Chapter 12: When Will You Leave

"Young Master Jiang, General Jiang personally founded our Dragon Squad. Even our weakest member is a practitioner of external martial arts. We are the most elite force on the northern battlefield. Ever since Luo Chuan took command, we've been sidelined and neglected..."

In the courtyard, a burly middle-aged man looked earnestly at Jiang Chen. "We are willing to pledge our loyalty to you, but you must show us why you deserve our allegiance! Just like your father—possessing formidable strength or extraordinary intellect."

"Not blinded by hatred. I have to be responsible for my brothers, too!"

"What is your name?"

Jiang Chen walked to the doorway, halted, and turned to the burly middle-aged man. "You are the captain of the Dragon Squad? From now on, you will serve as my chief steward."

An internal martial artist, with an impressive aura—perhaps in a few years, he could become a master of martial arts. His battlefield experience made him exceptionally capable in real combat. Such a man, willingly serving as the captain of his father's Dragon Squad, showed how loyal he was to his father.

"Zhao Zaiye!"

The burly man’s body trembled as he shouted his name. "I ask for your guidance, Young Master!"

Bang!

With that, Zhao Zaiye stepped out from the ranks, bowing slightly to Jiang Chen. "Considering your privileged circumstances, I will use only half my strength. If you can withstand me for three minutes, I will swear undying loyalty to you!"

The other Dragon Squad martial artists remained silent. Clearly, they too wanted to know their young master’s strength.

Chu Qingcheng, standing aside, felt a little helpless but stayed silent. She understood Zhao Zaiye’s intentions, but she couldn’t comment—Jiang Chen had already killed Luo Chuan, so Zhao Zaiye was unlikely to be his match.

Yet she was a little troubled. Luo Chuan’s death was not widely known to be Jiang Chen’s doing, or perhaps the news hadn’t reached the Dragon Squad. This challenge was asking for trouble.

"Heh, no need to hold back, Zhao Zaiye. You should use your absolute strength. Last three minutes against me," Jiang Chen chuckled lightly. "If you can’t, I’ll have to reconsider whether the Dragon Squad is qualified to follow me!"

His words were meant to intimidate Zhao Zaiye. Since Zhao insisted on a challenge, Jiang Chen didn’t mind teaching him a lesson—showing the Dragon Squad what kind of person their young master truly was.

"Then forgive my offense!" Zhao Zaiye’s eyes flashed with a hint of mockery as he bowed again. "Forgive my impudence, Young Master!"

He didn’t truly look down on Jiang Chen, but Jiang Chen was simply too young. Even with the greatest talent, he would at most be an external martial artist, right?

Fine, let’s assume he’s a martial prodigy, perhaps an internal martial artist—but he would still not be Zhao’s match!

There was a reason he was captain of the Dragon Squad. Zhao Zaiye even dared claim that under the level of martial master, he was invincible!

Swish!

In the next moment, Zhao Zaiye darted forward like a phantom, his speed lightning-fast!

With a roar, his fist shot straight at Jiang Chen’s face, while his right foot swept powerfully at Jiang Chen’s waist—a combined assault, leaving no chance for counterattack!

"Not enough. Too slow, too light."

With a slight tilt, Jiang Chen easily dodged the punch, ignoring the kick to his waist entirely.

Bang!

In the next instant, Zhao Zaiye’s body tensed. His gaze toward Jiang Chen grew complicated. It felt as if he’d kicked an iron plate. In just that brief exchange, Zhao Zaiye knew he was likely not this man’s match!

"Still not enough."

Jiang Chen smiled gently, standing with hands behind his back, his gaze encouraging. "Continue. Use your most powerful killing move!"

In truth, defeating Zhao Zaiye would be effortless for Jiang Chen—he could finish it in less than three seconds. But this was his father’s elite force. He couldn’t crush their confidence. He needed to display his strength while letting the Dragon Squad captain retain some dignity.

Whoosh!

Zhao Zaiye’s aura turned fierce, internal energy surging within. His body seemed to swell, and a terrifying momentum began to build.

He grunted, then launched an unadorned, deliberate punch straight at Jiang Chen.

The punch looked weak, its speed almost languid, but its power was clearly several times greater than before!

Jiang Chen raised his brows, not evading, casually lifting his hand to meet the blow head-on.

Bang!

Fist and palm collided. Jiang Chen stood unmoved. A dull thud rang out—yet Zhao Zaiye’s expression changed, the force sending him stumbling back.

"My eyes deceived me. Young Master’s strength is no less than the General’s!"

Under the astonished and admiring gazes of the crowd, Zhao Zaiye bowed respectfully, head lowered. "From today, the entire Dragon Squad pledges to risk life and limb for the Young Master, without hesitation!"

"Life and limb, without hesitation!"

All members of the Dragon Squad bowed slightly, their momentum soaring!

Not far off, Chu Qingcheng watched the scene, nodding in approval, her beautiful eyes full of praise.

Under Uncle Jiang’s guidance, the Dragon Squad’s loyalty and bravery were beyond question. Now, with Jiang Chen in command, the force was returned to its rightful owner, fully utilized.

Yet Chu Qingcheng did not realize that this moment marked the embryonic formation of a force that would one day dominate the international stage.

"When will you leave?"

After reviewing the Dragon Squad, Jiang Chen and Chu Qingcheng returned to the villa. Chu Qingcheng turned to the calm-faced Jiang Chen and asked softly, "I’ll see you off."

"I’ll leave tomorrow," Jiang Chen thought for a moment, a hint of amusement in his tone. "Now that the Chu family is acting as agent for the northern battlefield, before the capital sends someone to take over, you must make good use of your authority. Don’t repeat the previous costly mistakes."

He paused, then spoke more seriously. "Once the capital takes over, I suggest the Chu family relocate to Jiangnan. With the Jiang family’s protection, you’ll be safe. Even if not for yourself, consider the well-being of your clan."

Chu Qingcheng was taken aback. "I’ll think about it..."

Jiang Chen wasn’t just trying to frighten her. Though no force would openly target the Jiang family right now, many eyes were watching. As his investigation deepened, those involved or implicated could be silenced.

The Chu family might be powerful in Desolate City, but nationally, they were insignificant. If targeted for elimination, it would be too late...

...

"Second Uncle, why aren’t we taking a private jet to leave Desolate City?"

Late at night, a convoy slowly departed Desolate City, heading for the capital.

Inside one of the vehicles, Luo Yanran looked at her second uncle, now head of the Luo family, and asked softly, "It would be much easier."

Since her father Luo Chuan’s death, her second uncle had swiftly seized control of the Luo family. Luo Yanran’s status was now precarious.

She was only allowed to stay because, on that night, her second uncle had entered her room and forcibly...