Chapter 213
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Chapter 213: The Oath and Departure
After all the medals were distributed, it was time to hand out the exclusive equipment for each Night Watchman.
“Zheng Zhong.”
“Mo Lan.”
“Li Shaoguang.”
“Cao Yuan.”
…
On the training platform, several instructors stood in front of sealed metal boxes, calling out names from a list. Those whose names were called went up in order to receive their equipment.
“Bai Li Tu Ming.”
“Lin Qi Ye.”
When Lin Qi Ye’s name was called, he immediately stepped forward to collect his equipment.
As expected, it was the standard Night Watchman’s three-piece set: the Star Blade, the cloak, and the emblem.
After receiving the equipment, Lin Qi Ye, like everyone else, first put on the cloak. Made of unknown material, the dark red cloak was soft and comfortable, feeling weightless when worn, and fit perfectly.
Next, he gripped the handle of the Star Blade. The familiar feel and weight were no different from the other standard blades he had used before. The only difference was that the straight blade had “Lin Qi Ye” engraved on it.
Lin Qi Ye used dual blades, but he hadn’t applied for another blade because at his home, there was already another one – the one with “Zhao Kong Cheng” engraved on it.
Finally, there was the emblem.
The heavy feel, the crossed blades, the starry background… After carefully examining it, Lin Qi Ye turned it over and found his name engraved below the familiar four lines.
This was proof of his identity as a Night Watchman.
After everyone had received their equipment, Yuan Gang, standing on the platform, slowly spoke:
“I believe you all know these three items are our standard Night Watchman equipment, but few of you may know what they represent.”
“The straight blade, cloak, and emblem… why these three? Why not add boots, gloves, hats, or other items?”
“Because these are the most special.”
“The straight blade, also known as the Star Blade, is forged from an extremely mysterious material. Some say it’s meteorite iron, others say it’s mutated iron ore from the Mist, and some claim it’s divine metal from the Great Xia’s treasury… I don’t know, and no one in Great Xia knows, except for those who forge these blades.”
“Its origin isn’t important. What matters is that it will never break, rust, melt, or freeze. No external force can break its internal structure. From the moment they are forged, they are eternally fixed in this shape, including your names engraved on them.”
“It is your absolutely trustworthy blade of attack!”
“The cloak is made from top-tier nanotechnology materials. While ensuring comfort, it can effectively resist cold, heat, moisture, bacteria, and other harsh environments. It’s like an all-purpose protective suit, helping you isolate from external influences during battle.”
“But it isn’t indestructible – it’s just a cloak, not armor. If the cloak is damaged in battle, you can request to send it back to headquarters, where specialists will repair it and return it to you the next day.”
“It is your shield of defense, helping you adapt to various environments.”
“As for the emblem… it has only one purpose – mutual destruction!”
“It can temporarily unleash all of one’s potential. Those without Interdiction will gain it, those with it will advance in level. It gives you a possibility – a chance to fight to the death, maintain dignity, and create an opportunity for your teammates to survive!”
“It is the faith… that defends the dignity of your death.”
Yuan Gang took a deep breath and continued slowly,
“The blade of attack, the shield of protection, and a dignified way to die. This is the best… we can give you.”
The recruits… no, the new generation of Night Watchmen, looked down at their equipment in silence.
Three pieces of equipment, neither too many nor too few, but they carried the continuation and prosperity of a nation.
Yuan Gang stood straight, looking at the sea of dark red below the platform, and solemnly announced:
“Let the oath ceremony… begin!”
Whoosh!
A gust of wind blew past, and the red flag on the training platform’s flagpole fluttered loudly.
The entire venue fell silent.
Yuan Gang clenched the emblem in his right hand, placing it over his heart, his left hand resting on the handle of his blade. His deep, majestic voice echoed throughout the training ground.
“I, Yuan Gang, swear under the red flag of Great Xia…”
Everyone simultaneously gripped their emblems in their right hands, placed them on their chests, left hands on their blade handles, and spoke with overwhelming momentum.
“I, Wang Li…”
“I, Li Shaoguang…”
“I, Wen Qing Qing…”
“I, Deng Wei…”
“I, Li Liang…”
“I, Cao Yuan…”
“I, Bai Li Tu Ming…”
“I, Lin Qi Ye…”
…
Finally, all voices merged into one:
“—Swear under the red flag of Great Xia!”
Yuan Gang continued: “If darkness descends!”
“—If darkness descends!”
“I shall stand before the masses!”
“—I shall stand before the masses!”
“Blade towards the abyss!”
“—Blade towards the abyss!”
“Blood stains the sky!!”
“—Blood stains the sky!!”
They clenched their fists tightly, their eyes showing excitement, determination, and strength. These four lines would be forever engraved in their hearts, just as they were engraved on their blades.
The young silkworms had finally emerged from their cocoons. From this moment on, they were Night Watchmen.
Perhaps growing up was just that simple.
…
“I’m leaving.”
“I’m going too.”
“I’m off as well…”
“Take care, you must come visit me!”
“Haha, don’t worry, I’ll treat you to drinks then!”
“Old Wang! Don’t die! You hear me?!”
“Damn it, I’m tougher than you, how could I die so easily? When I become a captain in a couple of years, I’ll treat you to drinks!”
…
In the dormitory building, familiar figures dragged their luggage, holding back their reluctance to part, exchanging playful banter and farewells.
This one-year gathering had finally come to its end.
“Qi Ye, I’m leaving.” Outside the door, Cao Yuan pulled his suitcase, looking solemnly at Lin Qi Ye. “Remember to visit me in Huaihai City.”
Lin Qi Ye smiled, “Don’t worry, take care on your journey.”
“Wuwuwu… Qi Ye, I’m leaving too. Don’t miss me too much without me sleeping with you!” Bai Li fatty said with red-rimmed eyes, followed by several bodyguards carrying his luggage.
“Don’t say things that are so easily misunderstood.” Lin Qi Ye sighed helplessly, “After you return to Guangshen, don’t be too indulgent, or you might get in trouble during battles.”
“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.” Bai Li fatty patted his chest, “You must come visit me in Guangshen. Just one phone call, and I’ll arrange everything for you – private jet, five-star hotel, beautiful ladies… guaranteed!”
Lin Qi Ye responded with a mix of laughter and tears: “Alright, I’ll visit.”
Bai Li fatty, accompanied by his bodyguards, kept looking back as he walked away. Then, as if remembering something, he called out to Lin Qi Ye from afar:
“Oh right, I left your stuff under the bed, don’t forget to take it!”
Lin Qi Ye was stunned. After Bai Li fatty had gone, he returned to the dormitory and retrieved a large gift box from under the bed…
A box full of Rolex watches.
“This guy…” Lin Qi Ye cursed with a smile, and after some hesitation, carefully packed it into his suitcase.
He stood up, took one last look at the dormitory, and walked out pulling his pink Peppa Pig suitcase.
Gradually, fewer and fewer people left the training camp, and the dormitory building became increasingly empty. Before long, the entire training camp had fallen into silence.
The golden sunset light fell on the training ground, and the empty training camp exuded a faint melancholy.
The dormitory building, cafeteria, shooting range, training ground…
The familiar buildings gradually receded behind him, and soon, Lin Qi Ye found himself back at the large iron gate with his suitcase.
He looked up at the characters on the iron gate, memories of his first time entering through this gate flooding back…
“Time to go,” he murmured, pulling his suitcase through the gate.
This was Training Base 039, where he had spent a year.
He was its first recruit.
He was the last Night Watchman to leave.