Lu Chen, one of Lu Li's adopted sons, was also his most capable one!
Lu Li placing him among the Lantern Bearers was not without the idea of making him his successor.
However, the Emperor's will was unfathomable. Lu Li had been the Commander for over 20 years; if Lu Chen were to succeed him, the Lantern Bearers might truly become 'Lu's'.
This was one of the reasons for Lu Li's downfall.
The Eagle Eye Division had a total of five halls, and Lu Chen and Yunyang Lord Cui Hu each commanded one.
At this moment, their pronouncements immediately resonated with the crowd, but some people's eyes flickered, remaining silent, hiding in the crowd, slowly retreating to the corners.
The battle of immortals had nothing to do with mere mortals like them!
"Quite lively, aren't we?"
Just as everyone was cheering, a voice came from outside. The voice was calm but extremely penetrating, passing through several doors and reaching everyone's ears, causing their expressions to change.
Hearing his voice before seeing him!
Everyone looked over, and at that moment, the main door was violently kicked open.
Xia Qian, with his still somewhat youthful face, showed a fierce Aura, leading the way with a long saber as he walked in first.
Immediately after, Xia Chen entered, bringing Xia Xiao and Li Xi with him.
Xia Chen wore a smile, holding a folding fan in his hand, composed and natural, as if he had come for a leisurely stroll in the mountains. Coupled with his peerless appearance, he resembled a refined Young Master from a turbulent world.
"This is the Eagle Eye Division Commander's waist token. From now on, I am the Commander of the Eagle Eye Division!"
Xia Chen, with a smile on his face, pulled out a white-gold token from his waistband and tossed it into the crowd with a rather light motion, like a dissolute Young Master.
The token happened to be caught by Li Wei. Li Wei felt a bit stiff, seeing everyone's gaze on him, and suddenly felt the token in his hand was scalding hot.
"How is it? Any problems? If not, give it back to me. This was personally bestowed by His Majesty!"
Xia Chen smiled, his appearance and demeanor peerless, leaving everyone somewhat dazed. The new Commander exuded too much nobility.
As Lantern Bearers, they had met many important figures in the capital, but this was the first time they had seen such a dignified young man.
Li Wei was a little nervous and hastily handed the token respectfully to Xia Chen. Previously, he had dismissed this new Commander, even feeling hostile towards him.
But now that he saw Xia Chen in person, despite this man being several years younger than him, he now felt a bit breathless.
"Could it be that some people are born noble? High above, not to be offended!"
Although Xia Chen said nothing and even wore a smile, giving off a feeling of warmth like a spring breeze, Li Wei's heart involuntarily filled with immense dread, making this thought pop into his mind.
It wasn't just Li Wei who had this thought; everyone felt a similar sensation. They felt as if the air around them had been sucked away, making their breathing somewhat difficult.
The entire Eagle Eye Division fell silent. No one dared to shout loudly anymore. Even those who had been the most boisterous earlier now averted their gaze, not daring to look directly at Xia Chen.
Xia Chen remained utterly calm throughout, but everyone looking at him was awed by his presence.
This was an invisible confrontation.
The East Wind prevailed over the West Wind!
"You have a good appearance, but appearance doesn't feed you. What we Lantern Bearers need is true ability. If you think you can do whatever you want in the Lantern Bearers just because you have connections and background, then I advise you to go back to the Imperial Guards as soon as possible!"
Yunyang Lord Cui Hu saw that Xia Chen's simple words had completely crushed everyone's morale, so he frowned, knowing that if he didn't step forward now, the tide would be completely lost!
"A seventeen-year-old brat, what qualifications do you have?"
Lu Chen also stood up and spoke in a deep voice. The moment he stood up, more than ten Lantern Bearers behind him also stood up, saying nothing but their actions spoke volumes.
Immediately, the atmosphere on the scene became tense again!
"Yunyang Lord, Young Lord, if anyone else stood up and said I relied on my background and status to rise, I wouldn't say a word. But for the two of you to stand up and say it to me, it's just too ridiculous!"
Xia Chen stood at the entrance, closed his folding fan, pointed at Cui Hu and Lu Chen, and burst into laughter as if no one else was present.
He completely disregarded the two of them.
The faces of the Lantern Bearers standing closer to Xia Chen in the front were somewhat pale.
They felt that this new superior was too strange. This kind of Aura was not a pressure from cultivation, but a deep-seated deterrence that made one's heart fill with fear and unease the moment they harbored hostile intentions.
They even felt as if they were in the presence of the current Emperor, unfathomable, like heavenly might!
Lu Chen and Cui Hu also felt this deterrence, both frowning. This feeling was very uncomfortable.
Within Xia Chen's eyes, double pupils flickered, his two pupils separating and merging, with strange light emanating from the depths of his eyes, though no one noticed this change.
Xia Chen naturally knew about this peculiar aspect of himself. Ever since that night when he activated the Nine Dragon Imperial Seal and entered that shattered Heavenly Court, he didn't know if it was because that massive golden dragon of destiny had merged with him, or because his double pupils had awakened.
As long as he concentrated his mind and gathered his energy, he would naturally exude a kind of pressure that awed the mind. At that moment, he seemed to transform into the Heavenly Dao; he alone represented the general trend!
Moreover, Xia Chen felt that this oppressive Aura could be further explored.
"Among the Lantern Bearers, there is no Yunyang Lord, only Hall Master Cui!"
Cui Hu, being stared at by Xia Chen, felt his heart tremble, but upon hearing Xia Chen call him Yunyang Lord, he frowned and said in a deep voice.
"What's so ridiculous? What about us? Why can't we speak about you!"
Lu Chen's face was grim, his expression cold, like a venomous snake in the shadows.
"Not ridiculous? Our Yunyang Lord wouldn't be unaware of his own origins, would he!"
Xia Chen looked around, his gaze lingering on Lu Chen for a moment, then he looked at Cui Hu!
"I said, don't call me Yunyang Lord!"
Cui Hu detested this title greatly. He was like an enraged lion, his eyes fixed on Xia Chen, as if he would pounce at any moment.
"Yunyang Lord is the glory of your ancestors. A person who doesn't even dare to face his own origins is not worthy of speaking to me like this."
Xia Chen scoffed, then continued to speak.
"You're right, I've been able to reach this point so quickly indeed because of my origins and background. The moment I entered officialdom, I started as a seventh-rank commandant, and that starting point is already a height that ordinary people cannot reach in their entire lives.
I deeply understand that the reason I can be like this is due to the blessings and protection of my ancestors, so I cherish it especially, and I bravely admit it.
Because there's nothing wrong with it. The fact that I can start as a seventh-rank commandant is something my countless ancestors earned for me by shedding their blood and sacrificing their lives on the battlefield, serving the country!
There's nothing I dare not admit; on the contrary, I am very proud!
And you, you clearly enjoy the blessings your ancestors brought you, yet you are ashamed to admit it.
And you go around proclaiming that everything you have today, all your current achievements, are all thanks to yourself!
Listen to that, don't you find it ridiculous yourself?"
Xia Chen pointed at Cui Hu and spoke coldly. Across from him, Cui Hu's face had turned completely red, his eyes bloodshot, his fists clenched, his mouth opening and closing. He subconsciously wanted to retort, but felt utterly powerless!
...