Chapter 884: Discipline
Ling Zhan's response truly surprised everyone present.
Not to mention others, even the adjutant nearby was visibly shocked.
Li Xuerou, who was discussing future mission plans with Ling Zhan, also looked at him with a slightly astonished expression.
Their shock was understandable.
After all, these were five combatants over level 190.
In the entirety of Mohr Fortress, there were fewer than twenty people above that level.
For these five top-tier forces to willingly join, anyone would naturally welcome them.
Yet here, Ling Zhan directly shook his head and refused!
This...
Jonathan immediately glared angrily at Ling Zhan and turned to leave.
If the other party didn't want him, then he didn't want to join either!
But under Captain David's warning gaze, Jonathan forcefully held in his anger and didn't leave.
"Can you tell us the reason? Instructor Ling, you surely know how dangerous this mission is. As the saying goes, more hands make light work..."
After the initial shock, David remained calm.
But before he could finish—
Ling Zhan waved his hand to interrupt and said, "That might be true for others, but not for me."
This wasn't arrogance on Ling Zhan's part.
He simply had the qualification to say it.
In truth…
If it weren't for the higher-ups insisting he be the Chief Instructor of the Demon-Slaying Legion, he might not even have led this group to attack the thirty fortresses.
The most likely outcome would've been him going alone.
Solo assaulting the thirty fortresses guarded by the Demon Sovereigns.
If that ever happened, it would certainly cause an uproar.
But all that aside—
There was one point.
Ling Zhan absolutely would not allow any uncontrollable elements within his team.
As for the Demon-Slaying Legion members, Ling Zhan had already completely subdued them.
Now, if Ling Zhan said go east, they wouldn't dare go west.
But these over-level-190 fighters?
As members of an elite special ops team, they were certainly proud and self-important.
Though Ling Zhan had defeated them, judging by their attitudes, any order from him that seemed even slightly unreasonable would be questioned and disobeyed.
Ling Zhan could not allow that.
Just look at Jonathan's behavior.
Though defeated, his pride wouldn't let him lower his head.
Even in front of the one who beat him.
Given that, Ling Zhan chose to refuse.
Another point is…
Whether these five level-190s joined or not didn't matter to Ling Zhan.
"What an arrogant tone!"
"Fine! Captain, stop wasting breath. Let him lead alone!"
"We'll just wait for his 'good news'!"
Jonathan had a fiery temper.
People like him exist in real life.
Like some gamers.
They clearly can't win but still blame their teammates.
End up arguing with teammates, with enemies, and when challenged to a duel and lose, they just rage quit.
Jonathan seemed like one of them.
In his eyes, he was superior and powerful.
Always unwilling to submit, even when beaten—he assumed the opponent must have used underhanded means.
This kind of person was exactly why Ling Zhan didn't want him.
Even if he was a level-190 powerhouse.
Seeing Ling Zhan's cold attitude, David sighed softly.
He turned to Jonathan and said, "If you don't want to join, then don't. Stay here at Mohr Fortress. You don't want the military merit, but the rest of us do."
"So if you're not joining, shut your mouth. We've been teammates for years—don't make me say worse. You understand?"
When David said that—
Everyone watching wore shocked expressions.
Those words weren't light.
Some might say David had no regard for team loyalty by calling Jonathan out publicly.
Teammates should support each other, no?
But think about it—
This was a fortress.
A military base.
A key defense point against the Demon Abyss that concerned the survival of the entire lower realm.
Everything here aligned with the ultimate Demon-Slaying operation.
If David's squad were just some freelance bounty hunters, then sure—protect the brotherhood.
But this was different.
Moreover…
David, Alchi, Jana, and Elbert all wanted that incredible military merit.
Jonathan's stubbornness was nothing but unreasonable behavior.
At this moment—
The four of them finally understood why Ling Zhan rejected their team.
Ling Zhan had watched the entire exchange.
He finally said calmly, "If you want to join, I only have one condition."
David quickly asked, "What is it? Please tell us."
"The four of you must unconditionally obey my orders. Note—unconditionally! Even if I order you to die!"
Ling Zhan's gaze turned sharp.
It sounded extreme.
But on the battlefield, this is what every soldier must accept.
Even if charging forward meant certain death—
If the commander gives the order, you must obey without hesitation!
Those who value their lives too much shouldn't go to war!
"Fine! That's a reasonable demand!"
As seasoned battlefield veterans, David and the others had no objections.
"As for your noble Dragon Warrior God, sorry, our Demon-Slaying Legion is too small to host such a big shot. Please leave."
Ling Zhan said indifferently.
"Fine! Fine! Fine!"
"You're all such great teammates!"
"Fine! I'm leaving! And I'm quitting this special ops team too!"
"I'll stay right here and wait until the day you finish the mission!"
"Don't come crying if you all die at the hands of the Demon Sovereigns!"
Jonathan, face flushed with rage, stormed off without looking back.
General Li Xuerou had quietly observed the entire exchange.
She didn't say a word to keep Jonathan.
In truth, she had long had reservations about Jonathan.
But because of his high level and power, she'd tolerated him.
Now that Ling Zhan had arrived, he finally dealt with him.