Chapter 98: Consolidation

After Fang Qingyun and Zhao Junhong left, the members of the Discipline Inspection Squad erupted in uproar.

“This is a joke!”

“What on earth are they thinking?”

“I just want to know if the welfare increase by thirty percent is real.”

“That can’t be fake. With so many people around, they wouldn’t say it if it weren’t true, right?”

“What about Vice Presidents Cui Sheng and the other one?”

“Did the president really promise to let Fang Qingyun act as the interim vice president?”

“This means they’re ready to hand over power completely.”

Finally, everyone turned their gaze toward two men: Wu Hua and another burly fellow, Gu Hu.

The Discipline Inspection Squad had four squad leaders; the other two had left earlier that day. Among the four who left, two were squad leaders, and the other two were their trusted aides. They all knew they couldn’t survive under Fang Qingyun’s leadership anymore, so they departed. Otherwise, who would willingly give up the status of the Discipline Inspection Squad?

Across the entire Northwest Military Academy, countless people struggled just to gain entry. Squad leaders could command authority in the absence of the captain; naturally, their strength was formidable, reaching the ranks of advanced warriors.

At this moment, Gu Hu stared at Wu Hua and said, “You speak. I’m not good with matters that require thinking.”

Wu Hua’s mouth twitched.

What a load of nonsense!

In a place like the Discipline Inspection Squad, if you don’t use your brain, how long do you think you last?

Still, he didn’t bother to argue.

Wu Hua said, “Everyone, what is your purpose in joining the Discipline Inspection Squad?”

A simple question, yet many sank into deep thought.

Indeed!

Why obsess over Cui Sheng and Qin Ran?

Because they can provide more resources?

Not necessarily.

Those who left were the true loyalists of Cui Sheng and Qin Ran; the rest only enjoyed what was due to them. In fact, their original benefits were slightly reduced as a form of tribute to Cui Sheng and the others; otherwise, they would have been kicked out of the squad.

Now that the leadership had changed, they no longer had to pay tribute, and the new vice presidents had even promised a thirty percent increase in welfare.

Even if temporary, this was a substantial income.

With this realization, many breathed a sigh of relief, some even secretly pleased.

Thirty percent!

Adding to the previously paid tribute, who would dare ignore that?

“Everyone!” Wu Hua continued, “It’s the same no matter who you follow. On the contrary, these two new vice presidents are stronger. Though younger than us, which might bruise your ego, their youth…”

Their bodies stiffened.

They understood Wu Hua’s meaning perfectly.

Youth meant infinite potential.

Wu Hua concluded, “Work hard. Maybe, the time we spend following them won’t be just a year or two!”

“I hear these two are highly favored by the Serpent King; in the future, they might even become direct members of his elite corps.”

“Phew!”

Many inhaled deeply.

They understood now.

Those two already had a brilliant future laid out; what about themselves?

At this moment, what they needed to consider was not whether to follow Fang Qingyun and Zhao Junhong, but whether those two wanted them.

Geniuses?

Which student at the Northwest Military Academy lacked talent?

With resources, they could rise in half a year.

“So, everyone, don’t overthink!” Wu Hua said with a wry smile. “Do we have the right to be picky? We should be thinking about how not to get kicked out.”

……

When Fang Qingyun and Zhao Junhong returned to the office, Wang Xuan was already preparing to leave.

“I’m leaving now. I’ll leave the rest to you. You became vice presidents right after arriving as students, without even formally enrolling—you’ve made history,” Wang Xuan said with a smile. “The people I need to take away, I will. I won’t leave you any trouble. What you need to watch out for are the school’s teachers and Qin Ran’s counterattack.”

Wang Xuan spoke earnestly, “The teachers at Northwest Military Academy have the least power among all schools. Their only advantage is access to more resources, but that’s obviously not enough for most of them. So they’ve started looking for other ways to get resources, one of which is through the student council.”

“Cui Sheng seems to have become a general-level officer and gained the favor of several big shots, but in reality, he’s cut off his own escape routes.”

“He used some teacher resources and other students’ resources, which he now has to repay.”

“So, you don’t need to worry about them anymore. As for the last student council member…”

Wang Xuan shook his head. “Wang Xu has great talent, perhaps the best among us, but he’s timid. I’ve always looked down on him. If you scare him a bit, he’ll probably just cling to a student council seat, enjoy the resources, and stay out of your affairs.”

In short, from today onward, the student council belongs to them.

Fang Qingyun and Zhao Junhong exchanged glances.

Though it seemed they were being granted power, given room to maneuver, one misstep could plunge them into an abyss.

Walking into the student council blindly—was that truly wise?

“Let’s discuss,” Fang Qingyun sighed. “Honestly, if I had a choice, I wouldn’t want to be the acting president.”

“Does the Serpent King’s meaning imply you have room to resist?” Zhao Junhong sneered. “Better to think about how to do well in this position.”

On this, the two tacitly agreed.

Fang Qingyun was stronger and would serve as acting president.

Zhao Junhong, slightly less capable, would be his deputy.

After whispering and plotting for a long while, they devised solutions to every potential problem before stopping.

In truth, both were deeply worried—not about the school, but about the Serpent King.

They had no idea what the Serpent King intended.

After granting such generous benefits, could he endure the eventual repayment?

The next day, Fang Qingyun and Zhao Junhong officially assumed their roles as vice presidents, one acting president among them.

Their first order was to disband the entire Discipline Inspection Squad, reorganize it entirely, and recruit anew across the Northwest Military Academy.

Not only would they replenish the squad to eighty members, but they planned to add twenty more, bringing the total to one hundred.

This alone displeased many teachers.

Plainly put, it was a resource issue.

Twenty more people meant twenty more shares of resources.

The monthly resources allocated to the student council were fixed; with twenty additional mouths, where would the resources come from?

Many teachers held a secret meeting.

“Twenty more people?”

“What on earth do they need so many for?”

“Every month, extra resources are required. Where will that come from?”

“I heard those two youngsters even increased benefits for the current squad.”

“Don’t tell me they’re taking it from us?”

“Two kids just appointed—they dare?”

“Let’s wait for the start of the month when resources are distributed. I want to see what those two will do.”

“If it doesn’t meet our satisfaction, don’t blame us for being harsh!”

Unlike the teachers, the students’ enthusiasm ignited instantly.

The student council’s direct Discipline Inspection Squad!

This represented status and, more importantly, power.

Each member received considerable resources monthly, plus extra income.

Previously, they had tried everything to join but failed; now, recruitment was openly announced.

Immediately, countless students signed up, exceeding expectations within an hour.

“Conduct the selection as before, both of you oversee it!” Fang Qingyun calmly said, glancing at the registration list. “Oh, and bring Li Mu, Qian Duoduo, Sun Zhizui, and Zhao Jianjun here.”

Wu Hua was momentarily stunned, then understood and nodded.

What did the Discipline Inspection Squad lack now?

Squad leaders!

Among those who left were two squad leaders—trusted aides of Cui Sheng and his ally. If they didn’t leave, Fang Qingyun would have driven them out.

The four people mentioned by Fang Qingyun were the best performers and strongest among the squad.

No surprises—they were likely the new squad leaders.

Wu Hua found it strange.

With one hundred people, and twenty per squad, five squads were needed, meaning five squad leaders.

Previously there were only four, so how would that be arranged?

Could it remain four squads, with two extra leaders targeting themselves?

Wu Hua and Gu Hu exchanged worried glances.

Soon, Wu Hua learned the plan.

“You six draw lots; two will be chosen,” Fang Qingyun said calmly. “One will lead the patrol squad, the other will serve as deputy leader of the strongest squad.”

He added, “I will personally command the strongest squad and execute missions alongside them.”

The six squad leaders looked at one another in silence.

A stark division!

Fang Qingyun and Zhao Junhong clearly rejected the patrol squad; being its leader meant inferior treatment.

The promised thirty percent increase in welfare applied only to squads directly under the two vice presidents.

The deputy leader of the strongest squad would enjoy the best treatment, certainly not less than other squad leaders.

Unfamiliar with Fang Qingyun, the six hesitated but eventually drew lots.

Qian Duoduo was assigned as patrol squad leader.

Li Mu became deputy leader of the strongest squad.

“Go,” Fang Qingyun waved his hand. “After personnel selection, squad assignments will also be decided by lot for the first time. Later, based on combat synergy, squads will be reassigned.”

Wu Hua almost spoke but stopped himself.

They had suspected squad assignments would be by lot. If so, they must oppose it.

The Discipline Inspection Squad was a real combat unit and couldn’t afford such randomness.

But if it was only for the first time, they could accept it.

Zhao Junhong, handling other matters, looked up at Fang Qingyun.

“Should I talk to the patrol leader?”

“Can you handle it?” Fang Qingyun eyed him doubtfully.

Zhao Junhong chuckled. “Everyone I’ve tried with calls me a hero.”

“Then go try,” Fang Qingyun shrugged. “We don’t need him to do anything right now—just keep him around.”

“Alright.”

Zhao Junhong swaggered off.

Among the four in the student council’s core group, the patrol leader was the weakest, a novice ninth-rank warrior.

Zhao Junhong, who had even knocked down Qin Ran at near peak ninth rank, naturally didn’t care about a patrol leader.

Selection concluded swiftly.

Over twenty elites joined the Discipline Inspection Squad, faces alight with excitement.

Who would have thought the student council’s reshuffle would benefit them?

Watching them, Fang Qingyun was ready to move to the next step.

Repayment!

Five thousand points!

Five thousand points used to purchase spatial weaponry—Fang Qingyun had borrowed them from the school.

Having earned over two thousand points in just half a month, the school readily agreed when he requested a loan of five thousand points.

All schools offered loans.

This was to help students in urgent need; like Fang Qingyun once, capable of earning points but lacking the upfront amount.

The school’s loans carried very low interest, barely a concern.

Points could be repaid in installments.

Unable to repay? Sorry, work for the school until you do.

Given Fang Qingyun’s ability, installment repayment was easy.

Yet he disliked owing anyone, so he resolved to take on a larger mission.

[Clear the Fiery Red Mountain]

This mission awarded 1,800 points.

Its difficulty level had once been A-grade, but for unknown reasons was downgraded to B-grade.

Fang Qingyun tore the mission sheet from the board, indicating he accepted it.

Zhang Mei looked at him with a complicated expression, whispering, “Acting president, this mission isn’t easy.”

Fang Qingyun smiled faintly. “If it were easy, I wouldn’t be the one taking it.”

Seeing Fang Qingyun didn’t grasp her meaning, Zhang Mei added, “Usually, teachers take this mission.”

Fang Qingyun smiled again. “Don’t forget the gathering tonight.”

Zhao Junhong and Zhang Mei.

Fang Qingyun and Gu Xi.

That night, fierce battles ensued.

By morning, only two of the four had risen—Fang Qingyun and Zhao Junhong.

Their energy was boundless, having given Gu Xi and Zhang Mei a hard time the previous night.

Gu Xi, especially furious, had bitten Fang Qingyun hard in frustration.

That guy wasn’t human—did he see her as an enemy?

He charged recklessly, making her despair.

For this, Fang Qingyun had to pay by joining the student council to get her off his back.

“Just need two secretaries,” Zhao Junhong said lazily. “Looks like we’ve entered those days where the secretary is busy when there’s work and idle when there isn’t.”

Fang Qingyun shrugged indifferently. “I’ll lead the newly formed elite squad on missions. The school’s yours.”

“Such a pain!” Zhao Junhong grumbled. “Who wants to be like the president?”

“Once you’re in, no more complaining,” Fang Qingyun said. “According to our plan, there won’t be problems soon. If issues arise, it will be those few days.”

“Don’t worry!”

Zhao Junhong grinned. “I’m actually hoping for some trouble.”

A surge of power coursed through his body.

Fang Qingyun looked at him in surprise. “You broke through?”

“Yeah!” Zhao Junhong chuckled. “Sparring with the patrol leader gave me insight. I broke into seventh-rank warrior. Now I can say, if a regular general-level officer showed up, I’d crush him easily!”

Fang Qingyun nodded lightly.

“That puts my mind at ease. If we complete this mission smoothly, many problems will be solved.”

His gaze deepened as he murmured, “This is the first step of our journey.”