"No, you don't actually mind joining the Northern Dragon Guard, you just don't want to leave Tianhai!" Ki Qinyin was very pleased with herself.

Finally, Xu Ke understood what Ki Qinyin was laughing about. He had thought she was amused by the idea of dragging Wong Qifu to the Northern Territory. Little did he know, this was what she was laughing at!

"I'll ask you one thing: if you could join the Northern Dragon Guard without leaving Tianhai, would you accept?"

"How can I join the Northern Dragon Guard if I don't go to the Northern Territory?" Xu Ke frowned. Isn't it inappropriate to join the Northern Dragon Guard without even setting foot in the Northern Territory?

Ki Qinyin's lips curved up. "What's the matter? Do you think you have to go there to fill out onboarding paperwork? The Northern Dragon Guard isn't a corporation."

Upon reflection, Xu Ke felt she had a point. That actually makes a lot of sense.

Ki Qinyin continued, "Dr. Xu, An Kang and I want to recruit you into the Northern Dragon Guard for three reasons.

"First, the Northern Dragon Guard wishes to establish good relations with the Medical Saint.

"Second, we value your potential. We believe you will soon possess strength that surpasses every Martial Artist in the Martial Path world. Of course, we are very willing to befriend a future powerhouse.

"Third, and most importantly, we also wish to repay the favor we owe you."

Xu Ke fell into a contemplative silence at Ki Qinyin's candor. If he could join the Northern Dragon Guard without having to go to the Northern Territory, he was naturally very willing.

It's always good to have powerful backers. Who would complain about having too many?

At this point, Ki Qinyin delivered her final coup de grâce. "Of course, if you were an ordinary soldier joining the Northern Dragon Guard, it definitely wouldn't work without going to the Northern Territory to report for duty. But if you have a special role that doesn't require going to the Northern Territory, they naturally can't find any fault."

Hearing this, Xu Ke was startled. "How could they not find any fault? They could easily question my ability and have me sent back."

Xu Ke believed that a place like the Northern Dragon Guard determined rewards based on military achievements. How could they possibly tolerate an unknown person suddenly holding an official position?

Ki Qinyin shook her head and teased, "The burden of proof is on the one who makes the claim. When they claim your abilities are insufficient, they can just come to Tianhai to find you themselves, can't they?"

Xu Ke was speechless. Truly worthy of being the Madame Dragon King of the Northern Dragon Guard.

"But if I parachute into a position like this, won't it disrupt the promotion of others waiting for their turn?" Xu Ke asked again.

If he were in their shoes, he couldn't accept having a long-awaited position snatched away by some outsider out of the blue.

"An Kang and I are aware of this, which is why we have arranged for a newly added position this year," Ki Qinyin said, her eyes gleaming with slyness.

Xu Ke was taken aback. "What position?"

"Commander of the Northern Dragon Guard Practice Team 1, also known as the Seasoned Envoy, a field assignment," Ki Qinyin said with a smile.

Xu Ke was momentarily stunned. "What does that entail?"

"People in the Northern Dragon Guard poised for important positions all go to friendly domestic forces to exchange experience and learn," Ki Qinyin explained. "Therefore, those in the Northern Dragon Guard's talent reserve who want real combat experience also need to undergo individual training.

"Originally, I was responsible for all the training missions. Now, I'll hand some of them over to you, the Seasoned Envoy.

"As for the assessment standards, you'll be free to set them yourself."

Xu Ke's eyes widened.

He understood... In other words, I'm going to be an assessment instructor.

"But I've never been on a battlefield. Isn't it a bit childish for me to set the standards?"

Xu Ke was well aware that one shouldn't take on a job one isn't equipped for. He didn't want to be responsible for sending a group back who hadn't even figured out the basics of battlefield survival...

Ki Qinyin chuckled. "Don't worry, we have our own internal assessment for those matters. The only assessment task we want you to handle is their raw strength. In other words, they'll come here and fight you. You decide at what level of skill they can return to the Northern Dragon Guard."

They wanted to repay him, but they weren't about to hand over all responsibility to Xu Ke. What he was responsible for was, naturally, the standard for raw strength.

Xu Ke finally nodded slightly and pondered for a moment. "Then you're not going to send a bunch of freaks over to beat me up, are you?"

"HAHAHA..." Ki Qinyin burst into laughter. "Dr. Xu, stop joking. We'll be sending young prodigies, some even younger than Qian Jun. Could they possibly beat you?"

Xu Ke coughed twice.

She has a point.

Soon after, Xu Ke made his decision and broke into a smile. "Well then, Madame Yu, since that's the case, I'd be very happy to join the Northern Dragon Guard!"

Upon hearing this, Ki Qinyin smiled and teased, "You really don't make a move until you're certain of the prize, do you?"

She breathed a silent sigh of relief. Xu Ke is truly difficult to recruit...

Xu Ke smiled. "One has to consider things carefully."

"Haha." Ki Qinyin chuckled, then added, "Then this badge and card will serve as your identification!"

She took out a black card and a badge inlaid with a dragon and handed them to Xu Ke.

Xu Ke took them and said, "Thank you, Madame Yu!"

The badge is the symbol of a member of the Northern Dragon Guard. The card represents the position of Seasoned Envoy.

"We're all family now, no need for such formalities," Ki Qinyin said. "If you don't mind, just call me Sister Ki from now on, and call An Kang brother-in-law."

As she spoke, a hint of slyness flashed in her eyes again. If we're going to build a relationship, we might as well go all the way.

Hearing this, Xu Ke didn't play coy. He laughed, "You have a point. In that case, I will respectfully comply and call you Sister Ki."

Now that he was part of the Northern Dragon Guard, he naturally didn't mind the form of address. The closer the relationship, the better.

Ki Qinyin gave a slight smile.

***

After settling things with Ki Qinyin, Xu Ke walked out of the conference room. Outside, Chen Xiong and Yuan Shang had already left, as they had to personally handle the matter Peng Hetong had brought back. As for You Jinlong and the others, they stood ramrod straight along the corridor. Those in the know understood this was the Northern Dragon Guard, but anyone else might have mistaken them for a row of javelins.

Wang Qiya and Wong Qifu were sitting in a guest lounge.

Wang Qiya was asking, "Sister, what do you think they talked about in there? Why did it take so long? And I think I even heard some thudding sounds."

Wong Qifu said, "No need to rush. We'll find out when Xu Ke comes out."

Wang Qiya nodded silently, but she was still itching with curiosity. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Just then, CLICK. The conference room door opened.

Wong Qifu and the others immediately stood up. Everyone was surprised to see Ki Qinyin and Xu Ke emerge. They noticed Ki Qinyin's forehead was still a bit red, and the way she and Xu Ke were talking was clearly far more intimate than before they went in.

"I'll have someone find you later. We'll head back for now," Ki Qinyin said. The Northern Dragon Guard had other matters to attend to, so she couldn't stay in Tianhai indefinitely.

Xu Ke smiled. "Alright, Sister Ki. We'll be in touch if anything else comes up."

Wong Qifu's expression sharpened the moment she heard him call her that...