Promotion to Vice Team Leader, Nighttime Murder [Requesting recommendation votes and to c

Just as Su Yang was drinking pork rib and lotus root soup and improving his proficiency in the Nourishing Vitality Exercise.

The main hall of the Huang residence.

Huang Shiyun, dressed in a brocade robe, sat on the grand chair at the head of the table, holding a cup of warm tea in his hands. His gaze swept over the people sitting below him—Yang Yunxing, the head instructor of the guards; Fei Jianhua, the steward of the outer courtyard; Ye Jianhong, the steward; and two elderly stewards from the mansion.

The air was heavy, carrying the aroma of tea and an invisible pressure.

"Now that everyone's here, let's get down to business."

Huang Shiyun put down his teacup: "Bandits are rampant outside the city, and the number of refugees is increasing. The newly recruited hundred guards need to be trained as soon as possible. Yunxing, you take out a set of regulations."

Yang Yunxing stood up and presented the list: "I suggest that we divide the people into 'fires' of five people each and 'teams' of ten people each, with ten team leaders and ten team deputy leaders. The team leaders should be composed and experienced veterans. I recommend Wang Tiezhu, Li Shitou, and ten others. The team deputy leaders should be quick-witted and diligent. I recommend Zhao Daqi, Sun Ping, and Su Yang, and ten others."

"Su Yang?" Huang Shiyun looked up.

"It is indeed this child."

Yang Yunxing said frankly, "He practices diligently, has good comprehension, and his swordsmanship already has three-tenths of its true essence. He single-handedly defeated the enemy at Liu Family Village and remained calm in battle. He is a promising talent."

Fei Jianhua remained seated, his fingers unconsciously rubbing his cuffs. He didn't show any opposition on his face, but a hint of apprehension flashed in his eyes before he lowered his gaze and remained silent. He knew that his master intended to promote Su Yang, and Yang Yunxing was protecting him. Openly confronting him would only bring trouble upon himself.

No one in the hall objected. Huang Shiyun looked at Fei Jianhua and said, "Steward Fei, you are familiar with the affairs of the outer courtyard. Keep a close eye on the allocation of supplies and daily inspections for the guards."

Fei Jianhua immediately bowed and said, "This old servant obeys your command and will do my best to manage it, so as not to fail your trust, sir."

"Hmm." Huang Shiyun nodded, then changed the subject: "This batch of deputy team leaders will all serve as 'acting' members for a month-long probationary period. Su Yang has just made meritorious contributions, so he can take on the position of acting deputy team leader and will be under the command of Wang Tiezhu."

He looked at Yang Yunxing: "Since you strongly recommended this boy, you should supervise him more. The training and inspection of the fire unit he is in charge of must be three times stricter than other teams. After a month, we will see his performance and decide whether to promote him to a regular position. If he is effective, he can be promoted to a first-class guard."

Yang Yunxing clasped his hands deeply in a fist and palm salute: "This humble servant will remember!"

"Get the training in place as soon as possible." Huang Shiyun made the decision: "In these turbulent times, the swords of the Huang family must always be gleaming."

"yes!"

The crowd agreed.

……

After the meeting.

Fei Jianhua strode back to his office, bolted the door shut, and the submissive look on his face vanished instantly, leaving only gloom and solemnity.

He walked to the table, sat down, grabbed the iced tea on the table, and drank it all in one gulp. His Adam's apple bobbed, and his eyes were filled with complex emotions.

There was apprehension, resentment, and a barely perceptible fear.

"The assassin was killed with a single blow at Liu Family Manor... Yang Yunxing protected him, and the master values ​​him highly..."

Fei Jianhua muttered to himself, his fingers tapping heavily on the table: "This kid's risen too fast! From servant to medicine boy, and then to acting deputy captain, how long has it been?! I was so hostile towards him before, we were practically mortal enemies! Once he gains a foothold, will I still have any good days ahead?"

He recalled Su Yang lifting the 120-pound stone lock, and the news from Liu Family Village that he had "killed the enemy with one blow." He felt a chill run down his spine. Su Yang was no kind person. He could endure humiliation and bear heavy burdens, and he could also be ruthless. Once such a person gained power, he would never let go of the person who had once targeted him.

"can not wait!"

A cold glint flashed in Fei Jianhua's eyes. He stood up, opened a hidden compartment in the bookcase, took out the list of guards, and heavily tapped the name "Chen Le" with his fingertip. He then closed the compartment and called out, "Summon Chen Le here!"

A moment later, Chen Le walked in, bowing slightly. The bandage on his left arm still smelled of medicine, and his face was full of obsequiousness and resentment: "Master Fei, did you call for your servant?"

Do you hate Su Yang?

Fei Jianhua got straight to the point, his voice extremely low, carrying a chilling threat.

Chen Le shuddered, gritting his teeth: "Hate! This is an irreconcilable hatred! If it weren't for him, how could I have lost my arm, and even my promotion to a full-fledged guard be in jeopardy!"

"It's good to hate."

Fei Jianhua's lips curled into a sinister smile as he leaned forward: "I'll give you a chance to get revenge, and also a way to get a permanent position—you're a trainee guard, so you're perfect for keeping an eye on Su Yang. Investigate three things: where he goes, who he contacts, and how he spends his money."

He paused, then emphasized the key point: "Remember, investigate discreetly, without letting him notice! He's currently the acting deputy captain, he wouldn't dare openly touch you in the manor, but if you alert him and ruin my plans, your arm will be broken for nothing, and you can forget about becoming a full-fledged guard!"

Chen Le's eyes lit up with wild joy, and he quickly bowed: "This servant understands! We will keep a close eye on him! As long as we find any evidence of his 'abnormal spending,' such as hiding stolen goods or colluding with outsiders, please, Master Fei, do justice for this servant!"

"Don't worry," Fei Jianhua said coldly. "As long as I have solid evidence, I'll naturally find a way to ruin his reputation. After it's done, I'll personally deliver your official employment certificate for you."

"Thank you, Master Fei! This servant will certainly do his utmost!"

Chen Le was overjoyed, bowed and stepped back, his steps even lighter than when he arrived.

Fei Jianhua walked to the window, looked in the direction of Jingjie Courtyard, his eyes as sinister as a snake.

……

After dinner, Su Yang sat in the side room, pondering how to find some time to leave the mansion and make some nourishing soup.

There was a sudden knock on the door.

He opened the door, and Wang Tiezhu handed him his waist token: "Brother Su, from now on we're brothers working together. This is your 'Acting Deputy Team Leader' token; with it, you can get a bowl of 'Nourishing and Strengthening Soup' every day. Our team is in a prime position right now, so our training and inspections need to be three times stricter than other teams. Let's set a good example!"

"Don't worry, Brother Wang, I understand."

"Okay! Let's go get the soup tonight and get some rest!"

Su Yang fastened his waist tag, got up, and walked towards the medicinal cuisine room.

.........

Inside the medicinal cuisine room, the lights were on, and the familiar aroma of medicinal herbs filled the air.

Zheng Shanfu was sitting on a low stool against the wall, sorting through several dried herbs by the light of an oil lamp. Hearing footsteps, he looked up and saw Su Yang, a knowing smile appearing on his face.

"Not bad, you've been promoted to vice team leader so quickly!"

Zheng Shanfu put down his work, stood up, and dusted the medicine crumbs off his hands: "Here to collect your herbal medicine?"

"Master Zheng is a diviner."

Su Yang smiled and replied, taking out his waist token and respectfully handing it over.

Zheng Shanfu didn't take it, but only glanced at the words "Acting Deputy Team Leader," his eyes filled with even more satisfaction: "Good, good. The old man saw long ago that you were no ordinary person. Here, your soup, I've kept it warm for you."

He turned and walked to a small red clay charcoal stove in the corner. On the stove sat a rough earthenware pot, slightly larger than an ordinary soup bowl. The mouth of the pot was sealed with oil paper, and wisps of heat escaped from the edge, carrying a rich medicinal aroma.

Zheng Shanfu used a thick cloth to cushion his hands, removed the pottery jar, and peeled off the oil paper.

Immediately, an even more enticing aroma of medicinal soup wafted through the air. Within it, clearly identifiable herbs such as Codonopsis pilosula, Astragalus membranaceus, and Angelica sinensis were present.

"This is a nourishing and restorative herbal decoction."

Zheng Shanfu carefully poured the soup into a clean earthenware bowl, filling it just to the brim. The broth was rich and steaming hot. "Drink it while it's hot for the best effect."

Su Yang took the bowl with both hands; the bowl was warm but not hot to the touch.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Zheng!"

He thanked them sincerely, said no more, lowered his head to the rim of the bowl, blew on it gently, and then took a small sip.

A distinct warm current, clearer, gentler, and longer-lasting than any soup I had ever drunk before, rose from my stomach and quickly flowed to my limbs and bones.

[Proficiency in the Nourishing Life and Strengthening Qi Exercise +1!]

A notification popped up on the panel!

Su Yang's heart stirred, but he continued to drink at a leisurely pace.

[Proficiency +1!]

[Proficiency +1!]

……

【Nourishing Life and Strengthening Vitality Exercises (Beginner 1/500)】

When Su Yang was halfway through his drink, the panel in his mind suddenly flashed.

Instantly, a surge of heat coursed through his body, and a wisp of air, as thin as a hair, appeared in his dantian abdomen, slowly moving about.

Although the airflow is extremely weak, it is real!

[Proficiency +1!]

[Proficiency +1!]

[Proficiency +1!]

……

He also discovered that as his proficiency on the panel increased, the hair-thick internal energy seemed to be gradually thickening as well.

"Internal force...this is internal force!"

Su Yang forcibly suppressed his inner joy and drank the remaining medicinal soup in the bowl in one gulp.

After the last few sips of the medicinal soup, the newly generated internal energy seemed to be nourished and strengthened.

Although it was still faint, Su Yang could clearly sense it slowly swirling in his dantian, carrying a warm yet resilient sense of power.

Strangely, this wisp of internal energy seemed to be enveloped by some invisible barrier, completely imprisoned within the body, without leaking out in the slightest. Even Elder Zheng would have a very difficult time perceiving the changes within Su Yang's body.

This is clearly the mysterious function of the panel.

"How are you feeling?" Zheng Shanfu asked from the side, his tone gentle: "This herbal soup is very beneficial for strengthening the body and replenishing vital energy. Long-term consumption will greatly benefit the body of martial artists."

Old Zheng's gaze swept across Su Yang's face.

Of course, he didn't know that in the time it took to finish that bowl of soup, Su Yang had already undergone a qualitative change in his martial arts.

"Thank you so much, Elder Zheng!" Su Yang steadied himself and kept his tone of gratitude just right: "The medicinal soup is very effective. It makes me feel warm all over and my spirits have improved a lot."

He neither exaggerated nor concealed anything, showing moderate satisfaction, just like any young person drinking a fine tonic for the first time.

"That's good."

Zheng Shanfu nodded, a look of satisfaction in his eyes: "You're a diligent and hardworking kid. Now that you're the deputy team leader, the responsibilities are even greater, so you need to take extra care of your health. Come and collect your supplies on time every day, don't miss a day."

"I understand," Su Yang replied respectfully, returning the empty bowl with both hands.

.........

Returning to the side room and closing the door, Su Yang sat cross-legged on the bed, closed his eyes, and focused his mind.

Within his dantian, a wisp of pale white internal energy, as thin as a hair, slowly rotated. With a thought, the internal energy flowed along his meridians, bringing a tingling and warm sensation, which, though faint, was slowly increasing.

Panel data synchronized with internal energy: [Nourishing Life and Strengthening Qi Exercise: (Beginner 70/500)].

"While others cultivate diligently, I can increase my internal strength simply by relying on the Nourishing and Strengthening Soup!"

Su Yang was secretly delighted.

A bowl of soup can increase proficiency by about 120 points, from (beginner 50/100) to (beginner 70/500). One bowl a day, and you can advance to proficiency in four days, doubling your internal strength.

He stopped thinking about it and focused on circulating his inner energy, concentrating on honing his control over his internal strength.

…………

The next evening.

As soon as Su Yang stepped out of the dining hall, his keen senses, honed by the Perfect Armor-Piercing Dart Technique, caught a chilling gaze—under the old locust tree, Chen Le leaned against the trunk, his left arm bandaged, staring intently at him. When he looked at him, Chen Le hurriedly turned his face away.

"That bastard has been following us since this morning; he must be Fei Jianhua's spy. We need to get rid of him!"

A cold glint flashed in Su Yang's eyes. He didn't stop walking. His senses were like a net on his back, clearly detecting that Chen Le was secretly following him.

Back at the Jingjie Courtyard, he closed the door, and his eyes turned cold.

This constant surveillance was nothing more than an attempt to find incriminating evidence and frame someone.

"Now that we have enough strength, there's no need to endure any longer."

Su Yang clenched his fist, his knuckles cracking slightly. His perfect Tiger Form Fist and Armor-Piercing Dart Technique gave him complete confidence to defeat his opponent silently.

He glanced out the window; Chen Le was still peeking out from the shadows of the trees.

"Tonight, I will send you on your way!"

Su Yang sat cross-legged, regulating his breathing, his internal energy flowing, his eyes calm and resolute.

…………

late at night.

Midnight has passed, and all is quiet.

Su Yang lay in bed, but did not sleep. His perfected armor-piercing dart technique granted him hearing far beyond that of ordinary people. Even several rooms away, he could hear the breathing and mumbling of the guards outside the Jingjie Courtyard.

He is waiting.

Finally, around the beginning of the hour of Chou (1-3 AM), a rustling sound came from the next room.

Someone else got up to pee.

The footsteps were very light, but they didn't escape Su Yang's ears—they were heading towards the door.

Su Yang silently got up and peered through the crack in the door. Seeing the figure, a murderous glint flashed in his eyes: "It's that bastard Chen Le! My chance has come!"

The footsteps faded into the distance in the corridor, heading towards... the large outhouse behind the Jingjieyuan dormitory.

Su Yang gently pushed open the door and slipped out like a ghost.

He wasn't wearing shoes; his bare feet touched the cold ground without making a sound.

The moonlight was obscured by clouds, and the night was deep.

He followed the footsteps, keeping a distance of about twenty paces. His perfected armor-piercing dart technique allowed him to see in the dark, though not as clearly as in daylight, but enough to discern outlines.

Ahead, Chen Le, carrying a small lantern, walked sleepily toward the outhouse.

The outhouse in the guards' dormitory was located in a corner of the backyard, about ten feet away. It was a row of simple pits, surrounded by earthen walls about half a person's height, but without a door. Only coarse cloth was hung there, and there was a large cesspool behind it.

There are camphor trees next to the cesspool.

It was late at night, and the entire backyard was deserted.

Chen Le went into the outhouse, hung the lantern on a wooden nail on the wall, and unbuckled his belt with one hand.