Chapter 17: Promoted to Centurion, The Treasury of Innate Traits

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In truth, Ye Liuyun himself was rather puzzled. Yet, recalling the mysterious look on Xing’er’s face that morning, he couldn’t help but harbor some suspicions.

“Hmph, don’t get cocky!”

Seeing Ye Liuyun like this, Lu Quan quickly adjusted his mindset. Even though his strength had improved and he had been promoted, he was still a captain; there was nothing to fear. Having served as a captain for many years, he was not worried that Ye Liuyun had the ability to retaliate against him.

“Don’t think your wife will always be there to help you. The rank of captain is your limit. As for becoming a battalion commander, you can forget about that in this lifetime.”

In the Great Qian Dynasty, a battalion commander was an official rank that allowed participation in the morning court. It required not only connections and backing but also personal ability and a certain stroke of fortune.

Lu Quan believed Ye Liuyun’s cultivation was at most that of a first-class martial artist like himself; he never imagined Ye Liuyun was already a postnatal martial artist.

“Well, then you needn’t trouble Captain Lu anymore.”

His cheap father-in-law truly lacked the capability to help him gain a higher post, but the captain position was enough for now.

“I heard Captain Lu has been in this position for nearly ten years with no sign of promotion. Looks like this is as far as you’ll go in life!”

That was just mockery—anyone could do that.

“When Captain Lu gets promoted, I’ll rent out the entire Gold Pavilion for a banquet in your honor!”

Upon hearing this, Lu Quan recalled last night’s events. Since Ye Liuyun didn’t show up, Lu Quan had to pay by himself. Although he was wealthy, spending that much money still made him wince.

“If I become a battalion commander, you won’t have the chance to throw a banquet.”

There would certainly be others eager to curry favor with him then.

“Is that so?” Ye Liuyun smiled without surprise. “In that case, since I am now a captain, why don’t you rent out the Gold Pavilion for a banquet in my honor? I still hold you in high regard, sir!”

“...”

Lu Quan didn’t respond. After glaring at Ye Liuyun, he simply left.

It was clear that Ye Liuyun’s verbal skills had greatly improved. Staying any longer wouldn’t gain him any benefits; better to leave and plan retaliation for later.

“A true strategist—wise and invincible!”

After Lu Quan left, Si Nan hurried over to Ye Liuyun, wearing a fawning smile.

“Sir, now that you are a captain, I…”

Si Nan’s original rank was a minor banner officer in the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Captains had the authority to reassign commanders, but only three times. While Si Nan’s strength was average, his ability to read people was decent, and he was loyal and meticulous. Ye Liuyun didn’t mind helping him get a promotion.

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Patting Si Nan’s shoulder, Ye Liuyun said directly, “Go claim the official seal yourself.”

“Thank you, sir!”

Success! Hearing this, Si Nan knew the commander position was his. His expression brightened as he knelt.

“I will follow you through fire and water, sir, no matter the cost!”

Ye Liuyun took such formalities lightly, waving his hand to signal Si Nan to stand.

“Sir!” Si Nan knew his strength wasn’t impressive and wanted to prove his value through other means. Otherwise, he would soon be discarded for uselessness.

“Now that you are a captain, why not use your commander authority to recruit two trusted men?”

Ye Liuyun could promote two more commanders or transfer two from elsewhere to his command.

He said nothing, sitting quietly and tapping the armrest with his fingers.

Si Nan obediently fell silent, not disturbing Ye Liuyun’s thoughts.

He wasn’t in a hurry to fill all three commander positions, but as Si Nan said, as a captain, Ye Liuyun couldn’t handle everything personally forever.

When the tapping ceased, Ye Liuyun said, “Transfer Shi Sheng here.”

“Ah?”

Si Nan was stunned. Although Shi Sheng was a commander, no captain wanted him under their wing because of his temper, fearing trouble.

“Just transfer him!”

Waving his hand, Ye Liuyun didn’t explain further.

Regardless of temper, Shi Sheng’s strength as a first-class martial artist was on par with a captain in the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

As a transmigrator with special abilities, if he lacked the confidence to control a subordinate, he might as well find a tofu block and bash his head against it.

“Yes, sir!”

Seeing Ye Liuyun’s resolute demeanor, Si Nan dared not object and immediately went to carry out the order.

During this time, Ye Liuyun took the opportunity to visit the Zhaoyu prison.

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“Captain Ye!”

Upon arriving at Zhaoyu, the commander in charge of the facility, Xiao Yongning, greeted him with a bright smile.

It was clear he knew Ye Liuyun had been promoted to captain.

“Captain Ye’s honorable presence has brought great prestige to this humble place!”

His attitude was a world apart from their previous meeting, his smile radiant.

“I hope Commander Xiao won’t mind my frequent visits.”

“Captain Ye, you flatter me.”

Xiao Yongning’s expression changed immediately, and he said earnestly, “Your visits honor me. How could I not welcome you?”

Everyone here was obsequious. Knowing Ye Liuyun was now a captain, they sought to curry favor regardless of whether it was useful.

Saying this, Xiao Yongning kicked a subordinate beside him.

“Show some awareness! Didn’t you see Captain Ye arrive? Go serve tea at once.”

“Yes, sir!”

Throughout the scene, Ye Liuyun maintained a faint smile.

Indeed, power was a marvelous thing. This was just being a captain. If he could become a battalion commander or even a regional governor, what expressions would these people wear then?

Moreover, with higher status, Ye Liuyun learned more about many affairs in the Great Qian Dynasty.

For instance, the empire had a special prison for powerful dangerous criminals called the Inferno.

Only first-class martial artists or above were confined there. Unlike Zhaoyu, where killing was casual, prisoners in Inferno were tortured daily but could not be killed.

Either the authorities sought to extract martial arts secrets or information about hidden treasures from them.

To Ye Liuyun, Inferno was a vast treasure trove of talent attributes.

Unfortunately, entry was restricted to officials of battalion commander rank or higher.

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