Jiangcheng, the small villa where the Demon Suppression Action Team resides.

Gong Kaishan stood in the yard, with a camouflage backpack on his back, and showed his signature smile to everyone in the yard: "All of you go back now, it's not a life-and-death farewell. Who knows when I'll be back again."

It was clear that the people around him were very downhearted, with quite a few having red-rimmed eyes.

No one was offended by Gong Kaishan's coarse words, because everyone knew that come tomorrow morning, the voice that used to wake up early to shout would no longer be heard.

Just then, a man appeared, wearing slippers and with hair as messy as a bird's nest. He walked over to Gong Kaishan and said, "Brother Shan, I'm coming with you!"

"Get lost, why are you sticking your nose in for no reason." Gong Kaishan said grumpily, "I'll be honest, I'm leaving to get away from you, so don't cling on to me shamelessly."

"No way!" The man said resolutely, "If you leave, where will I find clothes to wear when I go on a date in the future?"

The only one in the entire base who could speak like this was Qian Shaoyuan.

Gong Kaishan's face darkened, "You taking advantage of me now? I don't believe without me, you'd just go out naked… Fine, I'll go all out, leave all the clothes for you, now hurry back to sleep."

Then, he threw his backpack to Qian Shaoyuan.

"You're really giving it to me?" Qian Shaoyuan found it hard to believe, was this still the usually stingy and nagging Gong Kaishan who quibbled even over a pair of socks?

Just then, a graceful silhouette walked out from the crowd, stood after getting close, looked at Qian Shaoyuan disdainfully, "Useless thing!"

"Yes, yes, I'm useless. Sister Ying, you take over." Qian Shaoyuan retreated with the backpack, indicating for Li Ying to step forward and speak.

"Really leaving?" Li Ying looked straight into Gong Kaishan's eyes.

Gong Kaishan smiled wryly, "You think I want to leave? I have no choice, you know! I've been demoted to a reserve member, no longer qualified to stay here."

"That person only said demotion, but didn't demand you leave the base."

"You always called me stupid, but why are you not seeing the situation clearly now? Demotion says a lot; I, Gong Kaishan, may be dull, but not shameless to this degree."

At this point, many people in the crowd spoke up, voicing their indignation on Gong Kaishan's behalf.

"It isn't fair, demotion is fine, but not even giving a reason is too much bullying!"

"Exactly, if the boss were still around, he wouldn't be so tyrannical and arbitrary!"

"I even suspect now that the new captain parachuted in is just looking for places to burn his three fires, so he's starting trouble looking for something to do, seeing Brother Shan as easy to bully, intending to kill the chicken to scare the monkey, while establishing his authority."

Gong Kaishan frowned and shouted, "Everyone shut up!"

But the anger of the crowd was already ignited, and couldn't be extinguished by his single command.

Right away, someone stepped forward and expressed: "Brother Shan, I'll go with you!"

Nothing scares more than a leader taking initiative; once one steps up, the second and third follow, and then herd mentality kicks in, everyone starts to raise a commotion.

"Brother Shan, I'll come with you too!"

"And me!"

"Let's go, come on, brothers, we all go, then the top will have to notice, there's surely a place to reason!"

For a moment, the scene descended into chaos.

Gong Kaishan was anxious to the point of sweating, but the louder he shouted, the more excited the others got, firmly set on opposing him.

Li Ying and Qian Shaoyuan exchanged glances; this result was precisely what they were happy to see, or rather, they had deliberately made it happen.

The Demon Suppression Action Team's core members weren't many, but each was the cream of the crop from varied fields, making it so that without some strong tactics, one couldn't convince these people easily.

If you want a smooth change of captains, it's possible and even simple.

First, don't make the change outright; introduce the person you want to replace, then slowly marginalize Xue Nuofu subtly, until it doesn't matter whether you change or not.

Just like Devil's Concentration Camp, the nominal leaders were merely puppets being manipulated.

But suddenly removing the old and bringing in the new easily stirs dissatisfaction amongst the lower ranks.

The chaotic scene lasted about five minutes until a clear, melodious voice, like the song of an oriole, came from the rooftop: "You all want to leave, right? Then stop dawdling, go on, leave."

The scene instantly quieted down as everyone remembered Xue Nuofu's penchant for suddenly appearing and saying just a word or two.

But this voice was obviously not Xue Nuofu; it had a noticeable bit of childlike tone, showing some immaturity.

Li Ying and Qian Shaoyuan exchanged glances again; finally, they forced this figure out.

"Boss, they were just messing around, they didn't really want to leave." Gong Kaishan tried to smooth things over for everyone.

"I think I heard someone say I demoted you without giving a reason, right? Okay, then I'll give you all a reason."

As soon as the words were spoken, a folder flew down from the rooftop.

Li Ying caught it with one hand, opened it, and found two personal profiles inside; one belonged to Xiao Feng, and the other to Di Junxiong.

Seeing these files, Li Ying's expression immediately darkened.

The rest saw her expression wasn't right, crowded over, and whispered among themselves.

At this moment, the person on the roof spoke: "And that guy named Xiao Feng, someone's been attempting to recruit him all along, and it's proven he does have recruitment value.

But… this other guy named Di Junxiong has a nearly blank history, half a year ago his assessment results didn't meet the standards we set, who can explain why he's listed as a reserve member?"

Everyone was silenced.

Quite a few inside knew the backstory, but obviously, it couldn't be openly stated; otherwise, can we explain it's because Xiao Feng instructed them to do so?

At least according to the procedure, it doesn't make sense, nor does it conform to regulations!

Gong Kaishan stepped forward and said, "This matter was my misuse of authority; regarding the demotion punishment, I wholeheartedly accept, without any objection."

Qian Shaoyuan and Li Ying both felt tense inside; at this stage, even if they wanted to overturn the situation, they couldn't.

However, just as they were filled with worry, the one on the roof said, "No objection is good, but you still can't leave now."

Gong Kaishan was stunned: "Uh?"

The person on the roof explained, "Because I need to investigate the matters behind the scenes, such as why you opened the door for that guy named Di Junxiong, did you receive any bribes?

Moreover, is this your first time doing such a thing, have you colluded with anyone else?

Before these issues are investigated thoroughly, you can't leave the base; all communication equipment will be confiscated, and work halted."

After saying this, the person added: "Of course, just eating dry food won't do, cleaning duties will be handed to you.

Does anyone else have a differing opinion?

If not, then hurry back indoors and get some sleep!"

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