Staying Alive Cautiously in the Celestial Realm and Becoming the Strongest-Chapter 919 - Discussing Merits
Chapter 919: Chapter 919 Discussing Merits
Chapter 919: Chapter 919 Discussing Merits
Pang Tai’s command consisted of five Blood Cloak Guard squads, each overseen by a Junior Flag.
Over the past half-year, Linjiang County had been relatively peaceful, with no major disasters or disturbances occurring.
Yet today, within the span of just two hours, he had urgently dispatched four squads to investigate the sudden and strange incidents that had erupted across the city.
Anyone could sense that something was amiss in such a situation.
Pang Tai was no exception.
But due to his duty, he had no other choice, for if he lost control of the situation, he would not be able to maintain his position below him.
And as the main officer of the Blood Cloak Guards, Pang Tai could not easily leave the Defense Area.
When he learned that three signals for emergency dispatch had appeared outside the city, his forces were few and far between!
Under such circumstances, Pang Tai was even less able to act.
Should it be a ruse to lure the tiger away from the mountain, leaving the Defense Area vulnerable to be taken advantage of by the enemy.
Pang Tai’s own head would not be enough to pay for such a mistake!
All he could do was to immediately gather the forces of the Government Office.
At this moment, Qiu returned with his men.
“It turns out to be the Yellow Lotus Sect!”
After listening to Qiu’s brief report, Pang Tai had an epiphany and couldn’t help but clench his teeth in anger, “Those damned bandits!”
“Hasten to inform the Government Office!”
The General Flag made a decisive decision and ordered the guard beside him, “Inform them that the Yellow Lotus has stirred trouble, please request the prefecture to seek military aid!”
The status of the Blood Cloak Guards was special, and their identity was very sensitive. Although they were direct forces under the Royal Family of Great Liang, privately colluding with the military was strictly forbidden, a crime worthy of exterminating nine kin!
In emergency situations, however, the Blood Cloak Guards could request aid from the local garrison.
But it was not certain that the other party would take orders from the Blood Cloak Guards.
If the Yamen intervened, the situation would be much better.
After all, the daily supplies of the local garrison mainly depended on the arrangements and support from the local government offices.
The guard took the order and left.
Pang Tai took a deep breath and said to Qiu, “Qiu, you have worked hard. Once this is over, I will report your squad’s accomplishments.”
“Thank you, my lord!”
Qiu presented a blood-soaked bundle, “In this battle, we have beheaded thirty-two enemies, including Black Whirlwind Li Kui, the leader of the Yellow Lotus Sect. Please, my lord, take a look!”
He opened the bundle, and the severed heads inside were immediately revealed!
“Black Whirlwind Li Kui!”
Pang Tai’s eyes widened as he gazed at the large head before him, momentarily speechless.
He obviously knew who Black Whirlwind Li Kui was, but he had never imagined that this notoriously fierce heretical sect bandit would be killed by Qiu and his men.
Thirty-two beheadings in total?
Pang Tai was well aware of Qiu’s strength, which is why he found it incredible.
On a normal day, if Qiu had reported such a thing, he most certainly would have given him a fierce slap.
Who are you trying to fool!
But now, with smoke signals of trouble arising both inside and outside of Linjiang, the situation was extremely dire; Pang Tai did not believe Qiu would have the audacity or bravery to falsely report military intelligence at this time.
After a moment of stupor, he finally asked, “Did you kill him?”
“No!”
Qiu replied, “It was the newly-promoted Guard Wang Chen who killed him; he beheaded a total of twenty-four enemies in this battle!”
Pang Tai fell silent again.
His mind felt somewhat scrambled, “You said Wang Chen?”
Pang Tai wracked his brains, finally recalling who Wang Chen was.
When Wang Chen had first arrived, the General Flag had two main impressions of him: one was that he was a standout new recruit from the Iron Furnace Camp with a Silver Badge, and the other was that he was a handsome and attractive young man with a fair face.
However, as time passed, the preoccupied Pang Tai quickly forgot about the existence of this newly-promoted Guard under his command.
He found it hard to believe when he remembered.
“Yes!”
Qiu answered very earnestly, “If it weren’t for Wang Chen, none of us would have made it back alive today!”
He had just intentionally brought up Li Kui’s head to credit Wang Chen!
This Junior Flag felt grateful to Wang Chen and also wanted to foster a good relationship with him.
“Very well.”
Pang Tai took a deep breath and said, “I’ve taken note, go tend to your injuries first.”
After a moment of thought, he added, “Write up a battle report later, and I’ll report it to the higher-ups.”
“Yes!”
Qiu saluted again, then left the room.
He still needed to lead Wang Chen and the other two to verify the heads of their enemies and to claim their rewards and recognition for their accomplishments.
As dusk fell, the previously panicked Linjiang County finally regained its usual tranquility.
The local Government Office and military forces had mobilized together, concurrently wiping out the Yellow Lotus Sect cultists within and outside the city and killed many bandits.
The Blood Cloak Guard suffered significant losses—six men died in battle, including one Junior Flag!
And the injured numbered even more.
This plunged the Defense Area into trouble, with a restless and anxious atmosphere and its strength severely diminished.
Pang Tai had no choice but to send for reinforcement from the Prefecture City using falcons.
The following evening, a troop from the Prefecture City arrived in Linjiang County and took up positions in the Blood Cloak Guard Defense Area.
The 𝘮ost uptodat𝑒 novels are pub𝙡ished on freeweɓnovēl.coɱ.
That night, lights burned bright within the Defense Area.
“The priority now is to replenish the manpower of the Linjiang Defense Area.”
Inside Pang Tai’s study, a resolute man in brocade said in a deep voice, “You’ve been short-staffed here in Linjiang County for so long, why didn’t you say anything?”
Pang Tai gave a wry smile.
How had he not said anything!
He had written more than one report requesting additional personnel, but once submitted, they had vanished without a trace.
Previously, he had even personally visited Prefecture City to request reinforcements, only to be brushed off and sent away.
What could he do when he, a General Flag, had no connections above him?
Pang Tai was well aware that the real reason for the personnel shortages was because someone had their eyes set on Linjiang County.
If he had sufficient soldiers and resources, it wouldn’t be so easy for them to move him out!
But how could he possibly reveal such internal affairs?
Speaking out would be useless and could even become a handle for others to criticize him!
The brocade-clad man who had just arrived from Prefecture City as reinforcement carried the last name Xue. He held the same General Flag position as Pang Tai, but his status and background were a notch above.
General Flag Xue was no fool; perceiving Pang Tai’s expression, he had an inkling of understanding.
He snorted once, not pursuing this topic, but instead picking up a battle report nearby and flicking it with his finger, he said, “This newly promoted Guard of yours, Wang Chen, don’t you think his achievements are a bit exaggerated?”
General Flag Xue felt he had phrased it quite tactfully, but to Pang Tai, it sounded extremely unpleasant.
It seemed to completely negate the efforts of the Linjiang Defense Area.
“All the heads are accounted for, including the head of Black Whirlwind Li Kui and his two large axes.”
Pang Tai replied without a second thought, “General Flag Xue, you are welcome to verify them. If any false claims are found, I, Pang, am willing to take full responsibility!”
Indeed, the merits Wang Chen had established were somewhat exaggerated, but it was for this very reason that Pang Tai was determined to defend them.
After all, Wang Chen was a Guard under his command, and the credit he had earned would not exclude Pang Tai’s share!
——
The second update is here.
PS: Please support with guaranteed monthly votes, thank you, everyone!
