Iron Body Skill

For the next few days, the war fell into a strange stalemate. The Northern Mang forces stopped their large-scale assaults. Instead, like hungry wolves, they began harassing the defenses with small, elite squads, targeting weak points in the lines. They would strike and retreat, their attacks vicious and cunning.

Under this slow, gnawing attrition, the casualty numbers in the auxiliary corps continued to rise, steadily and relentlessly. Fear and despair spread through the camp like a plague.

Chen Qing's squad, however, became an anomaly due to his presence. In several small skirmishes, Chen Qing always managed to hold the line with his four new recruits, minimizing their losses. He even managed to kill one or two Northern Mang scouts occasionally. His attacks were brutal, leaving no survivors, and his looting skills became increasingly proficient.

"Brother Qing, drink some water." A new recruit, still with a childish face, carefully handed a waterskin to Chen Qing, who was wiping his curved saber. His name was Shi Tou, the most alert of the four under Chen Qing, and the first to become completely loyal to him.

The other three, Hei Wa, Gou Sheng, and Tie Dan, also sat nearby, their eyes no longer filled with their initial fear, but with a mixture of dependence and awe. Chen Qing not only kept them alive, but he also shared any extra rations he managed to scavenge. In this hellish environment, these small "benefits" were enough to win people over.

Chen Qing took the waterskin, took a sip, and scanned the faces of the four men. These men had ordinary aptitude and were timid, but thankfully, they were obedient. He would occasionally offer them a few pointers on the most basic evasion and power-generation techniques, just to give them a slightly better chance of survival.

"Stay alert, the Northern Mang brats have been acting strange these past few days." Chen Qing tossed the waterskin back, his voice low.

The men quickly nodded.

Just then, the tent flap was lifted, and Squad Leader Zhang's scarred face appeared, his gaze fixed directly on Chen Qing.

"Chen Qing, come out for a moment."

Chen Qing's heart tightened. He put down his curved saber and followed Zhang out.

The sky outside was dim, and the atmosphere in the camp was oppressive. Squad Leader Zhang led Chen Qing to a secluded corner, turned around, and scrutinized him from head to toe, his gaze sharp enough to peel him open.

"Mid Skin Tempering Realm? And you've touched the Threshold of Bone Forging?" Squad Leader Zhang spoke, his tone unreadable.

Chen Qing's heart trembled slightly. Knowing he couldn't hide it, he nodded. "By chance, I've made some progress."

"By chance?" Squad Leader Zhang scoffed. "There are no such things as chances on the battlefield. You've been hiding your strength quite well, kid."

Chen Qing remained silent.

Squad Leader Zhang didn't press further. Everyone had their secrets, especially in a military camp. He changed the subject. "Zhao Tie from the Vanguard Camp sent word through someone today, praising you and saying he wants to transfer you over."

Chen Qing looked up at Squad Leader Zhang.

"I didn't agree," Squad Leader Zhang said calmly. "The Supply Camp may not have much of a future, but I've finally cultivated someone capable under my command. Why should I give him away for free to those arrogant bastards in the Vanguard Camp?"

Chen Qing still said nothing. He knew Squad Leader Zhang had more to say.

As expected, Squad Leader Zhang paused and lowered his voice. "Tonight, at the third watch of the night, at the abandoned training ground west of the camp, bring your saber."

After speaking, he turned and left without waiting for Chen Qing's response, his figure quickly disappearing into the dim shadows of the tents.

Chen Qing stood in place, his brow furrowed. What did Squad Leader Zhang mean? The abandoned training ground? Bring a saber?

He sensed something unusual.

The third watch of the night, the moon was dark and the wind was high.

The abandoned training ground was overgrown with weeds, and a broken weapon rack lay to one side, creaking in the night wind.

Chen Qing arrived as promised, a curved saber at his waist, his figure blending into the heavy night. Only his eyes shone with startling brilliance.

In the center of the training ground stood a person – Squad Leader Zhang. He had shed his military outer robe, wearing only a tight-fitting black martial arts outfit. In his hand, he held a standard military ring-hilted saber.

"You're here," Squad Leader Zhang said, looking in Chen Qing's direction, as if he had sensed his arrival long ago.

"Squad Leader," Chen Qing stepped forward.

"No need for pleasantries." Squad Leader Zhang flicked his wrist, and the ring-hilted saber flashed a cold light in the darkness, pointing at Chen Qing. "Use the skill you use to kill Northern Mang brats, and attack me."

Chen Qing's eyes narrowed. A spar? A test? Or...

He didn't hesitate. His blood and qi surged instantly, and the intent of his Slight Accomplishment Black Tiger Fist erupted. He stomped his foot, sending dirt flying, and his entire body moved like a hunting black tiger, pouncing forward!

Clang!

His curved saber was drawn, carrying a fierce killing aura, and slashed directly at Squad Leader Zhang's face! The saber strike was swift, carrying the sound of wind and thunder!

A hint of surprise flashed in Squad Leader Zhang's eyes, as if he hadn't expected Chen Qing's opening move to be so ferocious. But he was a veteran of countless battles, experienced and steady. Without haste, he raised his ring-hilted saber, precisely parrying the curved saber!

Clang!

Sparks flew!

A tremendous force traveled up the saber. Chen Qing's arm went slightly numb, and he took half a step back. Squad Leader Zhang only swayed slightly.

"You've got some strength! Come again!" Squad Leader Zhang roared and took the initiative. His saber techniques were not fancy; they were simple, vicious, and efficient. Every strike aimed for a vital point, carrying the intense style of military combat, completely different from Chen Qing's unpredictable and ferocious Black Tiger Saber Technique.

Chen Qing focused, unleashing the Black Tiger Saber Technique to its fullest. Tiger's Tail Whip, Sneak Stab, Black Tiger's Tail Clip... Saber light flashed, sometimes like a raging storm, sometimes like a lurking viper.

However, Squad Leader Zhang's realm was clearly higher than his, and his saber techniques were tempered through countless battles. No matter how cunning Chen Qing's attacks were, they were always neutralized by Zhang's seemingly simple and unadorned moves. The occasional counterattack forced Chen Qing into a clumsy defense, putting him in perilous situations.

[Observing military combat saber techniques, gained insight. Black Tiger Saber Technique proficiency +5]

[Blood and qi circulation stimulated. Black Tiger Fist proficiency +3]

The system's notification chimed in his mind.

Chen Qing's heart stirred. He stopped attacking blindly and began to consciously observe and learn Squad Leader Zhang's power-generation techniques, footwork, and timing. He even attempted to integrate the simple and direct cutting intent of Squad Leader Zhang's style into his own Black Tiger Saber Technique.

His saber techniques began to change. They lost some of their unpredictability and gained the fierce decisiveness of military saber techniques, but the core remained the ruthlessness and ferocity of his Black Tiger Saber Technique.

Squad Leader Zhang became increasingly alarmed as they fought. This kid's comprehension was too high! He was a bit raw at first, but after only a few dozen exchanges, he was already absorbing the strengths of my saber techniques and integrating them? And his fist and saber techniques were unorthodox, carrying a heavy killing aura, definitely not from an ordinary family lineage!

"Be careful!"

Squad Leader Zhang let out a low growl, no longer holding back. His ring-pommel saber suddenly accelerated, its light scattering like spilled water, enveloping Chen Qing!

The pressure intensified!

Chen Qing's pupils contracted. His blood and qi boiled to the extreme, his bones emitting a faint hum. He abruptly dodged to the side, narrowly evading a saber strike aimed at his neck. Simultaneously, his saber slid along the opponent's blade, slashing upwards towards Squad Leader Zhang's wrist!

Attacking to defend! Black Tiger Saber Technique—Tiger Snatching Prey!

This maneuver was extremely risky, and incredibly tricky!

Squad Leader Zhang hadn't expected Chen Qing to fight so desperately. He flipped his wrist, the ring-pommel saber spinning. The hilt forcefully struck Chen Qing's wrist.

Bang!

The two figures separated after a brief clash.

Chen Qing stumbled back several steps, a sharp pain shooting up his wrist. His saber nearly flew from his grasp. Squad Leader Zhang also retreated half a step, looking at the cut in his leather armor at his wrist with growing surprise.

"Good kid!" Squad Leader Zhang sheathed his saber and stood tall, exhaling a breath of stale air. "Ruthless, and brave!"

Chen Qing steadied himself, suppressing his surging blood and qi, and clasped his fists. "Squad Leader, you let me win."

"Let you win, my ass," Squad Leader Zhang waved his hand and walked up to Chen Qing. He looked at him with a complex expression. "Your Black Tiger Fist and Black Tiger Saber Technique are quite interesting. Not like the common stuff circulating on the market."

Chen Qing's heart tightened slightly, and he didn't reply.

Squad Leader Zhang didn't press further. He changed the subject. "Do you know why I called you here?"

"Please enlighten me, Squad Leader."

"You've seen the movements of Northern Mang these past few days." Squad Leader Zhang's face darkened. "The higher-ups judge that they are probing, and searching for our weak points. A major war is likely not far off. Next time, it might not be just a small skirmish."

He stared at Chen Qing. "The Supply Camp is auxiliary troops, but when the defense line is breached, we'll be the meat thrown in to plug the gap! I don't want to die, and I certainly don't want my brothers to die for nothing."

"You, Chen Qing, are the strongest card I have right now." Squad Leader Zhang's tone was grave. "I need you, in the upcoming battles, not only to survive yourself, but also to bring back as many brothers alive as possible. When necessary... I grant you the authority to make decisions on the spot!"

Chen Qing's heart trembled. The authority to make decisions on the spot? For a mere Squad Leader in the Supply Camp, this was an almost unimaginable trust, or rather... a heavy burden placed upon him.

"Squad Leader, I..."

"Stop the nonsense!" Squad Leader Zhang cut him off, pulling a small cloth bag from his embrace and tossing it to Chen Qing. "Take this. Inside are a few 'Blood Qi Pills' for saving your life when seriously injured. And there's a damaged copy of the 'Iron Body Skill' I got when I was wandering the martial world. Although it's a common body-hardening technique, if you train it well, it can save your life at a critical moment."

Chen Qing took the cloth bag. It felt heavy in his hands.

"I don't care what secrets you're hiding. As long as you can lead the brothers to kill more enemies and survive, you're my good soldier!" Squad Leader Zhang clapped Chen Qing on the shoulder with considerable force. "Come back alive."

With that, he turned and disappeared into the darkness with large strides.

Chen Qing stood in place, clutching the bag of pills and the manual, watching the direction Squad Leader Zhang had vanished, speechless for a long time.

The night wind blew, carrying a chill.

He opened the cloth bag. Inside were three pills the size of longan, dark red in color, emitting a faint, fishy scent. The other item was a thin booklet with severely damaged edges. The cover was inscribed with the words 'Iron Body Skill' in crude handwriting.

[Acquired Iron Body Skill (Mortal Grade, Low Rank). Can spend proficiency to quickly comprehend. Yes/No?]

The system prompt appeared at the opportune moment.

Chen Qing did not choose immediately. He looked up towards the north, in the direction where the Northern Mang army was stationed.

The wind filled the tower before the coming storm.

He tightened his grip on the cloth bag and his saber.

Survive, and become stronger.

Then, break through.