https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-173-Returning-to-the-Mountain-Camp/13030962/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-175-The-Rewards-of-Killing-Pei-Yuanshao/13030964/
Chapter 174: Preparation for Promotion
Chapter 174: Preparation for Promotion
September 25, 2017
Special thanks to 'Hermit in Training' and 'ABC Theory' for their generous rewards and support!
………………
As Lu HaiKong returned to the mountain camp with the supplies, the three battalions that had retreated from Dark Wind Fort in small groups had mostly returned.
The battalion, which originally numbered over four hundred, was now reduced to around three hundred, having lost more than a hundred elite warriors with strength ratings above twenty. Zhao Gang, who had recently taken command of the third battalion, felt the pain of such heavy losses, but he was also relieved that they had managed to return safely.
Wang Ti and Wang Chao were also among those brought back, but they were severely injured. They had first taken a terrifying blow from Pei Yuanshao's saber, and then, along with the other members of the third battalion, they had dispersed and traveled over ten kilometers, further worsening their injuries. By the time they reached the camp, Wang Ti and Wang Chao were barely conscious.
Fortunately, over the past three months, the camp had gained a senior physician, and under his care, Wang Ti and Wang Chao's conditions had improved, although full recovery would still take some time.
After returning to the camp, Lu HaiKong handed the supplies to his subordinates and went to check on Wang Ti and Wang Chao. As they were still unconscious, Lu HaiKong didn't linger and left the clinic after emphasizing to the physician the importance of their care.
Ever since Lu HaiKong had decisively crushed the Strong Yin County troops, he knew that a government crackdown was imminent, or rather, he had known his identity was likely exposed since Wang Hao's attack on Dark Wind Fort. The county troops' interception further confirmed this.
In such a situation, Lu HaiKong had no hesitation in crushing them, for he thought, "I'll show them how tough I am. If they want to fight, bring it on!"
Lu HaiKong was no longer as apprehensive about the government's crackdown. On one hand, after three months of management, the civilians within Lu HaiKong's camp had united, and they would no longer be easily incited to riot as they were three months ago. As for Lu HaiKong's achievements, if the government were to launch a full-scale crackdown, he would have a chance to truly test his capabilities.
With internal issues resolved, Lu HaiKong now possessed military might far surpassing that of any county town, along with a wall that had taken three months and over ten thousand laborers to construct. Taking down Lu HaiKong's camp without a significant cost was impossible.
And when the cost far exceeds the potential gains, no one, especially the influential families of Bingzhou, would be willing to pay it.
Lu HaiKong was confident in showing his strength and dealing a few heavy blows to the government, or rather, the influential families of Strong Yin County, to break their ambitions. Only by baring his fangs could Lu HaiKong gain a voice.
Therefore, upon returning to the camp, Lu HaiKong's primary task was to turn his recent gains into his own strength.
After leaving the clinic, Lu HaiKong went straight to Wang Jun, "Get ready, let's upgrade our camp's level."
"What?" Wang Jun was a bit bewildered by Lu HaiKong's sudden request.
Recently, Lu HaiKong had increasingly realized that Wang Jun was indeed a versatile steward, capable of handling most internal affairs efficiently. However, he wasn't an all-rounder; his skills in military and diplomatic matters were lacking.
Especially after Wang Jun started managing the camp and dedicated himself entirely to its development, his abilities in areas other than internal affairs seemed to diminish, and he even lost interest in learning about them.
After a long while, Wang Jun finally realized, "Indeed, now that the Wang Family has made their move, it won't be long before our identities are exposed."
Lu HaiKong said, "It's not just a matter of time; they've already been exposed. When I went to support Black Wind Fort, I encountered the Strong Yin County Troops blocking the road."
"What about you?" Wang Jun asked in surprise.
"I just killed my way through!"
Wang Jun gave a bitter smile and shook his head, not necessarily disagreeing with Lu HaiKong's actions, but knowing that this meant the mountain camp would not have peace for a while.
"I'll handle the promotion of the camp right away; it should be done by this afternoon. But as for the celebration..."
"Just focus on raising the camp's level. As for the celebration, we'll wait until after the government's suppression has been repelled!" Lu HaiKong had already made his decision.
Surviving the government's suppression wouldn't be easy.
If it were in the past, Wang Jun would have certainly objected, but now he didn't. Watching Lu HaiKong, Wang Jun felt a sense of bewilderment.
Wang Jun had essentially witnessed Lu HaiKong's growth from a small mountain bandit to almost becoming the leader of a large mountain camp. He could say that he knew Lu HaiKong better than anyone.
When Lu HaiKong first arrived in this world, he appeared cheerful and carefree on the surface, but in reality, he was filled with fear and anxiety. At that time, Lu HaiKong was just an ordinary otaku who had crossed over to another world, with only his martial arts talent setting him apart from others. Wang Jun had witnessed this.
One night, after Wang Jun issued the special recruitment order for scholars, he personally witnessed Lu HaiKong's transformation.
From that day forward, Lu HaiKong began to change in Wang Jun's incredulous gaze. He became braver and more decisive. But the most significant change in Wang Jun's eyes was after Lu HaiKong used the Mountain Opening Axe.
Before that, Lu HaiKong was like a hollow iron block, appearing tough but easily shattered with a single strike. However, after using the Mountain Opening Axe, he seemed to become more tenacious, as if his entire being had been tempered and hardened.
With each use of the Mountain Opening Axe, Lu HaiKong faced overwhelming odds and a sense of powerlessness. In Wang Jun's eyes, he gradually grew into a resolute and unyielding man.
The Mountain Opening Axe was indeed a mysterious martial art. It not only granted Lu HaiKong a wild and domineering aura but also quietly transformed or, rather, fostered his current tenacity, dominance, and most importantly, confidence.
Of course, Wang Jun didn't know about the existence or the effects of the Mountain Opening Axe. He only knew that Lu HaiKong was changing, rapidly maturing and becoming more resilient. In just half a year, he had transformed from a once anxious small mountain bandit into someone who could confidently declare his challenge against the government, leaving Wang Jun unperturbed and ready to follow him without hesitation.
It was as if, as long as this man was by his side, he could withstand even the collapse of the heavens.
"Alright, I'll take care of it!" Wang Jun nodded and left to prepare for his tasks.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
