Trapped Beast Feeds on Rot, Borrowing a Path to the Heavens

The days in the infirmary were dull and filled with the stench of decay.

But for Ji Ye, it was paradise. Because here, there was endless military rations, though they were just coarse black bean cakes and rough rice mixed with sand, with only the occasional bit of meat.

"Another bucket."

Ji Ye threw the licked-clean wooden bucket on the ground and said to the stunned mess hall soldier.

This was already the third bucket. A full ten pounds of food, and it didn't even make a sound after he'd eaten it.

"Ji... Master Ji, there... there's no more..." The mess hall soldier swallowed, looking at Ji Ye's eyes, which were glowing green, as if he were looking at a Taotie wearing human skin. "You've eaten today's quota, and if you eat any more... the quartermaster will scold me."

"No more?"

Ji Ye frowned, patting his still shriveled stomach.

Recovering from his injuries required a massive amount of energy. The Triple Brute Force talent within him was like a bottomless pit, frantically demanding fuel while repairing his body. These coarse grains alone were not enough to fill it.

"Boss."

Pockmarked hobbled in, his arms bulging. He glanced around cautiously, then took out a piece of oil paper from his embrace. When he opened it, it was a large piece of raw horse meat, still dripping blood.

"That group of North Guard Army soldiers just killed an injured warhorse. I took a piece of flank meat while they weren't paying attention."

Ji Ye's eyes lit up, and he snatched the raw meat.

Without the slightest hesitation, he bit into it.

"Tear—"

He tore through the tough horse meat fibers with his teeth, blood flowing down the corners of his mouth. He chewed greedily, a growl like a beast feeding emanating from his throat. Though the raw meat was fishy and gamey and difficult to swallow, the Blood Essence energy contained within it was far superior to cooked food.

As the meat entered his stomach, Ji Ye could clearly feel a tingling itch at the site of the broken bones in his chest. It was the signal of bone callus growing rapidly.

The mess hall soldier next to him felt his stomach churn and ran out, covering his mouth.

Pockmarked watched this scene, his eyes turning red. "Boss, what is this? The city we defended with our lives, and now we have to beg for a hot meal."

"We need to eat to have the strength to settle accounts."

Ji Ye swallowed the last bite of meat, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and his eyes deepened. "What's the movement from the North Guard Army?"

"That Qin Wuji is reorganizing our remnants." Pockmarked gritted his teeth. "He says our private soldiers have 'bandit habits' and wants to disband us and incorporate us into the auxiliary corps to transport supplies and feed horses! He also wants to confiscate all our military equipment!"

Auxiliary corps.

That was cannon fodder, slaves.

Ji Ye sneered. Qin Wuji intended to completely swallow his crew, not even leaving the bone dregs.

"Let him take it."

Ji Ye slowly stood up, stretching his limbs. Although his chest still ached faintly, it no longer hindered his movement.

"Boss?"

"Our current status is 'Local Militia assisting in defending the city'." Ji Ye walked to the tent entrance and looked at the "Qin" banner fluttering outside. "In Da Liang's military system, Local Militia are not entitled to military pay or weapons. Qin Wuji is willing to take us in as auxiliary soldiers, which is a 'grace'."

"What kind of grace is that?!" Pockmarked was furious.

"Because if we don't become auxiliary soldiers, we'll be refugees."

Ji Ye turned his head, his gaze like a knife. "Refugees can be suppressed as 'bandits'."

Pockmarked trembled all over, as if doused with a basin of ice water.

That's right.

In this world, might makes right. Qin Wuji had thousands of cavalry and the court's official sanction. Ji Ye only had a few dozen wounded soldiers. If Ji Ye dared to resist, Qin Wuji would have a hundred reasons to kill them all as "Black Tiger Gang remnants" or "mutinous soldiers."

"So, we just endure this?"

"Endure."

Ji Ye narrowed his eyes, looking at the luxurious central military tent in the distance.

"Not only endure, but endure beautifully."

"I want to see General Qin."

The central military tent.

Qin Wuji was wiping his sword. It was a famous sword, its blade like autumn water, exuding a chilling aura.

"Let him in."

Qin Wuji said indifferently, without even looking up.

The curtain was lifted, and Ji Ye walked in. He was still wrapped in blood-soaked bandages, but his back was straight, like an unbendable spear.

"This commoner, Ji Ye, pays his respects to the General."

Ji Ye cupped his fists in a salute, his movements standard and impeccable.

Qin Wuji stopped what he was doing and looked up, appraising the rumored "mad dog."

He was younger than expected, and more... composed. There was no madness in his eyes, only a bottomless stillness.

"Are you healed?" Qin Wuji asked casually.

"I won't die."

"I heard you wanted to see me?" Qin Wuji sheathed his sword, its clear ring echoing. "Are you here to plead for your men? Or to claim credit?"

"Neither."

Ji Ye looked up, meeting Qin Wuji's gaze. "I'm here to ask for a position."

"A position?" Qin Wuji chuckled as if he'd heard a joke, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "A village constable, what makes you think you can ask me for a position? Is it your brute force? Or your suicidal fighting style?"

"Because I'm a good knife."

Ji Ye's tone was calm. "General, you're a man destined for great things. While the North Guard Army is elite, there are always dirty jobs that need doing. Like… killing innocents to claim merit, or… double-crossing your own."

The air in the tent instantly froze.

The personal guards flanking them placed their hands on their sword hilts, radiating killing intent.

Qin Wuji narrowed his eyes, the mockery gone, replaced by a scrutinizing gaze.

This kid isn't just ruthless, he's venomous.

"You're very smart," Qin Wuji said slowly. "But smart people often die quickly."

"Dead men are worthless," Ji Ye replied, neither servile nor overbearing. "As long as I'm alive, I can bite for the General. The Black Tiger Gang still has several hidden networks in the prefectural city, involved in plenty of shady businesses. You should be interested in these."

Qin Wuji was silent for a moment, his fingers tapping lightly on the table.

The Black Tiger Gang's legacy.

Although Ji Ye had spent most of the fifty thousand taels of gold, the remaining channels and connections were still a considerable fortune. And for the Qin family to advance further in court, money was indispensable.

"I want a list of all the Black Tiger Gang's hidden networks."

Qin Wuji finally spoke. "Also, your men will be incorporated into my 'Assault Camp'. You will be a Centurion."

The Assault Camp.

That was a true death squad. They always charged first, with a ten-in-ten chance of death.

But this was exactly what Ji Ye wanted.

Only on the most brutal battlefields could one obtain the most resources and climb the fastest.

Moreover, although the Assault Camp was dangerous, it was also the place where one could most easily earn military merits.

"Thank you for your patronage, General."

Ji Ye knelt on one knee, giving a standard military salute.

"However, I have a condition."

"Speak."

"I want the latter half of the Tiger Roar Golden Bell Shield cultivation technique, and… triple the meat rations every month."

Qin Wuji blinked, then chuckled.

"What a glutton."

He casually tossed a booklet from the table. "Take it. This is a standard hard-body technique used in the army. Once mastered, it can block arrows. As for meat… as long as you don't die, you'll have plenty."

Ji Ye took the booklet, its weight settling in his hand.

He lowered his head, hiding the fleeting glint in his eyes.

This Tiger Roar Golden Bell Shield was the key to advancing to the Organ Tempering realm, complementing the Tiger Demon Bone Forging Fist!

With this, coupled with the slaughter in the Assault Camp.

The door to the SSS-grade realm finally revealed a sliver of light.

"This subordinate takes his leave."

Ji Ye rose and turned to leave.

Watching his retreating back, Qin Wuji's adjutant whispered, "General, this man has ambitions as wild as a wolf. Keeping him might bring disaster."

"A wolf with ambition is more useful."

Qin Wuji drew his sword again, gazing at the cold light on the blade, and smiled faintly.

"When he sharpens his teeth, I'll let him help me take down a few rivals. Then, it won't be too late to butcher him and eat his meat."

If you find this book to your liking, be sure to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.