Chapter 7 Bennett Is Challenging Zachary

• “What?” At that moment, everyone was astonished.
• Tobias, Bennett, Clarence, the police captain, and the other police officers stared at Zachary in disbelief. That was because he had rejected Tobias' offer, the same Tobias, who was a retired state military general.
• He had outstanding achievements during the new Chanaean era and played a vital role during the country's prosperous period. Not only was Tobias competent, but he was highly respected by his superiors too. He had three sons and a daughter. All four of his children were successful in their ways. Furthermore, Tobias had personally trained many talents of the major-general rank. He had so many disciples under him that they could line the sky.
• It was rare for Tobias to think highly of anybody, let alone Zachary. As long as the latter joined the army and trained well with Tobias, it would not be a problem for him to become a general after a few years. By then, Zachary would receive different treatment when he went home, yet he rejected Tobias' offer.
• Is this rascal out of his mind?
• The police captain turned pale and could not help but clench his fists until his veins bulged. It was uncommon to see a general in his thirties. In fact, there were very few of them in Chanaea. He had worked hard for more than ten years to achieve his captaincy. Perhaps that was all he could achieve in his lifetime. A great opportunity was presented to Zachary on a silver platter, but he still rejected it.
• How silly of him!
• Bethany looked at Zachary and felt anxious. Although her grandfather was the state military general, she herself did not have the capabilities to become even a captain. It seemed like she could only be a police officer and an office worker her whole life. She felt it was unbelievable that Zachary was not making good use of the opportunity for a promotion.
• I wish I could tear him apart to see what's inside his brain.
• “Zachary Larson, how dare you?”
• When he saw how Zachary boldly rejected the commander's offer, Bennett's expression turned grim. Bennett had never seen someone arresting thirteen wanted criminals in a day. He even thought it was ridiculous before it happened with Zachary. He was utterly in awe of Zachary's ability after witnessing it. However, even though he was capable, Zachary should not embarrass Tobias by rejecting his offer.
• Tobias was, after all, a hero of the country. Putting his status aside, Tobias was an older man. Thus, Zachary should respect the elders.
• Alas, he rejected the man's offer without hesitation. Was he looking down on Tobias or the military?
• “As a hot-blooded young man, you should be protecting the country. You have such outstanding capabilities, yet you're not willing to serve the country. What exactly are you planning to do with that life of yours?”
• Bennett could not help but reproach Zachary.
• However, Zachary was calm and did not care about Bennett's scolding.
• He had his own opinions.
• “Bennett, don't be rude.” Tobias shook his head lightly.
• Seeing Zachary had rejected him, he only felt an inexplicable pity and not the slightest bit of anger.
• Such an action was befitting of Zachary's character.
• Since he was a mercenary, they had their power and territory overseas. They were also free to do anything they wanted and were not bound to national laws. If Zachary joined Chanaea, he would be significantly restricted by the country's strict laws. He would not have the freedom to go abroad and would need to report his every move to the organization. Zachary was just like an animal that was released from its cage. He would never be willing to return to the cell after tasting freedom.
• Alas, Tobias felt unfortunate that he could not make him stay. After all, Zachary was one of the Top Four Elite Warriors. If Tobias could keep him in the country, the former would definitely be one of the best. Even though Tobias was older and had retired, he was still constantly thinking about military matters. There were a few more months before the competition between the top five military zones would commence. If Zachary could join the northern military, they would surely stand out.
• “Why don't you reconsider it, young man? If you can join our military, and if you want, you don't have to wear the military uniform. I'm trying to say that you can work for our department, but your lifestyle would not be affected. You can live just as usual and do whatever you want as long as you step out to help when we need you. I know that you don't want to be restricted. Hence, we can give you enough freedom. As for the treatment, we can surely talk about it. But of course, it's not as much as when you're overseas.”
• As he said that, Tobias could not help but flash an awkward smile.
• Zachary was a world-class elite soldier, one of the leaders of the Top Four Mercenary Troops. He could make billions overseas whenever he went to war for small countries. If they were to discuss money, the northern military would not be able to support Zachary.
• “I heard that you're a Chanaean. Don't you want to do something for our country and make your parents proud of what you do?”
• There was a slight change in Zachary's eyes after he heard that. “Make my parents proud of what I do?”
• “That's right.” Tobias' eyes brightened in an instant.
• Zachary was tempted by what Tobias just said because he was a Chanaean. He left his family when he was eighteen years old. Zachary looked at the entrance of his house and swore that he would never step into the place if he were unsuccessful. In the blink of an eye, seven years had passed. Throughout these seven years, he always thought about his parents and had the same dream almost every night. Zachary dreamt that one day he would return home with glory and make everyone in his family who looked down on him regret they ever did that.
• He was not satisfied. Zachary wanted to improve himself, no matter how much he achieved overseas. Moreover, while overseas, he was besieged by many forces. Not only were all his men wiped out, but he suffered severe injuries too and nearly died in the vast ocean.
• If Zachary were to return home now, he couldn't even show how much money he had earned thus far.
• “Take your time, young man. Consider it. The military door is always open to welcome you,” Tobias commented as his eyes sparkled. He was no ordinary man because of his achievements. He could see Zachary's weakness with just a glance. He knew that what he said had tempted Zachary. If Tobias continued talking about it, he could indeed make Zachary stay.
• “Think about it. A good man should protect his home and his country. Also, you should build up your reputation. If you train well with me in the military, it won't be a problem for you to be promoted. If you're homesick during the New Year, I can go back with you to visit your parents and tell them how capable their son is. Just think about it. They'd be so proud of you,” Tobias said.
• After listening to what he said, Zachary hesitated, and his eyebrows furrowed deeper.
• “Actually, I think you're a better fit for the police force,” Clarence Bavinck, the police chief, said out of the blue.
• “Hmm?” Zachary glanced at him.
• Is he trying to steal my business? Tobias was instantly shocked and turned his gaze to Clarence.
• However, Clarence puffed his chest up in confidence, stared at Zachary, and said with admiration, “Yes, it's true that a good man should protect his home and country and build a reputation for himself. But that means the people would also lose a hero to protect them. In my opinion, your capabilities are a better fit for the police force. You'd be charismatic in the police uniform. Moreover, we have the most outstanding team in the police force. The director and I would definitely recommend you to the team. You have a girlfriend, don't you? Just imagine, if one day you put on the police uniform and went back home, what kind of expression would she have? Will she be proud of you?”
• Natalie is a police officer herself. If I can become the best officer in the police force, I wonder what exciting expression she'd have while looking at me.
• Upon hearing what Clarence said, Zachary could not help but give his words a second thought.
• “Clarence, are you trying to take my man away?” Tobias could not keep it in any longer and glared at Clarence.
• In an instant, Clarence was embarrassed. He laughed it off and added, “Commander Winston, I'm not taking your man. I'm just trying to recruit talent.”
• “Clarence, if we're talking about status, I'm older than you, and you can't call me by my name. I admire your chess skills. That's why I lower my status and often ask you for a chess game. How could you do this to me? I don't want to play chess with a friend like you. Let's end our friendship here.” It was evident that Tobias was livid as his face burnt red with anger.
• Clarence chuckled and replied, “Haha! Commander Winston, I'm not your opponent when it comes to chess anyway. I'm always losing to you, and I've long wanted to quit chess, so it's best that you don't want to play with me anymore.”
• “Clarence! You-” Tobias' face flushed red with anger.
• Seeing that Tobias could not finish his sentence, Clarence laughed. “I'll stop here and not make you angrier. You're older than me, and your status is beyond mine. Our director will be here soon. If you want to fight for Zachary, you can fight with him.”
• “How dare you secretly call Jeremy?” Tobias got angrier as soon as he heard that Jeremy was coming.
• Since Zachary had exceptional abilities, Clarence was instantly attracted. Seeing that Tobias was about to recruit Zachary into the military, he was willing to give up on their friendship and sneakily called the director of the police force, Jeremy Wright. He wanted to fight with Tobias for Zachary. Just yesterday, everyone was doubting Zachary, yet he became the hot cake everyone was fighting for at that moment.
• “That's enough!” Bennett yelled suddenly. He wore a darkened expression the whole time.
• “Huh?” Tobias and Clarence both looked at him in shock.
• “Commander Winston, Chief Bavinck, one of you is in your sixties, and the other is nearing fifty, and yet both of you are fighting over an unidentified young man. Do both of you think this is right? I think there are many suspicious aspects of Zachary's identity, and we need to see if he's really worth fighting for. Why don't I test his capabilities myself? It won't be too late if you two want to fight for him then,” Bennett said.
• “You're challenging me?” Zachary hesitated if he wanted to join the military. If he did, he did not know if he should choose the army or the police force.
• When he heard what Bennett said, he could not help but shudder.
• “That's right. I'm Bennett Lawson, the assistant instructor of state military special forces and an expert at the grandmaster-level. Please enlighten me.” With that, Bennett immediately saluted Zachary. The former posed like he was about to fight, with his left hand in front and right behind.
• Seeing the fighting spirit in Bennett's eyes, Zachary could not help but frown slightly.
• “What's the matter? You're not going to fight?” Bennett's eyes shone.
• Zachary laughed. “Sorry, but you're not my opponent.”
• With that said, he waved his right hand behind, raised his head, and looked away. Zachary only saw Bennett as a young and naïve child.