NOVEL WEB Chapter 914 Quiet Years
The Blood Cloak Guard Defense Area of Linjiang County looked like a large mansion from the outside and was situated in a peaceful yet central location; its buildings appeared quite old.
After showing his waist badge and appointment letter to the guard, Wang Chen soon met the BOSS here.
General Flag Pang Tai.
Pang Tai was a middle-aged man who was not given to smiles or laughter, his demeanor cool and austere, giving off an rather difficult to approach aura.
After looking over Wang Chen's appointment letter, he revealed a faint smile, "So, the higher-ups have actually sent a newly-minted Sliver Badge down here; how rare!"
His tone was laced with a trace of sarcasm, as if harboring a great deal of dissatisfaction.
Wang Chen, with eyes watching his nose and nose watching his heart, acted as if he heard nothing.
Perhaps realizing it was rather pointless, Pang Tai glanced at Wang Chen and then set the appointment letter aside.
The General Flag of the Blood Cloak Guard commanded, "Go, summon Qiu over."
An attendant acknowledged the order and quickly a Blood Cloak Guard with speckled grey temples, dressed in a Junior Flag uniform, arrived in the hall and bowed respectfully to Pang Tai, "Lord Pang, you summoned me?"
"Mmm."
Pang Tai nodded his head and pointed at Wang Chen, "This is Wang Chen, the new guard sent from above, and from now on you'll be responsible for leading him."
Junior Flag Qiu smiled and said, "What a fine young man, from which noble family does he hail?"
Pang Tai's smile had a hint of irony, "Don't underestimate Wang Chen, he is the top newcomer of this year's Iron Furnace Camp and has obtained a Sliver Badge."
Qiu was taken aback.
A Sliver Badge top newcomer being assigned to the lowest-level city, there must definitely be something amiss.
He had the feeling of being handed a hot potato!
But Pang Tai did not give Qiu the chance to refuse, "That's the way it is; I'm entrusting Wang Chen to you!"
Wang Chen, maintaining his composure, bowed to Qiu, "Lord Qiu, I will be in your care from now on."
Qiu replied with a bitter smile, "Sure, of course."
Thus, Wang Chen left the hall with Qiu.
The Defense Area of Linjiang was quite extensive, divided into three sections of grounds, but the number of Blood Cloak Guards stationed here was not large.
At the very top was naturally General Flag Pang Tai, followed by five Junior Flags including Qiu, and each Junior Flag oversaw ten guards, totaling to fifty-six members of the Blood Cloak Guard altogether.
But in reality, there weren't that many.
Qiu informed Wang Chen that his own squad had only six guards at present, and two of them were still recovering from injuries.
The other four squads were also not at full strength, severely short-handed.
However, apart from the official Blood Cloak Guards, there were over a hundred General Hands and protectors within the Defense Area. Most importantly, in emergency situations, the Defense Area could request assistance from the Government Office.
But the military forces were immovable, unless one could obtain the tiger tally issued from above!
With the place being big but the people few, Wang Chen was allotted a rather nice side room as his dormitory.
As for the mount that he brought with him, it was put into the Defense Area's stable for collective care.
Moreover, the Defense Area provided each Blood Cloak Guard with three meals a day.
Aside from these basic benefits, as a newly appointed guard, Wang Chen could draw a monthly salary of fifteen taels of silver.
In the Great Liang Kingdom, this salary was considered quite decent; it was nearly the same as the basic pay of the Linjiang County Magistrate.
Additionally, there were extra rewards during festivals!
Qiu led Wang Chen around the Defense Area, both to familiarize him with the environment and to inform others of the arrival of this new Guard.
Almost everyone who saw Wang Chen was surprised, as a young man as handsome as him was undoubtedly a rare gem, especially since Wang Chen was a Blood Cloak Guard with a Silver Badge.
There were those who were astonished, some who were disdainful, others watched coldly, and still some who eagerly wanted to play matchmaker.
By the end of this round, Wang Chen's reputation had spread throughout the Defense Area of Linjiang.
"You settle down first and get used to the situation. There are no urgent missions right now."
Qiu said to Wang Chen, "If you have any problems, just come and find me. I'll help you with anything I can, but you mustn't abuse your identity as a Blood Cloak Guard..."
He spoke with genuine concern, "People like us walk on the edge of a cliff. The slightest misstep could lead us to fall and die without a grave. Remember this well!"
In fact, Wan Hui had said something similar to Wang Chen previously.
But Wang Chen didn't find the old Junior Flag's babbling annoying; he could hear the goodwill in it and immediately expressed his position, "Please rest assured, sir, I will keep this firmly in mind."
"Very good."
Qiu patted his shoulder contentedly, "No need to call me sir, call me 'Senior Brother' instead. I also came from Iron Furnace Camp."
Wang Chen agreed amicably, "Senior Brother!"
Qiu laughed heartily, "Alright, rest for a bit. Later, we'll go to Celebrating Spring Tower to welcome and cleanse you of the journey!"
Celebrating Spring Tower was the most luxurious restaurant in Linjiang County, where one could enjoy the river view from above, and naturally, the prices were not cheap.
But it was this very Junior Flag who was willing to pay out of pocket to welcome and cleanse Wang Chen of the journey, accompanied by six other Blood Cloak Guards from the same team.
Even the two who were recovering from injuries came to show their support.
After a round of toasting and drinking, Wang Chen got to know all his teammates.
During the meal, Wang Chen emptied his cup each time, drinking two large jars of strong liquor, which impressed the other Blood Cloak Guards.
This significantly improved their initial impression of him as just a "pretty boy."
And thus, Wang Chen's popularity quickly improved.
After all, no one wants their teammate to be someone who only has looks and no real strength!
In the following days, Wang Chen led a peaceful life in the Defense Area.
Before his arrival in Linjiang, the county had been in constant turmoil with several strange incidents happening, followed by turmoil caused by Heretical Sects, which kept everyone in the Defense Area busy putting out fires everywhere.
Even a few Blood Cloak Guards had been lost.
But it was precisely because of the Defense Area's strong suppression that the troublesome heretic followers went back into hiding, not daring to emerge so readily, and the strange incidents stopped occurring.
Since the Blood Cloak Guards were similar to firefighters, only needing to act when an incident within their jurisdiction occurred, Wang Chen surprisingly found himself with nothing to do after arriving.
Apart from his daily routine of training, he spent much of his time accumulating potential points.
Wang Chen obtained several prescriptions for strengthening and replenishing blood from the largest pharmacy in the county, allowing the precious ingredients from the Ling Family Secret Vault to be used effectively.
To avoid drawing attention, he also rented a secluded house in the city, visiting every few days to brew and drink his medicinal concoctions.
Such behavior didn't make Wang Chen stand out since, although the Blood Cloak Guards were expected to be stationed at the Defense Area, many of them had bought or rented separate houses for their personal activities.
Such as concealing jewels and lovers, for instance.
Wang Chen had no lovers to hide, his secret was the medicine.
As a large number of medicinal materials were consumed, Wang Chen continued to diligently practice and train daily, and his potential points kept soaring up!
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The first update is here.