Chapter 95: Chapter 95: Subordinates, Provocation
Conference Room
"Everyone, this is the new commander of our 137th Battalion, Camp Commander Qin, Qin Tian."
Zhao Nuo said enthusiastically, "Let’s give a warm round of applause to welcome Camp Commander Qin."
Clap clap
A sparse applause sounded in the room.
Qin Tian glanced around; behind Zhao Nuo were four company commanders and three Spiritualists, all of them able-bodied men in military uniforms, showing neither enthusiasm nor resistance, just clapping very seriously and mechanically.
"Camp Commander Qin, let me introduce you."
Zhao Nuo introduced each in turn:
"This is Guo Yong, Commander of the First Company."
"Jin Wujie, Commander of the Second Company."
"Xing Yilei, Commander of the Third Company."
"Stone Lin, Commander of the Fourth Company."
"Ye Zhongyi, a Tier Two Five star Spiritualist."
"Master Liucheng, a Tier Three Six Star Spiritualist."
"Tu Changsong, a Tier Three Seven Star Spiritualist."
Qin Tian nodded and said:
"Hello everyone, very pleased to meet you all."
"Camp Commander Qin."
At this moment, Tu Changsong, standing at a height of over one meter ninety with a face full of stubble, suddenly spoke:
"Camp Commander Qin, may I ask, are you a Spiritualist?"
Qin Tian nodded: "Yes."
"Then what Tier Spiritualist are you?" Tu Changsong continued to ask.
Qin Tian replied calmly:
"Tier Two, One Star."
Tier Two... One Star.
Upon hearing this, a flash of surprise appeared in the eyes of several present, some even directly wore their emotions on their faces, revealing their inner thoughts.
Tier Two, One Star, this strength is even weaker than Ye Zhongyi, who is the weakest here.
Someone like this is actually able to be appointed as the commander of the 137th Battalion, just whose young master is here to gain a token of acknowledgment?
Even if you are here to gain acknowledgment, at least do it in a way that makes sense.
A Tier Two, One Star, looking across the entire Silver Gray Star Military Department, there isn’t a weaker commander than him.
What on earth is the leadership thinking, treating our 137th Battalion like a joke?
The atmosphere in the room suddenly became awkward and peculiar, everyone glanced around at each other with odd expressions.
"Everyone, Spiritual Ability Level does not wholly define strength. Moreover, what is required of a leader is comprehensive quality; it’s not just about who’s the strongest."
Zhao Nuo mediated the situation, glaring intensely at Tu Changsong as if blaming him for saying something inappropriate.
"Camp Commander Qin, don’t be upset, Old Tu is straightforward, saying what’s on his mind, but he has no ill intentions." Zhao Nuo explained.
"Mhm."
Qin Tian nodded, his expression very calm, and said nothing more.
"Camp Commander Zhao, I’ve already met everyone, let’s call it a day for now."
With that, Qin Tian stood up, nodded to everyone, then walked straight out of the conference room.
Bang
The conference room door closed.
Zhao Nuo glared once again at Tu Changsong, saying in a low voice:
"Why are you asking nonsensical questions and offending the new commander, watch out that he doesn’t hold a grudge later."
"Tch, a Tier Two, One Star Spiritualist can’t really do anything to me."
Tu Changsong smirked disdainfully.
Then, Master Liucheng spoke from the side:
"Brother Zhao, I agree with Old Tu, a commander is acceptable, but a Tier Two, One Star Spiritualist doesn’t have the qualifications to command us."
"Same here." Ye Zhongyi nodded in agreement.
Three Spiritualists expressed their thoughts, but the four company commanders said nothing. Regardless of whether Qin Tian’s strength was strong or weak, he was at least a Spiritualist, stronger than them who were mere mortals.
Tu Changsong and the others could be unruly, but they didn’t have the right.
"You three are really causing me trouble!"
Zhao Nuo pointed at the three, both angry and helpless, "Let’s just observe Camp Commander Qin’s attitude first, and don’t go overboard. After all, he’s still a youngster with pedigree; he can’t promote you, but there’s plenty of ways to trip you up."
"Got it, I’ll be careful." Tu Changsong said carelessly.
......
"As expected, being parachuted in as a leader is tough."
Qin Tian sat in the office; even though the voices were low next door, he could hear everything clearly.
The military respects the strong
Lack of strength usually challenges authority
He wasn’t angry. In the army, earning the subordinates’ respect was quite simple, showing power, and giving these troublemakers a beating would do.
Now, he’s contemplating another matter
Tu Changsong, Master Liucheng are both Tier Three Spiritualists, and Zhao Nuo as the deputy commander presumably wouldn’t be weaker than the two, probably being a Tier Three Spiritualist too, so the former Camp Commander Liu Dalong’s strength might have reached Tier Four.
A Tier Four Spiritualist and several Extraordinary associates disappeared without a trace.
This implies that the mastermind behind this has a strength of at least Tier Four.
This is surely not good news for him.
"Ah, if only Li Qi were here."
Qin Tian lamented. Li Qi had been "watching" him all along, but recently, Li Qi was suddenly dispatched to Star Moon City for another mission.
Otherwise, they could investigate this openly and secretively together.
But, thinking again, Li Qi was abruptly transferred, and he was also inexplicably appointed here as the acting commander.
Could there be a connection in all this?
Could it be Wen Chengxian causing trouble again?
Wen Chengxian had a motive and capability, making him the primary suspect.
Yet, if Wen Chengxian truly intended harm, would he go to such lengths, staging an event at Mist Town over a month in advance and making a commander disappear?
If things go south, even as the son of the chief, he would have to pay a heavy price.
"Who could it really be."
Qin Tian murmured to himself, with too little information to make reasonable inferences, but he was certain that, having reached Mist Town, he just needed to wait and see for the mastermind’s eventual exposure.
......
The news of the new commander of the 137th Battalion quickly spread throughout the camp.
All soldiers knew the new commander was a very young major, a Tier Two, One Star Spiritualist, not very strong, but most definitely well-connected.
Soldiers were intrigued by the new commander but also a bit apprehensive.
As the saying goes, when a new official takes office, new policies follow, Qin Tian being young and well-connected, might he overthrow the existing order in the 137th Battalion and establish a new set of rules that everyone might struggle to adapt to?
Commander Liu was easy-going and approachable, but these young aristocrats might prove difficult to deal with.
Yet, over the next three days, the soldiers were surprised to find that the new commander neither organized a grand welcome ceremony nor discussed new rules.
He was like someone detached from the camp, silently observing the soldiers’ training every day, never offering an opinion or having discussed matters with mid-level officers.
Gradually, the soldiers and officers became more perplexed by this new commander.
They couldn’t tell whether the new commander was simply disinterested in military affairs or preparing for a major move.
The former was alright, but if it was the latter, everyone would have to be on guard.