The Eagle Eye Division fell silent once more!
There was no fierce conflict as everyone initially expected, only a battle of wits!
The newly appointed Commander was like a great scholar, debating against a multitude of people, leaving everyone speechless, especially Cui Hu and Lu Chen, who had taken the lead in causing trouble.
“This new Commander has a truly formidable tongue!”
This was everyone’s inner thought.
At this moment, Lu Chen, the future renowned King of Darkness, had reined in all expressions on his face, showing no emotion.
He looked at Xia Chen and slowly spoke in a voice that was almost indifferent and devoid of emotion.
“I’ve investigated you. Although you are young, your actions are extremely seasoned, like a mature and skilled hunter who prefers to plan before acting. This has been true from your initial appointment as a Imperial Guards Captain to your capture of the Surveillance Institute’s secret agents.
Since you left your residence, you’ve made two moves in public, but each time you displayed impressive martial prowess. The world says you’re a good-for-nothing, but I see you as the one who hides his strength the deepest.
Therefore, if I attacked, not only would I fail to kill you, but I would also personally hand the blame over to you!”
Lu Chen’s words echoed in everyone’s ears, surprising some Lantern Bearers. They had all thought that Lu Chen didn’t act earlier because he couldn’t bear the responsibility of killing Xia Chen.
They hadn’t expected the reason to be that he lacked the confidence to kill Xia Chen with a single blow.
Was this famous good-for-nothing from the capital really that formidable?
Lu Chen was a renowned young Genius among their Lantern Bearers!
He could even contend with a Sixth-Grade Martial Artist!
“Haha, since you’ve studied me and still want to attack me, that’s not something a smart person would do!”
Xia Chen laughed, then continued.
Lu Chen remained silent, his thoughts unknown.
“Since that’s the case, let’s talk. We’ve reached this point, how should we resolve this? With over a hundred of you gathered here, all of you are elite core members of my Eagle Eye Division. Those who don’t know might think you’re trying to rebel and gang up on me!”
Xia Chen spoke casually, causing many people’s expressions to change. Such words immediately slapped on the big hat of rebellion; who could endure that?
“Commander, you jest. We are gathered here, naturally, because we learned that you would be taking office today, and thus we came to welcome you!”
A middle-aged man in his 40s, with a face full of smiles, squeezed out from the crowd, then scurried to Xia Chen’s side, bowing respectfully.
Xia Qian’s mouth twitched. This old fellow’s brazenness was truly excessive. If he hadn’t heard their earlier grandstanding, their shouts of wanting to unite against his Young Master, he might have almost believed him.
The other Lantern Bearers’ eyes lit up. As expected of Old Zheng, Hall Master Zheng. There was a reason why he had been a Hall Master in the Eagle Eye Division for over 20 years.
His words were simply brilliant!
“So you’ve all come to welcome me? I’m deeply honored then!”
Xia Chen glanced at the middle-aged man with a goatee and a ingratiating smile, his information surfacing in his mind.
Zheng Ping, one of the five Hall Masters of the Eagle Eye Division, had steadily held the position of Hall Master for over 20 years. Holding the position for 20 years was both a blessing and a misfortune.
Zheng Ping had deep seniority among the Lantern Bearers, having shown exceptional talent in his youth and being a contemporary of the former Commander Lu Li.
There were rumors that the two had competed fiercely in their youth, from Lantern Bearers’ Captains, Centurions, and Chiliarchs, to finally Hall Masters. They had always secretly vied with each other, but in the end, Lu Li soared to prominence, becoming famous throughout the Great Wu Dynasty.
As for Zheng Ping, for over 20 years, he had remained in the position of Hall Master without moving…
Some said that Zheng Ping had offended Lu Li back then, which was why some juniors had surpassed him over the past 20 years, yet he remained only a Hall Master.
But others said that their competition was a gentleman’s rivalry, and Zheng Ping’s steadfastness in the Hall Master position for over 20 years was proof of that…
…
Xia Chen’s mind recalled these details, then he pulled his thoughts back.
“All of you, I’ll consider you to be welcoming me. But as for those two, I clearly heard them preparing to lead the trouble!”
Xia Chen looked around, then his gaze finally landed on Cui Hu and Lu Chen.
“Just a misunderstanding. What are you two still standing around for? Haven’t you greeted Commander yet!”
Zheng Ping gave Cui Hu a look, then walked over to Lu Chen and kicked him in the backside.
Cui Hu’s eyes shifted, knowing that the tide had turned, but then Lu Chen’s voice sounded.
“Greetings, Commander!”
Cui Hu instantly reacted, knowing he was a step behind, and then hurriedly spoke.
“Greetings, Commander!”
Both bowed respectfully!
Xia Qian saw this scene and smiled, knowing that his Young Master had already established a firm foothold among the Lantern Bearers.
“Young Master is truly amazing. He managed to make everyone afraid to resist just with his words; it’s more powerful than fists!”
Xia Qian thought happily to himself, looking at Xia Chen with even greater admiration.
“Since you all acknowledge me as your Commander, then it’s easy to discuss. Although I am a kind-hearted and easy-going person, I am also a person who follows rules!”
“Some matters cannot be simply overlooked. I will not pursue this matter with the others today, but you two, who showed disrespect and attempted to incite subordinates to defy their superiors, this matter cannot be lightly dismissed!”
Xia Chen’s tone was calm, but to others, it felt more intimidating and terrifying!
“Sir, it’s all a misunderstanding. You’ve just taken office today. I’ve already prepared food and wine. Why don’t we move to another location and drink until we drop!”
Zheng Ping’s expression also changed, and he quickly stepped forward.
“You don’t need to say more! When you make a mistake, you must be punished, do you understand?”
Xia Chen glanced at Zheng Ping, who instantly felt as if struck by lightning. What kind of eyes were those!
Emotionless, like the Dao of Heaven, with rules and order spreading, profoundly dark, yet seemingly containing all things. Zheng Ping couldn’t describe them with words.
He froze there. It was the first time he had felt such an aura from a person; it was terrifying!
Xia Chen’s gaze turned cold, and he pointed at Cui Hu, Lu Chen, and the dozen or so people behind them, his tone calm yet tinged with dominance.
“Each of you will receive 50 military floggings, and then you will be dispersed and reassigned to other halls. From today onwards, the Centurions and Chiliarchs of the five major halls will be rotated. Do you have any objections?”
As soon as Xia Chen said this, everyone’s expressions changed, especially Cui Hu and Lu Chen. If it was just 50 military floggings, they were tough guys who could grit their teeth and endure it.
But the most crucial part was the rotation!
A rotation was like pulling the rug out from under them, disrupting all their power structures.
The influence they had painstakingly cultivated in the Lantern Bearers over the years could be said to be scattered in an instant.
“Sir, isn’t the rotation a bit hasty? This might cause some unrest!”
Even Zheng Ping couldn’t help but speak again.
“Hall Master Zheng, I said I am a kind person, with a benevolent heart. Don’t you understand? I am saving you all! You are a smart person; you wouldn’t fail to guess what His Majesty wants to do by transferring me to the Lantern Bearers, would you?
You people usually form factions and cling together. Does this Lantern Bearers belong to your surname, or to His Majesty’s surname? How exactly did Lu Li fall from power? Was it really because I uncovered the military defense map case?
Hall Master Zheng wouldn’t fail to understand, would he!”
Xia Chen said, patting Zheng Ping’s shoulder and revealing a smile.
“I kindly save you, yet you don’t thank me, nor do you understand my painstaking efforts. You disappoint me greatly!
If you are unwilling to rotate, that’s fine. I’ll consider the rotation matter as unsaid today, and I won’t force you. Whatever you want to do, I’ll listen to you; it’s up to your will, I have no objections!
However, what will happen next? I cannot guarantee. I am a kind person, and I hope that when it truly comes to that point, it won’t be my own hand doing the work.
If it truly comes to that point, recalling your collective welcome here today, I should show mercy, shouldn’t I!”
Xia Chen smiled, while Zheng Ping was already sweating profusely, his body uncontrollably trembling, his face pale.
…