Zhang Yong's Death

"Cloudflight Squad had only one survivor—me! They were my comrades too!"

At the military merit office of Chaos Martial Arts Hall, Zhang Yong roared at the martial artists beside him, his voice utterly hysterical.

The martial artist in charge shook his head helplessly. "Cloudflight Squad has already been awarded first-class merit. The entire squad received a reward of ten million Blue Star credits, five Blood Qi Source Energy Supplements, and preferential educational treatment for their children..."

"You need to understand that Cloudflight Squad was only temporarily assembled. Only the captain, Lu Yun, was a registered martial artist. The rest of you were merely students temporarily requisitioned..."

"You've already received more than enough."

Zhang Yong's face flushed red with fury. Rolling up his sleeves, he demanded, "What use are these things? Will my brothers come back?! They were my classmates and teachers!"

"I'm going to fight those bastard beasts to the death!"

As he spoke, he turned to leave, only to be stopped by two martial artists working together.

"You're still injured. You shouldn't get worked up. Please calm down."

"Five Blood Qi Source Energy Supplements are enough to help you break through to a high-level warrior. Only by growing stronger and killing more beasts can you avenge your dead brothers!"

The two martial artists had seen too many martial artists go mad like this.

The entire squad had been wiped out. As the sole survivor, what unimaginable agony was that?

"Think of your family. Your parents."

At those words, Zhang Yong dropped to his knees and burst into tears.

"My teammates all came from families that had produced martial artists for generations... sob... their families are practically going to die out."

"They worked so hard to get into Jiangnan Martial University, yet they never even graduated..."

"And Captain Lu Yun... Teacher Lu Yun. To save me, he drew the beasts' encirclement away by himself... Waaah!"

His fists pounded the floor relentlessly, reducing his hands to a bloody mess.

Several martial artists overseeing the military merit office were also holding back tears as they drew deep breaths.

There were too many such cases. In this era, scenes like this were countless.

Zhang Yong nearly cried himself unconscious. It was not until deep into the night that he awoke from his hospital bed, the corners of his lips unconsciously curving upward.

After waiting so long, he had finally waited for the right moment!

This is the beginning of changing my fate...

By chance, he had once heard that if more than half of a martial artist squad was killed or injured, there would be additional compensation!

The higher-ups might even grant breathing techniques as compensation based on military merit...

A month ago, after hearing about the Jiangnan Base City evacuation mission, he had devised a plan. He had coaxed his roommate, Chu Wen, into joining Teacher Lu Yun's temporary squad...

He had grown up without a father, with only a weak and timid mother at home. Since childhood, he had suffered endless bullying from others.

Only that fool and Chu Wen, whom he had met after entering Jiangnan Martial University, did not know his true circumstances.

"Chu Wen, Chu Wen, you really were such a good friend. Your death fulfilled me—it was more than worth it."

"Don't blame me either. In this era, I only trust myself."

It was a pity about that obedient Chen Dai. He had actually rushed off to save Chu Wen. In what way was Chu Wen better than him?

"A fool will always be a fool."

Losing his designated lackey irritated him somewhat, but fortunately, the five Blood Qi Source Energy Supplements were already in his hands.

Looking at the neatly arranged rewards by his hospital bed, he impatiently opened the medicine case.

Blood Qi Source Energy Supplements could accelerate a martial artist's evolution!

Normally, it took years of relentless effort for the cells' mutated state to undergo a qualitative transformation, but Blood Qi Source Energy Supplements made up for that shortcoming!

Just one vial could enable explosive growth!

Suddenly—

Bang!

The hospital room door was kicked open.

Zhang Yong stared at the newcomer as though he had seen a ghost!

Chu Wen?

He suspected he was dreaming, but the killing intent overflowing from the other man's gaze sent a shudder through his entire body.

"Are you human or ghost?!"

Zhang Yong's breathing quickened as he backed against the wall.

A savage force burst from the other man's fist, that terrifying power ready to tear his chest apart.

This was Chu Wen? How had he become so strong?!

"Stop! Killing him now is meaningless."

A hand seized that solid arm, perfectly deflecting the force into the air beside them.

Boom!

As the gale howled, Zhang Yong collapsed to the floor in fright, recognizing the figure shielding him.

Liu Shouren, the former deputy hall master of Jiangnan Base City's Chaos Martial Arts Hall.

"Deputy Hall Master Liu, Chu Wen wants to kill me!"

Liu Shouren glared furiously. "Chu Wen, what did I just tell you? Do you really think you can kill someone right in front of me? Kill him, and you'll go to prison too!"

Chu Wen said nothing, curling his fingers.

A faint flame spread from his palm—

Burn Hand into Blade!

Liu Shouren had limited room to move while protecting Zhang Yong and was blasted back to the side.

"An entry-level warrior? Burn Hand into Blade? The Burning Blade Technique at mastery?!"

Shock filled Liu Shouren's eyes.

He had just learned the basic details from Chu Wen. Had he not even noticed that Chu Wen had already broken through to become an entry-level warrior?

And that the Burning Blade Technique had reached mastery?

The mastery realm of the Burning Blade Technique—Burn Hand into Blade!

Burn Hand into Blade was far too distinctive. No one could fail to recognize it.

Even high-level war generals might not necessarily attain the intent of mastery! Though this was a basic combat technique, any combat technique that reached mastery could multiply its power and was not to be underestimated!

The conflict had erupted in a martial artist hospital, instantly drawing numerous entry-level warriors.

After all, many martial artists were recuperating here.

"Deputy Hall Master Liu, I already made it very clear to you. I want to kill him."

"If you insist on stopping me, I'm afraid even you will be injured."

Chu Wen turned his back, lifted his shirt, and exposed the vicious blade wound across it. "The man beside you is very skilled at stabbing people in the back."

Although Liu Shouren possessed the strength of an entry-level war general, he had retired due to injury many years ago, and his blood qi had long since declined. Facing an entry-level warrior whose Burning Blade Technique had reached mastery, he was somewhat uncertain.

After all, he had indeed learned the details already. There were even partial image records in the optical computer as evidence—proof as solid as iron.

Locked in confrontation, Zhang Yong finally remembered something. Regaining his composure, he cursed angrily.

"You're spouting bloody lies!"

"That blade wound was clearly an accidental injury when we were fighting beasts! You even said it was fine at the time, and now you want to settle scores with me?!"

"You only just came back. You heard that Cloudflight Squad received five Blood Qi Source Energy Supplements, so you wanted to find an excuse to kill me first, so you could take them all for yourself!"

"What evidence do you have that I injured you?!"

"Deputy Hall Master Liu, you can't listen to only his side of the story!"

Five Blood Qi Source Energy Supplements?!

The martial artists gathered around them all changed expression in shock.

Even one supplement could transform an ordinary martial artist, let alone five! No wonder the two had fought so fiercely.

"Gentlemen, I do not know what grievance lies between you, but fighting in a hospital is likely against the rules."

"Report this to the martial arts hall. The hall will definitely investigate it thoroughly. There must be records in the optical computer." A martial artist at the side also tried to persuade them. "You two are still young. Your futures are far brighter than those of old men like us. Don't let a moment of foolishness ruin everything."

Seizing the opportunity, Zhang Yong shrieked, "I'm afraid this guy deleted the optical computer's contents long ago!"

He had made sure everything was foolproof. Back then, he had directly destroyed Chu Wen's optical computer. How could there have been anything left to delete?

Chu Wen gave a cold laugh. "Zhang Yong, you really won't give up until you reach the Yellow River."

With a toss of his right hand, the image repaired by the Primordial Source Pearl appeared before everyone.

In the footage, Chu Wen stood atop a beast's corpse, gazing into the distance.

Suddenly, Zhang Yong's face appeared in the frame, followed by a bloodstained combat blade slowly withdrawing.

"If you die, I'll take the credit for this one. Heh heh."

Everyone stood dumbfounded.

Liu Shouren's gaze darkened further. If this matter got out, even his position as deputy hall master might be affected.

He had tried so hard to reason with Chu Wen just now, yet this fellow had chosen the worst possible way to handle it!

All the martial artists around them drew sharp breaths.

Who would have believed that their most trusted teammate would stab them in the back after the battle ended—just for military merit?

If this happened, the entire martial arts hall's system of trust could easily collapse!

This absolutely had to be dealt with severely!

"I'll ask you one more time. Where is Teacher Lu Yun?"

Cold sweat drenched Zhang Yong. "He... he was eaten by the beasts..."

Boom!

Blood qi surged as he used Burn Hand into Blade!

This time, Liu Shouren did not stop him.

He knew that if he interfered again, he would provoke public outrage.

The sound of bones shattering rang out, mixed with indistinct pleas for mercy.

Beneath a white wall stained crimson, every martial artist saw a pair of cold eyes. Rage and killing intent burned within them as their owner left beneath everyone's gaze.

Only a mangled corpse and five Blood Qi Source Energy Supplements remained.