Chapter Three: The Secretive Sick Cat Camp?

“Oh? Does the Tiger Might Army really have that kind of power?” Su Mu glanced at the stout man in surprise. What caught his attention most in the stout man’s words was that they didn’t ask about his background. If the Su family found out that someone who was supposed to be dead was still alive, they would surely find a way to eliminate him. But if the Tiger Might Army truly wielded such influence, it was worth considering.

“Of course! If you’re willing, you can join right now—” Before the stout man could finish, a mocking laugh came from nearby.

“Well, well! Isn’t this the top sickly cat of the Sick Cat Battalion? What’s this? Spinning tales again?”

At that moment, a young man clad in silver armor, a long knife engraved with the words “Xilin” hanging from his waist, approached with a teasing smirk.

Upon seeing this, everyone inside the tavern stood up.

“Corporal Jiang!”

The stout man clenched his fists, his eyes chilling as they locked onto Corporal Jiang.

“Jiang Changhong! What do you mean by this?”

“Are you trying to stop me from recruiting new soldiers for the Tiger Might Battalion?”

Corporal Jiang spat disdainfully, drawing his long knife and slashing it down onto the table.

“Li Fatty, why don’t you take a good look in the mirror and see what kind of character you really have? Do you really think you’re worthy?”

“I’m just here to show this clueless young man what the Tiger Might Battalion really is.”

Jiang Changhong glanced at Su Mu and continued coldly, “The Sick Cat Battalion is made up of the refuse discarded by all the other armies. Though it appears to have three thousand men, it’s really just a ragtag crowd!”

“If it weren’t for the general’s mercy, they wouldn’t still be around.”

“Who knows? If the general’s mood turns sour one day, this Tiger Might Battalion might just be disbanded!”

Su Mu looked back at Li Fatty, whose face had turned pale and then flushed, eyes narrowing slightly.

“Jiang Changhong! I’m telling you, if you keep slandering the Tiger Might Battalion, I’ll fight you today!”

Li Fatty set his chicken leg down on a nearby table, clenched his fists, and glared darkly at Jiang Changhong.

“Don’t like it? Then let’s fight!”

“And you, clueless kid, get out of here!”

Jiang Changhong raised his long knife and decisively struck toward Li Fatty. His movements were swift and precise.

Su Mu pulled the plain-clothed man aside and stood quietly in a corner. Watching Li Fatty dodging all around, he couldn’t help but shake his head.

When two armies clash, it’s the brave who triumph! Yet Li Fatty, faced with Jiang Changhong’s relentless assault, was only dodging. His defeat was a matter of time.

However, Su Mu felt that something was off.

“Li Fatty, aren’t you from the Tiger Might Battalion? Aren’t you supposed to be tough? What’s this—getting beaten like a dog?”

Jiang Changhong pressed forward, taunting as he went.

Li Fatty stumbled and fell to the ground. Jiang Changhong’s long knife pressed against Li Fatty’s throat.

“I just haven’t eaten enough today! Once I do, I’ll settle this with you!”

Li Fatty clenched his fists, glaring at Jiang Changhong with indignation.

“You won’t get that chance! If the Tiger Might Battalion fails to muster three thousand men this time, it will be disbanded!”

“Once disbanded, even if you serve me tea, I won’t care!”

Jiang Changhong spread his hands, disdainful.

Li Fatty slowly relaxed his grip and lowered his head.

“I’ll join the Tiger Might Battalion, but I want an advance on my pay first.”

At that moment, Su Mu looked thoughtfully at Li Fatty lying there and spoke.

The others around seemed to see a ghost, staring at Su Mu in disbelief. Jiang Changhong hadn’t even left yet, and Su Mu was already joining the Tiger Might Battalion—wasn’t that a slap in Jiang Changhong’s face?

“What do you mean? Are you courting death?”

Jiang Changhong raised his long knife, glaring fiercely at Su Mu.

Seeing this, Su Mu staggered slightly, then suddenly slapped the table, grabbed a pair of chopsticks, and charged at Jiang Changhong.

Before Jiang Changhong could react, he felt a chill and sharp pain at his neck.

“You’ve already lost.”

Su Mu held the chopsticks calmly and said.

Everyone around was stunned.

“Wow! This young man is a master!”

“Exactly, that charging move was perfect! Jiang Changhong didn’t even have time to react. Doesn’t that prove this man’s martial skill far surpasses Jiang’s?”

“A talent like this joining the Tiger Might Battalion? That’s a waste!”

“I bet he’s using this to catch Jiang’s attention and lure him into the Xilin Army.”

Hearing the murmurs, Jiang Changhong’s face twisted with rage.

They were usually the ones intimidating others. Now, they were humiliated like this—outrageous!

“I seriously suspect this guy is a spy sent by the barbarians. Guards! Seize them all!” Jiang Changhong cursed.

At his command, a dozen soldiers from the Xilin Army surrounded the entire tavern, ready to strike at Su Mu and the others at any moment.

Su Mu glanced at Li Fatty on the ground and said calmly, “I don’t care why you’re hiding your strength, but if you keep hiding it, I’ll just leave with my men.”

Li Fatty clenched his fists, glared angrily at the crowd, and said, “I understand!”

He rose, pulled a token from his waist, and looked at Jiang Changhong and the others.

“Mutiny! Do you want to be court-martialed?”

Jiang Changhong froze, then burst into laughter.

“Court-martialed? With you?”

Before he finished, Li Fatty slapped him hard across the face. The sharp sound echoed through the tavern.

Everyone was stunned.

Was this still the timid Li Fatty they knew? How dare he?

“If the Tiger Might Army can’t recruit enough men this time, it will be dissolved. Anyone who stops me recruiting will have to fight me!”

“My life isn’t worth much anyway, but your blood will be well paid for!”

Li Fatty glared coldly at Jiang Changhong.

“Fine! Li Fatty, just you wait! I’ll complain to the general about youI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.