Chapter 116: Huangmu: I'll make them kneel before me

Since 'handling myriad affairs', even the captain's examination can be late, Captain Huangmu and Captain Maozhihua are already in place! So can the captain's examination also begin? You agree, right? Captain Huangmu……

Seated in the chief examiner's position, Shanben Yuanliuzhai watched the tardy Huangmu and Maozhihua, first glanced at them, then teased Huangmu and Maozhihua……

Shanben Yuanliuzhai especially emphasized the four characters "handling myriad affairs"; it sounded like he was asking Huangmu, this is your disciple's captain's examination, and you can still be late?!

"Cough cough, have you all heard what the chief captain said?!"

Since the examiners in charge of the captain's examination are now all present, then according to the Pure Spirit Court's captain's examination rules, the captain's examinations of Jingle Chunshui, Fuzhu Shisi Lang, and Gangyi Dai Shitan will officially begin……

Huangmu, after hearing Yuanliuzhai's words, merely gave a light cough twice, brushing past the matter.

Immediately after, Huangmu didn't give everyone a chance to speak, pretending not to understand Yuanliuzhai's meaning, he softly announced to his three disciples, who were currently seated in the waiting examination seats, Jingle et al., the start of the captain's examination.

"Hmph……"

Yuanliuzhai, after hearing Huangmu's words, also couldn't be bothered to dwell further on this matter; he looked ahead, toward Jingle et al., then asked: "Alright, as Captain Huangmu said, the captain's examination officially begins! Which of you three brats will go first?!"

"I'll go first!"

Exactly as Yuanliuzhai's words fell, Jingle Chunshui and Gangyi Dai Shitan both stood up from their seats almost simultaneously.

"You bastard…… are you deliberately trying to get on my bad side?!"

Jingle and Shitan, who had stood up together, heard the voice, their brows furrowed, almost simultaneously turned their heads to look at each other, and spoke angrily in unison.

"These two losers have embarrassed themselves in front of the master's father."

At this moment, Fuzhu, still seated in his own seat, looking at the two troublemakers sitting on his left and right, shouting at him, unconsciously lowered his head……

Don't ask, asking just shows how embarrassing it is; the one seated in the main seat is their master's father, yet these two troublemakers are still making a fuss here! They have no sense of propriety! Frankly, he wishes he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

"Jingle's standing speed seems a bit faster; Jingle goes first……"

At the moment Jingle and Shitan were facing off, Huangmu, seated in the assistant examiner's seat, suddenly spoke.

"Shitan, have you heard what the master said? Hurry up and sit down!"

Upon hearing Huangmu's words, Jingle's lips curled up, and he softly said to Shitan facing him.

"You bastard……"

Although Shitan was somewhat dissatisfied with Jingle's words, seeing that Huangmu had spoken, he had no choice but to sit back down in his seat.

"Forget it, the captain's examination itself isn't that hard; you three can just do it together!"

Just as Shitan's buttocks had just made contact with the cushion, Huangmu's voice rang out again in the ears of the three.

"Huh?!"

In response, Shitan, who had just sat down but now had to stand up again, furrowed his brows tightly.

At this moment, Shitan, based on the current situation, reasonably suspected that his master Huangmu was deliberately messing with him. After all, this is indeed something his master could do.

"Sigh……"

However, Shitan had no way to deal with his mischief-loving master; he could only let out a long sigh, then stood up from his seat again; as for Fuzhu, sandwiched between Jingle and Shitan, he also had no choice but to stand up from his seat.

"Teacher Huangmu, is it really okay for us three to simultaneously undergo the captain's examination?"

"Does this comply with the examination regulations? Won't it cause trouble for the master, as well as the master's father and master's mother?!"

"Teacher Huangmu, please don't lower your standards just because we are your students! The captain's examination standards are related to the troops behind us, the lives and livelihoods of all the squad members……"

After Jingle and the others all stood up, Fuzhu softly asked Huangmu, who was seated opposite him.

Frankly, Fuzhu didn't want to gain privilege just because he was Huangmu's disciple in this sacred captain's examination; in his view, it was a disrespect to the lives of the Guardian Thirteen Squads' members, since any captain of the 13th Squad with even a slight lack of strength would be irresponsible toward the entire troop's squad members.

At the same time, Fuzhu didn't want to cause trouble for Huangmu over this, nor did he want Huangmu to be gossiped about because of today's affairs; making the examination stricter now would prevent the 13th Squad's people later from saying they three rose only through Huangmu's nepotism and lacked captain-level strength.

"Er, sorry, that was a student's misspoken remark……"

After Fuzhu repeatedly questioned Huangmu, he suddenly sensed something off, and bowed to Huangmu to express his apology.

"No problem! I know you're afraid you're not excellent enough to be a good captain of the Guardian Thirteen Squads! Actually, you don't need to worry about that……"

"You should know that even the previous 13th Division captain-level Shinigami you guys defeated can serve as captain in the current Guardian Thirteen Squads, and since you are far stronger than that previous 13th Division captain, you naturally deserve to be captain of the current Guardian Thirteen Squads."

Huangmu merely gave a light smile after hearing Fuzhu's words.

"I, I understand."

After hearing Huangmu's words, Fuzhu first froze, then bowed deeply to Huangmu.

"This kid is not bad."

Exactly after Huangmu cleared up Fuzhu's doubts, Maozhihua nodded approvingly at Fuzhu.

Fuzhu's single utterance of "master's mother" won her heart's "due reward"!

It seems when she has free time, she can spare a moment to teach Fuzhu swordsmanship.

"Any more doubts?"

Huangmu, seated in the examiner's position, continued to ask Fuzhu and the others.

"None."

Fuzhu and the others, upon hearing that, repeatedly shook their heads at Huangmu.

"If so, display your Complete Release! This is today's captain's examination theme."

Huangmu made a gesturing invitation to Fuzhu and the others.

"Display Complete Release?!"

As Huangmu finished speaking, Jingle, Fuzhu, and Shitan all stared dumbfounded……

They weren't dumbfounded because the captain's examination was too difficult; rather, they hadn't expected that the captain's examination they had prepared for so long would be this simple? That all they needed was to learn Complete Release to become captain of the current Guardian Thirteen Squads! This is completely different from the examination difficulty taught to them by Luqu and the others……

"Any more?!"

It seemed Jingle hadn't expected the captain's examination to be this simple; he looked at Huangmu and asked.

"None."

Huangmu, upon hearing that, shrugged his shoulders.

"Just like that?"

Shitan raised his eyebrows, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Just like that.

Huangmu answered affirmatively.

That Teacher Huangmu, please don't...

Soon after, Fuzhu continued speaking.

First of all, I didn't lower the exam standards on purpose just because you three are my disciples!

Second, if you three brats think the squad captain exam is too easy, I could raise it a bit—how about this: from now on, every squad captain exam you three take will be changed to defeating me, Old Man Shan, or Lie, one of them—what do you think?!

Huangmu didn't give Fuzhu a chance to continue, cutting him off directly.

At the same time, Huangmu couldn't be bothered to explain anything further to Fuzhu and the others, and he snapped at Kyoraku and the rest.

Er...

Hearing that, Kyoraku and the others exchanged a glance.

Either show your complete release right now, or get out of here!

Immediately, Huangmu's angry shout rang in the ears of Kyoraku and the others.

Complete release!!!

Upon hearing Huangmu's angry shout, Kyoraku and the others' faces changed instantly; they all drew their Soul-Cutting Swords from their waists and stood before Huangmu, Shanben Yuanliuzhai, and Maozhihua Lie, shouting in near unison.

Boom!!

In an instant, three massive waves of spiritual pressure erupted from within Fuzhu, Kyoraku, and Shitan, shooting straight to the heavens, while their complete releases naturally appeared before Shanben and Huangmu.

After a moment...

Although still immature, I must say, your three complete releases are excellent!

After Kyoraku's trio displayed their complete releases, Chief Examiner Shanben Yuanliuzhai Chongguo stroked his scruffy beard and gave Kyoraku, Fuzhu, and the others a satisfied look.

So does this mean we...

Hearing Yuanliuzhai's words, Kyoraku and the others' hearts leapt with joy.

Exactly as you three thought! You've passed...

Yuanliuzhai announced the answer to this squad captain examination.

Great!

Upon hearing Yuanliuzhai announce that the three had passed, Kyoraku, Shitan, and Fuzhu each let out a relieved breath.

In that case, effective immediately, Jingle Chunshui will take over the duties of Eighth Division Captain; Tsunemashiro Shitan will take over Ninth Division Captain; and Fuzhu Juro, from today onward, you will be the captain of the brand-new Thirteenth Division of the Court Guard.

Just as Kyoraku and the others were rejoicing over passing the squad captain examination, Yuanliuzhai's voice continued to sound in their ears, and he softly announced their current posts.

Teacher Huangmu, we haven't embarrassed you...

Fuzhu and the others wept with joy; he wiped the tears from his eyes and showed Huangmu a happy smile.

Pop~

Before Fuzhu, Kyoraku, and Shitan could say another word, three white haoris had already been thrown onto their faces by Huangmu.

What is this?!

The three clung to the haoris, all stunned.

Quick, put them on and see!

This is the captain's haori that your master personally had made for you three.

At this moment, Maozhihua Lie smiled and spoke to Kyoraku's trio, telling them what the white haori they were holding actually was.

Captain's haori?!

Upon hearing Maozhihua Lie's words, Kyoraku's trio's eyes flashed with a hint of surprise and joy.

Whether it was the reserved and steady Fuzhu or the meticulous Shitan, they could not wait to drape the haori that Huangmu had custom-made for them over their shoulders; as for Kyoraku Chunshui, he had already put on his haori.

Master Huangmu, Master's Father, Master's Mother, look—do I look handsome in this haori?

Jingle Chunshui looked at Huangmu, Shanben Yuanliuzhai, and Maozhihua Lie, and asked.

So-so~

Huangmu glanced at the three and gave his evaluation.

Much better than before...

Yuanliuzhai's answer was a bit better than Huangmu's, but only slightly.

Very handsome.

But Maozhihua Lie's answer pleased Kyoraku and the others the most.

At this moment, Maozhihua Lie gazed at Kyoraku's trio with a kindly smile, her eyes as if looking at her own child.

The Master's Mother speaks the nicest!

Kyoraku listened to Maozhihua Lie's words and spoke smugly.

You three brats, don't think that just because you're wearing the haori you've reached the pinnacle of being a Soul Reaper; the captaincy is merely the start of your Soul Reaper career, and you're still far from the true peak.

Huangmu didn't give those three Huskies a chance to wag their triumphant tails, speaking sternly to them.

We understand...

We will faithfully follow the Master's teachings!

We get it, we all get it—compared to you, Master, we definitely still have a gap.

As Huangmu's words fell, Kyoraku's trio repeatedly indicated that they understood.

All right, since you've passed the squad captain examination, from today on you are the captains of the Thirteenth Division—pay attention to your image! Don't embarrass your Master.

As for now, go check out your respective divisions first! Make sure you thoroughly familiarize yourselves with the work and affairs of your divisions as quickly as possible; as for the inauguration ceremony of your three captaincies, let's hold it together after Night One sorts out the Secret Mobile Unit and the Second Division—this way we avoid having to convene the busy Court Guard Thirteenth Division captains twice in a short span for a meeting at the First Division.

Huangmu looked at the three standing straight before him, his disciples listening to his words, and smiled satisfactorily.

Fortunately, his three disciples still have some sense; they don't let their mindset drift just because they've just become captains of the Guardian Court Thirteen Squad, treating their master without proper respect…

Of course, if his three disciples think that because they've become captains of the Thirteen Squad their master can no longer control them, they'd be gravely mistaken! He will use his Soul‑cutting Blade to tell Shi Tan and the others that their master is still their master.

"Speaking of it, hasn't senior sister Ye Yi passed the team leader assessment yet?!"

Jingle didn't let his attitude drift in front of Araki, since he knows Araki's strength; although he and Araki are both captains of the Thirteen Squad now, the gap between captains can sometimes be larger than the gap between a commoner of Ghost Street and a squad captain of the Pure Spirit Court…

But not flaunting it after becoming captain isn't Jingle's nature. So, after hearing from Araki that their "little senior sister" Ye Yi hasn't passed the team leader assessment, Jingle made a decision in his mind.

"Interesting!"

Shi Tan, after hearing Jingle's mutterings, came over at that moment.

"How about we show off in front of Ye Yi?!"

Jingle looked at Shi Tan and asked.

"Exactly that! Going together?!"

Shi Tan gave a faint smile upon hearing it.

Although Shi Tan doesn't like showing off in front of others, except for Ye Yi of the Four Maple Court, he doesn't mind flaunting the team leader haori before the little princess of the Four Maple Court as a member of the Kong Mi Dai branch family.

For a moment, Shi Tan and Jingle, who had always been rivals, finally reached a consensus on one matter: to run together to Ye Yi and show off their team leader haori.

"Good!"

Jingle, after receiving Shi Tan's reply, smiled with satisfaction.

The next second, Jingle and Shi Tan happily left the team leader assessment room, heading together toward the Four Maple Court family's estate.

"Jingle, Shi Tan! You two, don't provoke senior sister Ye Yi over something like this!"

Fu Zhu watched Jingle and Shi Tan run away, his brows tightly knit.

"These two…" Fu Zhu first shook his head silently, then, facing Yuanliuzhai still seated at the examiner's seat, as well as Araki and Maozhihua Lie, expressed his apology: "Master, teacher, and teacher‑mother, sorry, I have to leave first! I'm going after Jingle and Shi Tan."

"Go ahead~"

Araki, after hearing Fu Zhu, waved his hand at Fu Zhu.

Fu Zhu, upon hearing that, bowed repeatedly to the three of Araki, then turned and left the assessment room.

"Fu Zhu, that kid."

Araki watched Fu Zhu, the last to run out, and stroked his own chin.

Fu Zhu's instantaneous step level is on par with Jingle and Shi Tan; departing later, Fu Zhu certainly can't catch up with those who left earlier, yet he still chased after them, indicating that Fu Zhu also really wants to go to the Four Maple Court estate. Sometimes Araki thinks, Fu Zhu is also a friendly‑looking, black‑hearted person…

At this moment Araki can already imagine that when Ye Yi, just finished training and resting at the Four Maple Court estate, sees Jingle, Shi Tan, and Fu Zhu clad in the team leader haori appear before her, her expression will be something spectacular, no doubt.

"Araki, your three disciples aren't bad~"

After Jingle and the other two left, Yuanliuzhai looked at Araki beside him, his eyes slightly narrowing.

"Not bad~"

Araki heard that and naturally gave a faint smile.

"Want to go out for a walk with me?"

Yuanliuzhai, hearing that, said nothing more but extended an invitation to Araki.

"Fine."

In response, Araki lightly nodded at Yuanliuzhai.

"Hmm…"

Having received Araki's reply, Yuanliuzhai slowly rose to his feet.

"Then I'll head back first~"

Maozhihua Lie looked at the clearly talkative master‑disciple pair before him and gave the two a faint smile.

"Alright. Lie, you go back first!"

Araki, hearing that, said to Maozhihua Lie.

"Okay!"

Having received Araki's response, Maozhihua Lie immediately turned and left.

"Araki, we master and disciple haven't had such a leisurely time together in ages…"

After Maozhihua Lie left, Yuanliuzhai crossed his arms, walked slowly toward the First Squad's quarters, with Araki naturally following close behind.

"Hmm, the last time you and I strolled in this Pure Spirit Court was before I led the Eleven Squad's troops with the first‑generation captains of the Guardian Court Thirteen Squad to the Great Void Forest to subdue Jiba."

Araki, hearing that, answered Yuanliuzhai's question.

"Hmm…"

Yuanliuzhai nodded at the words.

"What do you think of the current situation in the Pure Spirit Court?!"

After a few minutes of silence, Yuanliuzhai asked Araki.

"No particular view…"

Araki, hearing that, spoke honestly.

"No particular view?!"

Yuanliuzhai, hearing that, showed surprise in his eyes.

"Then after succeeding me, how do you intend to 'guard' this Pure Spirit Court?"

Yuanliuzhai looked at Araki with a hint of doubt.

"Those who obey stay, those who disobey are killed."

Araki's answer was unusually straightforward.

"You…"

Yuanliuzhai suddenly felt his question to the disciple was somewhat unnecessary.

Given Araki's personality, what other answer could there be besides this one?!

"At present the Pure Spirit Court still depends on those nobles; although they are corrupt, they possess ability and strength. If all those people were to die, the entire Dead Soul Realm would descend into chaos, and even if you alone were immensely powerful, you would still reach a point where you run out of tactics."

Yuan Liuzhai urged Araki.

"I know that, of course, so I am willing to give them a chance to bow and submit to me."

Araki smiled instantly after hearing Yuan Liuzhai's words.

"It's enough that you understand."

Yuan Liuzhai didn't know how to address Araki, but he immediately nodded.

"When do you plan to take over the position of Chief Commander from me?"

Yuan Liuzhai continued to ask Araki.

"Don't worry, Old Mountain Man! In the short term I have no plans to kick you to the Zhen'ao Spirit Arts Institute to teach; at the very least I'll have you serve for fifty or sixty years~"

Araki thought for a moment, then looked at Yuan Liuzhai and spoke earnestly.

"By the way, when you, Master, go to the Zhen'ao Spirit Arts Institute, be sure to work hard to cultivate more talents who are truly loyal to the Pure Spirit Court and to the Thirteenth Squad, so that I can replace all the positions held by those overly corrupt nobles~"

Araki then continued to speak to Yuan Liuzhai.

It seemed that Araki had already envisioned a victorious scene for himself in the near future, fighting against Yuan Liuzhai.

"Hmph! All day without respect, remember to call me Master, you annoying stinky brat…"

To that, Yuan Liuzhai had no rebuttal; after hearing Araki's address, he let out a cold snort, then brushed past Araki and walked alone toward the front, for what he wished to know, Araki had already told him moments ago.