Chapter 374 - 356: Promotion to Great Commander

「The next day.」

Su Yu was practicing the Greenwood Shadow Ape Fist in the martial arts arena of the front courtyard, using his Divine Sense to feel the state of his muscles and continuously adjust his posture.

Suddenly, a hearty laugh came from outside the gate. It was the Great Commander of the Golden Scale Guard, Li Jingxuan. Instead of sending someone to summon him, he had come to visit in person.

"HAHAHA! Younger Brother Su! Great news! Absolutely wonderful news!"

Before he even arrived, Li Jingxuan’s laughter had already echoed throughout the entire front courtyard.

Hearing the voice, Su Yu immediately relaxed his stance, grabbed a nearby towel to wipe the fine sweat from his face, and strode out to greet him.

Li Jingxuan’s face was glowing with delight, and his plump cheeks were scrunched up from smiling so hard. Behind him, seven or eight strong-looking servants were panting as they carried three or four very heavy, padlocked mahogany chests.

"Brother Li, what’s the happy occasion?"

Su Yu smiled and went forward to welcome him, and the two stopped in the center of the spacious courtyard.

Li Jingxuan lowered his voice, a sharp glint in his eyes. "That official document I and a few colleagues jointly signed, recommending you for an exceptional promotion to Great Commander... Mansion Master Pang’s office formally approved it yesterday! Going by the timing, the official appointment and transfer orders from the Headquarter should be in your hands by tomorrow or the day after at the latest!"

Approved!

Hearing this confirmation, even Su Yu, who rarely let his emotions show, felt his heart skip a beat, and a smile touched his lips.

It was true that Pang Xuan had previously made him a private, verbal promise: as long as Su Yu broke through to the Muscle Forging Realm, he would be given the position of Great Commander.

But a promise was just a promise.

In Black Stone City, the position of Great Commander was one of immense power and authority—a major figure who could command a large area of the Outer City and thousands of elite Black Armor Guards!

How could a rank of this level not involve significant interests and power struggles?

Before the official appointment papers were stamped with the seal and finalized, anything could change due to interference from the Inner City.

Now, hearing this definitive news from Li Jingxuan, Su Yu felt much more at ease.

’This way, I’ve finally established a firm foothold in the Public Security Bureau, and indeed, in the entire Outer City of Black Stone City. I’ve entered the highest circle of power!’

Su Yu thought to himself, ’No matter how turbulent the situation becomes, and regardless of how the Inner and Outer Cities eventually merge and reshuffle... as long as I hold the tangible power of a Great Commander, I’ll have the confidence to protect both the Su Mansion and everyone at the White Ape Martial Arts Hall here in Black Stone City!’

"Younger Brother, you’ve really shot up the ranks this time!"

Li Jingxuan patted Su Yu’s sturdy shoulder. His tone was not just one of admiration, but also carried a heartfelt gravity.

"Once you put on the uniform of a Great Commander, your status and power will be completely different. You’ll establish your own station and command a large area of Outer City guard posts. Who knows how many factions will be lining up, begging for a chance to meet you."

"It feels like only yesterday that you joined my Golden Scale Guard Station as a commoner after the Martial Examination. In the blink of an eye, you’re about to be my equal. Soon, you’ll move out of my station to establish your own, and you’ll have to make all the tough decisions yourself... Whatever you do, remember to be extra careful. Don’t let anyone get a hold on you."

Seeing the genuine emotion on Li Jingxuan’s plump face, Su Yu couldn’t help but feel a trace of warmth in his heart.

"Brother Li, words can’t express my gratitude for this favor!"

Having been in the Golden Qilin Guard Station for so long, Su Yu had come to understand Li Jingxuan to some extent.

Although the man was greedy, he was fair in his dealings. He had never tried to take credit for Su Yu’s achievements and had even looked out for him on many occasions. This time, he had taken the initiative to recommend him for promotion. All in all, he was a very good superior!

More importantly, he was friendly and not at all arrogant like the people who came from the Inner City.

"Hey, hey, hey, Younger Brother, you’re being too serious! With those heartfelt words from you, my efforts haven’t been in vain!"

Li Jingxuan couldn’t help but show his delight. He knew very well that Su Yu was a man of excellent character who always remembered a kindness.

Since Su Yu had made such a promise today, if he himself ever needed anything in the future, the young man would surely do everything in his power to help!

"Come, come, enough talk! Come and see the congratulatory gifts I’ve prepared for you!"

With a grand wave of his hand, Li Jingxuan had his servants step forward and open the heavy mahogany chests one by one.

"CLICK!"

The lids opened, and the gleam of treasures immediately met their eyes.

"Younger Brother, you’ll soon be establishing your own station and will need to recruit and form a new team. This first chest contains a whole roll of Profound Ice Cold Silkworm Silk, a specialty of the Great Snow Mountains in the Northern Domain!"

Li Jingxuan pointed to the silvery-white silk, which emanated a bone-chilling aura, and proudly explained, "This stuff is tough, light, and resistant to blades and swords. Whether you use it to make personal inner armor for the women in your family or to craft hidden weapon garrotes, it’s a top-grade material that money can’t easily buy!"

"This second chest contains thirty rare Monkey Fruits." Li Jingxuan swallowed, as if imagining their wonderful taste, and said while smacking his lips, "This is excellent stuff for brewing top-quality Spirit Wine! The Monkey Wine brewed from it not only nourishes the meridians, but its flavor is subtly sweet and crisp, with a mellow and lingering aftertaste... It’s enough to make your mouth water!"

"As for the remaining two large chests, they’re all forging materials I brought from the Inner City. Meteoric Iron, Sunken Silver..."

Li Jingxuan pointed to a pile of ores gleaming with a cold metallic light. "When the time comes, you’ll need to forge weapons and armor to reward the brothers under you. These are essential resources!"

Su Yu didn’t refuse, as all these things were useful to him. He cupped his fist in thanks and said, "Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Brother Li! Given our friendship, I won’t stand on ceremony with you. I’ll gladly accept all these wonderful things!"

"That’s more like it! We’re brothers, so why stand on ceremony!"

The two men looked at each other and laughed heartily, then walked side-by-side into the inner hall.

After a servant served fine tea, Li Jingxuan took a sip from his cup and began to give Su Yu a detailed breakdown of the affairs among the Public Security Bureau’s upper echelon.

"Younger Brother, you now have one foot officially in the highest circle of power in Black Stone City’s Outer City. The political waters in this circle are much deeper and murkier than what you experienced as a Vice Commander in the Golden Scale Guard Station!"

Li Jingxuan set down his teacup and lowered his voice. "Take the other Great Commanders in the Headquarter, for example. Don’t be fooled by Wang Yungui and Wang Lingran. They both share the surname Wang and come from the Wang Family, one of the three great families of the Inner City. To outsiders, they may seem like close allies, but in private, their relationship is terrible. You could even describe it as being like fire and water!"

Su Yu took a sip of tea and listened intently. He had only just stepped into the true upper echelons and was still completely in the dark about many things.

"Within the Wang Family, the war of succession among the heirs has reached a fever pitch." Li Jingxuan gestured toward the Inner City.

"Wang Yungui and Wang Lingran represent two completely different factions vying for power within the Wang Family! Their infighting within the Public Security Bureau is just an extension of the Wang Family’s internal conflict. You don’t need to pay too much attention to all the secret details. Just remember this: whatever you do, don’t get involved with either of them!"

Su Yu nodded, breathing an inward sigh of relief.

’Thankfully, I didn’t agree when Wang Lingran tried to recruit me before. Otherwise, I would have been unwittingly dragged into the Wang Family’s internal struggles!’

Given the Wang Family’s power, it would have likely led to a lot of trouble, and the potential gains wouldn’t have been worth the risk.

"As for the Zhao Family, you need to be careful of Zhao Sen. The man has a terrible reputation. With Zhao Long Ge serving as the Vice Mansion Master, the Zhao Family’s power is already substantial. But Zhao Sen isn’t satisfied. It seems he wants to recommend one of his cousins for a Great Commander position!"

"But now that Mansion Master Pang has appointed you as a Great Commander, the slots are probably full! After all, the only area in the Outer City without an assigned jurisdiction is the lower-class residential district in the west."

Su Yu’s brow furrowed. The position of Great Commander truly did involve a great deal of conflicting interests.

"But you don’t need to worry too much. At the end of the day, the Public Security Bureau operates by the rules. As long as you stick close to Mansion Master Pang, your opponents can only fight you within those rules."

"As for Ye Xiaohong, he’s Mansion Master Pang’s trusted confidant. He comes from the Black Stone Army and is an iron-willed, upright man. Getting along with him should actually be the easiest."

...

After seeing Li Jingxuan off, Su Yu had his men move the chests to the stone table in the rear courtyard. Zhen’Er and Ai’Er came over to help take inventory.

"Brother Su, are you getting promoted again? You’re incredible! How long has it even been since you joined the Public Security Bureau?"

Yang Ai picked up the roll of Cold Silkworm Silk, placed it on the stone table, and looked at Su Yu with a burning gaze.

Su Yu nodded. "I’ve been promoted to Great Commander. From now on, I can say I have a firm foothold in Black Stone City."

"Ah! Great Commander!"

Hearing this, Yang Zhen, who was standing behind them, couldn’t help but gasp and cover her mouth.

She wasn’t some naive little girl. Back at the Yang Family, her father would often ask for her opinion on many business matters.

After coming to the Su Mansion, her perspective and knowledge had grown immensely.

She knew the significance of being a Great Commander. It meant that Brother Su’s status in the Outer City was now among the absolute highest.

With the Public Security Bureau’s current authority, a single order from Brother Su could probably wipe a small family off the map.

And the Yang Family, riding on the coattails of the Su Mansion, would also rise with the tide. Perhaps they could truly become a first-rate family in the future!

"Brother Su, the news of your promotion hasn’t spread yet, has it? When it does, I’m afraid the threshold of our Su Mansion will be worn down by visitors again."

"Yes. When the time comes, you and Ai’Er will have to work hard to handle all the pleasantries. But this Great Commander position won’t be easy to hold. The Black Lotus Sect is rampant, and I’ll need to accumulate more achievements to truly secure my seat."

Yang Zhen wasn’t the least bit worried when she heard this. She just gave a radiant smile. "I’m sure you can do it, Brother Su. I believe in you."

"Mhm, a great hero like Brother Su can definitely do it."

Yang Ai also giggled and moved behind Su Yu, then quickly placed her two delicate hands on his face.

"Brother Su, are my hands cold? This Cold Silkworm Silk is really something. Just from touching it for a moment, my hands have become all cool. Summer is almost here. It would definitely be comfortable to wear clothes made from this."

Su Yu turned, wrapped an arm around her slender waist, and said with a smile, "I’ll have one made for you and Zhen’Er later. Let me take your measurements first."

"Eek~"