# 212
Chapter 212 – Walk Tall
“The more I understand, the heavier the burden feels.” Baili Pangpang sighed, then gave a self-mocking shake of his head. “Who’d have thought that I, the young master of the illustrious Baili family, would actually become a Night Watchman one day…”
“Strictly speaking, you’re not a Night Watchman yet—the oath-taking ceremony starts tomorrow,” Cao Yuan corrected.
“…Cao Yuan, you brat, I’m a patient here. Still picking bones? Doesn’t your conscience ache?”
“Nope.”
“…” Baili Pangpang rolled up his sleeves as if ready to throw down.
Lin Qiye laughed. “Pangpang, treasure this moment—after tomorrow, no one will be able to pick on you anymore.”
Both Cao Yuan and Baili Pangpang froze at those words, then fell silent.
After a moment Lin Qiye looked at Baili Pangpang. “Once we’re back in Guangshen, what will you do? Head home? Or join the Night Watch?”
Without hesitation: “Night Watch.”
Cao Yuan raised an eyebrow. “And the maid sisters?”
“Still mine.” Baili Pangpang declared righteously. “When the organization needs me, I’m Night Watch; when it doesn’t… I’m still those maids’ handsome little brother, heh-heh.”
Cao Yuan rolled his eyes, then turned to Lin Qiye. “I’ll be in Huaihai City—close to Cangnan. Drop by when you’re free.”
Lin Qiye gave a soft “Mm.”
“Qiye, listen—just form a special squad,” Baili Pangpang grinned.
Lin Qiye blinked. “Special squad?”
“Yeah! Think about it—you’re the agent of two gods, totally qualified to be captain. Once you’re captain you can build a team, pull us all in, and we’re back together!”
The more he talked the more excited he got. “You’re the double-god agent, I’m the Baili family’s young master and basically a collector of forbidden artifacts—no disgrace as a teammate, right?
Cao Yuan’s an idiot, but his Forbidden Ruins is ultra-high-risk among ultra-high-risk, number one beneath God’s Ruins—special-squad material, yeah?
Shame about Brother Cool… but the four of us? Instant strongest special squad!”
“Four people isn’t a full special squad,” Cao Yuan pointed out.
“Hey, the world’s huge—there’re bound to be more weirdos as strong as us. Worst case we drag Molly in—”
“No office romance!” Cao Yuan’s hand shot up.
“I second,” Lin Qiye followed.
“Fine, no Molly… Whatever, members aren’t the problem, we’ll figure it out.”
Lin Qiye stared at the bonfire, the image of Mask Squad flashing through his mind—laughing around a table; silently shouldering blade cases, marching into abyss and hell together…
Sounds… nice.
“Too early for a special squad. Ever seen one led by a Pond-realm rookie?” He shook his head. “Besides, it’s up to Night Watch high command—not us.”
“True…” Baili Pangpang sighed, then looked serious. “But the day you can form one—come find me in Guangshen!”
“Me too—Huaihai City,” Cao Yuan added.
Lin Qiye met their solemn eyes and nodded firmly. “If that day comes, I will.”
Under the glittering sky, rich meat aroma drifted on the wind as the three youths sat together, their voices echoing across the rooftop.
It wasn’t just the infirmary—similar scenes played out in every corner of the training camp tonight.
No instructors stopped them.
…
Next dawn.
Baili Pangpang, miraculously, didn’t laze in bed. He rose early, washed, folded his blanket, packed, and fastened every button of his uniform in front of the mirror.
“Qiye, how do I look?”
He turned to Lin Qiye, already dressed.
“Sharp and proper.” Lin Qiye looked him over and nodded.
Baili Pangpang smiled, checked the wall clock. “Time to go.”
Lin Qiye raised an eyebrow. “Half an hour till ceremony—now?”
“Better early.”
“Let’s go.”
They left the dorm and headed to the training field—where half the recruits were already assembled, uniforms crisp, chatting in hushed, excited tones.
A year in the camp. A year of hardship, complaints, thoughts of quitting—yet they endured, they transformed.
Today they faced the proudest, most crucial moment of that year.
Minutes ticked by; instructors mounted the platform. Yuan Gang swept his gaze over the silent ranks and spoke evenly:
“Before the oath, one more matter…”
Several instructors stepped forward carrying black cases.
“During the rescue you all performed brilliantly; before catastrophe you showed the glory of Great Xia’s soldiers, of Night Watchmen.
Therefore… every recruit who took part is awarded the Spark Medal.”
Eyes lit up; delighted surprise rippled through the ranks.
“Two warriors fell. One gave his life to protect comrades and instructors… His name—Shen Qingzhu.”
Silence.
“He was the camp’s troublemaker, but he died a Night Watch hero. We posthumously award him the Star-Gleam Medal!”
Every instructor on stage snapped a crisp salute; every recruit followed, solemn and steady.
Medals were handed out. Shen Qingzhu’s was taken by Instructor Hong— to be buried, with his cloak, Straight Blade, and Coat of Arms, in the Night Watch mausoleum.
Below, Li Liang and Deng Wei, eyes bloodshot, fists clenched…
Walk tall, Brother Shen.