As Wu Kuang’s words fell, the drill ground went utterly silent. Then, one gaze after another turned in unison toward the tall, straight figure at the front of the ranks. Shock, astonishment, and disbelief spilled across every face.
Chen Sheng was no nobody in the Fourth Unit.
In terms of seniority, more than half the men in the unit could not compare to him—he had been forcibly conscripted for over four months, had gone through more than ten battles large and small, and the comrades who shared his tent had changed batch after batch, yet he alone had always remained standing.
That ability to “stay alive” alone was enough to leave a deep impression.
But in terms of strength, Chen Sheng usually seemed utterly unremarkable.
People often saw him practicing silently in a corner of the drill ground, but no one had ever heard of him accomplishing anything noteworthy, much less breaking through to the realm of opening his apertures and establishing his foundation. If not for that, with his seniority, he should have become a squad leader long ago.
Who could have imagined that such a low-key man, almost invisible in his restraint, would either remain silent or astonish everyone with a single cry, leaping in one step to become a deputy commander in charge of dozens of men!
This result truly exceeded everyone’s expectations.
Shocked though they were, no one dared voice any doubt at this moment. After a brief deathly silence, most people’s eyes were quickly filled with intense envy instead. The soldiers of the Sixth Squad, in particular, felt especially complicated—they had never imagined that Chen Sheng, who normally showed neither mountain nor water, could step over Wang Yi and soar to the heavens in a single bound!
What made them regret it even more was that there had not been the slightest hint of this beforehand.
However, not everyone in the crowd felt envy.
Standing behind Chen Sheng, Wang Yi’s facial muscles twisted, almost unable to conceal the jealousy and hatred surging out of him.
His own failure was painful enough, but the success of someone beside him—especially Chen Sheng, whom he had always looked down on—made him feel as if thorns were pricking his back, his heart frying in oil.
They lived in the same tent and saw each other day and night. He could already foresee that, once they returned, those faces that had once circled around him with flattery would turn impatiently toward Chen Sheng, exhausting every means to curry favor with him.
Apart from jealousy, what he felt even more was unwillingness.
Huang Renyou had an elder brother who was a commander backing him up, so Wang Yi did not dare resent him. Thus, quite naturally, he blamed every cause of his defeat on Chen Sheng—if he had not appeared halfway through and stuck his foot in, one of those two deputy commander positions would surely have belonged to him!
The more Wang Yi thought about it, the more stifled he felt. But Wu Kuang’s authority had long been established, and in the end, he did not dare erupt on the spot.
“From today onward, the two of you will officially assume your posts. Manage the soldiers under your command well. There must be no mistakes.”
Wu Kuang’s voice broke the silence.
“Yes!”
“As you command!”
After giving a few simple instructions, Wu Kuang announced their dismissal.
No sooner had he turned and left than the soldiers of the Sixth Squad rushed forward with a clamor, surrounding Chen Sheng in the middle. Words of flattery surged like a tide as they scrambled over one another to ingratiate themselves with him. Men from the other squads also drew close one after another, their words brimming with humility, some even not hesitating to trample on the now-disfavored Wang Yi in order to elevate the newly risen Chen Sheng.
Everyone knew that the fighting was over, and assignment to future posts was right before their eyes.
A deputy commander’s authority might not be great, but if he wanted to keep a few people behind, he could still manage it. Compared to the scene in the tent last night, this formed an incomparably ironic contrast.
Wang Yi watched this scene with an ashen face, his teeth clenched tight. He glared viciously at Chen Sheng, who was surrounded by the crowd, then abruptly turned and chased in the direction Wu Kuang had left.
Chen Sheng wore a smile on the surface as he dealt with the compliments around him, but from the corner of his eye, he coldly swept over Wang Yi’s hastily departing back. In his heart, his killing intent had already settled.
……
Elsewhere, Wang Yi finally caught up to Wu Kuang just as the latter was about to step into his tent.
“Commander…”
He hesitated, both afraid of angering his superior and truly unwilling to accept this.
Wu Kuang paused, turned his head, glanced at him, and said in an even tone,
“If you have something to say, say it.”
Wang Yi steeled his heart and asked at the risk of offending him, “Commander, this subordinate… this subordinate simply does not understand. On what basis can Chen Sheng become a deputy commander? Could it be just because he… paid more silver than I did?”
Wu Kuang actually nodded. The corner of his mouth pulled into a faint, playful smile.
“That’s right. Is there a problem?”
“But… but you said before that a deputy commander had to have opened his apertures and established his foundation!” Wang Yi said anxiously.
“Wang Yi,” Wu Kuang said, looking at him with a smile that was not quite a smile, “don’t think too highly of yourself, and don’t look down too much on others. How do you know Chen Sheng hasn’t opened his apertures and established his foundation?”
Wang Yi’s heart jolted violently.
Chen Sheng had established his foundation?! When had he… Could it be…
He suddenly recalled the scene he had accidentally glimpsed before, of Chen Sheng making private contact with the quartermaster.
“Enough. Since matters have reached this point, further words are useless. Chen Sheng’s appointment has already received Commandant Nie’s approval. There is no need to dwell on it anymore. Go back and wait quietly for the arrangements from above.” Wu Kuang waved his hand, intending to end the conversation.
“Commander!”
Wang Yi dropped to his knees with a thud, his face full of pleading. “This subordinate… does this subordinate truly not have even the slightest chance? The borderlands are bitterly cold, the foreign tribes are savage, this subordinate…”
Wu Kuang looked at him in this state. Thinking that this man had been fairly obedient and respectful in the past, he pondered for a moment and said,
“Fifty taels. I’ll ensure you’re transferred back to your native place and don’t have to go to the borderlands.”
When Wang Yi heard this, his brows locked tightly together. Before, fifty taels had been enough to contend for a deputy commander position. Now it was only enough to buy a path to survival? He struggled inwardly, unable to decide.
“Unwilling? Then forget it.” Wu Kuang made as if to leave.
“My lord! My lord!”
Wang Yi hurriedly said, “This subordinate… this subordinate still wishes to fight for a deputy commander position. Even one in another unit would do!”
Impatience appeared on Wu Kuang’s face. Wang Yi steeled himself and rushed to say,
“Please, my lord, point me toward a way out!”
Wu Kuang stopped, looked down at him from the corner of his eye, and said coldly, “One hundred and fifty taels in ready silver. Bring it within three days, and I’ll guarantee you a deputy commander post that can be transferred back. If you can’t bring it, then prepare to go to the borderlands and serve the nation.”
……
Wu Kuang’s words were like ice water, extinguishing the last trace of hope in Wang Yi’s heart. He understood that this was likely the final chance the other party was offering him for the sake of their past ties.
But the problem was—he did not have one hundred and fifty taels at all! Of the previous fifty taels, more than half had been borrowed.
In his current situation, it was already a blessing if others did not come to collect debts from him. Who would dare lend him money to gamble on such a faint future? Even if he truly had silver, he would probably have to first “show filial respect” to the newly appointed Deputy Commander Chen.
Chen Sheng!
At the thought of this name, a venomous light flashed in Wang Yi’s eyes.
He knew Chen Sheng had some savings, but he had never imagined they were so abundant that he could buy off Wu Kuang in one move! The depth of his family wealth far exceeded his imagination.
Could he somehow… get that silver from him?
Although the army had channels for purchasing cultivation resources, ordinary soldiers could only buy Blood-Qi Powder at a high price, and its effects were merely average.
Only those of deputy commander rank and above were qualified to enjoy Blood-Qi Pills, which were more effective and had fewer side effects. He had never seen Chen Sheng buy Blood-Qi Powder, yet his cultivation had inexplicably reached Foundation Establishment… Then, thinking back to what he had seen that day at the quartermaster’s place…
Wang Yi’s mind suddenly cleared: Chen Sheng must have bribed the quartermaster and privately purchased Blood-Qi Pills!
For an ordinary soldier to privately purchase forbidden medicine was a violation of military regulations!
Although the quartermaster’s crime would be greater, how would Wang Yi dare blackmail that man? By comparison, Chen Sheng, who had always seemed silent and even somewhat weak, appeared to be the better target…
When he returned to the tent, sure enough, his ears were filled with flattery and fawning toward Chen Sheng. Expressionless, Wang Yi lay back down on his own bedding. Listening to that grating sycophancy, the jealousy and hatred in his heart grew wildly like poisonous vines.
……
The next day, on the drill ground.
Chen Sheng was concentrating on his practice when Wang Yi crept over furtively and said in a low voice,
“Chen Sheng, come back to the tent. I have something to discuss with you.”
Chen Sheng did not stop moving. He merely glanced at him calmly.
“What did you call me?”
Wang Yi’s face stiffened. He looked around, then gritted his teeth and lowered his voice. “Deputy… Deputy Commander Chen, may I ask you to return to the tent? This subordinate has an important matter to report. It concerns… your life and safety!”
He deliberately emphasized the final four words.
Chen Sheng’s gaze flickered slightly. In his heart, he already understood. After pondering briefly, he said,
“You go first. I’ll return after I finish practicing.”
“Yes, yes… This subordinate will wait for you in the tent.”
Wang Yi forced out a faint smile and bowed as he withdrew.
After Wang Yi’s back disappeared in the direction of the barracks, Chen Sheng slowly ended his practice and stood still. He did not head toward the tent. Instead, he turned and walked straight in the direction of the quartermaster’s office.