Chapter 953: Leading a Team

**Wind Rises in Kyushu**

"Don't overthink it; it's not what you're imagining." Gan Wudang, perceiving Lu Ye's thoughts, straightened up, crossed his hands on the table in front of him, and said directly, "Given that the other teams have no more vacancies, I intend to form a new team, with you as its captain!"

"What?" Lu Ye almost thought he had misheard. "Me, as captain?"

He must be joking with me.

"Exactly!" Gan Wudang nodded seriously. "How do you feel about becoming captain and forming a new Law Enforcement Hall squad?"

Lu Ye was somewhat bewildered.

He had initially thought Gan Wudang was facing some difficulty, which was why he couldn't be admitted into the Ministry of Law. However, not only was that not the case, but he was also being asked to lead a team as captain.

Lu Ye didn't know much about the Ministry of Law. He had only interacted with the 'Jia-3' squad of the Law Enforcement Hall. Its captain, Geng Wuwang, possessed the formidable strength of the Ninth-Level True Lake Realm, just a step away from the Divine Sea Realm. Even the lowest-ranked members in the squad were at the Third or Fourth Level of the True Lake Realm.

He didn't know the situation of other teams, but he imagined they wouldn't be much different from the Jia-3 squad.

With his cultivation level, even if he joined the Law Enforcement Hall, he would be at the bottom. He would only be fit to follow orders. How could he have the qualifications to command others, let alone be a captain?

However, a person like Gan Wudang would clearly not joke about such a matter with him.

"Sir, may I ask why?" Lu Ye asked.

Gan Wudang replied, "I carefully reviewed the mission report from the Jia-3 squad's last assignment. Geng Wuwang and his team members spoke very highly of you. They unanimously agreed that you were instrumental in completing the mission, earning primary credit. During the mission, you remained calm in crisis, showed no fear of powerful adversaries, were able to unite your comrades, and found ways to break through difficulties. This demonstrates exceptional adaptability, which are all excellent qualities and precisely what the Law Enforcement Hall needs most."

Lu Ye, after being praised so effusively by him, became even more cautious. He had a persistent feeling that things weren't that simple.

"Furthermore, your strength is considerable. Although you were only at the First Level True Lake Realm when you accompanied the Jia-3 squad on that mission, the power you demonstrated was certainly beyond that level. I've long heard that you are skilled at defeating enemies beyond your cultivation level. Therefore, even though you are currently only at the Third Level True Lake Realm, I believe you are at least as capable as a typical Fifth Level True Lake cultivator."

This was indeed an underestimation of him. Not to mention a Fifth-Level True Lake Realm cultivator, he had even instantly killed a Seventh-Level one before. However, such matters were best not spoken of to others.

"Of course, the most crucial point is your military rank, which is high enough. Across the entire Bingzhou Guard, cultivators at your level typically hold ranks between Ensign Guard and Captain Guard, but you are already a Commander, giving you the authority to command others. Otherwise, if a Commander like you were placed in a team whose captain was only a Captain Guard, it would be awkward for others to give you orders."

Lu Ye frowned slightly. While the logic held true, the level of military rank did indeed determine one's authority and say in certain situations and circumstances. But... he still felt that something wasn't quite right.

"In summary, you indeed possess the qualifications to lead a team and serve as captain. This is also the conclusion I reached after careful consideration." Gan Wudang looked at Lu Ye intently.

Lu Ye nodded, reluctantly acknowledging his explanation.

However, regarding the position of captain... honestly, he didn't have much interest. As a member of a six-person law enforcement squad, he would only need to follow orders. But if he were to take on the captain's role, there would be many more things to consider. At the very least, he would have to ensure the safety of his subordinates during missions.

Just as Lu Ye was about to speak, Gan Wudang interrupted him, saying, "Being a captain comes with quite a few benefits. Firstly, a Law Enforcement Hall squad captain receives double the monthly stipend. With your current Commander rank, you receive 30,000 battle merits monthly, but if you become captain, that would be 60,000."

"I also received double at Cangyan Mountain Pass... Unfortunately, now that I've left Cangyan Mountain Pass, I can no longer receive that stipend. The Heavenly Secret monitors adjustments to cultivators' positions."

"You also earn 150,000 by refining Blazing Fire Spirit Stones each month. Tsk, tsk, that means your monthly battle merits would total at least 210,000!"

As he calculated, Gan Wudang himself was startled.

Across the entire Nine Provinces, looking at both major factions, which True Lake Realm cultivator could consistently earn so many battle merits each month? With so many battle merits to exchange for Golden Spirit Talismans, how could one's cultivation not advance rapidly?

This didn't even include rewards from mission completion.

"Furthermore, upon mission completion, the captain receives an exclusive 30% of the battle merit rewards. The remaining 70% is then equally divided among the other five team members. Moreover, a Law Enforcement Hall captain is entitled to a fixed residence in Haotian City. Additionally, they receive certain discounts on resource exchanges within our Law Enforcement Hall."

Before Lu Ye could finish a sentence, Gan Wudang rattled off a long list of points.

The more Gan Wudang spoke, the more wary Lu Ye became.

He just had a feeling that Gan Wudang was overly eager for him to take on the captain's role... Why exactly was that?

"Consider it carefully." Gan Wudang leaned slightly forward, his gaze fixed on Lu Ye, giving off the impression that after all he had said, if Lu Ye dared not give a satisfactory answer, he wouldn't be leaving through that door today.

Lu Ye understood the meaning in his eyes. He spoke calmly, "Sir, my sect master arrived yesterday. I wonder if you received the news?"

"Elder Tang is here?" Gan Wudang was momentarily stunned. He truly hadn't known about this. After the sect master arrived yesterday, he had only gone to meet with a few old friends for a good chat, and no one had informed Gan Wudang about it.

He quickly realized that this brat was actually using Elder Tang to threaten him. He couldn't help but glare at Lu Ye.

"May I ask, Sir, is my appointment as captain an order?" Lu Ye asked.

If it were an order, he genuinely couldn't refuse. Otherwise, it would be a charge of insubordination. He still hadn't forgotten the taste of the Reverse Dragon Thorns from the penal prison, and he certainly didn't want to experience it a second time.

"Hmm... do you want to consider it an order?" Gan Wudang threw the question back at him.

"Then, this humble subordinate will assume it is not an order." Lu Ye stood up and cupped his fists. "Thank you for your generous offer, Sir. This humble subordinate sincerely feels his capabilities are insufficient to lead as captain. I request that you choose someone else more capable."

"Mmm," Gan Wudang nodded slightly. "Since that is the case, then so be it."

You can't force a cow to drink water. Some matters shouldn't be overly forced. It's just that he probably wouldn't have peaceful days anymore...

"You may go. Later, I'll find a suitable team to assign you to." Gan Wudang waved his hand.

"Thank you, Sir. This humble subordinate takes his leave." Lu Ye turned and departed.

His first few steps were brisk and powerful. However, the further he walked, the slower his steps became. When he reached the doorway, he suddenly turned back.

"What is it?" Gan Wudang asked, puzzled.

"Sir, if I agree to take on the captain's role, can I choose my own team members?" He suddenly recalled something. If that were true, it would resolve a concern of his.

"Yes, you can!" Gan Wudang nodded. "Since it will be a newly formed team, everything will naturally be new. The selection of members is inherently up to you as the captain."

As he spoke, he vaguely understood something. He smiled slightly, "Have you set your sights on someone?"

Lu Ye didn't answer that question. Instead, he asked, "If I choose people, are there any restrictions? For example, can I freely select soldiers from the front-line passes?"

"Generally, there's no problem. However, it also depends on whether their superiors are willing to release them." Transfers of front-line soldiers are quite normal. All that's required is a proper document or a handwritten order signed by a strong cultivator of at least Fortress Lord level.

"What if their superiors are unwilling to release them?" Lu Ye asked again.

Gan Wudang smiled confidently, "I still have some influence in that regard."

As the Head of the Ministry of Law, his status was almost on par with an Elder of the Elder Council. It was merely arranging a few personnel transfers; presumably, no one would deny him this courtesy.

This confirmed that Lu Ye must have someone in mind, and wished to transfer that person from a certain pass. Otherwise, there was no reason for him to suddenly change his stance.

"Who do you want to transfer under your command, young man?" Gan Wudang couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.

"I haven't decided yet. However, if you insist on me leading this team as captain, I have one request, which I hope you will grant."

"Speak!"

"I want the authority to freely requisition personnel from all major front-line passes!"

"No problem!" Gan Wudang agreed immediately. Then he smiled slightly, "However, I also have a request."

"What is your request, Sir?" Lu Ye immediately became wary. He thought to himself that his intuition was correct. Gan Wudang's insistence on him being captain today indeed had a purpose. And this request must be his objective.

"Don't worry, it won't be difficult for you. If you find it troublesome then, you can absolutely refuse."

With his assurance, Lu Ye felt relieved.

"You may go back now. You will know tomorrow."

"Sir, regarding the matter of captains being eligible for their own residences in Haotian City..."

Gan Wudang was somewhat speechless, feeling that this young man was a bit too pragmatic. He hadn't even formally taken on the captain's role, and he was already thinking about a residence.

However, these were minor matters, so he said readily, "Go find an unoccupied place for yourself. Later, tell me the location, and I'll register it for you. But let me make it clear, it's only for you to reside in; it's not permanently given to you. Should you no longer serve in the Ministry of Law one day, Haotian City will reclaim it."

"This humble subordinate understands."

A short while later, Lu Ye excitedly left the Ministry of Law's main hall. He searched around the small courtyard where the sect master resided, and found an unoccupied small courtyard.

He contacted Gan Wudang via his Guard Token, reported the location of the small courtyard, and Gan Wudang's side handled the registration and record-keeping.

Thus, this small courtyard became his residence in Haotian City.

Although not large, it had several rooms. In the future, it would be perfectly fine for all six team members to live here.

As for the selection of team members... Lu Ye also had some ideas in mind.

For now, it would certainly be impossible to gather all six team members. However, he could recruit one or two members first.