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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter Sixty-One: The Coming Storm
"A bunch of useless fools, have you all forgotten to eat? You’ve only run a few laps and already you’re gasping for breath. Get up and keep running!"
Lin Feng arrived at the Training Ground and saw dozens of people clad in heavy armor running. Even in the snow, their faces were flushed, and sweat was beading on their foreheads.
Chang Long had been assigned to help Lin Feng train the Armored Soldiers. He held a metal rod and ran at the back of the group, chasing after the Armored Soldiers like he was herding dogs. If he caught up to anyone, he would swing the rod without hesitation, sending them stumbling to the ground. If they didn’t get up immediately, Chang Long would kick and punch them without mercy.
"Please spare me, Head Instructor! I really can’t run anymore... I’m exhausted... Don’t hit me... Help! I’ll keep running, just don’t beat me!"
"A bunch of worthless wretches, keep running! The demon race isn’t your parents; when you get to the battlefield, it’s a matter of losing your head. Hurry up, or I’ll beat you to death!"
Lin Feng watched for a while and nodded in satisfaction. He hadn’t expected that Chang Long, who seemed so dull, actually had a knack for leading troops. This lazy group was starting to take shape as Armored Soldiers in just over ten days.
The next day, Shen Jiahe came to the Training Ground to inspect the Armored Soldiers. Under Chang Long’s command, fifty Armored Soldiers were divided into ten groups of five. They coordinated with each other perfectly, advancing and retreating together while maintaining their formation, earning rounds of applause.
This could be considered the first group of Armored Soldiers in Dongping County, and they looked surprisingly good, exceeding Shen Jiahe’s expectations. He couldn’t help but praise, "Lord Lin has trained these soldiers well; I never imagined Lord Lin had such skills. No wonder the General personally appointed you."
Lin Feng didn’t take credit for it and replied, "I don’t know much about Armored Soldiers; it’s thanks to the brothers from the Imperial Guard Headquarters. The one leading them is named Chang Long."
Shen Jiahe called Chang Long over and praised him profusely with some stirring words that made Chang Long feel invigorated and eager to lead his group of Armored Soldiers into battle immediately.
Shen Jiahe turned to Lin Feng and asked, "Lord Lin, what rank does this brother hold in the Imperial Guard Headquarters?"
Lin Feng replied, "He’s just a captain; I’m not sure about the ranks in the Imperial Guard Headquarters."
Upon hearing this, Shen Jiahe immediately had thoughts of recruiting him. "Such talent deserves more than just a Captain's position. Since he has come to our Horizontal Blade Camp, Lord Lin should promote him."
"Leave it to you to decide," Lin Feng said as he turned to Chang Long. "A Long, why aren’t you thanking Lord Shen?"
Chang Long joyfully knelt down to express his gratitude, but was stopped by Shen Jiahe, who urged him to continue training without excessive formality.
After reviewing the Armored Soldiers, Shen Jiahe signaled Lin Feng to step aside for a conversation.
The two walked out of the Training Ground, chatting as they went.
"I heard there were some issues during the formation of the Armored Soldiers?"
"Just a little bit of fun among the brothers, nothing serious. It's all resolved now."
"Indeed, Lord Lin knows that the brothers were just joking around. Since we are all brothers, it's our own business; we shouldn't let it affect our harmony or let outsiders get involved."
Hearing the reproach in Shen Jiahe's tone, Lin Feng couldn't help but smirk inwardly. If he hadn't handled it promptly, would it have been just a joke? It was nothing short of humiliation.
"Lord Shen is right; it's all a matter for the Border Troops, and we won't let outsiders know."
Lin Feng deliberately blurred the lines. To Shen Jiahe, outsiders referred to forces outside Dongping County, while Lin Feng made it sound like the Border Troops were one big family.
Since Lin Feng was playing dumb, Shen Jiahe didn't press the issue. He said, "I heard that the Imperial Guard Headquarters took over a dozen people from us?"
"Where did you hear such nonsense, Lord Shen?"
"It's not that someone reported it; it's just what everyone is saying."
"Please don't be misled by rumors. The Imperial Guard Headquarters is our ally; they wouldn't capture our men. The truth is that twenty of our brothers were too weak and held back the Armored Soldiers. So I sent them to the Imperial Guard Headquarters for some training."
"I see. Those men have been lax in their training; a little hardship will do them good. But they shouldn't be in any danger over there, right?"
"The lord smiled. It's just training; nothing will happen."
Upon hearing this, Shen Jiahe felt relieved. After all, he was the instigator, and if he neglected them, who would be willing to serve him in the future?
Lin Feng added, "However, with the war approaching, if the Imperial Guard Headquarters sends them to the battlefield for training, that would be a problem."
Shen Jiahe's heart tightened. "Isn't there any other way? Lord Lin has a good relationship with the General. Perhaps you could plead for us; Dongping County is short-handed. I assure you such a situation won't happen again."
"My lord, my connection with the General is merely superficial. In matters of such importance, it really requires your personal intervention," Lin Feng replied.
"Isn't that just asking me to shoot myself in the foot?" Shen Jiahe thought. "Then this matter becomes difficult. I've been preparing troops day and night to prevent a surprise attack from the demon race, but I haven't had a moment's rest. Lin Brother, you're quite favored by the General; could you do me a favor and help plead my case?" Shen Jiahe showed a troubled expression.
"Alright, I'll do my best. But whether it works or not is another matter," Lin Feng said with an air of reluctance.
"Lin Brother's willingness to help is greatly appreciated," Shen Jiahe said as he clasped his fists in gratitude.
In the Border Troops, while covert actions were undoubtedly valued in cultivation, open dealings held even more importance regarding position and significance. Thus, Shen Jiahe could not afford to underestimate Lin Feng, even though he cursed him countless times in his heart.
Suddenly, Shen Jiahe stopped and asked seriously, "Lin Brother, one of my subordinates, Kuang Yun, has been missing for some time. Have you seen him?"
After saying this, Shen Jiahe's gaze became sharp as he fixed his eyes on Lin Feng.
Lin Feng remained unfazed and calmly replied, "I haven't seen him for a long time. Wasn't he dismissed?"
"Oh? Perhaps he has returned home in glory," Shen Jiahe mused. "Could it be that Kuang Yun was killed by this guy? That’s impossible; he’s only at the early stage of Mid-Life Realm cultivation."
At that moment, a soldier rushed over and said, "Someone from the General's Office has arrived. They wish to see Lord Shen and Lord Lin."
"Oh, it seems like an urgent military matter. Let's go."
Returning to the Training Ground, Lin Feng saw two people. One was a familiar face, Ke Kuo, the captain of Tang Jiner's personal guard. The other was a woman in a white dress embroidered with orchids. She was slender and graceful, exuding an air of elegance. Lin Feng felt she looked somewhat familiar but couldn't recall where he had seen her before.
Lin Feng greeted, "Brother Ke, has the General issued any orders?"
Ke Kuo replied seriously, "Indeed, the military order is here. Please have Lord Shen and Lord Lin read it together."
Shen Jiahe solemnly opened the military order and read it carefully. The gist was that the demon clan was about to launch an attack. The Horizontal Blade Camp was on standby, waiting for orders on when to take action, but they were to remain in a state of readiness at all times.
After delivering the military order, Ke Kuo pulled Lin Feng aside and whispered, "The General instructed me before leaving that if you find yourself on the battlefield, be sure to pay attention to your right side. The right side is occupied by Zhu Chui and the War Maniac's troops, while on the left is General Lu leading Nanyang County's forces. General Lu is straightforward and won't pull any tricks."
Hearing this made Lin Feng feel warm inside. He said, "I will remember this concern from the General. Please convey my gratitude to him."
Ke Kuo nodded and said, "The General has returned it. If you end up on the battlefield, the Horizontal Blade Camp will be adjacent to the War Maniac's troops. The War Maniac has ordered your Armored Soldiers to act as a Suicide Squad for them, serving as cannon fodder. You must resist at all costs; even if they threaten immediate execution for disobedience, you need to find a way to navigate through it. After the battle, the General will find a way to protect you; above all else, stay alive."
"If it's truly unavoidable, then lead your men into General Lu's forces so that the War Maniac cannot target you. The General has already spoken with General Lu about this."
Lin Feng was surprised by how meticulously Tang Jiner had arranged everything for his sake. He felt both grateful and guilty since he hadn't been able to help her much and instead had caused her worry.
Lin Feng bowed deeply in the direction of the General's Office to express his inner respect. He wanted to speak but felt as if something was lodged in his throat.
"With such great kindness from you, I, Lin Feng, have no way to repay it. As long as you give an order, I will face any danger without hesitation."
"Don't say that; the General has repeatedly instructed you to stay alive no matter what," Ke Kuo said with an envious look. "Lin Brother, I must confess that I've followed the General for a long time and have never seen her care so much for a subordinate. If you have time, remember to visit the General's Office; it might lift her spirits."
"Is there something troubling the General today?" Lin Feng asked.
"Last time you were scolded by the General, I intended to go and plead for you. However, when I entered, I found the General sitting alone in the room, staring blankly out the window. She wasn't reading any documents or meeting anyone. Her expression was not good. Seeing her like that, I didn't dare to go in."
"Sigh, brother. You must have contradicted the General that time, right? When the General scolded you, it seemed like she wasn't feeling well either. And you, brother, it's been so long and you still haven't gone to see the General. Do you expect her to apologize to you?"
"You don't know how many people envy you; just look at how good the General is to you. Even when she argues with you, she ends up feeling unhappy herself."
"Lin Brother... Lin Brother... are you listening?" Ke Kuo said, looking at the dazed Lin Feng.
Lin Feng snapped back to reality and quickly replied, "Uh, it's nothing."
"Ke Kuo, have you had too much to drink today?" The White-Clad Woman, Mo Mo, appeared from nowhere and glared at Ke Kuo. "You dare gossip about the General? Are you looking to get yourself in trouble?"
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