When Martial Arts are practiced to a profound level, one cultivates the root marrow internally. The marrow mutates, granting a person all sorts of abilities.
For example, the ability to control Ice, fire, Thunder, and so on.
Tang Wen had heard some of this from Li Daniu, but since Li Daniu didn't know much himself, Tang Wen had always treated it as just a story.
He never expected Zhou Bing to say something even more outrageous—that her ability was being a "husband killer."
From her serious expression, it was as if she truly believed she had such an ability.
It was the first time Tang Wen had ever heard someone be so self-deprecating, and he couldn't help but make a joke.
Now, he could only offer a half-joking explanation, "Captain, if you see an enemy, you don't even have to lift a finger. Just declare that he's your fiancé, and then..."
Zhou Bing cut him off coldly, "You're just a kid who doesn't understand anything! An engagement is a matter between two people."
Tang Wen rubbed his nose. "Captain, with your looks and figure, how could anyone who doesn't know the situation refuse? Once they agree, it's a done deal. It would be a foolproof method for assassination."
Huh?
Zhou Bing was clearly taken aback for a moment, then shook her head dismissively. "Don't make jokes like that, and you don't need to find different ways to comfort me."
"Right, right." It was their first day meeting, after all, and Tang Wen realized he might have overstepped his bounds.
The two changed the subject, and Zhou Bing continued to explain some other important points.
Busy hours always fly by, and the clock in the room pointed to six.
If you weren't on night duty, you could get off work.
"Our Hunting Team One originally had seven members; you're the eighth. The other six form two hunting squads. They can operate independently. I'll introduce you to them in a few days when they return to the battalion."
Zhou Bing spoke as they walked, and the two soon arrived at the gate connecting the Inner City to the Outer City.
Tang Wen asked in surprise, "Captain, you live in the Outer City too?"
"My place is in the city, Courtyard 7 on 3rd Street. Make sure you remember it. You can come find me anytime if something comes up. Let's go." After saying this, Zhou Bing led the way toward the Outer City.
"Uh, Captain Zhou, you don't have to walk me back. I'm at Number 6 on 5th Street in the Outer City."
She didn't stop walking. "I rarely go to the Outer City, so I should get familiar with the way to your house. It'll be easier to notify you if there's an urgent military matter."
"Am I the only one on the team who lives in the Outer City?"
"Yes. Once you've established yourself in the Hunting Team, you can move in here too."
By the time they walked out of the main gate, the sky had already darkened.
Many people were still gathered at the gate, discussing excitedly.
Their children and husbands had become Guards today and were still inside the Guard Battalion, waiting in line to complete their paperwork.
When Tang Wen and Zhou Bing walked out wearing the standard-issue Leather Armor for Guards, they were met with numerous looks of admiration and excitement.
"They're Guards too!"
"My husband is one now too!"
"Sweetie, our lives are about to get better, so much better," a woman said, holding her child.
For an ordinary person in the Outer City, having one family member become a Guard meant that his family of seven or eight could have one full meal every day.
But that was all. If they wanted to eat their fill at every meal, the others still had to go Farming or find work.
A familiar wooden door appeared before them.
"Captain Zhou, are you going back to cook for yourself?"
"I'm going back to eat at the Guard mess hall."
'Looks like Captain Zhou probably lives alone,' Tang Wen secretly guessed.
"Oh, my sister should have dinner ready. Let's eat together! Sis, we have a guest, make some extra food!" Without giving Zhou Bing a chance to refuse, Tang Wen quickly pushed open the door and shouted.
Zhou Bing frowned as she heard a young woman's voice from inside. "You got in? That's wonderful! Hehe, you're amazing, Xiaowen!"
"We have a guest. It's Captain Zhou Bing from our Hunting Team."
"Alright! I heard you." For once, Tangtang's eyes didn't even seem to blink as she went back into the house and came out carrying a rack of lamb ribs.
The ribs were already prepared, from a prime yellow goat. Simply boiled with salt or roasted without any spice, it was delicious enough to make you swallow your own tongue.
"Uh, Tang Wen, I won't stay. Just remember to report to the Guard Battalion first thing tomorrow morning."
'Eh? A woman?'
Tangtang's head snapped around, and her eyes instantly lit up.
'That figure!'
'That face!'
'And she's a captain?'
"How could Captain Zhou not stay for dinner!"
As she spoke, her hands moved swiftly, shoving the lamb ribs into a red brick oven.
"The ribs will be ready soon. Captain Zhou, come on inside." With her eyes gleaming, she went to the door to pull her in.
"This...?"
"I'm Tangtang."
"My name is Zhou Bing."
With a moment's hesitation from the captain, Tangtang grabbed her by the wrist, dragged her into the courtyard, and then from the courtyard into the house.
The courtyard was neat and orderly, and the house was warm and clean, completely changing Zhou Bing's perception of the Outer City.
The table was laden with dishes: Maize porridge, stir-fried shredded potatoes with pork cracklings, roasted sweet potatoes, lamb and radish stew, and a roasted pheasant.
'Wow! This spread is even more lavish than what I eat.'
Zhou Bing didn't stand on ceremony and sat down. She and Tang Wen would be comrades-in-arms from now on. It was a good chance to get to know each other over a meal.
Tangtang brought out a half-full jar of sweet potato liquor and, without even asking for Zhou Bing's opinion, smilingly poured a bowl for each of them.
"Ah, sweet potato liquor. We often drink this in the winter when we're out on missions."
"Then drink up! We have more if this isn't enough. Xiaowen becoming a Guard is something we really need to celebrate!"
'There's more at home?'
'Since when was my sister so generous?'
'Sweet potato liquor is more expensive than meat.'
Tang Wen gave Tangtang a calm glance, then raised his bowl and toasted the captain.
He drained it in one go.
Zhou Bing was just as hearty.
"You two take your time drinking. I'm going to share the good news with Brother Li's family." After refilling their bowls, Tangtang zipped out the door.
She first ran to Blacksmith Li's house, said a few words, and asked Li Daniu to go out and buy some liquor for her.
Hearing that Tang Wen had become a Hunting Guard and that his captain was at their house for dinner, Li Daniu didn't dare to delay. He took the silver Tangtang had shoved into his hand and bought three whole jars of sweet potato liquor.
Tangtang carried the three jars of liquor into the house, a small bag of peanuts from Eldest Sister-in-law Li slung over her shoulder.
Zhou Bing looked at her, a trace of suspicion in her eyes. She then looked at Tang Wen and reminded him, "You can't drink too much on a regular basis. It's easy to make mistakes if you do."
Tangtang quickly spoke up for her brother, "No, Captain Zhou, it's just that Brother Li and the others were too enthusiastic and insisted on giving it. Xiaowen has had less than half a jar all winter. We're celebrating today, so drink as much as you like!"
With that, she directly unsealed one of the jars.
She held the jar and poured for both of them.
Zhou Bing paid it no mind and casually chatted with Tang Wen about matters in the Hunting Battalion. Whenever Tangtang proposed a toast, she accepted without hesitation.
In a world with little entertainment, drinking was one of the few pastimes.
She was a Martial Artist who spent her days in the military camp, so it was inevitable she'd developed a bit of a fondness for alcohol.
The sweet potato liquor was brewed using a traditional method. It wasn't very strong and went down smoothly, but it had a considerable kick.
After a jar and a half were finished, Zhou Bing had drunk nearly a full jar by herself.
On her pretty face, the ice seemed to have melted away, revealing a rosy blush on her fair skin. Her eyes couldn't help but carry a hint of alluring charm.
Tangtang was filled with excitement. After serving tonight's main course, the roasted lamb ribs...
She opened another jar of liquor and said frankly, "Captain Zhou, why don't you just stay the night? You can sleep in the same room with me. We have a heated kang bed, it's really warm."
"A heated kang? The Inner City has those too."
"Mhm." Tangtang nodded, filling the bowls to the brim. "I only just found out how hard it is to get into the Hunting Team. For a woman to be a captain, Captain Zhou, you're really amazing. You must be very busy, right? Have you started a family yet?"
Tang Wen lowered his head and drank, thinking, 'Sis, you've been setting the stage all evening just to ask that one question, haven't you?'
'You're going to be so disappointed you won't be able to sleep tonight.'