Chapter 3

The sound of the bugle in the camp woke Qin Feng from his sleep. Yesterday, Qin Feng had gone to bed very late, and with his anxious heart, he was now both physically and mentally exhausted. He never practiced his martial arts, as it would only hasten his death. This left everyone in the Death Battalion puzzled, as their commander never practiced but was always more skilled than any of them. Little did they know, Qin Feng wished his martial arts would never improve, but the fact was, every time he fought, the accursed Hanyuan Divine Skill would advance a little bit.

Time really flies! Qin Feng hated how fast time passed, wishing it would stop at a certain point and never move forward. This way, he wouldn't have to worry about when the huge隐患 (hidden danger) inside him would erupt.

Standing up, this was the fifth time this year. Each time it flared up, it was more intense than the last. Was it out of control now? Crazy Shu said that each additional pill he took was a step closer to death, perhaps hinting at something.

Pulling back the tent flap, he walked out and found three people standing stiffly in front of his tent. They were the three deputy commanders of the Death Battalion, his subordinates: Wild Dog, Scissors, and Monk. These were not their real names, just nicknames. The Death Battalion had no decent sons. Wild Dog was sent to the Death Battalion from another unit, where he was already called Wild Dog. He was as fierce as his name, biting anyone who crossed him. During one of his fits, he stabbed his former unit's commander and was sent to the Death Battalion to die. But here, he thrived, not only surviving but also rising to the rank of deputy commander. Scissors and Monk were not originally soldiers. Scissors was a small businessman in Qiushui City. His wife was seduced by a local playboy. On a dark and stormy night, he sneaked into the playboy's mansion, tied him up, and then, in front of hundreds of people, used a pair of scissors to cut off the playboy's manhood. Though his crime was unforgivable, his actions were somewhat understandable, and he was sent to the military, thus earning his name. Monk was indeed a monk before joining the Death Battalion, but he was a wine-drinking, meat-eating, womanizing monk. He was caught and was supposed to be executed, but he was spared the death penalty by agreeing to serve in the military. After a few years in the Death Battalion, he was promoted to deputy commander due to his accumulated merits.

Among these three, if anyone could be considered good, it was Scissors. He and Monk were bitter enemies in the camp. Scissors couldn't stand such a lecherous monk. When he heard that Monk had been sent to the Death Battalion for womanizing, he attacked Monk on the first day. After two years of fighting, both were covered in scars, but neither could defeat the other.

The most ruthless of the three was Wild Dog. On his first day in the camp, Qin Feng beat him so badly that he was bedridden for half a month. After he recovered, he never dared to provoke Qin Feng again. The other two had also seen Wild Dog's madness and avoided him.

This strange combination of men, who usually wanted to kill each other, under Qin Feng's leadership, had reduced the death rate in the Death Battalion to less than 50% in nearly two years, which was nothing short of a miracle.

The three arrived at Qin Feng's tent early in the morning, but none dared to lift the curtain and enter. They stood stiffly outside, as none knew whether they would be greeted with a fist or a kick. They had all experienced Qin Feng's punches and kicks, which hurt for days.

Qin Feng walked out of the tent without acknowledging them, passing by the three. His personal attendant, Ma Hou, immediately brought a bucket of cold water. Qin Feng slowly undressed, standing naked next to the three. The numerous scars on his body, layered and crisscrossed, made the three shudder.

The three had seen Qin Feng's scars before, but each time, their hearts raced. It was hard to imagine how someone could survive so many injuries.

Ma Hou was very young, only fourteen, and was sent here for stabbing his abusive stepfather to death. Because of his age, no one in the Death Battalion dared to bully him. However, Qin Feng still had him transferred to his side. In the all-male Death Battalion, there were men who liked boys. When Ma Hou first joined, with his smooth skin, he might have been targeted, but with Qin Feng's protection, no one dared to look at him twice.

Ma Hou lifted the cold water and poured it over Qin Feng, drenching him. He then handed over a dry towel. As Qin Feng dried himself, he walked naked to the three and glanced at them.

"Commander Qin, the order is to set out today. When will we break camp?" Scissors stepped forward and said loudly.

"Let the men start packing their gear. They say we're breaking camp today, but it doesn't specify morning, noon, or afternoon. As long as we leave today, it's fine." Qin Feng threw the towel to Ma Hou and took the clean clothes from him, putting them on piece by piece.

"Understood." Scissors nodded and stepped back.

"Same as usual. Wild Dog leads, Scissors in the middle, and Monk at the rear. Also, warn your men that once we break camp, the entire battalion will be in a state of war. Anyone who fights or seeks revenge during this period will have their head cut off and fed to the dogs."

"Yes!" The three straightened up. Qin Feng wasn't joking. During peacetime, they could fight and kill as they pleased, as long as it was a one-on-one duel. But once they were on the move, any such behavior, even spitting on an enemy, would result in decapitation.

So, in the Death Battalion, there was a strange phenomenon. Once they entered a state of war, people who usually wanted to kill each other would smile at each other, afraid that others might think they were fighting again.

"Wild Dog, Monk, go back and prepare. Scissors, stay." Qin Feng lifted the curtain and entered the tent. Wild Dog and Monk didn't hesitate, turning and leaving. Scissors followed Qin Feng into the tent.

"This time we're going deep into enemy territory. Damn, which idiot gave this order? Are we going to fight a major battle with the Western Qin? But even our Western Border Army isn't enough. So, you need to be extra careful with the supplies. Once we enter enemy territory, we need to conserve everything. Who knows what will happen. If we run out of food, we'll be scattered and can't fight."

"Understood."

"Prepare an extra ten percent of supplies. If it's not enough, find a way to get more." Qin Feng said.

"Find a way?" Scissors was puzzled.

"Yes, find a way." Qin Feng suddenly laughed. "I know that after noon today, the Changsheng Battalion will be receiving a batch of supplies. If the timing is right, hahaha!"

Scissors's eyes lit up. "I understand. I'll take care of it. Whatever the Death Battalion wants, everyone must give it."

Qin Feng waved his hand, and Scissors turned and left.

The men of the Death Battalion were not afraid of anything. Leading such a group of ruffians, Qin Feng sometimes found it quite easy. A little hint, and they knew exactly what to do. Following rules? There were no such people in the Death Battalion. If there were, they would have died long ago.

Little Ma Hou ran into the tent. He was one of the few people, besides Crazy Shu, who could enter the tent without being hit.

"Commander Qin, the general's headquarters has sent someone to inform you to attend a meeting at the main camp." Ma Hou said.

"Damn, didn't we just have a meeting a few days ago? Why another one?" Qin Feng spat. "I know, tell the messenger I'll go after breakfast. Ma Hou, what are we having for breakfast today?"

Ma Hou smiled. "Commander Qin, I found some mushrooms yesterday and got a wild chicken from Wild Dog. I made some chicken soup."

"Good, good, bring it over." Qin Feng laughed happily. Little Ma Hou was quite skilled in the kitchen, and it was said that he learned these skills from his stepfather, a chef at a restaurant, whom he had stabbed to death.

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