Chapter 232: Airborne

Chen Shihu asked, “The Fuhu Camp is short a Captain, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

Yue Qianshan nodded. “Captain Han Lie and Captain Zhou Heng both died in the Longling Mountain Range. So we’re not just short one Captain; the other Captain position is also vacant.”

Chen Shihu pointed at Lu Bai. “His name is Lu Bai. He got into a bit of trouble in Jing State and was exiled to the army by Your Highness. Let’s have him go to the Fuhu Camp and serve as a Captain.”

Yue Qianshan hesitated for a moment before bowing and agreeing.

“Do you have any questions?”

Seeing his hesitation, Chen Shihu asked.

Yue Qianshan glanced at Lu Bai.

Lu Bai took the hint. “I’ll take my leave now.”

“That’s not necessary.”

Chen Shihu said nonchalantly, “If this is about Lu Bai, there’s no need to be secretive. You can say it in front of him.”

In truth, Yue Qianshan was rather puzzled by Chen Shihu’s decision and couldn’t quite wrap his head around it.

The Huben Army had a total of eight camps. The Fuhu, Xianhu, Xiaohu, and Nuhu Camps were the four primary combat camps—the largest in number, always leading the charge into battle.

Each of these four camps had forty thousand men.

The command structure consists of one Captain and four Captains.

Each of the latter Captains commands a force of ten thousand men!

For military appointments, especially to a position as important as Captain, a candidate must either have extensive seniority or exceptional ability.

But this Lu Bai, for starters, was far too young.

He looked to be less than twenty, and at that age, serving as a Captain in a main combat unit like the Fuhu Camp… he’d never be able to command their respect.

Yue Qianshan had just assessed Lu Bai’s Cultivation.

Innate Nine Meridians.

His Cultivation Realm was barely adequate.

However, nearly every Captain in the four main combat camps was a Martial Artist who had reached Innate Realm Perfection.

And the Captain in command was, in every case, the strongest Innate Martial Artist in his camp!

Someone like Lu Bai, with his Innate Nine Meridians, would barely pass for a Centurion in any of the camps.

He was nowhere near qualified enough to be a Captain.

What’s more, Lu Bai was an exiled convict.

Under these circumstances, parachuting Lu Bai into the position of Captain was like throwing him to the wolves. He would instantly become a target for everyone!

Duke Chen couldn’t possibly be unaware of the stakes involved.

But that was precisely the problem.

Yue Qianshan had seen with his own eyes last night how Chen Shihu had personally brought Lu Bai back to his own tent, a clear sign that he held the young man in high regard.

Furthermore, his actions just now also showed that Duke Chen placed great trust in him.

Yue Qianshan couldn’t quite figure out Chen Shihu’s intentions for Lu Bai.

‘If Chen Shihu truly values him, then I’ll definitely have to look out for him in secret and make sure nothing happens to him in the army.’

‘After all, the Fuhu Camp is full of hot-blooded men, all of them aggressive and eager for a fight.’

‘Every single one of them has blood on their hands!’

‘This young Lu Bai may look tall and sturdy, but if he’s thrown into the Fuhu Camp, it won’t be long before those men tear him to shreds!’

After a moment of reflection, Yue Qianshan said hesitantly, “Lu Bai has no connections in the Fuhu Camp, and he’s an exiled convict. Appointing him as Captain so suddenly will definitely cause dissatisfaction among the soldiers. I…”

“Stay out of it.”

Chen Shihu waved his hand dismissively. “Let him handle it himself. If he can command their respect, he can keep the position of Captain. If he can’t, then he has no one to blame but himself.”

Yue Qianshan more or less understood Chen Shihu’s intentions now.

This was more of a test for Lu Bai.

Yue Qianshan secretly shook his head. ‘This test is far too difficult,’ he thought. ‘There’s no way he can handle it. Of course, it’s also possible Duke Chen is intentionally trying to take the boy down a peg. I heard he caused quite a stir back in Jing State.’

Yue Qianshan didn’t know the details, nor was he interested in finding out.

Chen Shihu turned to Lu Bai. “Once you’re in the Fuhu Camp, unless it’s a matter of deep-seated hatred, try not to use lethal force over simple competitive squabbles. After all, you’ll all be brothers-in-arms one day.”

“Alright.”

Lu Bai nodded.

Yue Qianshan’s expression flickered.

‘Chen Shihu’s words have piqued my curiosity.’

‘For Duke Chen to value this young man so highly, could it be that he truly possesses some extraordinary abilities?’

‘I’ll have to investigate this young man’s background later.’

With that thought, Yue Qianshan bowed. “If Duke Chen has no further orders, I will take him to the Fuhu Camp now.”

“Go on.”

Chen Shihu nodded.

—————–

Fuhu Main Camp, Central Army Tent.

The four main units of the Fuhu Camp had just finished their morning drills. Soldiers were lighting fires and setting up stoves, preparing to eat.

The Captain of the Fuhu Camp was originally Han Lie, the ‘Descending Tiger’.

Under his command were the four other Captains: ‘Armor Piercing’ Zhou Heng, ‘Iron Wall’ Zheng Lun, ‘Chasing Wind’ Yang Xiao, and ‘Zhenyue’ Shi Yong.

However, the previous month, Captain Han Lie and Captain Zhou Heng had died in the Longling Mountain Range, along with nearly a hundred other soldiers from the Huben Army.

Ever since, a somber and oppressive atmosphere had hung over the Fuhu Camp.

Even though Zhou Heng’s unit no longer had a Captain to lead them, the ten Centurions, each leading their own force of nearly a thousand Huben Army soldiers, had continued their daily training without fail, not daring to slack off.

After their morning drills, the soldiers had some free time and gathered in small groups.

“Hey, Youngest, any word from command on who’s taking over Leader Zhou’s position?”

“Haven’t heard a thing.”

This was Qian the Youngest, one of the Centurions who had served under Zhou Heng.

Although his name included the word for “youngest,” he was actually the most senior Centurion—a slick, worldly, and experienced veteran.

Qian the Youngest smacked his lips. “Based on past experience, in a situation like this, they’ll most likely promote one of the Centurions.”

Another man spoke up. “In that case, it’ll most likely be you.”

“I’m not qualified.”

Qian the Youngest chuckled and shook his head. “I might have the most seniority, but among us ten Centurions, my combat strength is near the bottom of the pack.”

“In the army, the strong rise to the top. The one with the biggest fist gets the promotion.”

At this, Qian the Youngest’s gaze fell on two Centurions across from him who hadn’t spoken. “So, it’s probably between Gao Ling, Qi Feng, and Old Zhang. It’s just not clear which one of them it’ll be.”

The three Centurions exchanged glances but said nothing.

Among the three, two had opened eleven Meridians. Old Zhang had opened all Twelve Meridians, having already reached Innate Realm Perfection!

The three of them often sparred in the camp, with no clear superior among them.

Just then, a commotion erupted outside the camp.

It was followed by a wave of formal greetings.

“Greetings, General Yue!”

The chorus of voices grew louder and louder.

Qian the Youngest and the others looked toward the source of the commotion.

In the distance, two riders were approaching. The one in the lead was none other than the Commander of the Huben Army himself, General Huben Yue Qianshan!

Normally, General Yue wouldn’t come to the Fuhu Camp unless it was for something important.

He could just have another general or one of the Deputy Generals deliver any messages.

Trailing behind Yue Qianshan was a tall, sturdy young man who looked to be under twenty. He carried two longswords and a bundle on his back. His posture was ramrod straight, his demeanor was calm, and his gaze was reserved.

“Who’s that?”

The men were puzzled, as Lu Bai was an unfamiliar face.

In the blink of an eye, Yue Qianshan had led Lu Bai before Qian the Youngest and the others. “This is Lu Bai from Jing State,” he announced. “He’s here to take over Captain Zhou Heng’s position!”