Qianshan Xue's words sounded as though she were helping Chen Shi'an out of a tight spot, but in truth, she was praising Song Yuming in a roundabout way.
Chen Shi'an looked up at Qianshan Xue. He could sense a trace of hostility toward him from this beautiful woman, whose every inch exuded mature charm.
Song Yuming's face first lit up with delight, then he waved his hands repeatedly and said with feigned modesty, "You flatter me, Commander Qian. I only took first place today thanks to my brothers' support, and a fair bit of luck."
Seeing Qianshan Xue and Song Yuming singing the same tune, Ye Xicheng's anger visibly rose. "Chen Shi'an," he said coldly, "you had better reflect on what happened today!"
With that, he swept his sleeve sharply and prepared to leave.
Chen Shi'an said nothing. He merely untied a cloth bundle from his waist and tossed it into the center of the square.
The cloth fell open, and a bloody head rolled out. It was none other than Jiang Beiwang's.
"Jiang Beiwang!"
"Chen Shi'an actually killed Jiang Beiwang!"
The veterans of the Demon Hunting Team, Iron Bull included, all cried out in shock.
Everyone else stared dumbstruck, their faces full of disbelief.
Ye Xicheng, whose face had been dark with anger a moment before, suddenly burst out laughing. "Chen Shi'an, you've got some tricks up your sleeve!"
Song Yuming's smile froze on his face, and his proudly raised head dipped noticeably.
Qianshan Xue frowned slightly and asked in a low voice, "Did you really kill Jiang Beiwang?"
Her tone was deeply skeptical.
That was hardly surprising. Jiang Beiwang was a martial artist at the eighth acquired stage, and he also possessed a Black-Iron Bow.
Even Iron Bull and the others had suffered at his hands. It was hard not to doubt that Chen Shi'an had killed him.
Even Iron Bull wore a doubtful expression.
Chen Shi'an cupped his hands slightly toward Qianshan Xue. "Commander Qian, strictly speaking, Jiang Beiwang didn't die by my hand. He died because of infighting within the Black Saber Alliance.
"When I arrived, Jiang Beiwang and several of his subordinates were locked in a fierce battle over this bundle."
At this point, he took off another bundle, set it by his feet, and slowly untied it.
Inside lay an assortment of gold, silver, and jewels.
The glittering treasures dazzled the eyes.
Chen Shi'an continued, "Although Jiang Beiwang killed all the men trying to seize the treasure, he suffered severe injuries himself. I took advantage of his weakened state and cut off his head.
"But that old bastard was quite formidable. Even covered in wounds, his dying counterattack still made me suffer badly."
Ye Xicheng now felt vindicated and was in excellent spirits. "You've got both courage and brains, lad, and your luck isn't bad either.
"But you only have one life. Don't take such risks again."
At this point, he turned his gaze toward Pi Hou and the others.
Pi Hou and three other men were carrying a long oilcloth bundle together and had just reached Chen Shi'an's back.
"What's that?" Ye Xicheng asked in puzzlement.
"Open it."
Chen Shi'an spoke in a low voice.
Pi Hou and the others hurriedly set the bundle down and pulled back the oilcloth.
Inside lay six large, jet-black bows-the Black-Iron Bows.
"Black-Iron Bows!"
Iron Bull was the first to cry out.
Not long before, he and three men from the Demon Hunting Team had nearly died under those six Black-Iron Bows.
Ye Xicheng darted forward, crouched down, and examined the six bows one by one. "Yes, these are indeed Black-Iron Bows!"
Meanwhile, a man from the Demon Hunting Team strode forward and placed several dozen jet-black arrows beside the bows.
They were Black-Iron Arrows, designed to be used with the Black-Iron Bows.
These were the very arrows that had wounded Iron Bull and the others earlier.
There were twenty-four in all.
Ye Xicheng slowly stood up. "You only found the Black-Iron Bows? You didn't see any Black-Iron Arrows?"
Chen Shi'an nodded. "They had bows, but no arrows."
Ye Xicheng looked at Iron Bull. "If the Black Saber Alliance had possessed a few more arrows, you would have met your end here today."
Shame crossed Iron Bull's face. Taking two men with him, he gathered up the Black-Iron Bows, the Black-Iron Arrows, Jiang Beiwang's head, and the treasure.
Ye Xicheng cleared his throat. "Chen Shi'an, you killed Jiang Beiwang and seized six Black-Iron Bows, along with all this treasure.
"Your squad rendered the greatest service today.
"When we return, I'll report this to Commander Fu and request rewards for you!"
"Thank you, Commander Ye!"
Chen Shi'an hastily bowed his head and cupped his hands.
Pi Hou and the others beamed with joy and hurriedly followed Chen Shi'an in saluting.
Once they had finished, they raised their heads, the corners of their mouths lifted high, and looked toward Song Yuming and his subordinates.
Song Yuming's face burned. His subordinates were mortified, averting their eyes or lowering their heads, not daring to meet Pi Hou and the others' gazes.
Just then, Qianshan Xue suddenly spoke. "Chen Shi'an, since you obtained the Black-Iron Bows, do you know where the Black Saber Alliance got these bows and arrows?"
Chen Shi'an shook his head. "By the time I arrived, the fighting was nearly over. I didn't hear anything about where the Black-Iron Bows came from."
Qianshan Xue frowned. "Killing Jiang Beiwang was certainly a great achievement, but you also cut off our lead for investigating the Black-Iron Bows."
Chen Shi'an's expression remained unchanged. He cupped his hands slightly toward her. "Please forgive me, Commander Qian. Jiang Beiwang was still capable of fighting at the time. I was already fortunate to kill him. I had no ability to capture him alive..."
"What have you done that needs forgiving?"
Ye Xicheng waved his hand. "If not for you, Jiang Beiwang would have escaped long ago, and our Demon Hunting Team would have become a laughingstock."
He then looked at Qianshan Xue. "Commander Qian, do we really need to investigate where the Black Saber Alliance's Black-Iron Bows came from?
"Who else could it be but the Flowing Stone Stronghold?"
Qianshan Xue replied, "Black-Iron Bows are exceedingly precious. Why would the Flowing Stone Stronghold give six of them to a mere Black Saber Alliance? There must be some major secret behind this."
Ye Xicheng curled his lip. "You should ask the Flowing Stone Stronghold that question, not Chen Shi'an."
Qianshan Xue turned her gaze toward Ye Xicheng. "Please don't misunderstand, Commander Ye. I'm not trying to make things difficult for Chen Shi'an.
"There is no question that Chen Shi'an rendered great service today.
"I merely want to establish the bows' origins as soon as possible. This is no small matter, after all. Once the City Lord learns of it, he will certainly charge us with getting to the bottom of where they came from."
Ye Xicheng gave a soft chuckle and said nothing more.
Qianshan Xue continued, "Chen Shi'an, where did you kill Jiang Beiwang? Take Commander Ye and me there to have a look."
Chen Shi'an slowly turned and pointed toward a distant spot engulfed in roaring flames and thick smoke. "It may be a little late to go there now."
Qianshan Xue frowned and was about to speak again.
Ye Xicheng waved his hand. "Enough. We've already spent quite some time here. If we delay any longer, everyone from the Outer City will come over."
As he spoke, he sprang onto his horse and called out, "Pack everything up quickly! We're withdrawing!"
Then he snapped his whip and rode off.
After riding a little over a hundred feet, he remembered something and looked back at Iron Bull. "Squad Leader Chen is injured. Find him a good horse!"
By the time the Demon Hunting Team passed through the Outer City, it was roughly seven to nine in the morning.
Of the more than two hundred people in the group, only four were mounted.
Fu Qingyang, Ye Xicheng, Qianshan Xue, and Chen Shi'an.
Song Yuming and the other squad leaders, both new and old, followed behind with their heads down and varying expressions.
Pi Hou and the other ten men stayed close behind Chen Shi'an, all holding their heads high and puffing out their chests, their pride restored.
After traveling more than ten li beyond the Outer City, Fu Qingyang ordered the group to halt.
He personally inspected the six Black-Iron Bows and the Black-Iron Arrows, then nodded at Chen Shi'an in approval. "Well done. We've only just set out, and you've already rendered such great service to our Demon Hunting Team.
"In our Demon Hunting Team, every wrongdoing is punished, and every achievement is rewarded.
"Tell me, what reward would you like?"
Chen Shi'an hesitated briefly. "Commander, I was only able to kill Jiang Beiwang thanks to my brothers' understanding and wholehearted support. At least half the credit belongs to them..."
Before he could finish, Fu Qingyang waved his hand. "Your squad contributed the most in the battle against the Black Saber Alliance. Naturally, I'll reward every one of you.
"What I'm asking now is what you want."
After a moment's thought, Chen Shi'an cupped his hands slightly. "Commander, what I most hope to obtain right now is a Marrow-Washing Pill."
Fu Qingyang smiled faintly. "I knew you would ask for a Marrow-Washing Pill."
His eyelids lifted slightly. "The gold, silver, and jewels you handed over are worth more than thirty thousand taels of silver. If you had pocketed them, you could probably have bought five or six Marrow-Washing Pills.
"Jiang Beiwang's head and the six Black-Iron Bows were already enough to earn you considerable merit.
"Since you want Marrow-Washing Pills, why didn't you hide the silver and use it to buy them?"
Without hesitation, Chen Shi'an straightened his chest and declared with righteous conviction, "Commander, since I, Chen Shi'an, have joined the Demon Hunting Team, I must serve it loyally and fulfill my duties.
"The Demon Hunting Team's rules state clearly that all supplies seized on the battlefield must be handed over.
"I'm no saint, and I love wealth too, but I would never dare embezzle the Demon Hunting Team's property!"
"You're certainly forthright!"
Fu Qingyang laughed heartily, took a porcelain bottle from inside his robe, and held it out to Chen Shi'an. "Then these two Marrow-Washing Pills are your reward."
Delight spread across Chen Shi'an's face. He accepted the bottle and thanked him repeatedly.
He had never expected to receive two Marrow-Washing Pills just after leaving the Outer City.
An unexpected windfall!
Fu Qingyang continued, "Chen Shi'an's squad will receive one collective first-class merit.
"Other than Chen Shi'an, each man will receive ten Strong-Blood Pills and a suit of Linked-Ring Soft Armor."
Although Strong-Blood Pills had no marrow-washing effect, they nourished blood and vitality, strengthened a martial artist's physique, and were also quite effective at treating injuries.
In the Windrise Stronghold, a single Strong-Blood Pill sold for at least thirty taels of silver.
Ten Strong-Blood Pills meant three hundred taels of silver.
And there was a suit of Linked-Ring Soft Armor as well.
Linked-Ring Soft Armor, also known as Soft Porcupine Armor, was flexible armor made from numerous interlocking metal rings.
When struck, it distributed the force of the impact throughout its entire structure, greatly reducing the harm suffered by the wearer.
Owning a suit of Soft Porcupine Armor was like gaining half an extra life.
Forging techniques in the Desolate Ruins were primitive, and few craftsmen could make Soft Porcupine Armor.
In the Windrise Stronghold, no more than ten craftsmen in total could forge it.
That meant Soft Porcupine Armor was a rare commodity in the Windrise Stronghold.
In the City Guard Battalion, only centurions were issued Soft Porcupine Armor.
In the Demon Hunting Team, however, it was not issued according to rank. Only those who rendered great service to the team qualified to receive it.
On the Windrise Stronghold's market, a suit of Soft Porcupine Armor could fetch six or seven hundred taels of silver, and even then, there was a price but no stock. You could have the money and still find nowhere to buy it.
Ten Strong-Blood Pills plus a suit of Soft Porcupine Armor brought the total value close to a thousand taels of silver.
Fu Qingyang's generosity truly was extraordinary!
The Demon Hunting Team's reputation for wealth was well deserved!
Pi Hou and the other ten men were ecstatic. Together, they respectfully saluted Fu Qingyang, expressing their gratitude and pledging their loyalty.
Then they gathered around Chen Shi'an, brimming with gratitude.
The other men of the Demon Hunting Team looked at Chen Shi'an's squad with envy.
Only Song Yuming gave a soft snort and muttered, "Aren't they just two Marrow-Washing Pills, a few Strong-Blood Pills, and a suit of Soft Porcupine Armor? Look how pleased they are. Bunch of country bumpkins!"
His voice was quiet, but after seven marrow washings, Chen Shi'an's hearing far surpassed that of ordinary people, including martial artists at his own stage.
Hearing Song Yuming's mutter, Chen Shi'an put away the porcelain bottle and looked at him and his subordinates with disdain.
"Earlier, some of you said Pi Hou and the others must have heaven-defying luck to serve under a squad leader like me.
"You were right. Since Pi Hou and the others have chosen to follow me, I'll make sure they feast on the finest food and drink.
"Don't resent it!
"The Marrow-Washing Pills, Strong-Blood Pills, and Soft Porcupine Armor are proof enough!
"Stop making snide remarks. If you want rewards, show some ability and fight for military merit. Don't stand there whining like a bunch of women!"
While they were passing through the Outer City, Pi Hou had given Chen Shi'an a rough account of what had happened in the square.
After a little thought, Chen Shi'an knew that keeping a low profile and swallowing the insults would only encourage people like Song Yuming to climb all over him.
Since they didn't know what was good for them, he would strike first and crush their arrogance.
Besides, Pi Hou and the others had just been wronged and mocked. As their leader, he had to stand up for them.
At his words, Song Yuming and his subordinates were both ashamed and furious. They all fixed hostile gazes on Chen Shi'an.
The corners of Chen Shi'an's mouth lifted. "What? You can't earn merit on the battlefield, so you're jealous and want to turn your blades on your own comrades?"
Song Yuming snorted coldly and cupped his hands toward Fu Qingyang. "Commander Fu, Chen Shi'an is arrogant over his achievements and has publicly provoked both me and my men. Please uphold justice for us!"
Before Fu Qingyang could speak, Ye Xicheng sneered. "Squad Leader Song, you call that provocation? Your nerves are far too fragile.
"In our Demon Hunting Team, earning rewards through merit is only right and proper!
"We don't turn our fists and blades on our comrades, but when merit is at stake, everyone must fight for it!
"In the battle against the Black Saber Alliance, Chen Shi'an's squad contributed the most.
"They fully deserve their rewards.
"Envy is understandable, but bitter jealousy is the act of a coward and only invites ridicule!
"If you feel provoked, fine. Once we reach West Mountain Hollow, let your strength speak and answer with military merit!"
At this point, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. "Running to tattle really is a bit sissy."
Before you continue