After leaving Wu Kuang's tent, Chen Sheng didn't return to rest. Instead, he found a secluded corner. He first took an Elixir from his clothes and swallowed it, then took a deep breath and assumed a somewhat strange stance.
This was precisely one of the twelve Pile Skills of the Golden Bell Body Refining Technique—the Tripod Stance.
This Cultivation Technique was divided into twelve Pile Skills and thirty-six forms. A complete run-through was required to make the progress bar grow slowly.
In the months since he had transmigrated here, experiencing combat on the battlefield had taught Chen Sheng an iron-clad rule: in this chaotic world, strength was the only true foundation for survival.
Therefore, from the day his golden finger awakened, he had not slacked off for a single moment. He trained bitterly day and night. As long as he wasn't on a mission, he would hole up in his camp, focused on nothing but honing his skills.
It was this almost fanatical persistence that allowed him to successfully achieve Acupoint Opening and Foundation Establishment within a little over a month, stepping into the Mingxi Realm.
The Elixir was a Qi and Blood Pill that he had purchased at a high price after using his savings to grease the Quartermaster's palms. It could replenish his qi and blood, resist physical fatigue, and support his continuous cultivation.
About four hours later, the night was as black as ink. Exhausted in both body and mind, Chen Sheng looked at the panel before him, a gratified smile finally appearing on his face.
[Basic Knife Technique: Great Success (406/1000)]
[Golden Bell Body Refining Technique: Minor Achievement (192/500)]
This panel, which clearly reflected his progress, had no other miraculous functions, but it gave Chen Sheng a great sense of security. 'One reaps what one sows.' As long as he persevered, he would eventually see results.
...
When Chen Sheng returned to his tent, it was almost 11 p.m. He had thought everyone would be fast asleep, but as soon as he stepped inside, he felt several gazes sweep over him. It seemed many people were still awake in the darkness.
This abnormal silence struck Chen Sheng as odd. 'Could the news that I met with Commander Wu have spread so quickly?'
Without showing any change in expression, he used the faint light to find his own bunk. Just as he was about to lie down, Sun Liuzi from the neighboring bunk leaned over and whispered urgently:
"Sheng, where did you just go?"
"Couldn't sleep, so I went out to practice for a bit," Chen Sheng replied in a low voice.
"Something's happened, Sheng!" Sun Liuzi's voice was filled with a mix of suppressed excitement and fear.
"A guy named Huang Ren came by earlier. He claimed to be the new Vice Commander and actually returned all the silver Wang Yi gave to Commander Wu! He... he even ridiculed him to his face."
"Wang Yi couldn't take the humiliation and stormed out. He hasn't come back yet. Everyone's been talking about it; no one could get to sleep."
Chen Sheng instantly understood. 'So that's what happened. No wonder the atmosphere was so strange.' He felt a little relieved—Wu Kuang had only returned Wang Yi's silver, which meant his own matter was likely settled.
After all, the price he had paid was far greater than anything Wang Yi could have offered.
'Still, this Wu Kuang really does have his own set of "rules."'
'He didn't get the job done, so he returned the silver. Even though he's greedy, he has some principles, I guess.'
"Did Wang Yi pay back the silver he borrowed from you guys?" Chen Sheng asked casually.
"No!"
Sun Liuzi's tone immediately deflated, filled with regret.
"We're worried about that too. Before Wang Yi ran off, he told us not to worry, that he would find another way... but... SIGH! If I'd known, I never would have lent him the money!"
Chen Sheng didn't continue the conversation. After a few perfunctory words, he closed his eyes and went to sleep.
The night passed without incident.
The next day, although the great battle was over, the training drills in the barracks continued as usual. During a break, the previous night's drama naturally became the main topic of conversation, and the talk was filled with schadenfreude and ridicule.
Aside from the men of the sixth squad, who were still wary of Wang Yi's status as Centurion, the soldiers from the other squads—especially the few Centurions who had no hope of promotion themselves—seized the opportunity to make a few snide, Yin and Yang remarks. Wang Yi's face turned ashen as he listened, his jaw clenched tightly.
It would have been one thing if he'd never had any hope to begin with, but he had bragged to the high heavens that the promotion was "in the bag." Everyone in his squad knew he thought it was a sure thing, only for him to be publicly slapped in the face. He'd nearly lost his shirt on the deal.
A few soldiers who had lent him silver, feeling the sting of their loss, tried to approach him to ask for it back, only to be berated furiously by Wang Yi:
"Old Xu, if you take this silver back today, don't blame me for being merciless when I become Vice Commander!"
"It's just a few taels of silver! Look at you, so pathetic! Once I secure my position, I'll pay you back double!"
"I still have plenty of chances! So what if I can't get it here? There are other companies, aren't there? Don't forget, I'm someone who has achieved Enlightenment and Foundation Establishment!"
After this mix of coaxing, threats, and boasting, the men of the sixth squad just looked at each other, not daring to press the issue further. But the regret in their hearts grew like weeds—Commander Wu had gotten his silver back, but they couldn't get their money back.
Chen Sheng paid no mind to these squabbles. As soon as training ended, he went straight to a corner of the Martial Arts Arena to continue honing his Pile Skill. The path of cultivation valued perseverance above all, and he was unwilling to waste even a moment.
While he practiced, he mulled over the warning from the "Book of Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil" that had appeared in his mind again that morning:
[My name is Chen Sheng. By the time you read this, my regret will be absolute. Wang Yi personally witnessed my private dealings with the Quartermaster. After he learned that I was the one who took his position and that I could afford to bribe Wu Kuang with a large sum of silver coins, he used this information to threaten and blackmail me.]
[I flatly refused. He held a grudge over it and colluded with others to report me to the Captain. After an investigation, it was confirmed that the Quartermaster had indeed been selling off supplies for personal profit on multiple occasions. He ultimately violated military regulations and was beheaded. I was implicated and assigned to be transferred to the border garrisons... I should have killed him sooner...]
'As long as you're alive, I'll never be at ease...'
Chen Sheng glanced at Wang Yi's restless back from a distance, a cold, murderous glint flashing in his eyes.
"Fall in—!"
"Fourth Company of the Mountain Camp, fall in!"
Suddenly, the war drums on the Martial Arts Arena thundered.
All the soldiers under Wu Kuang's command moved at the sound, quickly forming up in their ten-man squads. Twelve columns, ten men deep, soon assembled on the training ground.
Forged by months of blood and fire, even the new recruits knew the gravity of the war drums.
Those who had previously defied the order to assemble had long since been made an example of.
At the front of the formation, Wu Kuang, clad in light armor, strode forward, followed by the composed-looking Huang Ren. His gaze was like lightning as he swept it across the field. Then, clasping his hands behind his back, he announced in a loud voice:
"I have gathered you all today to announce an appointment!"
The soldiers held their breath. Wang Yi stared intently at Huang Ren behind Wu Kuang, the last shred of hope in his eyes completely extinguished, leaving only defeat and resentment.
"Effective immediately, Huang Ren of the former second company is transferred to my fourth company to serve as the Vice Commander overseeing the first through fifth squads!"
At the announcement, Huang Ren stepped out of the ranks. He walked with a steady gait to the front of the first squad and stood there, his gaze level, projecting a natural air of authority.
Wu Kuang paused briefly, his gaze shifting to the other side, and shouted again:
"Where is Chen Sheng?"
"Here, sir!"
Chen Sheng stepped out from the crowd and walked to the front of the sixth squad's column, his posture ramrod straight.
Wu Kuang stared at him, his voice carrying across the entire field:
"Effective immediately, Chen Sheng will serve as the Vice Commander overseeing the sixth through twelfth squads!"
Chen Sheng raised his head, his voice clear, firm, and resounding:
"Yes, Commander!"