Chapter 22: Favors, Barbarian Scouts, and the Bull’s Might

"Fist Stance Breathing Technique?"

Old Zhou was stunned for a moment.

"Of course you can, but most recruits would usually seek out the instructors or the centurions. I’m old, my energy and blood have withered, and it’s been a long time since anyone came to ask me for advice..."

"It’s no trouble, Old Zhou. If you are willing, teaching me the method of breathing would be a way to settle this favor."

Old Zhou was over sixty years old this year. His strength had declined significantly, but he had once been a warrior who reached the Blood Refining stage.

Learning the breathing technique would save him fifty taels of silver, wouldn't it?

"As for this wild boar..."

Before Xia He could finish, Old Zhou immediately interrupted, "Little He, you hunted this boar by yourself. I didn't help at all, so it naturally belongs to you."

"Old Zhou, you are being too polite."

"Since we came together, how could I keep it all for myself?"

"Little He! Are you looking down on me? Do you think I'm old and useless, and that I need your charity?"

Old Zhou was actually angry, clearly feeling that Xia He looked down on him.

Xia He was caught between laughter and tears. "Old Zhou, that’s not what I meant."

If Old Zhou hadn't led the way, he would never have known about the boar. Furthermore, the boar weighed at least two or three hundred kilograms; sharing some was no big deal.

"Old Zhou, if you hear of similar news in the military camp in the future, just let me know in time."

Old Zhou knew well that Xia He was doing him a favor. Seeing how suave the young man was in his dealings, and then thinking of his own useless son, his heart felt incredibly complicated.

"Sigh..."

Xia He and Old Zhou walked side by side toward the mountain-like carcass of the boar. Seeing this, Wang Erpang quickly caught up to assist.

Old Zhou took out a small knife and hacked at the boar without hesitation. With every stroke, the boar's body was sliced open, blood splashing everywhere. He did not stop, skillfully carving it into several pieces and finding sturdy wooden poles to carefully secure the meat.

"It’s so heavy! This will be enough to eat for half a month."

Xia He thought to himself, how many attribute points could this much meat provide? Combined with the breathing technique Old Zhou would teach him, he might be able to push his Fist Stance proficiency to Mastery within a few days and break through the Skin Refining realm!

Before leaving, Xia He’s gaze swept over the scattered bones near the boar's den. Most belonged to hunters who had risked their lives to hunt here, but among them were the remains of soldiers from the camp who had previously attempted to kill this beast.

However, the most striking was a half-eaten corpse. Surprisingly, the skin of this corpse was covered in strange and bizarre tattoos, and the style of the tattered clothing it wore was extremely unusual.

Old Zhou, who was standing to the side, stared for a moment before his expression changed drastically, and he exclaimed, "This... this is a scout sent by the barbarians!"

"A scout?"

Xia He could not help but take a few more looks. As far as he knew, these barbarians were bloodthirsty, heartless executioners who had slaughtered countless border residents of the Great Qin.

"A scout... the barbarians must be planning something."

"Let’s hurry back to the camp and report this to the Centurion!"

Realizing the urgency of the situation, Xia He and the others did not dare to delay. They hurriedly packed their gear, hoisted the heavy boar meat, and rushed toward the military camp.

***

When they returned to the camp, they happened to run into several soldiers armed with heavy bows who were preparing to head out.

"Huh? Old Zhou... you managed to hunt this wild boar?"

The men stopped in their tracks, looking on in disbelief. This boar was no ordinary beast; it was fierce, dangerous, and cunning. Even Centurion Fan found it a headache to figure out how to capture it.

Yet, unexpectedly, it was an elderly soldier leading a few green recruits who had accomplished this seemingly impossible task!

This rare event was like a giant magnet, instantly attracting the attention of many. Countless soldiers swarmed over, surrounding the three of them. Xia He stood behind Old Zhou, feeling uncomfortable under the curious and burning gazes of the crowd, his scalp tingling.

At that moment, Old Zhou pushed through the crowd with force and said loudly, "Everyone, don't be hasty! We have urgent matters to report to the Centurion!"

With that, he led the two of them out of the circle and walked toward the tent where the Centurion resided. Along the way, people cast looks of surprise and admiration.

"Good heavens, that's the biggest boar I've ever seen. It’s practically turned into a monster!"

"How on earth did you hunt it? My brother and I went into the mountains a few days ago and couldn't even find a single hair of it, just the smell of its urine!"

"That’s nothing! Old Li went into the mountains before and hasn't returned yet. I’m afraid he’s already dead in the beast's mouth."

Inside the main military tent, Centurion Fan was focused on a large sand table, deducing military maneuvers with several centurions. Hearing that someone had come to report, he raised his head, a look of confusion on his face.

Upon hearing the report, his eyes lit up, and he hurried out of the tent with the others.

Seeing Old Zhou and the others, Centurion Fan asked, "You killed that wicked boar? That is truly remarkable! Tell me the details."

Old Zhou quickly bowed and began to recount the tale in an unhurried manner. When he reached the crucial part, he paused deliberately and pointed to Xia He beside him, saying, "The success of this hunt is entirely due to this little brother's wit and courage. Without him, it would have been difficult to succeed."

When the crowd learned that such an astonishing feat had been achieved by a recruit, they were left wide-eyed, unable to believe it. For a time, praises and exclamations rang out throughout the camp.

"Strong, too strong!"

"A recruit from the cookhouse? No way!"

"The lad has natural strength!"

Centurion Fan looked at Xia He with a smile, appearing very satisfied. "Good! According to my previous order, whoever hunts the wild boar is rewarded with one low-level martial arts manual!"

He took out a booklet and handed it over. Xia He took it and looked closely.

"Low-level martial arts: 'Bull Strength'?"

It seemed to be a martial art that enhanced physical power! It was perfect for him!

"Thank you, Centurion!"

"Good, good, good!"

Wang Erpang watched with envy! A recruit from the cookhouse had received a personal commendation from the Centurion in front of so many people; he was surely on his way to success!

Old Zhou suddenly spoke up, "Centurion, I have something else to report! It concerns the barbarian invasion!"

The smile on Centurion Fan’s face vanished, turning solemn. "Come inside."

Xia He did not follow. As a mere recruit, he could not speak on matters concerning war. Turning around, he found himself surrounded by the crowd of soldiers once more.

"Lad, I have an opening for a military slave. How about I ask to move you to my unit?"

"Nonsense! I think this kid suits me well; he should join my command!"

"Get lost! The kid has innate strength. I saw the centurions looking interested earlier; they might want to poach him, so how would it ever be your turn?"

The group was noisy and chaotic, everyone talking at once. Xia He dealt with them one by one, and it was only with great difficulty that he managed to break through the crowd while carrying the meat.

***

In the cookhouse, Liu Wei sat in the shade resting. He hadn't seen Xia He all day. Was he too afraid to show his face after his "advice"?

And he thought he could compete with him?

He calculated his own progress; he had already completed thirty sessions of the Fist Stance. In a few more days, he would break through to the Skin Refining realm, pass the assessment, and become the number one among the recruits!

Such progress was unprecedented.

At the thought of passing the assessment, gaining the Centurion's appreciation, and having the chance to join the Four Guards Warrior Battalion—and perhaps even being noticed by the General—he began to tremble with excitement.