As Wu Kuang's voice faded, silence fell over the training grounds. Then, a wave of gazes swept toward the upright figure at the front of the formation, every face overflowing with suspicion, shock, and utter disbelief.
Chen Sheng was not some nameless nobody in the Fourth Squad.
In terms of seniority, more than half the squad couldn't compare to him. Conscripted for over four months, he had weathered more than ten battles, large and small. His tentmates had come and gone, one group after another, yet he alone had always remained standing.
This talent for survival alone was enough to leave a deep impression.
But when it came to strength, Chen Sheng usually seemed utterly unremarkable.
Though he was often seen practicing quietly in a corner of the training grounds, no one had ever heard of him achieving anything of note, let alone breaking through to the Acupoint Opening and Foundation Establishment realm. Otherwise, with his seniority, he would have been made a Centurion long ago.
Who could have imagined that such a low-key, almost invisible person would suddenly shatter his silence with a thunderous roar, vaulting into the position of Vice Commander, in charge of dozens of men!
The result was truly beyond anyone's expectations.
Shock was one thing, but at this moment, no one dared to voice any questions. After a brief, dead silence, the shock in most people's eyes was quickly replaced by intense envy. This was especially true for the soldiers of the Sixth Centuria, whose feelings were even more complicated—they never imagined that Chen Sheng, who normally kept such a low profile, would use Wang Yi as a stepping stone for a meteoric rise!
What they regretted even more was that there had been no hint of this beforehand.
However, not everyone in the crowd was filled with envy.
Standing behind Chen Sheng, Wang Yi's facial muscles twitched, barely concealing the hatred and jealousy that threatened to erupt from within.
His own failure was heartbreaking enough, but the success of someone so close—especially Chen Sheng, a man he had always looked down upon—was like thorns at his back, his heart searing as if fried in oil.
Sharing a tent, seeing each other day and night, he could already foresee how those who had once flocked to him with fawning praise would now scramble to turn their attention to Chen Sheng, sparing no effort in their sycophancy.
But more than jealousy, it was sheer, unreconciled bitterness.
Wang Yi didn't dare resent Huang Ren, who had a commander for a brother. Instead, he naturally blamed his failure entirely on Chen Sheng—if not for him appearing out of nowhere to throw a wrench in the works, one of the two Vice Commander positions would surely have been his!
The more he thought about it, the more suffocated Wang Yi felt, but Wu Kuang's authority was long-established and absolute. In the end, he didn't dare cause a scene.
"Effective immediately, you two will officially assume your posts. Manage the soldiers under your command. There is no room for error."
Wu Kuang's voice broke the silence.
"Yes, sir!"
"As you command!"
After these brief orders, Wu Kuang dismissed them.
The moment he turned to leave, the soldiers of the Sixth Centuria swarmed forward, crowding around Chen Sheng. A tide of flattery washed over him as they scrambled to curry favor. Men from other centuriae also drew near, their words obsequiously polite, some even willing to trample on the disgraced Wang Yi to praise the newly promoted Chen Sheng.
Everyone knew that with the war over, their future assignments were just around the corner.
A Vice Commander's authority might not be vast, but it was enough to ensure a few people were kept on. The scene was an incredibly ironic contrast to the one in the tent just last night.
Wang Yi's face was ashen as he watched, his jaw clenched tight. He shot a vicious glare at the crowd-encircled Chen Sheng, then spun on his heel and chased after the departing Wu Kuang.
Chen Sheng kept a smile on his face, deftly handling the surrounding compliments, but out of the corner of his eye, he watched Wang Yi's hasty retreat. A cold killing intent solidified in his heart.
...
Meanwhile, Wang Yi finally caught up to Wu Kuang just as he was about to step into his tent.
"Commander..."
He hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping himself, afraid of angering his superior yet unable to swallow his bitterness.
Wu Kuang paused and glanced at him, his tone flat.
"If you have something to say, spit it out."
Wang Yi steeled himself and took the risk. "Commander, this subordinate... I just don't understand. On what grounds did Chen Sheng become a Vice Commander? Is it just because... he offered more silver than I did?"
To his surprise, Wu Kuang actually nodded, a sardonic smile playing on his lips.
"That's right. Is there a problem?"
"But... but you said a Vice Commander had to have reached Acupoint Opening and Foundation Establishment!" Wang Yi said urgently.
"Wang Yi," Wu Kuang said, a smirk on his face, "don't think so highly of yourself, and don't underestimate others. How do you know Chen Sheng hasn't achieved Acupoint Opening and Foundation Establishment?"
A chill shot through Wang Yi's heart.
'Chen Sheng reached Foundation Establishment?! When... Could it be...?'
He suddenly remembered accidentally glimpsing Chen Sheng meeting privately with the Quartermaster.
"Enough. The matter is settled, and saying more is pointless. Chen Sheng's appointment has Captain Nie's approval, so don't dwell on it. Go back and wait quietly for your assignment from the higher-ups," Wu Kuang said, waving his hand dismissively to end the conversation.
"Commander!"
Wang Yi dropped to his knees with a THUD, his face a mask of desperation. "Do I... do I really not have a chance? The border is harsh and cold, the Alien Races are brutal, I..."
Wu Kuang looked at the pathetic display. Recalling that the man had at least been respectful and generous in the past, he mulled it over for a moment before saying:
"Fifty taels of silver, and I can guarantee you a transfer back to your hometown. You won't have to go to the border."
Hearing this, Wang Yi's brow furrowed. 'Fifty taels could have bought me a shot at Vice Commander before, but now it only buys my life?' He was torn, unable to decide.
"Unwilling? Then forget it." Wu Kuang made a move to leave.
"Sir! Sir!"
Wang Yi said in a panic, "I... I still want to fight for a Vice Commander position! Even one in another squad would be fine!"
Impatience flashed across Wu Kuang's face. Wang Yi steeled himself and blurted out:
"Please, sir, show me the way!"
Wu Kuang stopped and looked down at him, saying coldly, "One hundred fifty taels of silver, in cash. Bring it to me within three days, and I'll guarantee you a Vice Commander position that allows for a transfer home. If you can't, then prepare to go serve your country at the border."
...
Wu Kuang's words were like ice water, dousing the last glimmer of hope in Wang Yi's heart. He understood this was likely the final chance Wu Kuang was offering, a gesture of goodwill for their past dealings.
The problem was, he didn't have a hundred and fifty taels of silver. Most of the previous fifty he'd offered had been borrowed.
In his current circumstances, he was lucky people weren't already coming to collect on his existing debts. Who would lend him more money to gamble on such a bleak future? Even if someone had spare silver, they'd probably have to "pay respects" to the newly appointed Vice Commander Chen first.
'Chen Sheng!'
A venomous glint flashed in Wang Yi's eyes at the thought of that name.
He knew Chen Sheng had some savings, but he'd never imagined they were substantial enough to buy off Wu Kuang in one fell swoop! The depth of his personal wealth was far beyond anything he had imagined.
'Could I... get that silver from him?'
While the army had channels for purchasing Cultivation Resources, ordinary soldiers could only buy the common-grade Blood Qi Powder at exorbitant prices.
Only those ranked Vice Commander and above were qualified to use the more potent Blood Qi Pill, which had fewer side effects. He had never seen Chen Sheng buy Blood Qi Powder, yet his Cultivation had somehow reached Foundation Establishment... Then he recalled the scene at the Quartermaster's office...
It all clicked into place for Wang Yi. 'Chen Sheng must have bribed the Quartermaster to secretly purchase Blood Qi Pills!'
An ordinary soldier secretly purchasing restricted medicine was a violation of military law!
'Although the Quartermaster would be in bigger trouble, how could I dare try to blackmail him? By comparison, Chen Sheng, who has always been quiet and even seemed a bit weak, is a much better target...'
Returning to his tent, his ears were, as expected, filled with fawning praise for Chen Sheng. Wang Yi lay down on his bunk, his face expressionless, listening to the grating sycophancy as the jealousy in his heart grew like a tangle of poisonous vines.
...
「The next day, on the training grounds.」
Chen Sheng was focused on his training when Wang Yi sidled up to him furtively and whispered:
"Chen Sheng, come back to the tent. I need to talk to you."
Chen Sheng didn't stop his movements, merely casting a cool glance at him.
"What did you just call me?"
Wang Yi's expression froze. He glanced around, then gritted his teeth and lowered his voice. "Vice... Vice Commander Chen. Could I trouble you to return to the tent? This subordinate has an urgent matter to report. It concerns... your very life and safety!"
He deliberately put heavy emphasis on his final words.
A flicker of understanding crossed Chen Sheng's eyes. He already knew what this was about. After a moment's thought, he said:
"You go on ahead. I'll be back when I'm finished with my training."
"Yes, yes... This subordinate will be waiting for you in the tent."
Wang Yi forced a smile, bowed, and retreated.
Once Wang Yi's back had disappeared in the direction of the barracks, Chen Sheng slowly brought his training to a halt. He did not head for his tent. Instead, he turned and walked directly toward the Quartermaster's office.