Strongest Soldier King

From afar, Elder Chang hadn't been sleeping, he was standing by the window using binoculars to watch Luo Zheng. Seeing the way Luo Zheng chopped the kindling, he couldn't help but change his expression slightly, a satisfied smile crept across his face. Beside him, Elder Liu was also holding a pair of binoculars, observing. Naturally, he had seen the same chop and couldn't help but lower his binoculars, chuckling, "Elder Chang, what do you think?"

"The team leader assigned him to the cooking squad and told us two to teach him killing skills. To be honest, I was somewhat resistant, but now it seems the team leader is truly the team leader. This guy is a raw gem. If carved well, he'll undoubtedly be a rare treasure, an ace for our Special Warfare Team. His comprehension is impeccable. Now let's see how his willpower is," Elder Chang said with a sense of emotion.

"Yeah, but the team leader also specifically instructed not to let it get out," Elder Liu said with a beaming smile, "Alright, I'm going to check if the steamed buns are ready. You keep watching." With that, he hurriedly left.

Luo Zheng, who was busy chopping wood, had no idea all of this was orchestrated by the team leader. Drenched in sweat, he persisted without giving in, only taking a break to gulp down a stomach full of water before returning to chopping. Two hours later, Luo Zheng felt the soreness and swelling in his arms, every chop becoming incredibly hard work, forcing him to stop and rest. Hurrying only makes things worse, a principle that Luo Zheng understood well, so he used the family's Breathing Skill to recover his strength as he rested.

At that moment, several soldiers in camouflage uniforms approached, but Luo Zheng didn't pay much attention, rubbing his sore arms to recuperate. Noticing someone by his side, he was taken aback, and upon looking up, he saw it was Song Yang, sporting a cold sneer. Luo Zheng ignored him and continued rubbing his arms to speed up recovery. It was better to split more kindling and work on mastering his dagger skills sooner rather than wasting energy dealing with boring provocations.

"Kid, you're still too green to fight with me," Song Yang crouched down and said in a low cold voice.

"Brother Song, who is this guy?" A soldier came over and asked with a chuckle.

"You don't know him? He's a real piece of work in our Special Warfare Team. A good hand at fighting and brawling, breaking rules with aplomb. Disobeyed orders on his first mission and nearly got a comrade killed. And now, here he is, relegated to the cooking squad for reform," Song Yang stood up, explaining with a proud air.

"Oh?" For the soldiers, everything could be understood and forgiven, except one thing: you can't endanger a comrade's life. Hearing what Song Yang said about Luo Zheng nearly getting a comrade killed, the soldier looked at Luo Zheng with scorn, coldly saying, "Serves him right. Let's go."

Luo Zheng gave a noncommittal sneer, feeling the soreness in his arms subside, picked up his Army dagger, and continued chopping kindling. He didn't take Song Yang seriously—just another narrow-minded noble offspring. Perhaps he had some skill or powerful family backing, but he was no match for Luo Zheng. Thinking this, Luo Zheng's mind drifted to the Blood Wolf he encountered previously. Such a master was the real target of his aspirations. Focusing his gaze, he put much more effort into his next chops.

Seeing Luo Zheng not rise to the bait, Song Yang grew even more smug. He crouched down again and said coldly, "If you have the guts, let's have a one-on-one. Meet me at the restroom at ten tonight."

Luo Zheng glanced at him, a flash of murderous intent crossing his eyes, but he quickly calmed down. Such crude provocation tactics were beneath him. If he really went, there would surely be a trap waiting, and he might not even stay in the cooking squad. Even the team leader might not be able to protect him. Luo Zheng scoffed, "Fine, if you have the guts, write a life-and-death contract. A public duel, and afterward, your family can't pursue any responsibility, with each taking their own consequences."

"You?" Seeing Luo Zheng so cautious, Song Yang was choked with anger.

"What, did I hit a nerve? Got the guts to fight fair and square without relying on your family for clout?" Luo Zheng continued to mock, raising his voice slightly so the other soldiers nearby could also hear.

"You're looking for death," Song Yang, completely enraged, launched a kick at him.

Luo Zheng's eyes went icy, narrowing like the tips of pins, ready to disable Song Yang's leg with a handy strike, but thinking of the consequences of brute force, he shifted aside and deflected the kick with his forearm. Rolling away a couple of meters, he stood there coldly watching Song Yang. If Song Yang continued the attack, Luo Zheng wouldn't worry about claiming self-defense.

The soldiers nearby were shocked to see Song Yang's sudden move. The Special Warfare Team forbade personal fighting. Rushing forward, they held back the incensed Song Yang, trying to comfort him. Song Yang gradually cooled down, aware that continuing the fight was detrimental to him. Taking the out offered, he sneered disdainfully, "That's all you've got?"

"Song Yang, what are you doing?" An explosive shout came from the side.

Luo Zheng looked up and saw it was the team leader. Quickly catching on, he collapsed to the ground, feigning extreme pain and shouting, "Team leader, this bastard ambushed me. Ouch, it hurts like hell."

The team leader was already irate about the demotion of a squad member and didn't expect Song Yang to make matters worse. Seeing Luo Zheng play his part so well, he immediately barked, "You scoundrel! This is a military camp, not the street. What are you thinking? He's your comrade, not your enemy. Fighting is prohibited in the camp. Ambushing without provocation, your penalty is increased by one degree. Go confine yourself for three days, and you others there, go confine yourselves for a day. Carry out the order immediately."

"Yes, sir." The soldiers didn't dare offer explanations and hurriedly ran off. Song Yang gave the team leader a resentful look, thought it over, and then ran off to confine himself. In the Special Warfare Team's territory, the team leader's word was law. Although Song Yang's family wielded enormous influence, he could not directly defy the team leader or else military discipline would not permit it.

The team leader had expected Song Yang to vehemently argue, giving him a chance to vent his anger. However, seeing him choose to hold back, he gained a measure of respect for him. Approaching Luo Zheng, he asked with concerned amusement, "Stop pretending, get up, will you?"

"Thank you, team leader." Luo Zheng got up, watching Song Yang leave with a grave expression. He had thought that the guy was a mere spoiled brat, but he was more calculative and patient than expected. It turned out not all scions of great families were useless. Their cunning shouldn't be underestimated.

"Do you find him hard to handle now?" The team leader's expression darkened slightly as he asked softly.

"I haven't seen him for a while, and the guy has become quite scheming," Luo Zheng replied honestly.

"Hmm, good that you're aware. People from big families might lack some strength, but being around it makes them cunning and gives them a high starting point. Their horizons and schemes aren't to be taken lightly. Be careful, tolerate when you can, consider it training for your mind and perseverance," the team leader said reassuringly.

"Don't worry, I know what to do." The team leader smiled contentedly, noticing the mess of chopped kindling on the ground, the axe cuts still reasonably neat and the strength adequate. He nodded in approval and without asking further, turned and left.