"That kid... he's remarkably composed."
"Completely unphased."
"The intel says he's only twenty-four, just graduated, so he shouldn't be this smooth or patient."
"Indeed, it's strange."
"From the information provided by headquarters, this kid's been pretty decisive in the field, dealing with beasts and insect monsters. He's been very heroic, even handling a G-class insect monster alone. There's no way he would stay so calm in this situation."
"Someone who's killed a G-class beast on their own, yet still holds back here... the intel's clearly wrong."
The four bodyguards' suspicion and wariness of Tian Xiao escalated sharply.
Though Wang Yunfei continued to strut about, puffing on his cigar and emitting a strong air of arrogance, Tian Xiao completely ignored his provocations, sticking to the task of guiding him around the base. He led Wang Yunfei through the command center, the control tower, and the logistics department, all while Chen Wuling struggled with his growing frustration, his anger barely contained.
Tian Xiao's demeanor—his poise, his calmness—was something the others couldn't help but admire. Not only did it neutralize Wang Yunfei's attempts to get a rise out of him, but even the higher-ups accompanying Wang Yunfei couldn't help but quietly respect him.
The last stop on the tour was the Security Department.
The Security Department occupied an entire building, and its entrance was heavily guarded.
When they arrived, Tian Xiao suddenly changed his tone. He stopped before the door and offered a brief explanation:
"This is our base's Security Department, where all our security personnel are stationed. It's also the frontline of our defense."
Then, turning to face Wang Yunfei, he extended a hand to stop him from advancing any further.
"General Wang, the tour ends here. We've covered the key areas, and the remaining details can be handled by the command center, the control tower, or the logistics team. The Security Department is a busy area, especially since it's on the front lines. We've taken time out of our duties to show you around, but now it's time for us to return to our tasks. Please, feel free to proceed on your own."
The tone in Tian Xiao's voice had completely shifted.
Wang Yunfei's face darkened, his brows furrowing in surprise. He hadn't expected Tian Xiao to push back at this particular moment, and he certainly didn't anticipate being blocked at the very gates of the Security Department.
Wang Yunfei, freshly arrived and full of swagger, had paraded around with the air of someone in complete control, determined to solidify his dominance as the base's top authority, not just in name but in action. His goal was to break through the Security Department's defenses and establish himself as the real leader—someone who was in charge, not just a figurehead.
If he failed here, his position would be just like Lin Xu's—untenable.
He swapped his cigar, puffing out a large cloud of smoke as he sneered at Tian Xiao.
"As the top leader of the base, don't I have the right to inspect the Security Department? And you're just the head of the security team—how dare you treat the base's general like this?"
The challenge in Wang Yunfei's voice was unmistakable.
Tian Xiao, unbothered, responded calmly:
"The Security Department is a frontline unit. If something happens, I am personally responsible. We do not allow non-security personnel entry, except in special circumstances. If you'd like to inspect it, you would need to be invited by the Security Department itself. I'm afraid we cannot accommodate you today."
Tian Xiao's polite response, however, made the standoff clear.
This was the real beginning of their contest.
Every previous concession Tian Xiao had made had led up to this moment—this was the point where he would set the rules, the line that even Wang Yunfei couldn't cross.
The company had laid out specific regulations stating that the General could not interfere with the daily operations of the Security Department unless explicitly invited. This was a red line, and Wang Yunfei couldn't dare to cross it.
Tian Xiao had deftly avoided Wang Yunfei's trap, but the new general wasn't about to give up.
One of the bodyguards, noticing the situation, stepped forward.
"General Wang is new here, and since he wants to see the Security Department, why not let him in, Tian Xiao? No need to spoil his visit."
At that moment, the bodyguard swiftly placed his hand on Tian Xiao's shoulder, clearly intending to push him aside.
But as he exerted force, he realized something was wrong.
He couldn't move Tian Xiao at all.
A look of confusion spread across his face. Despite his strength—15 points, enough to overpower most—he couldn't budge Tian Xiao by even a centimeter.
The four bodyguards, all of them at H-level, had muscle strength approaching 15 points. With that kind of advantage, they could easily overpower most of the base's security personnel.
But this time, it wasn't going according to plan.
Tian Xiao's response was swift and decisive.
With a swift motion, he raised his leg, kicking the bodyguard a good seven or eight meters across the ground. The massive man crashed against the floor and remained still, clearly knocked out cold.
Wang Yunfei's eyes narrowed as he saw his plan fall apart.
"D*mn it," he thought, "This wasn't supposed to happen."
The remaining three bodyguards froze, their expressions darkening. They were clearly considering their next move, but something held them back.
At the same moment, Chen Wuling took a tactical step back, drawing a Desert Eagle and clicking off the safety. The massive barrel of the gun aimed straight at the three bodyguards, leaving them frozen in place.
Wang Yunfei glared, his temper rising.
"How dare you! What do you think you're doing?" he shouted. "This is the General's first day here, and you're attacking my men?!"
Tian Xiao, undeterred, barked back:
"Chen Wuling, stay alert! Lin Hu, move to the entrance and apprehend those causing trouble!"
With Tian Xiao's command, the doors to the Security Department swung open. A group of armed security personnel, all in full tactical gear, emerged. They carried rifles and shotguns, their movements precise and coordinated, an intimidating force.
Lin Hu and Liu Xuesong led the charge, their eyes gleaming with ferocity, their steps heavy and purposeful. The others—Liu Fangyan, Li Kui, Wang Yong, and Lao Lu—were all already watching the scene unfold on the monitors, cursing loudly as they watched the situation spiral out of control.
The moment they saw Tian Xiao's team confronting Wang Yunfei's men, they wasted no time. Guns were drawn, and the tension was palpable.
One of Wang Yunfei's bodyguards, still trying to process the sudden shift, found himself face-to-face with the barrel of a rifle. His bravado quickly crumbled as he raised his hands in surrender. His companions did the same, their arms trembling.
"You've got guts, coming in here and causing trouble," one of the security officers muttered.
Tian Xiao stood tall, his face unreadable as he took charge of the situation.
"Now," he said calmly, "it's time for the Security Department to handle its business. Anyone who's not authorized to be here, step aside."
With a swift signal, the security team moved in, and within moments, the three bodyguards were disarmed and escorted off the premises.
Wang Yunfei stood there, fuming, but he knew better than to escalate things further. The security team had made their point, and Tian Xiao had won this round. The battle of wills had only just begun, and there was no telling who would come out on top in the long run. But for now, Tian Xiao had drawn his line in the sand.