"Hey bro, up so early?"
In the northern part of the city, before dawn, Yuchi Feihu got up early and began practicing his swordsmanship in the martial arts training square.
Yesterday's humiliating defeat was due in part to the fact that the guy named Di Yun was indeed skilled with a sword, and in part to the fact that he wasn't using his bloodline, so using ordinary strength to wield a weapon was somewhat awkward. He felt that if he could get used to the strength without his bloodline, he might not necessarily lose if he fought Di Yun again.
I never expected that the other person would wake up just as early as I did.
Following behind Di Yun were several burly men, who were out for their morning exercise, shirtless, their muscular physiques exuding masculine energy. Yuchi Feihu looked at them with some curiosity, remembering that they had mentioned in their conversation yesterday that they were already in their thirties.
Normally, when an average person is in their thirties, their energy and blood begin to decline, and their flesh and blood become less plump than when they were younger. Even with the best care, they can't compare to their younger days. So why do these people look so plump and healthy?
"Brother Di, you're here so early too?" Yuchi Feihu greeted him quickly.
"Yes, we're going to have a martial arts demonstration later, so let's warm up first."
"Another martial arts demonstration?" Yuchi Feihu was taken aback. "Wasn't it just yesterday?"
"Yesterday was different." Di Yun waved his hand. "Yesterday, we veterans were sent to various recruitment sites to test the new recruits and assess their abilities. Today's martial arts demonstration is mainly to show you new recruits something new."
"Oh?" Yuchi Feihu was taken aback, but still smiled and said, "That's perfect. I didn't have a good fight with you yesterday, Brother Di. I hope you can give me some pointers later."
"Of course, of course!" Di Yun laughed heartily, clearly quite fond of the young Yuchi Feihu.
The group began stretching in the training ground. Soon, more and more people arrived to warm up, clearly preparing for the upcoming recruit drills, just like Yuchi Feihu. It seemed that Di Yun and his group were veterans from Liuzhou. They should find an opportunity to inquire about the military strength of Liuzhou later.
As more and more people arrived, Yuchi Feihu noticed something strange. The veterans who came to the training ground were of different ages. Some were in their early twenties, while others, like Di Yun, were obviously older. He had even seen a veteran with an aged face who looked to be at least forty years old. But when the veteran took off his clothes, his well-built muscles stunned him.
Why are the soldiers here so physically strong, regardless of age?
The vital energy hidden beneath the flesh and blood also gives people a feeling of vitality!
With these doubts in mind, it was almost dawn when the veterans in the camp struck the military gong. Only then did they see the new recruits from yesterday slowly walking out, clearly not yet adapted to the rhythm of military life. What displeased Yuchi Feihu was that Wei Gongyan was among this lazy group.
"Why are you only getting up now?" Yuchi Feihu quietly approached and asked in a low voice.
"Huh?" Wei Gongyan was taken aback, then looked at Yuchi Feihu and said with a smile, "Young Master, you wouldn't be doing morning exercises like those common soldiers, would you?"
"What's the problem?" Yuchi Feihu frowned.
"Young Master, you haven't been to the northern military camp." Wei Gongyan yawned. "Over there, it gets light late. We bloodline disciples only get up when we're well-rested. The ones responsible for patrolling, keeping watch, and doing morning exercises are all those ragtag soldiers."
"Are all the people doing morning exercises just regular soldiers?" Yuchi Feihu wondered.
"They're just those grunts," Wei Gongyan disdainfully, glancing at Di Yun and his group standing in the training ground. "A bunch of bloodless grunts, spending their days honing their skills while thinking about all sorts of nonsense. No matter how hard they work or how much they train, they're still just grunts. Young Master, you don't need to pay them any attention."
Yuchi Feihu: "."
He was momentarily at a loss for words. He had always thought that only members of aristocratic families had a sense of superiority based on bloodline, but he hadn't expected that even subordinate, lower-ranking families would feel the same way about ordinary people.
He wasn't sure if he was right or wrong. He was proud of his bloodline, but what he disagreed with was Wei Gongyan soldiers." He greatly admired Di Yun's skills; how could someone with such excellent swordsmanship be called a common soldier?
"Is everyone here? Let's count the tents. Today is the first day, and many people don't know the rules, so we'll let it slide for now. But after today, anyone who hasn't gotten up for drills by 5 AM every day is fired!"
Most people trembled at the roar of the burly man on stage, while a small minority, like Wei Gongyan, remained unconvinced.
Standing on the platform, Di Yun took in the disdain in Wei Gongyan and his group's eyes, and walked to the front of the stage with a cold face. "Due to the tight support situation at the front, we don't have much time left for training. We only have a maximum of five days before we have to go to other prefectures to provide support. Of course, the least capable can stay. We will select the best in terms of skill, physique, and perseverance to form the elite force and incorporate them into our battalion. Once the list of those going out to provide support is confirmed, those selected will receive priority in receiving blessings!"
bless?
Yuchi Feihu and Wei Gongyan took a closer look at the word; was it some kind of reward?
"Those who go out to provide support will receive double the pay, be promoted faster, and enjoy priority blessings, as well as benefits such as protection of their ancestral graves by the Underworld. However, good benefits require matching abilities. We are all going out to make contributions, and we will not take on useless subordinates. During the martial arts exercise later, you must go all out, otherwise..."
Pfft
Just as the burly man was loudly reprimanding someone, a distinct chuckle suddenly silenced the scene.
The burly man coldly looked towards the source of the sound, which was none other than Wei Gongyan, who looked completely indifferent.
Yuchi Feihu frowned. Even someone as impulsive as him knew that gathering intelligence shouldn't attract so much attention. Why did Wei Gongyan seem to be getting more and more frivolous?
Or was he always like this?
"What's wrong with you?" the burly man asked coldly.
Wei Gongyan was naturally not afraid of a soldier he considered an ordinary person, and instead put on a playful smile, "Um, cough, no, no, I just wanted to confirm, do we really have to use all our strength?"
These words silenced the room even more. Some of the veterans looked at Wei Gongyan with strange expressions, while the two veterans standing next to Di Yun laughed, "Old Di, this kid seems to be the one who sent you flying yesterday. He's pretty confident!"
Di Yun rolled his eyes at the other person, then strode forward. "What's your name?"
" Wei Yan!" Wei Gongyan lazily.
"Come up!"
Wei Gongyan sneered upon hearing this, showing no fear. He strolled up leisurely and lazily looked at the other party. "What advice does the superior have?"
"Choose a weapon you're good at," Di Yun said, pointing to the weapon rack.
Hey, this kid looks like he's still upset about being beaten up yesterday?
Wei Gongyan chuckled as he walked to the weapon rack and casually picked up a single-edged sword.
You didn't use this yesterday.
Looking at the other person's earnest tone, Wei Gongyan it even more amusing. "It doesn't matter what I use."
"Is that so?" Di Yun didn't bother to argue. He picked out a single-edged sword identical to his opponent's from the weapon rack. "Then come on. If you beat me, my position as team leader is yours."
These words made Wei Gongyan. He didn't want to be managed by these rabble, but since they said so, he naturally wouldn't be polite.
Are you sure?
"If I can lose to such trash as you, then I have no face to lead the team."
Wei Gongyan's smile froze instantly. What did this kid say?
Are you still half asleep?
"Shangguan, it seems you didn't get enough pain from yesterday's fall, did you?" Wei Gongyan couldn't help but sneer and mock.
"Yesterday was different," Di Yun said, shaking his head.
"What's the difference?" Wei Gongyan sneered. "Did Shangguan not sleep well last night?"
"Try it and you'll see the difference," Di Yun said calmly.
"Is that so?" Wei Gongyan smiled and said, "Alright, then I'll give it a try."
As soon as he finished speaking, Wei Gongyan pounced on his opponent in the blink of an eye. His Wind Serpent Bloodline was exceptionally agile. Wei Gongyan was determined to teach his opponent a lesson. With his Bloodline fully activated, his speed was among the best of the Fourth Rank martial artists. The effect of him instantly covering the ten-meter distance made the group of newcomers below gasp in amazement.
The elderly people, however, merely smiled coldly at the scene, without even blinking.
when!
A metallic clang rang out as the two blades clashed, sparks flying. Wei Gongyan wasn't surprised that his opponent could withstand his attack. This man was a veteran with sharp reflexes and speed approaching that of Fifth Rank martial artist, but still far inferior to his own.
He had underestimated his opponent before, failing to activate any of his bloodline, and ended up being forced into a sorry state by the opponent's swordsmanship. This time, he naturally couldn't win so rigidly. He needed to find a good angle to win gracefully, while also making sure his performance wasn't too outstanding, so that people wouldn't notice that he was a descendant of the bloodline.
Thinking of this, he changed his stance and raised his sword upwards. The Bloodline Power instantly erupted. He did not intend to let his opponent use any sword techniques. Facing these troublesome soldiers who honed their skills all day long, his disciples in the north had long learned how to deal with them. There was nothing to it but to use brute force to overcome skill. If you are fast enough and strong enough, what kind of bullshit sword techniques are you? No matter how many years you practice, it will be useless against them!
But just as he was thinking this, the ideal situation did not happen. With his bloodline surging, he suddenly found that his upward-raising sword stance did not move at all!
What are you waiting for?
A cold, mocking voice came from the other side. Wei Gongyan disbelief. He wasn't mistaken; even with his bloodline surging, he couldn't budge his blade?
"So polite?" Di Yun tilted his head, looking at Wei Gongyan's incredulous gaze. "Opening only a small portion of your bloodline? Why not try using your full strength?"
Wei Gongyan: "."