42: Who exactly is the captain here?

Chen Nian.

The Garrison Squad, of course, knew the rumors about Chen Nian.

This man was powerful and ruthless; he had killed the Heart-Devouring Old Demon with a single punch and wiped out hundreds of Ghouls all by himself.

Whenever he went on a mission, his mission reports were always filled with only the bloodiest terms.

Head exploded.

Body exploded.

Body torn asunder.

The images sent back from the scene were always of severed limbs and rivers of blood.

However, it wasn't just demons and evil cultivators.

If anyone provoked him, even if they were colleagues from the Spiritual Energy Bureau, he would show no mercy.

It was said that during the Newcomer Test, he had even ignored the rules in front of everyone and beaten a candidate who provoked him until his bones were shattered and his internal organs ruptured.

It was said that the person was still lying in the intensive care unit, unconscious and relying on life support Systems.

That's right, he was just that headstrong and lawless!

Yet, even so, he received no punishment and even achieved a double full score on the Newcomer Test, something that had never happened before in the Spiritual Energy Bureau.

Because of this, many people speculated that there was a massive organization behind him.

Not only was he powerful, but his backing was also incredibly strong.

Therefore, no matter what, one must never provoke him.

Provoking him could lead to disciplinary action and reassignment at best, or ending up in pieces at worst.

Until just now, these rumors were merely rumors—exaggerated stories for people to gossip about in their spare time.

They hadn't actually fully believed them.

After all, in this day and age, how could such a lawless and unrestrained person exist?

But after what just happened, they no longer had any doubts.

He really was that arrogant, that lawless!

They absolutely must not offend him!

In an instant, a wave of intense fear gripped the hearts of everyone present, leaving their hands and feet cold.

Everyone's eyes converged on the two guys lying on the ground, their fates unknown.

Their gazes were filled with blame and resentment.

These two idiots had almost gotten everyone killed.

Fortunately, Chen Nian didn't seem to have any intention of taking his anger out on them.

Thinking this, they actually felt a hint of... kindness from this Fiend?

The moment the thought surfaced, they snuffed it out, leaving only endless relief.

As for the Square-faced Agent, any trace of the resentment and dissatisfaction he had earlier was gone.

In its place was a fear that seeped into his bones, his face as pale as paper.

He, of course, knew the rumors about Chen Nian as well.

But he only knew of them.

Usually, he hung out with Curly-hair, using the authority of the Garrison Squad to slack off and watch livestreams.

While enjoying the Spiritual Energy Bureau's generous benefits, he almost never did any real work.

Forget about Chen Nian's rumors; even if there were Demonic Evils causing trouble in their jurisdiction, they were too lazy to respond immediately.

How could he possibly remember the face of a newcomer who only existed in rumors?

The only reason he had been so arrogant just now was that he didn't know the person in front of him was that Chen Nian.

Now that he knew, he didn't dare to harbor even a shred of dissatisfaction.

If you asked him if he would seek revenge or try to sabotage Chen Nian because he couldn't swallow his pride?

Well, anyone who could ask such a question must have had their brain eaten by a demon.

Unless he was truly tired of living and didn't want to see tomorrow's sun.

Otherwise, who would dare to oppose this God of Slaughter?

Who would dare to provoke him!

The dust had settled.

Tiny beads of cold sweat now broke out on the forehead of the Garrison Squad's Captain.

He didn't dare let the situation escalate any further.

He waved his hand, his voice somewhat dry. "What are you standing around for? Get them to the infirmary immediately!"

Several squad members, as if granted a great pardon, scrambled to lift the unconscious Curly-hair and hurried away.

The Captain's gaze fell on the Square-faced Agent again, his eyes cold.

"You, get to the back. Don't be an eyesore here."

"If you upset Chen Nian again, I won't care whether you live or die!"

Hearing this, the Square-faced Agent trembled, not daring to voice any complaints.

He nodded repeatedly, scrambled to his feet, and fled into the inner room.

The Captain took a deep breath, forcing down the fear in his heart.

He straightened his uniform and, with two squad members, walked toward the interior of the office... the interior of the Garrison Squad's office.

In the Captain's office.

Chen Nian was already sitting casually behind the Captain's desk.

He even casually picked up a file from the desk and began flipping through it as if no one else were there, behaving as if he were the true master of the place.

Wu Jiahao and Zhao Xinyi were still standing to the side, at a complete loss.

They had no idea what they were supposed to do.

The atmosphere outside had been so heavy that the hair-trigger tension had almost caused their brains to freeze.

Without thinking, they had almost subconsciously followed Chen Nian into this office.

However, it wasn't until the door closed that they suddenly realized.

This was the office of the Garrison Squad's Captain!

They, two First-Level Agents, had just barged in without the Captain's permission!

But since they were already inside, they couldn't exactly slink back out now.

To be honest, they didn't like those guys outside at all.

Those people were all so arrogant, lording their seniority over the newcomers and looking at them with contempt and disdain.

As First-Level Agents, they had experienced this more than once.

In contrast, although the youth before them was ruthless and struck with lethal force...

...it was to teach those guys a lesson.

In a sense, he was also standing up for them.

Thinking about it this way, the youth before them didn't seem... quite so terrifying anymore.

They would much rather be here than stay with those repulsive people outside.

They just didn't know who this terrifyingly powerful Senior actually was.

But his immense power and his sense of justice—stepping in when he saw an injustice—had truly won them over.

Now, the way they looked at Chen Nian was no longer just out of pure fear.

There was something more in their eyes.

A kind of respect and admiration reserved for a highly esteemed elder.

With that thought, Zhao Xinyi finally summoned her courage.

She took a small step forward and whispered, "Senior..."

As she spoke, she gave a deep bow.

"Just now... thank you for helping us..."

Hearing her voice, Wu Jiahao also seemed to be emboldened.

He also bowed, his tone sincere:

"Senior, thank you! This whole thing started because of us. Don't worry, once we're back at Headquarters, if there's any punishment, we'll take full responsibility!"

Zhao Xinyi nodded immediately and added hurriedly:

"Yes, we'll explain everything to the Bureau. If there's a penalty, we'll take responsibility for it!"

The two of them spoke in harmony, their attitude so respectful and humble that "respect" was practically written all over their faces.

Chen Nian's finger paused slightly as he flipped through the files.

He found it a bit amusing.

He looked away from the documents and at the two young people whose bodies were stiff with tension.

He had noticed these two tag-alongs earlier.

They had just been standing there blankly like wooden posts, so he hadn't bothered with them.

Now, it seemed they were actually quite loyal and principled.

Moreover, their heartfelt respect didn't feel bad.

As for punishment from Headquarters?

A faint, almost imperceptible curve appeared at the corner of Chen Nian's mouth.

If Headquarters were going to punish him, it would have happened countless times by now.

By now, he should have been locked in a confinement room and stripped of all mission privileges.

These two's worries were completely unnecessary.

Still, he didn't hate the feeling.

"Are you two First-Level Agents?" Chen Nian asked calmly, his voice devoid of emotion.

Hearing this, both of them straightened up instantly.

"Yes, Senior!"

"My name is Wu Jiahao. I'm currently at the fifth level of the Awakening Realm, and I practice the 'Blazing Fire Technique'!"

"I'm Zhao Xinyi, at the fourth level of the Awakening Realm. I practice the 'Frost Mantra'!"

The two almost scrambled to answer, their attitudes so sincere and respectful that they were practically eager to reveal everything about themselves.

Chen Nian asked again, "When did you join the Spiritual Energy Bureau?"

"Reporting, Senior! We both passed the Newcomer Test and officially joined the Spiritual Energy Bureau six months ago!"

Hearing this, Chen Nian understood immediately.

No wonder these two didn't seem to recognize him.

Although his fame was widespread, it was mostly in the form of rumors.

There weren't actually many people who had seen his face and could link it to the rumors.

At the Spiritual Energy Bureau Headquarters, the reason so many people recognized him was likely because someone recognized him first, and others just followed suit.

Outside of Headquarters, there were probably even fewer people who knew him.

However, he didn't care about that.

He found it a bit funny seeing them so nervous, not even knowing where to put their hands.

He leaned back, sinking into the soft back of the chair, and spoke lazily:

"Why are you two standing there like pieces of wood? If you've got nothing to do, come over and massage my shoulders."

As he finished speaking...

both Wu Jiahao and Zhao Xinyi were stunned.

Then, as if grasping at a lifeline, their eyes lit up.

They had been feeling uneasy ever since they entered the office.

They didn't know whether to stand or sit.

They wouldn't dare be as bold as Chen Nian and start rummaging through the Captain's files and documents.

If First-Level Agents like them dared to do such a thing, they'd likely be severely punished, just like before.

But now, the Senior had spoken.

They finally had something to do.

There couldn't be anything wrong with giving the Senior a massage, right?

So, the two of them exchanged a glance and actually started moving.

They walked respectfully behind the desk, one on each side.

Their attitude and expressions were as if they were attending to their most respected elder.

Wu Jiahao's hand lightly touched Chen Nian's left shoulder.

Zhao Xinyi's hand landed on his right shoulder.

The two began to massage Chen Nian earnestly.

A flash of surprise crossed Chen Nian's eyes.

Not bad.

These two young people were quite tactful.

He liked that.

Just then...

the office door was pushed open from the outside.

The Captain of the Garrison Squad walked in with two squad members.

However, when they saw the scene inside the office, all three of them froze on the spot.

Behind the Captain's desk...

a youth was calmly leaning back in the chair, flipping through the documents on the desk as if he were the master of the place.

And behind him, two First-Level Agents were respectfully and humbly massaging his shoulders on either side.

For a moment, the three who had just entered had a ridiculous illusion.

Who exactly was the Captain here?

Had they... come to the wrong place?