Immortality begins with exchanging talent attributes.

The Xuanyiwei (Black-Clad Guard) Office, Records Department.

Old Bai didn't doze off today; instead, as he always did when he heard some news in advance, he stood at the door waiting.

Upon seeing Lu Qingshuang leading Zhou Yan and the others from afar, they hurried forward to greet her:

"This humble servant, Bai Yuanfeng, a junior officer in the Department, greets Lord Lu, the Commander of the Household."

Lu Qingshuang glanced at him and nodded, saying:

"Are you ready?"

Old Bai clasped his hands in greeting and said:

"Zhou Xiaowei's waist token and official uniform are ready. I will fetch them now."

After saying that, he turned and jogged into the house.

Before long, Lao Bai came out carrying a stack of neatly folded official robes.

A brand-new waist tag was also placed on top of the official robes.

He presented the cup to Zhou Yan with both hands, his smile noticeably more polite than it had been a few days ago.

"Captain Zhou, please."

Zhou Yan reached out and took it, smiling as he said:

"Thank you for your help, Lao Bai."

Old Bai looked up at the sixteen-year-old boy and felt a pang of emotion.

Not long ago, he had just handed over two sets of small flag officer uniforms to Zhou Yan.

It's only been a few days?

The other party had actually been promoted to captain.

This rise is too fast.

"No trouble at all, it's just my duty."

Old Bai quickly replied politely.

Now that the other party is no longer a newcomer like before, he dares not be as casual as before.

Lu Qingshuang looked at Zhou Yan.

  

"After you change into your official uniform, have Li Kun take you to the armory to collect what a captain is entitled to. After you've collected it, come to my place."

Zhou Yan clasped his hands in a fist salute.

"Yes."

Li Kun also clasped his hands in greeting.

Lu Qingshuang said nothing more and turned to leave.

After she walked away, Li Kun looked at Lao Bai and grinned, saying:

"Hey, Lao Bai, why are you being so polite today? I've never seen you treat me like this before."

Old Bai glanced at him sideways and said:

"If you were promoted to captain, I'd even put shoes on for you. Do you think you're worthy?"

Li Kun's face darkened.

"Old Bai, you're going to get a beating for that mouth of yours sooner or later."

Old Bai ignored him and turned to Zhou Yan with a friendly smile:

"Captain Zhou, would you like to come inside and try on your new official uniform?"

Zhou Yan glanced at the two of them with a slight amusement and nodded.

The uniforms of the captain and the flag officer were similar in style.

It also has a black base color.

However, there were two additional dark patterns on the edges of the shoulder.

It's not particularly noticeable.

Those familiar with the regulations of the Black-Clad Guards can immediately see the difference.

Zhou Yan changed into his official robes, tightened his belt again, and put on a new captain's badge.

The front of the waist tag is engraved with a single-edged sword.

The back is engraved with the character "尉" (wei), representing the waist badge of a captain.

The names of the Black-Clad Guards are not engraved on their waist tags. There is only one identification method known to a Black-Clad Guard to distinguish whose waist tag it is.

After a while.

Zhou Yan came out from the inner room.

Li Kun looked him up and down a few times, then grinned and said:

"You know what, he really does look like a captain."

Old Bai coughed lightly beside him.

"What do you mean by 'a little'? Captain Zhou is already a captain."

Li Kun couldn't help but roll his eyes at Lao Bai's serious expression.

"Okay, okay, you're so good at flattering people."

Zhou Yan smiled and didn't linger there any longer.

After changing into his official robes, he went to the armory with Li Kun.

He handed the captain's waist badge to the armory manager.

Upon receiving the token, the steward immediately stood up and bowed.

Then he respectfully handed the waist token back with both hands.

This is a stark contrast to his indifferent attitude last time.

Zhou Yan accepted the waist token, but his heart was not particularly stirred.

That's identity.

The difference between a junior officer and a captain is only one rank.

In places like the Black-Clad Guards, a higher rank can be devastating.

The armory manager quickly took out a bottle of pills and placed it on the counter.

"Here are ten Replenishing Essence Pills."

Zhou Yan picked up the elixir bottle, opened it, and took a look.

There were ten Qi-replenishing pills inside.

According to Wanbaolou's prices, this bottle would be worth 120 taels of silver.

Although the Replenishing Pill is no longer effective for him, every little bit helps.

The armory steward then said:

"In addition, newly promoted captains can have a top-quality weapon custom-made from the armory. What weapon does Captain Zhou usually use?"

Zhou Yan's eyes lit up slightly.

And such good things?

He hesitated for a moment, then said:

"A knife, but it must be heavy and durable..."

The steward brought paper and pen and wrote down Zhou Yan's requirements one by one.

After Zhou Yan finished speaking, he looked up and said:

"It takes about seven days to forge a fine weapon. After seven days, Captain Zhou can come to the armory to collect the sword."

Zhou Yan nodded, put away the pills in his hand, and turned to leave the armory with Li Kun.

Stepping outside, Zhou Yan looked at Li Kun.

"Brother Li, will you come with me to see Commander Lu?"

Li Kun paused, then quickly waved his hand.

"No, no, Commander Lu is looking for you. What would I be doing here?"

After saying that, as if afraid that Zhou Yan would speak again, he turned and left.

Watching his retreating figure, Zhou Yan couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle.

Lu Qingshuang always had a stern face. Although she was extremely beautiful, most of the Xuanyi Guards were afraid of her.

Upon arriving at Lu Qingshuang's office, Zhou Yan knocked on the door.

"Enter!"

Zhou Yan pushed the door open and entered, then closed it behind him.

"Sister Lu, did you need something?"

With no outsiders present, Zhou Yan became more casual in his attitude.

Lu Qingshuang pointed to the chair in front of her table and said:

"sit."

He sat down as instructed.

Lu Qingshuang glanced at him and suddenly said:

"Did you spend the money Fang Wenjian gave you?"

Zhou Yan was taken aback, then nodded.

"I spent some money on practicing my skills."

Lu Qingshuang remained silent for a moment, then her lips seemed to twitch slightly.

"It's not a loss."

Zhou Yan smiled.

"He gave me the money voluntarily, so why should I refuse it?"

Lu Qingshuang didn't respond to that, but simply pushed a document on the table in front of him.

"You have been promoted to captain. I will give you the remaining merits and the Bronze Body Merit tomorrow."

Zhou Yan looked at the document and hesitated slightly.

"Um... Sister Lu, I don't want that Bronze Body Technique anymore. I've got my eye on another technique. How about you convert it into merit points for me?"

Zhou Yan said somewhat awkwardly.

He already has the Bronze Body Technique, what else does he need to do?

Lu Qingshuang glanced at him in surprise, then nodded and said:

"Alright, then even if you have a thousand merit points, those merit points can be exchanged for a superior martial arts technique in the armory."

"Thank you, Sister Lu."

Zhou Yan exclaimed in delight.

A thousand merits!

We should really take a good look at the armory.

Lu Qingshuang said calmly:

"No need to thank me, you deserve it."

She paused, then said:

"There's one more thing. Now that you've become a captain, you should have some men under your command. Today, I'll select a few men to be assigned to your team so that you'll have someone to assist you on missions in the future."

Zhou Yan nodded.

"It's all up to Sister Lu."

Lu Qingshuang said:

"Li Kun will also transfer it to you."

Zhou Yan was taken aback.

That's a good thing.

"Captains have mandatory tasks every month that must be completed. Failure will result in a deduction of merit points, and three consecutive failures will lead to demotion."

Lu Qingshuang said.

"what!"

Zhou Yan suddenly looked up.

"Is that so? Brother Li didn't tell me."

Lu Qingshuang glanced at him and said:

"If he knew everything, he would have been a captain long ago."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan was speechless.

"Alright, if there's nothing else, you can go back now. As for missions, you can choose one yourself at the Mission Hall; I won't assign any."

Lu Qingshuang waved her hand, indicating that he could leave.

"By the way, Sister Lu, I have something I'd like to ask you for help with."

Zhou Yan hesitated for a moment, then said softly.

"explain!"

"Here's the thing, I want you to help me find a job for my third brother."

Zhou Yan said somewhat embarrassedly.

"Your third brother?"

Lu Qingshuang looked up at him, thought for a moment, and then said:

"Is it the one who came to the prefectural city with you?"

"right!"

"Um……"

Nodding, Lu Qingshuang remained silent for a moment before speaking.

"Okay, I'll write you a letter. Go to the outer city government office and find a constable named Lu Mingyu, and ask her to make the arrangements for you."

"Thank you, Sister Lu."

Zhou Yan stood up gratefully and clasped his hands in a fist salute.

Lu Qingshuang took out paper and pen.

In no time, he had written a letter, put it in an envelope, and handed it to Zhou Yan.

"Take it, let's go."

Goodbye, Sister Lu.

Zhou Yan put the envelope away, turned around, and left the room.

Wearing the official uniform of a captain of the Black-Clad Guard, Zhou Yan placed his right hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist and strode towards the main gate.

Along the way, when they encountered his guards in black uniforms, some would step forward to greet him, while others would avoid him from a distance.

Zhou Yan saw it all, but his face remained expressionless.

He greeted them and responded with a smile.

He avoided it, pretending not to see it.

The Xuanyiwei (Black-Clad Guard) office in the prefectural city was a veritable melting pot.

It is a place with numerous factions and complex interpersonal relationships.

He knew it perfectly well.

From this day forward, he has boarded Lu Qingshuang's chariot.

Or to be more precise, they've tied themselves to the Lu family's camp.

But there's nothing wrong with that.

When you are weak, taking advantage of the situation is the fastest way.

Only when you become stronger can you walk the path you want to walk.

He is no longer the lowly jailer in Qingzhou City who lived a precarious life.

It was Zhou Yan, the captain of the Black-Clad Guard of Jiande Prefecture!

But this is just the beginning, just the first step!

Next step--

One hundred households!

……