Chapter 233 Team C United

Back at the Team C barracks, Lu Dachuan was being supported by Ling Xiaoning, attempting to shuffle slowly along the edge of the sleeping platform.

He winced in pain, yet still found the breath to grumble.

Feng Qing was still cleaning his sword, though he was doing it exceptionally slowly today, his gaze drifting as if lost in thought.

"Brother Chen is back? What did the Banner Master want? Is there a new mission?"

Lu Dachuan immediately clamored as soon as he saw Chen Mu.

Chen Mu walked to his bunk, picked up his waterskin, took a sip, and said calmly, "Flag-bearer Cheng wants me to prepare for the Squad Leader promotion assessment in half a month."

"What?"

Lu Dachuan was stunned, nearly causing Ling Xiaoning, who was supporting him, to stumble. Ling Xiaoning's eyes also widened.

"Squad Leader assessment? Chen Mu, you're becoming a Squad Leader?"

Even Feng Qing, who had been detached from the situation, stopped his movements and looked up at Chen Mu. The barracks fell silent instantly.

Lu Dachuan reacted immediately, cracking a wide grin, only to wince in pain again, his expression becoming comical.

"That's great news! Incredible news! Brother Chen, I knew you weren't someone to be contained in a small pond. How long has it been, and you're already becoming a Squad Leader!"

"Our Team C... ah, it should be Deputy General Bai now. We've produced another great figure!"

He was genuinely happy for Chen Mu. In the Demon Suppression Division, strength was paramount, and he had seen Chen Mu's capabilities with his own eyes; he was thoroughly convinced.

Moreover, if Chen Mu could rise up, it would only benefit them, his brothers in the same team.

Feng Qing remained silent for a moment before speaking.

"The assessment won't be easy. Many in the Division are watching, especially you—your seniority is too shallow."

His words were as direct as ever, yet they pointed to the crux of the matter.

Chen Mu nodded.

"Flag-bearer Cheng and Chief-Lieutenant Huo have the same concern. The assessment is one hurdle; even if I pass, how to convince others and lead the team is an even greater one."

Hearing this, Lu Dachuan heroically slapped his chest, then hissed in pain, yet didn't stop talking.

"Screw that! Brother Chen, who in Team C doesn't respect your abilities? Flag-bearer Cheng has already given the nod; if anyone is unhappy, tell them to go to Youxu Valley and chat with the Dragon!"

"Once my injury heals, and with Feng Qing and sister Suning, we'll all support you. A team led by you will definitely be top-notch!"

Ling Xiaoning nodded repeatedly.

"Yes, yes, yes, Chen Mu, I'm with you!"

Chen Mu looked at them, feeling a slight warmth in his heart.

Although Lu Dachuan was rough, Feng Qing was cold on the outside but warm on the inside, and Ling Xiaoning was still a bit immature, they were all brothers he could entrust his back to.

...

Lu Dachuan had always been the type to forget the pain before the scar had healed. His broken ribs had only just begun to mend, yet he couldn't stand the stuffiness of the barracks any longer. Taking advantage of Ling Xiaoning's nap, he actually hopped on one leg, wincing all the way as he shuffled to the neighboring barracks.

Shi Yong and Li Si were huddled around a small wooden table, gnawing on steamed buns with pickled vegetables and whispering about something. They were both stunned to see Lu Dachuan hop in with that look on his face.

"Stone! Li Si! You guys eating?"

Lu Dachuan grinned, causing another dull ache in his chest, making him gasp for air, though he forcefully held back any groan.

Shi Yong hurriedly stood up, wanting to support him but afraid to touch him randomly, as his own condition wasn't much better. He asked with his hands raised in the air, "Brother Lu, you… you can walk? Didn't Medical Officer Duan tell you to rest for half a month?"

"Rest, my foot! If I keep resting, I'll start growing mushrooms!"

Lu Dachuan waved his large hand, hopped on one leg to the table, and plopped down onto the bench, causing it to creak.

"Let me tell you something, have you heard? Flag-bearer Cheng is going to have Brother Chen Mu assessed for promotion to Squad Leader!"

Li Si put down his bun and wiped his mouth upon hearing this.

"I heard. The newcomer who joined the team a while back, the one who personally killed the Mother Dragon?"

Lu Dachuan's eyes widened.

"What newcomer? That's a brother I've been through life and death with! Li Si, you didn't go because you were injured, but in Youxu Valley, his blade, his movement techniques, his quick-wittedness in battle—half of my life was snatched back from the jaws of the Dragon by him!"

Shi Yong fell silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Brother Chen's skills are unquestionable. That day in the valley, if he hadn't slain that Mother Dragon, we might not have held out until the Jade Bell Guard arrived."

"It's just that his seniority is a bit shallow."

Li Si smacked his lips. There was no real malice in his tone, just a statement of fact.

"There are many capable fighters in the Demon Hunting Division, but few who are both capable, able to command respect, and can lead a team. Many veteran brothers have slogged for years and are still waiting for an opportunity."

Hearing this, Lu Dachuan grew unhappy and stiffened his neck.

"Seniority? Seniority is worth jack! Is Chief Banner Officer Zhang's seniority not deep? Is the seniority of the brothers in the Tian Di Xuan Three Teams not deep? Surviving in Youxu Valley is the only hard truth."

"Brother Chen managed to lead us battered remnants out of the Dragon's jaws and even coordinated with the Jade Bell Guard to kill the Male Dragon. With this skill and this Heart-Nature, is he not qualified to be a Squad Leader? I'll be the first to show respect!"

He paused for a moment, looked at the two, and lowered his voice.

"Our Team C this time... we've been deeply wounded. Boss Bai has been promoted to Deputy General, so he has more things to manage. The team can't keep being half-paralyzed like this. If Brother Chen Mu comes up, us old brothers can still stir the pot together and look out for each other."

"I, old Lu, can see clearly what kind of person he is: ruthless to enemies, and righteous to his own people!"

Shi Yong and Li Si exchanged glances and didn't say anything more.

Lu Dachuan's words were crude but true. In the Demon Suppression Division, the bond between team members was often more reliable than official ranks on paper. Chen Mu was strong and had fought side by side with them; if he could lead the reorganization of Team C, it would be better than having some outsider with unknown roots parachuted in.

Moreover, the fact that even a reckless person like Lu Dachuan held him in such high regard spoke for itself.

After a while, Shi Yong nodded.

"Brother Lu is right. If Brother Chen can truly pass the assessment, I, Shi Yong, have nothing to say."

Li Si also smiled. "The skill is there. We aren't the jealous type. As long as he can lead everyone to kill more demons and lose fewer lives, we'll respect him."

...

Shen Suning returned from the Medicine Demon Division after changing Ji Xiang's dressings, carrying a small cloth bag in her left hand, which contained the medicine for Lu Dachuan and the others.

As soon as she entered the courtyard, she saw Lu Dachuan standing on one leg, gesturing at Feng Qing, spittle flying, clearly talking about Chen Mu's promotion.

Seeing Shen Suning, Lu Dachuan immediately shifted his target.

"Sister Shen is back? Perfect, tell me, isn't it great news that Brother Chen is going to be promoted to Squad Leader?"

Shen Suning placed the medicine bag on the stone table and let out a soft sigh before saying,

"Naturally, it is good news. Chen Mu's strength and Heart-Nature are more than enough to serve as a Squad Leader. Flag-bearer Cheng and Chief-Lieutenant Huo's move is an extraordinary promotion, as they value his potential."

Although her tone was calm, there was a trace of worry between her brows.

Lu Dachuan didn't notice, still excited.

"Exactly! Once Brother Chen becomes a Squad Leader, us people..."

"Brother Lu."

Shen Suning interrupted him, her voice still gentle.

"The brothers in the team naturally have nothing to say; we've all been through life and death together. I just went to see Ji Xiang; her condition has stabilized a bit. When she heard about this, she only said that Chen Mu is capable. So, within Team C, there should be no issues."

Shen Suning paused slightly, and the excitement on Lu Dachuan's face faded a little.

"Sister Shen, you mean... on the outside?"