Chapter 607

Some things have left Chen Wuji actually feeling quite confused now.

No matter how you look at it, this assignment doesn't seem like a plum post, right? So why is everyone scrambling for it?!

Could it be that someone in the group stuck their neck out, stirring up the others' competitive spirit?

So what's the deal with Tang Yu?

He isn't even part of the group!

How come he's showing even more enthusiasm?!

This left Chen Wuji completely at a loss.

All he could do was watch them there, each using their own tactics, arguing fiercely, gradually heating up.

This scene could be considered quite rare.

Chen Wuji leaned slightly sideways in his chair, calmly watching.

Whether to say it or not, being able to bring out such an aura from the generals, he actually felt a little proud.

What is this called?

If the soldiers are stalwart, the generals will be a whole nest of stalwarts.

With his commanders having such vigor, the troops at least won't lose out in momentum to the formation.

This intangible, invisible thing could already be considered the embryo of an army's spirit.

Just as Chen Wuji was feeling pleased, Chen Baojia, who had been unable to get a word in, suddenly spoke up forcefully with a proposal—let's duel!

Since everyone's reasons are pretty much the same, arguing back and forth is pointless.

Let's settle it with a direct showdown of skill.

Whoever wins gets to take on this little assignment!

Tang Yu immediately voiced his agreement, others chimed in, and then all turned their gazes to Chen Wuji.

Chen Wuji waved his hand and smiled: "Don't look at me; I think this suggestion is fine. As long as you're confident in your own skills, let's do it."

"My lord, no objections!"

"I have no objections either; I've decided to take on this assignment today!"

"Gentlemen, indulge me a little; give me a chance!"

……

Huddled in the corner, Dingbian Magistrate Xie Jichuan and his two companions, who had been trying to minimize their presence, stared agape at this scene, their faces full of disbelief, incomprehension, and astonishment.

They had been mingling in Officialdom for a while.

But this matter still dealt a huge blow to their worldviews and perceptions.

Who would have thought that within an army, they'd argue over such a high‑risk assignment to this extent?

Xie Jichuan jabbed Feng Linchuan's arm, "Xiao Chuan, why don't you give it a try?"

"Sir, don't joke with me—what am I supposed to try? This is the Chen Family army, currently the strongest fighting force on the ground of Nan Jun. Look at these generals—who looks like an easy mark? If I go up, I'll likely be asking for a beating, not a command!" Feng Linchuan quickly shook his head and said in a low voice.

Xie Jichuan advised, "I know your abilities well; it's worth a try."

"Xiao Shu is going to Dingzhou; if you can also take on this assignment and handle it well, our three futures are basically secured."

Feng Linchuan gave a sidelong glance, "Then you'd just sit back and reap the rewards?"

"Or rather, Xiao Chuan understands me—that's exactly what I mean. You and I, we truly are the Dingbian Two Rivers!" Xie Jichuan laughed openly, face unflushed, breath steady: "Back then, I held up an umbrella for you all in Dingbian; now it's your turn to hold one for me. You two, think it over—isn't that the principle?"

Feng Linchuan pursed his lips, "That doesn't sound very pleasant, but it's actually practical."

Wei Shu merely nodded, "In my heart, you've always been the elder brother."

"Listen to how Xiao Shu speaks—how pleasant! Your words just grate." Xie Jichuan dismissed Feng Linchuan's two remarks, then urged again, "How about giving him a try?"

Feng Linchuan glanced outward, "I'm afraid of losing face… I'm even more afraid of making you two lose face!"

"Go to hell, hurry up!" Xie Jichuan stepped on Feng Linchuan's shoe, then rose and cupped his fists, shouting, "Reporting to the Commander, Dingbian County Assistant Feng Linchuan also volunteers!"

Chen Wuji had actually noticed that sneaky trio a while ago.

From his position, it was just like a teacher standing at the podium years ago—one glance and everything was clear.

"Why not? So the County Assistant is actually a martial officer?" Chen Wuji asked with a smile.

Feng Linchuan was forced to hastily rise and bow, humbly smiling: "Reporting to the Commander, my family has passed down some martial arts, and I've studied a bit of the Way of the Minor Battle Formation."

"We three just figured that infiltrating Yushan Prefecture to gather intel doesn't actually require the seasoned generals to do it themselves—using a butcher's knife to kill a chicken would be overkill, and it's quite suitable for the county's low‑level clerks."

"Though we are low‑level clerks, we are also willing to share the Commander's worries!"

Chen Wuji gave a slight smile, "Those who speak so humbly are usually hiding their true abilities."

But I already agreed to let them settle it by duel, so I can't just go back on my word; County Assistant Feng, you might as well give it a try yourself, or persuade them.

Feng Linchuan gave a slight glance at the heated Chen Baojia and others outside, puffed out his chest, and said, "I, the Subordinate, am willing to give it a try."

"Good!" Chen Wuji sprang up, "I'll personally beat the drum to cheer you on!"

This time coming to Dingbian County, he really struck gold.

I thought these three were already exemplary in their official conduct, but I didn't expect they'd also have a contrasting side.

The County Assistant turns out to be a hereditary martial officer.

Being both civil and military capable makes him an outstanding talent.

Chen Wuji doesn't need him to be extremely capable; as long as he has half of Chen Li's skill in battle formations, Chen Wuji dares to rely on him heavily in the future.

Chen Wuji left the courtyard, ordered a large drum brought, rolled up his sleeves, flung open his arms, and struck the drumstick.

The piece is a Breaking Formation Melody with extremely strong killing intent.

This melody is usually used in Martial Drill.

It has ample killing intent, yet lacks the battlefield urgency that spurs one forward; it's relatively more peaceful.

The two sides currently facing off are precisely Chen Baojia, who had been unable to get a word in and was goaded into proposing a duel, and Chen Ruoshui, the chief commander of the Zuirong Army.

The first person drawn by lot, Lu Ji, had already been defeated and left the stage, and he was there sulking.

Chen Ruoshui is petite, and the weapons she wields are only two short knives a bit longer than daggers, but her strikes are both cunning and vicious; furthermore, she pays no heed to her female identity, actually forcing Chen Baojia, whose strength is clearly a notch above hers, to repeatedly expose flaws.

Chen Baojia remained fairly calm, but Lu Ji, who was watching from the side, was nearly beside himself with anxiety, shouting at the top of his voice: "Chen Baojia, get up there and fight her! Whether she's a woman or not, hit her! Use the same vigor you had when you fought me, hit her! If you lose to her, Laborers will look down on you from now on, I'll keep bringing this up every day!"

"From now on, Laborers will take this as after-dinner chatter, and Laborers will slander you to death!"

Chen Baojia forced Chen Ruoshui back with a backhand knife strike, then shot forward like an arrow, and with a single blow—sinking the shoulder and dropping the elbow—he knocked Chen Ruoshui out of the fighting circle.

"You're a bit stronger than that Lu guy!" Chen Baojia said, reaching out a hand toward Chen Ruoshui.

Lu Ji's defenses shattered instantly, and he exclaimed, "What do you mean? Hey hey hey, what do you mean? I can't beat her?!"