Might Makes Right

When Wei Zhe's "Accepted!" echoed through the night sky, the entire New Recruit Camp fell into an eerie silence.

He's crazy!

This recruit must be insane!

This was the thought in everyone's mind.

Shi Meng looked at the undisguised fighting spirit in Wei Zhe's eyes and was slightly stunned, then his anger intensified. He felt belittled by a mere rookie.

"Bold!" Shi Meng roared, twisting his neck with a crisp "crack, crack." "Everyone get out here and watch in the training grounds! Today, I'll show you rookies what a true Elite Northern Warrior is!"

As the order was given, recruits pretending to sleep in their tents, those peeking, and even the veterans all poured out, surrounding the small open space so tightly it was impenetrable, automatically forming a circle.

Everyone's face held expressions of excitement, nervousness, and disbelief.

A recruit challenging the head instructor!

Such a rare spectacle, happening once in a century, was enough to become the most boastful topic of conversation among them in the military for the next few years.

Hu Lei also climbed up from the ground. Ignoring the pain in his bent leg, he squeezed into the crowd, staring intently at the two figures in the center, his eyes complex. He both hoped Wei Zhe would be severely taught a lesson and made to know his limits, yet deep down, a faint hope flickered, a hope that this young man who had just subdued him could once again create a miracle.

In the center of the field, Wei Zhe and Shi Meng stood facing each other.

A cold wind blew, kicking up dust from the ground.

"Kid, I'll let you strike first, so you don't say I'm bullying you," Shi Meng said, crossing his arms. His body, like an iron tower, exuded immense pressure.

"Instructor, please excuse me!"

Wei Zhe didn't hold back. He knew that against an opponent like this, any hesitation would be foolish.

He took a deep breath, his body sinking slightly, adopting a stance that appeared ordinary yet was both offensive and defensive. This wasn't some profound martial art, but rather a defensive posture naturally formed in the Thousand Refinement Force to deal with sparks and iron filings splashing during forging.

The next moment, he moved!

Without any fancy movements, he stomped his foot, and his entire body shot forward like an arrow released from a bowstring, instantly covering several yards and rushing before Shi Meng.

A straight punch, unadorned, yet carrying a sharp, unstoppable momentum!

"Good!"

A sharp glint flashed in Shi Meng's eyes. Without dodging or evading, he met the punch with one of his own.

His fist was a full circle larger than Wei Zhe's, covered in calluses and scars, filled with explosive power.

He intended to use the purest strength to utterly crush this ignorant brat!

"Bang!"

Fists met, emitting a dull thud like a war drum.

A powerful recoil force surged through Wei Zhe, his arm going numb. He was uncontrollably forced back three steps before he managed to stabilize himself.

Shi Meng, however, merely swayed slightly, his feet rooted to the spot!

The difference in strength was immediately apparent!

"Hiss—"

A collective gasp of cold air rose from the surrounding crowd.

"See? That's the gap!" an old soldier said proudly. "The boss's strength is ranked among the best in our entire Northern Frontier Camp! No matter how capable that kid is, he's just a greenhorn!"

The recruits' hearts sank. The sliver of hope that had just risen was instantly shattered by that punch.

Shi Meng shook his slightly numb fist and looked at Wei Zhe with a hint of surprise. He had expected this punch to knock Wei Zhe down, but he hadn't anticipated the opponent only retreating three steps, and seemingly unharmed.

This kid's bones are much harder than I thought!

"Kid, good strength. Come again!"

Shi Meng roared, no longer passively defending, and actively launched his attack.

His offensive was grand and sweeping, like a storm. Every punch, every kick, carried immense force and a strong killing intent. These were killing techniques honed in a sea of corpses – simple, direct, and deadly!

For a time, Wei Zhe was completely at a disadvantage, relying solely on his agility and reaction speed, far exceeding that of ordinary people, to desperately dodge Shi Meng's stormy onslaught, narrowly escaping danger.

In the eyes of the onlookers, he was like a small boat in a raging tempest, liable to be swallowed whole at any moment.

"It's over, it's over, Brother Wei is going to lose."

"They're not even in the same league!"

Several recruits could no longer bear to watch.

However, Wei Zhe, at the center of the storm, was far calmer than outsiders perceived.

Although he was in a precarious situation, he dodged or blocked every one of Shi Meng's attacks with minimal cost. His mind was racing, analyzing every move of his opponent, searching for any flaws.

Shi Meng's attacks were fierce, but their grand, sweeping nature inevitably consumed immense stamina, and the transitions between moves couldn't be perfectly seamless.

Wei Zhe was waiting for an opportunity!

An opportunity like the fleeting optimal striking point on a piece of iron during forging!

After more than ten more exchanges, Shi Meng's offensive remained fierce, but his breathing had become slightly rapid. The more he fought, the more alarmed he became. This kid was like a slippery loach, impossible to grasp, and like a tough piece of taffy, no matter how much force he exerted, he couldn't land a fatal blow.

"Roar!"

Unable to break the siege, Shi Meng grew impatient. He let out a roar and swept out a powerful leg sweep, intending to shatter Wei Zhe's lower body.

Now's my chance!

Wei Zhe's eyes flashed with brilliance, and the suppressed aura he'd held back erupted!

Instead of retreating, he stepped forward, twisting his body at an unbelievable angle to perfectly dodge Shi Meng's leg sweep.

Simultaneously, he clenched his right fist, his arm muscles tensing instantly with the Thousand Refinement Force technique. He exerted his strength, his entire arm transforming into an unstoppable iron hammer!

This punch wasn't aimed at Shi Meng's head or chest, but at the exposed side of his waist, left vulnerable by the excessive force of his leg sweep!

That was one of the most fragile parts of the human body!

"No good!"

Shi Meng's internal alarm bells blared. He tried to retract his leg and defend, but it was already too late.

WHAM!

Wei Zhe's fist landed squarely on his waist.

"Ugh!"

Shi Meng let out a muffled groan of pain. His entire body trembled as if struck by a heavy hammer. He could no longer maintain balance with his sweeping leg, and his massive frame crashed to the ground.

The entire place fell silent.

Everyone's mouths hung open, their eyes bulging as if they might pop out of their sockets.

Shi Meng... the drill instructor as powerful as a demon god, had actually... fallen?

Wei Zhe, having landed his blow, didn't press his advantage. He retracted his fist and stood there quietly, his chest rising and falling slightly as he looked at Shi Meng on the ground.

Shi Meng struggled to get up, but the intense pain and numbness in his waist left him unable to muster any strength. He knew he had lost.

He had lost cleanly and decisively.

Lying on the cold ground, he gazed at the sparse stars in the night sky, his mind a complete blank. Then, a wave of immense humiliation washed over him.

But immediately after, he looked at the silent, motionless youth, and the humiliation slowly gave way to an indescribable shock.

This kid's vision, his timing, the precision of his attack – these were far beyond what a new recruit could possess.

This... was a born warrior!

"I... lost."

After a long silence, Shi Meng gritted out the three words through clenched teeth. His voice was hoarse, but it carried clearly throughout the entire area.

He struggled, propping himself up with one hand, and slowly sat up. His gaze towards Wei Zhe now held no trace of contempt, only complexity and gravity.

"I, Shi Meng, keep my word."

He took a deep breath and, facing all the watching soldiers, roared with all his might, "From this moment on, Wei Zhe is the Squad Leader of the First Squad, First Platoon of your New Recruit Camp!"

Ding, 'Military Fame' Quest One Complete.

Successfully promoted to Squad Leader, Reward: 100 Tempering Points.

A cold system notification chimed in Wei Zhe's mind precisely on time.

He had won.

He had won the bet, won respect, and earned his first foothold in this military camp.