No matter if it was a conspiracy or an overt plot, Chen Zong couldn't go against the imperial edict because he didn't have the strength to do so.
If Chen Zong was a cultivator in the sky profound realm, then he could completely ignore the imperial edict. It was a pity that he was only a mere cultivator in the true martial realm.
Let's just obediently take up the post.
The next day, Chen Zong packed up and left the Suran Residence, heading for the headquarters of the Dragonteeth Guard.
The Dragonteeth Guard's headquarters had a very strange appearance. It was as if an enormous dragon's tooth had been erected on the earth, and its aura was astounding.
"Halt. Unauthorized personnel are not allowed to approach the Dragonteeth Guard headquarters, or suffer the consequences." The cold voice was like a knife, carrying a hint of threat and killing intent as it stopped Chen Zong from approaching the Dragonteeth Guard headquarters.
The gazes of the two Dragonteeth Guard guards were cold as their right hands pressed down on the hilts of their blades, as if they would draw their blades at any moment and kill Chen Zong.
Chen Zong's brow furrowed slightly. Logically speaking, the Dragonteeth Guard should've received the news that he'd been conferred the title of vice commander by the imperial edict. There was only one explanation, and that was that the third prince had given the order to purposefully make things difficult for him.
"I am Chen Zong. I was conferred the title of vice commander by the Emperor yesterday. I've come to report today." Chen Zong's brow relaxed as he spoke in a manner that was neither servile nor overbearing.
"What a joke. Do you think you're a vice commander just because you say so?" One of the Dragonteeth Guard smiled coldly and retorted.
"I think the two of you should know my identity and the matter of the Emperor's conferment. No matter who instigated you to make things difficult for me, it's best if you stop now and I'll let bygones be bygones." Chen Zong spoke neither hurriedly nor slowly, but his words were quite sharp, pressing forward like the edge of a sword. "If you persist in going about things the wrong way, then that means you're defying the imperial edict. Your head will roll."
The faces of the two Dragonteeth Guards stiffened after the incisive words. A trace of struggle appeared in the depths of their eyes as they looked at each other and released their grip on the hilts of their weapons.
"I remember now. There was indeed a new vice commander, but I didn't think that the vice commander would be so young that we didn't recognize him. Please forgive us."
"That's right, that's right. We made a mistake. Please don't take offense, Vice Commander."
The two Dragonteeth Guards said hastily and bowed repeatedly.
They had naturally received some orders to do their best to make things difficult for the new Deputy Commander. However, they had never thought that the Deputy Commander's words would be so sharp. It was like a sharp sword piercing straight towards them. There was no way to avoid it. The word 'defy' made them tremble in fear.
Within the Dragon Reflection Imperial City, whoever dared to defy the imperial edict was courting death.
After weighing the pros and cons, the two could only give in.
Chen Zong hadn't suffered any losses, so he had no intention of quibbling with these two Dragonteeth Guards, unless they were seeking their own deaths.
He strode into the Dragonteeth Guard headquarters. Only then did the two Dragonteeth Guards let out a sigh of relief, but then looked a bit angry.
Chen Zong's purpose in coming here was to make a report. Since he had been conferred the title of Deputy Commander, the one with a higher position than him was the Commander. Therefore, the person he needed to report to was the Commander Long Wulie.
The commander of the Dragonteeth Guard, Long Wulie, was currently sitting high up in the main hall of the Dragonteeth Guard headquarters.
Chen Zong's arrival was both expected and unexpected. After all, Chen Zong had been conferred the title of Deputy Commander of the Dragonteeth Guard. Therefore, it was necessary for him to report to the Dragonteeth Guard headquarters. Otherwise, it would be defying the imperial edict, and the consequences would be severe. However, Long Wulie and the others had all felt that Chen Zong would come again after a few days to at least make more preparations.
They hadn't thought that Chen Zong would come after just one night. This was unexpected.
"Chen Zong greets the Commander." Chen Zong raised his hands in a cupped fist salute to Long Wulie, who was sitting high up in the main seat.
Numerous gazes landed on Chen Zong, as if wanting to pierce through Chen Zong. Chen Zong was unperturbed and unaffected. Even if this was a dragon's lair or a tiger's den, it still wouldn't make Chen Zong feel fear.
"To be conferred the title of Deputy Commander at such a young age, you are indeed no small matter." Long Wulie's tall and burly appearance was quite strong. His voice was like a great bell and rolling thunder, but an obscure light flickered in the depths of his eyes. "Men, bring Deputy Commander Chen's martial robe and command medallion."
Following Long Wulie's words, very quickly, someone carrying a dark red square wooden tray walked into the main hall with his head lowered and waist bent. On the square wooden tray, there was a set of folded robes neatly placed. On the robes, there was a belt, and beside the belt, there was a pair of shoes. Between the belt and the shoes, there was a dark golden token that looked like a dragon's tooth.
"Give it to Deputy Commander Chen." Long Wulie waved his hand and said directly.
Chen Zong was a bit surprised. The two Dragonteeth Guards had made things difficult for him when he'd been about to enter. Chen Zong knew that it wouldn't be that easy to report this trip. Why was it different from what he'd imagined?
Could it be that they weren't planning on making things difficult for him?
Or were they going to deal with him slowly in the future?
As his thoughts turned, the martial robe and the other items were already in front of him. Chen Zong raised his hands to receive them.
"Hold on!" A shout exploded like a sudden clap of thunder. A tall man in armor suddenly stood up, his eyes shooting out a shocking light. He cupped his hands in salute to Long Wulie as he said, "Sir Commander, it's not that I'm disobeying the decree, but I believe that the position of Vice Commander should be given to someone who has made great contributions to the Dragonteeth Guard, and not to an unknown outsider. I'm not convinced."
"Sir Commander, we also do not accept this." The others also stood up and cupped their hands in salute, expressing their opinions one by one.
Chen Zong also put down his hands and stood still, waiting to see what Long Wulie had to say.
Long Wulie seemed to be in a bit of a difficult position, and his expression was on point.
"Chen Zong, His Majesty conferring you the position of Deputy Commander of the Dragonteeth Guard is due to His Majesty's boundless benevolence. However, the Dragonteeth Guard is in charge of apprehending criminals and killing all those who cause trouble for the dynasty. Long Wulie opened his mouth and said carefully, "Without a doubt, you are very talented, but talent is just talent. You need time to verify it."
"Our Dragonteeth Guard has a commander and two Deputy Commanders. Not long ago, Deputy Commander Lin led a team to chase down criminals, but accidentally fell into a trap and sacrificed himself. The position of Deputy Commander was vacated, and thus you were conferred the title." After a pause, Long Wulie continued, "As the commander of the Dragonteeth Guard, I have the strength of a grandmaster. The two Deputy Commanders have the strength of eight stars, and the five Senior Commanders have the strength of seven stars. May I ask, Chen Zong, what rank are you now?"
"Five stars." Chen Zong replied in a manner that was neither servile nor overbearing.
"Only five stars." Long Wulie frowned, and the others all laughed coldly. These people were the other Deputy Commander and the five Senior Commanders. None of them said anything, but the expressions on their faces clearly showed that they looked down on Chen Zong's strength of five stars. They believed that Chen Zong did not have the qualifications to be the Dragonteeth Guard's Deputy Commander.
"The higher the position of the Dragonteeth Guard, the more powerful one must be." Long Wulie opened his mouth again.
"I understand the meaning of the Commander's words." Chen Zong suddenly opened his mouth, "I know that my strength is meager, and I do not have the qualifications to be the Dragonteeth Guard's Deputy Commander. I will report this matter truthfully and return the imperial edict."
Long Wulie's eyelids suddenly jumped when he heard Chen Zong's words.
If Chen Zong really did this, then regardless of Chen Zong's fate, Long Wulie's fate would definitely not be good. This was because this was equivalent to him forcing Chen Zong into a corner.
The others' expressions were also ugly. No one had thought that Chen Zong would respond like this. This was not what they had planned.
"Wait a moment." Long Wulie hurriedly called out to Chen Zong, "Deputy Commander Chen has misunderstood. I'm not saying that Deputy Commander Chen does not have the qualifications to be the Deputy Commander. I'm just trying to give Deputy Commander Chen a more direct understanding of the Dragonteeth Guard. Although Deputy Commander Chen's current battle strength is not high enough, Deputy Commander Chen's talent is quite outstanding. As long as Deputy Commander Chen is given enough time, it's not impossible for him to raise his battle strength to the eight star level, or even become a Master."
"However, since Deputy Commander Chen is the Deputy Commander, you must be able to convince others. Only in this way can the Dragonteeth Guard display its greatest cohesiveness and strength." Long Wulie's meaning was that Chen Zong's strength was too low, and he was unable to convince the Dragonteeth Guard. He would drag the entire Dragonteeth Guard down.
"Dare I ask Sir Commander, is there any way for me to immediately reach the Pseudo Transcendent Realm?" Chen Zong suddenly retorted. His words didn't follow common sense. Long Wulie and the others' complexions immediately stiffened. They didn't know how to answer Chen Zong.
If there really was a way for a True Martial Realm cultivator to immediately reach the Pseudo Transcendent Realm, why would he need to immerse himself in the True Martial Realm for so many years to slowly improve?
"Deputy Commander Chen really likes to joke." Long Wulie forced out a smile and laughed.
"Vice Commander Chen, since you're going to take over the position of vice commander, then you must bring out the corresponding ability to convince the Dragonteeth Guard and prove that you have the right to take on the position of vice commander. Otherwise, you'll be smearing the Dragonteeth Guard's name and losing face for the royal family." A commander suddenly spoke up, his words sharp and incisive.
Chen Zong's heart was clear. In the end, these people were just deliberately making things difficult for him or trying to provoke him. It was an open conspiracy.
Chen Zong didn't know what the consequences would be if he really reported his resignation. If he wasn't careful, he could be very unlucky.
If he didn't report his resignation, then he could only take on the position of Deputy Commander. If the other Dragonteeth Guard didn't cooperate with him or even made things difficult for him, then it would undoubtedly bring him a lot of trouble.
Chen Zong didn't like trouble. If there was trouble, then he would find a way to solve it.
Alright, since you've set up a trap to deal with me, then I'll break it and leave you helpless.
Whether it's a conspiracy or an open one, I, Chen Zong, will take it all on.
"Please instruct me, Sir Commander, how can I be considered qualified? How can I convince the other Dragonteeth Guards? "Chen Zong asked back, ignoring the hooting captains.
"It's very simple to convince the Dragonteeth Guards. Strength and merits." Long Wulie smiled, "Vice Commander Chen is still lacking in strength. Then we can only start with merits."
"Sir Commander, I have a suggestion." Another deputy commander flicked a glance at Chen Zong and spoke again, "Deputy Commander Lin fell into the trap of a criminal and sacrificed himself. The criminal is still on the run. Vice Commander Chen, please capture or kill the criminal. Firstly, you can avenge Deputy Commander Lin. Secondly, you can also prove Vice Commander Chen's outstanding abilities. Thirdly, you can earn the corresponding merits. Three birds with one stone. I'll be the first to be convinced. Anyone who isn't convinced will have to go through me first."
At this point, the so-called trap was finally revealed.
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