Chapter 55: Taking on an Apprentice

Vanguard Camp, Commander's Mansion, Main Hall.

Dressed in casual attire, Wang Zhong was chatting with another broad-shouldered, sharp-eyed middle-aged man.

This man was Xiao Feng, the commander of the Sound-Shooting Camp, whose archery skills were peerless throughout the entire army.

He had come today primarily to discuss military exercises with Wang Zhong.

"Old Wang, I've been pondering these military exercises for quite some time. Now that the Qin family is eyeing us like a tiger eyeing its prey, and my camp has just been newly established, we must make preparations early," Xiao Feng said with a serious expression as he looked at the contemplative Wang Zhong.

The Sound-Shooting Camp had not been established for long, and its internal coordination fell far short of the Vanguard Camp and the Swift-Marching Camp.

As its commander, he naturally had to devise ways to enhance the overall strength of his camp and deepen the coordination among his soldiers and officers.

Especially since they had just chased the Qin family away from their ancestral lands, the enemy would definitely not let the matter rest.

This was precisely why the Vanguard Camp had been stepping up its training intensity lately.

"We can do it, but the specific details need to be thoroughly examined."

After a moment of thought, Wang Zhong gave his reply.

Military exercises would be beneficial for both camps, but it had to be ensured that both would undergo a genuine transformation.

"Naturally." A trace of a smile appeared at the corner of Xiao Feng's mouth.

Just then, a soldier suddenly hurried outside the main hall to report.

"Commander, Military Judge Zhang requests an audience!"

Ever since the camp-wide grand competition, Cui Dongxing had been stripped of his position as military judge, and one of his deputies had taken his place.

"Let him in," Wang Zhong said indirectionlessly.

Before long, a highly capable-looking man entered the hall, cupped his fists, and saluted: "Commander."

"What is the matter?" Wang Zhong asked in a deep voice, eyeing him.

The man immediately replied: "Reporting to the Commander, through my investigation, I found that Qin Que has been constantly seeking people out for sparring matches recently, completely neglecting his duties in leading squad drills. This has severely hindered the training of the entire camp. Your subordinate does not know how to handle this, and begs the Commander to make a decision!"

This man was a trusted confidant of Cui Dongxing. Seeing Qin Que's violation of military discipline, his first thought was to severely punish the other party.

However, considering Qin Que's status within the camp, he still prudently chose to report to Wang Zhong first.

Presumably, given the Commander's usual fair and impartial style, he would never show favoritism.

"Hmm, pay no attention to it," Wang Zhong said, showing complete indifference in his words.

The man was instantly dumbfounded.

The script isn't supposed to go like this, is it? What happened to being fair and impartial?

Seeing that the Commander had nothing more to say, the man had no choice but to withdraw.

Meanwhile, hearing this familiar name, Xiao Feng smiled at the corner of his mouth and said, "Old Wang, I heard that this kid Qin Que has extraordinary archery skills. My Vanguard Camp has just been formed and is short on people. Why don't you hand this kid over to me?"

"As long as he can promote to the Second Realm, I will immediately make him a Centurion!"

Wang Zhong glanced at him and cursed with a smile: "Daydreaming."

Having finished speaking, a look of deep emotion crossed his face: "I've observed this kid for a period of time. He performs exceptionally well, and I'm about to take him as my disciple."

Hearing this, Xiao Feng looked astonished: "Old Wang, are you serious?"

This friend of his had never taken a disciple before. Even when Xiao Feng had urged him to do so in the past, Wang Zhong had remained unmoved.

How was it that he was now proactively seeking to take a disciple?

Wang Zhong nodded slightly: "It is about time I found a successor."

Having neither wife nor children, he intended to find a disciple to inherit his legacy while he was still in his prime.

And this Qin Que was clearly the optimal choice.

Because as of last night, he had already learned that the young man had mastered the first stage of the *Nine-Bull Two-Tiger Technique*.

At that time, he had been so excited that he barely slept all night. If not for his status, he would have dragged Qin Que over on the spot to take him as a disciple.

One had to know that it had taken Wang Zhong himself a full month just to get the basics down, yet less than half a month had passed, and the fellow had already mastered the first stage.

Such a martial arts genius was the only one he had ever seen in his entire life; how could he possibly hand him over to someone else?

Seeing that his old friend was dead serious, Xiao Feng didn't press further, only teasing with a chuckle: "What a pity that such a gem was picked up by an old fellow like you."

Wang Zhong glared at him: "What's a pity? Is becoming my disciple something shameful?"

Xiao Feng grinned broadly in response.

...

Over at the Vanguard Camp, Qin Que found a Second Realm martial artist and intended to issue a challenge.

"Qin Que, I'm not fighting you. Go find someone else." Upon seeing him, the man immediately and sternly refused.

He had long since heard of Qin Que's glorious battle record, and coupled with the fact that he was busy with his own drills, he had no desire to accept the fight.

Qin Que looked at the man before him with utter helplessness.

This was already the third person to reject him.

These days, finding someone to have a brawl with was truly not easy.

"Qin Que, the Commander wants to see you!"

At that moment, a soldier brought word.

Qin Que's eyes flashed.

Could it be that the Commander had found out about him going around challenging people?

He was naturally aware that his actions during this period violated military regulations.

Yet, who could resist the temptation of victory points?

"It shouldn't be anything major, right?" Qin Que thought to himself.

Pondering thus, he arrived at the Commander's Mansion and found Wang Zhong in casual clothes inside the main hall.

Even without armor, the man still radiated an unfathomable and imposing aura.

"Commander!" Qin Que cupped his fists.

Wang Zhong gazed at him, the depths of his seemingly tranquil eyes actually surging with undisguised appreciation and fondness.

As a camp commander, Wang Zhong had to be extremely prudent in his words and actions, but that did not prevent his inner favoritism toward Qin Que.

"You have already mastered the first stage of the technique, haven't you?" Wang Zhong's voice was low and powerful, echoing through the main hall.

Qin Que lowered his head, a flash of astonishment crossing his face, but he quickly regained his composure and replied steadily, "Yes, Commander."

He had already realized that the Commander must have known about his recent challenges to others, and he was quietly wondering how best to explain himself.

Just then, Wang Zhong's voice sounded once again: "Good, your performance has satisfied me greatly. Since you have learned my technique, would you be willing to become my disciple?"

As he spoke these words, a hint of anticipation was clearly visible in Wang Zhong's eyes.

Qin Que was still worrying about whether he would face punishment, so when he suddenly heard these words, he felt a wave of surprise.

He had known this day would come, but he hadn't expected it to arrive faster than imagined.

After a moment, Qin Que raised his head, his expression earnest: "Commander, Qin Que is willing!"

Becoming the Commander's disciple was a foolproof, win-win transaction.

Given the other party's status and standing in the army, once he became his disciple, he could practically walk sideways without hindrance.

Not only would his status and position undergo a heaven-shaking transformation, but he might also be able to learn some advanced martial arts skills.

Seeing that Qin Que had calmed down so quickly, Wang Zhong's appreciation deepened, and he nodded with satisfaction: "Very well. From today onward, you are my disciple."

Qin Que immediately dropped to one knee: "Disciple pays respects to Master."

"Get up." Wang Zhong finally could not help but wear a smile at the corner of his mouth.

He then motioned for Qin Que to take a seat and brought up the matter of the recent sparring matches.

"Sparring can indeed temper oneself, but the key is still to focus your core efforts on practicing the techniques. Moreover, being too flamboyant in the army easily breeds jealousy and envy in others, causing unnecessary trouble."

Perhaps because Qin Que was now his disciple, Wang Zhong spoke these words with earnest sincerity.

Qin Que understood that the other party had his best interests at heart, but he certainly couldn't reveal the existence of his system. Pondering for a moment, he explained: "Master, the reason I've been busy sparring is because I found that during combat, my comprehension of the *Nine-Bull Two-Tiger Technique* continuously deepens."

"Really?" Wang Zhong exclaimed in surprise.

He knew that Qin Que possessed a constitution that grew stronger the more he fought, but he hadn't expected that this constitution could even influence his comprehension of martial techniques.

Actually, the moment Qin Que said this, Wang Zhong already believed most of it.

Because strength never lied.

The young man's sparring matches during this period had indeed made his progress in the *Nine-Bull Two-Tiger Technique* advance by leaps and bounds.

"Good, good, good!" Wang Zhong was overjoyed.

"In that case, I will personally find people for you to spar with."