Forty-Five: The Tenth Battalion Grand Competition Begins

In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.

In the center of Mushan City, a huge drill ground had been hastily cleared.

The area around the drill ground was packed with people. Countless civilians had gathered there, chatting about the Tenth Battalion Grand Competition, which was about to begin.

"This grand event only comes around once every two years. I had to come and see the excitement."

"I wonder what geniuses will emerge from the Warrior Camp this year."

"I heard the son of that old Wang next door enlisted. Wonder if he's got any tricks up his sleeve."

"With Old Wang looking like that, his son's probably only fit to be a low-ranking soldier. What good could he be?"

"And I've heard things haven't been peaceful out there lately. They say a convoy headed to Sword-toothed Country to do business was detained on charges of selling military weapons."

"What? Trade between two countries is perfectly normal. Even when they're at war, trade doesn't stop!"

"Sword-toothed Country actually detained a merchant convoy? Shameless!"

Hundreds and thousands of civilians began denouncing Sword-toothed Country's shameless conduct, their indignation blazing.

By comparison, the Running Wolf Nation's army, which was responsible for keeping them safe, seemed kind and approachable in their eyes.

They brought food and drink to welcome the new recruits arriving to take part in the Tenth Battalion Grand Competition.

"Young people are the hope of our Running Wolf Nation."

"Only if you grow strong can the Running Wolf Nation avoid being bullied."

"Give it your all, young men!"

Amid the eager anticipation of the crowd, the Warrior Camp units assembled one after another.

At the front of Eastern Number Two Warrior Camp stood the instructors, along with the imposing Gu Chen and the spirited Yu Qitian leading the way.

As the top War Soldiers of Mushan City's Number Two Warrior Camp, the two represented the camp's prestige.

Gu Lin and the other War Soldiers followed behind them.

One by one, they rubbed their fists and readied themselves for battle.

"I've been waiting for this day for ages. I hope the War Soldiers from the other camps don't disappoint me."

A War Soldier beside Gu Lin chuckled, his eyes brimming with fighting spirit.

Gu Lin smiled faintly too, excitedly clenching his fists.

After being injured by Wang Huan and the others, he'd nearly fallen behind the other War Soldiers.

But the Blood Tempering Pills Gu Han had later given him had given Gu Lin a chance to regroup and catch up.

With Gu Chen's help, Gu Lin had now practically secured a place among the top ten in the Second Camp!

He'd made even more progress than he had since first joining the Warrior Camp!

At the head of the group, Yu Qitian smiled at Gu Chen.

"Gu Chen, are you confident you can make the top five in this Tenth Battalion Grand Competition?"

Gu Chen's mouth twitched. Yu Qitian really was arrogant.

Each camp had nearly a thousand new War Soldiers.

With more than ten thousand new War Soldiers competing, making the top five would be incredibly difficult.

And Yu Qitian had opened by aiming for the top five, as if the new recruits in all the other Warrior Camps didn't even count.

Still, Yu Qitian had every right to be confident.

To keep his strength hidden, Gu Chen had only narrowly beaten Yu Qitian in their sparring matches.

If Gu Chen hadn't had Sword Elder's help, he might not have been able to overtake Yu Qitian and secure a sure victory in such a short time.

"The top five?"

Gu Chen smiled.

"I'd say top three, at least."

Yu Qitian was taken aback. He'd thought he was arrogant enough, but Gu Chen was even more brazen!

"Heh. You're awfully cocky. Hope the wind doesn't blow your tongue right out of your mouth."

Just then, an unfriendly voice came from nearby.

Gu Chen and Yu Qitian looked over together and saw a stranger dressed in the same War Soldier uniform as them.

The man crossed his arms and raised his chin, looking down at Gu Chen and the others as if he were staring through his nostrils.

"Frogs in a well. The competition hasn't even started, and you're already claiming you can beat the War Soldiers from every other camp. What arrogance."

Gu Chen glanced at him indifferently.

"Whether I'm arrogant or not, we'll find out in a fight. As for you, I suggest you see a doctor. Looking down your nose at people is a bad habit—and once you leave the camp, nobody's going to indulge you."

At Gu Chen's contemptuous expression, as if he were mocking an ant, Huang Shaoshan's gaze darkened.

"You're not even worthy of my attention. When the Tenth Battalion Grand Competition begins, don't come crying back to your camp."

"You're like a baby who hasn't even been weaned, wandering around acting superior just to get attention."

Gu Chen gave a cold laugh.

"I'd say you're the one who'll be going home in tears to cry to your mother."

"You!"

Huang Shaoshan flew into a rage, but just as he was about to lash out, the war drums at the center of the drill ground thundered.

Huang Shaoshan snorted and walked off with several War Soldiers who looked like his lackeys, spitting to the side as he went.

Yu Qitian clenched his fists, his eyes narrowing as a chill radiated from him.

"That guy's really asking for a beating."

"We were just discussing our ambitions among ourselves. He barged in and interrupted us, then had the nerve to act so arrogant. I'd like to know who gave him the right."

Gu Han smiled and shook his head.

"Judging by those lackeys behind him, I'd guess he's some young master from a nearby city who's come to experience army life."

Yu Qitian gave a faint smile.

"Back in his camp, the others probably put up with him because they don't want to offend the people backing him. But if he thinks everyone will keep indulging him at the Tenth Battalion Grand Competition, he's in for a rough time."

Gu Chen smiled faintly, not taking Huang Shaoshan seriously at all.

Still, since the other man had gone out of his way to put his face within reach, Gu Chen figured that if he didn't slap him hard at the Tenth Battalion Grand Competition, he'd be showing poor manners.

"Brother Chen, it looks like Gu Han still isn't here."

Gu Lin came to Gu Chen's side and said,

"I looked all around. The other Logistics Soldiers who share a room with Gu Han are here, but he's the only one who hasn't shown up."

"Gu Han has things of his own to take care of."

Gu Chen knew Gu Han was powerful and might be doing some kind of special training right now.

"It's only a little Tenth Battalion competition. There's no need to look for him."

Not far away, Yu Qitian had thoughtfully made room for Gu Lin to speak with Gu Chen. Hearing Gu Chen call the Tenth Battalion Grand Competition "a little competition," he couldn't help but smile wryly.

"If the War Soldiers from the other camps heard that, they'd probably start a fight."

What surprised Yu Qitian was that Gu Lin nodded in full agreement.

It seemed that, to Gu Han, coming to watch the Tenth Battalion Grand Competition really would be a waste of time.

"Isn't Gu Han a Logistics Soldier? Why does he sound like some incredible genius?"

Yu Qitian was full of questions, but he didn't get the chance to ask.

Surrounded by the Head Instructors of the various camps, including Guan Shan, Mushan City's garrison commander, Guan Zhen, stepped onto the reviewing platform!

"The Tenth Battalion Grand Competition was established by my father, who was also the general of Mushan City a hundred years ago."

"It has continued without interruption for a century, so I won't waste time saying more!"

"I hereby declare the Tenth Battalion Grand Competition open!"

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