Chapter 32: Guard Station

Translator: Henyee Translations  Editor: Henyee Translations

‘The assessment level can be changed?’

The young men who received the cyan and gray colored plates perked up their ears.

“In the future, every three months, we will conduct an assessment.”

Wei Changqing said, “The evaluation is very simple. It’s simply one-on-one combat. A low-level plate will have a chance to challenge the holder of a higher-level plate. If they win, the challenger exchanges plates with the challenged. The details of the challenge will be announced later.”

‘Challenge…’

Xu Ning pondered for a second.

According to Wei Changqing, as a cyan plate holder, a gray plate holder could challenge him.. If he failed, he would be demoted to a gray plate.

At the same time, he also had the opportunity to challenge a yellow plate holder. If he succeeded, he would be promoted to a yellow plate.

However, Xu Ning felt that this rule was not fair at all.

Because for some high-level plate holders, their immediate combat power might not be strong, but they were young and had great potential, hence they received cyan or even yellow plates.

These people would definitely be frequently challenged in the future.

In fact, Xu Ning’s reasoning was right.

There were already some people who cast their eyes on the younger yellow and cyan plate holders.

‘Moreover, once this evaluation method is implemented, conflicts of interest between newcomers will be inevitable. They will never get along with each other in harmony, and this will encourage individualism.’ 

Xu Ning saw the negative impacts from this.

When low-level plate holders challenged others, they would inevitably challenge the people from other villages.

As the external conflicts intensify, the tendency of internal conflicts would increase.

‘It seems that the Black Armored Guards recruited us because they want to integrate into the local area through us. They also want to differentiate the other forces… Although the strength of the Black Armored Guards is strong enough to directly command all parties in Kangyun County, this kind of treatment means the relations between the parties are more subtle…’

Xu Ning was aware that he and others might be just pawns in the chess game, but fortunately, he was receiving resources while being one.

“The third thing I wanted to say.”

Wei Changqing’s tone increased a little bit. “Everyone, I hope that after you have obtained the resources, you can train with all your heart, performing your duties, and fully display your talents.”

“As you all know, the Black Armored Guards are backed by the Source Faction… According to the faction’s instructions, within three years, Kangyun County will obtain spots for entering the faction, and these spots will be filled by some of you.”

‘Enter the Source Faction?’

Xu Ning was taken aback. This was the first time he had heard about this.

There was no mention of this in the selection and assessment notice.

But Xu Ning also noticed that some people’s expressions were indifferent, such as Tao Qingyuan, Tao Jin, and Tan Fengying. It was obvious that they knew about this before.

‘It seems that the senior management of the village knew about this, but it has not been widely spread…’

Xu Ning thought, ‘The Source Faction, the martial arts holy land in State Feiyun. I have to fight for this spot…’

“I have finished explaining the three things.”

Wei Changqing began to wrap up his speech. “From now on, Captain Qu will be responsible for the affairs of the new camp.”

The stocky Black Armored Guard who was in charge of their affairs stood up and bowed to Wei Changqing with his fists. “Yes sir.”

Wei Changqing nodded and left the school field.

Only Captain Qu was left on the platform.

“Tomorrow, I will send out your duty locations, pay close attention to it. When you receive the notice, report at the location within three days. Remember to bring your plates.”

Captain Qu waved his hand. “Okay, dismissed.”

Captain Qu left and the crowd dispersed.

‘Being a Black Armored Guard is an important job, but we still have to perform the duty chores…’

Xu Ning didn’t need to be of one-track mind when practicing martial arts, so he didn’t mind doing chores.

However, Tao Qingyuan, Tao Jin and the others were a bit annoyed, as performing duties would inevitably delay their practice.

However, they all knew about this in advance, but they still chose to join the Black Armored Guards due to their resources and the opportunity to enter the Source Faction.

…

A few days went by.

Kangyun County, Maple Lane.

Xu Ning came here with his cyan plate and identity information.

Black Armored Guards Post at the Maple Lane—this was where Xu Ning was assigned.

Although Maple Lane sounded like a street, it was actually an area. It was located in the southeast of Kangyun County. It had a large area and several prosperous streets.

Today, in Kangyun County, there were 6000 city guards. These city guards were ordinary warriors who had practiced external skills or had average internal skills, with low talent and potential.

In addition, there were 400 Black Armored Guards, and among these 400 guards, there were one hundred newcomers.

In Kangyun County, there were sixteen Black Armored Guards posts and three camps.

Among the sixteen Black Armored Guards posts, some of them were large, and some were small, so the number of guards at each post varied. Xu Ning was assigned to the Maple Lane Black Armored Guards Post. Although the site was not small, there were less than 10 Black Armored Guards stationed there.

One-third of the newcomers were left in the camp and were responsible for patrolling on site.

The remaining two thirds, like Xu Ning, were assigned guard station duty.

However, what confused Xu Ning a little was that the other newcomers assigned to guard station posts were in groups of 3 to 5, but he was the only one reporting alone.

“Old man, where is the Maple Lane Black Armored Guards Post?”

Xu Ning didn’t know the exact location, so he had to find an old man selling sugar coated fruit on the street to ask for directions.

Xu Ning had already received the equipment of the Black Armored Guards.

He was dressed in black, with light armor, a new long sword attached on his waist, and a cyan plate around his neck.

The old man recognized that Xu Ning was a Black Armored Guard instantly, so he quickly pointed. “Sir, the Maple Lane post is across this street and along the south side of the river.”

The old man was obviously a little nervous.

Xu Ning frowned slightly and thanked him. “Thank you.”

Xu Ning turned and left.

While walking down on the road, Xu Ning noticed that pedestrians on the road would take the initiative to avoid walking near him. Some would stand still and wait for him to pass before walking.

Whenever he walked near the street vendors, the vendors would even stop hawking.

Everyone looked at him with fear and a trace of reverence.

‘It seems that Black Armored Guards’ dominance in Kangyun County has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people…’

Xu Ning was still a little uncomfortable with this, but he was slowly trying to get accustomed to it.

After following the path pointed out by the old man, Xu Ning soon found the Maple Lane Black Armored Guards Post.

The guard station looked like a small yamen from the outside.

The gate of the guard station was open, surrounded by tall walls, and there were two city guards at the gate.

As soon as Xu Ning walked over, before he even spoke, one of the guards said, “May I ask sir, are you surnamed Xu?”

“Yes, my name is Xu Ning.”

Xu Ning responded directly.

The guard respectfully said, “Master Xu, Lieutenant Chen told me to bring you to him.”

Xu Ning finally realized what was going on.

It seemed that the news about him arriving at the Maple Lane Guard Station had already spread in advance.

“Thank you.”

Xu Ning said politely.

After hearing this, the guard looked flattered and quickly said, “You are too kind, sir.”

After speaking, he bowed slightly and led Xu Ning into the guard station.

As soon as he entered the guard station, Xu Ning saw a large tree more than 20 meters high in the courtyard.

In addition, there were all kinds of flowers and plants. At first glance, it looked like a flower garden.

“The decor is quite good…”

Xu Ning said.

“This was all arranged by Lieutenant Chen.”

The city guard responded with a smile.

Xu Ning nodded.

It seemed that the Maple Lane Guard Station did not have many tasks, otherwise Lieutenant Chen, the person-in-charge here, would not have time to decorate this place.

After passing through the courtyard, the city guard took Xu Ning to the backyard. The city guard then stopped in front of a room.

“Master Xu, Lieutenant Chen is inside, you can go in.”

The city guard said.

Xu Ning thanked him, tidied up his clothes, walked forward, and knocked on the door.

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