Special Treatment

Special Treatment

"Bai Wenxuan!"

Delighted, Zhang Xianzhong thought for a moment and decided to accelerate his training plan ahead of schedule. He called to a trusted subordinate nearby who was instructing a youth, "Come here."

This trusted subordinate was another capable assistant besides Ma Yuanli.

Both Ma Yuanli and Bai Wenxuan were young heroes Zhang Xianzhong had deliberately befriended during the years he spent as a wandering rogue in the Northern Shaanxi Border Region.

Both had already reached the Martial Dao Third Level. Though neither was capable of standing alone, they were still reasonably useful compared to his other trusted subordinates.

"Great King, what are your orders?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Wenxuan leaped and darted several times, arriving before Zhang Xianzhong in the blink of an eye. He cupped his fists in salute and asked for instructions.

"Bring those dozen or so orphan youths over to me!"

Zhang Xianzhong pointed out the dozen or so gifted youths he had just discovered, one by one, and instructed Bai Wenxuan, "I intend to personally teach these little ones and speed up their progress."

Unlike Bai Wenxuan, Zhang Xianzhong was already an expert of the Martial Dao Fourth Level Qi Refining Realm. He had condensed his own exclusive Martial Dao Dharma Idol Phantom, and his Mental Energy was far stronger than that of an ordinary Qi Refining Realm Martial Artist.

With his Mental Energy spread outward, he could clearly sense the circulation of vitality and blood within those dozen or so gifted youths. Their aptitude unquestionably surpassed that of the other ordinary orphan youths here by far.

Especially the four monstrous geniuses—there was no hiding them from Zhang Xianzhong's senses.

Since that was the case, he did not intend to waste time. He decided to personally provide specialized instruction to these dozen or so youths.

Moreover, talents of this kind could withstand more Spirit Food and Spirit Medicine to nourish their bodies. They could be completely distinguished from the ordinary youths and cultivated with great effort.

If their supplies of Spirit Food and Spirit Medicine were increased, their cultivation progress could become even faster, and their Martial Dao foundations could be laid even more firmly.

Bai Wenxuan accepted the order and left. Before long, he had summoned the dozen or so orphan youths designated by Zhang Xianzhong one by one and gathered them in a secluded clearing within the courtyard.

"You people are truly blessed this time!"

Bai Wenxuan lectured them, "The Eight Great Kings possesses vision far beyond ordinary men, and he discovered you talents ahead of time."

"Therefore, starting today, all of you will be personally taught by the Eight Great Kings!"

Having said that, he turned and cupped his fists to Zhang Xianzhong, who had just arrived beside him. Then he turned away and left, continuing with the work for which he was responsible.

Though Zhang Xianzhong and Bai Wenxuan had once been considered friends, Bai Wenxuan understood Zhang Xianzhong's temperament very well.

Especially now that Zhang Xianzhong had formed a Rebel Army and raised the banner of rebellion, as the leader of one faction of the Rebel Army, he naturally had to uphold the distinctions of rank and status.

Bai Wenxuan knew that once someone went against the Great King's will, Zhang Xianzhong would kill without hesitation to establish his authority, with no regard for old ties.

Thus, both Ma Yuanli and Bai Wenxuan had grown increasingly fearful and reverent toward Zhang Xianzhong, not daring to show the slightest offense.

If they failed to understand when to advance and when to retreat, and defied him, they would undoubtedly be seeking their own deaths.

"Enough!"

"You beggar youths who have been selected, stand properly!"

"Now listen carefully!"

Zhang Xianzhong looked at the dozen or so gifted youths and calmly shouted at them, neither heated nor cold, "From my observations, your Martial Dao aptitude is far superior to that of ordinary people."

"Of course, in Martial Dao cultivation, bone structure, vitality and blood, and talent are all important. But what matters most is unremitting effort and one's own fortune!"

"Yet fortune is mysterious and unfathomable—unseen, untouchable, impossible to measure—so we will not speak of it for now. Since you people possess decent cultivation aptitude, you must study diligently and cultivate hard, so as not to betray your own gifts."

"Those corrupt officials, aristocratic clans, and wealthy gentry are born as irreconcilable enemies of wretches like us!"

"There is no need to say more. You orphans all have your own miserable histories and experiences. Surely you understand this deeply!"

"All of this was caused by that useless imperial court, as well as those officials, gentry, aristocratic clans, and great families!"

"If you want to break free of your former misfortune and live like human beings in the future, then you must use the blades and spears in your hands to chop off their dog heads without hesitation!"

"If you lack the ability to kill them, they will kill you instead. You may even die without a burial ground..."

His tone was icy. He did not exaggerate, merely emphasizing to these youths the inevitable path the Rebel Army would take in the future, raising their understanding.

"Given your extraordinary aptitude, your cultivation progress can be accelerated. Starting today, I will personally teach you."

"After joining the Rebel Army, you will face many dangers in the future. Not only must you face the endless stream of government troops coming to exterminate us, but the Demons and Monsters you are bound to encounter will also threaten your little lives at every moment!"

"If you do not want to die young, if you want to live well in the future, then what you can rely on is our Rebel Army and your own abilities!"

"To speak frankly, the Rebel Army has only just been established, and everything is still in its infancy. We are badly short of talent, especially core generals!"

"I have placed high hopes on you selected youths. I sincerely want to train you into generals capable of standing on your own, so that you can help me, Zhang Xianzhong, truly strengthen the Rebel Army!"

"Only then can we survive—and even live better and better!"

Treating others with sincerity was already a decision Zhang Xianzhong had firmly made in his heart.

Thus, he was merely speaking of matters as they were. He neither exaggerated nor concealed anything, seeking to exchange heart for heart and gain the absolute loyalty of these gifted youths.

He was confident about this.

The main reason was that these orphan youths all had miserable pasts and had suffered too many hardships. They were pitiful people abandoned by this world.

Once they were given an opportunity, they would cherish their present lives even more than ordinary peers.

As long as Zhang Xianzhong sincerely treated them well, it would be easy to gain their loyalty.

In this regard, those adult Rebel Army soldiers had already fixed their ways of thinking. In terms of potential, they simply could not compare to these orphan youths.

"Starting today, your treatment will also immediately improve by a great deal!"

"To say nothing else, you will receive Vitality and Blood Soup and Spirit Rice Meals twice a day!"

"Furthermore, you will be taught the complete Tiger Roar Fist ahead of schedule, and your Martial Artist cultivation will enter the beginner stage earlier as well!"

"Also, starting today, every evening I will invite several teachers to teach you reading, writing, and the principles of conduct!"

At this point, his tone changed. Turning cold, he raised his voice and shouted, "But do not think that this means you can become carried away and sleep easy on a high pillow!"

"Every few days, I will test you. Whoever fails to meet my basic requirements will likewise be kicked out!"

"The same old saying: our Rebel Army does not raise useless trash!"

"I, Zhang Xianzhong, have no use for those who are given a chance to change their miserable fates, yet still refuse to study hard and strive for progress!"

"Of course, if you ultimately meet my requirements, I may choose several true geniuses from among you and impart to them my treasured Divine Techniques and Marvelous Methods, as well as Military Strategy and Tactics. It is not impossible that you may become the core commanders of our Rebel Army in the future!"

"All of this depends entirely on your own efforts!"

"Whether you are content to be pitiful worms muddling through life and waiting for death, or become men above other men, will depend on your future performance!"

"Enough. Continue practicing the Tiger Roar Fist now. I will correct your mistakes promptly!"

After this earnest round of instruction, Zhang Xianzhong said no more. He began wholeheartedly cultivating these dozen or so gifted youths, sparing no effort in teaching them.

These deliberately selected youths were excited, yet their little faces were solemn. They cultivated earnestly and meticulously, each putting forth their utmost effort. No one wished to fall behind the others.