Chapter 9

Seeing such a straightforward response, everyone nodded in satisfaction, and the gang leader even picked up his tea to drink. However, at this moment, Shen Fei suddenly turned his head to ask Shen Hao Feng with a puzzled look on his face, "Boss, what is this War Martial Academy for?"

The gang leader spat out his mouthful of tea, and Shen Hao Feng, who was about to rise to thank the gang leader for his favor, was shaken by the shock. The other three were left speechless.

"You ignorant fool!" Shen Hao Feng quickly pounced on Shen Fei and slapped him on the back of the head, almost knocking him to the ground. Then, with a fierce look, he grabbed Shen Fei and shouted, "The War Martial Academy is an official martial arts school of our Great Qin, where graduates can become military officers. Only the children of officials can attend. The gang leader is willing to vouch for you to attend, which is a great favor. Our ancestors must be smiling in their graves! Hurry up and thank the gang leader."

Shen Fei, who was scared stiff, saw his boss winking at him and immediately came to his senses. He hurriedly knelt down and said with a look of fear and grievance, "Little Fei thanks Uncle Gang Leader for his favor."

"Hehe, it's nothing, nothing. Get up. If it weren't for the fact that Little Fei can read and has some martial arts foundation, even with my recommendation, you wouldn't be able to attend. So, you being able to attend is also because you meet the requirements," the gang leader said with a somewhat helpless smile. He had just been bestowing favors, but he didn't expect this brat to be so ignorant and yet so quick to respond. No wonder he was considered a troublemaker.

"Yes, yes, it's quite normal. When we were your age, we didn't even know what a War Martial Academy was. We thought a minor official was a big deal. Shen Fei hasn't seen much of the world, so his reaction is quite normal. Hao Feng can explain it to him at home. There's no need to hit and scold him," Chen Duozhu said, as if trying to help, but his words sounded a bit strange.

Shen Hao Feng blushed and agreed, while Shen Fei was somewhat stunned. He noticed that the dot representing him on the map turned red when Chen Duozhu spoke, and then turned blue after he finished. What was going on? Did he have hostility when he spoke, and did it disappear when he stopped? How could such a strange thing happen?

The third and fourth brothers also chimed in to help, knowing how important this recommendation was. Even if they were as close as brothers to Shen Hao Feng, they would still be envious. But they also understood why the gang leader gave such a big reward; it was all well-deserved.

"Ah, you guys, why make such a big deal out of a small matter? I'm your gang leader, not the inspector of Hu Yun County. Why be so formal among brothers?" The gang leader waved his hand and said, "Sit down. Little Fei's matter is settled. Hao Feng, the admission permit to the War Martial Academy will be delivered to you before the new school year starts in two months."

"Thank you, Gang Leader!" Shen Hao Feng said excitedly, then made Shen Fei kneel and thank the gang leader again before sitting him down and whispering, "Sit still and don't move. We'll talk about any questions later."

Seeing everyone's serious faces, Shen Fei knew the main business was about to start and obediently nodded and sat down, but his ears perked up to listen carefully.

"The discovery made by Hao Feng, the third and fourth brothers of Huwo Branch, can elevate our Huwei Gang to a new level. Therefore, in accordance with the rules of the gang, I, as the gang leader, issue an award and promotion order," the gang leader said calmly, slowly rising, and a daunting aura immediately enveloped the room.

As soon as the gang leader stood up, no one dared to sit. Shen Fei also obediently stood to the side, carefully observing the suddenly excited adults. Of course, he was more curious about what the gang leader said could elevate the Huwei Gang to a new level.

"Chen Chaojun, for his meritorious service in managing the Huwo Branch, is now transferred to the main hall as a gold-ranked leader," the gang leader said. A black-clad man behind him then walked over to Chen Duozhu, who should now be called Chen Leader.

Chen Leader immediately knelt to thank the gang leader for his promotion. After standing up, his face was flushed with excitement as he trembled and picked up a golden badge from the tray, fumbling twice before securing it to his waist.

"Xie San, for his meritorious service in presenting the treasure, is now transferred to the main hall's War Hall as the silver-ranked captain of the seventh team," the gang leader continued.

The third brother also thanked the gang leader with excitement and secured the silver badge to his waist. As the gang leader announced the appointment, Shen Fei was surprised to see that his uncle's green dot turned blue. Did the change in position affect the color of the camp?

"Zhang Si, for his meritorious service in presenting the treasure, is now transferred to the main hall's Finance Hall as a silver-ranked major leader," the gang leader said, and the fourth brother also received the silver badge with great excitement. However, Shen Fei was stunned again because his uncle's green dot did not turn blue; it remained green.

Seeing the dots on the map, and looking at his two uncles, Shen Fei suddenly understood. It seemed that the third uncle had already shown signs of independence, while the fourth uncle still followed the boss, which explained the color change.

Finally, it was the boss's turn. Shen Fei immediately shifted his attention and heard the gang leader say with a smile, "Shen Hao Feng, for his distinguished military service and meritorious service in presenting the treasure, is specially promoted to the gold-ranked leader of the Huwo Branch. I hope Brother Hao Feng will continue to work hard to glorify our Huwei Gang."

"I swear to serve the gang leader to the death!" Shen Hao Feng pledged respectfully, took the gold badge, and secured it to his waist.

Shen Fei was stunned with surprise. The boss had jumped from a bronze badge minor leader to a gold badge leader. What had the boss done? The third and fourth uncles, who also found the treasure, only got silver badges. Why did the boss get a gold badge?

"Um, the county affairs are busy, I can't stay long. Let's end it here. You have three days off, and after three days, each of you will take up your new positions," the gang leader said and then walked out with the two black-clad men behind him.

Shen Hao Feng and the others didn't dare to detain the gang leader and could only see him off. Just as he was about to leave, the gang leader suddenly stopped, fumbled in his pocket, and then threw something to Shen Fei with a smile, "Little guy, take this and practice well. With only three levels of basic skills, you'll embarrass our Huwei Gang at the War Martial Academy."

Seeing what the gang leader threw, Chen Leader and the others all looked excited, and Shen Hao Feng was overjoyed. But he quickly regained his composure and said through gritted teeth, "Please rest assured, sir. I will make sure this rascal reaches the fifth level before he enters the War Martial Academy." He then glared at Shen Fei.

"Um." The gang leader nodded and left with his subordinates.

Shen Fei didn't notice the boss's fierce gaze but was focused on the object the gang leader had thrown. It was very familiar, and the detector's voice confirmed it: "Water energy crystal detected, E-grade level 1. Absorb?"

Looking at the oval object with its pitted, grayish-blue surface, and comparing it to the one from last night, Shen Fei understood what E-grade level 1 meant. It seemed that 1 was the lowest quality, and 6 was the highest.

But what Shen Fei was more concerned about was why the detector didn't react when the object was on the gang leader, but started flashing wildly as soon as the gang leader took it out.

Was the detector also a coward, afraid to detect things on the gang leader?

Before Shen Fei could figure it out, the grayish-blue object in his hand disappeared. He looked up to see the boss putting something in his pocket and saying with a righteous tone, "Such a valuable thing, I'll keep it for you."

"Wow! Boss, what are you doing? That's a gift from the gang leader!" Shen Fei immediately jumped up. Although he didn't care much about a level 1 item, it was a gift from the gang leader, which had a different meaning, and he couldn't let the boss take it.

"Hmph, I'll give it back to you when you practice. For now, it's safer with me. I'm afraid you, this wild brat, will lose it or sell it," Shen Hao Feng said with a fierce look.

"How much can it sell for?" Shen Fei asked with shining eyes.

"Don't even think about it!" Shen Hao Feng said, giving him a pat on the back of the head, and then smiled and talked to his brothers who were about to part ways.

Shen Fei was in a panic, scratching his head and ears. He had a thousand questions to ask the boss, but the boss was talking to his brothers, and the sensible Shen Fei couldn't interrupt. He could only wait patiently.

Fortunately, everyone had three days off, so they didn't need to rush to express their brotherly affection. The most important thing now was to inform their families. They chatted for a bit, made plans to meet on the last day, and then dispersed.

Shen Fei followed the boss out of the main hall of the branch and was about to speak when the boss suddenly slapped his head and turned back into the main hall. When Shen Fei, confused, followed him back, he was surprised to see the boss sitting in the seat the gang leader had occupied, sipping cold tea leisurely.

Shen Fei immediately said anxiously, "Boss, that seat is only for the leader... uh... I forgot you're the leader now!" He slapped his head and then flattered, "Congratulations, Boss! You've finally become the head of the Huwo Branch after all these years!"

Shen Hao Feng immediately jumped up, stepped on the chair, and shouted with his hands on his hips, "Pah! What do you mean 'after all these years'? It sounds like I was desperately craving this position. Let me tell you, even without this meritorious service, I would still be a leader. The position of the seventh team captain was originally mine, you know? I was planning to take you to the county to receive the appointment and introduce you to the gang leader."