Half an hour later, at the Vanguard Camp's drill ground.
The cold wind swept up sand and dust, making the banners crackle and snap. Nearly a thousand Vanguard Camp soldiers stood in formation by unit and squad, silent as cicadas in winter. A grim, murderous air congealed in the air, a hundred times heavier than that of the Supply Camp.
Chen Qing stood at the front of his squad, with Old Niu, Sun Quezi, and the other nine behind him. After his earlier display of authority, the nine now stood ramrod straight. The disdain in their eyes had vanished without a trace, replaced only by the instinctive awe and obedience felt toward the strong. They could sense that this absurdly young new Squad Leader possessed a steadiness—and a danger—that did not match his age.
On the command platform, a brawny commander in a dark crimson cloak stood with one hand resting on his sword, his gaze sweeping over the entire field like that of an eagle. This was the Vanguard Camp's commanding officer, Captain Zhou Han. Rumor had it that he had long since reached the peak of the Bone Forging Realm and stood only one step away from the Meridian Condensing Realm.
"Those Northern Mang bastards have gone too far!" Zhou Han's voice exploded over the drill ground like muffled thunder. "They've attacked our camp day after day and slaughtered our comrades! Do they really think Great Yan has no one left?"
No one below answered. Only heavier breathing and the crisp crackle of knuckles tightening around weapons could be heard.
"Orders from above!" Zhou Han suddenly drew his sword, its point aimed straight north. "We can't let them comfortably surround us and pick us apart any longer! The Vanguard Camp is the spearhead of the entire army! At the start of the midnight hour, follow me out of the camp and launch a surprise attack on the Northern Mang left flank's outpost—Wolf Fang Stronghold!"
"Pull out this nail and let them taste what it feels like to be stabbed in the back!"
"Roar!" Nearly a thousand soldiers below let out a low bellow, their fighting spirit igniting in an instant.
A surprise attack! This was the kind of work the Vanguard Camp was meant to do! Rather than passively take blows, it was better to strike first!
Chen Qing narrowed his eyes slightly. He had heard of Wolf Fang Stronghold. It was an important outpost on the Northern Mang army's left flank, garrisoned by quite a few elites and easy to defend but difficult to assault. A night raid carried tremendous risks, but if it succeeded, the gains would be equally astonishing. More importantly, it meant a great deal of slaughter, a great deal of... proficiency and Killing Intent!
"All units and squads, return and prepare! Check your weapons and armor, eat your fill, and sleep soundly! Assemble here at the start of the midnight hour! Anyone who delays, beheaded! Anyone who fears battle, beheaded!" Zhou Han's voice rang like metal striking stone as he gave his final order.
The formation dispersed, and the atmosphere instantly became feverish and tense.
Back in the small tent assigned to them, the ten men of Chen Qing's squad sat in a circle.
Old Niu rubbed his hands together, excited yet somewhat uneasy. "Damn it, we finally don't have to hide in camp like turtles! Wolf Fang Stronghold won't be easy to take. Those Northern Mang bastards have at least a hundred-man unit stationed there, plus chevaux-de-frise and trenches."
Sun Quezi added darkly, "I heard the one leading them is a centurion called 'Vulture.' He's ruthless and vicious, and his cultivation is probably close to the middle stage of the Bone Forging Realm."
The other soldiers joined in the discussion, talking over one another. The mood grew somewhat heavy. Night raids were difficult enough already, and their target was such a hard bone to chew.
Chen Qing listened quietly. Only after they had said nearly everything did he slowly speak. "Afraid?"
Everyone froze. Old Niu craned his neck and said, "What are you saying, Squad Leader? Men of the Vanguard Camp don't even have the word 'fear' in their dictionaries!"
"Good." Chen Qing's gaze swept over them. "Wolf Fang Stronghold won't be easy to take. We know that, and the Northern Mang know it too. Precisely because it is difficult to take, they will let down their guard. That is our opportunity."
He paused, then continued, "A night raid requires speed, precision, and ruthlessness. Our squad's task is not to clash head-on with that centurion. We are to follow orders, slip in from the flank, create chaos, burn their provisions and supplies, or... kill as many ordinary guards as possible."
His voice was calm, yet it carried a power that inspired trust. "Remember three things. First, stay close to me. Do not fall behind. Second, strike hard. Leave no survivors. Third, if things cannot be done, preserving yourselves comes first. I will cover the rear."
Looking at Chen Qing's placid, unruffled face, the men recalled his terrifying Killing Intent and skill from before. The unease in their hearts miraculously faded by more than half. With such a powerful Squad Leader leading them, even the hardest bone seemed worth taking a bite out of.
"We'll all follow the Squad Leader!" Old Niu was the first to declare.
"We'll follow the Squad Leader!" The others echoed him.
"Go prepare. Check your weapons and armor, eat all the dried meat you were issued, and rest while you can." Chen Qing waved them away.
After everyone left, Chen Qing remained alone in the tent. He took out the five Blood Strengthening Pills and swallowed them all in one gulp without the slightest hesitation.
The pills entered his stomach and immediately turned into five scorching currents that darted through his body like little snakes. He immediately circulated Fierce Tiger Iron Body, guiding the surging medicinal power to scour his limbs and bones, especially the hidden injuries left from earlier battles and wounds that had not yet fully healed.
Wherever the hot current passed, it brought waves of stabbing pain, but even more so, a sense of strength brimming within him. The humming between his bones became increasingly distinct, while the dark sheen beneath his skin seemed to deepen by another fraction.
[Consumed Blood Strengthening Pill, *Fierce Tiger Iron Body* proficiency +50] [Blood and vitality strengthened, *Black Tiger Fist* intent slightly improved...]
His proficiency steadily rose, and the blood and vitality within him grew more vigorous as well. He stored away most of the medicinal power, intending to unleash it during battle.
Then he drew his ring-pommel saber, dipped a whetstone in clean water, and began carefully sharpening the blade. The scrape, scrape of stone against steel echoed through the silent tent.
A blade needed sharpening.
A man needed sharpening too.
This Wolf Fang Stronghold was an excellent whetstone.
He stroked the cold blade, and his gaze gradually turned sharp.
Midnight would arrive very soon.
Before you continue