"Black Tiger Camp" recruitment banners were like a lump of charcoal tossed into boiling oil, instantly setting the entire Northern Frontier defense line ablaze.
"Have you heard? General Fierce Tiger is founding his own camp!"
"Black Tiger Camp! Good grief, that name alone is frightening enough!"
"Generous treatment, only those who dare fight and can fight accepted! I've had enough of the Supply Camp's bullshit—I'm joining Black Tiger Camp!"
"I'm going too! Following General Fierce Tiger, merit and riches will be there for the taking!"
Once the news spread, responders gathered like clouds.
It was not only the new recruits sent in to replenish the ranks after being battered to pieces. Many seasoned veterans from other camps, and even some frustrated low-ranking officers, were tempted as well. Chen Qing's ferocious record of cutting down a Meridian Condensation cultivator in battle and crushing the vanguard, along with his court-bestowed title of General Yangwei, held a fatal allure.
In just three days, a long line had formed outside the camp.
Chen Qing handed the recruitment entirely over to Old Niu and Sun Quezi. The two were now the left and right squad commanders of Black Tiger Camp—one bold and fierce, the other ruthless and crafty, perfectly complementing each other.
The recruitment standards were simple and cruel.
The first test was strength. They had to draw a three-stone heavy bow or lift a three-hundred-jin stone lock.
The second test was courage. They had to stand before a ring-hilted saber infused with a trace of Chen Qing's Killing Intent for ten breaths without retreating.
The third test was actual combat. They had to fight a Black Tiger Camp veteran one-on-one and endure for the time it took an incense stick to burn without losing.
After the three tests, every man who remained was a hardened soldier with an unyielding will and exceptional skill.
Chen Qing occasionally appeared atop the drill ground platform, watching coldly. He had no need for sheep; all he needed were vicious wolves capable of tearing enemies apart. The faint Killing Intent lingering around him was the finest filter—cowards did not even have the courage to meet his gaze.
[Recruiting hardened soldiers. The camp's Killing Intent gathers; *Fierce Tiger Iron Body* proficiency has increased slightly...]
The system notification confirmed his suspicion: the growth of this power was indeed inseparably tied to war and slaughter.
Five days later, Black Tiger Camp had taken its initial shape. Its five hundred slots were filled, every man sharp-eyed and fierce in bearing. Standing together, they naturally radiated a savage, tragic aura that was utterly out of place among the surrounding camps.
Chen Qing divided the five hundred men into five squads of one hundred. Old Niu and Sun Quezi each led one squad, while the other three squad commanders were promoted from three veterans who had performed most outstandingly during recruitment and had reached the peak of the Skin Refining Realm.
He had no time for complicated formation drills. Black Tiger Camp had only one tactic—follow him and punch through! They would bring individual martial prowess and collective ferocity to their utmost limit.
He personally took the field, teaching them the most concise and effective methods of coordinated attack, as well as how to coordinate their offense and defense with his Fierce Tiger Domain on the battlefield. He even openly taught several of the most basic body-tempering stances from the Iron Body Skill. Though their effects were far inferior to the Fierce Tiger Iron Body, they were already a rare opportunity for ordinary soldiers, enough to greatly improve their strength and ability to survive.
This won the wholehearted loyalty of all five hundred hardened soldiers. They would follow him unto death.
As for resources, Captain Zhou Han indeed kept his word. Provisions, pay, armor, bows, crossbows, and arrows were all supplied as a priority. Chen Qing also poured most of the thousand taels of gold and hundred spirit jades awarded by the court into Black Tiger Camp, using them to purchase better weapons and armor, as well as extra meat and medicinal herbs.
Spirit jade was formed from the condensation of heaven and earth's spiritual energy and was greatly beneficial to martial artists' cultivation. Chen Qing tried absorbing one and discovered that its pure spiritual energy also assisted the cultivation of Killing Intent in the Fierce Tiger Iron Body. It could temper some of Killing Intent's violent savagery, making it easier to control. He therefore kept most of the spirit jade for his own use, occasionally rewarding it to officers who had earned merit in battle.
Like a savage beast growing at breakneck speed, Black Tiger Camp stood out especially glaringly within the Northern Frontier defense line.
That day, Chen Qing was practicing the Black Tiger Fist in camp. Having reached the point of consummate mastery, his fist technique was no longer bound by form. Every gesture contained a tyrannical true intent capable of suppressing all directions, drawing the Killing Intent around him into motion and forming whirlpools of black-red airflow outside his body.
[Practicing *Black Tiger Fist*, drawing upon Killing Intent. Proficiency +15] [*Black Tiger True Intent* resonates with *Fierce Tiger Domain*. Domain control has increased slightly...]
He could feel his understanding of "intent" and "domain" steadily deepening, yet a thin veil still seemed to separate him from the next realm.
Just then, a personal guard hurried over to report, "General, a monk has come seeking an audience outside the camp. He says he is from Lanke Temple and wishes to discuss the Dharma with you."
"Lanke Temple? A monk?" Chen Qing stopped his fists and stood still, his brow furrowing slightly. Lanke Temple was the holy land of Buddhism in Great Yan, occupying a lofty position. Its eminent monks possessed profound cultivation—why would one come to discuss the Dharma with a frontier general whose Killing Intent soared to the heavens?
After a brief pause, he said, "Bring him in."
A moment later, a middle-aged monk in moon-white robes entered the drill ground under the personal guard's guidance. He carried a nine-ringed monk's staff, his features gentle and his bearing solemn and dignified.
The monk's gaze fell upon Chen Qing. Seeing the Killing Intent vortex around him that had not yet fully subsided, a trace of pity flashed through his eyes. Pressing his palms together, he chanted a Buddhist invocation. "Amitabha. This poor monk is Huiming of Lanke Temple. Greetings, General Chen."
"Master Huiming, there is no need for such courtesy." Chen Qing's expression remained calm. "May I ask what Dharma you wish to discuss with Chen?"
Huiming's gaze was clear as he looked straight at Chen Qing. "This poor monk sees that Killing Intent coils around the general, having already seeped deep into your bones and soul. Though it may grant you temporary bravery and martial strength, if this continues, I fear you will fall into the path of slaughter, lose your true heart, and be doomed beyond redemption for ten thousand tribulations. My Buddha is merciful. The Calming Heart Mantra and the Dharma of Crossing Tribulations can dissolve baleful hostility and guide men toward goodness. This poor monk is willing to recite sutras for the general for a hundred days, dispelling the karmic sin of slaughter from this body. I hope the general will turn back from the lost path."
The moment those words fell, the Black Tiger Camp soldiers across the drill ground erupted in uproar, glaring furiously at Huiming. This bald donkey actually dared say their general would fall into the path of slaughter? He even wanted to dissolve the general's Killing Intent? Wasn't that the same as crippling the general's very foundation?
Chen Qing raised a hand, stopping the unrest among his men. He looked at Huiming, his gaze still calm, even carrying a faint trace of mockery. "I appreciate your good intentions, Master. But Chen's path lies not before the Buddha, but beneath the blade. This Killing Intent was condensed from enemy blood, forged from the souls of my comrades-in-arms—it is the foundation upon which I stand and live. Dissolve it? There is no need."
Huiming shook his head and sighed. "The general's obsession runs too deep. Killing Intent is the most savage and vicious force in this world. To command it is like commanding a fierce tiger; one day, it will surely devour its master. The sea of suffering is boundless—turn back, and the shore is at hand."
Chen Qing smiled, but his smile was cold. "Master, do you know where the shore lies beneath the iron hooves of Northern Mang? If boundless slaughter can buy even an inch of peace for the homeland behind me, then this Killing Intent, this path of slaughter... Chen will bear it!"
As his voice fell, the Killing Intent around him erupted with a roar. It was no longer the previous vortex, but condensed into the phantom image of a vague black giant tiger, which let out a soundless roar at Huiming! The Fierce Tiger Domain expanded with it, and icy killing intent shrouded the surroundings!
A faint layer of golden light rose around Huiming, sealing off the invading Killing Intent. Yet his face turned slightly pale, and the pity in his eyes grew deeper.
"Amitabha." He recited the Buddhist invocation once more. Knowing words were useless, he gave Chen Qing a deep look. "Since the general's resolve has been set, this poor monk will not force the matter. I only hope the general will show mercy in the future and commit fewer sins of slaughter. Farewell."
With that, he turned and left, his back carrying an air of desolation.
Chen Qing withdrew his Killing Intent and watched the direction in which Huiming vanished, his eyes cold.
The Buddha saved only those with affinity? He had no need of salvation.
His path was one he would carve out through slaughter. If gods or Buddhas blocked his way, then he would... slaughter gods and slay Buddhas!
"Resume drilling!" He turned and shouted sternly at his soldiers.
"Yes, General!"
All five hundred hardened soldiers roared in unison, their voices shaking the four wilds as Killing Intent pierced the heavens!
Black Tiger Camp, this savage beast nourished by Killing Intent and blood, had already bared its sharp fangs, awaiting only the summons of the next war.
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