Killing Enemies

Lin Jin did not answer Lei Ke's curious question.

Seeing this, Lei Ke smiled. "I was being presumptuous. But it doesn't matter. Those who enlist either seek to atone through meritorious service, establish a career through achievement, or support their families."

Then Lei Ke said in a faintly warning tone, "But let me make this clear first. With your talent and age, you have a bright future ahead of you, so you can still run now. Otherwise, if you show fear after taking the battlefield and abandon your comrades to become a deserter—"

"I, Lei Ke, will be the first to let you off."

"Centurion, what a coincidence." Lin Jin slowly smiled. "I think the same way. If you dare to lead the others in deserting, I won't let a single deserter off either."

Lin Jin still did not know whether Lei Ke was Qian Renxue's man, or whether he was probing him on Qian Renxue's behalf.

But regardless of whether this was a test, Lin Jin replied with the same words.

Several veterans who had been gathering their equipment nearby stopped what they were doing and stared at Lin Jin in disbelief.

They had never expected Lin Jin to dare speak that way to Centurion Lei Ke, who was known for his sternness and valor.

At the same time, Lei Ke's expression hardened. He stepped forward, his tall figure almost completely enveloping Lin Jin, and released the oppressive presence of a Soul Elder without the slightest concealment.

He stared fixedly at Lin Jin, the fierce glint in his eyes like that of a tiger descending the mountain.

Yet Lin Jin continued to stand ramrod straight, looking up to meet his gaze.

They remained locked in a standoff for a full three breaths.

"Haha... Hahahaha!" Lei Ke suddenly burst into booming laughter.

He slapped Lin Jin hard on the shoulder, then reined in his laughter. "Good lad, you've got guts. I like hotheaded youngsters who aren't afraid to die. I hope you can hold out through the new-recruit training."

With that, Lei Ke stopped looking at Lin Jin and strode away.

Early the next morning, new-recruit training began.

Lin Jin trained alongside the hundred-plus soldiers under Lei Ke's command.

The training was tedious and brutal.

It mainly consisted of formations, physical conditioning, basic weapon drills, and indoctrination in military regulations.

For Lin Jin, who possessed the Demon Armor Martial Soul, these physical exercises were almost effortless. His physical constitution had already been greatly strengthened when his Martial Soul awakened.

Moreover, he had obtained his first Century Soul Ring, so he was able to keep up with Lei Ke's training pace throughout the entire day.

He could even complete more than the others.

That evening, Lin Jin entered meditation to cultivate his Soul Power despite the exhaustion weighing on him.

Not only could he replenish the Soul Power he had expended during the day's training, but he could also make some progress.

Gradually, Lin Jin's performance during new-recruit training made everyone else stop looking down on this person who was even younger than their children.

"No wonder he's a Soul Master. His potential for development is far greater than an ordinary person's." Lei Ke could not help but sigh at the difference between Soul Masters and ordinary people.

However, the true test soon arrived.

On this day, less than two months after enlisting, Lin Jin assumed that they would train as usual.

Who could have known that when Lei Ke arrived, he would look at them with an unusually solemn expression?

Before long, Lei Ke spoke in a deep voice like rolling thunder. "We've received orders. Because of the deep winter, a group of bandits has formed a force of over a hundred men and has been burning, killing, and looting villages for food. As a result, two villages have suffered severe destruction."

"I petitioned the general to grant you this opportunity to exterminate the bandits. It will also serve as a test of the results of your training since you enlisted."

"That is secondary. More importantly, we joined the army not only to establish careers through achievement, but also to protect the homes and loved ones behind us."

"So pick up your weapons now and follow me to kill the enemy!"

"Kill!!!"

Since they had dared to enlist, they had all prepared themselves to take the battlefield.

Although bandits were easy for the regular soldiers of the Star Luo Empire to deal with, apart from the few Captains leading the squads, everyone on Lin Jin's side was a new recruit.

That was why Lei Ke had petitioned the general for this opportunity: to temper the new recruits' courage. Otherwise, once they reached the battlefield and faced the rigorously trained soldiers of Star Luo, they would die even faster.

Wearing simple armor and carrying a Fine Iron Saber, Lin Jin followed the formation.

Three hours later, under the leadership of Centurion Lei Ke, they arrived in a mountain area called Wild Wolf Ravine.

"Listen up, rookies!" Lei Ke shouted at the somewhat nervous new recruits from atop his warhorse. "This is not a drill. The weapons in your hands are real. The bandits may not compare to Star Luo's soldiers, but the slightest carelessness will still cost you your lives!"

"So give me two hundred percent of your attention. Show no mercy to the bandits!"

"Kill them!" After saying this, Lei Ke charged up the mountain without hesitation.

When Lin Jin followed the formation up the mountain, he discovered a large group of bandits reveling, slaughtering cattle and sheep, and watching the civilian women they had abducted suffer until they were mentally dazed.

Seeing this, Lin Jin thought of the devastation of his own village, and killing intent immediately rose within him.

"Kill!" Lin Jin roared as he charged forward.

"Border Guards... they're the Border Guards! Run..." The bandits immediately fell into a panic.

"Run from what? Kill them all!" The bandit chieftain smashed the wine bowl in his hand, picked up the greatsword beside him, and casually hacked down a subordinate who was about to flee as he shouted a threat.

They howled as they grabbed their assorted weapons and attempted to resist.

But how could this rabble possibly compare to the Border Guards, who had undergone rigorous training, even if they were only new recruits?

The battle erupted in an instant.

Lei Ke charged at the forefront. The battle-ax in his hand carried the powerful Soul Power of a Soul Elder, and he cut down the bandits blocking his path as easily as chopping vegetables, his target pointed straight at the bandit leader.

Lin Jin, meanwhile, was like a tiger among a flock of sheep.

The images of his Parents' deaths overlapped with the figures of the tortured civilian women before him, and the killing intent in his heart was utterly ignited.

He no longer held back in the slightest. Soul Power surged through his body, and although he did not summon his Demon Armor, his body, greatly strengthened by Soul Power, displayed terrifying might.

The Fine Iron Saber in his hand transformed into streaks of cold light. Every swing was precise and deadly, and ordinary bandits could not last a single exchange against him.

A burly bandit wielding Twin Greatswords, apparently a Small Leader, sent one of his blades flashing with cold light and directly cleaved the Long Spear in the hands of a new recruit who was too nervous. The attack continued toward the recruit's neck!

The new recruit stood frozen in terror, closing his eyes and waiting for death.

"Clang!"

A piercing Clash of Metal rang out.

The expected pain never came. The new recruit opened his eyes in astonishment and saw a figure that was not particularly tall standing in front of him. It was Lin Jin!

"Are there no one left among the Border Guards? They've even sent out a baby who hasn't been weaned yet. But you'll die too!" The Small Leader finished speaking and swung his other blade at Lin Jin.

Lin Jin ignored his words. With a flick of his wrist, he sent a surge of Soul Power into the saber and knocked the Small Leader's blade aside.

Then Lin Jin ran forward several steps and leaped. The saber in his hand traced an almost perfect arc through the air, aimed straight at the throat, and instantly claimed the man's head.

"Watch yourself!" Lin Jin told his teammate behind him before continuing forward.

"Swish! Swish!"

The two bandits' movements froze. At the same time, fine lines of blood appeared across their necks.

The next moment, blood sprayed forth, and both men collapsed limply to the ground.

Three kills in an instant!