There was a general director in charge of the Dragonteeth Guard who held command of the Dragonteeth Guard, and was in charge of all of the Guards.
The Dragonteeth Guard was divided into ten troops, with a general and vice general assigned to each troop.
There were ten squadrons underneath each troop, with each squadron numbering ten thousand. There was one commander and two vice commanders for each squadrons.
There were lieutenants and captains beneath each commander, and each level was strictly partitioned.
In other words, the general director was naturally at the highest level.
There were three vice directors beneath the general director, followed by ten generals, and then by the ten vice generals.
This General Lu was actually just a vice general.
In terms of title and level, he was indeed a level higher than a commander like Tian Shao.
However, the troop that Tian Shao belonged to wasnât part of Vice General Luâs jurisdiction. Tian Shao had a direct supervisor above him, and a general and vice general that he reported to.
Therefore, strictly speaking, Vice General Lu couldnât issue commands to him, Tian Shao.
However, everyone knew that this Vice General Lu was renowned for having connections. His backer was a vice director of the Dragonteeth Guard.
This vice director was first prince Ye Daiâs good friend.
In this way, Vice General Luâs connections reached all the way to the first prince.
With these levels of backers, it allowed Vice General Lu to be extremely domineering and tyrannical within the Dragonteeth Guard. He often committed acts such as overstepping his jurisdiction and handling cases outside of his control.
Except, he hadnât thought that at this moment, Tian Shao, a mere commander, would dare to publicly retort against him.
âTian Shao!â General Lu stared coldly at Tian Shao. âIâve heard of your name and know that youâre a famous thorn in the side of the Dragonteeth Guard. Youâre right, Iâm not your direct supervisor, but it only takes a word from me to have your General Qiu make an appearance. If you get out of the way now, I can let bygones be bygones.â
âMy apologies, however, I donât give way in my territory!â Tian Shao rejected him with these words.
âGood... Good... Good!â General Lu voiced âgoodâ three times in a row with an incomparably sinister tone. âTian Shao, I donât know what so-called principles youâre sticking to, or what kind of unpresentable relations you have with this kid, but Iâm going to tell you right now, you show no respect for your superiors and offend those higher than you. You have deeply offended me. I can tell you clearly, your life as a commander will reach its end soon!â
Tian Shaoâs temper was also quite ornery. âAs long as Iâm still a commander, donât you even think of getting past me.â
One could tell that Tian Shao had been deeply angered. This man with a strong sense of principles and justice had been truly enraged by General Lu.
âTian Shao, donât stubbornly stick to your foolish ways without seeing the light! General Lu has a background that has direct access to the highest authorities. Going against him is like a praying mantis trying to stop a chariot. Overconfidence will destroy you! It would only take a word from the general if he wished to destroy you. If you step aside now, we can still plead for leniency on your behalf. â
âFawning upon the rich and powerful, swarming around like flies for food! To think that comrades of I, Tian Shao, are such shameless scum like all of you. Iâm ashamed to be in the same company as you. Get the hell away from me, get as far away as possible. Donât make a clamor in my territory.â
âConceited arrogance!â
âIgnorant buffoon!â
âTian Shao, youâre dead meat. No one in the Skylaurel Kingdom will be able to save you now.â
General Lu was also thoroughly enraged. His face was dark as he said, âJian number seven, go report to Vice Director Yang the matters that have occurred here. Ask him to write a report of censure to withdraw the title of commander from Tian Shao.â
âUnderstood!â
Tian Shaoâs face was ghastly pale. He knew that Vice Director Yang Zhao was General Luâs uncle. He was the third greatest character within the Dragonteeth Guard. His position was high and his power was great. He was no trivial character.
It would only take one word from him if he wanted to impeach a commander.
However, now that matters had proceeded to this point, Tian Shao knew that he had no choice, and had made up his mind decisively.
He also knew that if he wanted to make a stand against these people with his power alone, it would akin to a praying mantis trying to stop a chariot.
But, he had his own principles. Even if it was akin to a mantis trying to halt a chariot, heâd still use all the strength in his body if he felt it was the right thing to do. He only strove to have a clear conscience.
At this moment, someone hurried in from the outside and handed a note over to General Lu.
General Lu was in the midst of being thoroughly ticked off by Tian Shao and took the note with extremely ill temper. He looked at it for a while, his face darkening, and then ripped the note up into little shreds. âWhat right does an elder of the Southern Palace have to question how the Dragonteeth Guard handles our cases? Go tell the person whoâs come that Jiang Chen is a serious criminal of the Dragonteeth Guard, and that it doesnât matter who comes to plead on his behalf.â
General Luâs eyebrow arched as he flicked a glance full of some sarcasm at Jiang Chen sitting in his cell. âKid, you were so cocky because you have some connections to a female elder of the Southern Palace? No wonder you were so arrogant! However, I can tell you clearly that even if Elder Ning herself came to ask for you, she wouldnât be able to save you. You kid, put this hope to rest!â
His words had just sounded when another subordinate hurriedly walked in. Heâd brought someone with him â Feng Yan.
âAnd who are you?â General Luâs brow furrowed as he looked at Feng Yan.
âIâm a disciple of the Myriad Treasures Palace, and am here on Vice Head Shiâs orders, here to ask for this person on his behalf.â Feng Yan was absolutely willing to humble himself and adopt a low posture in front of Shi Xiaoyao, but this vice general of the Dragonteeth Guard had no right to put on airs in front of him, Feng Yan.
After all, with the identity of a disciple of the Myriad Treasures Palace, he didnât belong to the jurisdiction of any government agency, and was answerable only to the Myriad Treasures Palace. To speak even more broadly, he was responsible only to the Precious Tree Sect.
âAsk for this person?â Vice General Lu laughed coldly. âIs it childâs play when the Dragonteeth Guard handles a case? You get the person when you ask for them?ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Feng Yan was infuriated by these words and asked faintly in response, âDo you mean that the words of our vice head are of no use?â
âDonât you try to alienate one person from another. Go back and tell your vice head that this Jiang Chen is a serious criminal and is implicated in matters involving national security. I hope that heâll understand.â
Vice General Lu didnât dare speak too harshly to Shi Xiaoyao. This was an old monster that was several times scarier than Elder Ning.
âVice General Lu, speak not of alarmist talk like that. I watched with my own eyes the process of Jiang Chen beating a disciple of the Northern Palace to death. That Northern Palace disciple committed a robbery first and Jiang Chen acted after. He was acting in justified self-defense, and isnât guilty at all. Hurry and release this person, or our Myriad Treasures Palace will see out the end of this lawsuit with you.â
Feng Yan hadnât been a witness for Jiang Chen on the streets because he hadnât been confident then.
But it was different now, as he felt quite reassured with Shi Xiaoyaoâs orders.
âWhat the freaking hell. Come!â Vice General Lu waved his hand. âThis is heavily fortified Dragonteeth Guard territory, haul out the random trespasser.â
âUnderstood!â
A group of Dragonteeth Guard immediately surged forward like a pack of wolves and tigers, lifting up Feng Yan, and carrying him out directly.
Feng Yan cursed loudly, âDamn you with the Lu surname, do you think you, a mere vice general, can blot out the sky in the Skylaurel Kingdom?â
His mouth was stoppered as soon as heâd finished cursing.
Seeing that Feng Yan was being hauled out by his men, Vice General Lu smiled coldly at Jiang Chen. âIt seems that Iâve rather underestimated you. To think that youâve even a path to the Myriad Treasures Palace. However, this should be the end of your road. Iâll say this again, thereâs no one in heaven or on earth who can save you.â
Jiang Chen turned a deaf ear to this, and had absolutely no reaction to Vice General Luâs words.
âKeep pretending kid. Itâll be your execution day when this case is sent upwards, judged, and stamped with the Dragontooth seal. Iâll see how you pretend then.â
âAnd you, Tian Shao, youâre in the same boat as this murderer. You have an additional crime of harboring a criminal. Weâll take a tally of all these crimes together when the time comes!â
Tian Shao snorted coldly and also sighed sadly for Jiang Chen in his heart. The elder of the Southern Palace and the Vice Head of the Myriad Treasures Palace had come to plead on his behalf, but still hadnât managed to bring him out of this place.
It looked like the first prince had hardened his heart this time and wanted to make Jiang Chenâs case an airtight one. Heâd fully decided to kill Jiang Chen and use that to suppress fourth prince Ye Rong.
âForget it, forget it. A gentleman is ready to die for his bosom friends. I, Tian Shao, have received great favor from the fourth prince. Jiang Chen is also a good man, and to be able to weather hardships and die with him means that Iâll have company on the way to the underworld.â
...
âWhat did you say?â Elder Ningâs willow brows arched. âThat Lu surname acted that wildly? He dared to rip to pieces a note written by my own hand and speak so insolently?â
âYes, he said that as an elder of the Southern Palace, you have no right to question how the Dragonteeth Guard handles their cases. He also said that when he was in charge of a case, it didnât matter who pled for leniency.â
Elder Ningâs full bosom heaved as rage appeared on her delicate features. Her jade palm slammed down fiercely on her chair. âThis dumb animalâs madness knows no bounds, based purely on his uncle. I paid heed to common courtesies in writing him a note â I was honoring him! Since he doesnât know how to appreciate favors and refuses a polite toast, then Iâll wait for him to come beg me.â
When she finished, Elder Ning raised her voice. âChun Lan, pass down my orders and tell those below that the set of equipment for the Dragonteeth Guard can be held temporarily. In addition, the sums that they havenât paid in full the last couple of times must be taken care of before noon tomorrow.â
Elder Ning had been obviously enraged. âHow dare that Lu surnamed animal look contemptuously upon me! He is indeed wicked. Iâd like to see if they can really blot out the sky with one hand in the capital?â
Qiao Baishi hastened to speak a few conciliatory words, âPlease calm your anger, calm your anger. Elder, your being is priceless. Donât tax yourself by clashing with that ignorant brute.â
âYouâre right. I wrote a note to them and tried fair means before resorting to force. I gave this stupid animal face, but he didnât take it. Alright, Iâll sit here and wait for them to come begging!â
...
Myriad Treasures Palace, Shi Xiaoyaoâs yard.
âWhat?â Shi Xiaoyao thought heâd misheard. âSay that again!â
Feng Yan had a downcast face. âNoble head, that General Lu had such an imposing air. Not only did he not give you face, but he also said, âHow could you get what you want, when the Dragonteeth Guard are handling the case?â Not just anyone can interfere when he handles a case. Your disciple was angered and argued on basis of reason with him for a few words, before he had someone throw your disciple out. He was indeed rude and didnât give precedence to you at all.â
âAsshole. Animal!â Shi Xiaoyaoâs fist crashed down and a stone jar was immediately pulverized into dust. âIs this Lu surnamed dumb animal that old man Yangâs nephew? Very good, very good. Even old man Yang doesnât dare talk to me with that kind of tone. Has this animal gained courage from eating the heart of a bear?â
Feng Yan spoke, a bit depressed, âHe has deep relations with the Northern Palace, and is venting a breath of ill will through this. Heâs making use of public power to avenge personal interests.â
Shi Xiaoyao grit his teeth, âI donât give a damn if heâs abusing public power, or judging this case impartially. Iâll make life difficult for whomever doesnât give me face.â
Shi Xiaoyaoâs personality was eccentric and proud. Once irritated, his temper wasnât something that an ordinary person could withstand!