Appointing a Squad Leader! Chilling Killing Intent!

"Alas!"

Xu Qi let out a long sigh. "Liu Kui fought the enemy bravely. He was a hero of our Ren-Rank Camp. Later, I'll send someone to bring his ashes back to his hometown and apply for compensation."

After saying that, Xu Qi walked over to Jiang Bei and asked, "Jiang Bei, how is your leg injury?"

"I can still endure it."

Jiang Bei replied.

"Here is some secret medicine for treating external wounds. Apply it, and the effect will be immediate. You worked hard in this battle too. Return to camp and rest first."

Xu Qi took out a packet of medicine and placed it in Jiang Bei's palm.

"Thank you, Battalion Commander."

Jiang Bei hurriedly expressed his thanks.

Afterward, everyone began heading back to Ren-Rank Camp.

Along the way, Jiang Bei impatiently opened his panel.

Martial arts: Xing Tian Gong (Second Layer +), Blood Wolf Saber Technique (First Layer +), Cloud Shadow Steps (Beginner +)

Realm: Eighth Rank Minor Training

Merit Points: 91

Talent: Thousand Illusions True Eye

Discovered martial art: Xing Tian Gong. Can be upgraded. Requires 60 Merit Points. Upgrade?

Discovered martial art: Blood Wolf Saber Technique. Can be upgraded. Requires 20 Merit Points. Upgrade?

Discovered martial art: Cloud Shadow Steps. Can be upgraded. Requires 10 Merit Points. Upgrade?

"91 Merit Points. I can upgrade all three techniques once."

The corner of Jiang Bei's mouth lifted. With a thought, he directly upgraded Xing Tian Gong.

"Boom!!"

Jiang Bei's body suddenly shuddered.

A surging, scorching current of killing energy violently poured into him.

The bones and tendons within his body began to tremble. Torrential power surged like a flood, sweeping and raging continuously through Jiang Bei's body!

The process lasted a full quarter of an hour.

After a quarter of an hour, Jiang Bei felt warm all over, as though he had soaked in a hot spring.

"This power... Is this Eighth Rank Great Training?"

Jiang Bei stretched out his fingers and clenched his fist, feeling that vast and powerful strength. The corner of his mouth rose slightly as well.

The reason he had crushed Liu Kui so quickly today ultimately came down to Liu Kui underestimating him, compounded by Liu Kui's injuries.

Otherwise, killing Liu Kui would certainly not have been so simple.

But things were different now.

After breaking through to Eighth Rank Great Training, he could clearly feel the difference from Eighth Rank Minor Training.

His current strength far surpassed what it had been before.

Even if he faced Liu Kui at his peak, he could take the other man's life in an instant!

He then looked at the Blood Wolf Saber Technique and continued upgrading it.

The commotion from his breakthrough was not great, and he was at the very back of the group, so he did not need to worry about anyone noticing.

Very quickly, Jiang Bei upgraded the Blood Wolf Saber Technique to the Second Layer and Cloud Shadow Steps to the First Layer.

At the same time—

At the front of the group, Xu Qi finished listening to Chen Shi, Zhao Li, and the others recount everything that had happened in Li Star Cave.

"Alright, I understand. You may withdraw first."

Xu Qi waved his hand, dismissing Chen Shi and the others.

"Battalion Commander, I truly didn't expect Jiang Bei to change so much after returning from Death Squad Camp. He's actually already broken through to Ninth Rank Great Training!"

Beside Xu Qi, a burly, bearded man could not help sighing.

His name was Zhang Feng, and he was the Squad Leader of First Squad.

"It is indeed somewhat unexpected. He must have contributed greatly to killing Kliegjin this time."

Xu Qi nodded, stroking his chin as a thoughtful look appeared in his eyes.

"Battalion Commander, are you thinking...?"

Seeing Xu Qi's pensive expression, Zhang Feng vaguely guessed something.

"We'll discuss it after returning to camp!"

Xu Qi said.

The following afternoon.

Everyone returned to Ren-Rank Camp.

The group dismounted and entered the camp on foot. Platoon Leaders and above could not leave first; they had to gather in the command tent for a meeting and a summary.

"Jiang Bei, you come too."

Jiang Bei was not a Platoon Leader, but Xu Qi called him along this time.

"Yes!"

Jiang Bei immediately hurried after him.

"How effective was my secret medicine?"

Xu Qi glanced at Jiang Bei's thigh and smiled.

"It's almost healed. Thank you, Battalion Commander, for the medicine."

Jiang Bei said.

Xu Qi merely waved his hand.

Then everyone entered the command tent and summarized the battle at Iron Fist Valley.

"In the battle at Iron Fist Valley, we wiped out a total of seventy-six Barbarians, along with thirty-four Dry People martial artists. It can be considered a great victory! But..."

Xu Qi's voice sank, echoing through the somewhat stifling command tent. "Squad Leader Liu Kui fought Kliegjin bravely and died in the line of duty. It is deeply regrettable. Zhao Wu and Li Shuanzi of Second Squad... as well as more than twenty brothers from several other squads, will never return."

His gaze swept over every person in the tent, carrying a heavy weight. "The compensation will be delivered to their families as soon as possible. The injured brothers have been provided with the finest Gold Sore Medicine by the camp. You must recuperate properly and recover soon!"

As his words fell, the command tent became incomparably solemn. Every face bore traces of grief.

Xu Qi abruptly changed his tone, his voice rising sharply with the power to lift morale. "But overall, this battle was a great victory. We killed over a hundred enemies and dealt a heavy blow to those Barbarian dogs' arrogance! I have already reported your achievements in detail to the Colonel. Those who took heads and rendered meritorious service in battle will receive promotions where deserved, and not a single coin of the rewards they deserve will be withheld!"

Hearing this, everyone in the command tent was stirred.

Suddenly, Xu Qi turned his gaze toward Jiang Bei in the corner. "Jiang Bei, in this battle, though you were an ordinary soldier, you infiltrated Li Star Cave, assisted Liu Kui in killing the Crimson Night Cat Lord, and helped Third Battalion eliminate Kliegjin! Your courage is commendable, and your achievements deserve reward!"

Hearing this, the other Squad Leaders and Platoon Leaders in the tent had already vaguely guessed what was coming.

The next moment, Xu Qi continued, "Now that Liu Kui is dead, Second Squad cannot go a day without a Squad Leader. It cannot be a dragon without a head. From this day onward, Jiang Bei, you will take command of Second Squad and assume the post of Squad Leader!"

Just as expected!

The hearts of the other Squad Leaders and Platoon Leaders in the tent jolted.

The Battalion Commander truly intended to appoint Jiang Bei as the Squad Leader of Second Squad. Beyond their shock, what they felt more was admiration.

After all, Jiang Bei was only around twenty years old! He was extremely young, and most importantly, he had originally been nothing more than an ordinary soldier. Yet now he had skipped a rank, bypassed the position of Platoon Leader, and become a Squad Leader directly!

Even in the entire history of Ren-Rank Camp, this was exceedingly rare!

But Jiang Bei's performance in Li Star Cave this time completely warranted such a reward!

Jiang Bei himself was also taken aback.

He had not expected Xu Qi to make him a Squad Leader directly.

Beyond the surprise, there was undoubtedly even more delight in his heart.

As a Squad Leader, he would hold a higher position, have more room to act independently, and possess more resources.

He would even be... one step closer to dealing with Xie Kaiyue!

Naturally, this was a good thing!

Jiang Bei took a deep breath. Without hesitation, he suppressed the turbulent waves in his heart, rose to his feet, and solemnly clasped his fists toward Xu Qi. "Thank you for your trust, Battalion Commander! Jiang Bei accepts the order! I will not fail your expectations. I will lead Second Squad well, kill enemies, and serve the nation!"

"Very good!"

Seeing Jiang Bei swiftly accept the appointment and state his resolve, a trace of satisfaction flashed through Xu Qi's eyes.

Just as he was about to dismiss everyone—

His keen senses suddenly detected a figure pacing back and forth outside the command tent.

His expression immediately tightened slightly as he called out, "Who is so restless outside the tent? Let him enter."

The next moment, a limping figure poked half his body inside.

"Xiu Yong?"

Jiang Bei's eyes narrowed. He had not expected the person outside the tent to be Guo Xiu Yong.

"Jiang Bei..."

Guo Xiu Yong hesitated to speak, but with Xu Qi present, he did not dare say much. He hurriedly clasped his fists. "Battalion Commander, I did not mean to pace outside the command tent. I was merely... merely waiting for Jiang Bei to come out. I have something urgent to tell him."

"Something urgent?"

Xu Qi's expression shifted slightly.

"Forget it! Battalion Commander, I ask you to uphold justice for Jiang Bei in this matter!"

Guo Xiu Yong continued, his expression filled with anxiety.

"You need me to uphold justice? Then tell me—what urgent matter is this?"

Xu Qi asked in a deep voice.

Jiang Bei also stared intently at Guo Xiu Yong, greatly curious about what urgent matter the latter meant.

"Battalion Commander! That dog Wang Teng! While Jiang Bei was away on his mission these past two days, he... he actually went looking for Jiang Bei's wife, Yu Rou, again! No one could stop him! He... he used his status as a Platoon Leader to grope Sister Yu Rou. I tried to stop him just now, but he slapped me too. I'm no match for him. When I heard that you had returned, Battalion Commander, I hurried here to tell Jiang Bei!"

Guo Xiu Yong roared, his eyes bloodshot.

"Boom—"

These words were no less than a thunderclap exploding in Jiang Bei's mind!

Icy killing intent instantly filled his eyes!

Two days ago, he had already sensed the ill intent in Wang Teng's gaze.

But he had not expected the man's audacity to be so great that he would dare lay hands on Xiao Rou while Jiang Bei was out on a mission!

"What?"

"Something like this happened? Ren-Rank Camp has truly produced a scum!"

The command tent immediately erupted.

All the Squad Leaders and Platoon Leaders underwent a drastic change in expression, unable to believe it.

They actually knew about Wang Teng's lechery. He specialized in setting his sights on the wives of ordinary soldiers.

But they had never expected him to become increasingly brazen!

Xu Qi's face became exceedingly ugly as well.

He had long heard of Wang Teng's lechery and had even warned him before, yet this beast dared commit such a despicable act right under his nose, just as Jiang Bei had rendered great merit and been promoted to Squad Leader?!

This was not merely a slap in Jiang Bei's face. It was practically a slap in Xu Qi's face! A slap in the face of Ren-Rank Camp's military law!

"Where is Xue Long? Is this the soldier he trained?!"

Xu Qi demanded in a deep voice.

Wang Teng was a Platoon Leader of Ninth Squad and a subordinate of Squad Leader Xue Long.

"Reporting to the Battalion Commander! Xue Long was injured in the previous mission and has been recuperating these past few days."

A Squad Leader answered.

Before Xu Qi could say another word, Jiang Bei had already raised his head. Icy killing intent spread through his eyes, as though the temperature throughout the entire command tent had suddenly plunged.

He was just about to rush out of the tent.

Then he suddenly remembered something and turned to Xu Qi. "Battalion Commander, I, Jiang Bei, am now the Squad Leader of Second Squad, correct?"

"Of course!"

Xu Qi answered without hesitation, his voice equally containing anger.

"Then!" Jiang Bei's voice suddenly rose, like thunder exploding through the silent command tent. Carrying pent-up violent power and towering killing intent, he declared to Xu Qi and everyone present, "As a Squad Leader, if I clean house and take down a bastard of a Platoon Leader who is worse than a beast... would that be 'justified and proper'?!"

Xu Qi met those bloodshot yet ice-cold, bone-piercing eyes. Without the slightest hesitation, he said decisively, "Of course! It is justified and proper! Military discipline is as immovable as a mountain!"

As Xu Qi's voice fell—

Jiang Bei had already rushed out of the command tent.

Killing intent boiled around him as though it had substance!

He had previously wondered why Yu Rou had so many scratch marks on her shoulder and arm.

But now, it seemed—

Even now that he had returned, Wang Teng still dared act so brazenly!

Those scratches and injuries must have been left when Yu Rou resisted Wang Teng's groping before!

Two days ago, he had sworn in his heart that if this beast dared offend again, he would make him pay a painful price.

Today, it was time to settle matters with this beast once and for all!