Liu Mingxuan

Because his injuries were only superficial, Lin Yan did not linger at the military district hospital. After completing the formalities, he returned to the barracks with Wang Bing and Wei Xinran.

His dark green dress uniform was immaculate, emphasizing his tall, lean frame. With sharp brows, bright eyes, and handsome features, he certainly had a fine appearance.

Though it was wartime, Defense Line 021 had drawn a large number of troops from various military regions, so there was no shortage of personnel. They had just been rotated off the front line and did not need to enter training too quickly.

They were all equipped with combat watches. If the fighting became urgent, the command center would issue orders directly, and every soldier who received them had to assemble quickly and prepare for battle.

"Do you know anyone in the barracks who knows the Thunderclap Sword?"

As they walked, Lin Yan asked the two of them.

I still have 38 points of Soul Power. It would be better to use it up and turn it into strength as soon as possible.

The Thunderclap Sword was a widely practiced D-rank sword technique. Its powerful, heavy strikes and broad, sweeping movements gave it tremendous destructive force, making it highly suitable for soldiers in the military.

However, that only applied to martial artists serving in the army.

After all, this D-rank sword technique was already sufficient for ordinary Mid-level General martial artists. Those who were not martial artists would find it difficult even to get started.

Soldiers below the martial artist level generally focused their energy on firearms and other thermal weapons. Only then could they bring out their proper value.

Even Lin Yan himself was only eighteen years old and just one step away from becoming a martial artist. Weapons training was a required course at university, and he had chosen the Thunderclap Sword. Even so, he had stumbled through it and put in a great deal of hard work before achieving a little success.

Unfortunately, his genetic optimization level did not yet qualify him to cultivate Gene Energy, so the power he could unleash was relatively limited.

Lin Yan's current goal was to advance to the martial artist level as quickly as possible, master the Thunderclap Sword, and improve his combat ability.

Wei Xinran asked doubtfully, "The Thunderclap Sword? What is it, Lin Yan? Did you run into some obstacle while practicing?"

Lin Yan nodded. "Yeah, it feels like I've hit a bottleneck. This isn't school, so I can't ask a teacher for guidance. But there should be capable martial artists in the barracks who have mastered this sword technique. Since I have time now, I'd like to visit them and ask for instruction."

"They are all people truly skilled in real combat, so they probably have a deeper understanding of this than the teachers at school. If we can receive their guidance, it will be very helpful to us."

Wang Bing clapped his hands happily. "You've reminded me. This is a great opportunity. My Immovable Blade Technique is a martial art widely taught in the military. I know several martial artists who are accomplished with the Immovable Blade. I need to seek their advice properly."

They were all students of the National Defense University, Huaxia's foremost institution of higher learning. Even though they had only come to the military during vacation for experience, they had been granted the rank of Second Lieutenant and were held in high regard. No matter how one looked at it, this was a good thing. There was nothing inappropriate about visiting others to seek instruction.

Wei Xinran said with a smile, "Don't run off. You're the best informed among us. If you leave, we'll be completely in the dark. Who are we supposed to look for?"

They could ask others as well, but there was clearly a know-it-all right in front of them. There was no reason to seek far when what they needed was close at hand.

Wang Bing rubbed his chin. "As for the Thunderclap Sword, the commander of Fourth Company in the Fierce Tiger Regiment practices it. But after thinking it over, the strongest has to be Major Liu Mingxuan, the operations group leader at the military district's security office."

"Group Leader Liu is a Mid-level General martial artist. His Thunderclap Sword has long reached perfection, and he is now cultivating All Things Severed, the most domineering A-rank technique." Wang Bing gave an awkward laugh. "But I wouldn't really recommend asking Group Leader Liu for instruction. He also came from the National Defense University like us and enlisted directly after studying for two years, but he is famously cold and arrogant. Besides, that's the military district security office..."

His voice gradually weakened as he spoke.

Lin Yan and Wei Xinran could not help laughing at the sight of him. The military district security office was mainly responsible for daily law enforcement and disciplinary supervision within the military. Wang Bing was naturally lively and unruly, often punished even during military training, so he had an instinctive fear of that institution.

But after hearing the introduction, Lin Yan's eyes lit up. This Liu Mingxuan was powerful, and he could not have fit Lin Yan's requirements any better.

Seeing that he was tempted, Wang Bing said in shock, "Brother, you're not really planning to ask Group Leader Liu for instruction, are you? I heard he's like some kind of great demon king. If you perform well, that's one thing, but if you don't, you'll suffer for it."

Lin Yan patted his shoulder. "No need to worry. I'm confident."

After saying that, he got his bearings and headed toward the military district security office.

Wang Bing watched his retreating back and scratched his head. "Lin Yan has changed so much since joining the military!"

Wei Xinran slung an arm around his shoulders and grinned. "The military is a great crucible. What's so strange about that? I wasn't far from Lin Yan on the battlefield yesterday, and I paid attention. That marksmanship was incredible. He was already good at school, sure, but after getting onto the battlefield, it feels like he's been completely transformed."

Wang Bing puffed out his chest. "I need to work twice as hard too. Let's go!"

"Wait, do you know anyone who knows my Night Rain Sword?"

Wang Bing thought for a moment. "The Night Rain Sword? I don't think I've heard of anyone. Come on, come with me. I'll help you ask around. There should be someone."

Northern Military Region Security Office.

"Reporting, Second Lieutenant Lin Yan has arrived."

Lin Yan followed a private into the office of the security office's operations group.

The timing was not particularly appropriate, but after he came here and requested to arrange a time to seek instruction from Group Leader Liu, he received an affirmative answer right away and was brought to the office.

That surprised him somewhat.

Behind the desk sat a rather handsome man with narrow, icy eyes. The security office's dress uniform differed somewhat from that of the army. Its style was similar, but it was entirely black.

He looked very young, only in his early twenties.

A Mid-level General at such a young age was truly extraordinary.

Liu Mingxuan did not acknowledge Lin Yan. Instead, he instructed the private, "Bring me his file."

Then he lowered his head and continued handling his official work.

A few minutes later, the file was brought in and placed on his desk. Liu Mingxuan opened it and examined it carefully for a few moments before rising to his feet.

He was about the same height as Lin Yan, around 1.85 meters. He walked over, stopped in front of Lin Yan, and studied him.

"You are Lin Yan?"

His voice was clear and cold.

Lin Yan snapped to attention and saluted. "Yes, sir."

Liu Mingxuan's expression remained calm, revealing none of what he was thinking. "My temperament is not good. You should have heard that. You may seek my instruction in swordsmanship, but if your performance does not satisfy me, I will get angry."

Lin Yan answered loudly, "Reporting, I am confident!"

"Good." Liu Mingxuan nodded, turned around, and took a heavy battle sword from a compartment in his desk. He held it in his hand and walked out of the office.

"Follow me."