After seeing Xu Ning act so tough, Feng Sigua didn't know what to say.

Xu Ning looked at Feng Sigua, who was hesitating, and said, "What are you thinking?"

"Master…"

Feng Sigua said carefully, "Refusing Yu Xinghe's gift the first time was only a slight disrespect to Dayuan Trading Company, but if you return the gift a second time, then you will be slapping Lieutenant Chen in the face."

"After all, he is your immediate boss, if you offend him…"

Feng Sigua did not continue to say anything else.

Xu Ning was not annoyed when he heard this. "Lieutenant Chen is my boss, but Captain Qu is also my boss…"

Xu Ning stopped talking.

After Feng Sigua heard this, he stopped trying to convince Xu Ning otherwise. "In that case, master, I will help you return this gift."

Feng Sigua took the wooden box on the table, left and began walking towards the Dayuan Trading Company shop.

'Captain Qu should have nothing to do with Dayuan Trading Company…'

After Feng Sigua left, Xu Ning was alone in the room.

From the information that Xu Ning had gathered, there were no rumors of a relationship between Qu Dayou and Dayuan Trading Company.

But this was just the surface, he was not clear what was going on behind the scenes.

As long as Qu Dayou was not on the same side as Dayuan Trading Company, he was safe.

If Chen Ren wanted to punish Xu Ning, he would have to worry about Qu Dayou's reaction.

Although the two people did not have a direct relationship, Qu Dayou was a captain, whereas Chen Ren was just a lieutenant.

…

After spending the day at the guard station, Xu Ning returned to the campsite in the evening.

They were all new guards, and they did not have allocated residences, nor did they purchase any real estate in the county city, so they had to live at the campsite.

The new campsite had been renamed as Camp Site Three.

More than 30 new guards were stationed here daily.

Their main tasks were to stand guard, patrol, and be responsible for the security maintenance around Camp Site Three.

The workload of this position was not high at all, because they were backed by the city guards, so the work was quite easy.

"Xu Ning, you're back."

When Xu Ning returned to the room, he saw Tao Qingping washing his feet by the bed.

He was assigned to Camp Site Three, so he had little work and plenty of free time.

"You're planning to rest already?"

Xu Ning took off his armor and knife, sat at the table, and poured a glass of water.

"I practiced martial arts for the whole day, so I feel a little tired."

Tao Qingping answered.

This was the advantage of being stationed at the campsite, their free time could be used to practice martial arts.

Because of the pressure and motivation that came from the assessments, everyone was concerned about their martial arts skills.

"Xu Ning." Tao Qingping kindly reminded, "although the work at the guard station is not tiring, it is still a waste of time. You leave so early and return so late every day, don't forget about your martial arts practice."

"For us newcomers, improving our strength is the most important thing. Don't pull the cart before the horse."

Xu Ning nodded. "I know, thank you for reminding me. Don't worry, when I'm at the guard station, I have a lot of free time to practice martial arts."

Xu Ning had prepared this excuse a long time ago.

Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to explain his sudden increase in strength.

"That's good." Tao Qingping said, "as long as our strength improves, we will be able to take other people's resources. When that time comes, we will be the bosses of Camp Site Three."

"Camp Site Three has a weird hierarchy. Besides the head boss Captain Qu, there are no lieutenants. I heard that one and a half years later, they will add a lieutenant to Camp Site Three. And the candidates for the new lieutenant are the outstanding talents among us newcomers."

When Tao Qingping said this, his eyes were full of hope, as if he was already thinking about the future.

"Then you have to work harder. If you become a lieutenant, remember to take care of me."

Xu Ning jokingly said.

"If only…"

Although Tao Qingping waved his hands dismissively, his face was full of expectation.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Knocking sounds came from the door.

"Who is it?"

Tao Qingping asked.

"Master, I am the city guard on duty for tonight."

A voice came from outside.

Xu Ning stood up and opened the door.

He saw a city guard standing outside the door. The city guard first gave Xu Ning and Tao Qingping a salute before saying, "Captain Qu has ordered Master Xu Ning to see him in his study."

"Me?"

Xu Ning's brain was spinning.

He didn't remember any business between him and Captain Qu.

But even though he was puzzled, Xu Ning still said, "I see."

Once the city guard retreated, Xu Ning put on his armor again.

"Why is Captain Qu looking for you?"

Tao Qingping was also puzzled.

"It may be related to an incident at the guard station."

Xu Ning went straight out the door and rushed towards Qu Dayou's study.

…

The sky was already dark.

The light from oil lamps flickered in Qu Dayou's study.

Xu Ning stood in front of him.

"Master Qu."

Xu Ning saluted.

Qu Dayou smiled happily and pointed to the seat. "Sit."

Xu Ning sat down with his back straight.

"How does it feel to work at the guard station?"

Qu Dayou asked.

"It feels okay."

Xu Ning didn't know what Qu Dayou was trying to say, so he gave an ambiguous answer.

"Why did you refuse the gift from Dayuan Trading Company?"

Qu Dayou asked suddenly.

There were no emotions from his tone, as if he was just a little curious.

Xu Ning's heart dropped upon hearing this.

Once again, his boss asked to see him because of Dayuan Trading Company.

It seemed that after escaping the trouble in Maple Lane, he was once again in trouble.

"I do not believe in rewards without hard work."

Xu Ning responded.

"Okay."

Qu Dayou smiled as he took out a beautiful wooden box from under the table.

This was exactly the same as what had happened during the day, where Chen Ren took out the beautiful wooden box with three Qinglu Dans, then threatened Xu Ning to accept it.

However, instead of Chen Ren, it was Qu Dayou.

Xu Ning squinted.

If Qu Dayou was also in bed with Dayuan Trading Company, then he would be in a tricky situation.

Whether he liked it or not, he would inevitably be dragged into bribery.

"What, you're worried that I would act the same as that coward Chen Ren, and force this gift on you again?"

Qu Dayou smiled heartily.

Xu Ning looked at Qu Dayou's eyes.

Qu Dayou looked satisfied with him.

'Oof…'

Xu Ning finally understood.

It seemed that Qu Dayou was obviously not involved with Dayuan Trading Company.

In this case, Chen Ren wouldn't have absolute control over him.

"Master, may I ask why is this thing in your hands?"

Xu Ning was a little confused.

Feng Sigua had already returned the Qinglu Dans to Dayuan Trading Company, but now it was in Qu Dayou's hands.

"Someone told a city guard at the campsite to put this thing under your pillow, but it was sent to me instead."

Qu Dayou stood up with his hands behind his back and paced around the table.

Seeing this, Xu Ning also stood up.

"This time, they not only gave you the Qinglu Dans, but also this."

Qu Dayou reached under the table and a dart appeared in his hand.

"What is this…"

Xu Ning's heart shuddered.

He instantly understood the intention.

This time, the bribe and the punishment were sent as one.

If he didn't accept the gift, they would hurt him.

Dayuan Trading Company was threatening his own life.

"Savages."

Xu Ning whispered.

He didn't feel too nervous, since Qu Dayou had already known about all this and had proactively summoned him to come here. Qu Dayou would protect him.

Qu Dayou glanced at Xu Ning's expression and noticed that Xu Ning did not panic. He silently approved Xu Ning's reaction in his heart.

Qu Dayou then threw the dart on the table, giving off a metal clink sound.

He said, "I'm really sorry for putting you in such a situation."

"What?"

When Qu Dayou said this, Xu Ning was taken aback.

Although Xu Ning didn't quite understand what Qu Dayou meant, Xu Ning vaguely felt that Qu Dayou was the reason why he was assigned to the Maple Lane Guard Station and was so persistently tempted by Dayuan Trading Company.