Chapter 39: Changes Brought by the Elevation of Status (Please follow, bookmark, and...)

Su Mu himself came from Guangfu坊. Even back when he was a refugee, he had been loitering around Guangfu坊; even without Wang Liu's warning, he knew the waters in Guangfu坊 ran deep.

Setting aside the fact that He Yuxing and Zhao Ji wouldn't wish him any good, the mere involvement of contraband meant this was not something a mere squad leader could handle.

The Great Xuan Dynasty had many types of contraband, the most common being military weaponry and precious medicinal herbs.

Regardless of the type, anyone daring to touch such things was certainly no ordinary faction.

With no one backing him and no subordinates under his command, wouldn't attempting to clash with such a faction be seeking death?

The moment Wang Liu mentioned contraband, Su Mu understood He Yuxing and Zhao Ji's plan.

A masterful way to kill with a borrowed knife.

If he truly had no other trump cards, this squad leader position would indeed become his death warrant.

"Thank you," Su Mu said to Wang Liu, though he did not invite Wang Liu to join his subordinates.

The man had kindly offered a warning, and there was no need for him to drag someone else into the mire.

At his current stage, he was not yet qualified to recruit others.

Wang Liu nodded and turned to leave.

…………

The news of Su Mu's promotion to squad leader of Guangfu坊 in the South City Division had long since spread through the area.

In just half a day, the "big shots" of Guangfu坊 all knew the name Su Mu.

If he were merely a constable, it wouldn't be much; they would at most show him a modicum of superficial politeness but wouldn't take him seriously.

But a squad leader was different. Theoretically, a squad leader commanded forty to fifty subordinates, making them comparable to small gangs.

Furthermore, there were only six squad leaders in the entire South City Division. They practically represented the prestige of the Division; offending them was equivalent to offending the South City Division itself, which would lead to immense trouble.

Thus, unless absolutely necessary, ordinary local gentry, powerful families, and gangs were unwilling to offend them.

However, some factions had connections reaching the heavens and were exceptionally well-informed. Along with all the news regarding Su Mu, the information that Sima He Yuxing had once attempted to recruit him only to be rejected was also laid out on their desks.

Consequently, the attitude of these factions toward this new squad leader was quite different.

Night fell.

Inside a luxurious courtyard—a rare sight in Guangfu坊—the lights were bright, and the sounds of singing and dancing were boisterous.

In a spacious study deep within the courtyard, a fair-skinned middle-aged man sat behind a desk. He held a stack of papers covered in writing; the top sheet featured a portrait, which was none other than Su Mu.

This man was Xu Mingchen, the wealthiest man in Guangfu坊. In the entire South City, his wealth was second only to the Zhao family, who had recently been exterminated.

No one knew why a man with such wealth chose to live in a chaotic place like Guangfu坊, but his name was known to everyone in Guangfu坊, and even throughout the South City.

"A refugee by birth, who luckily killed a serial killer and thus ascended to the position of squad leader."

"He Yuxing tried to recruit him, and he actually refused."

"His archery is comparable to military archers, and he is suspected of having mastered a saber technique... With such a background, possessing this level of skill truly makes him a talent. No wonder He Yuxing wanted him."

"However, those of such lowborn origins often possess a pride that is disproportionate to their abilities. They believe they can turn their fortunes around solely through their own strength, which is why he rejected He Yuxing's offer."

A cold sneer appeared on Xu Mingchen's face as he tossed the papers into a brazier, watching them turn to ash.

"I know people like him. They possess an unrealistic sense of integrity. If he even rejected He Yuxing's recruitment, he certainly won't give me any face."

Xu Mingchen called someone over and instructed, "A mere squad leader won't ruin our plans, but to be safe, go and test him. If he is willing to work for us, keep him. If not, just get rid of him."

His tone was casual, but his subordinate was accustomed to it, as if killing a squad leader were no big deal.

In fact, it truly wasn't a big deal.

Previously, two squad leaders in Guangfu坊 had been uncooperative, and both ended up dying mysteriously; the South City Division never uncovered anything.

Conversely, those who cooperated were promoted shortly thereafter, some even moving on to serve in the Inner City.

The Xu family was not merely the wealthiest in a single ward of the South City.

…………

Just after midnight, Su Mu impatiently summoned his system panel.

Today was his first day as a squad leader. He had spent the entire day in the office reviewing official documents, which could be considered fulfilling his duties.

The reason he stayed up so late was to see if his "base salary" had changed after becoming a squad leader!

【Name: Su Mu】

【Identity: Constable Squad Leader (Official)】

【Points: 135】

【Cultivation Method: Golden Scale Skin Tempering Method (Small Success)】

【Martial Arts: Wave-Subduing Saber Technique (Perfection), Archery (Beginner/+)】

"It increased by twenty points!"

Su Mu pondered inwardly, "Today I only reviewed documents; I didn't solve any cases or perform any other standout work, so this must be the base points. As a squad leader, the daily base points should be twenty!"

Su Mu was in high spirits. "Based on past experience, performance points can be as high as the base points. In other words, if I do well in my position, I can earn a maximum of forty points a day!"

This amount was quite considerable.

It only took three hundred points to move the Skin Tempering Method from Small Success to Great Success. At the fastest rate, he could earn it in eight days as a squad leader.

"I already have one hundred and thirty-five points. I need another one hundred and sixty-five to reach three hundred. Even at the slowest rate, eight or nine days should be enough."

Su Mu was quite satisfied with this speed.

In just eight or nine days, he could achieve what others took one or two years of bitter cultivation to accomplish. What more could he want?

"If I perform even better in this position, the time will be even shorter. Should I clean up the chaos in Guangfu坊?"

A thought popped into Su Mu's mind, but he immediately suppressed it.

*Su Mu, oh Su Mu, you're getting ahead of yourself!*

*You only need to lay low for a few more days. Once you get the squad leader's waist token, you can enter the Inner City to find your people.*

*This squad leader position is just a stepping stone. Do you really think you're the boss of Guangfu坊?*

Dismissing the unrealistic thoughts in his head, Su Mu gradually drifted into sleep.

…………

The next morning, after waking up and washing, Su Mu went to a street stall he frequently visited to order breakfast.

As he was eating leisurely, someone suddenly sat down opposite him.

When Su Mu was still a mere constable, bold people often shared a table with him.

But today, wearing his squad leader's uniform, most people kept their distance. Even though other tables were crowded, he could enjoy a table all to himself.

Su Mu looked up curiously.

He saw a middle-aged man dressed in fine silk sitting opposite him, staring straight at him with a gaze full of condescension.

Su Mu was somewhat puzzled. A set of clothes like that would cost dozens of taels of silver; such a person didn't seem like the type to eat at a roadside stall.

And what's with that look?

If he wasn't mistaken, he was the squad leader responsible for the Guangfu坊 sector. According to the rules of Great Xuan, in this Guangfu坊, he was the official boss.

Though he didn't care, who gave this man the courage to look down on him?