Chapter no.7 The Shadow Corps' New Recruit
"You called for me, General."
The individual who had just spoken was cloaked and masked, like all his peer.
The mask he was wearing was in the shape of a tiger. The eye holes were underlined in red, it had two claw-like whiskers on each side, a crescent around the left eye and a flame under the right one, all in the same red color. Various other markings, of different colors, were also visible. Whoever was hiding behind the mask was a member of the third company, the captain rank of a shadow squad, a close-combat specialist, and a veteran of many campaigns.
"I did Tiger," answered General Dragon from behind his desk. "Sit." The shadow added, designating a chair.
Wordlessly, the operative obeyed and settled in front of his commander.
"Your squad has been lacking a member for a while now, Tiger."
The soldier nodded. There was no need for an answer, apart from what politeness dictated, so the cultivator went for a terse "indeed".
"I do believe I have a potential recruit for you."
The silent operative stood still for a second before he nodded again and inched forward slightly. Normally, recruits were introduced to their potential squad leader by the company's commanders. For one of the four generals of the Shadow Corps to introduce the recruit directly was highly unusual. Not unheard of though.
"His name is Zhongli Xingchen," said Dragon. "He is a first year, I am sure you might have heard of the new policy."
The commander added with mirth in his voice.
Tiger nodded.
Everyone and their mother knew about the policy where talented youngesters were taken in directly from the cradle of shadow.
"If I may, commander?" Asked the operative in a distorted monotone.
"Go ahead."
"What prompted the scouting of a first year?"
"The facts he has quite the potential. He was able to analyze and predict Huang Li's scheme to a scary degree and take away the victory in under 3 hours."
Tiger rose his brow discreetly, not that anyone would notice given his mask, and kept himself from whistling.
The boy was able to analyze that scum and finish the martial skeleton trail? It was impressive. Impressive but not enough. The kid was barely a cultivator.
"He will be learn the corpse puppet technique."
"I'm sorry?" asked Tiger slowly, his tone measured but with an undercut of skepticism. It seemed his earing was failing him.
"You heard me well, Tiger. He will learn the corpse puppet cultivation technique alongside the Yin Yang Breathing technique.
If he survives the formation of Immortal Ossuary Basilisk's Martial Skeleton, that alone is worthy of interest. But I've had the boy monitored for a while now and I can vouch for his potential." Dragon explained.
The commander joined his fingers in front of him and rested his elbows on his desk.
Tiger stayed silent for a second at the report. "He does sound promising it he survives," allowed the operative. "But will he be able to keep up."
"He is a hard worker, willing to learn, and extremely dedicated as he lusts for revenge against Huang Li. He just needs a guiding hand and someone to enforce discipline and control."
"And you would have that someone be me."
"You and your team, yes. For more reasons than one." Dragon said, his tone surprisingly gentle despite the distortion effect. "A team isn't complete without its fourth member."
"I'm at your command, General, but my teammates will probably voice a complaint."
"It will be duly noted and ignored. Zhongli Xingchen will be treated like any recruit and if the boy does not make the cut, he will be outed."
"Very well, General. When do we meet him?"
"I will bring him to you tomorrow at the beginning of the first rotation."
"Yes. By your leave?"
"Dismissed."
The operator rose without a sound and exited the small office, leaving his commanding officer to his thoughts.
....
Three shadows were sitting around a small table; one was on the edge of a chair and the two others were resting on a couch. A small bowl of cashew nuts was at the center of the table.
"You called for us, Sarge?" One of the shadows sitting on the sofa asked. Her voice was distinctly female, young but not juvenile, not girly but without the rounder notes of maturity.
"I did. The boss found us a recruit to break," answered the one on the chair. The voice was manly, deep but frozen in a monotone.
"Again?" The first shadow whined. "They keep sending them and they don't fit! We work well enough with three!"
"It might be the case but a team is comprised of four ninjas," chided the first shadow gently, her voice warm and womanly.
"Pff I know that." The first shadow answered again. "Doesn't change the facts."
"He will be submitted to the same process as any recruit. If he doesn't fit, he takes the boot." The man interrupted with a note of impatience. "Do not get your bra in a twist." He added with his voice back to his monotone.
There were a chuckle and a laugh.
"It's supposed to be panties," corrected the woman, in a tone that told she hoped to be helpful.
"Yeah, Sarge, it's panties, panties!" Laughed the teenage girl. "I don't wear a bra anyway." She declared with mirth.
"I see. I will try to remember it." The man spoke in the same toneless voice, completely ignoring the girl's claim, which made her pout. "Anyway, the Boss was clear, this is non-negotiable, so prepare to give a newbie some hell."
The two women shuddered. Their squad leader had most of the time a level of control on his body language and voice that bordered on psychotic, allowing only what he wanted to allow, and only when torture and training were mentioned did it slip outside of his grip. Also gardening, but that was neither here nor there.
"Alright, Captain. When do we receive him?" The older woman asked.
"Tomorrow at first rotation."
"So soon!?" The younger girl choked on cashew nuts.
"Do we know who he is?"
The man took a deep breath. That was where he knew the gears would truly grind to a halt. He mentally prepared himself and covered his eardrums in a layer of protective spiritual Qi.
"A first year, Zhongli Xingchen."
The apparent silence took the man by surprise and he ceased to modulate his Spiritual Qi just in time to hear the teenager's cry of protest.
"What!? The squid is barely a ninja!"
The man winced slightly at the volume of the shout but said nothing, knowing his young teammate would express herself for a minute before he could speak. So the squad leader waited for the young girl to end her string of expletives.
"The fuck?!" Punctuated the teenager eventually, her breath coming short.
"I should wash your mouth with soap young lady," commented the woman.
"Pff, whatever Cat, you're not my mom."
The man rasped his knuckled on the table. "Attention please." He asked in his unchanging monotone.
"Yes."
"This squad is under my command and as long as it's under my command, we will obey orders. The Boss gave us the responsibility to haze the boy, we will haze the boy. And if we gain a teammate, all the best."
"Tch, as if."
"Don't dismiss the child before even seeing him," chided the woman. "That isn't fair to him. Everybody has a fair chance to join-"
"But he is just out of school Cat! He was in the same class as my idiot brother!"
"Doesn't matter he won the martial skeleton trails," explained the man evenly before his voice took a more forceful edge. "And anyway, Boss scouted him himself so end of the argument."
"Pff, fine. He won't make it anyway."
"We shall see."
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It was only half past six but the sun was already very low. It was still only the beginning of April after all and while the days were steadily getting longer, the night was still quickly there.
Zhongli loved the evening.
The evening was when people would end their working day and get out to enjoy the pleasant warmth of the breeze. Dressed in their finer garments, people discussed with their neighbors while the kids played happily. Masters of various craft gathered in bars to drink fancy wines while their apprentices did much the same but with simpler, cheaper beer. The air was filled with spicy fragrances of slowly cooking food that would be ready in one hour or so, waiting to be eaten, and for the more carefree citizens - mortals who worked and served the Umbral hand, stands sold food to-go. The paper lanterns hanging above the streets were set alight and bathed all in a cozy light.
Each evening, the Umbral Hand was a festival.
A festival Zhongli had stopped welcoming after Huan Jing died and Chen Lee was imprisoned, thankfully dragon reassured him that Huang Li wouldn't try to do anything to Chen Lee.
Even from the roof, it was a sight to behold. The laughter of the children, the warm greetings of the neighbors, the food waiting and simmering in a big pot.
Zhongli would gladly fight if it meant protecting the evenings in the Umbral hand as he knew if he became a member of the shadow corps, he could free Chen Lee.
Munching on a skewer of something, Zhongli reached his apartment. When he opened his door, the boxes were magically gone and a note was pinned to his dining table. His heartbeat rose slowly as he took the note, mounting excitement making it go awry.
"Tomorrow at four in the morning. Dragon."
Zhongli tightened his fist, breathed in deeply, and took a hearty bite of his brochette, finishing it.
"Let's do this!"
Tomorrow was a new day and tomorrow was a new life.
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[ Author Note: Rankings in the Shadow Corps ]
[ The hierarchical structure for the "Shadow Corps", the protective force of the Immortal Demon Sect:
**1. Supreme Shadow (1 person)**
The leader of the Shadow Corps, responsible for all strategic decisions, direct liaison with the Immortal Demon Sect's leadership, and overseeing the entire organization.
**2. Shadow Generals (4 people)**
Each General is responsible for a specific aspect of the Shadow Corps' operations:
- **General of Azure Dragon**: Oversees intelligence, planning, and strategy.
- **General of Black Turtle**: Manages the active ninja forces and coordinates their missions.
- **General of Phoenix **: Oversees recruitment, training, and skill development of new and existing ninjas.
- **General of White Tiger**: Manages logistics, including weapons, supplies, and support systems.
**3. Shadow Commanders (16 people, 4 under each General)**
Responsible for executing the strategies and plans of the Generals, managing a specific aspect within their purview, like a division of the ninja forces, a specific type of training, or a supply chain.
**4. Shadow Captains (64 people, 4 under each Commander)**
Each Captain leads a squad of Shadow Warriors, carrying out missions assigned by their Commander. They also handle minor administrative tasks within their squads.
**5. Shadow Warriors (Variable number)**
The backbone of the Shadow Corps, these cultivators perform the actual protective duties, carry out covert operations, gather intelligence, and more. Each warrior is trained in various aspects of stealth, combat, and other ninja arts.
**6. Shadow Acolytes (Variable number)**
These are trainees in the Shadow Corps. They're learning the arts of the ninja and serve in support roles until they're deemed ready to become full Shadow Warriors.