Chapter Twelve: Victory or Death!

“Captain! We surrender!”

On the arena, all five fighters were bruised and battered, staring at Sumu. Even the two women were no exception. The past incense stick’s length of time had surely been the most grueling moment in their lives.

They couldn’t defeat him by fighting! Yet the time had not yet ended. According to Sumu, since they accepted the challenge, there was no such thing as surrender—unless the incense burnt out.

Sumu stood opposite the five, gripping his long staff, his gaze icy and unwavering.

“On the battlefield, no one will show you mercy because of your gender,” he said coldly.
“Indeed, women face far greater discrimination and threats than men!”
“If captured, men might endure torture or lose their lives, but for women, the losses are far greater!”

At Sumu’s words, Li Fatty standing nearby fell silent. It wasn’t just the soldiers—villages outside the city suffered similarly. Women were often subjected to horrific, inhumane persecution. Among barbarians, morality held no meaning.

“Captain! Since we chose to be warriors, we shall not fear or retreat! If that day ever comes, I, Jiang Hongluan, would rather take my own life than fall into barbarian hands!”

The short-haired woman holding a spear was the first to stand, her expression grave as she faced Sumu.

Another woman, round-faced with two small tiger-like teeth showing when she smiled, clenched her fist and pounded it resolutely against her chest.

“I, Xu Qing, feel the same! On the battlefield, we either return victorious or die!”

Sumu nodded, then glanced at the other three men. Before their arrival, he had already gathered information about them.

Tie Yan, with sun-darkened skin, was strong and enduring. Due to his straightforward nature, he couldn’t fit in with the Xilin Army and thus came to the Tiger Might Battalion.

Guan Qing, a dual-dagger wielder, specialized in rapid attacks and was known for his agility with twin blades. His impatience caused friction with superiors in the Xilin Army, resulting in his transfer to the Tiger Might Battalion.

The last, Yue Peng, appeared weak but was actually highly perceptive. His shield defense was formidable, and he was adept at covertly finding enemy weaknesses to launch fierce counterattacks.

Each of them possessed unique qualities. If they were to lead an army in the future, these five must grow into his trusted right and left arms.

“I don’t care how you trained before. Now that you’re in my squad, you follow my plan!”

“If you have objections, speak now. If you can defeat me, I’ll consider it.”

Sumu handed them a training schedule.

At his words, their lips twitched painfully, wincing at their injuries. The sight of the training plan darkened their spirits further.

“Captain… isn’t running ten laps around Qinghe Town a bit too much?” Guan Qing stammered.

Qinghe Town was no small place—one lap was thirty miles! Ten laps? Just thinking about it left Guan Qing dumbfounded.

And that was only one item on the schedule. Horse stance, standing postures, various weapon drills—it was all so overwhelming even if they were to be slaughtered!

“Too difficult?” Sumu raised his staff firmly. “From now on, my orders are to be executed without question!”
“A soldier’s duty is obedience. Understood?”

Seeing this, the men stood silently and began running outside the courtyard without complaint. Better to run than to be beaten!

The woman in plain clothes, clutching her long sword, followed closely behind, gritting her teeth.

To become stronger! Starting this very moment!

Li Fatty approached Sumu with a sigh.

“Little brother, to be honest, watching you just now was strange. Are you really a rookie?”

Sumu turned and gave a light laugh.

“Isn’t it obvious?”

Li Fatty shook his head.

“Honestly, I’d believe you were a seasoned veteran. But as always, once you join Tiger Might Battalion, no questions are asked about your past.”

“Just remember, don’t do anything that harms Daliang. If you do, even if it costs me my life, I will deal with you!”

Sumu nodded and patted Li Fatty on the shoulder.

“Rest assured, Daliang will not fail me, and I will not fail Daliang!”

“Come on! Why are you standing there? They’re training; so are we!”

“As the company commander, you must lead by example!”

Li Fatty’s pupils contracted sharply, and before he could react, Sumu pulled him into a run.

“Ah! Spare this old bones of mine…”

“Help!”

Amid Li Fatty’s wails, throughout Qinghe Town, everyone could see the five battered figures bowing their heads and running ahead.

Behind them, the woman in plain clothes gripped her sword tightly, following relentlessly despite her exhaustion.

Compared to the others, her endurance had already reached its limit. The only thing keeping her going was a single thought:

To become stronger!

To fight alongside Sumu!

Next time they faced barbarians, she wanted to wield her blade and cut down every hateful invader!

Her determined pursuit stirred the weary five. They could not allow themselves to be outdone by a mere girl!

Otherwise, how could they save face if word got out?

On the city wall, Lei Yan watched the figures running lap after lap, silent and contemplative.

Deputy General Chen approached, hesitated, then spoke earnestly: “General, has the Xilin Army’s training become too lax?”

Lei Yan shook his head and pointed toward the outskirts of Qinghe Town.

“Do you know why Daliang repeatedly falls to the barbarians despite our efforts?”

Chen hesitated uncertainly: “Because their fighting strength is greater?”

Lei Yan sighed deeply, clenching his fist.

“We all have one head and two hands—why do the barbarians fight better than us?”

“Daliang boasts a million strong, yet we falter before the barbarians’ hundred thousand troops!”

“There is only one reason. The barbarians’ land is barren and harsh; they fight for survival! They will give everything to live!”

“But Daliang is rich in resources, and most are complacent—even the soldiers. Many fight just for merit or pay; they lack the resolve to truly give their all, lacking the will to win!”

Chen was speechless.

Lei Yan looked at the figures running in the sunset glow and smiled.

“But now, I see hope in a few.”

“The future of Daliang must ultimately be entrusted to them.”

“Our task is simple: before that day comes, we must hold Daliang to the last inch!”