Baem was his alias. And judging by the presence of Ame, he was the one called out. Yet, a few others got up instead. Jin took a moment before he realized what was going on.

Out of all the people here, there were four others with the name of 'Baem'...

The middle-aged man took a moment to understand the situation before he sighed and turned to Ame: "Which one is it?"

Ame smirked and stated: "None of those!"

The middle-aged man frowned before he spoke once more to the crowd: "The four of you may sit. I am looking for the man called Baem that tried to join us only today!"

Jin sighed and got up under the gazes of thousands of soldiers. He cursed as he saw Ame waving at him with a bright smile. He would be even more infuriated if he knew her thoughts. The reality was that she did not want to be the only one sent out to be an anger-bait for the royal's enemies. And she only knew Jin.

For someone that did not want to be on the limelight, he did an impressive job at it!

He reluctantly walked to the arena. As he walked towards the two, the middle-aged man said to Ame: "Forget it, he's not even at the tenth stage! Did you take this as a joke, Squad Captain Ame?"

Jin frowned. While he was trying to stay low-key, it was still quite infuriating to be insulted publicly like that. If not for his ability to endure and incredible patience, he would have rebuked right away. Most people would have if they were to be called trash in front of a few thousand peers.

Jin was angry. But he understood what the man meant. He was weak. This was a truth.

His achievement as the 'colorful spear'? His numerous feats within The Peak?

They were worthless in the end.

Because he was still weak.

He was never an elite. He had only been the strongest ant in a colony. Forget fighting dragons, he would not be able to even defeat a frog!

Sighing, he bowed and was getting ready to leave. Unfortunately, Ame had other plans.

She smiled at the middle-aged man. And slapped his face extremely hard.

SLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP!

The sound of the cheek being hit rang throughout the entire area.

The middle-aged man was shocked for a few seconds, not reacting, before rage flushed his face red. As he turned back to Ame, he was ready to discipline her. However, before he could, she told him: "I dare you to say that again about my vice-captain!"

The middle-aged man gritted his teeth and endured. He was stronger than her but they had the same status right now. He could not act on impulse. Still, his anger did not diffuse. He coldly spoke to her: "I see that Captain Ame truly believe in that man's abilities. Should I test him then?"

Ame grinned and asked: "He's only at the ninth stage, are you trying to bully a junior?"

The man was glaring at her fiercely. Due to the situation, he had to consider his image. The slap had been a vicious move. Unfortunately, since they were of equal standing, he could not act. After all, defending a subordinate was the duty of a superior. Considering that he insulted the man she picked, she was not in the wrong to act. If she could not even defend the honor of her own, she would never earn anyone's respect.

As a newcomer, she used him as a stepping stone to assert her worth.

He was infuriated but could not vent it out on her. So, he might as well mess up this vice-captain wannabe. But she once again had to interfere... Well, he had to admit that it would be shameless of him to fight a ninth stage with his own cultivation of the 26th stage.

He could fight him if he restricted his cultivation though.

However, before he could express the idea, she spoke first. She took the initiative to propose it: "Why not fight without spiritual energy and solely through techniques, Captain? After all, that way, you should be able to ascertain his future potential instead of judging him on the present"

Ouch! She really was not missing opportunities to jab at him. She critized his lack of judgement this time... Fine! Since she was being like that, he would show her! Even without using spiritual energy, his techniques were of a higher level than the masses. As a Squad Captain, he had pride in his martial arts. His attainments were not something random people could reach.

Still glaring, he stated loudly: "Very well! We shall see his worth through a spar without the use of spiritual energy!"

"Are you not going to ask me?" were Jin's thoughts.

It was unfortunately quite clear that his thoughts did not matter. Once more, he was being used as a pawn. He could not understand why though. Ame did not seem like the kind of woman that would bring him troubles voluntarily like that.

Still, he could not let it continue. If he defeated that man after he had been angered like that... He did not want to make any enemies here. It would be too dumb!

Jin hurriedly went forward and spoke: "This one merely wishes to be hired as a guard, Sir. This one had no interests in vying for the position of vice-captain!"

Ame frowned.

The middle-aged man chuckled and stated: "Then leave! This royal palace does not need cowards!"

Jin frowned. Then, he stood up straight and glared at Ame. He told her: "You better have an explanation later"

Ame chuckled and nodded at him. Then, she turned to the Captain and asked him: "Well then, Captain Harold, what do you say to a little bet? I'll bet the position of vice-captain of my Squad on your battle!"

Harold looked at her and snickered. Then he coldly reaffirmed his stance: "The Palace need no cowards! He already failed!"