Chapter Thirty-Eight: The God of Guns

At that moment, the scene was rather awkward.

The special unit soldier had just raised his fist, ready to punch Du Huaishan in the face, but the sudden opening of the door startled him. Caught mid-motion, he froze in place. To the unknowing eye, it might have looked like he was posing for a photograph.

“What are you all doing…?”

“Nothing, Lieutenant Liu,” the soldier replied with an embarrassed laugh, hurriedly lowering his fist and scratching his head.

“Hurry up and unlock him!” Lieutenant Liu barked another order.

Zhang Zheng, frowning, quickly stepped out of the interrogation room and closed the door behind him. “Lieutenant Liu, what’s going on? We haven’t finished the interrogation—are we just supposed to let this kid go?”

“Du Huaishan is innocent to begin with. What’s there to interrogate?”

“Says who?”

“Who? Vice Commander Lai of the Third Regiment, Sixty-Eighth Brigade; Captain Chen of the Reconnaissance Unit, First Cavalry Brigade; and, above all, Master Luo Zongwen, Chief Martial Instructor of the Army Academy and acknowledged top martial artist in Qingzhou. Is that enough for you?” Liu snorted.

“What?” The first two names didn’t impress Zhang Zheng much. The special unit held a unique status, reporting directly to brigade command. In Yingzhou’s military, there were only three divisions stationed across Pingliao, Jiu, and Ruoshui provinces, and the brigade was the highest level ordinary soldiers ever encountered. So, they were never intimidated by regular regimental leaders.

But Luo Zongwen was different. He was the undisputed top master at the Qingzhou Martial Arts Hall, famed as the “God of the Spear.” Years ago, Marshal Zhang had personally visited him, inviting him to serve as instructor for the guard, cavalry, and infantry officer training camps—collectively known as the Chief Instructor of the Three Forces. His status was leagues above theirs.

How could a new recruit possibly have any connection to such a powerful elder?

“What are you waiting for? Hurry up and unlock him!” Liu snapped.

“Yes, yes!” Zhang Zheng rushed back into the interrogation room and quickly undid Du Huaishan’s handcuffs and shackles. “Sorry, Brother Huaishan. It was all a misunderstanding. Please forgive us.”

The special unit soldier beside him was utterly bewildered. What happened? Why did Sergeant Zhang’s attitude change so fast after a single trip outside?

Du Huaishan was equally confused, though he kept a calm expression. The most important thing now was to leave this wretched place as soon as possible.

Zhang Zheng helped straighten his military coat, grabbed the written statement, and headed upstairs together with Lieutenant Liu.

In the Special Unit Leader’s office, Lai Yanlong was sitting on the guest sofa, sipping hot tea.

A moment later, the door opened and three people entered.

He looked up, focusing on the bloodstained youth, scanning him from head to toe. Once reassured he was unharmed, he exhaled with relief and resumed drinking tea.

Lieutenant Liu stood straight. “Reporting, Lieutenant Sun. They’re here.”

Behind the desk sat a gaunt, wrinkled middle-aged man who looked older than Lai Yanlong. His face, leathery like orange peel and deeply lined, was dominated by a pair of mismatched blue-green eyes that glinted with a chilling sharpness. “The statement,” he demanded.

“Here, Lieutenant Sun.” Zhang Zheng hurried forward and handed over the written statement with the timidity of a mouse.

Lieutenant Sun waved him away.

Zhang Zheng saluted and left at once.

After reading the statement, Lieutenant Sun suddenly grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow-black teeth, which made his expression even more sinister. “Well, what a case of the flood washing into the Dragon King’s temple—family turning on family. Commander Lai, your man is remarkable. He’s done us a great service. He deserves a reward, but alas…”

“You’re too kind, Lieutenant Sun. I’m just glad this brat didn’t cause you any trouble.” Lai Yanlong put down his teacup and stood up. “If there’s no issue, I’ll take him back now. I still have official business at the Academy.”

“If it’s official business, then I won’t keep you for dinner,” Lieutenant Sun replied, rising as well. He shook hands with Lai Yanlong, then patted Du Huaishan’s shoulder, looking him over with approval. “Not bad. I’ll report your achievement to higher-ups. Give my regards to Master Luo.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant Sun!” Du Huaishan had no idea who this “Master Luo” was, but he straightened up and followed Lai Yanlong out of the office.

“We’ll talk in the car,” Lai Yanlong said curtly, his smile vanishing as soon as the wooden door shut. He hurried downstairs, leaving only those words behind.

It wasn’t until they had settled in the military truck and the engine roared to life that Lai Yanlong spoke from the backseat, “They didn’t torture you, did they?”

“No.” Du Huaishan gave a brief account of what had happened in the interrogation room.

“Heh… I knew you weren’t the type to let yourself be bullied.” Lai Yanlong chuckled, then grew serious. “I know you’re not only innocent, but you actually did a good deed. But the special unit is no place for decent people; forced confessions are common, and the soldiers there are a rough lot. Be careful in the future.”

“Thank you, Instructor Lai. I truly appreciate your help today,” Du Huaishan said sincerely.

“Don’t just thank me—be sure to thank Instructors Chang and Zhou as well. They went out of their way for you, even asking Master Luo Zongwen himself to intervene. Back in the day, Instructor Chang was one of Master Luo’s favorite students. Without his endorsement, Sun Yan wouldn’t have let you go so easily!” Lai Yanlong sighed, already aware that the Sixty-Eighth Third Regiment had missed its chance with this young man.

Only now did Du Huaishan realize who the “Master Luo” mentioned by Lieutenant Sun was. He couldn’t help but feel grateful to Chang Suian and Zhou Zhong’ai. Although their attention and care for him had always been motivated by hopes of recruiting him into the cavalry reconnaissance unit, this time even Instructor Lai’s influence hadn’t been enough. For Master Luo, a man of such high standing, to speak up for a new recruit he’d never met, Chang Suian and Zhou Zhong’ai must have worked hard behind the scenes.

When they returned to the Academy, Lai Yanlong offered a final warning in the car, “Don’t tell anyone about what happened today. Your achievement can’t be recognized publicly, but I’ll report to the Academy leadership and apply for ten silver dollars and three vials of Red Marrow Elixir for you.”

“I understand. Thank you, Chief Instructor Lai!” Du Huaishan wasn’t foolish—he knew today’s events must have involved the leakage of core information about demons and Red Marrow within the Yingzhou Army.

He recalled the dying words of the thick-browed soldier he had killed—“Eternal Light”—which was reminiscent of the “Society of Light,” reportedly active in northern Chiyu, as mentioned by Tan Hai. He wondered if there was any connection between the two.

It was just as well that the authorities kept everything under wraps. No one would know what had happened in that alley. When Zhang Zheng dragged him out, his face was covered in blood, and he was quickly shoved into a car—unless someone knew him very well, they wouldn’t have recognized him.

As for the merit Lai Yanlong spoke of, that was just empty words. The two actual rewards, however, were far more tangible. His progress in assimilating the power of demons had been too rapid, and the Red Marrow Elixir was never enough for his training. In this case, disaster had brought him unexpected fortune.

After bidding farewell to Lai Yanlong, Du Huaishan decided to head to the instructors’ office to properly thank Chang Suian and Zhou Zhong’ai.

Unexpectedly, as he was heading upstairs, he ran right into the two of them hurrying down.

“Du Huaishan? You’re back?” Chang Suian let out a breath of relief at the sight of him, safe and sound. He himself had been questioned by members of the special unit about the incident at the demon training ground. When he returned, Zhou Zhong’ai told him that Du Huaishan had been arrested in the street, so he was on his way to confront the special unit.

“Thank you, Instructor Chang, Instructor Zhou, for all your care. Huaishan has returned safely to the Academy!” This time, Du Huaishan not only stood straight but also saluted, expressing his deepest gratitude.

“That’s all that matters,” Chang Suian nodded, gesturing for him to come downstairs with them. “As it happens, come with me and Instructor Zhou. We’ll introduce you to a highly respected elder.”