Chapter Nineteen: Obey or Not

  The Eagle Guards have always been a high-risk place, and this risk is not only aimed at those Jianghu warriors such as Maitreya Teachings, but also at the Eagle Guards themselves. Therefore, many Eagle Guards do not live long lives, such as Wu Fan's father or Qian Rui's father. Calculating it down, Qian Rui has been in the Eagle Guards for twenty years, and he had already taken over his family business at the age of fifteen.

  For twenty years, Qian Rui had been struggling and striving to become a general, but he thought that his life was hopeless. However, Wu Fan gave him an opportunity! Wu Fan killed Chen Yu, the commander of the hundred households, leaving the position vacant. Qian Rui saw some hope, but it was just a glimmer of hope. After all, there were people like Guo Yang and Wu Fan eyeing the position. In terms of seniority, Qian Rui was not as good as Guo Yang, who had waited for more years than him. In terms of achievements, Qian Rui was not as good as Wu Fan, who had just accomplished a great feat by eliminating over 500 people from the Maitreya sect. Qian Rui thought that he was just lucky to be participating, but opportunity came knocking again!

  When the news of Wu Fan killing Guo Ye came in the early morning, Qian Rui almost didn't rush to set off firecrackers to celebrate his upcoming promotion to the position of Bai Hu, but unexpectedly! Commander Wu Yuanhao directly parachuted a new Bai Hu, completely shattering Qian Rui's dream of promotion. Overcome with grief and joy, even someone as mentally resilient as Qian Rui almost collapsed, especially since... this newcomer was a notorious hot-headed Bai Hu!

  Zhong Xiu's name sounds like that of a young master, but in reality he is a rough and wild man with a full beard and mustache, curly light brown hair, and a chest full of hair. He has an extremely violent temper and is notorious throughout the Luoyang Thousand Households, to the point where everyone knows him.

  Wu Fan's impression of Zhong Xiu was from about ten or so days ago, when he heard that he had gotten drunk again, whipped his subordinate Ying Yang Wei, accidentally killed someone, and then was given a good scolding by Commander Wu Yuan Hao, who ordered him to take a break and reflect on his actions... Wu Yuan Hao sent Zhong Xiu over, and Wu Fan knew what this meant - it was aimed at himself. He also knew that Zhong Xiu was notorious for his violent temper and slow treatment of his subordinates, and his martial arts skills were equally renowned for their ferocity. It was said that he had already opened up all 365 acupoints in his body, transcending "Internal Body Breathing" to reach the realm of "Gathering Qi into the Sea", making him one of the top few experts among the thousand households of Luoyang.

  Under the command of Qian Hu, there were ten Bai Hu, each with its own training ground, also known as the Bai Hu courtyard. On ordinary days, except for strolling around Luoyang City, they would gather here. Unless there was something major, they would go to Qian Hu's place, and other matters would be settled within the Bai Hu courtyard. The Bai Hu courtyard where Wu Fan was located was in the west of the city, sometimes also known as the West Courtyard.

  As he rushed to the hundred households, Wu Fan was thinking about how to deal with Zhong Xiu. He had almost openly defected to Deputy Thousand Households Zhao Xi, and Wu Yuanhao couldn't be soft on him, could he? Definitely not! Moreover, the hundred households he belonged to were still under Wu Yuanhao's jurisdiction, so even if Deputy Thousand Households Zhao Xi wanted to help him, it would be difficult. In other words, at least for now, Wu Fan could only rely on himself.

  As soon as Wu Fan stepped into the Hundred House, he saw Bai Hu being called "Wild Man" by Eagle Guard - Bai Hu was leaning against a large tree trunk with his chest exposed and drinking wine, occasionally rubbing his back against the rough bark of the tree, very much like... very much like the behavior of a wild boar in the mountains.

  Zhong Xiu's coarse eyes narrowed into a slit as he beckoned Wu Fan and Qian Rui over with a wave of his hand. He burst out laughing in an extremely loud voice, "From today on, I'm the hundred households of Chengxi Village!" His tone suddenly changed, and he seriously stared at Wu Fan and Qian Rui's eyes one by one, asking, "Do you guys accept it? Hmm?"

  Wu Fan himself is a shameless fellow, immediately grinning and saying: "How dare I not obey? Who would dare not obey?! Who doesn't know about your mighty prestige, Lord Zhong Baihu?! To be able to serve under you, this humble official is overjoyed, how could I possibly harbor resentment?"

  Wu Fan had already expressed his attitude, Qian Rui hurriedly said: "Your subordinate is willing to follow Zhong Baihu!"

  "Hehe......"

  A laughter like a night owl's came out of Zhong Xiu's mouth, sharp and piercing.

  It's extremely hard to imagine that a person who speaks normally and has a rough appearance would make such an... indescribable sound when laughing, which is not just unpleasant but unbearable.

  He stroked his large mustache, and Zhong Xiu hung his sleepy eyes, saying slowly: "In the past few days, Chengxi has been continuously mobilized, with heavy casualties. We need to fill in some personnel immediately. However, these new recruits are not of good quality, and it's hard to call them combat-effective. I wonder if you two commanders have any good strategies? Can't let Chengxi fall behind other hundred households?"

  Wu Fan's eyes rolled around and he said with a smile: "Director Qian is dignified and steady, most skilled in this way, I recommend that Director Qian take charge of this matter!"

  "Oh! Qian Zongqi has another important task! ", Zhong Xiulightly said: "Let Wu Zongqi take charge of this matter, after all. Here is your promotion order."

  "What the f**k! What are you even saying? Are you kidding me? Just mention my name directly, damn it!"

  Wu Fan cursed silently in his heart.

  As they spoke, Zhong Xiu pulled out a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket and motioned for Wu Fan to come over and take it.

  Wu Fan smiled and reached out to grab it, but unfortunately... he grabbed nothing.

  Zhong Xiu once again handed the promotion order to Wu Fan's face.

  Wu Fan missed again.

  Zhong Xiu's hands were extremely fast, and his martial arts skills were also extremely high. He pinched the two fingers of the commander-in-chief's order, with a playful expression: "Commander Wu, you'd better be careful! If this paper is ruined... it would be very troublesome."

  Son of a bitch! Are you kidding me?!

  Wu Fan's face still wore a smile, but in his heart, he was secretly harboring murderous intentions.

  With his eyes narrowed, Wu Fan said slowly and deliberately: "Of course! What Lord Baihu said is very reasonable."

  "Hah...!"

  With a loud laugh, Zhong Xiu handed the promotion order to Wu Fan and walked towards the main hall of the hundred households with a staggering gait.

  Is this a show of strength?

  Wu Fan clenched his fists and relieved the pain in his hands. Zhong Xiu's previous move had used hidden strength, and he was sincere in giving Wu Fan a good show.

  Turning his head, Wu Fan began to ponder the matter of recruiting new Eagle Guards again. This was not a good thing; otherwise, he wouldn't have passed the buck to Qian Rui and Zhong Xiu also wouldn't have dumped this matter on him. In short, it was indeed a hot potato.

  "Congratulations, General Wu!", Qian Rui hadn't left yet and was still smiling as he congratulated Wu Fan: "Just promoted to general, you've already gained the favor of Commander Baihu, and received such an important mission, it's truly a double happiness!"

  Wu Fan's mouth corners instantly rose: "Who said Rui Qian is an honest person? Come out! I guarantee not to cut you! Look at this praise and blame game, isn't it a perfect play?"

  He let out a long sigh and forced a smile on his face, saying: "Congratulations! Congratulations!"

  Then Wu Fan didn't care whether others were willing or not, and shamelessly hooked his arm around Qian Rui's shoulder, saying: "Old brother! You have to help me..."

  ……

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