Chapter 168: Reassignment
Qin Wenxing looked at them calmly.
"What you've just described are all extremely serious accusations."
"If they're verified with sufficient evidence, then the punishment Luo Anwei faces will be beyond your imagination."
"But there's one thing I'm sure you all understand."
"The legion never punishes a soldier based solely on one person's testimony."
"There must be solid evidence."
"You all spoke with such confidence just now."
"I assume you must have evidence to support everything you said."
"Otherwise..."
"...what you've done amounts to slandering a fellow soldier."
"And because the accusations involve extremely serious offenses, your own punishment will be even more severe."
"So."
"Can you hand me your evidence now?"
"I've already finished recording your statements."
"Once I receive your evidence, I'll submit the report."
"After that, you'll all come with me to the military base, where everything will be verified."
"No objections?"
There wasn't a single flaw in what he said.
Precisely because there wasn't...
They suddenly found themselves in an awkward position.
Just moments ago, they'd thought Deputy Commander Qin Wenxing was astonishingly easy to fool.
Every accusation they made had been met with expressions that practically screamed—
So that's what happened!
Something like that actually occurred?
Someone like that really exists?
Because of those reactions, they'd subconsciously concluded that Qin Wenxing was gullible.
Once they painted Luo Anwei as an unforgivable villain, Qin Wenxing would simply expel him from the legion.
To be fair...
Qin Wenxing really did possess that authority.
That was exactly why they'd dared to try.
Seeing this, Nan Yu looked toward Yu Lanfeng.
Yu Lanfeng nodded.
"For ordinary enlisted soldiers without officer rank..."
"He does have the authority to expel them directly."
"Of course, only if they're morally corrupt, seriously interfere with missions, deliberately endanger teammates, and remain completely unrepentant afterward."
Nan Yu nodded in understanding.
Everything those people had said about Luo Anwei had been carefully chosen to fit precisely those offenses.
Whatever charges would most effectively get Luo Anwei expelled...
Those were exactly the ones they fabricated.
"I... uh..."
"Well..."
"The evidence..."
"About the evidence..."
Watching them hesitate and stumble over their words, Qin Wenxing frowned.
"What?"
"Don't tell me everything you said just now was complete nonsense."
"You can't produce any evidence?"
Only now did they finally realize what would happen if they failed to provide proof.
But...
There was nothing they could do.
Because they genuinely had no evidence.
The only thing they possessed...
Was a few secretly recorded videos showing Luo Anwei keeping to himself.
Those recordings merely proved that Luo Anwei preferred being alone.
They proved absolutely nothing about deliberately isolating himself from his comrades or secretly committing all the terrible acts they had accused him of.
Left with no alternative...
They reluctantly submitted those videos.
Truthfully...
Apart from those...
They couldn't find a single fault with Luo Anwei.
He took his work seriously.
He performed missions with remarkable responsibility.
His strength was overwhelming.
And that...
Was exactly what they couldn't accept.
Luo Anwei was simply too strong.
Compared to them—ordinary enlisted soldiers—he was vastly superior.
They couldn't accept that gap.
At first...
Having such a powerful teammate had actually been wonderful.
They completed missions effortlessly.
Victory came easily.
But as time passed...
The growing difference in ability gradually became unbearable.
Eventually...
That disparity transformed into jealousy.
Truthfully...
They weren't weak.
The only problem...
Was that Luo Anwei's brilliance made everyone else look weak.
Whenever people mentioned their squad...
Nobody praised the entire team.
Everyone only talked about Luo Anwei.
Little by little...
They all began feeling that their own talents had been completely overshadowed.
As long as Luo Anwei remained...
No one would ever notice anyone else.
If only he disappeared...
Then everyone would finally recognize the strengths of the rest of the squad.
People would remember all of them.
Not just Luo Anwei.
Qin Wenxing accepted the videos they transmitted.
He didn't even bother opening them.
"Very well."
"I've received your evidence."
"Now come register."
"After that, you'll accompany me."
"Whatever else needs discussing can wait until we reach the military base."
"We don't have time to waste here."
He simply didn't want a scene.
If matters escalated here...
Rumors would inevitably spread.
That was the last thing he wanted.
So it was better to take everyone away first.
As for what kind of person Luo Anwei really was...
Qin Wenxing understood that better than anyone.
No matter how proud or aloof Luo Anwei appeared...
He simply wasn't the type of person capable of doing those things.
Which meant...
The real problem clearly lay with these slanderous fools standing before him.
Qin Wenxing was currently too busy.
Once they reached the military base...
Everything would be dealt with properly.
Still...
Recalling the expressions on their faces just now...
Even Qin Wenxing found them rather strange.
How had people like this ever passed the legion's recruitment standards?
Behind another screen...
Yu Lanfeng and Nan Yu found it equally puzzling.
Yu Lanfeng immediately pulled up the records of the two main troublemakers.
The results showed...
They had joined the legion during its earliest days.
Back then...
The legion had only just been founded.
Large-scale recruitment had been essential.
Perhaps...
At that time...
They had only recently graduated from school.
Young.
Ambitious.
Full of determination.
But as years passed...
That initial passion slowly faded away.
In the end...
They remained ordinary enlisted soldiers at the very bottom.
Nan Yu blinked.
"So..."
"They've become completely ordinary."
"After all..."
"If you personally selected them back then..."
"They must have possessed something exceptional."
Yu Lanfeng replied calmly,
"Once Qin Wenxing brings them back..."
"They'll be expelled immediately."
"My legion has no need for soldiers who only know how to flap their tongues."
Nan Yu twitched the corner of his mouth.
Though...
To be fair...
They really were excellent at talking.
Whether another legion would still want them after this...
Was another question entirely.
Throughout everything...
Luo Anwei stood quietly where he was.
Even while those people openly smeared him to his face...
Accusing him of crimes serious enough to get him expelled...
He remained completely indifferent.
It was as though he hadn't heard a single word.
The moment Qin Wenxing announced they were leaving...
He calmly followed as if nothing had happened.
Meanwhile...
The soldiers who had just been trembling with anxiety found themselves growing even angrier.
Seeing Luo Anwei acting as though none of it mattered...
They suddenly felt even more frustrated.
Their hatred toward Luo Anwei completely overshadowed their fear of what awaited them at the military base.
Simply put...
Their resentment ran incredibly deep.
It hadn't appeared overnight.
It had accumulated little by little over the years.
Eventually...
Despising Luo Anwei became habit.
Almost...
A form of self-deception.
Anyone who wasn't hostile toward Luo Anwei...
Became an outsider in their eyes.
Those people would be isolated as well.
Exactly...
Like their former squad captain.
Later...
The captain had been forced to take leave because of serious injuries.
But the truth was...
Those injuries could have been avoided.
During that mission...
The other squad members deliberately refused to rescue him.
Using the excuse that they couldn't abandon their assigned positions during combat...
They simply left him there.
If Luo Anwei hadn't arrived in time...
The captain—who had always defended Luo Anwei—
Would probably have died during that mission.
Yet after returning...
Those soldiers never once expressed concern for the captain's injuries.
Instead...
They tried holding Luo Anwei accountable.
All because...
He had temporarily left his assigned position during the mission.
Unfortunately for them...
The facts slapped them hard across the face.
Luo Anwei had completed every one of his assigned objectives perfectly before returning to rescue the captain.
In other words...
He had accomplished his mission...
And saved their captain's life.
Rather than being punished...
He was publicly praised.
He even received additional military merit.
Many people who had never heard of Luo Anwei before came to admire him.
Even his own teammates constantly heard others saying how envious they were to have Luo Anwei on their squad.
But...
No one knew how miserable that made them feel.
Outwardly...
They forced themselves to smile.
Inside...
It was unbearable.
More than once...
They had found themselves wishing...
Why hadn't Luo Anwei simply died during a mission?
Qin Wenxing eventually escorted them all back to the military base.
The moment they passed through the gates...
Feeling the tense, solemn atmosphere...
Their nervousness finally began setting in.
Was Qin Wenxing really going to investigate everything he'd mentioned earlier?
But...
Apart from those meaningless videos...
They had nothing.
What were they supposed to do now?
They secretly exchanged uneasy glances.
No one could think of a solution.
Since they had already arrived...
All they could do was maintain proper military etiquette.
Originally...
Qin Wenxing intended to process their registration.
Once finished...
Their squad would be broken apart and reassigned to different frontline units.
Although they had previously hunted scattered Ability Beasts...
That was nothing compared to serving on the front lines.
The number of Ability Beasts there was endless.
The legion had to rotate through three different shifts just to keep killing the relentless waves.
If this squad remained together...
Without any experience fighting full-scale beast tides...
There was a high chance they'd all be wiped out during their very first deployment.
Breaking them apart was absolutely necessary.
But before that...
One more matter needed settling.
The completely fabricated accusations against Luo Anwei.
Since they finally had time...
It wouldn't delay anything to investigate now.
Qin Wenxing addressed them.
"Originally..."
"I was taking you for reassignment."
"But because of what happened earlier..."
"We need to resolve another matter first."
"So follow me."
"Only after everything has been clarified..."
"...will we continue with the next step."
Everyone thought that sounded perfectly reasonable.
Except...
Those who had fabricated the accusations.
They immediately panicked.
First...
They had no evidence.
Everything had been lies.
Second...
If the truth came out...
Not only would they lose this opportunity...
They would probably never again enter a first-rate legion like this one.
Qin Wenxing led them into a sealed room.
"Wait here."
"Someone will come once everything is ready."
"I need to leave briefly."
"It won't take longer than an hour."
With that...
He turned and left.
The room gradually split into two groups.
Beside Luo Anwei sat the recovering former squad captain...
Along with two or three others who wanted nothing to do with the lunatics across the room.
Opposite them...
A large crowd gathered.
Every single one despised Luo Anwei.
Every single one wanted him expelled.
Some even comforted themselves.
Maybe...
Being exposed wouldn't matter.
After all...
There were so many of them.
Only a handful stood with Luo Anwei.
Surely...
The legion would side with the majority.
Wasn't there an old saying?
The minority obeys the majority.
Besides...
They believed their own abilities weren't inferior to Luo Anwei's.
After weighing the pros and cons...
Surely the legion would keep them instead.
Unfortunately...
Reality wasn't nearly so accommodating.
About twenty or thirty minutes later...
The door opened.
A military officer entered.
Everyone immediately stood and saluted.
No matter how low the officer's rank...
It still exceeded theirs.
Basic military courtesy was unavoidable.
Even the arrogant troublemakers cautiously prepared to leave...
Afraid of offending him.
However...
Before they'd taken more than a couple of steps...
The officer stopped them.
"Where are you going?"
"Deputy Commander Qin already explained everything."
"The matters he handed over to me..."
"Are actually very easy to investigate."
"Everything should already be recorded."
"I only need to examine the records..."
"Then I'll know whether your statements were true."
One of them immediately protested.
"Do we really need an investigation?"
"Luo Anwei has always been gloomy."
"He's serious during missions..."
"But so serious that he disrupts ours."
"He constantly affects our morale."
"Many times..."
"We almost didn't make it back because of him."
"If our captain hadn't been so capable..."
"And if we hadn't been lucky enough..."
"We'd probably already be dead."
They spoke passionately.
Unfortunately...
After completing the investigation...
The officer discovered...
Everything they said...
Was complete nonsense.
Every accusation...
Was fabricated.
"You don't need to continue."
"We've already completed the investigation."
"Everything you described was fabricated."
"None of it is supported by any evidence."
"If you wish to continue arguing..."
"Present proof."
"If not..."
"Go with them."
"They'll cancel your authorization to serve in this legion."
"And revoke all military privileges."
"Then..."
"Leave quietly."
"If you refuse..."
"That's fine too."
"You've already committed criminal slander."
"You can remain here for rehabilitation."
Rehabilitation?
Absolutely not.
If they were imprisoned here...
They'd rather leave the legion.
At least outside...
They'd still be free.
After so many years of service...
They'd saved quite a bit of money.
Perhaps...
They could simply buy a few houses...
And retire.
Before leaving...
Every one of them shot Luo Anwei venomous looks.
Only then...
Did they reluctantly follow the waiting soldiers out.
Luo Anwei stepped forward respectfully.
"Thank you, sir."
The officer waved him off.
"No need."
"I merely followed regulations."
"Honestly..."
"If you really had done those things..."
"The one being expelled today would've been you."
"Enough talking."
"Come with me."
"Originally there were quite a few of you."
"But now..."
"Only a handful remain."
"So I'll simply split you up."
"Each of you will join a different squad."
"I've already informed them."
"They'll help you adapt to frontline combat as quickly as possible."
"The atmosphere."
"The operational requirements."
"And everything else."
"You'll also need to work hard yourselves."
Then he looked toward the only injured soldier.
"You're still wounded."
"You can't go to the front yet."
"Recover first."
"Only after you're healed will you deploy."
Seeing the obvious reluctance on the man's face...
He interrupted him immediately.
"You need to think about yourself."
"If you deploy while injured..."
"You won't just get yourself killed."
"You'll also cause your teammates to die protecting you."
"Keeping you behind isn't punishment."
"It's reducing casualties."
The man twitched his lips.
Finally...
He nodded.
"Understood."
"Thank you for the reminder."
"I'll remember it."
The officer nodded approvingly.
He first arranged their accommodations and issued their equipment.
Afterward...
He personally escorted each person to their new squad.
Luo Anwei was the first to leave.
Seeing that...
Nan Yu finally turned off the surveillance feed.
"Luo Anwei really is impressive."
"If he continues growing..."
"He'll definitely become your right-hand man."
Just moments earlier...
Yu Lanfeng had briefly wondered whether Nan Yu paid so much attention to Luo Anwei because he liked him.
Not that he believed Nan Yu would ever leave him.
He simply found the idea uncomfortable...
Even if it were only a tiny bit.
But...
The instant Nan Yu explained that he simply wanted to recruit Luo Anwei for the legion...
Yu Lanfeng's heart unexpectedly settled.
It was almost unbelievable.
Nan Yu blinked.
"What?"
Yu Lanfeng shook his head.
"Nothing."
"I was just thinking..."
"You spend so much time worrying about the legion..."
"And cultivating at the same time."
"Isn't it exhausting?"
Nan Yu smiled.
"How could it be?"
"It used to be your legion."
"But now..."
"It's our legion."
"Isn't it only natural for me to do this?"
Yu Lanfeng answered immediately.
"Of course."
"If you wanted..."
"I'd even give you the Marshal's position."
Nan Yu's lips twitched.
If he actually became Marshal...
The entire legion would probably explode.
"Can you stop thinking about ridiculous things?"
"You're Marshal because of your strength."
"You founded this legion."
"And you want to hand it to me?"
"I can't personally lead everyone into battle."
"The whole legion would probably collapse."
Yu Lanfeng remained perfectly serious.
"I was joking."
His completely straight face...
Combined with those slightly aggrieved words...
Made Nan Yu burst into laughter.
He laughed so hard he almost couldn't breathe.
"Oh, Brother..."
"You're way too funny."
Yu Lanfeng frowned slightly.
He had no idea why Nan Yu was laughing.
He only knew...
Nan Yu was laughing at him.
So...
He simply pulled Nan Yu into his arms...
And kissed him several times.
Only then did Nan Yu cover his face and turn away.
After calming down...
He picked up another list.
"I already chose these two."
"What do you think?"
Yu Lanfeng glanced over their files.
"These two are the ones you originally selected."
"But last time..."
"You temporarily switched to Luo Heyi instead."
Nan Yu nodded.
"Right."
"Didn't I already tell you?"
"I think very highly of Luo Anwei."
"I believe he'll eventually become someone who surprises every one of us."
"So..."
"I wanted to test him."
"I wanted to see how he'd react after I cured his uncle."
"If he'd continued blindly respecting someone like Luo Heyi..."
"Treating him as the center of everything..."
"Then no matter how talented he eventually became..."
"I wouldn't have kept him."
"I would've found a way to drive both of them out."
"But..."
"I knew the person I chose wouldn't disappoint me."
"So..."
"Shouldn't you thank me?"
"I found you another loyal subordinate."
Without giving Yu Lanfeng time to respond...
Nan Yu continued,
"Besides..."
"Didn't you complain before that Qin Wenxing was always overwhelmed?"
"Now I've found someone else for you."
"You're still dissatisfied?"
Yu Lanfeng smiled faintly.
"Of course I'm satisfied."
Nan Yu nodded happily.
"Exactly."
"I think Luo Anwei has great potential."
"Use him well."
"Don't waste all the effort I've put in."
Yu Lanfeng couldn't help smiling to himself.
"I understand."
Only then did Nan Yu nod in satisfaction.
"I'm going back to rest."
This entire matter...
Was merely a small episode.
Soon...
The month came to an end.
Border Region One Military Base also welcomed its most important day.
Nan Yu looked across the enormous plaza.
Apart from the soldiers currently deployed at the front...
Everyone remaining at the base had gathered there.
The crowd was unimaginably dense.
Just staring for too long made one's eyes dizzy.
Yu Lanfeng stepped forward.
"I assume all of you already know why you've been assembled today."
"In a moment..."
"Every squad leader will receive a list."
"If someone's name appears on that list..."
"Let them leave immediately."
"They may return to rest..."
"Or prepare whatever they need."
"Everyone else..."
"Will remain here."
The moment he finished speaking...
Every squad leader received their list.
One by one...
They called out the names.
Those whose names were read immediately jogged out of the plaza in orderly lines.
As time passed...
Fewer and fewer people remained.
About ten minutes later...
Less than one thousand soldiers were still standing there.
Scattered across the plaza...
They resembled loose stones tossed across the ground.
An eyesore.
Painful to step on.
Perhaps...
Throwing every one of them away...
Would be for the best.
Yu Lanfeng gave another order.
"Gather everyone who remains."
"Form ranks at the front."
Among those left...
Some squad leaders' names hadn't appeared on the lists either.
They naturally stayed behind.
Others whose names had been called departed together with their squads.
Soon...
Roughly one thousand soldiers stood in formation.
In front of them...
Twenty-six squad leaders formed a separate line.
It was an imposing sight.
Yet...
Who among them truly realized...
What was about to happen?