Wind Rises on Qingping

## Chapter 17

Squad Leader Li's sudden death was like a boulder dropped into a stagnant pond, stirring up huge waves within the Vanguard Camp and even higher echelons.

The surface-level investigation ended perfunctorily, ultimately closing the case as "a deviation in martial arts practice, leading to the collapse of internal energy." The death of a military officer in the army was not uncommon, especially in this high-martial world where cultivation problems were rife. However, combined with the ambush at Black Wind Gorge and Chen Qing's undisguised murderous aura, everyone knew exactly what had happened.

No evidence was the greatest evidence.

For a time, the small camp where Chen Qing was located seemed to become an invisible forbidden zone. The usual overt and covert difficulties and surveillance instantly vanished without a trace. Even the clerks responsible for distributing supplies at the Supply Camp put on almost fawning smiles when they saw the soldiers under Chen Qing. The supplies were given in full measure, and their quality was even a bit better than the allocated amount.

Strength was the best pass. Ruthlessness was the most effective deterrent.

Chen Qing welcomed the peace and quiet, devoting more time to cultivation and drilling his soldiers. After Squad Leader Li's death, his troop strength was replenished, making a full contingent of fifty men. Old Niu and Sun Quezi were promoted to new squad leaders due to their merits and strength.

He did not relax his practice of the Black Tiger Fist and Black Tiger Saber Technique despite his increased strength. On the contrary, as the Fierce Tiger Iron Body progressed, his understanding of these two ancestral martial arts deepened. They were not just killing techniques for combat; they seemed to truly contain some secret that could stir blood and qi, temper the physique, and point towards a higher realm. Especially when circulating the Fierce Tiger Iron Body, certain crucial points of the Black Tiger Fist would resonate spontaneously, driving the killing aura to circulate in a more profound way.

[Practiced Black Tiger Fist, activated Fierce Tiger Iron Body's blood and qi, Proficiency +8]

[Black Tiger Saber Technique integrated with killing aura slash, Proficiency +10]

The system's prompts also confirmed his feelings: these two seemingly ordinary family martial arts had a deep connection with this mutated body-tempering technique.

One day, he was practicing saber techniques in a corner of the training ground. The saber light, laced with a faint black-red killing aura, sometimes roared like a fierce tiger, incomparably powerful, and sometimes moved like a shadow, stealthy and unpredictable. It drew the secret glances of many soldiers from afar, filled with both envy and awe.

"Deputy Squad Leader Chen, what a saber technique!"

A loud voice rang out. Chen Qing retracted his saber and looked, only to see Captain Zhou Han appearing at the training ground at some unknown time. He stood with his hands behind his back, watching Chen Qing practice his saber, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration.

"Captain," Chen Qing cupped his fists in salute.

Zhou Han walked forward, his gaze sharp as he swept over Chen Qing, sensing his increasingly restrained yet unfathomable aura. He was secretly amazed. How long had it been? This young man's progress was astonishing.

"No need for formalities," Zhou Han waved his hand, his tone becoming more casual. "Li Kui's matter is in the past. The army only values military merits and strength, nothing else. You are doing very well; you haven't disappointed this captain."

His words served to define the previous incident and express his attitude: he valued Chen Qing's ability and potential. As for the methods used, as long as they didn't cross the line, he could turn a blind eye.

"Thank you, Captain," Chen Qing said calmly.

Zhou Han looked at his composed demeanor, becoming even more satisfied. After a moment of thought, he said, "I have two things to discuss with you. First, your position as deputy squad leader is now permanent. Effective immediately, you are a formal squad leader of the Vanguard Camp, commanding your original personnel."

Squad Leader! Although he had anticipated it, the formal appointment still held significant meaning. It meant he had truly entered the ranks of the middle and lower-level officers in the border army, gaining greater autonomy and resource allocation capabilities.

"Your subordinate accepts the order!"

"Second," Zhou Han lowered his voice, his expression becoming serious. "There is a secret order from above. The Northern Mang has been unusually active recently, and a major operation is feared. All military supplies are to be expedited for war preparations, especially for our Vanguard Camp, which must be ready to attack at any time."

He looked intently at Chen Qing. "I have seen your strength. In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken. I need a sharper, more unscrupulous blade. Do you understand?"

Chen Qing's heart stirred. Zhou Han intended to use him as a true sharp blade. It was dangerous, but it also meant more opportunities.

"Your subordinate understands. Where the Captain points, that is where my blade will strike."

"Good!" Zhou Han patted his shoulder heavily. "Drill your men well. I will arrange for priority supply of elixirs, weapons, and armor. If you need anything, you can come directly to me."

After speaking, Zhou Han offered a few more words of encouragement before turning to leave.

Chen Qing watched his retreating back, his eyes deep. Zhou Han's support was both an opportunity and a rope binding him firmly to the war chariot of the Vanguard Camp. However, he didn't care. What he needed now was resources and combat. As for other matters, once he had enough strength, they would naturally be resolved.

He turned and looked at the soldiers on the training ground, whose spines straightened even more under his gaze. He sternly ordered, "Attention, everyone! Forty pounds of weight, fifty laps around the training ground! Those who don't finish will have no dinner tonight!"

"Yes! Squad Leader!"

The soldiers responded in unison, not daring to slack off in the slightest. This new squad leader was not only terrifying in his killing aura but also extremely strict in managing his troops. However, following him meant survival, merit, and becoming stronger!

Just as Chen Qing was gradually establishing himself in the Vanguard Camp and honing his blade, thousands of miles away, in Yujing, the imperial capital of the Great Yan Dynasty.

Deep within a magnificent mansion, whose lintel was adorned with a gilded plaque bearing the words "Marquis Zhenbei's Manor."

In a quiet study, a middle-aged man dressed in a light blue casual robe, with a lean face and eyes as deep and serene as a bottomless pool, was reading a secret report from the northern frontier. His fingers tapped lightly on the rosewood desk, producing a soft tok-tok sound.

"Black Tiger Fist... Black Tiger Saber Technique..." he murmured, his brow furrowed. "How could a mere squad leader in the border army practice these crude techniques to such a level? And possess such a strong battlefield killing aura?"

He put down the report and walked to the window, gazing at a gnarled old pine tree in the courtyard, his eyes distant.

"Chen Qing... surnamed Chen..." A flicker of recollection and doubt crossed his eyes. "Is it a coincidence, or... is there still a bloodline of that lineage left out there?"

He remained silent for a long time, then returned to his desk, spread out a sheet of snow-white paper, dipped his brush in ink, and wrote a few lines of text in a vigorous and powerful hand.

"Investigate the lineage of Chen Qing, a squad leader in the Vanguard Camp of the Northern Frontier, for the past three generations. Pay attention to any anomalies in his cultivation techniques. Do not alert him."

After writing, he rolled up the note, placed it in a small copper tube, and summoned a black-clad figure who stood like a shadow outside the door.

"Deliver this to 'Shadow' in the Northern Frontier through the fastest channel."

"Yes, Your Lordship."

The black-clad figure took the copper tube, flickered, and disappeared into the shadows outside the study.

Marquis Zhenbei stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze once again cast northward, murmuring, "Black Tiger... killing aura... If he is truly the descendant of an old friend, then the winds and clouds of the Northern Frontier may once again stir."

The wind rises from the smallest of beginnings.

Chen Qing was unaware that the subtle currents stirred by the wings of this small butterfly, struggling for survival and fighting fiercely at the bottom of the border army, had already attracted the attention of a powerful figure in the distant imperial capital.

His only thought at this moment was to become stronger, constantly stronger. In the greater storm that was about to arrive, he would carve out a path of blood, all the way to... shattering the void?