A Risky Move and a Heavy Responsibility

Inside the main tent, you could hear a pin drop.

All the officers' gazes were fixed on Wei Zhe and Meng Wu, the atmosphere tensed to its absolute limit.

Privately distributing military merits, if you looked at it from a small perspective, it was buying popularity. If you looked at it from a large perspective, it was challenging military law and shaking the foundation of the nation. No one had expected that Meng Wu would bring this matter up in public.

Shi Meng's palms were already sweating. He had tried to speak up for Wei Zhe several times, but under Meng Wu's stern gaze, he swallowed his words back.

Just as everyone thought Wei Zhe was about to face disaster, Meng Wu suddenly laughed.

His laughter was hearty and loud, instantly dispelling the oppressive atmosphere in the tent.

"Hahaha... Good! Well said!"

Meng Wu stood up, walked down from the command table, and personally approached Wei Zhe.

"The art of war is not about the bravery of one person, but the unity of comrades! Well said!" He heavily patted Wei Zhe's shoulder, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration. "Our Great Qin Elite Warriors need not only fearless warriors, but also generals like you who know how to live and die with their brothers!"

"You privately distributed military merits, and by law, you should be punished. But you beheaded a general on the battlefield and boosted the morale of the three armies, so you deserve a reward!"

Meng Wu paused, his voice suddenly rising: "Merits and demerits cancel each other out! This matter is now closed! As for the military merits of your squad, as you said, they will be distributed equally! I, the High General, officially permit it!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire tent erupted in an uproar.

No one had expected the outcome to be like this! The commander not only did not punish Wei Zhe, but publicly affirmed his actions!

This was undoubtedly sending a signal to the entire army: he, Meng Wu, valued talented generals who could win battles and lead troops, not mediocre individuals who rigidly adhered to rules!

"Thank you, High General!" The stone weighing on Wei Zhe's heart finally fell. He knew he had gambled and won.

"However..." Meng Wu's tone shifted, once again drawing everyone's attention. "Your soldiers can be rewarded for their merits, but you cannot."

He gazed at Wei Zhe and slowly said, "Your merit is too great. Ordinary rewards are no longer sufficient to reward you. Therefore, I am going to give you a more important mission. A mission... with a one-in-nine chance of survival!"

Here it comes!

Wei Zhe's heart tightened. He knew the real test was just beginning.

"Your subordinate is willing to die for the General!" He knelt on one knee without hesitation.

Meng Wu turned and returned to the huge sand table, pointing to a red-marked area to the north.

"This is the Xiongnu's grain and fodder camp. It's about eighty li from Eagle Beak Cliff, located in a hidden valley called 'Wolf Howl Valley'. All the grain and fodder for their southward advance this time is stored there, guarded by a Chieftain leading five thousand elite troops."

"I want you, leading your squad, to infiltrate Wolf Howl Valley tonight at midnight and burn it down!"

"What?!"

As soon as this order was given, all the officers in the tent gasped. Even Shi Meng's expression changed drastically.

"General, you cannot!" a Quchang hurriedly advised, "To attack a camp guarded by five thousand men with twenty-one people... this... this is no different from sending them to their deaths!"

"Yes, General, this move is too dangerous!"

"Please reconsider, General!"

Everyone echoed their agreement. In their eyes, this was simply an impossible mission.

Meng Wu, however, waved his hand, stopping all discussion. His gaze remained fixed on Wei Zhe.

"I know this is difficult," he said in a deep voice. "Therefore, I will not force you. You can choose to refuse. If you refuse, I will still acknowledge your merits today and promote you to Centurion, rewarding you with a hundred yi of gold."

Generous rewards versus a mission with a one-in-nine chance of survival.

The choice was placed in Wei Zhe's hands.

All eyes turned to him again. They all felt that any normal person would choose the former.

However, Wei Zhe smiled.

Refuse? How could he possibly refuse!

This was simply a heaven-sent opportunity for him! Attacking the grain and fodder camp at night, the enemies killed, the Tempering Points gained, would be an astronomical figure! Moreover, once successful, this merit would be enough to elevate him to the highest level!

Fortune favors the bold!

"Reporting to the High General!" Wei Zhe's voice was resolute, filled with soaring fighting spirit. "Your subordinate accepts the order!"

"Good!" A terrifying glint flashed in Meng Wu's eyes. "I haven't misjudged you! Shi Meng!"

"This subordinate is here!"

"From now until midnight, the Military Arms Department, the Armory, and the stables are at Wei Zhe's disposal! Give him whatever he needs! No delays!"

"This subordinate obeys!" Although Shi Meng was worried, he also felt a sense of inexplicable excitement.

Exiting the main tent, Wei Zhe immediately began his intense preparations.

"Qian Hu, go to the stables immediately and select twenty-one warhorses with the best stamina! Hu Lei, take your men to the Armory and get enough incendiary materials, as well as spare bows, crossbows, and arrows!"

"Yes, Squad Leader!" The two took their orders and left.

Wei Zhe, however, went alone to the Military Arms Department again.

As soon as the two old blacksmiths saw him, they respectfully stepped forward.

"Squad Leader Wei, what are your orders?"

"I need twenty-one short blades suitable for night assassination, and twenty sets of grappling hooks for quickly climbing cliffs," Wei Zhe said directly. "I will forge them myself, you two just assist me!"

In his mind, the blueprint for the Armor-Piercing Awl he'd obtained from the System was perfect for the task. He intended to improve it, forging it into a concealed weapon that could both stab and slash, and was also easy to throw!

"Yes!"

The two old blacksmiths didn't dare to delay, immediately starting the fire and preparing the materials.

Wei Zhe took off his shirt and once again picked up the heavy hammer.

This time, the internal energy within him was several times more potent than the previous day, and wielding the Thousand Refinement Force felt even more effortless.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

The rapid hammering sound echoed again, but unlike yesterday, this time the sound seemed to contain a killing intent that was about to erupt.

Under his hammering, ordinary steel billets were forged into peculiar, three-edged short blades. The blades were full of blood grooves, and their tips were incredibly sharp, capable of easily piercing the leather armor of the Xiongnu.

At the same time, a set of grappling hooks made of fine steel, complete with barbs, were also rapidly taking shape.

Outside the tent, Shi Meng, who was on guard duty, listened to the rhythmic and powerful hammering sound from within, his eyes growing more complex.

Beside him, a Centurion, who was also drawn to Wei Zhe's actions, couldn't help but curl his lip.

"General Shi, are you really letting him go? Twenty men against a camp of five thousand. Even if this kid were made of iron, he'd be crushed into dust. I think he's just young and reckless, not knowing the meaning of death!"

This Centurion was named Sun He. He usually didn't get along with Shi Meng, and now he seized the opportunity to mock him.

Shi Meng ignored him, merely saying calmly, "Sun He, you'd best remember what you said today. When he returns, I hope your expression will be as interesting as it is now."

After speaking, he fell silent, quietly listening to the hammering sound as if listening to the prelude to a war.