Sage of Humanity
Chapter 955 - 953 Leading a Team

"Don't overthink it, it's not as you believe." Qian Wudang noticed Lu Ye's thoughts, sat up straight with his hands folded on the table before him, and said frankly, "Since there are no slots left in the other squads, I intend to form a new team, with you leading as the captain!"

"What?" Lu Ye almost thought he misheard, "Me, as the captain?"

Was this guy joking with him?

"Exactly!" Qian Wudang nodded with a serious expression, "You as the captain, forming a new squad for the Law Enforcement Hall, what do you think?"

Lu Ye was a bit stunned.

He initially thought Qian Wudang had encountered some difficulty, hence couldn't include him in the Justice Department, yet it turned out not only wasn't that the case, but he was also to be made a squad captain.

Lu Ye didn't know much about the Justice Department, and his only encounter with the Law Enforcement Hall was with the A-3 squad, whose captain, Warlord Geng, was True Lake Level 9, just one step away from the Divine Sea. The lowest cultivation level among the team members was also between Level 3-4.

He didn't know the situation in other squads, but he figured they wouldn't be much different from the A-3 squad.

With his cultivation level, even if he joined the Law Enforcement Hall, he would be at the bottom, only executing orders, with no qualifications to command others, let alone being in the captain's position.

But someone like Qian Wudang wouldn't joke about such a matter.

"Sir, may I ask why?" Lu Ye spoke up.

Qian Wudang said, "I have carefully reviewed the last mission report of the A-3 squad. Warlord Geng and his team highly rated you, unanimously crediting you as instrumental in accomplishing the mission. In danger, you remained calm, unafraid of the strong, and you united your companions, finding ways to break through in dire situations, showing great adaptability. These are excellent qualities that the Law Enforcement Hall values highly."

Lu Ye received quite the praise, making him even more wary, thinking that things couldn't be so simple.

"Moreover, you're strong. When you joined the A-3 squad's mission, although only True Lake Level 1, the strength you displayed far exceeded that level. I've heard you're adept at crossing levels to defeat enemies, so though you're now only True Lake Level 3, I believe you're at least not weaker than a typical True Lake Level 5."

That was an understatement. Forget True Lake Level 5; he had previously instantly killed someone at True Lake Level 7. But such matters were best not shared with others.

"Of course, the most crucial point is your military rank, which is sufficiently high. Within the entire Bingzhou guard, those with similar cultivation levels usually hold ranks between Major and lieutenant colonel, but you're already a Capital Commandant, which gives you the authority to order others. Otherwise, placing someone like you, a Capital Commandant, as captain in a squad whose captain is only a lieutenant colonel wouldn't work, as others couldn't order you around."

Lu Ye frowned slightly. The logic made sense; military rank indeed determined authority in certain situations. However, something still felt off to him.

"In summary, you indeed qualify to lead a team and act as captain, which is my considered conclusion." Qian Wudang looked at Lu Ye earnestly.

Lu Ye nodded, reluctantly accepting his reasoning.

But as for taking the captain's position... truth be told, he wasn't very interested. In a six-member law enforcement team, being a member only required following orders, but as captain, there were more factors to consider, like ensuring the safety of the members under his command during missions.

"Sir, this matter..."

Just as Lu Ye started to speak, Qian Wudang interrupted him, "Being a captain comes with quite a few benefits. For one, a Law Enforcement Hall squad captain receives a double monthly salary. As a Capital Commandant, you currently earn thirty thousand battle merit per month, but as a captain, it would be sixty thousand."

I received a double salary at Cangyan Mountain Pass... just too bad I can't draw that since leaving, due to Heaven's Augury's oversight of cultivator job adjustments.

"You also earn one hundred fifty thousand monthly from crafting Explosive Fire Spirit Stones. All in all, your monthly battle merit amounts to at least two hundred ten thousand."

Calculating, Qian Wudang himself was startled.

Across the entire Nine Provinces, which True Lake Realm cultivator could steadily accumulate so much battle merit monthly? With so much battle merit, exchanging for the gold-hued spirit fortune stick would surely accelerate cultivation progress.

That's not accounting for mission rewards.

"Furthermore, after mission completion, the captain claims thirty percent of the battle merit reward, while the remaining seventy percent is divided among the five team members. Also, a Law Enforcement Hall captain is entitled to a fixed residence in Haotian City, and moreover, inside our Law Enforcement Hall, you have a discount on resource exchanges."

Before Lu Ye could finish his sentence, Qian Wudang listed a slew of benefits.

However, the more he did so, the more vigilant Lu Ye became.

He had a distinct feeling that Qian Wudang was eager for him to take the captain's role... why was that?

"Sir, I..."

"Think it over carefully." Qian Wudang leaned slightly forward, staring intently at him, clearly signaling that if Lu Ye didn't provide a satisfactory answer, he wouldn't be allowed to leave today.

Lu Ye understood the meaning in his eyes and calmly said, "Sir, my sect master came yesterday; I wonder if you received the message."

"Veteran Thang came?" Qian Wudang was momentarily stunned; he indeed hadn't known of this. After arriving, the sect master had only met a few old friends for a chat, with no word reaching him about it.

Realizing quickly, this audacious brat was using Veteran Thang to threaten him. Qian Wudang couldn't help but glare at Lu Ye.

"May I ask, sir, is appointing me captain an order?" Lu Ye inquired.

If it's an order, then he really can't refuse it; otherwise, he'll be guilty of defying commands, and he hasn't forgotten the taste of the Reversed Dragon Spike from the prison—he definitely doesn't want to experience it a second time.

"Hmm... do you want to make this an order?" Qian Wudang tossed the question back.

"Then I'll consider it not an order." Lu Ye stood up, clasped his fists: "Thank you, sir, for your kindness. I truly lack the ability and cannot undertake the position of team leader. Please choose someone more competent, sir."

"Alright." Qian Wudang nodded slightly. "Since that's the case, let's just leave it be."

One cannot force a horse to drink water; some things can't be over-demanded. It's just that it seems like he'll not have peaceful days ahead...

"You may leave now, I'll find a suitable team and arrange for you to join it later." Qian Wudang waved his hand.

"Thank you, sir. I take my leave." Lu Ye turned and departed.

His initial steps were brisk and bold, but the further he walked, the slower his pace became. By the time he reached the door, he suddenly turned back.

"What is it?" Qian Wudang asked, perplexed.

"Sir, if I agree to undertake the position of team leader, can I select the team members myself?" He suddenly remembered something, and if this were indeed the case, it would resolve one of his concerns.

"Of course!" Qian Wudang nodded. "Since it's a newly formed team, everything is new. The choice of members naturally depends on the wishes of you, the team leader."

As he spoke, he vaguely understood something, and smiled slightly: "Have you found someone you fancy?"

Lu Ye didn't respond directly, but instead asked: "If I choose, is there any restriction? For instance, can I freely select soldiers from the front-line mountain passes?"

"Generally speaking, it shouldn't be an issue, but it depends on whether their superiors are willing to release them." The transfer of front-line soldiers is quite common; it can be done with properly issued documents or a hand-written command signed by someone above the Mountain Pass Chief level.

"What if their superiors aren't willing to release them?" Lu Ye asked again.

Qian Wudang smiled confidently: "I do have some standing."

As the Justice Department Chief, his position is on par with the elders of the Elder Council. Just mobilizing a few personnel shouldn't be a problem; no one would likely refuse him this favor.

This confirmed that Lu Ye must have taken a liking to someone and wanted to transfer them from a particular mountain pass; otherwise, there would be no reason for his sudden change of attitude.

"Whom are you planning to recruit under your command?" Qian Wudang couldn't help but be curious.

"I haven't decided yet, but if the sir wants me to lead this team, I have one request and hope you will grant it."

"Speak!"

"I want the authority to freely conscript personnel from the front-line of major mountain passes!"

"No problem!" Qian Wudang agreed readily and smiled a bit: "However, I do have a request as well."

"What request does sir have?" Lu Ye became alert, thinking to himself that Qian Wudang's intent today indeed had a purpose, and this request should be his true aim.

"Rest assured, it won't be difficult for you, and if you find it troublesome at that time, you can absolutely refuse."

Hearing this, Lu Ye felt relieved.

"You should head back; you'll know tomorrow."

"Sir, regarding the matter of team leader-level having a residence in Haotian City..."

"..." Qian Wudang was a bit speechless, feeling the lad was indeed a bit too pragmatic as he had not even officially assumed the position yet and was already pondering over the residence.

But it's a minor issue, so he agreed readily: "Find a place where no one lives, and let me know the location afterward, and I will report it for you. However, be aware, it's only for you to reside in; it's not completely yours. One day if you're no longer with the Justice Department, Haotian City will reclaim it."

"Understood."

Shortly thereafter, Lu Ye left the Justice Department main hall in high spirits, wandered near the sect master's small courtyard, and found a small unoccupied house.

He contacted Qian Wudang via guard token and reported the location of the small house, leaving Qian Wudang to register it officially.

Thus, this small house became his residence in Haotian City.

Though not large, it had several rooms, enough to accommodate his six-member squad in the future.

As for the selection of squad members... Lu Ye already had some plans in his mind.

For now, it certainly wasn't feasible to gather all six members, but he could recruit a few to start with.