Chapter 385 - 367: 2 Great Generals

「The next day, at the Public Security Bureau Headquarters.」

After several days of iron-fisted patrols and a thunderous crackdown, the riots in Black Stone City’s Outer City were finally suppressed. Public order in the major marketplaces gradually returned to a semblance of normalcy.

Outside the headquarters’ assembly hall, a public notice detailing the merits and rewards for suppressing the riots had been officially posted.

"Have you heard? Lord Su killed an Ape Tendon Realm Incense Master from the Black Lotus Sect with a single slash, seized a Divine Statue of Mother Black Lotus, and took the top merit!"

"As expected of the number one genius! Even though he’s in the Muscle Forging Realm, he can still fight opponents in a higher realm. It’s incredible. I remember someone saying the Muscle Forging Realm was different and that it was difficult to fight above one’s realm."

"Commander Su’s talent for Martial Arts is astonishing. I’d say it’s only a matter of time before he catches up to and even surpasses the other Great Commanders!"

"It’s not just his talent for Martial Arts. Think about it—since Commander Su joined the Public Security Bureau, how many major merits has he earned? His abilities in every area are frankly terrifying!"

"Sigh, what a shame. If I had joined the Flying Feather Guard earlier, maybe I could’ve gotten in on some of those merits too."

Someone was extremely envious and began to consider joining the Flying Feather Guard.

But someone immediately chimed in:

"What merits? Haven’t you heard? The riots in the west district were the worst, and they didn’t have enough people. The Flying Feather Guard has been worked to the bone these past few days, and seven or eight of them even got injured!"

"If you join the Flying Feather Guard now, you won’t get any credit, just a mountain of thankless work!"

"Sigh, you’re right. The Flying Feather Guard is still too weak, after all. So what if Commander Su is strong on his own? Many tasks still have to be carried out by his subordinates."

...

「Meanwhile, at the Flying Feather Guard garrison.」

Su Yu’s brows were tightly furrowed as he rapidly flipped through the thick stack of reports on the populace at his desk.

The more he read, the grimmer his expression became.

The western district was home to tens of thousands of people, and over ninety percent of them were the poorest of the poor and drifters with no steady means of living.

Recently, the price of grain in the city had soared to sixteen cents for a pound of brown rice. Ordinary people simply couldn’t afford to live, and this was the root of the unrest.

’Suppression is not a long-term solution; it’s better to address the root cause. Slaughter can only quell a riot temporarily. If I want to truly stabilize the western district, I have to solve the problem of feeding the people. Perhaps I can implement a work-for-relief program. At least that would give these people something to eat.’

As Su Yu was deep in thought, someone knocked on the door.

"KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK."

"My Lord, Vice Commander Cui Wanhe from headquarters is here. He says he has an urgent matter and wishes to see you."

’Cui Wanhe?’

A flicker of surprise crossed Su Yu’s eyes. He set down the vermilion brush in his hand and said in a deep voice, "Show him in."

CREAK. The door was pushed open.

Cui Wanhe wore his usual attire. His black hair fell untamed over his shoulders, and on his back he carried his signature nine-ringed, thick-backed broadsword. He strode into the office with steady, powerful steps.

"Brother Cui, what brings you to my Flying Feather Guard? Please, have a seat."

Su Yu warmly gestured for him to sit.

Su Yu had a rather favorable impression of Cui Wanhe.

Although they hadn’t interacted much recently, they had sparred numerous times back when they were in the Golden Scale Guard. Cui Wanhe had lost to him, but the man was upright and straightforward—a true martial arts fanatic.

After they sat down, a subordinate served them hot tea.

Cui Wanhe lifted his teacup but didn’t drink. He gave Su Yu a complicated look with his sharp eyes, then, after a moment of silence, spoke with great solemnity. "Brother Su. I came today to formally request a transfer. I want to bring my squad and join your Flying Feather Guard!"

Su Yu’s eyes filled with surprise at his words.

After all, Cui Wanhe was no marginal figure without connections. He held the title of Martial Examination Champion Scholar and was a core member specially groomed by the headquarters. He was now a Vice Commander at Refining Flesh Perfection. Given his talent and the high regard in which Mansion Master Pang held him, breaking through to the Muscle Forging Realm was only a matter of time. His future was bound to be bright and prosperous!

If he stayed at the well-resourced headquarters, he was guaranteed to become a leading figure of the younger generation. But coming to the widely disdained Flying Feather Guard was tantamount to being exiled to the frontier!

"Brother Cui." Su Yu set down his teacup and looked him in the eye. "The Flying Feather Guard would be honored to have you, of course! But my unit is newly established and has a weak foundation. You know better than I do how little faith the outside world has in us. You’d be throwing away a splendid future at the headquarters to wade into these muddy waters with me. You must be mentally prepared for the hardships to come."

Cui Wanhe shook his head. "It’s no matter. I don’t care about any of that. I only care about you!"

Su Yu’s expression stiffened. ’That sounds a little ambiguous.’

"I want to be by your side, to keep up with your pace! Only by being near you can I stay motivated!" Cui Wanhe said with a serious expression, staring at Su Yu.

"I used to think that by reaching Refining Flesh Perfection, I had once again surpassed you in my Martial Arts progress. But then I heard the news and found out you had already broken through to the Muscle Forging Realm! It was then I realized I’d grown too arrogant. I have to use you as my benchmark so I can advance faster and go further!"

Su Yu’s expression darkened. ’So he’s treating me as his goalpost.’

’No matter. I’ll just keep getting stronger even faster than him!’

"However, Brother Cui, if you join the Flying Feather Guard, I will expect your complete loyalty!"

"But of course! Lord Su, rest assured, I will do my part!"

Cui Wanhe stood and saluted respectfully with a cupped fist.

Su Yu immediately helped him up and said with a smile, "Then welcome aboard, Brother Cui! Also, in private, there’s no need to be so formal. We can still address each other as friends."

Cui Wanhe sensed Su Yu’s sincerity and gave a solemn nod.

"KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!"

Just then, another knock came from the door.

"My Lord, Vice Commander Feng Ting is here to see you."

Su Yu was taken aback. ’What’s with today? First Cui Wanhe, and now Feng Ting? Don’t tell me she also wants to join the Flying Feather Guard?’

"Lord Su, I’ll take my leave then!"

Cui Wanhe rose to leave, opened the door, and brushed past Feng Ting as she waited outside.

Today, Feng Ting wasn’t wearing her commander’s armor, but had changed into a fitted, cyan-colored tunic. Even without her armor, the valiant aura about her was still palpable.

When she saw Cui Wanhe emerging from the room, a sharp glint of understanding flashed in Feng Ting’s eyes.

"Commander Feng, please come in." Su Yu, sitting upright behind his desk, gestured for her to enter. "What brings you to the Flying Feather Guard today?"

Feng Ting walked forward but didn’t immediately take a seat. Instead, she casually raised a delicate hand to gently tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, revealing her fair, slender neck.

She looked at Su Yu, the corners of her lips curling into a smile, and got straight to the point.

"Lord Su, I am here today to request a transfer to your Flying Feather Guard!"

"Oh?"

Although he’d had his suspicions, hearing Feng Ting say it herself still brought a flicker of pleasant surprise to Su Yu’s eyes.

’First Cui Wanhe, and now Feng Ting! These two are both incredibly capable commanders!’

Still, he had to ask the necessary questions. Su Yu spoke calmly,

"Commander Feng, my Flying Feather Guard is short-staffed and overworked. Few people volunteer to join. May I ask why you wish to?"

"I’m well aware that the Flying Feather Guard has only just been established and that many are pessimistic about its future. However, I have faith in you, Lord Su. By joining the Flying Feather Guard, I hope to become part of your inner circle."

"Faith in me? And why is that? I have only just entered the Muscle Forging Realm. Compared to the other Great Commanders, I am still lacking in many ways."

"That is a shortsighted view! They see only the present, not the future! With your talent, Lord Su, I believe you will reach Muscle Forging Realm Perfection in no more than a year or two! Besides, your abilities aren’t limited to Martial Arts; you far surpass ordinary people in every other respect!"

A sharp glint flashed in Feng Ting’s eyes. She still remembered going on a mission with Su Yu a while ago and his astonishing performance at the Zhenyuan Escort Agency.

He had masterfully controlled the entire situation, identified anomalies no one else had noticed, and then defeated Pei Zhan, an opponent of a higher realm, to turn the tide.

He not only saved the Public Security Bureau from losing face but also uncovered a major case, earning great merit in the process.

Even more incredibly, just a few days later, Su Yu discovered the source of the attack on the Inner City and annihilated the Water Snake Gang, once again earning a monumental merit.

She hadn’t gone with him on the Water Snake Gang mission, and thus missed out on a chance for great merit.

Then, just a few days ago, it was a very similar situation. For Su Yu to take the top merit from among so many Great Commanders at Muscle Forging Realm Perfection—that was no coincidence!

’With talent like that, Lord Su will only create more miracles in the future. If I don’t follow him now, when will I? Am I supposed to miss another opportunity?’

Feng Ting’s gaze was fervent as she looked at Su Yu. She had been thoroughly impressed by him and was determined to follow him!

"Lord Su, please allow me to join the Flying Feather Guard. You’re short-handed right now, and I can be of service!"

"Excellent! Since Commander Feng is so sincere, then I, on behalf of the Flying Feather Guard, welcome you aboard!"

...

Su Yu was delighted to have recruited two capable commanders in a row.

’Two Vice Commanders with limitless potential... This is a huge boost to the Flying Feather Guard’s strength!’

’The next step is to expand the ranks with more regular members and forge the Flying Feather Guard into a force that can rival the Black Armor Guard!’