Chapter 224: Internship Status: A Peaceful Conclusion

Refused? Did Zhou You refuse the olive branch extended by Captain Chang?

No, how could he refuse? How dared he?

Captain Chang was shocked on the spot, unable to react for a moment, staring at Zhou You and wondering why.

"Clang!"

Captain Ye wore a frosty expression, lightly flicking a fingernail, producing the humming sound of high-frequency metal vibration.

Since Zhou You refused to join the City Gate Guard, he was not one of their own; having learned so many secrets, how could there be any reason to just walk away?

The best outcome would be imprisonment in the secret grounds of the City Gate Guard, never to see the light of day for all eternity.

If he dared to resist, there would be only one path: death.

Although the other two captains sighed and cherished Zhou You's talent, they hardened their hearts in the face of matters of principle.

In an instant, the previously harmonious scene became tense with swords drawn.

Zhou You did not move; most of the yellow dots on his interface remained unchanged, with only a few turning orange, not yet fully turning red.

This meant the situation was far from the point of a complete falling out.

Even if a conflict broke out, he still had 1-2 hours of Battlefield Perspective to increase his chances of escape.

But the situation was still very dire.

Half the forces of the City Gate Guard had arrived, and there were 4 Martial Masters alone; if they were truly determined to act against him, the surroundings would be an inescapable trap, a desperate situation where he could not fly away even with wings.

"Zhou You, will you really not reconsider?"

Among the eight Ghost-Catching Captains, Captain Chang was known for being clear about gratitude and grudges, repaying both tenfold.

When Yang Xi failed to provide protection, he ordered that the body not be buried, letting it rot and stink; when the Flower-Plucking Thief was the culprit behind his daughter's death, he had him executed by slow slicing, carving him alive into a pile of meat strips.

It was also during the Flower-Plucking Thief case that Zhou You performed brilliantly, using his Jinli Level to intercept a powerful enemy and save someone from the thief's hands.

From that time on, he developed some appreciation for Zhou You and thought about recruiting him into the City Gate Guard.

Last night, after Zhou You became a cast-off disciple, he fought with all his might in a desperate situation, killing 3 Transformation Charms and wiping out the charms that had recently been wreaking havoc in the city, stunning many high-ranking members of the City Gate Guard.

Such a talent—the martial arts hall didn't want him, but the City Gate Guard was desperate for him.

But why wouldn't he agree? "Captain Chang, I appreciate your kindness, but I have elderly parents at home; I need to provide for them until the end, and the City Gate Guard does important work, so I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to look after my family."

Zhou You said as much.

"Short-sighted! If you cannot protect the peace of a city, how can your small family be at peace?"

A captain shouted loudly, "Zhou You, if you do not become one of us today, you shall be a prisoner."

The attitude of the several Ghost-Catching Captains was unprecedentedly unanimous; knowing the secrets of the City Gate Guard and still not agreeing to join? Dream on! "Zhou You, you have seen it yourself; the rules of the City Gate Guard are as such, and I cannot make an exception for you."

Captain Chang said sincerely, "Join us; you are a genius at killing charms."

"Captain Chang, I just killed 3 Transformation Charms; I have no faults but rather merit, do you really intend to act against me?"

"If you kill or imprison me, Zhou You, the ones who will be happy are not others, but those charms hiding in the shadows."

Zhou You said firmly, "It is not only by joining the City Gate Guard that one can slay charms; I can act alone, and it is even more convenient."

"Captain, the City Gate Guard has a large family and a big business, and your targets are also large, so the charms definitely steer clear of you; otherwise, why haven't you discovered this group of Transformation Charms that have been wreaking havoc for so long?"

"I act alone, which makes it easier to lure the snake out of its hole and strike when the opportunity arises."

His words were reasonable and logical; many City Gate Guards were lost in thought upon hearing them, as it was indeed the truth.

The City Gate Guard's target was too large, and the charms knew they were their natural enemies and were already on guard, which was why previous searches had yielded no results.

Zhou You was different; he was an ordinary martial artist, the target the charms hunted.

"Captain Chang, I have a suggestion; how about we cooperate?"

Before Captain Chang could speak, the other 3 captains chuckled, "Cooperate? What a joke!"

A mere cast-off disciple of a martial arts hall, what qualifications did he have to cooperate with the City Gate Guard? They were the Enfeoffed Monarch World Guard guarding the city gates. Zhou You ignored the ridicule and mockery and continued to explain his idea.

"Although I will not join the City Gate Guard, I can continue to eliminate charms and protect the peace in the city."

"By cooperation, I mean I will help you kill charms and complete your quotas."

"Have you ever heard of outsourcing?"

"The charms you cannot find, I can find; the charms you cannot kill, I will kill; I, Zhou You, can do better outside than the City Gate Guard."

Zheng Qing stood a few hundred meters away, surrounded by his City Gate Guard colleagues.

Hearing Zhou You's words, the City Gate Guards talked among themselves, "What a big mouth, he really thinks highly of himself."

"Not necessarily!"

Zheng Qing shook his head, "Who among you can do what he did, wiping out a nest of Transformation Charms all by yourself?"

The corpses of the 3 Transformation Charms were still lying on the ground; if it weren't for Zhou You, the 4 Ghost-Catching Captains would have been the ones to surround and suppress them.

Such a thorny, cunning enemy had been wiped out by Zhou You alone.

Now it depended on how the captains decided; how would they deal with Zhou You?

Zheng Qing shook his head; he also hoped they wouldn't act against Zhou You, as this young martial artist was worthy of respect.

After a moment of silence, Captain Chang finally spoke.

"If you do not join the City Gate Guard, you have absolutely no possibility of leaving this place."

The secret lore of the City Gate Guard was only open to insiders; once known, it was impossible to stay out of it.

Even a captain at the Martial Master level could not make an exception and let Zhou You, who knew the inside story, leave.

So they were going to act after all!

Zhou You sighed and secretly began to prepare...

"However, the threshold for our City Gate Guard is not low; joining also requires an assessment."

"The assessment period may be long or short, depending on the person; during this time, you are still not considered a formal member of the City Gate Guard."

"Zhou You, if you proactively apply for the assessment, it will be considered as having the intention to join the City Gate Guard."

"As for whether you are qualified to become a formal member based on your performance, that will depend on your future conduct."

Captain Ye and the others heard this and were both amazed and impressed; this was a clever method.

Since Zhou You did not want to join, they would not give him a formal status, instead using an assessment period as an excuse to list him as extra-budgetary personnel.

In this way, the City Gate Guard had a way to save face, and Zhou You could also have his freedom; both sides ended peacefully without needing to resort to weapons.

This method was the best of both worlds, and it was quite favorable to Zhou You.

The so-called assessment period was aimed at those martial artists whose strength was insufficient; someone like Zhou You could be promoted directly, starting at the officer rank that Li Hao's father had spent many years to attain.

Captain Chang proposed this assessment period out of a desire to cherish talent, giving both sides a way to step down.

"Captain Chang, Zhou You thanks you; I am willing to apply for the assessment."

Zhou You was not someone who could not adapt; since the other party was willing to make concessions, he might as well go with the flow.

"Ha, good! Take this token; from now on, we shall slay Charm-beings together and protect the peace of Gongliang City."

Captain Chang held up a wooden box and handed it to Zhou You; it was heavy, and he did not know what was inside.

From this moment on, Zhou You was an extra-budgetary member of the City Gate Guard, free to move about without needing to report to the camp for roll call; as for the benefits and treatment of a formal employee, he did not care.

(End of chapter)