Chapter 37: Everyone Was Astonished

"What's this half-dead, half-alive nonsense, how unlucky!"

Gu Lin and the others hadn't gone far.

In the black night, a deep voice rang out.

Upon hearing that familiar voice, Gu Lin and the others' eyes lit up and their spirits lifted.

"Brother Gu Chen!"

In the black night, Gu Chen smiled as he slowly walked over from afar, handing each of them a chestnut.

"You fellows, don't you wish me well, each hoping I'd get into trouble, right?"

They all knew Gu Chen was just joking.

But seeing Gu Chen alive after the calamity, the four couldn't help but rush forward and hug him tightly.

Not far off, Yang Tian and his companions stared at Gu Chen, blank-faced.

"Gu Chen just came back so lively?"

The others also looked bewildered.

"Could it be that Lei Chao didn't follow up to seek revenge on Gu Chen?"

"Or maybe Lei Chao is directionally challenged and got lost in the mountains?"

"Your words are even more hurtful than saying Lei Chao isn't a match for Gu Chen..."

Unlike the doubts of Yang Tian and the new recruits, the veteran soldiers awaiting Lei Chao's triumphant return, upon seeing Gu Chen appear, each wore a look as if they'd seen a ghost.

"Where's Lei Chao? Did that guy go eat shit?"

"Lei Chao, this killing maniac, has been out and about plenty these years; his knowledge of the surroundings isn't inferior to that of the logistics soldiers—how could he have lost Gu Chen?"

"Lei Chao hasn't returned yet, but Gu Chen came back first..."

"Maybe Gu Chen offered Lei Chao terms he couldn't refuse, and they reached a settlement?"

"Although the Gu family only has some influence over that little plot of land in Wu Shan Cheng, they possess considerable martial resources, so Gu Chen giving up a share of benefits is understandable."

"Ah, money can make ghosts turn millstones."

Several people shook their heads, seeming to think this was the only possible truth.

Their discussion wasn't concealed in the slightest, and Gu Chen naturally heard it all.

However, he merely gave a faint smile, with no intention to explain.

He wished these people wouldn't know that Lei Chao had been defeated by him.

Guan Shan's appearance conveniently gave him a way to conceal his strength.

In the military camp, displaying sufficient strength naturally earns the generals' attention.

But Guan Shan already knows their strength, so they need not make it known to everyone.

The tree that stands out in the forest will be blown down by the wind.

According to Chief Instructor Guan Shan, there might be other enemy spies in the camp.

If those people set their sights on him, he'd likely never have peace again.

Rather than that, it's better to seize the opportunity; he can also secretly continue to accumulate strength!

After Gu Chen and Gu Lin and the others returned to their rooms, they took the resources Guan Shan had given them out of the pendant.

"Chen bro, what is this?"

In response to Gu Lin's question, Gu Chen merely smiled.

"Instructor Guan used us as bait to capture the enemy spies, including Lei Chao; these are his compensation for us."

He didn't say this was Guan Shan's compensation for him and Gu Han.

It's not that he doesn't trust his brothers; it's that the fewer people who know Gu Han's strength, the better!

Walls have ears.

The more people who know, even if unintentional, one day the secret might leak.

Since Gu Han wants to conceal his strength, as his older brother he naturally ought to help him.

"Haha, turns out that guy Lei Chao is actually a spy!"

Upon hearing Gu Chen's words, Gu Lin and the others had no doubt, laughing heartily and dispelling the gloom of the past few days.

"A spy acting so openly—who else should die if not him?"

"By doing this, the generals wouldn't suspect him; it's also a kind of disguise."

After a bit of discussion, they divided all the pills on the spot.

"And Gu Han's share—should we set it aside for him?"

After Gu Jing took her share, she suddenly said:

Gu Chen smiled.

"Just take it with peace of mind; I've already found Gu Han and given him his share."

Upon hearing that, Gu Jing had no more doubts.

After taking the pills, she couldn't wait to run to the training ground to continue cultivating.

The Gu family brothers each bore the demeanor of a training maniac.

……

The next morning.

After the morning run that day, the combat soldiers fell into formation, drenched in sweat under the scorching sun.

Today was the sixteenth day since they entered the military camp.

It was also the day of the first half-month training assessment.

But to their surprise, this time the combat soldiers' camp wasn't just them.

Even the firekeepers and logistics soldiers all turned up.

Although the warriors' training ground is vast, with thousands packed in it still feels somewhat overcrowded.

"What day is it today, that even the firekeepers have come?"

"The logistics soldiers can say they're here for the logistics assessment, coming together to hand out rewards, but what are the firekeepers comparing? Who cooks the tastiest food?"

"Don't say it, you really shouldn't say it—some firekeepers' food is truly awful; I think they ought to be assessed."

"Some firekeepers even tremble while chopping vegetables, scared they'll feed me too much!"

Amid the crowd's muttering, Gu Chen and a few others spotted Gu Han from afar and each greeted him.

Military regulations forbid them from stepping forward to welcome Gu Han.

Gu Han in the ranks also looks bewildered.

Early that morning, just as he was preparing to continue his leisurely roaming, Old Li burst in.

Saying there was a major announcement, he ordered all logistics soldiers to rush to the warriors' camp.

Gu Han was caught red‑handed and could only temporarily set aside his hunting plans, following the crowd to the warriors' camp.

Even now, warriors, logistics soldiers, and firekeepers alike are all clueless.

Soon, several strong figures arrived together from afar.

"Everyone, quiet down."

The leader, Guan Shan, merely opened his mouth slightly, and his clear voice reached the ears of the thousands present.

The crowd that had been whispering fell silent instantly.

Guan Shan cleared his throat and spoke in a deep voice,

"I suppose many have already noticed that some familiar faces are missing nearby."

Upon hearing this, everyone was startled.

If Guan Shan hadn't reminded them, they still wouldn't have noticed.

Upon hearing Guan Shan say that, indeed some people noticed that several warriors and logistics soldiers were missing nearby.

Even Gu Han noticed this change.

As a participant, Gu Han's heart jolted.

"Could it be that there are so many spies in the camp?"

Gu Han shook his head mockingly.

I don't know whether to say that Jian Chi State's rear‑area work is too effective, or that Ben Lang Guo's anti‑spy defenses are lacking.

Come to think of it, Ben Lang Guo probably also has spies infiltrating Jian Chi State.

Jian Chi State has painstakingly planted spies to sow discord among Ben Lang Guo's troops.

To claim they haven't tried to bribe the high‑ranking officers?

Gu Han refuses to believe it from the bottom of his heart!

If Ben Lang Guo hadn't retaliated with similar means against Jian Chi State,

Just this border gate, as porous as a sieve, Jian Chi State would likely have already launched an attack!