a gaze locked onto him, causing him to feel a sense of oppression. He instinctively turned his head and saw Jiang Wuming narrowing his eyes at him.
This realization caused Lin Xiao's expression to change. He inexplicably recalled Jiang Wuming's actions in the ancient city of Loulan, felt an inexplicable panic, and dared not continue speaking.
"And then?"
Many people looked expectantly at Lin Xiao, waiting for him to continue the revelation. Seeing Lin Xiao suddenly fall silent, someone interjected.
"I can't say. I'm afraid of being silenced."
Lin Xiao regained his composure, met Jiang Wuming's gaze, and said self-mockingly.
Hmm?
Upon hearing Lin Xiao's words again, those waiting for the scoop realized something. They quickly followed Lin Xiao's gaze and saw that besides Qin Xiaozhi, Jiang Wuming, Xingtian, Huangfu Weixia, and Dongfang Xiaoyao were all staring at Lin Xiao with unfriendly expressions.
"Boss, this scoundrel is spreading rumors and slandering Xiaozhi. Should I teach him how to behave?"
Xingtian felt infuriated and couldn't help but ask for Jiang Wuming's permission.
"Xingtian..."
Qin Xiaozhi spoke first to stop Xingtian.
Although Lin Xiao's words were unpleasant and made him uncomfortable, he did not want Xingtian to cause trouble at the Martial Division Headquarters on such a special day because of him.
Whoosh!
However—
Before Qin Xiaozhi could finish speaking, a sound of tearing through the air suddenly rang out.
Jiang Wuming flashed forward, instantly appearing in front of Lin Xiao.
Lin Xiao's expression changed, and he exclaimed in terror:
"Jiang... Jiang Wuming, what are you trying to do?!"