“This Jing Ming was recruited by my little sister, and he has gone through many hardships along the way. Let's put him in the Blood Rain Guard for a year or two to observe and see if he is worth using,” Fei Qing thought to himself. He did need some capable people.

The current 'Xu Jingming' isn't loyal enough, and his strength is a bit lacking, so he still needs to be polished.

"Jing Ming, you used to be a guard for my Fei family," Fei Qing said. "And I personally recommended you to the Blood Rain Guard, so everyone will see you as one of my people. After entering the Blood Rain Guard, be careful in your actions, and most importantly… don't disgrace me!"

"Understood," Xu Jingming immediately replied, referring to himself as a subordinate.

"Go, prepare to take office in three days," Fei Qing nodded slightly.

"Subordinate takes his leave," Xu Jingming respectfully withdrew.

After walking out of the pavilion, Xu Jingming couldn't suppress his joy: "Spending several months to get on the Fei family's bandwagon was really worth it."

He waited for more than a month to join the Fei family. Then he spent two months experiencing hardships along the way! After so much effort, Xu Jingming was quite satisfied with the final result. He had just entered the Imperial Capital's Blood Rain Guard and was already a captain. As long as he made meritorious contributions, he could become a battalion commander!

In Lan Yue City, first-rate experts are rare! Adding up the three major gangs, the Blood Rain Guard, and the hidden experts, there are barely more than ten.

But the Imperial Capital, as the core of the entire Blood Rain World, is where the top forces from all sides gather, including the universe citizen players. The number of first-rate experts is more than a hundred times greater than that of Lan Yue City. Only super-class experts can be considered top-notch.

"According to the detailed intelligence I collected on the virtual world network about the Imperial Capital, almost all of the Blood Rain Guard captains in the Imperial Capital are first-rate experts. There are a total of four prefectures of Blood Rain Guards in the entire Imperial Capital, with approximately 40,000 people! There are nearly two thousand first-rate experts."

"Ordinary Blood Rain Guards are mainly composed of second-rate experts. Only some clerical and other special positions, or those with strong backgrounds, are exceptions," Xu Jingming thought. "And in addition to the 40,000 Blood Rain Guards, there are also 200,000 auxiliary guards! Auxiliary guards are generally ranked experts as well."

"More than 200,000 ranked experts!"

"This is the strongest violent army in the entire Imperial Capital and is directly controlled by the highest ruler of the entire empire, the 'Emperor'," Xu Jingming muttered to himself. Although this force is strong, it requires strict procedures for deployment.

Not just anyone can easily mobilize it.

If Fei Qing wants to save someone, he also needs to ask the Southern Prefecture's Garrison Envoy 'Wang Jiuyan' to personally lead a group of elite subordinates to set out.

As for long-term arrangements for the Blood Rain Guard to protect relatives, that's doing private work! A major taboo!

Even with Fei Qing's status, dispatching more than 10 first-rate experts and over 50 second-rate experts to protect his relatives is already pushing it. Among these experts, there are even the two top first-rate experts, Guard Lu and Guard Chou, whose combined strength is enough to match a super-class expert.

Xu Jingming sighed: "The entire Imperial Capital is filled with lurking forces from all sides, but the Imperial Capital is still stable because of these more than 200,000 ranked experts. Even universe citizen players find it difficult to stir up too much trouble and are suppressed by the Blood Rain Guard."

*******

Two days later, in the evening.

"Lord Jing, this is your official uniform, and this is your identity badge. Lord Jing can go to the Battalion Command to take office tomorrow." Someone from the Fei family brought the official uniform and other items to his room. "I'll take my leave."

Xu Jingming looked at the official uniform placed on the table.

This was a set of official uniform mainly in black, with some blood-colored droplet patterns on it.

Xu Jingming changed into the official uniform and boots. He looked much fiercer and picked up the identity badge next to him. The badge was black with gold patterns. The style and color of the badge revealed the identity.

The front of the badge had the words "Southern Yi Battalion Command, Jing Ming," and the back was densely covered with small characters.

"I was assigned to the Southern Yi Battalion Command?" Xu Jingming understood.

"Brother Jing." Qiu Tong, also wearing an official uniform, walked over and said with a smile, "Where were you assigned?"

"Southern Yi Battalion Command, as a captain." Xu Jingming shook the badge. "Sister Qiu Tong, what about you?"

Qiu Tong also took out her badge from her waist: "I was assigned to the Southern Prefecture Headquarters' Prison Department. I'm only a second-rate expert, so I can only be a deputy captain at most! I heard that Blood Rain Guard captains… are almost all first-rate experts! There are very few exceptions to that promotion rule."

"Southern Prefecture Prison Department? That's a lucrative position," Xu Jingming praised.

"Yes, Lord Fei is indeed taking good care of me," Qiu Tong was also very satisfied.

The Southern Prefecture's Blood Rain Guard is divided into six battalion commands and the 'Southern Prefecture Headquarters'. The six battalions each have their own jurisdiction, while the Southern Prefecture Headquarters has significantly greater power. The Southern Prefecture's Garrison Envoy 'Wang Jiuyan' is there to preside over affairs.

Those imprisoned in the Southern Prefecture Headquarters' prison are all serious and important criminals! Naturally, there's a lot of profit to be made.

"Following Senior Sister Xin Lan to the Imperial Capital, I originally wanted to see the legendary splendor of the Imperial Capital and not have lived this life in vain. Who knew I'd become an official," Qiu Tong said happily. "A deputy captain is a sixth-rank official."

"Yeah, become an official," Xu Jingming also said with emotion. He had never been an official in reality, but now he was an official in the Blood Rain World, a rare experience.

He, as a captain, was also a sixth-rank official.

"Let's go, let's go see Brother Luo," Xu Jingming said.

"He needs to rest and recuperate. There's still time before he takes office," Qiu Tong said. "But his official uniform should have been sent down as well."

…

The next morning.

Xu Jingming and Qiu Tong left the Fei family together and went to take office separately.

Xu Jingming wore his official uniform inside and a cyan robe outside, carrying a spear bag all the way. He walked for half an hour before arriving at the Southern Yi Battalion Command.

"Here we are."

Xu Jingming looked at the huge Southern Yi Battalion Command in front of him.

The Southern Yi Battalion Command has a thousand Blood Rain Guards and five thousand auxiliary guards! It can accommodate thousands of people to handle affairs, so the Southern Yi Battalion Command naturally occupies a large area. The buildings are mainly in black tones, which makes people feel intimidated.

"The Blood Rain Guard is, after all, the strongest army that suppresses the capital, supervises the officials, and deters the rebellious forces from all sides," Xu Jingming sighed inwardly. "The Blood Rain Guard may have a small rank, but it has great power."

This is also the reason why he chose this path.

Great power! So that he can get 'ten thousand gold' faster.

"But even if I become a Blood Rain Guard, ten thousand gold… is still an astronomical figure," Xu Jingming thought to himself.

"Halt!" The guards at the gate of the Battalion Command were heavily guarded. When the guards saw a bit of the official uniform under Xu Jingming's cyan clothes, their tone became very gentle.

Xu Jingming took out his identity badge and showed it.

"Captain!" A Blood Rain Guard who was sitting and resting in the distance had sharp eyes. He glanced at it and rushed over, extremely enthusiastic. "Zhang Ke, the deputy captain of the second team of the seventh company of the Southern Yi Battalion Command, greets the Captain."

"Zhang Ke?" Xu Jingming looked at the burly man in front of him.

Zhang Ke immediately scolded the guards on the side: "Open your eyes wide and see clearly, this is the newly appointed Lord Jing!"

"Lord Jing," the guards became more respectful.

"These are just auxiliary guards, guarding the gate," Zhang Ke immediately explained. "Captain, let's first pay our respects to the Battalion Commander, and then pay our respects to the Company Commander."

"Alright," Xu Jingming nodded.

…

The highest leader of the Southern Yi Battalion Command is Battalion Commander Li Qing. Li Qing looks like a fair-faced scholar. It is said that during the reign of the previous Emperor, Li Qing served as a Blood Rain Guard Battalion Commander! Now that the Emperor has ascended the throne, Li Qing can still sit firmly in the position of Battalion Commander.

He first met Battalion Commander Li Qing, said a few words, and was dismissed by Xu Jingming.

Then, he met his direct superior, Company Commander 'Zhao Defang'.

"This subordinate has just arrived in the capital and is a little tight on money. Please don't take offense, sir." Xu Jingming placed a tael of silver on Zhao Defang's desk.

Zhao Defang glanced at the ten taels of silver in front of him, frowned, and said indifferently: "Since you're tight on money, you don't have to be so polite. Take the silver back."

Xu Jingming looked a little embarrassed.

"Take it back!" Zhao Defang said coldly.

"Yes, yes," Xu Jingming took back the ten taels of silver. "Tonight, this subordinate is hosting a banquet at the Fragrant Pavilion to invite colleagues. If you have time…"

"Leave."

Zhao Defang interrupted Xu Jingming before he could finish speaking.

"Yes."

Xu Jingming could only retreat.

Zhao Defang was fair-faced with a long beard. Watching Xu Jingming leave, his face turned gloomy: "This newcomer is so ignorant! Ten taels of silver? Is he trying to send away a beggar?"

Outside in the corridor.

Xu Jingming and Zhang Ke walked side by side.

"What, Captain, you only gave ten taels of silver?" Zhang Ke widened his eyes, unable to believe it.

"I'm poor, no way," Xu Jingming shook his head.

"You should have said so earlier, we could have pooled some money from our team," Zhang Ke said eagerly. "I told you before that Zhao Defang is very greedy. When you come to pay your respects for the first time, you have to take out at least fifty taels! It's best if you give him a hundred taels for him to be satisfied."

"I can't satisfy him," Xu Jingming said casually.

As soon as Zhang Ke heard this and saw Xu Jingming's tone, he immediately guessed: "This newly appointed captain, who became a captain as soon as he arrived! And is so neglectful of the company commander… it seems that he has a backer and is not afraid of this company commander at all."

Of course Xu Jingming wasn't afraid!

Behind him was Fei Qing! The highest leader of the Blood Rain Guard's Southern Prefecture was Wang Jiuyan! Xu Jingming had already witnessed Fei Qing's relationship with Wang Jiuyan.

What's more…

Fei Qing personally promised that as long as he made meritorious contributions, he could be promoted to company commander! There was no need to doubt the credibility of what Fei Qing said with his status.

Did Xu Jingming still need to please a company commander?

"Give fifty taels of silver? You can't eat it all! My salary is only fifty taels a month." Xu Jingming was unwilling to give it at all. He just didn't want to slap him in the face too much, so he took out ten taels of silver to deal with it. Since he didn't want it? Of course, he would obediently keep it.

…

"Everyone, I'm hosting a dinner at Fragrant Pavilion tonight. You must come," Xu Jingming enthusiastically invited the captains in the Battalion Command.

"Definitely, definitely."

"There must be enough good wine then."

The Blood Rain Guard captains in the Battalion Command were all very polite. Soon, Xu Jingming left.

"This Captain Jing has some background to be appointed a captain as soon as he joins the Blood Rain Guard."

"Isn't that right? We all started as ordinary Blood Rain Guards, accumulated merit, and slowly rose to the position of captain."

"I heard that Company Commander Zhao is in a very bad mood! He came to the Battalion Command today specifically to wait for Captain Jing to give him benefits, but clearly, Company Commander Zhao is not happy." The captains chatted, and a lot of information proved one point—this Captain Jing has a big backer! He's not afraid of Company Commander Zhao at all!

*******

In the morning, the second floor of the teahouse had been reserved.

"Our second team has two deputy captains and thirty ordinary Blood Rain Guards. They're all here today," Zhang Ke said enthusiastically.

"Captain, this is the brothers' respect for the captain." Another deputy captain, Qian Yan, a wealthy man, presented a silver note.

Xu Jingming glanced at the fifty taels silver note! And it was free of 'text ciphers'. There were indeed some silver notes that were free of 'text ciphers'. Anyone who got these silver notes could exchange them for cash! They could be used as cash.

However, true large amounts of wealth would have text ciphers for security.

"Captain, this is the auxiliary guards' respect for the captain." Zhang Ke also took out a fifty taels silver note free of 'text ciphers'. "Our second team manages more than a hundred auxiliary guards. The auxiliary guards need to patrol the jurisdiction and have duties to perform. So, let me pass it on."

"You have put your heart into it," Xu Jingming nodded and put the two silver notes in his arms.

Strictly speaking.

As a Blood Rain Guard captain, he has 32 Blood Rain Guards and 165 auxiliary guards under his command! He's in charge of a very large area around.

"Continue to do what you're supposed to do," Xu Jingming looked at the Blood Rain Guards and said, "In my team, there's only one sentence, don't be afraid of trouble! As long as it's within our jurisdiction, don't be afraid or soft, I'll take care of everything."

Fei Qing said not to disgrace him.

He naturally couldn't be soft in his actions!

"Yes, Captain." The Blood Rain Guards were immediately boosted in morale. This was the kind of captain they wanted! If the captain was soft, they would be even less able to stand up straight.

…

After drinking morning tea, Xu Jingming took two deputy captains to wander around the jurisdiction.

"Actually, the mission of our Blood Rain Guard can be very light or very heavy," Zhang Ke introduced. "We are responsible for more than 20,000 households in our area. Many trivial matters are handled by the auxiliary guards. But some major events… require our Blood Rain Guards to come forward."

"For example, some big bandits, rebels, and insurgents have to be dealt with by us," Zhang Ke said. "Our brothers are scattered in key places and have to monitor some important places, imperial relatives, civil and military officials, wealthy families, and large gangs. We need to keep an eye on them all!"

"Of course, there are only three officials in our jurisdiction, and only two can be considered wealthy families. The gangs are not worth mentioning, and there is a 'Star Sword Sect' sect that also needs to be closely monitored."

"Of course, they will all come to offer greetings today!" Zhang Ke sneered. "In the entire Imperial Capital, we can only not afford to offend the top few wealthy families and a few powerful princes… Most officials and families tremble when they see us. If they anger the Blood Rain Guard, they will be invited to eat prison food for a few days, and in severe cases, they will be destroyed."

"Don't say such harsh words," the wealthy Qian Yan said with a smile. "Harmony brings wealth, harmony brings wealth."

"With a knife in hand, those wealthy families will be harmonious with us," Zhang Ke said disdainfully. "Captain, you also need to be careful of some forces in this Imperial Capital. If you offend them, we may disappear on the way home. No one will see us alive or dead."

Zhang Ke explained many things in detail and explained some potential rules.

Xu Jingming listened and compared them with the information he had collected on the virtual world network, and his understanding of the entire Imperial Capital became clearer.

At this moment, a group of sons from wealthy families were riding horses in the city, and the pedestrians were avoiding them.

"Huh?"

The sons of wealthy families saw the three people in the distance.

Zhang Ke and Qian Yan were both Blood Rain Guard deputy captains and were well-known in the surrounding area. The one they were following seemed to have an even higher status.

"It's the Blood Rain Guard."

"The Blood Rain Guard is ahead." These sons of wealthy families were frightened and immediately restrained their horses and obediently went to the side of the road.

The Blood Rain Guard captain, as long as there is a sufficient reason, can directly arrest 'fifth-rank and below'! These sons of wealthy families may have fathers with official positions. But most of them are civilians themselves. If the Blood Rain Guard arrests them, they will lose a layer of skin even if they don't die.

Xu Jingming led two deputy captains to walk in the middle of the street, watching the sons of wealthy families who were obediently avoiding them, and felt the deterrent power of the Blood Rain Guard even more.

"This Blood Rain Guard… is really walking sideways in the Imperial Capital," Xu Jingming muttered to himself.

"Captain, let's take a stroll around our area," Zhang Ke smiled. "In a while, Captain, you will be receiving money until your hands are soft."

"It's Captain's first day on the job, and their greetings are indispensable. I will help Captain keep an eye on them. If they give less, I will make them spit it out ten times over," the wealthy Qian Yan said, but there was a fierce glint in his eyes.