American Comics: BOSS Invasion

"So, it's the Southern Garrison Commander!"

While sorting through his memories, Qi Shan was surprised to discover his current identity; his official position was quite significant.

During the late Ming Dynasty, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was divided into two sections: the Northern Garrison and the Southern Garrison.

In reality, the Embroidered Uniform Guard that caused ministers to panic and fear usually referred to the Northern Garrison, because the Northern Garrison was in charge of the imperial prison and could arrest important criminals without going through the Ministry of Justice or the Grand Secretariat.

The difference in deterrent power led to the different statuses of the Northern and Southern Garrisons.

The Southern Garrison was not highly valued by the emperor, so it felt somewhat like the small court in Nanjing.

Even a lateral transfer from the Northern Garrison to the Southern Garrison was considered a demotion, while the reverse was a sign of being granted real power.

Although Qi Shan was in the Southern Garrison, he was its highest-ranking officer.

His official rank of Fifth Grade, although the same level as the fourteen chiliarchs under him, was actually still a cut above them.

Above him, besides the Commander and the Assistant Commander, there was only the Emperor.

After figuring out his current identity, Qi Shan began to calmly examine his abilities.

On the contrary, he had a bit of a surprise when summoning the Cup of Life.

He didn't know if it was because of the Descent effect, but all of Qi Shan's abilities were reduced; the summoned Cup of Life was no longer the size of a trophy, but had truly become a small wine cup.

Looking at the depth on it, it could hold at most half a qian of wine.

He grabbed the brass paperweight on the table and gently rubbed it with his palm; the golden yellow on the surface quickly faded, turning into a shiny silver.

"It seems that I don't have to worry about expenses for the time being!"

Just as he was thinking, a burst of noise suddenly came from outside.

Qi Shan frowned and raised his voice, "Who is making noise outside?"

The door was gently knocked, and a man dressed as a chiliarch cautiously walked in, giving Qi Shan a deep salute.

"This humble official, Embroidered Uniform Guard Chiliarch Feng Yuan, greets Commander!"

Qi Shan waved his hand, "Alright, alright, don't bother with these formalities; just tell me what's going on!"

"Yes!"

Feng Yuan saluted and stood up straight, a wry smile on his face.

"Sir, it's still that greenhorn from the Northern Garrison. Last night, Yin Cheng, a Northern Garrison flag officer, was killed. Baihu Pei Lun is his sworn brother. Upon hearing this news, he went crazy and rushed into the backyard regardless, saying he must see you!"

Hearing the name Pei Lun, a strange look flashed in Qi Shan's eyes.

So, the plot of 'Brotherhood of Blades' has just begun; no wonder the system gave such a task.

Seeing that Qi Shan didn't speak, Feng Yuan thought he was angry and quickly said, "I told him he was ignorant, and I'll send someone to drive him out!"

"Alright! Stop acting with me here. I've only been this Commander for two or three years. Before that, weren't we brothers stirring the ladle in the same pot?

Stop giving me that nonsense. What Pei Lun wants is nothing more than the truth. We Embroidered Uniform Guards, have no other skills, but investigating cases and arresting people is our forte.

Speaking of which, the Northern Garrison has been making too much trouble these past two years. They can't manage themselves, making a mess of things. As brothers, we should lend a hand.

Alright! Tell that little fellow Pei Lun to stop making trouble outside. Take my warrant and investigate. If anyone dares to obstruct him, tell him to come and find me!"

As Qi Shan spoke, he pulled out a waist牌 (yāopái, waist牌/牌子) and threw it over.

Seeing Feng Yuan's flustered action of catching the waist牌, Qi Shan's heart suddenly moved, and a 同心鎖 (tóngxīn suǒ, love lock) was thrown over.

The Love Lock connected successfully in an instant; it seemed that this skill was not greatly affected.

He was already the highest official in the Southern Garrison; controlling his subordinates was meaningless; it was better to find a chance to control the Emperor.

With one throw and one收 (shōu, retrieval), it only took a second. Feng Yuan only felt a sudden darkness in front of his eyes, his body suddenly weakening, and he staggered, perfectly missing the waist牌 and sitting down on the ground.

Feng Yuan himself was stunned.

What was going on?

Qi Shan frowned, "What, the leg injury you suffered during the last mission hasn't healed yet?

How many times have I told you, with the Northern Garrison people横 (héng, lying) on top of us, we Southern Garrison don't have any important matters. Why bother competing for everything?

The time is not yet right. Once the time is right, what is the Northern Garrison?

Alright, find an imperial physician to treat the hidden injury on your leg. Don't let it flare up when you see the Emperor; that would be a capital crime!"

Feng Yuan was full of question marks. Could it really be a recurrence of his old injury, so sudden?

He was a little confused and didn't know what to say, but he bent down to pick it up and respectfully saluted.

"Your Excellency is right. Then this humble official will take his leave!"

"Go, go!"

In the courtyard outside, two Embroidered Uniform Guard Baihu were tightly holding Pei Lun's arms, fixing him in mid-air.

Pei Lun's eyes were bloodshot. He also knew that he had violated the rules in his eagerness. After being caught, he relaxed his legs and lowered his head slightly, but his two bloodshot eyes showed that his heart was not at peace.

Then the Baihu on the left shook his head, "I said, you kid was doing your job well, why bother looking for trouble? Being so emotional will ruin things!"

The Baihu on the right scoffed, "Stop preaching your heresies to me. It's because there are too many people with your kind of thinking that the Embroidered Uniform Guard can't compete with the Eastern Depot at all and is about to be踩 (cǎi, stepped) into the mud!

If everyone was like Pei Lun, as close as brothers, as close as flesh and blood, with our hearts set on one goal and our efforts focused in one direction, we would have long rebuilt the reputation of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!"

"Alright, alright, it's called 'hearts set on one goal and efforts focused in one direction.' You can't even say a sentence clearly, and you're giving me a lecture! Pei Lun, don't listen to him. You know the situation better than me. There's no need to risk your head!"

No matter how the two joked, Pei Lun remained silent.

After a while, Embroidered Uniform Guard Chiliarch Feng Yuan came out of the Commander's office.

Several Baihu simultaneously lowered their heads and saluted.

"Alright, what are you doing with these formalities in the courtyard!"

Feng Yuan glanced at Pei Lun, "Tell me, what kind of命 (mìng, fate) do you have? Ignoring the rules and forcing your way into the Commander's backyard, not only did the Commander not blame you, but he also gave you full authority to investigate. This is a great favor!"