With all these qualities, I will eventually become immortal.

Chapter 551 The Young Man Takes Control of the Tiger Tally, Autumn Military Review on the Battlefield! (6k)

“Military restricted area, please stop here.”

You could sense that these people had an extraordinary aura, and the garrison commander was exceptionally polite.

Meng Chuan stood still, cupped his hands and said:

"We are here on orders to carry out a mission in the Demon's Nest. Please inform Commander Shi Cheng."

After saying that, he opened his citizen information panel.

I was just about to click into the national talent pool to show off the [Task Agreement].

But the other person looked respectful and bowed, saying:

"You are a recipient of the Silver Medal, so there's no need to look at anything else. You have the right to enter any military camp."

Meng Chuan nodded, never expecting that the Silver Medal would have this benefit.

He stood still and waited for a while for Liao Chen and the others.

These monks didn't receive the same treatment as me.

The task must be verified and the person must be checked first.

Only after going through a series of procedures, including demonic energy detection, were they allowed to enter.

The garrison camp was naturally governed by strict rules.

The monks were annoyed; how come this kid always seemed to have special privileges wherever he went?
Liao Chen was let in last; the fat monk had hidden too many things, so the inspection was slow.
From the allocation of "formation" to Meng Chuan's current identity.

Seeing all sorts of things also gave him some inspiration:

"The Buddha always stays on the mountain practicing diligently; it seems he will have to descend the mountain and engage in worldly affairs more often in the future."

Footsteps sounded in the distance, growing louder as they approached.

When the first few people were discovered, someone had already entered the camp to report it.

A martial arts officer, clad in light armor, jogged over and respectfully addressed the group:
"Captain Meng, and everyone else, Commander Shi Cheng invites you."

The garrison has a base inside the city, but if a situation arises outside the city, all troops will be mobilized and stationed outside the city.

This is also their duty to protect the city.

Led by soldiers, Meng Chuan and his companions entered the deepest part of the temporary camp.

A large tent came into view.

Meng Chuan lifted the thick curtain and immediately felt his view open up.

The first thing he saw was a huge battle map on the wall directly opposite the gate.

The map is crisscrossed with countless red and blue arrows, and contour lines outline the mountain ranges.

Centered on Fengdeng City, the red dots on various landmarks represent the major demon nests in the vicinity.

Some are deep red, while others are lighter in color, clearly distinguished according to the level of the Demon Nest.

After the soldier leading the way gave an announcement, Meng Chuan led the group slowly in. A cool breeze greeted them, which made them feel comfortable all over.

Liao Chen and the others immediately felt cool, and the heat caused by Principal Sui gradually subsided.

It wasn't that the air conditioning was on, but rather the aura emanating from the strong, bald man standing at the very back.

Looking around the room, the entire tent resembled a square conference room of about 100 square meters.

Apart from the man who appeared to be the army commander, there were nearly a dozen other people gathered here.

What surprised Meng Chuan the most was that most of them were bald, with two rows of dots on their heads.
He remained skeptical of those who wore helmets, obscuring their hairstyles.
Those inside the tent were mostly martial arts officers.

The garrison camp of Fengdeng City has become a job placement guidance base for Shaolin Temple, right?
However, Meng Chuan understood.

Let alone Fengdeng City, which is closest to Shaoshi Mountain.

More than half of the garrison officers in the entire Henan region were from Shaolin Temple.

Being in a prime location is a natural advantage.

Shaolin Temple is also one of the top universities in the Great Chu Dynasty, and one of the top-tier martial arts universities.

Even ordinary disciples would be exceptional individuals if placed at the foot of the mountain.

Moreover, compared to others, having people from one's own hometown stationed there makes the city's residents feel more at ease.

As the chill deepened, the bald man deepest inside slowly approached the group.

Standing beside Meng Chuan, he patted him on the shoulder and said:
"Captain Meng, right? I am Shi Cheng, the commander of the Fengdeng Garrison. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Upon their first meeting, Shi Cheng had a good impression of Meng Chuan.

His aura was sharp and powerful, and he was incredibly capable; he was clearly a practical fighter.

It's just that his strength seems a bit low, but he's a second-tier character.

It's nothing too serious. I've heard that this young man is only 20 years old this year, and he's sure to have a bright future in martial arts.

Moreover, the most crucial thing is
Shi Cheng looked at the people beside Meng Chuan, all of whom were his own junior disciples.

They are all experts in the three-limit system and are also national talents.

The fact that he could obey a martial arts master of the second limit as captain must mean he has some merits or unexpected talents that should not be underestimated.

The other party's aura was full of goodwill, which made Meng Chuan feel relieved.

With a slight smile, he got straight to the point:

"Commander Shi Cheng, may I ask what brings you here in such a hurry?"

"Sit down first, and tell me slowly."

It was hot, so after Meng Chuan and the others sat down, a soldier brought them some cool tea.

Meng Chuanyin took a sip; ice had been specially added to it.

With a human-shaped air conditioner radiating cool air next to me, and iced green tea in hand, it's truly refreshing.

Once inside the military camp, the news no longer needed to be hidden.

Shi Cheng sipped his tea, glancing at her.

Then another officer stepped forward, habitually clasped his hands together, and began to speak to them:

"Gentlemen, since the mission was issued, the [Crimson Wrath] Demon Nest has indeed undergone some changes."

The master of the demon's lair inside seemed to have learned that he was about to be annihilated, and he stirred up several riots, trying to break out of the lair, but we suppressed them all in advance.

"The observation the day before yesterday revealed that he had inexplicably subdued his demonic forces, raising concerns about potential further changes. This is why I urgently summoned you all."

After he finished speaking, Shi Cheng nodded slightly and filled in some missing information.

Finally, he made it clear that if the others didn't arrive soon, all the credit for the battle would be his.
After listening, the four monks looked at Meng Chuan with a hint of admiration.

He was right; summoning them was indeed directly related to the riot in the Demon Nest.

Meng Chuan pondered for a moment, then unconsciously tapped his hand on the table and slowly asked:
"Commander Shi Cheng, has the concentration of demonic energy increased recently?"

This is the most crucial matter.

Chi Li is a titled Great Demon whose strength is at its peak and can be matched by others.

If they improve their strength further, they will have no choice but to abandon this mission without hesitation.

Just as a martial artist who breaks through the four limits to become a martial arts grandmaster will be separated from a martial arts master who has reached the three limits by an insurmountable gap.

The same applies to the Heavenly Demon. If Chi Li makes another breakthrough, the only one who can fight him is Commander Shi Cheng.

Hearing Meng Chuan's concerns, Shi Cheng nodded and said:
"To be honest, I'm worried about that too."

Chi Li is a conceptual demon who has always remained hidden deep within the realm.

It's suspected to be inside the temple, and it's directly related to your mission to explore the temple.

He transmitted the words "temple" into the ears of the group using telepathy.

Meng Chuan nodded slightly, understanding in his heart.

The implication is that the physical body of Chi Li likely points to the immortals and Buddhas corrupted by the demons of the temple.

"But the situation is relatively optimistic. Chi Li has only stirred up his subordinate demons to riot several times, and the concentration of demonic energy has not changed. Seeing is believing, so please come with me."

Having said that, Shi Cheng stood up and took the lead in walking out of the tent.

He led Meng Chuan and the others to the equipment room for observing the Demon Nest.

Before entering, everyone, including Shi Cheng, changed into dustproof clothing and wore shoe covers.

While changing his clothes, Shi Cheng casually explained:
"In order to maintain the accuracy of equipment testing, a constant temperature and humidity, no strong electromagnetic interference, and a clean and dust-free environment must be maintained. Therefore, even if the Great Sage comes in, he must change into a dustproof suit."

The group nodded, agreeing that they should simply follow the rules.

After changing my clothes, I followed Shi Cheng and swiped my card to go inside.

Meng Chuan followed closely behind Commander Shi Cheng and entered the room as the second person to do so.

At first glance, the entire room is incredibly high-tech. Having lived like a "wild man" in the mountains for so long, I haven't seen anything like this in a long time.
Blue, cold light filled the room, and countless testing equipment lines intertwined like a silver net.

I looked up slightly and gazed at the very center of the room, where a huge holographic projection was suspended.

The green text above clearly records all the parameters.

He couldn't understand most of it, but he could make out the first line of text:
[Current Demonic Energy Concentration: 3.765 Naoki Units]

The "Number of Demons" is a unit for measuring the concentration of demonic energy.

The first digit indicates the level of demonic energy.

If the score exceeds 3, it proves that there is a titled Demon Nest Master within the Demon Nest.

After that, the device would issue a loud alarm for every 0.1 point increase.

The garrison is warned that the concentration of demonic energy within the Demon Nest has changed drastically, corresponding to a shift in the power of the Demon Nest's master.

If it is from 3 to 4, there is a leap in the level scale.

This represents the strength of the master of the inner demon nest, who has broken through from being comparable to a third-limit master to being comparable to a fourth-limit grandmaster.

If a unit's name starts with 5, it means that its strength is comparable to that of a Martial Arts Master.

Such celestial demons can no longer be referred to as great demons.

Rather, he is a newcomer to the ranks of the [Heavenly Demon Commander], possessing the powerful ability to quickly destroy an entire city, requiring the garrison forces throughout the province to be on high alert.

Each subsequent increase in the number of demon units corresponds to the strength and status of the Demon Nest Lord, and so on.

After finishing his inspection, Meng Chuan pointed at the light screen and asked curiously:
"Commander Shi Cheng, is this the latest demonic energy concentration detection equipment?"

When Meng Chuan saw it, he realized that this device was undoubtedly much more advanced than the ones he had seen before.

It seems that in addition to the booming development of Qi and Blood Martial Arts, technology has also kept pace.

Researchers like my cousin Meng Yiyi are also shining brightly on the united front against the Heavenly Demon, working behind the scenes.

Shi Cheng nodded:

"That's right, the equipment related to the Demon Nest is updated and iterated very quickly."

The cylindrical demonic energy concentration monitors you saw in the previous generation were all replaced earlier this year.

The nation has consistently implemented a "three-infinite" policy regarding the research and development of high-tech artifacts to combat the demonic forces:
[Unlimited research funding, unlimited supply of research talent, and unlimited scrutiny of research discipline.]

The final point is, of course, to prevent anyone from being blinded by greed.

A review team was established, headed by a martial arts master whom the nation fully trusts.

This is sufficient proof of our deep abhorrence of scientific research corruption.

Having spent so much time on the mountain, Meng Chuan was quite unaccustomed to seeing all the high-tech products in the room.

As the group walked out, having just witnessed the scene, he gained a deeper understanding of the importance of technology.

But
After all, they are inanimate machines, and as the team leader, Meng Chuan still needs to consider the safety of his team members.

He couldn't help but ask in a low voice:

"Commander Shi Cheng, do you approve?"

You mean the testing device?

"Correct."

"About 80-90% accuracy. Some demons can hide their strength and suppress their demonic energy concentration, you know what I mean."

"."

"Look at you, you're in such a hurry. The accuracy rate is already pretty high, it's much more accurate than the previous generation."

And think about it, without losing a single soldier, you can roughly grasp the most important information about the Demon Nest. Isn't that good?

Besides, you don't need to worry too much. I've personally investigated, and his strength is no more than that of a martial arts master. Go for it!

After finishing his important business, Shi Cheng's tone became much more relaxed.

Hearing this, Meng Chuan felt slightly relieved and then asked:
"Apart from Chi Li, what is the strength of the other Heavenly Demons?"

Shi Cheng's expression turned solemn again:

"The total number of Heavenly Demons is at least over 100,000, with the middle and upper ranks accounting for about 50% after multiple estimates."

I will not enter the demon's lair, but my soldiers, except for those stationed there, will accompany you. They will assist in the mission's progress and carry out the clearing and mopping-up operations on the inner and outer perimeter.

Before Meng Chuan could speak, Shi Cheng quickly added:
"You need special combat achievements for the mission, and they also need merits to accelerate their own growth."

The Fengdeng garrison desperately needs a major battle to replenish its "granary".

Every martial artist needs people and resources to develop.

Putting people aside for now, if one wants to focus on martial arts, one must give up production.

This is something that the state has already identified in advance when children are young and schools screen for martial arts talent.

Although it sounds cruel, it's a last resort.

Resources are limited, so they should naturally be allocated to those with greater talent.

This is to deal with the "Shanghao Annihilation" threat that 99% of people are unaware of.

As for resources, that applies to the garrison.

Whether it's the "distribution" through the merit system or the "capture" of materials from the demons, both need to be obtained from the demon's lair.

Meng Chuan nodded, stating frankly that he would do his best to "take care" of the demon after entering the demon's lair.

He understood what Commander Shi Cheng meant.

Apart from the country's regular resource allocation, if you want a strong and well-equipped army, you need a constant stream of martial arts masters.

We need to "raise troops".

Meng Chuan had no objection to this.

Even if they worked themselves to death, they couldn't kill all 100,000 demons.

Big Head was a special merit, so doing him a favor wouldn't be bad.
"On the mission system."

"I understand, don't worry."

"Thank you."

A hint of gratitude flashed in Shi Cheng's eyes, not because his soldiers were strong enough to better defend Fengdeng City.

It's all rather pretentious and empty talk.

It was triggered from the perspective of the young men who had fought alongside him for many years.

We are grateful to Meng Chuan for providing this "opportunity" and enabling them to grow more rapidly.

To be honest, this was also his personal behavior.

If Meng Chuan mentions it casually when he reports the completion of the mission, it will be a minor matter.

This will have some impact. If a similar incident occurs again, the government will send someone to "supervise" the situation.

If Captain Meng Chuan hadn't brought it up, the government would have simply turned a blind eye.

Seeing that he agreed to be polite, Shi Cheng raised his hand to check his watch and smiled:

"You haven't eaten yet, have you? The kitchen is making dumplings today, so you can have them for breakfast and lunch together."

"Try the cooking from our barracks kitchen. We'll have a mobilization meeting this afternoon; it'll be perfect for action."

"Master Liaochen is also a skilled cook, why not go and help him out and show off your skills to Uncle Shicheng!"

The team's second fattest member, Liaoyuan, had never gotten along with Liaochen and would seize any opportunity to make sarcastic remarks to him.
"I'll stew you in a pot, rendering your fat so the soldiers can get proper nutrition."

The two were arguing fiercely. Meng Chuan shook his head helplessly, then smiled at Shi Cheng and said:
"Dumplings before boarding, noodles upon arrival. I'm a bit hungry, thank you."

Eat your fill, then head into the Demon's Nest this afternoon for a fierce battle.

Following this, there is a mobilization meeting, a tradition that has existed in the Great Chu since ancient times.

The garrison troops set off from the demon's lair. Boosting morale was the top priority, according to Meng Chuansheng.

After a short rest after the meal, Meng Chuan sat cross-legged in a private room and practiced his mental techniques.

Time slowly passed, and today's circulation of energy through the meridians came to an end.

I checked my watch; it was 1:30 PM.

Just then, a soldier knocked on his door, speaking in a deep voice:

"Captain Meng, Commander Shi Cheng has instructed everyone to assemble."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Meng Chuan heard a sharp military whistle coming from the west, which was the signal to assemble.

Meanwhile, his teammates and the soldiers who were taking a lunch break got ready and filed out of the barracks.

Meng Chuan also followed the soldiers who had called him away.

As soon as I opened the door, the sunlight rushed in.

The door hinges were only turned about a third of the way, and the interior was bright and airy.

Stepping out, one is immediately struck by the blinding whiteness of the surrounding world.

I couldn't help but sigh in my heart:
"Principal Sui's creation of that so-called sacred embryo is truly a manifestation of the great power of heaven and earth."

I am as different from him as a firefly compared to the bright moon.

We must guard against arrogance and impetuosity, and forge ahead with determination.

Coming to his senses, he realized his private life was quite complex.

When they arrived, a large crowd had already gathered at the drill ground.

The soldiers were disciplined and stood in neat rows, each row and column numbering over thirty.

Apart from the soldiers who stayed behind to guard the main camp, those who were willing to strive for military merit and establish their careers were included.

The total number of people exceeded one thousand.

There are still many garrison soldiers stationed in the city.

But Shi Cheng knew in his heart that having any more people would be going too far.

Even with a thousand people, it's still within the scope of tacit approval.

If the number of people is even larger, and the [Battle Merit Jade Talisman] managed by the National Merit Department shows several thousand records of battle merits, this cannot be faked.
The Jade Talisman of War Merit is a rare artifact, inscribed with merits and achievements, which cannot be concealed or altered in any way.

Mobilization meeting.

The soldier who brought him returned to his unit, and Meng Chuan straightened his clothes and walked towards the front of the formation.

At the very front stands a five-meter-high platform.

Commander Shi Cheng and his team stood silently, waiting for his arrival.

Shi Cheng stood in the very center, with two teammates on each side.

Meng Chuan jumped up from the side of the platform and stood there waiting.

As soon as I stood still, I heard a voice in my ear:

"Captain Meng, come stand next to me."

Seeing Shi Cheng looking at him, Meng Chuan walked over and stood beside him, while Liao Chen's broad body shifted to the side.

Shi Cheng took a small step forward, grabbed the air, and the dragon seemed to have its tendons removed, rolling endlessly in his hand.

Meng Chuan sensed a powerful and surging aura of water.

A moment later, when the changes reached their maximum extent.

He tossed it out, bringing a refreshing shower to the soldiers below.

Despite the scorching sun and the nourishment from the dew, the soldiers remained calm and disciplined.

Shi Cheng's gaze swept over the soldiers standing solemnly below.

The voice was steady, yet carried an undeniable power.
"Fellow soldiers, today we point our swords at the demon's lair, not for personal gain, but to protect the people of Fengdeng City!"

He paused, the lingering moisture from his fist condensing into tiny ice crystals:
"Although the Crimson Fiend is fierce, it cannot withstand the unity of a thousand people. In this battle, some will be injured, suffer pain, or even sacrifice themselves."

Ice crystals fell to the ground with a soft patter, and his voice suddenly rose in pitch:
"But the backbone of the garrison is never forged by mere survival!"
The Heavenly Demon can devour flesh and blood, but it cannot break the will to fight!
Now, please follow Captain Meng and his men to raze the demon's lair and use your achievements to show those wicked creatures—”

With banners fluttering in the wind, all the soldiers simultaneously extended their right fists and slammed them against their chest armor!

Amidst the resounding clang, a chorus of voices responded.

It coalesced into a deep, resonant sound that swept everything away:
"Who is the master of this land!"

Shi Cheng's eyes flashed like lightning, and he suddenly raised his right arm high.

His five fingers exploded with icy cold, his voice like thunder, and he uttered just four words, his momentum shaking the heavens!

"Victory is assured in this battle!"

"Must win!"

"Amitabha!"

Liao Chen and the others were also infected by their master's spirit and took the lead in shouting, which brought forth terrifying roars from the army below.

Meng Chuan was also in high spirits and shouted a few times, all of which were clear and unobstructed.

This wasn't the first time he'd faced a titled "Great Demon," so he wasn't flustered.

Just shouting a couple of times feels good and refreshing!

Meanwhile, the soldiers stationed nearby who were not participating in the operation began distributing supplies to their comrades.

Meng Chuan and the others also received some basic medicines to restore their strength, as well as internal and external healing pills and canned high-energy food.

As for pills and medicines, many of them are specially supplied to the military.

He had used it before when dealing with the cholera outbreak at Chencang Demon Nest.

They thanked everyone and accepted the canned food as a last resort.

Within the Demon's Nest, it is impossible to replenish the "qi" between heaven and earth through the mutated [Zusanli] acupoint.

Food is also a necessity.

Everything was over, and order was restored within the military formation, awaiting the words of the people on the high platform.

Meng Chuan and the other five looked at Shi Cheng, while Shi Cheng looked at him.

Meng Chuan's voice entered the ear:
"I said?"

"Let me give you a brief introduction to the Demon Nest. If you put a little more effort into your voice, we can set off."

Shi Cheng intended to cultivate his leadership skills, and Meng Chuan thought about his words before nodding in agreement.

He stepped forward, his robes fluttering in the hot wind, his deep yet clear voice reaching everyone's ears:

"Our goal is to completely destroy the Crimson Demon Nest. Gentlemen, when pursuing military merits and achievements, safety must be the top priority."

The situation inside the Demon Nest is complex, and the sun is shining brightly. Once inside, everyone must maintain battle formation and must not be greedy for merit or act rashly!

Do you all understand?

"understand!"

Shi Cheng nodded slightly, and he thought Meng Chuan's approach of using "discipline and safety" as a starting point was just right.

"Next, I will assign specific tasks. If there is anything wrong, I hope Commander Shi Cheng can correct me in time."

Shi Cheng raised an eyebrow. This kid seemed to have some skills after all. He decided to let him give it a try.

"You said."

Meng Chuan glanced at the formation and got a general idea of ​​the situation.

With an unforgettable memory, and drawing upon previously learned knowledge, I attempted my first experience as a battalion-level commander.

"Alright, after entering the Demon Nest, one row will lead the front, while the other three rows of martial arts platoon leaders will accompany them, and their four subordinate squads will guard the flanks together."
Second Company

The Great Chu garrison was composed of 1,000 men per battalion, with the battalion commander in charge of the entire battalion and serving as the supreme commander.

The battalion was divided into three to four companies, each with a company commander and political instructor, managing about 130 people within the company. Each company had two to four platoons.

The platoon leader was a junior officer in the Great Chu army, with 30 to 40 soldiers under his command.

One must possess the skills of a martial artist to leave the ranks of non-commissioned officers and be promoted to lieutenant platoon leader.

This is a mandatory requirement and cannot be violated.

The martial arts strength requirements for each level are calculated from the first major limit upwards, and so on.

At the regimental commander level, one is the garrison commander of a city, and the minimum requirement is the strength of a martial arts grandmaster.

Meng Chuan spoke for three minutes, and the high platform was completely silent, while the sound of footsteps moving in the pre-arranged formation below the platform was extremely clear.

Nearly a thousand people stomped their feet, creating a deafening sound.

Meng Chuan's face remained as still as water, unchanged.

Two minutes passed after he finished speaking.

Once the movements within the military formation ceased, all sound fell silent.

The four monks standing by were completely dumbfounded by what they saw.

They all stared at him blankly, their mouths agape, their expressions unmistakable:
"Wait, buddy, you can do this too?"

(End of this chapter)