# 213
**Chapter 213: Oath and Departure**
After all the medals had been distributed, it was time for each Night Watch recruit to receive their exclusive gear.
"Zheng Zhong."
"Mo Lan."
"Li Shaoguang."
"Cao Yuan."
"..."
On the drill ground, several instructors stood in front of several sealed metal boxes, calling out names from a list. Those whose names were called stepped forward in order to collect their equipment.
"Baili Tuming."
"Lin Qiye."
When Lin Qiye’s name was called, he immediately stepped forward to collect his gear.
As expected, it was the standard Night Watch three-piece set: the Stellar Blade, the cloak, and the Coat of Arms.
After receiving his gear, Lin Qiye, like the others, first put on the cloak. The dark red cloak was made of an unknown material—soft and comfortable, weightless on the body, and perfectly sized.
Next, he gripped the hilt of the Stellar Blade. The familiar weight and feel were no different from the standard blades he had used before. The only difference was that the Straight Blade had his name—“Lin Qiye”—engraved on it.
Lin Qiye used dual blades, but he hadn’t applied for a second one. At home, there was already another blade, engraved with the name “Zhao Kongcheng.”
Finally, the Coat of Arms.
It felt heavy in his hand. The crossed blades, the starry background… Lin Qiye examined it carefully, then flipped it over. Beneath the four familiar lines of text, his name—“Lin Qiye”—was engraved.
This was proof of his identity as a Night Watch.
After everyone had received their gear, Yuan Gang, standing on the platform, slowly spoke:
“I believe you all know that these three items are the standard equipment of the Night Watch. But few of you may truly understand what they represent.
The Straight Blade, the cloak, the Coat of Arms… why these three? Why not add boots, gloves, or hats?
Because these three are the most special.
The Straight Blade—also known as the Stellar Blade—is forged from a mysterious material. Some say it’s meteoric iron from beyond the sky, others say it’s mutated iron ore from the mist, and some claim it’s divine iron taken from the Great Xia’s treasury of divine weapons… I don’t know. No one in Great Xia knows, except the one who forged them.
Their origin doesn’t matter. What matters is that they will never break, rust, melt, or freeze. No external force can destroy their internal structure. From the moment they were forged, they were eternally fixed in this form—including the names engraved upon them.
It is a blade you can absolutely trust—your weapon of attack.
The cloak is made from the most advanced nanomaterial. While ensuring comfort, it effectively resists cold, heat, humidity, and pathogens. It’s like a universal protective suit, shielding you from environmental hazards during battle.
But it’s not armor. If it’s damaged in battle, you can send it back to headquarters. Someone will repair it for you, and it’ll be returned the next day.
It is your shield of defense—helping you adapt to any environment.
As for the Coat of Arms… it has only one purpose—mutual destruction.
It can unleash all of a person’s potential in a short time. Those without Forbidden Ruins will gain them. Those who already have them will advance in realm. It gives you a chance—a chance to fight to the death, to preserve your dignity, to create an opportunity for your teammates to survive.
It is the faith that defends your death with dignity.”
Yuan Gang took a deep breath and continued:
“A blade for attack. A shield for defense. And a dignified death. These are the best weapons we can give you.”
The recruits—no, the new generation of Night Watch—looked down at their gear in silence.
Three items. No more, no less. But they carried the continuation and prosperity of a nation.
Yuan Gang stood tall, gazing at the sea of dark red below, and solemnly declared:
“The oath ceremony… begins!”
Whoosh—!
A strong wind blew. The red flag on the flagpole flapped loudly.
The entire field fell silent.
Yuan Gang clenched his right fist, pressing the Coat of Arms to his heart. His left hand rested on the hilt of his Straight Blade. His deep, resonant voice echoed across the training ground.
“I, Yuan Gang, swear under the red flag of Great Xia…”
Everyone followed suit, clutching their Coat of Arms in their right hand, placing it over their hearts, left hand on their blade hilts, and spoke in unison:
“I, Wang Li…”
“I, Li Shaoguang…”
“I, Wen Qingqing…”
“I, Deng Wei…”
“I, Li Liang…”
“I, Cao Yuan…”
“I, Baili Tuming…”
“I, Lin Qiye…”
“…”
In the end, all voices merged into one.
“—We swear under the red flag of Great Xia!”
Yuan Gang continued: “If the dark night finally falls!”
“—If the dark night finally falls!”
“I shall stand before millions!”
“—I shall stand before millions!”
“Raise my blade against the abyss!”
“—Raise my blade against the abyss!”
“Stain the sky with blood!!”
“—Stain the sky with blood!!”
They clenched their fists, eyes filled with passion, resolve, and steel. These four lines would be etched into their hearts forever, just like the names on their blades.
The silkworms in the cocoon had finally broken free. From this moment on, they were Night Watch.
Growth… perhaps it’s just that simple.
…
“I’m off.”
“Me too.”
“I’m leaving too…”
“Take care. You better come find me later!”
“Haha, don’t worry. I’ll treat you to a drink!”
“Old Wang! Don’t you dare die, you hear me?!”
“Damn it, I’ve got a tougher life than you. Not that easy to kill. When I become a captain in a couple years, I’ll treat you to a drink!”
“…”
In the dormitory building, familiar faces dragged their luggage, holding back their emotions, joking and cursing as they said their goodbyes.
The year-long gathering had finally come to an end.
“Qiye, I’m off.” Outside the door, Cao Yuan dragged his suitcase and looked seriously at Lin Qiye. “Remember to come find me in Huaihai City.”
Lin Qiye smiled. “Don’t worry. Safe travels.”
“Waaah… Qiye, I’m leaving too. Don’t miss me too much without me to sleep with you!” Baili Pangpang’s eyes were red. Behind him, several bodyguards carried his luggage. He looked reluctant.
“Don’t say things that are so easily misunderstood.” Lin Qiye sighed helplessly. “After you get back to Guangshen, don’t overindulge. It could get you killed in battle.”
“Don’t worry, I know my limits.” Baili Pangpang patted his chest. “You better come visit me in Guangshen. One call from you, and I’ll arrange everything—private jet, five-star hotel, pretty girls… all set!”
Lin Qiye laughed and shook his head. “Got it. I’ll come.”
Baili Pangpang, surrounded by bodyguards, looked back with every step. Then, as if remembering something, he shouted from afar:
“Oh right, I left your stuff on your bed!”
Lin Qiye was stunned. After Baili Pangpang left, he returned to the dorm and looked at the bed—
A full box of Rolex watches.
“This guy…” Lin Qiye chuckled, hesitated for a moment, then solemnly packed it into his suitcase.
He stood up, took one last look at the dorm, and dragged his pink Peppa Pig suitcase out the door.
Gradually, fewer and fewer figures walked out of the training camp. The dormitory grew emptier. Before long, the entire camp had fallen into silence.
The golden sunset cast long shadows across the training ground. The empty camp carried a faint sadness.
Dormitory, cafeteria, shooting range, training field…
Familiar buildings slowly receded behind him. Soon, Lin Qiye was back at the large iron gate.
He looked up at the words on the gate, memories of his first time walking through it surfacing in his mind…
“I’m off,” he murmured, dragging his suitcase through the gate.
This was Training Base No. 039—where he had spent a year.
He had been the first recruit here.
And now, he was the last Night Watch to leave.