Chapter 478: Rescue Mission
Zhou Xue'er standing up for the newly appointed captain took everyone by surprise.
Even the rescued members from other nations were shocked.
"Deputy Zhou, this…"
The fourth-year members wanted to say something.
But under Zhou Xue'er's gaze, they eventually stayed silent.
Still, it was clear that many of the fourth-year members remained confused and unconvinced.
Zhou Xue'er sighed.
In truth, it made sense that these fourth-years were so proud.
They were strong, had experienced major battles, and were now part of the elite reserves of the ninth squad, a special force.
Even Zhou Xue'er herself faced doubts when she first became vice-captain.
So how could Ling Zhan, a mere freshman, not face the same?
Especially since his appointment was abrupt.
No one had time to mentally prepare for this.
"The Twelfth Squad of the Ghost-Slaying Corps from Fusang Country has completely defected."
"I know many of you don't respect this new captain."
"But the fact is…"
"By the time we arrived, that entire squad was already dead."
"And the only person left on the battlefield was Captain Ling."
"Whether or not he wiped out the entire traitor squad by himself, you can ask him yourselves."
Zhou Xue'er spoke calmly.
Her words.
Shocked the members of the other national squads even more.
"What? We thought you all took down Bando Ansei's squad together!"
"Turns out it was all this non-specialist's doing!"
"Impressive, truly impressive!"
Forrest immediately expressed his admiration for Ling Zhan.
The members of the other two squads widened their eyes in disbelief.
The Dragon Kingdom's fourth-year members frowned, finding it hard to believe: "Could he really have done that alone?"
Zhou Xue'er shrugged, not confirming nor denying it.
At first, she didn't believe it either.
But when Ling Zhan accurately reported the number of bodies, she had no choice but to believe it.
Besides...
She hadn't sensed any signs that a higher-ranked individual had intervened.
So it was highly likely that Ling Zhan had done it.
Unlike the skeptical fourth-years, the third-year members were fully convinced.
In their eyes.
Ling Zhan's status was even higher than their senior fourth-years!
The reason? They had witnessed Ling Zhan's achievements firsthand!
From start to finish!
After watching him repeatedly turn the tide and crush the talents of other nations single-handedly, you couldn't help but believe in this non-specialist!
Absolutely!
"Alright, that's enough about this."
"I'll say this: orders are orders!"
"As deputy of the ninth squad, I recognize Ling Zhan as our captain!"
"From now on, every member must unconditionally obey his orders!"
"That includes me!"
"Anyone who dares to disobey or challenge him, don't blame me for being harsh!"
Zhou Xue'er declared coldly.
"Yes!"
The members quickly nodded in agreement.
While they agreed on the surface, deep down they still harbored doubts about this non-specialist captain.
But they wouldn't show it, keeping their reservations to themselves.
After all, there was plenty of time ahead.
If this non-specialist proved inadequate, they had the right to request a new captain.
After all, they were part of a special elite force.
Their structure differed from regular army units.
Plus…
These members were destined for high starting positions. Once they graduated from the ninth squad, if they stayed on the frontlines, they'd begin at a high level.
Even if transferred to a regular army unit, they would start as leaders.
After that, they led their squads back to the Hundred Ghosts Fortress.
Once back at the fortress, Ling Zhan naturally had to work with Zhou Xue'er to familiarize himself with and take over the affairs left by the previous captain.
Although the ninth squad wasn't as strictly managed as other major corps.
Ling Zhan, as captain, still needed to be aware of important matters.
"The special reserve squads of various nations hold a meeting every half month."
"Our ninth squad isn't just tasked with following orders to fight on the frontlines; we also have to handle certain matters within Fusang Country."
"After several large-scale attacks from Takamagahara, the Demon Arrival Organization has been stirring up trouble inside Fusang."
"This pattern is exactly what they tried in the Dragon Kingdom!"
"For a strong nation like ours, the Demon Arrival Organization couldn't succeed, but here in Fusang, plagued by both internal and external threats, they've made significant progress."
In the office hall of the fortress camp.
Several figures sat around the meeting room.
As captain, Ling Zhan sat at the head of the table.
Zhou Xue'er, Ying Tong, Ye Lan, and Zuo Junyu sat beside him as his deputies.
Zhou Xue'er was vice-captain, while Ying Tong, Ye Lan, and Zuo Junyu were responsible for carrying out the captain's orders.
At the moment.
Zhou Xue'er was briefing Ling Zhan on the intelligence and affairs of the area.
Fusang Country was very different from the Dragon Kingdom.
Back when the Demon Arrival Organization caused trouble in the Dragon Kingdom.
Under the wise leadership of the Dragon Master, the entire nation united. While it wasn't easy, they eventually crushed the Demon Arrival Organization's schemes.
The Demon Arrival members were swiftly eliminated by the Dragon Kingdom's army, and even their powerful fourth-tier experts were heavily restricted.
But Fusang Country was different.
The current national leader had formed an alliance with the Free Federation, behaving like a sycophant.
The Ghost-Slaying Corps' governor, however, had long grown tired of the national leader's disgusting behavior.
As a result, the Ghost-Slaying Corps now operated as its own faction.
The two sides constantly undermined each other.
Ignoring the bigger picture.
This disunity allowed the Demon Arrival Organization to make significant gains.
It was said that one of Fusang's cities had already fallen entirely into the Demon Arrival Organization's hands.
Yet the Ghost-Slaying Corps and the national leader's faction were still bickering over how to deal with it.
Looking at the detailed intelligence and listening to Zhou Xue'er's report.
Ling Zhan had a good grasp of the situation.
"By the way…"
"Captain Ling, the fortress has just received word that the Demon Arrival Organization has been spotted in Otian City, and the target has been preliminarily locked down."
"Based on the success of our mission in the Storm Strait, the higher-ups have assigned our ninth squad to handle this mission in Otian City."
Zhou Xue'er explained softly.
Ling Zhan listened quietly, nodding slightly to show he understood.
Ying Tong, Ye Lan, and Zuo Junyu exchanged glances.
They thought their new captain was really a man of few words.
Throughout the entire process, he mostly just listened to Zhou Xue'er's report.
Even when Zhou Xue'er asked if he wanted to change anything, he only shook his head.
Usually, when a new leader takes charge, they shake things up.
Ying Tong and the others expected their new captain to retaliate for his earlier treatment.
Maybe he would drill the fourth-years hard to make them suffer.
But to their surprise, the new captain didn't do any of that. It was as if he had completely forgotten about it.
No, not forgotten.
He simply didn't care.
It was as if...
He ignored it entirely!
Right!
That was it!
It was like he completely disregarded the fourth-years!
At that moment.
Ling Zhan simply glanced at the map in front of him.
Otian City.
Located 300,000 kilometers from the Hundred Ghosts Fortress.
It was said to be a very prosperous city.
Recently, traces of the Demon Arrival Organization had been found in a rental building in the city center.
A child reportedly saw someone with the Demon Arrival symbol tattooed on their hand.
The Demon Arrival symbol was a winged skull.
The symbol represented the idea that the Demon Lord would save humanity from its frail bodies, and by worshiping the Demon Arrival Organization, your mortal form could ascend!
This symbol was known worldwide.
And it was absolutely forbidden to bear it.
Even the most rebellious youths wouldn't dare tattoo the winged skull on their bodies.
After examining the holographic map of Otian City, Ling Zhan asked, "Will there be other squads from other nations accompanying us tomorrow?"
"Yes!"
Zhou Xue'er replied softly, "The Free Federation's Seventeenth Squad and Fusang's Fourteenth Squad will join us to complete the mission."
Ling Zhan nodded slightly.
......
......
The next morning.
The ninth squad gathered in full.
After a headcount, Ling Zhan led the team toward Otian City.
It's worth mentioning…
Besides Ye Lan, Ying Tong, Zuo Junyu, and Zhou Xue'er, only five third-year members and four fourth-year members were brought along.
After all, this mission was primarily a rescue mission.
Bringing too many people would be counterproductive.
The Free Federation's Seventeenth Squad and the Ghost-Slaying Corps' Fourteenth Squad weren't here yet.
As mentioned before.
The Hundred Ghosts Fortress had multiple outposts spread across the coastlines of Fusang Country.
So they wouldn't all be stationed in the same area.
Buzz!!
When the teleportation array activated.
The ninth squad disappeared from the camp at the Hundred Ghosts Fortress.
The next second.
Ling Zhan and his team appeared in the teleportation hall of Otian City.