Chapter 53: A Scheme Born in the Heart

On the Martial Arts Platform.

Gu Han's gaze fell on the referee,

"Referee, I'm challenging a Combat Soldier; that shouldn't violate the rules, right?"

The referee had just received word from the General's Seat and quickly nodded.

Jin Li clenched his fists, a flash of cold light crossing his eyes,

"Don't worry, I'll definitely let you feel the strength of a Combat Soldier!"

Several camps were suppressed by Gu Chen to the point they couldn't lift their heads.

Just having someone like Jin Li made his heart feel like a huge stone weighed on it, almost making it hard to breathe.

At this moment, Gu Han stepping onto the platform gave Jin Li a chance to vent his anger!

Gu Han grinned,

"I hope your strength is as hard as your mouth."

The referee beside them, seeing both were ready, blew the whistle.

At the instant the whistle blew, Jin Li's body shot forward, charging at Gu Han.

He swung his combat blade in an arc, intending to give the clueless Gu Han a lesson he would never forget.

Yet Gu Han showed no reaction at all, looking as if he were dumbfounded.

"Sigh, why would a Logistics Soldier even think of challenging a Combat Soldier?"

"I originally thought I'd see a buried talent rise, but it seems I was overthinking."

Around the Martial Arts Platform, a chorus of sighs rose; no one thought well of Gu Han.

Meanwhile, on the General's Seat, Li Kai and Du Heng's eyes flashed with a hint of coldness.

Gu Han's defeat was exactly what they hoped to see.

This could also be used to apply public pressure on the Second Camp!

But Zhou Kuan noticed Guan Shan still wore a calm expression, as if he had everything under control.

As Jin Li closed in on Gu Han, Gu Han finally made a move.

Clang!!!

In that flash of lightning and stone, Gu Han's and Jin Li's attacks had already collided.

A piercing clang of metal rang out, and Jin Li's vicious face showed a deep look of astonishment.

"How... how is this possible?"

The combat blade in his hand was actually cut in half by the opponent's sword.

That half of the blade flew out and stabbed diagonally into the ground.

Jin Li, gripping the broken blade in his right hand, quickly showed a terrified expression.

Next, Gu Chen sheathed his Cold Wind Sword and kicked Jin Li in the chest with a thrusting leg.

Bang!

The heavy kick sent Jin Li flying, bang—he hit the Martial Arts Platform's railing and fell to the ground.

"Pfft!"

Jin Li spat out a mouthful of blood, his complexion quickly wilting.

This sudden scene exceeded the expectations of almost everyone.

On the field, a wave of exclamations instantly rose and fell.

"Good heavens, how is this possible? I barely blinked and the Combat Soldier lost?"

"Is this for real? With weapons of the same grade, if one side can cut the other's weapon, their strength must far exceed the opponent's."

A Logistics Soldier challenging a Combat Soldier is already unimaginable.

No one expected that this Logistics Soldier would actually win the challenge!

However, sharp-eyed people soon noticed some issues,

"I just carefully observed—the Logistics Soldier's weapon seems to be a Yellow Grade Low-tier."

"What? How could a Logistics Soldier possibly have a Yellow Grade Low-tier weapon? Isn't that cheating?"

"Fixed match! This is cheating!"

Under the instigation of those with ulterior motives, more and more people began to doubt Gu Han's conduct.

In the Ten Camps Competition, everyone uses standard-issue weapons.

Being able to wield a Yellow Grade Low-tier weapon under these circumstances already gives an innate advantage over others!

Seeing the surrounding discussion grow more heated, Gu Han immediately let out a cold snort,

"A bunch of clueless fellows."

As soon as he said that, the surrounding crowd grew even more furious, loudly condemning Gu Han.

"How dare you speak like that, kid?"

"You haven't even grown your hair yet, and you're already trying to teach people a lesson?"

"Don't think that beating a Combat Soldier makes you incredibly awesome—remember, there are always people stronger and skies beyond the sky!"

"The matter of the fixed match hasn't been cleared up—what's there to be proud of winning with a Yellow Grade weapon against a Combat Soldier?"

"How could a Logistics Soldier possibly have a precious weapon? It must have been lent by someone else—this is a fixed match!"

Gu Han coldly stared at those who mocked him for his origins, committing their faces to memory, then quickly took out a token from his bosom,

"My Yellow Grade Low-tier weapon was earned entirely through my own merits."

"You dissatisfied lot can go earn merits yourselves; if you lack the ability, then shut up!"

The commoners standing nearer to the Martial Arts Platform, upon seeing the words on Gu Han's token, were instantly shocked.

Logistics Camp: Squad Leader Gu Han!

"What? How is that possible?"

"You… you aren't a new recruit, are you? Unless you've achieved great merit, how could you possibly become a Squad Leader?"

The people of the other camps are completely out of touch with outside affairs; they simply don't know what happened at the Second Camp.

At this moment, seeing Gu Han actually be the Squad Leader of the Logistics Camp, they all stared dumbfounded.

"I, the general, reported this matter before; you all simply didn't know."

Amidst the clamor, Guan Shan suddenly stood up and spoke loudly to those around,

"Gu Chen and Gu Han brothers, for their merit in capturing enemy spies, are hereby appointed as Squad Leader of the Combat Soldiers and Squad Leader of the Logistics Soldiers."

"This decision, after unanimous review by the generals, was finally approved by General Guan."

The General Guan that Guan Shan referred to is none other than the commander of Mu Shan City, namely his elder brother Guan Zhen.

If it were merely an ordinary soldier being promoted to Squad Leader, as long as the merit is recorded, Guan Shan himself could decide.

But conscripts, after all, are not part of the military establishment; their rewards aren't something Guan Shan can just decide arbitrarily.

Upon hearing Guan Shan say that, Li Kai and the others naturally also recalled this matter.

It's merely a minor Squad Leader, and in their eyes he only helped catch the spy through sheer dumb luck—utterly not worth their attention.

They didn't even remember the names of the Gu brothers beforehand.

At this moment, the strength they displayed only shows they probably aren't just lucky.

Li Kai felt somewhat resentful, and said in a sarcastic tone,

"Old Guan, you really… Gu Chen is already a Squad Leader; why are you still quibbling with these raw recruits?"

"In my opinion, Gu Chen doesn't need to compete with them for the rewards of the Ten Camps Competition."

Guan Shan gave him a sideways glance,

"I understand what you mean, but the Ten Camps Competition is a platform that gives opportunities to new recruits; you dare say the Gu brothers aren't new recruits?"

"Or perhaps, are you willing to give Gu Chen an extra Illusion Water Pearl and a Quenching Blood Pill as a reward?"

Li Kai's face turned grim as he looked toward Du Heng beside him.

Even the Illusion Water Pearl, for him, is considered quite valuable.

But if Du Heng is willing to share part of the cost, then it's not impossible to bear this expense.

Du Heng knew he couldn't stay out of this at this point; after hesitating a moment, he nodded.

Only then did Li Kai say to Guan Shan,

"Fine, you can now announce that Gu Chen will forgo the Ten Camps Competition."

"And what about Gu Han?"