Chapter 1966

Good news never leaves the house, bad news travels a thousand miles.

The Phantom Squadron and the Jade Squadron had always been the two strongest squadrons, and since the captains of both were extreme beauties, naturally they drew everyone's attention.

The conflicts between Shangguan Ting and Li Ruanyu, and every clash between them, were also idle amusement for the lords over tea and after meals.

At this moment, plenty of people were watching the spectacle, staring at Shangguan Ting in the front row.

Afterward, the lords of the Phantom Squadron fell silent.

However.

The scene most people had imagined — Shangguan Ting erupting in furious rage — never appeared at all.

She was seen slowly standing up, then walking step by step toward the stairs leading to the stage.

Completely different from her earlier state of leaping up in one bound!

She passed by the seated captains in the front row, passed by Li Ruanyu.

Li Ruanyu caught a whiff of a very faint, elegant fragrance.

She couldn't help but knit her brows slightly.

This perfume was also Li Ruanyu's favorite.

But Shangguan Ting liked it just as much.

Just like her personality — even if she used the same perfume as Li Ruanyu, she would never back down.

Later, Li Ruanyu switched to a different perfume, a slightly richer warm scent. Fortunately, Zhao Chi quite liked it, always burying his head in her tenderness and taking deep breaths, so Li Ruanyu felt switching perfumes wasn't a bad thing after all.

Shangguan Ting's face was expressionless as she walked onto the stage at an even pace.

A bead of cold sweat broke out on Gu Zhan's forehead, but he could only brace himself and walk up as well.

He presented the Special Medal representing second place of the year to Shangguan Ting.

"Congratulations, Captain Shangguan."

Shangguan Ting took it with both hands: "You're congratulating me on getting second place?"

If it were anyone else getting second place, congratulations would indeed be in order.

But for Shangguan Ting to get second place — telling her congratulations seemed to carry a hint of mockery.

Gu Zhan had no idea how to respond.

He could only say: "Captain Shangguan, you may give a speech."

Having said that, Gu Zhan hurried back to the side.

The venue had gone completely silent.

The eyes of over a thousand lords were all fixed on Shangguan Ting.

Her gaze swept lightly across.

From Li Ruanyu's face, it shifted to Zhao Chi's face,

then to the entire Jade Squadron, then to the other squadrons.

Finally, her gaze settled on the Phantom Squadron's position.

As expected, all she saw were subordinates with dejected expressions.

Heads hanging, utterly drained of fighting spirit.

"Heh."

She let out a soft laugh.

Then she shook her head, forcing out a composed smile: "Second place of the year… what a grating ranking."

Her smile carried a certain bleakness.

The sharp glint in her eyes had also faded considerably.

"Cheating! The Jade Squadron cheated!"

"Exactly, how could they possibly get over twenty million in battle results? We destroyed a dragon's lair! The only dragon's lair!"

"Right! There must be something shady going on!"

A few lords of the Phantom Squadron shouted out, clearly seething with indignation.

Their voices echoed through the silent venue, but no one responded to them.

"Shut up!" Shangguan Ting growled low.

"Those are not words anyone from our Phantom Squadron should be saying!"

The scene fell silent once again.

Shangguan Ting sighed:

"Our Phantom Squadron is a veteran squadron, established long, long ago.

"Our strength is plain for all to see — even within the entire White Tiger Regiment, we rank among the very best.

"This year we lost over two hundred brothers and sisters, all of them sacrificed after fierce combat on the battlefield.

"Every one of them is a hero.

"The families of all our fallen lords — our Phantom Squadron has been supporting them, and each of them is playing their own role in their own field.

"I should have led you to claim first place! I truly don't want this medal.

"Given my temperament, I would crush it on the spot.

"But I can't.

"I can't do that.

"Of course I wanted to take first place.

"But the fact remains — we only got second place.

"Even so, I accept it.

"Because this is an honor.

"Because this second place is the honor that all of our teammates fought for!

"That 110.41 million record was earned through blade after blade of hard fighting, battle after battle of combat.

"How could I, just because I personally wanted first place, deny the achievement of all our teammates?

"I'm very happy!

"Second place of the year — that's great!

"This result didn't come easily!

"We all know what this year has been like for us!

"So second place is not a disgrace — it is glory!

"I'm very satisfied!

"You are all great!

"We shouldn't deny this achievement. I know every brother and sister of our Phantom Squadron wants first place.

"I want it too! I want it even more!

"But regrettably, this year… the Jade Squadron had the edge.

"That means their record is higher, and they must have all gone through even harder fighting, even tougher battles.

"Having a friendly force beside us that is equally strong and equally hard-working in competition — that is actually our fortune!

"They won through solid, real combat results. We have nothing to say against that.

"Congratulations to the Jade Squadron.

"Our Phantom Squadron has no need to feel regret either. We did very well this year, and next year we can do even better.

"Today is only the end of this year — it is not the end of our fighting spirit.

"The road is long, and next year's first place will surely be ours!

"Thank you to every teammate of Phantom Squadron for your dedication.

"This second place… we accept it!!!"

Shangguan Ting actually showed a smile?

That smile was friendly?

Why is "friendly" the word?

Or rather, on Shangguan Ting's face, a smile that is rarely seen, one without aggression?

Although it was forced, she was indeed smiling.

After finishing, Shangguan Ting turned and left, unhurriedly returning to her seat.

The crisp sound of high heels on the wooden floor echoed through the hall.