Chapter 9: The Duel with the Madman
After the post-battle debrief concluded, Wu Mi called over a squad leader.
“Zheng Bin, from now on, he’s one of your men,” he said to a tall, burly man.
“All right, boss,” the man chuckled.
Once Wu Mi left, Zheng Bin’s smile faded as he looked at Qin Jue, sighing, “You’re pretty lucky, kid.”
Qin Jue said nothing.
“Let’s go,” Zheng Bin said without further ado.
On the way to the military tent, he casually briefed Qin Jue about the vanguard battalion and some precautions.
This vanguard battalion consisted of over five hundred warriors, divided into four companies.
Each company had just over a hundred men, all overseen by a captain.
Normally, troops were forbidden from wandering between companies, so everyone stayed within their designated areas.
The military discipline in Qingfeng Fort was exceptionally strict!
Besides that, whether veteran or rookie, every day they had to undergo military formation drills or training exercises designed to enhance teamwork.
Qin Jue listened quietly.
No wonder Qingfeng Fort had easily repelled the enemy this time.
Such military quality was incomparable to a band of scattered, undisciplined fighters.
Before he realized it, the two had reached the tent.
As they lifted the tent flap, a strong smell of alcohol hit them.
Having won the battle, General Gao Yue had granted the soldiers a day of rest.
In the camp, their only form of entertainment was drinking and playing dice.
Inside, the tent’s arrangement was no different from the rookie camp: groups of twenty men per unit.
But since the vanguard battalion often charged into battle, it frequently had under-strength units.
At this moment, only thirteen men were inside the tent, drinking and chatting.
As Zheng Bin led Qin Jue in, all eyes turned toward them.
Suddenly, one man shouted, “Hey, new guy’s here! Just in time to pour me a drink!”
Qin Jue remained unmoved.
The man grew angry, shouting, “Kid, you know the rules, right?”
Qin Jue glanced at him, then looked to Zheng Bin, who remained indifferent, and calmly asked, “What rules?”
“The rules are that the newcomers serve us,” the man said, downing the strong liquor in his bowl and pointing to the empty cup. “Fill it up for me.”
His words drew a burst of laughter from those around, all eager for some entertainment.
Even Zheng Bin, the squad leader, stayed silent.
In the army, strength was respected above all!
Veterans bossed around rookies, the strong oppressed the weak—it was common.
Besides, these men intended to give Qin Jue a harsh lesson.
Qin Jue’s eyes turned icy. “What if I don’t?”
“Heh, don’t think you can act recklessly just because you earned Wu Captain’s favor. Here in the vanguard, might makes right,” a man sneered.
Qin Jue fixed his gaze on the speaker with burning intensity. “Wanna fight?”
He was just worried about not having enough victory points; now someone was offering a fight on a silver platter.
The burly man hesitated, then grinned fiercely. “Alright, kid, you’re looking for death!”
The vanguard battalion allowed duels between warriors of the same realm, as long as they didn’t cause fatal injuries.
Qin Jue was unfazed, replying calmly, “If all you’ve got is hot air, then forget it.”
A ripple passed over the crowd at such a provocation.
Especially the burly man, whose eyes sharpened instantly.
“Fine!” He stood abruptly and strode toward Qin Jue.
The veterans nearby silently sized up Qin Jue, thinking this young kid was arrogantly reckless.
Even if you killed five warriors before, so what?
Each of them had slain their share, not to mention it wasn’t face-to-face combat.
Now the burly man was right in front of Qin Jue.
“Die!” A fist as big as a sandbag thundered toward Qin Jue’s face.
Qin Jue threw a punch to meet it.
“Smack!”
Their fists collided. The burly man’s face instantly turned as pale as paper, a deep, bone-piercing pain radiating from his fist through his entire body.
“Ah—”
He screamed, his right arm flung backward by the impact, dislocating with a sickening crack.
Staggering from the sudden pain and recoil, he stumbled back several steps, nearly falling.
Qin Jue stepped forward and delivered another punch straight to the man’s temple.
“Bang!”
The blow was fast and fierce, hitting the burly man’s cheek squarely.
He didn’t even have time to react before darkness clouded his vision, and he collapsed unconscious.
[Congratulations, host: you have defeated an opponent and earned 1 victory point!]
Qin Jue looked coldly at the man on the ground, then shifted his gaze to the other veterans.
Those who had been waiting for a show were dumbfounded, faces full of shock.
“Anyone else?” Qin Jue asked coldly.
The men exchanged glances.
One warrior immediately stood and strode toward Qin Jue.
“Come on, kid,” he said grimly, readying himself.
The next moment, Qin Jue struck.
[Congratulations, host: you have defeated an opponent and earned 1 victory point!]
“Is that all?” Qin Jue shook his head slightly, as if unsatisfied.
This scene humiliated the veterans.
Suddenly, five warriors leapt to their feet.
Clearly, they had lost their temper and were willing to break military rules just to beat him up.
The five attacked simultaneously.
Qin Jue advanced instead of retreating.
“Bang! Bang! Bang!”
They grappled fiercely. Qin Jue attacked relentlessly, though he took a few punches, his formidable physique allowed him to endure.
But his punches were overwhelming.
Within moments, all five lay on the ground, groaning in pain.
Five victory points secured.
“Qin Jue, that’s enough!” Seeing the chaos spiral, squad leader Zheng Bin finally spoke.
“Enough?” Qin Jue turned his head, eyes cold as he looked at him.
When the five first attacked, the squad leader hadn’t uttered a word.
Now he suddenly wanted to intervene.
Zheng Bin’s expression remained calm as he smiled, “That’s how it is in the army. You’ve proven yourself; that’s enough.”
“But I think it’s still not enough...” Qin Jue fixed Zheng Bin with a serious look. “Captain, howI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.