The other temple guards below were completely intimidated by my aura. They exchanged glances for a long time, but not a single person spoke.
Guli, who lay on the ground, unconscious and his fate unknown, served as the perfect backdrop to my formidable strength.
I scanned the crowd below. Even Hu Tou, who had previously incited the temple guards, dared not meet my gaze, lowering his head instead. I knew then that my swift and decisive move had worked perfectly.
The heavens for the temple guards had changed!
"Since you have nothing else to say, then fine, I do have some things to tell you!"
My gaze was piercing as I looked at the temple guards below, my voice echoing through the grounds.
"From this moment on, I, Ba Du, am officially your commander. From now on, you will all obey my commands, or I will deal with you in my own way!"
"Anyone who does not submit to me can challenge me anytime. I am happy to oblige. But if I catch you playing dirty behind my back, don't blame me for chopping off your hands!"
As I spoke these words, my eyes were fixed on Hu Tou in the crowd. He was sweating profusely under my stare but didn't dare utter a sound.
Seeing that there were no other voices from below, I nodded with satisfaction. My gaze fell upon Hu Jialuo, who stood looking bewildered in the crowd. I then issued my first command as the official commander of the temple guards.
"Hu Jialuo, come up to the platform!"
Hu Jialuo, in the midst of the crowd, was clearly dazed. Hearing his name called out unexpectedly, he had no idea what was happening, but he obediently squeezed his way out of the crowd and stepped onto the platform, coming to my side.
"Commander, you called for me?"
I glanced at the tall, honest-looking Hu Jialuo beside me, but ignored him. I continued to address the crowd below.
"Guli is no longer fit to be the deputy commander of the temple guards. From today onwards, Hu Jialuo will take Guli's place!"
My words were like a bomb dropped into deep water. The silence below suddenly erupted.
"Hu Jialuo? Him!"
"Commander, this kid just eats a lot, he's got no ability!"
"He's not worthy!"
The temple guards, who had been completely subdued by my earlier words, now erupted with immense volume. They babbled incessantly, like ten thousand flies buzzing in my ears, making my head spin.
Hmph, it seems you only obey me on the surface but not in your hearts!
I sneered inwardly, but my expression remained unchanged. I merely stared coldly at the crowd below.
After these burly warriors had clamored for a while and found that I was completely unresponsive, their voices gradually subsided.
Seeing that everyone had stopped speaking, I opened my mouth again.
"Are you done talking? Hu Jialuo is now the deputy commander of the temple guards, and I said so!"
I didn't waste any more words with these rough men. I issued my command cleanly and decisively, then looked at Guli, who was at my feet.
"Have two of you come up and take Guli back. Keep him somewhere safe."
I had originally intended to strike a fatal blow, but at the last moment, I only used enough force to knock Guli unconscious.
This was not out of compassion for Guli's words at the end, but because I was now the commander of the temple guards, and Guli was nominally my subordinate.
No matter what system one is in, everyone must follow the rules.
Guli being defeated and rendered unconscious was a foregone conclusion when he challenged me to a duel, and no one else could object. However, in front of everyone, when Guli had already lost all strength, to kill him outright would have changed the nature of the situation.
I was now the commander of the temple guards and a beneficiary of the rules. There was no need for me to break the rules for a defeated Guli.
To put it bluntly, Guli wasn't worthy. It was enough for me to establish my authority.
After arranging for someone to clean up, I told all the onlookers to return to their posts. I then leisurely prepared to return to my new residence.
"Commander!"
I had only walked a few steps out the door when a gruff voice called out from behind me.
I turned around and saw Hu Jialuo, dripping with sweat, running towards me. As soon as he saw me turn, he immediately stopped, his posture looking rather comical.
"Commander, why did you make me deputy commander? I..."
Before Hu Jialuo could finish, I interrupted him.
"I made you deputy commander for a reason. Don't feel burdened by it. Just focus on your duties from now on! Later, you will select a group of trustworthy warriors and form a separate small team."
"Yes, Commander!"
Hu Jialuo's face had initially been filled with apprehension, but upon hearing my trust in him, he suddenly looked greatly encouraged. He even pounded his chest with his fist to pledge his loyalty to me.
"Alright, do a good job!"
I patted Hu Jialuo on the shoulder and then left.
In fact, my decision to appoint Hu Jialuo as deputy commander was not a sudden impulse. I had the intention from the moment he stopped me earlier.
This fellow looked loyal and honest, making him a convenient pawn.
After becoming the commander of the temple guards, I not only needed to establish my authority but also to have my own loyal followers.
Only by possessing one's own force could one truly secure their position.
And now I was in a hurry to leave. Once I dealt with the black spider on me, I intended to leave the Du'an tribe quickly. Naturally, I wouldn't bother expending effort to win over the temple guards. Therefore, I directly chose a pawn and elevated him to this position.
In the long run, this would undoubtedly plant seeds of trouble, but what did that have to do with me?!
Since I was planning to leave for greener pastures anyway, I was indifferent.
Humming a tune, I arrived at the entrance of my new residence. Suddenly, I saw someone waiting for me at the door.
"Commander Ba Du, shall we talk?"