Chapter 1167

The 200 spearmen were likewise fully equipped with iron armor, holding Chengying Fengming blades in both hands and 2 iron shields each.

Among them, 80 female spearmen wore Mysterious Maiden battle armor, with strong durability and damage reduction; they would charge head-on alongside Tang Ruan.

"Gu Qing, the battle may start very soon. Send everyone to Peach Blossom Village and keep them on standby at all times."

Gu Qing nodded: "Understood. Please be careful, my lord."

"Good."

In an instant, all 500 female soldiers vanished.

Zhao Chi was also teleported out along with the coordinates.

This was the wilderness.

Wasteland stretched before and behind, surrounded by thick weeds, with a sparse grove of trees to the left.

In the middle ran a dirt road 4 meters wide.

Zhao Chi had never been here before and didn't recognize it.

But based on the mission message just received, this should be the road connecting Green Fish Village and Bronze Rock Town.

There were many people nearby — all lords of the Jade Squad.

Tieshan's booming voice let Zhao Chi spot him right away.

"Over here! Over here! Tieshan Squad, gather here!"

So his squad was called the Tieshan Squad.

It suited him quite well.

Zhao Chi was basically acquainted with most of the Tieshan Squad members — at the very least he'd seen each of them once or twice; they were all the lords who had set out with the caravan earlier.

And the soft, effeminate voice behind him was also very familiar to Zhao Chi — without turning around, he knew it was Mo Ming.

"Everyone look here, Mingchao Squad gathers here."

He looked back, and sure enough it was Mo Ming.

Mo Ming also noticed Zhao Chi and gave him a friendly wink.

Zhao Chi raised his hand in return, a casual greeting.

The other squads and groups were likewise calling in their own members.

At that moment, someone patted Zhao Chi on the shoulder.

"Zhao Chi!"

A familiar female voice.

He turned to see Lu Yi's smiling face, with three other smiling faces beside her, and one cold face.

The one who patted him was Lu Yi.

Beside her were Yang Xiong, Li Xun, Wang Lie, and the perpetually sour-faced Cao Feng.

Yang Xiong asked: "What have you been busy with lately? We couldn't reach you at all a few days ago, and these past two days you haven't come out either."

Wang Lie added: "Yeah, we guessed you'd gone off for some special training? Like a closed-door retreat? That's why we couldn't reach you."

A few days ago Zhao Chi wasn't in Snowfield City.

Of course they couldn't reach him.

These past two days Zhao Chi had been busy crafting Mysterious Maiden armor, and hadn't had time to get together with them.

Zhao Chi smiled: "No, I've just been busy preparing military supplies these past few days — really couldn't spare the time."

Yang Xiong said: "Aren't you practicing blade technique and shield technique? Now you're into forging too?"

His understanding of Zhao Chi was still stuck at the previous stage.

Once friends part ways, their knowledge of each other comes to a halt.

Sometimes that's rather regrettable.

Zhao Chi smiled: "Nothing's changed. Of course a lord has to do everything — aren't you all the same?"

Yang Xiong shook his head: "I've been practicing blade technique the whole time. Everything else I leave to the professional craftsmen — they do it better. I won't waste the time and materials."

Lu Yi also nodded: "Yeah, time is limited after all. It's best to specialize in one thing. My archery is already past 25 points now."

Cao Feng said: "My swordsmanship is at 28 points. Zhao Chi, what's yours?"

Zhao Chi smiled: "No change — blade technique 11 points, shield technique 10 points."

Cao Feng chuckled: "No matter how strong your troops are, it's not as good as your own ability being high. Relying on soldiers is ultimately unreliable."

Yang Xiong muttered: "Cao Feng, stop talking nonsense — would you die if you didn't show off?"

Lu Yi asked: "Zhao Chi, which group did you join?"

"Qingzhu Group."

"Qingzhu Group?" Lu Yi looked completely puzzled.

Su Qin's Qingzhu Group had only just been formally established, so it was normal they weren't familiar with it.

Yang Xiong said in surprise: "With your potential that high, Instructor Li… Captain Li didn't take you into his Zhili Group for training?"

"No." Zhao Chi shook his head. "What's different about Zhili Group?"

Yang Xiong said: "Zhili Group is full of people with high potential. Several outstanding young village-level lords have all been recruited by Captain Li as members of Zhili Group."

Zhao Chi said: "Maybe I still need more experience. It's fine."

Cao Feng said: "I'd guess you've only just joined the Poshi Army not long ago, so you still need to be vetted."

Yang Xiong said: "Vetted? Vet my ass! Zhao Chi was a student Captain Li personally trained for years — is there any better vetting than that?"

Cao Feng snorted: "You don't understand. The higher-ups have more to consider — naturally there's a reason."

Yang Xiong said: "There you go showing off again. Hey, look — Su Qin is coming over."

The group indeed fell silent.

All of them turned to look.

Zhao Chi was a little surprised: "You guys know Su Qin too?"

Lu Yi nodded: "She's our senior. Don't you know her?"

Yang Xiong nudged Zhao Chi: "When did you start putting on airs? Weren't you there when we voted for the campus beauty?"

Cao Feng snorted: "He just wants to show how high and mighty he is."

While they were talking, Su Qin had already walked over.

"Zhao Chi, hurry up, there's only two minutes left. Our spot is over there."

Zhao Chi nodded, then quickly introduced them: "These are all students from our old class — Lu Yi, Yang Xiong, Li Xun, Wang Lie, Cao the Second."

"Who the hell is 'Cao the Second'? Senior, my name is Cao Feng."

Cao Feng was noticeably much more polite toward Su Qin.

Probably partly because of her looks, and partly because of her strength.

Su Qin's strength was enough to completely crush all of theirs.

Su Qin nodded: "Hello, everyone."

Her voice was sweet and polite.

Lu Yi asked: "Zhao Chi, the Clear Bamboo Squad you mentioned — is that Senior Su Qin's squad?"

Yang Xiong said in surprise: "Really? Zhao Chi, your luck is amazing. You must be thrilled, right?"

Cao Feng said, displeased: "Zhao Chi, you got into the town-level reserve squad with only 499 combat power? How did you get in?"

Zhao Chi said: "When your strength reaches 499, maybe you can get in too. I'm heading over first — we'll get together later."

Yang Xiong agreed readily: "Alright, don't forget, and don't say you're busy again when the time comes."

Lu Yi gave a small wave.

With Su Qin there, Lu Yi's movements became more feminine as well.

Cao Feng didn't say anything, but his gaze kept shifting back and forth between Zhao Chi and Su Qin.

Zhao Chi said to Su Qin: "Let's go, Su Qin."

Su Qin gave him a gentle nod: "Mm, alright."

After speaking, she obediently followed behind Zhao Chi at an angle.

Cao Feng and the others watched, frowning.

Yang Xiong said, puzzled: "Why do I get the feeling Zhao Chi is the squad leader, and the senior is the follower?"

Cao Feng said: "My guess is Senior Su Qin must have some kind of leverage on Zhao Chi, and he's been threatening her with it."

Lu Yi said: "Don't talk nonsense. I think there's something off about the way those two look at each other — their relationship probably isn't ordinary."

"Impossible?" Cao Feng refused to believe it.