Chapter 27

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Regardless of the outcome of the third match, he had to stay in Tiger Mouth Bandit Camp, and the fat man was fully aware of this, but he also had his own plans.

The Three Major Disciplines and Eight Points of Attention of the Eighth Route Army were something he, who had served in the military in a later era, knew all too well.

Follow all orders, as a rogue soldier, he usually didn't stand guard, didn't keep watch, and didn't drill. On the battlefield, as long as he could win and preserve himself, he never took orders seriously.

All spoils must be turned over to the public, this point was even more fatal for the fat man. For example, the sniper rifle 98K in his hands, there was no way he could turn it over to the public. What about picking up a couple of packs of cigarettes on the battlefield? How could he turn them over to the public?

No mistreatment of prisoners, when he saw the Japanese wreaking havoc on the people and cruelly killing prisoners, the fat man swore that he would never let any Japanese he encountered become a prisoner; they should all be sent to meet the King of Hell.

No harassment of women, don't even think about it. The fat man directly violated this rule. Moreover, during the Anti-Japanese War, Chairman Mao personally ordered the execution of a distinguished brigade commander because the commander had forced a female comrade to like him, which ended in failure and cost him his life. The fat man felt a chill at the thought of this historical event.

Although Colonel Ma highly valued him and was a good person, and there was the temptation of Wang Yi, military discipline was military discipline. In this era, military discipline was non-negotiable. After much consideration, the fat man decided not to join the Eighth Route Army to avoid violating military discipline and getting himself executed, with no place to appeal.

"Shall we start now? Or do you want to settle your affairs first?" The pain in Concubine Diao's thigh was almost numbing. After the third match, regardless of the outcome, the fat man had to stay, and that was enough.

"Whatever you do, if Fat Master frowns, I'll serve you as a slave for life!" Since this was an irreversible situation, the fat man tried to appear more righteous to leave a good impression on Colonel Ma and his men. If things didn't work out in the future, he would at least have a place to eat.

Moreover, a woman like Wang Yi, more often than not, liked those big heroes who sacrificed themselves for a cause. If she had a good impression of Zhang Ligu, he might as well go all out. After all, whether he stretched his neck or not, it would still be a cut.

When he saw the props for the third match, he suddenly burst out laughing.

"Your neck is hard, is it? Fine, I'll help you out, you little punk!" Concubine Diao sneered at the fat man and said to Yang Yun, "Old Three, bring out my brother's thing!"

Yang Yun nodded and led a few bandits away. A moment later, he and the bandits carried out a large bed. The fat man's eyes twitched, and Colonel Ma and his men gasped. Wang Yi let out a cry of shock, then covered her small mouth, her big, watery eyes wide with fear.

This bed was different from ordinary beds. It couldn't even be called a bed. Who could sleep on a bed full of nails?

It was a nail bed, a large wooden board covered with iron nails, densely arranged with their points facing up, each over three inches long.

The moment the fat man saw the nail bed, he knew Concubine Diao's intention. The nail bed might scare others, but it wouldn't scare him.

In this era, the nail bed was a staple skill for street performers and was used to demonstrate invulnerability to blades and bullets. It might scare the ignorant people of this era, but it wouldn't scare the fat man, who knew the principle behind it.

If Concubine Diao had used the nail bed on someone else, they would have been scared out of their wits. She didn't expect her opponent to be a time traveler.

The fat man put on a frightened expression, but inside, he was laughing. The legend of Colonel Tiger's invulnerability to blades and bullets might have come from performing on the nail bed. What a clever plan, scaring the enemy before the fight even began.

"Brother, listen to me, you must not participate in this match. Don't get yourself full of holes just to help us leave. I won't push you into the fire!" Colonel Ma desperately held onto the fat man, knowing that the nail bed was still very intimidating in this era.

"To help you leave safely, Fat Master is ready to go all out!" The fat man's face was full of righteous determination, and even Concubine Diao, who knew the secret, couldn't help but admire his resolve.

"Brother, why won't you listen? Even if we die here, we won't let you take the risk. If anyone has to go, I'll go!" Colonel Ma shouted, and the Eighth Route Army soldiers were stirred into a frenzy. One said, "I'll go," another said, "Let me do it," all eager to volunteer.

"Damn it, I'll go!" Lei Dabiao bared his yellow teeth and stepped forward, almost making the fat man faint. This guy was actually trying to outshine him. He really wanted to kick this scoundrel down the mountain.

"Get out of my way, I'm the colonel, I'll go, that's an order!" Colonel Ma glared, his eyes like copper bells, and did what the fat man wanted to do but didn't—kicking Lei Dabiao to the ground.

"Colonel..." The guard, Xiao Li, quickly grabbed Colonel Ma's belt, looking pitiful.

"Let go of my hand, and get lost right now!" Colonel Ma turned and glared at Xiao Li.

"Before we left, the division commander knew that the colonel likes to take risks, so he gave me a strict order not to let the colonel be the first to charge. Let me go..." Xiao Li, seeing Colonel Ma's fierce eyes, said cautiously.

Colonel Ma was stunned, still wondering if the order was real. The fat man, however, smiled at Concubine Diao and said, "Fat Master's affairs are Fat Master's to handle. If anyone interferes, I'll kill Colonel Tiger first and then fight to the death!"

"You little punk, you dare!" Concubine Diao frowned, angry. She was initially impressed by the Eighth Route Army's willingness to sacrifice themselves, but she didn't expect the fat man to go all the way to save them, which made her both admire and resent him.

Concubine Diao didn't know that the fat man already knew the secret of the nail bed. This kind of "sacrifice for a cause" was something he never let others take.

The fat man ignored Concubine Diao, feeling frustrated. Everyone was vying to take credit, leaving him no chance to show off. He kicked Colonel Ma, enduring the pain in his crotch, and shouted, "Damn it, you little punk, you just like to show off. Haven't you caused enough trouble for Fat Master? Fat Master single-handedly saved Wang Yi, dealt with a Japanese squad to save you, led you through the minefield, and fought the Japanese artillery. Now you want to take the stage and establish a base? Do you still want to send these four doctors?..."

"Fat Master, you little punk... you little punk..." The fat man kicked once, then kicked again, forcing Colonel Ma to retreat. Damn it, daring to compete for credit with Fat Master, you have some nerve.

"Shit... shit..." Colonel Ma dodged, cursing and crying, moved by the fat man's willingness to take the nail bed. He had the mission to establish a base and the task to escort the doctors, so he couldn't easily sacrifice himself. He felt he owed the fat man.

Saving Wang Yi was a coincidence, but to save this small team escorting the doctors, the fat man faced a Japanese squad alone, led them through the minefield, and risked his life to clear the way. Facing the Japanese artillery and saving everyone, he returned to the minefield alone to face a Japanese battalion. Now, he had come back to save them again and was about to take the nail bed. Colonel Ma was deeply moved, considering the fat man a comrade-in-arms.