After much deliberation, Jiang Kai finally spoke up.

"Thank you, General Wei, and Brother Lu for your kindness, but I don't want to reveal my profession."

Wei Ying frowned slightly. He hadn't expected that even after offering such tempting conditions, Jiang Kai would refuse.

For civilians, joining the Calling was a way to change their fate. Now that the opportunity to change his fate was right in front of him, he was giving it up?

The military rarely absorbed civilian forces, and when they did, they were rejected...

Lu Jun hurriedly said, "Jiang Kai, you need to think this through. Frankly, unless you join the military, the Huang Family won't let this go easily."

Jiang Kai was about to speak when Wei Ying raised his hand and smiled, "Jiang Kai, don't rush to make a decision. I can give you a month to reconsider."

"I can assure you that if you meet the military's requirements, your benefits won't be any less. I think you also want to get your brother treated as soon as possible and even transfer your sister to a new school."

General Wei actually knew about his brother and sister, and the conditions he offered made Jiang Kai hesitate once more.

After a brief consideration, Jiang Kai spoke again.

"I don't want to join the military."

...

After leaving Jiang Kai's house, Lu Jun quickly caught up with Wei Ying.

"Commander, we've said everything we could, and he still refused. What is he thinking?"

"Even if he's a Martial Apprentice, he can't be this arrogant!"

Wei Ying smiled slightly and turned to look at the black-clothed person beside him, "Xiao Hei, what do you think?"

The black-clothed person said indifferently, "I don't know, I'm not familiar with him."

Wei Ying couldn't help but laugh, "That's true. That kid comes from a poor background. Thirteen years ago, he followed his brother to River City. Who knows how much hardship he's endured over the years? He won't easily trust others."

"People like him often have the mindset that relying on others is not as good as relying on themselves!"

"But he doesn't know that one person's strength is limited. To reverse the situation, it can't rely on just one person." As he spoke, Wei Ying's gaze drifted far into the sky, where a faint arc was hard to find in the daylight.

Wei Ying sighed softly, "The common people are more concerned about their own fate, which is understandable. But little do they know, the chaos of the Ghost Star and the Beast God cannot be resolved by the strength of one person!"

...

After General Wei and the others left, Jiang Kai faced the chaos of his home alone, but he didn't start tidying up for a long time.

Too much had happened that day: passing the newcomer assessment, killing Huang Wei offline, Huang Da seeking revenge, and a top military figure personally visiting to extend an olive branch...

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

A series of upheavals left Jiang Kai momentarily dazed.

After sitting in a daze for a long time, Jiang Kai finally came to his senses, stood up, and endured the pain to tidy up the room.

However, the wooden door had been kicked in, leaving a big hole that needed proper repair.

After two hours of busy work, Jiang Ying still hadn't returned home.

Jiang Kai wanted to see his sister, but he was also afraid she'd see him injured. After thinking it over, he left a note telling his brother and sister that he had passed the Newcomer Trial and to be wary of the Huang Family, then left home.

As he passed by Yuan Zhu's house, Jiang Kai noticed no one was home.

The mysterious person who gave him the Martial Apprentice materials wasn't there, and Zhu wasn't home either, so Jiang Kai had to head to the Login Gate alone.

After today's events, the Huang Family would likely be quiet for a while, but not for too long. He needed to earn the money for his brother's treatment quickly.

When Jiang Kai arrived at the Eighteenth Login Gate hall, a large figure rushed over from afar.

"Kai, come with me!" Yuan Zhu came up to Jiang Kai, grabbed him, and headed out of the hall.

As they were being pulled along, Jiang Kai noticed a new watch on Yuan Zhu's wrist.

When did this guy buy a Data Watch?

The two of them stopped in a secluded area.

"Zhu, what did they want with you?" Jiang Kai asked first.

"They asked about how we passed the trial, my profession, talent, skills... They also asked about you, but I didn't say anything. I left out all the details of your battle and only said you were a non-combat profession," Yuan Zhu said.

"And then?"

"They didn't press further about you, just said someone was already looking for you. But they invited me to join the military!" Yuan Zhu said.

"Did you agree?"

"Do I even need to think about it? Of course, I agreed." Yuan Zhu's eyes widened as if he'd heard a strange question, "I even recommended you to them, saying you were our team leader and that passing the Newcomer Trial was mainly thanks to you."

"They didn't come looking for you?" Yuan Zhu asked anxiously.

Jiang Kai smiled and shook his head. They did come looking for him, and they even saved his life in the process.

"They did, but I don't want to join," Jiang Kai said.

"What? Why?" Yuan Zhu looked at Jiang Kai in disbelief.

Jiang Kai shook his head helplessly, "If my profession were Martial Apprentice, I would join too, but I'm a Gambler."

"A new profession would be even more valued by them," Yuan Zhu said, puzzled.

"Maybe at first, but when they can't find any follow-up professions for me, they'll realize my profession has no future and eventually give up on me," Jiang Kai said, shaking his head. "When the Drunkard profession first appeared, it also caught official attention, but later, when it was proven to have no future, look at the Drunkard profession's current situation."

"No matter how sincere they seem now, it won't change the eventual outcome. This isn't something one or two people can decide."

"Besides, once I join the military, I'll have to act according to their requirements, and all my income will have to be reported to my superiors. I don't want others deciding my fate!"

Yuan Zhu furrowed his brow. After listening to Jiang Kai's explanation, he finally understood why Jiang Kai would refuse the military's invitation.

The military wouldn't waste resources on cultivating a professional with no future.

Jiang Kai didn't want the officials deciding the Gambler's future!

"But... you know the power of the Black Tortoise Guild. Besides the military, who in the Eighteenth District would dare provoke them? At that time, I'm afraid no organization will want you, and no one will even team up with you!"

Jiang Kai shook his head. He had anticipated this situation. Originally, he thought he could team up with Yuan Zhu, but he didn't expect Zhu to already be with the military.

"If I can't team up, then I can't. By the way, since you're with the military, then you..."

"They assigned me to a three-person team, making it four with me, and they're all very strong. I made a request to them that if you joined the military, you had to be in my team, making it five people. They originally agreed, but I didn't expect you... you didn't come." Yuan Zhu said, lowering his head, feeling very downcast.

Jiang Kai knew this guy didn't expect him to refuse joining the military, as it was a rare opportunity that anyone would want to seize.

Seeing his brother upset, Jiang Kai smiled slightly and punched Yuan Zhu on the back, "Isn't that great? You'll have someone to guide you, so your level won't fall behind mine."

"Zhu, no matter what organization we're in, we're still good brothers!"

"Kai... maybe I should talk to them and say I don't want to join the military."

"Idiot, you're different from me. Joining the military is definitely the best choice for you, don't be foolish."

"Then what about you? Do you want me to watch you be isolated and helpless?"

"Who said I'd be isolated and helpless? Do you think all organizations are afraid of the Black Tortoise Guild? Maybe I'll find a big guild!" Jiang Kai laughed, "As for you, even if you're with the military, we can still team up sometimes. Remember, don't act so timid in front of others, or they'll bully you even more."

Yuan Zhu's eyes turned red. For so many years, it had always been Jiang Kai leading him.

"Alright, I'm leaving. I'm not one of you military folks, so I don't have to follow all your rules. I can come and go as I please!" With that, Jiang Kai turned and re-entered the Login Gate hall.

As he left, Jiang Kai's eyes felt a bit dry, so he quickened his pace.

At the teleportation gate, Jiang Kai found Su Lanlan to prove he was a newcomer and didn't need to queue to log in.

Su Lanlan glanced at Jiang Kai and snorted softly, "Honestly, I'm a bit disappointed in you. I didn't expect you to refuse such tempting conditions. I don't know what you're thinking."

Jiang Kai thought for a moment and understood that this woman must also know what had happened earlier.

"So, our lone hero, are you ready to take on the Ghost Star all by yourself?" Su Lanlan's tone was somewhat sarcastic as she looked at Jiang Kai with a half-smile.

"I guess unless you stay in the Safe Zone forever, the moment you step out, we'll meet again."

Su Lanlan implied that Jiang Kai would soon die offline!

Jiang Kai sneered, "Oh really? How about we make a bet?"

"Oh? What do you want to bet on?"

"I bet that not only will I leave the Safe Zone, but I'll also earn 800,000 Alliance Coins in a month!"

Su Lanlan squinted slightly.

Previously, she regarded Jiang Kai as merely a talented newcomer, but still a newcomer. Now, however, she could feel the pressure of an equal.

"You're dreaming!" Su Lanlan said irritably.

Jiang Kai snorted, "Some people don't even dare to dream! The wager... is your apology!" With that, Jiang Kai resolutely stepped into the Login Gate.