Chapter 52

On the city wall, there were also guards who had witnessed the events at the city gate. Out of a sense of shared enmity, they naturally hoped to see Xu Dong humiliated. However, to their surprise, Xu Dong leaped onto the parapet like a large bird, bounding up with a few swift movements.

All eyes were fixed on his graceful and spirited figure, filled with awe, astonishment, and gradually growing admiration.

A guard who had been standing behind the wall, looking up, was startled by Xu Dong's sudden leap and took a half-step back, feeling a bit annoyed. Now, looking at Xu Dong, he inexplicably extended his hand, "Come, let me give you a hand."

Xu Dong could sense this spontaneous kindness and smiled, taking the hand and smoothly jumping down from the high parapet.

"Thank you."

Xu Dong was the kind of person who would express gratitude and thanks when someone extended a hand of kindness to him.

The guard was quite taken aback and seemed at a loss. Compared to their attitude toward Xu Dong before the assessment, this was a complete reversal. This made Xu Dong suddenly recall a phrase the gate guard commander Cheng Jianbang had said earlier: "Respect the strong, and prioritize strength!"

This was not just a universal truth but a deeply ingrained behavioral norm on this continent. Only under such a norm did the guards' reactions make sense: they had shown disdain and anticipated his failure, but when he displayed extraordinary strength, they immediately turned to awe and admiration.

It was like giving up a seat on a bus. If a burly, muscular man stood next to you, even if he had been standing for an hour and was exhausted, no one would give up their seat. But if a 60-70 year old elderly person came on, even if they were only going to get off at the next stop, someone would still give up their seat, and other passengers would find it perfectly reasonable.

Led by the guards on the city wall, Xu Dong descended from the wall. To his surprise, Cheng Jianbang was already waiting there. Beside him stood the gate guard who had previously made things difficult for Xu Dong and then falsely accused him. Hearing footsteps, the two looked up.

Cheng Jianbang's expression didn't change much, but the gate guard's face looked as if he had seen a ghost. He quickly glanced and then lowered his head, not daring to look again.

"May I ask your name?" Cheng Jianbang stepped forward and spoke first.

Xu Dong smiled slightly, "Sir, just call me Dong."

Cheng Jianbang looked at Xu Dong meaningfully, "Sir or not, there's no need to say that in the future. Let's be friends. My name is Cheng Jianbang."

Cheng Jianbang? Xu Dong was a bit surprised. After all, a surname was a symbol of nobility. However, it wasn't hard to understand. Anywhere there were people, there was conflict, intertwined interests, and the pursuit of benefits. It was common for large families to send their children to the military for the sake of benefits.

Seeming to sense Xu Dong's thoughts, Cheng Jianbang didn't explain further and changed the subject, "Dong, with your current age and level, you have many more options. The elimination rate for the adventurer assessment is extremely high, usually one in a thousand. If you are willing to join the military, I can provide a guarantee for you."

Xu Dong finally understood why the military was willing to support the adventurer alliance's assessment qualifications. The root of the matter was here!

The elimination rate for the adventurer qualification assessment was much higher than in any other industry in the world, sometimes even reaching 100%. However, there were many skilled individuals who came under false names, and it would be a waste to let them be eliminated. Thus, the authorities intervened, planning to intercept and recruit the talented individuals first.

This approach was not unreasonable, and the adventurer alliance turned a blind eye to it.

Seeing Xu Dong's silence, Cheng Jianbang began to offer more incentives, "Life in the military, of course, is not as free as that of an adventurer. However, the dangers you encounter are much fewer. With achievements, you can obtain excellent flesh and blood equipment, cultivation methods to enhance your strength, and more." He paused and then added, "The position of my deputy has been vacant for a long time..."

Xu Dong smiled faintly, pursed his lips, and clasped his hands, "Thank you, sir... Thank you, Brother Cheng, for your kindness. However, I am determined to obtain the adventurer status for a specific reason. I appreciate your intentions, but I am sorry."

Cheng Jianbang waved his hand magnanimously, "No problem, this kind of thing must be voluntary. Using force to recruit an awakened person would make me sleep uneasily, so it's better not to. Since that's the case... I won't continue to bother you. Here, your qualification certificate. I'll leave a mark on it to prove that you have completed the first stage of the assessment. Then you can directly submit it to the alliance office."

Cheng Jianbang took the qualification certificate from Xu Dong, let out a light hum, and the muscles on his arm quickly swelled, as if the skin and muscles were about to tear. A faint blood color flashed and disappeared into the document, like a stone sinking into the sea.

So, the power of the flesh and blood armor could be used like this. Wasn't it similar to the internal skills in the martial arts novels he had read before? Xu Dong was truly enlightened, but unfortunately, he couldn't mobilize the power of the flesh and blood armor in his body.

After completing this, Cheng Jianbang returned the qualification certificate to Xu Dong, "Before we part, I have one piece of advice for you: change into better equipment. You should know that there are always people who look down on others. Being low-key is not bad, but being overly low-key can easily get you into trouble. It's best to avoid unnecessary trouble."

What could Xu Dong say? It turned out that his current predicament was all because of his shabby clothes. This was truly laughable and cryable.

After Xu Dong left, Cheng Jianbang glanced at the gate guard and asked coldly, "Do you know why I brought you to him and then didn't let you do anything?"

The gate guard lowered his head and shook his head, "I don't know, sir."

Cheng Jianbang snorted, "If he had agreed to join the military, I would have beaten you half to death, giving him both face and substance. You should be grateful that he refused, so you have nothing to do."

The gate guard trembled with fear, fell to his knees, and said in a trembling voice, "Thank you, sir, thank you, sir..."

Cheng Jianbang said expressionlessly, "In this world, the strong are respected, and strength is paramount. Without strength, you are not even as good as a dog. Remember, it was the gate guard who gave you the courage, and I who gave you dignity. Once you leave this camp, you are nothing. Work hard in the future, keep your eyes open, and don't offend people recklessly."

The gate guard nodded rapidly, "I won't do it again, sir."

After dismissing the gate guard, a man wrapped in a thick robe suddenly appeared from the corner's shadow. As this man appeared, Cheng Jianbang immediately felt a wave of heat rushing toward him. He tilted his head and stared at the newcomer, frowning, "Are you trying to get yourself killed? You dare to come find me in broad daylight?"

To his surprise, the two men knew each other.

The man in the robe chuckled, "Being cautious is not a bad thing, but being as cautious as you is a bit excessive."

Cheng Jianbang's expression darkened, "Cut the crap, what do you want?"

The man in the robe, sensing the other's anger, didn't waste any more words and got straight to the point, "I have some intelligence that might interest you: one of the battalions of the neighboring Moonlight Empire's 17th Border Defense Army is showing signs of movement and may launch a surprise attack soon."

Cheng Jianbang frowned, "Why didn't you report this to the city lord? I'm also curious, where did you get this information?"

The man in the robe was silent for a moment and finally said reluctantly, "I am an adventurer. I obtained this information unintentionally during a mission. As for why I didn't report it directly to the city lord but came to you... I once swore to Mondo that I would never forget his life-saving grace. This is my gift. You can use this opportunity to gain merit and promotion."

Saying this, he threw a scroll to Cheng Jianbang, "This is a map of the enemy's movements. Believe it or not, and whether to take the risk, is up to you."

After throwing the scroll, the adventurer didn't hesitate and immediately turned to leave.

Unfolding the scroll, Cheng Jianbang immediately determined that it was a genuine map of the enemy's movements. As for whether the information was true or false—Cheng Jianbang instinctively felt it was not false, as the adventurer had no motive to harm him.

Should he report it or act on his own? This was a difficult choice.

Reporting the information couldn't compare to the real merit of killing the enemy. With such a merit, Cheng Jianbang, who hadn't moved in three years, might finally get a precious promotion opportunity. This kind of opportunity was rare for him, something he might only encounter once in ten years!

Should he report it or act on his own?

Just as he was hesitating, he suddenly remembered something. The annual tribute day was approaching, and the city lord would soon lead his elite troops to the Huamu provincial city. These elite troops would take most of the second-stage temperers and third-stage wanderers from Blood Helmet City with them. In other words, the safety of Blood Helmet City would naturally depend on the gate guards.

The empty Blood Helmet City presented Cheng Jianbang with a difficult challenge, but also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Due to his internal struggle, Cheng Jianbang's face was dark and terrifying.

After entering the city, Xu Dong first spent ten silver coins to rent a room and then hurriedly found the finance office responsible for receiving the village's tribute. The moment he submitted fifty gold coins, an indescribably wonderful feeling surged through him.

A message suddenly appeared in his mind—

Main Quest: The Prosperity of North Corner Village is Complete!