Chapter 89 Recommending the Wise and Avoiding the Throne

The others saw this display and quickly followed suit.

"Greetings, Chief Chen!"

"Greetings, Chief Chen!"

For a moment, the sounds of salutations rose one after another. Although the voices were synchronized, they carried an air of caution and an indescribable sense of detachment.

While the position of Squad Leader was not exceptionally high, it was a position of real power within the Demon Suppression Division, overseeing specific affairs and a team of men.

To leap directly from a newcomer who had just reported for duty a few days ago to a powerful Squad Leader—this move by Xu Changze could certainly be called generous and showed great regard.

Qi Huan sat to the side, watching coldly.

He naturally understood Xu Changze's intentions. This was not merely rewarding merit; it was a further attempt to build him up only to destroy him, and to bind him tight.

By elevating Chen Mu high up and placing him in the prominent and easily offensive position of Squad Leader, and then using the men Xu Changze had assigned to assist him, he feared that every move Chen Mu made in the future would be unable to escape his sight.

Moreover, the affairs of a Squad Leader were complex and would inevitably consume much of Chen Mu's energy, leaving him no time to look elsewhere, let alone time to dig deep into the hidden circumstances behind the Zhao Manor incident.

What a brilliant move of promoting in name while controlling in reality!

However, there was no sign of joy or excitement on Chen Mu's face. After a moment of silence, under the gaze of everyone, he slowly raised his hand.

He did not cup his hands to accept the order, but instead waved it off.

"This subordinate thanks Lord Xu for his great kindness, but I fear I am unable to shoulder the responsibilities of the Squad Leader position."

Xu Changze's face stiffened slightly; he never expected the other party to decline in such a manner.

"Little Hero Chen, what do you mean by this? With your merits and abilities, you are more than qualified to serve as Squad Leader. Why do you say you are unable to shoulder it?"

"Could it be that you find the official position too small?"

Chen Mu shook his head again, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall.

"That is not the case. I have only recently joined the division and am unfamiliar with the yamun's affairs and social interactions. To rashly take on this responsibility, I fear, would only delay official business, which would be counterproductive."

His tone was sincere, and his reasoning sounded quite sufficient.

"The position of Squad Leader requires someone who is meticulous, familiar with the local area, capable of mediating between superiors and subordinates, and able to properly handle various affairs. I am definitely not the suitable candidate."

Immediately, he changed the subject, his gaze passing over Xu Changze and landing on Liu Ziming, who was standing beside him with a bewildered expression, holding a teacup.

"In my opinion, if we are to discuss who is most suitable to take over the position of Squad Leader..."

Chen Mu immediately pointed from afar.

"It must be Liu Ziming."

"What?!"

At this, not only was Xu Changze stunned, but everyone in the hall, including Liu Ziming himself, who had been named by Chen Mu, was completely bewildered.

Liu Ziming? That Liu Ziming who was usually cautious and timid, often ordered around by Head Constable Wang, and famous for being cowardly and fearful?

Even Qi Huan couldn't help but glance over, doubting if he had misheard.

Liu Ziming was even more completely dumbfounded; the teacup in his hand nearly slipped, and his speech became stuttering.

"Chen... Chen Mu... what did you say?... Me? Squad Leader?!"

Chen Mu, however, looked earnest and turned to face Liu Ziming.

"Ziming, why must you belittle yourself? You may not show your true colors on ordinary days, but at critical moments, you always demonstrate grit and responsibility!"

He then faced the crowd.

"Do you all know that some time ago, when the demon plague was rampant in Sangye Village and the villagers were demonized, turning it almost into a death trap, it was Liu Ziming who disregarded his own safety and volunteered to accompany me deep into the dangerous area."

Liu Ziming opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but his throat went dry.

Sangye Village... That was clearly you, Chen Mu, forcing me to go. How did it become me volunteering?

But Chen Mu didn't give him a chance to speak at all and continued to praise him.

"In the village, facing hordes of demonized villagers, even though Liu Ziming's leg injury hadn't healed, he still bravely took the lead, fought side by side with me, and slew countless demons. His bravery and decisiveness are hard to truly appreciate since you all haven't witnessed it yourselves."

Liu Ziming listened until his face turned red, half from shame and half from anxiety.

Bravely taking the lead? Fighting side by side? Wasn't I just dragged along by you, scared half to death, only able to close my eyes and slash wildly?

"Last night at the Zhao Manor, the Ghostly Creature was fierce and its illusions were hard to predict. Although Brother Liu's cultivation was lacking, he stood his ground throughout. Furthermore, at the critical moment, disregarding his own leg injury, he assisted me in holding back the Ghostly Creature's minions, which allowed us to finally slay the Ghostly Creature."

Liu Ziming opened his mouth wide, his eyes wide as saucers.

That was called holding back minions? I was clearly almost shaken to death by the Ghostly Creature's shockwaves, running around with my head in my hands...

Ignoring the strange looks from everyone, Chen Mu continued to talk eloquently.

"Finally, and most importantly, Liu Ziming has been in the Demon Suppression Division for many years, is familiar with the local situation, and gets along well with his colleagues. He is upright, has a passionate heart, and hates evil with a vengeance."

"Head Constable Wang was usually overbearing and bullied his colleagues. Although Liu Ziming lacked the strength to oppose him, he never colluded with him, and he has always maintained his integrity."

"This time, even though he was thrown into a death trap like the Yangu Pit, he never bowed his head to beg for mercy, nor did he betray his comrades. Such character, such integrity—I ask, how many of you present here could achieve this?"

Liu Ziming: "..."

His words were resonant and forceful, forcibly elevating Liu Ziming from an ordinary, perhaps even somewhat cowardly, bailiff into a brave, decisive, quick-witted, and principled hero.

Liu Ziming sat there, petrified, his mind buzzing.

He understood every word Chen Mu said, but was the person described by these combined words really him, Liu Ziming? Why did it sound like he was talking about some hero from a storybook?

The hall was silent; everyone was stunned by Chen Mu's brazen and awkward flattery.

Looking at the righteous-looking Chen Mu, and then at Liu Ziming on the other side, whose face was practically written with "Who am I? Where am I? Who is he talking about?", the atmosphere was extremely bizarre.

The muscles on Xu Changze's face twitched uncontrollably; he never expected Chen Mu to pull this move.

Qi Huan watched from the side at Xu Changze's frustrated expression, as if he had eaten a fly, and then looked at Liu Ziming, who looked like he was about to faint. For some reason, the dull pain in his chest seemed to lessen significantly, and he almost laughed out loud.

Chen Mu, oh Chen Mu, you kid... you are truly damn devious!

Xu Changze's expression was uncertain, and thoughts raced through his mind.

His original intention was to put Chen Mu on the hot seat of Squad Leader, showing favor while making it easy to control and constrain him. Who would have thought that Chen Mu would not play by the rules at all, and instead turn around and push this Trash, Liu Ziming, out, and even praise him so absurdly.

Refuse?

Chen Mu had just achieved a great merit, and he himself had publicly praised him as a hero. If he were to forcibly reject his recommendation now, wouldn't he be slapping his own face?

Agree?

Xu Changze's gaze swept over the bewildered skinny monkey, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of absurdity and disdain.

This person had been in the Demon Suppression Division for many years, had no achievements, was cowardly and fearful, and had mediocre cultivation. Letting him command the Demon Suppression Division was simply child's play.

However, in a flash, thoughts raced through Xu Changze's mind, and he suddenly realized that letting Liu Ziming be the Squad Leader might not be entirely without benefits.

Liu Ziming was low-ability and easy to manipulate. If he let him be the Squad Leader, he only needed to grant a little favor and use some slight means to keep him in the palm of his hand.

Moreover, what was even better was...

The surprise in Xu Changze's eyes quickly faded, replaced again by an expression of compliance, and he slapped his palms together forcefully.

"Wonderful! Little Hero Chen, your words have truly awakened me from my dream!"