CHAPTER 191: CHAPTER 157: THE MILITARY COMPETES FOR TALENT

"Yo, kid, you’ve already got more than two thousand points. I’m free right now, let me go ahead and apply for your rank to be a Second Lieutenant. From now on, you’ll be a Second Lieutenant under the South Sea Third Army!"

Kong Huaao showed an urgency that exceeded what Fang Yu was familiar with.

This gave Fang Yu an extremely strange feeling.

But without a word, Fang Yu reached out, preparing to snatch back the ID card from Kong Huaao’s hand: "No rush, Captain! I’ll apply later."

Fang Yu was anxious inside.

Once military merit was exchanged for rank by Kong Huaao, it would mean the dice could no longer act on this reward.

The logic of the dice is "gain multiplier," not something from nothing.

The [Raid on Warlords] mission earned a total of 1200 military merits.

But if part of it is used (exchanged) before the dice roll, then the roll won’t be effective.

After all, using it up means it’s gone.

The dice cannot multiply what isn’t there.

This is why Fang Yu was so eager to snatch back the ID card from Kong Huaao.

Fang Yu felt a strong sense of confusion inside.

What’s going on?

Why was Kong Huaao suddenly so eager to exchange his military rank? That wasn’t his usual style.

And... Whether to exchange for rank is a decision Fang Yu needs to make himself, so why was Kong Huaao in such a rush to convert Fang Yu’s military merit into rank without asking?

Fang Yu felt it was strange, so he tried to snatch back the ID card from Kong Huaao’s hand.

Just then, a swearing voice came from outside: "Damn it, Kong Huaao, I knew you would play dirty! Wait up! He hasn’t said he wants to go to the Third Army yet, how can you make this decision and put him in the Third Army?!"

Hearing this voice, Fang Yu and the others were stunned, then they saw a burly man rudely kick open the door and pointed at Kong Huaao, loudly saying, "Didn’t this kid already agree to join my South Sea Fourth Army? You want to snatch him midway?!"

"Your South Sea Fourth Army wants him? Who approved this? Where’s the documentation?!"

Hearing what the man said, Kong Huaao retorted without backing down, and sneered, "The documents are under review; it takes two days to process, what’s your rush?"

The suddenly appearing burly man flared his nostrils at Kong Huaao, looking ready to roll up his sleeves for a fight any moment.

"Under review? So, there’s none? No documentation, and you want to rob people from me? No way!"

Kong Huaao displayed a side not usually shown in front of Fang Yu.

Previously, Fang Yu thought Kong Huaao was a serious officer, but now under confrontation, the cold sneers and mockery were a complete contrast to the Kong Huaao Fang Yu knew.

"This kid Fang Yu has been under the South Sea Third Army since the beginning, he also joined the military through my channel to obtain his rank."

"He can only be under the South Sea Third Army; how could he join your South Sea Fourth Army?"

Kong Huaao spoke bluntly.

Their words left everyone, including Fang Yu, stunned and speechless.

After listening for a while, Fang Yu scratched his head, finally realizing...

Are the two fighting... for me?

"Wait, hold on, what’s happening here?"

Fang Yu quickly asked.

Upon hearing Fang Yu talk, the tense atmosphere between the two paused, then they pushed open the door and entered. The man named Hu Yuntao looked at Fang Yu, immediately showing a kind smile, reached out his hand, and said to Fang Yu:

"So, you’re Fang Yu, right? Indeed, a hero emerging from youth."

"I’m Hu Yuntao from the South Sea Fourth Army. You did brilliantly in this surprise attack, very much to the liking of the South Sea Fourth Army."

"How about joining our South Sea Fourth Army? We can offer you the best promotion space!"

Hu Yuntao spoke boldly and unmistakably displayed his admiration for Fang Yu in his eyes.

He must have read the report submitted by Tang Yuan, so he was well aware of the raid on Lvchun Island.

He came directly to Kong Huaao’s office, ready to compete for Fang Yu’s allegiance.

Hu Yuntao was determined and passionate about recruiting Fang Yu. If such a brilliant strategist joined the Fourth Army, it would gain a highly intelligent and rapidly evolving commander.

This would surely boost the overall power of the Fourth Army in the future.

Fang Yu himself didn’t know.

His outstanding performance at the Battle of Lvchun Island had already caught the attention of several high-ranking officers in the military.

Hu Yuntao was merely representing the senior ranks of the South Sea Fourth Army to invite Fang Yu.

"Well..."

Fang Yu showed a look of confusion: "I’m sorry, both of you, I’m not sure what Third Army... Fourth Army... are. Is there a difference between the two?"

Upon hearing Fang Yu speak, Kong Huaao and Hu Yuntao exchanged a look, then Kong Huaao said, "Why don’t we explain the situation of the South Sea forces to Fang Yu and then see which one he wants to join?"

Hu Yuntao thought for a moment, then nodded, "That sounds fair."

Kong Huaao nodded slightly, looked at Fang Yu, and slowly spoke, "The Southern Island Sea Region’s forces consist of eight marine armies, each with different military responsibilities."

"According to military regulations, once an officer’s rank is promoted to ’Lieutenant’ level, the eight South Sea armies will be able to extend an invitation to them to join one of the armies and gain military authority."

"That means... at the lieutenant level, military personnel are expected to lead military troops in various campaigns. Or, in your Outer Realm Captain terms... your assignments have escalated, and so has your authority, allowing you to command parts of the military."

"Moreover, upon joining different armies, your naval vessels can gain unique ’Battalion Enhancements’ based on the characteristics of the respective army, enhancing certain abilities."

"However, the special traits provided by each army’s enhancement vary."

"For example, the enhancement provided by the South Sea Third Army is..."