Start with a red name

Under the guidance of Squad Leader "Brother Li," Zhang Shan gradually opened up.

He's not really stupid.

With the natural healing of time, he had long since emerged from the grief of losing both his parents and his wife and children.

He continued to maintain this state for two reasons: first, out of inertia, and second, because he realized that this state was the safest for a lowly laborer like himself.

Now, pushed along by the tide of events to become a member of the "Black Wind Army," and then pushed onto this ship, being placed among a group of unfamiliar "killing gods"...

Caught off guard, life has taken a completely different turn.

Taking advantage of the opportunity to communicate with the squad leader "Brother Li", Zhang Shan, like a dry sponge, greedily absorbed everything he urgently needed at that moment.

Through conversation, he gradually realized that he had already begun rudimentary cultivation.

The effects of a strike are mutual.

From the moment he successfully endured it, the vicious punches and kicks that rained down on him every day were an extremely effective method of tempering his body and refining his skin.

Even more coincidentally, when the squad leader "Brother Li" was refining skin, he was practicing a skin-refining technique called "Skin Polishing Skill".

The concept behind the technique is simple and clear: to use external forces to accelerate the efficiency of skin refining.

They might rub it themselves with their own hands, or rub it against tree stumps or rock walls, or even get help from the fists and feet of others.

This aligns perfectly with Zhang Shan's current state.

With "Brother Li's" sharing, Zhang Shan quickly gained his own understanding of this body tempering technique.

Immediately after testing his skill level, the squad leader "Brother Li" went to find him an arm shield and an axe-spear that could be used for chopping, stabbing, and smashing.

Although Zhang Shan had never studied any weapon fighting techniques, when he gripped the axe handle and recalled his past experiences of blacksmithing and mining, the feeling immediately came over him.

Although he still didn't understand any martial arts techniques, when he imagined his enemy as an iron ore that needed to be forged and mined, he immediately knew how to strike most appropriately.

Seeing that he absorbed the techniques quickly, "Brother Li" specially taught him a shield-bombing technique, as well as a chopping and slashing technique commonly used with heavy weapons such as axes and hammers.

None of them were particularly advanced; they only took a few short moves, but that was exactly what Zhang Shan needed at that moment.

Then, time passed as Zhang Shan and his fellow soldiers practiced together.

From the squad leader "Brother Li" to his other comrades, everyone devoted themselves to him. Geng Xuan's special attention to him during the reorganization was one aspect of this.

On the other hand, as Zhang Shan quickly integrated into the team, everyone felt that this "little brother" was indeed good, and the more they looked at him, the more pleasing he became. They were all happy to give him some extra help.

Moreover, the repeated near-death experiences made everyone realize that on the battlefield where life and death are at stake, only the comrades-in-arms beside you are the most trustworthy and reliable.

For them, being close to their comrades meant a higher survival rate and greater contributions.

Zhang Shan finally stopped when he was so hungry that his stomach was growling loudly.

The squad leader, "Brother Li," handed him a piece of cold, hard cooked horse meat.

Zhang Shan's eyes lit up, and he took the food and started munching on it.

Seeing this, Brother Li quickly said, "Wait a minute, no one's going to take it from you. This stuff is not only cold and hard, but also a bit sour and astringent, so it's not easy to eat. Wait a while, and eat it with the hot soup when it's ready. It will be better that way."

It tastes bad?

This is meat! Can meat taste bad?!
Doesn't this taste pretty good?

Unable to understand, Zhang Shan just mumbled a few random words, continuing to gnaw on his food without stopping.

Before long, he had devoured the standard ration of one pound of horse meat in his hand.

Seeing this, "Brother Li" next to him took another piece of horse meat and handed it to Zhang Shan, while also taking a small piece for himself and putting it in his mouth.

Soon, each of his facial features began to have its own thoughts.

It still tastes the same.

While it wasn't exactly unpalatable, it was far from delicious either.

Zhang Shan continued to gnaw away, engrossed in his meal. "Brother Li" handed him a water pouch, saying:
"Drink some water, don't choke."

Slow down, no one's going to take it from you. It's the military rule that as long as you don't waste food, you can eat your fill.

Especially horse meat, it's now become a staple food in the army, and they can eat as much as they want.

Zhang Shan's eyes widened immediately. He looked up at "Brother Li" and asked incredulously, "Really?"

"Brother Li" seemed to feel insulted, and glared back, "You think I'd lie to you about something like that?"

Don't underestimate the sergeant's authority.

The Black Wind Army mobilized more than 21,000 troops this time. Based on the ratio of 100 men to 1 soldier, there were about 210 soldiers.

Excluding those at the mid-stage of Marrow Refinement and above, even those at the early stage of Marrow Refinement have a combat strength of around nine hundred.

This means that, on average, each soldier has more than four soldiers with the combat strength of the early stage of Marrow Refinement.

Although the combat strength of those who have reached the Marrow Refinement stage is not absolutely evenly distributed, the squad leader "Brother Li" has three soldiers with Marrow Refinement combat strength, and "Brother Li" himself is only one step away from the mid-stage of Marrow Refinement.

Although, before being "promoted" by the military lord, he was only at the Blood Refining Realm.

Both the initial stages of Bone Refining and Marrow Refining were forcibly advanced within less than half a month.

With that glare from "Brother Li," his imposing aura immediately rose.

Zhang Shan's breath hitched, and he quickly lowered his head to continue eating.

After he stuffed five whole pieces, or five pounds, of dry and tough horse meat into his stomach in one go, and still wasn't satisfied, he gulped down a bowl of steaming hot fish paste and barley soup. "Brother Li" couldn't help but exclaim in amazement:
"Your real talent is probably just being a good-for-nothing, isn't it?!"

Zhang Shan took this half-joking remark seriously, thought about it carefully, and nodded earnestly.

After filling his stomach, and then having a bowl of piping hot fish paste soup poured into his stomach, it felt as if a tangible heat was spreading from his stomach throughout his body. An unprecedented sense of fullness instantly filled Zhang Shan with boundless energy.

Seeing that his companions were still eating, he held a steaming bowl of fragrant fish soup in one hand and a large piece of cold, hard horse meat in the other. He then put on his arm shield with one hand and picked up his axe and spear with the other, and began to practice in a corner of the room.

After his companions finished eating, people came over one after another to spar with him.

Completely immersed in this wonderful experience, Zhang Shan forgot everything else except for the task at hand, oblivious to the world around him.

Ten large ships and twenty small boats, like enormous and powerful ancient beasts, raced across the boundless sea.

The fleet, which had set out before dawn, was already bathed in the light of the eleventh day.

The bright morning sun leaps from the sea level, rising little by little until it reaches its highest point in the sky.

The fleet, which had been heading straight south, suddenly changed course.

Ten large ships and ten vehicles turned west.

The other ten vehicles and boats, however, continued to rush towards the southern waters at top speed.

Then a gong rang out.

Just moments before, in each ship and cabin.

Those who were still sleeping, practicing, or chatting all stopped immediately and quickly gathered together in units of pawns.

At his companions' urging, Zhang Shan also stopped cultivating and quickly regrouped with the others.

Opposite him, the sergeant "Brother Li," who used to have a friendly smile, now had a completely different face.

Cold, solemn, and menacing.

His cold gaze swept over everyone, including Zhang Shan.

Zhang Shan was certain that at this moment, anyone who dared to speak recklessly or make inappropriate jokes would suffer a terrible fate.

Zhang Shan, who is also very sensitive to the atmosphere, would not open his mouth recklessly at this time, but kept his mouth tightly closed.

After scanning everyone up and down, "Brother Li" finally spoke:

"In this battle, you only need to remember one word: speed!"

We must end the first battle in one hour!

The first... battle?
So, there will be a second game?

Zhang Shan thought to himself.

Just then, the fleet, which had been together, completely parted ways.

The vehicle and boat carrying Zhang Shan turned ninety degrees from their straight southward direction and headed directly west.

Through the porthole, it was clear that the other ten vehicles and ships that had parted ways with them continued to head south at high speed.

Furthermore, everyone saw that the ten vehicles and boats, which had originally been gathered together and heading south in a sharp arrowhead shape, suddenly dispersed and quickly separated from each other.

Like a gaping maw that suddenly opened, it snatched a ship sailing from east to west into the encirclement of ten vehicles and boats.

Judging from the ship's final course, it was clear that the vessel, caught off guard and surrounded, had completely lost its composure and was unsure how to escape.

Soon, two fast-moving vehicles and boats approached from the left and right, like a pair of chopsticks suddenly reaching out, gently clamping down on the "trapped beast" that was still in a state of panic.

The last thing Zhang Shan and the others saw was a group of prepared figures shooting out from the decks of the two vehicles that were rapidly closing in on each other, and rushing into the "sandwiched" vessel.

Some formed ranks and roamed quickly across the deck.

Some then filed into the cabins that went deep into the ship's hull.

Because of the distance and the sea breeze, the shouts of battle were barely audible to them when they reached their ears.

But everyone who witnessed this scene could personally feel the intensity of the battle.

Apart from the two vehicles and boats that had attached themselves to the other vehicles and boats, the other eight vehicles and boats dispersed further and continued southward.

Just as Zhang Shan and the others were slightly puzzled by their choice of vehicles and boats, "Brother Li" spoke up at the opportune moment:

"Our mission this time is to control this waterway and annihilate the garrison at both the eastern and western outposts."

Their mission was to blockade the waterways and intercept and kill all non-Chinese vessels in the waters.

We must do everything we can to ensure that no news gets out of the eastern outpost while we are focusing our full attack on the western outpost.

However, this lockdown is time-limited.

The longer it takes, the higher the chance that the eastern outpost will detect it.

This is why we've limited the battle against the western stronghold to within one hour.

After hearing his explanation, everyone suddenly understood.

After a pause, "Brother Li" continued:

“Originally, we soldiers were supposed to be assigned to blockade the waters, but I got this opportunity after much effort and making many promises.”

At this point, "Brother Li" glanced at everyone and said:
"...So you all have to live up to expectations and give your best performance."

If we don't do well in this battle, we can forget about ever getting another chance like this!

Zhang Shan was puzzled after hearing what "Brother Li" said.

As a battlefield novice, he instinctively felt that blocking off waterways was much easier and safer than fighting on the front lines to annihilate the enemy.

What puzzled him was that after hearing "Brother Li's" words, his companions, who had seemed normal before, suddenly became somewhat abnormal.

The atmosphere had clearly changed.

His fists clenched, his eyes widened, and his breathing deepened.

In this silent atmosphere, even everyone's nostrils seemed to have swelled up a bit.

"Fight bravely against the enemy!" "Brother Li" suddenly shouted, raising his arm after scanning the room.

"Kill!" the crowd shouted in unison, raising their fists and arms.

Zhang Shan reacted a beat too slow; by the time he opened his mouth to echo it, the shouting had already stopped.

"Brother Li's" gaze happened to sweep past him and lingered on him for a moment, and a sense of pressure inexplicably arose in his heart.

"Fight bravely against the enemy!" Brother Li shouted again.

"Kill! Kill!!"

The crowd cheered again.

This time, Zhang Shan finally caught up, raising his arms and shouting "Kill!"

"Fight bravely against the enemy!" "Brother Li" shouted for the third time.

"Kill! Kill!! Kill!!!"

Almost without any time to think, everyone, including Zhang Shan, unleashed their innermost energy, shouting with abandon.

They were all breathing heavily, their faces flushed.

The ship carrying Zhang Shan and his group was not the only one traveling rapidly westward.

The ship that Zhang Shan and his men were on also carried more than just their soldiers.

Shouts came from other cabins and other ships nearby.

The sounds varied; some shouted "Kill!" repeatedly, some were filled with the intent to fight, and some emitted pure howls and roars like ferocious beasts and wolves.

The shouts, though different, were all filled with the same fervent emotion, making those present unable to contain their excitement and overwhelmed by the tens of thousands of sonic waves. With united will and the will of the people, these seemingly intangible aspirations appeared tangible at this moment.

After the pre-battle mobilization, "Brother Li" didn't say anything more.

Have everyone stand together as usual.

Finally, he said to Zhang Shan, who was still somewhat dazed:

"You're familiar with those companions you've sparred with, right?"

You're in the same group; just follow them later.

"...If you can't hear the military orders clearly or understand the battlefield situation, it doesn't matter. You just need to follow them closely and do whatever they tell you to do."

As he spoke, his previously cold and murderous tone and demeanor softened and became friendly again.

Just then, he noticed that Zhang Shan looked shy, opened his mouth as if to say something, but then stopped himself.

"What do you want to say?... Stop beating around the bush, just say it!"

Zhang Shan hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Soldier Commander, is there any more horse meat? I'd like to eat some more."

"Huh?" "Brother Li" didn't react for a moment, looking puzzled.

Zhang Shan rubbed his stomach and said awkwardly, "I guess I trained too hard, I'm starving now."

"Brother Li" stared intently at him, and after a while, he walked out of the cabin with a speechless expression.

Soon, he came in carrying a heavy package and handed it to Zhang Shan.

"Here's ten pounds, eat as much as you want... But you better watch out, if you get hacked to death, fine, but if you die from overeating on the battlefield, my reputation will be ruined by you!"

Zhang Shan quickly pulled out some horse meat and chewed it vigorously, making muffled noises. After half a piece of horse meat was down his throat, he finally took a moment to open his bulging mouth and said in a deep, muffled voice:

"Don't worry, Captain, I won't let you down!"

"Brother Li" patted him heavily on the shoulder and said nothing more.

After eating three pieces, which is three catties of horse meat, Zhang Shan finally filled his empty stomach again.

He gulped down half a sachet of water, and only then did he feel his body feel full again.

Zhang Shan himself felt strange, not knowing whether it was the improvement in his strength that unlocked the hidden shackles of his body, or whether the captain's words, "All you can eat is horse meat, unlimited supply," had completely unleashed his appetite. He felt that his appetite was getting bigger and bigger.

"Luckily, meals are provided." Zhang Shan couldn't help but feel relieved.

If he were still like he was at home, taking responsibility for himself, he could easily bankrupt a family on his own.

Zhang Shan had a premonition that his full belly wouldn't last long before it deflated again.

He tied the remaining bag of meat to the most convenient spot around his waist for easy access.

"You're a beast!" a companion with a senior Body Refining Realm cultivation level, who was sparring with him, whispered mockingly.

"Hehe..." Zhang Shan didn't argue back, he just chuckled twice.

at this time--

"when--"

A clear gong sounded from the outer room into the cabin.

Squad leader "Brother Li" immediately said, "Grab your weapons, keep an eye on your teammates, and get ready!"

Not long after, another clear gong sounded.

"Brother Li" roared again: "Sink your hips, stand firm!"

"Bam—"

The speeding vehicles and boats suddenly came to a stop, as if they had collided with something.

If "Brother Li" hadn't warned them first, many people would have been thrown out by this sudden change.

Because of his low cultivation level, Zhang Shan was not skilled in using force. Even though he had prepared, when the impact of the ship came, his feet almost completely left his grip on the floor.

Fortunately, his companion stepped in and placed his hands on his shoulders, which helped him regain his footing.

"when--"

Just then, the third gong sounded.

"Brother Li" leaped out of the cabin, his voice reaching everyone's ears: "Stay close to me!"

One after another, figures filed out.

Feeling a little nervous, Zhang Shan kept the sergeant's instructions firmly in mind and stayed close to his six comrades.

—Including Zhang Shan, the standard "one team" of only five people has been expanded to seven.

As soon as he stepped out of the cabin, Zhang Shan was so shocked by what he saw that he was speechless.

Silent figures, brimming with killing intent and fighting spirit, shot out from one ship after another.

They were densely packed, like a swarm of ants.

The area where they were located happened to be a large dock.

On the dock, a few scattered soldiers were watching all this in disbelief.

In the chaos, less than half of them actually put up a fight.

Most of them turned and ran away into the distance.

But as they turned their backs to the swarming torrent of ants rushing onto the dock, arrows caught up with them.

Arrows, throwing knives, iron pellets, spears...

Various kinds of hidden weapons swept across the void above the dock, covering and engulfing the nearest enemy troops.

It wasn't until Zhang Shan and his men all rushed onto the dock and headed towards an area with tall buildings on the right side of the dock that the piercing sound of gongs, a warning signal, was heard from a construction area in the distance.

Later, Zhang Shan learned that it was the military camp of the "Water Gate Army".

In addition to those on duty and patrolling, thousands of "water gate soldiers" are stationed here.

However, Zhang Shan and his group's target was not there, but another location adjacent to the north side of the military camp.

In the opposite direction, two thousand fully armed Xuanyou Iron Cavalry had disembarked from the ten warships, formed neat formations, and then accelerated southward toward the military camp.

As the two thousand cavalrymen galloped forward, Zhang Shan, who was getting further and further away, felt a noticeable tremor.

He resisted the urge to turn around and look, staying close to his companion without missing a step.

He also discovered that "Brother Li" led his group of over a hundred people, along with another four hundred or so, and they rushed at full speed toward the target building area.

— Zhang Shan was unaware at this moment that this was precisely the arrangement of a piece of music.

The torrents rushing towards the military camp were already engaged in battle with the enemy inside, and fierce shouts of battle were coming from behind.

But these people haven't really tasted blood or meat yet.

Just as Zhang Shan was wondering about the objective of his group, the area with tall buildings was already not far ahead.

Arrows rained down from the high-rise buildings, striking the crowd.

"San'er, it's up to you!" The sergeant, who was charging forward with his head down, only said this and then ignored the arrows shooting from above.

The same goes for everyone else.

Holding an axe-spear in one hand and an arm shield in the other, Zhang Shan felt a sinking feeling in his heart. The trust and entrustment of his companions had transformed into a tangible weight in his heart.

As he and the others hurried toward the building area ahead, keeping watch for arrows overhead, he suddenly saw an arrow hurtling toward their location.

He was about to raise his arm to block, but then he saw the sergeant, who was rushing along with his head down, suddenly twirl his long sword with a flourish.

The arrow that had just reached them was split in two.

"..."

Seeing that the sergeant had easily blocked the sneak attack with the arrow, he panicked and acted like a complete idiot.

Zhang Shan began to doubt the true motives of the sergeant who assigned him the task of "blocking arrows."

However, this sudden barrage of arrows was not entirely in vain.

Although most of them were stopped by the "Black Wind Army," some still managed to escape into the crowd.

Some of these were due to luck, or perhaps the archer had excellent eyesight and happened to hit the weakest link in the "Black Wind Army's" energy flow.

Some were skilled archers who deliberately mixed their arrows with other densely packed arrows.

It only revealed its ferocious fangs at the very last moment.

Ultimately, when more than 500 members of the "Black Wind Army" rushed into the area, more than 30 "Black Wind Army" members still fell within the range of arrows from the high-rise buildings.

Only a few were killed instantly.

More often, they were shot in the hands or feet, or their bodies were pierced, leaving them rooted to the spot and unable to move.

Just after leaving the construction area, the more than 500 people who had originally gathered together to charge quickly dispersed into five groups.

"Brother Li" led Zhang Shan and a hundred or so soldiers, spreading out to the left side of the area.

Along the way, small groups of resistance fighters who had come to their senses began to appear.

The squad leader "Brother Li" would send out a squad or a platoon to deal with the enemy, depending on the number of enemies.

They won't lead everyone in a full-scale charge.

All the way without stopping.

And so, "Brother Li" led his men into an open area at top speed.

There is a strangely shaped pit here, and dozens of soldiers are surrounding it.

Someone is dumping bags of things into the pond.

"Wolf dung?"

Based on his experience, Zhang Shan had his own judgment on these things, but he was not entirely certain.

Beside the pond, a man was holding aloft a newly lit torch.

Upon seeing "Brother Li" leading his men in, the man did not hesitate and immediately threw the torch in his hand into the pit.

Those figures who were dumping "raw materials" into the pit stopped dumping, moved away, and charged towards "Brother Li" and his men with their weapons raised.

Just as the torch was about to fall into the pit, "whoosh—" several soft sounds rang out, and at the same time, several throwing knives shot out at the torch.

The burning torches, which should have fallen into the pit, were instead firmly nailed to the wall.

"Brother Li" tightened his grip on his long knife and immediately rushed towards the man who had thrown the torch.

He also roared, "Kill them! Don't let anyone set this smoke signal on fire!"

With his mind in turmoil, Zhang Shan disregarded everything else and, under the "coercion" of his companions, immediately charged toward the four closest enemies.

"Dang-dang-dang--"

Zhang Shan, under intense mental stress, heard nothing but the sounds of clashing weapons and the occasional sharp blades piercing flesh, along with screams of agony.

He couldn't use any of the skills he practiced in the cabin when it came to actual combat.

But he didn't just stand there and take the beating.

In this highly stressful mental state, the long-term experience of being a human punching bag has been "awakened" in an unprecedented and vivid way.

He instinctively knew that in this dangerous and chaotic battlefield, the best way to survive was to avoid danger, but also the most deadly action.

In his hands, the axe-spear was no longer a weapon for attack, but had become another small shield.

Together with the arm shield on his left arm, they became a double shield that could be opened and closed flexibly.

He did not seek to kill the enemy.

All they wanted was for the attacks that would fall on him to be blocked by his arm shield and axe face.

After blocking several times, Zhang Shan gained confidence.

"It's nothing more than that."

Although the fierce attack left his arm numb, he thought to himself that this was the thought.

Gaining confidence, he began to go a step further, not only seeking survival for himself, but also including his closest companions within his "safety shield".

After taking the hit that should have been borne by his comrade, the comrade, now completely free, gave him an encouraging look and immediately roared, then fearlessly slashed at the enemy who had been attacking him just moments before.

Soon, the enemy, with a look of utter humiliation and frustration on his face, had half his head chopped off and fell into the fire pit that was supposed to be used to light the beacon fire.

This success allowed Zhang Shan to finally find his place in the world.

We seek not to attack, but only to defend.

Extreme protection. (End of Chapter)