In the secluded and spacious training hall, sounds of bone-to-bone collision suddenly resounded before quickly dying down as the serenity returned to the hall.
Qin Fen’s shoulders rose up and down constantly as sweat trickled down his cheeks and fell on the dusty ground. His heart was still in a state of shock from having watched that silent and sudden ambush of Gale Riley.
Today’s morning training class included the murdering skills of Butcher drill instructor. Just as he cast the first move of Martial Emperor Dragon Fist, Eighteen Dragons Gathering the Winds and Clouds, to strive for a chance to win the battle, Drill Instructor Gale Riley appeared like a ghost and launched a sneak attack.
“Kid, you are already dead.” Just as Butcher’s voice fell, sounds of cloth tearing suddenly came from Qin Fen’s uniform from behind as a few pieces of rags slowly fell from his back.
Qin Fen bowed back to Butcher and did not protest against the Drill Instructor Gale Riley’s sneak attack.
“Everyone depends on the result, no one cares about the process, results are the most important!” This was what drill instructor Butcher had once said. Qin Fen had never forgotten this.
After his trip to the Golden Triangle, Qin Fen was even more convinced that this sentence was extremely correct. On a battlefield, only those who were alive would have a future. As long as one was alive at the end, it wasn’t wrong to use any kind of means on the battlefield, because your opponent would already be dead. He couldn’t rise up to protest any injustice.
Butcher pointed at Qin Fen’s right hand. “That punch of yours is great, but…”
“Yes, there are still many shortcomings.” Qin Fen looked at his raised right arm ruefully. “Eighteen Dragon Gathering the Winds and Clouds, once on offense, makes me unable to strengthen the defense too much.”
Butcher started up the video that was just recorded and replayed the recent fierce battle. “One-on-one, when you are fighting someone who is at the same level as you, your punch is indeed very shocking. But if your opponent’s movement technique is extremely good, he might be able to find ways to avoid that move of yours that appear to block all routes of retreat.”
As Qin Fen stared at the projected video with rapt attention, his self-created Martial Emperor Dragon Fist kept on playing in his mind over and over again. The only time he had used it had taken out his opponent in a clear-cut manner. At that time, he hadn’t felt too much from it, let alone been able to watch his own boxing.
Now, sitting on the sideline and analyzing it from the perspective of a bystander, this seemingly magnificent attack didn’t look so much perfect even in a one-on-one situation.
Last time, James could easily be defeated with one blow because he already didn’t have that much courage. But if he encountered more talented opponents…
Qin Fen heartily finished watching the first playback. It wasn’t easy to create one’s own boxing technique. In short, if he wanted to create a unique set of fist techniques that only belonged to him, he had to see all kinds of fist techniques from top-level grandmasters and also polish and modify his techniques many times.
Compared to the grandmasters who had seen and experienced all kinds of fist techniques, Qin Fen knew that what his kicks and punches were lacking was experience, which he couldn’t obtain even if he was training with various drill instructors in the recruit camp.
If he wanted to experience all kinds of fist techniques, he could either travel the world and pay a visit to various martial artists, or enter the Sky Battle Net and advance his way through step by step.
“Drill instructor, can I watch it again?”
“Alright.” Butcher replayed the video once more. “It’s barely acceptable in a one-on-one situation. But at present, this move can only be in a one-on-one…”
Qin Fen repeatedly nodded his agreement. He was already aware of the existence of the other party because of his superb martial senses when Gale Riley had launched the attack on him. But when the eighteen dragons had gathered wind and were just about to soar into the sky, there was no chance or possibility to dodge if he ever wanted. There were still many areas for improvement in the first move of the Martial Emperor Dragon Fist.
Gale Riley, who had been silently sitting next to Qin Fen, finally spoke, “At your age, you’re able to create your own fist technique and to this extent at that. One could almost say that you are one of the top figures among the younger generation.”
“Thank you very much, drill instructor.” A little embarrassed, Qin Fen scratched his head.
These drill instructors never used hard and soft tactics. Gale Riley’s praise and admiration was a complete truth from the bottom of his heart.
“That Heart Excising Hand, you have trained it pretty well.” Butcher pointed at the screen where Qin Fen was just casting the Heart Excising Hand and pressed the freeze-frame. “In the near future, you can surely surpass me in this single move.”
Qin Fen, spreading his five fingers and looking at the palm, recalled the scene when he excised the hearts in the Golden Triangle and said to himself, “It was used really well.”
“Here…” As Qin Fen raised his head and looked at the screen, he hastily reached out and chose to pause. “I was discovered by the two drill instructors here, right? When I was about to use the Eighteen Dragons Gathering the Winds and Clouds?”
“Yes.” Butcher nodded his affirmation. “Although the preparation time is short, your intentions can’t be completely hidden. At present, it can only be a big trick — it couldn’t be considered a finishing move as it’s somewhat obvious. If you are unable to hide it from your opponent, then you have to shorten the preparation time, shorten the time to the point that even if your opponent knows about it, it will be the same as if he didn’t know.”
Qin Fen repeatedly nodded. Usually, Drill Instructor Butcher rarely spoke so that he could comprehend it on his own. Today, it seemed that the performance had reached the point where he was very satisfied.
He might have lost but he had gained far more than victory itself. Qin Fen, pushing his hands against the ground, smiled heartily. I haven’t lost for a long time, but I have really made a huge harvest after losing under the collaboration of two drill instructors.
When the battle resumed for the third time, Qin Fen didn’t watch the video again but rather closed his eyes as he immersed himself in memories of the fight. This time, he was using his mind to return back to the first battle and find his shortcomings.
After a long time, Qin Fen’s forehead was drenched his sweat once more as he heaved a long, deep sigh and reviewed, “I was relaxed. When I found Drill Instructor Gale Riley entering the room, I should have treated him as a potential enemy at the first notice, instead of having a preconceived notion of believing that he was waiting to pick me up for the afternoon course.”
This time, the satisfaction in Butcher’s eyes increased by a few points.
“Heh…” Qin Fen heaved a long breath. “When I was in the Golden Triangle, I would not have made such kind of mistake. It seems, after returning here, my spirit is too relaxed.”
Gale Riley patted Qin Fen’s shoulder. Having been able to whip out a punch like Eight Dragons Gathering the Wind and Clouds, it was evident that even though he wasn’t as amazing and brilliant as Qin Zhan, who, upon being seen, would give others an impulse to commit suicide, he still had an amazing talent.
Compared to his talent, Gale Riley was even more optimistic about his persistence, diligence, and self-examination.
A long time ago, a great man who could not do martial arts once said, “What really counts in the world is conscientiousness.” Qin Fen’s conscientiousness made Gale Riley feel like his future was limitless.
“F***k!”
That rude and bold cursing of Squad Leader Hao’s passed directly through the closed door and entered the three people’s ears. In the next moment, the door’s lock flew away from the door panel with a crash to the three people’s surprise.
“It’s too much! Did she think that I’m already dead?”
The first to enter the room wasn’t Squad Leader Hao but with a similar angry face, the true perpetrator of the destruction of the door – Phoenix.
Although Gun King didn’t say anything, his face was also similarly laced with fury. No one doubted that if he were to see the person who annoyed him right now, he would immediately take out his latest “thundercloud” and smack the other party into a meat patty.
The golden glasses on Boor’s nose help add a bit of slaughter qi to his face at this moment.
“Old Hao, what’s wrong?”
Having been together with everyone for a long time, Butcher could naturally feel that the four people who walked into the room were all in a fury and even had the impulse to kill as soon as he looked up.
“What’s wrong?” Squad Leader Hao looked at Qin Fen and pointed at him. “Good, you are here too. This matter does not need to be carried by you.”
Phoenix sad with a frosty face, “You all know that there are only three places in the New Recruit Competition? That Old Lady called every connection of hers, wanting to take away Qin Fen’s spot in exchange for her grandson…”
Hearing this, Gale Riley’s face also turned ashen all of a sudden as his deep voice slowly sounded. “Does she know that Qin Fen is recommended by us? If she doesn’t know…”
“She knows!” Squad Leader Hao violently interrupted Gale Riley’s words. “She is clearly aware of it! Although the old woman could not find out everything about Qin Fen, it’s still very easy to ask people a little bit about Qin Fen’s past before joining the army. It’s because she found no one standing behind Qin Fen that she wanted to replace him with her grandson…”
“Exchange his mother’s p****y!” Butcher swore loudly. “Has that old woman gone mental? Not to mention that a piece-of-shit like her grandson would disgrace the military if he went! Even if he didn’t, she should not have picked the person who is recommended by us. F**k, who was it who risked his life and carried her man back in the past? Who among us did not suffer injuries in that battle for her family?”
Butcher took a deep breath as he pointed at Squad Leader Hao and said, “Approaching her connections!? Are you all dead? If she can look for them, can’t you do it too? F**k! This old man is angry! Take my nude photo and send it to that old woman, remind her how her father was f**king injured.”
Dumbfounded, Squad Leader Hao looked at Butcher. Why is this usually calm Butcher King so excited and hot-blooded today? He’s not like the usual him at all.
Gale Riley forced a wry smile. Having seen Qin Fen’s strength and various integrated abilities today, Butcher held Qin Fen in high regard. When he suddenly heard Qin Fen’s spot was being taken away by someone, him not holding a knife and going to threaten the person could already be considered a calm performance.
Having finished cursing, Butcher took out his cell phone, about to dial a number.
“Drill instructor.” Qin Fen stepped forward and raised his hand, holding Butcher’s arm. “Don’t call.”
“Why?” Butcher’s face grew uglier. “Are you afraid of involving us? Since they have done it, it is already equal to riding on our heads to provoke us. These days, people with even a slight bit of power think they are gods. A bunch of arrogant bastards! Compared to the power of really big families like that of Snake King, she is not even a fart…”
Squad Leader Hao also nodded with a cold smile. Cao Bo may have some status in East Asia Military, but it’s still far from enough to reach the height of Snake King’s Du Family. Even when Old Zhenbang, the old master of Cao Family was alive, their power still could not be compared with the level of Snake King’s family.
Strictly speaking, this was a family that barely touched the edge of the circle. Such an attitude was truly presumptuous and arrogant.
“It’s like this…” Qin Fen pressed down Butcher’s arm. “Drill Instructor, you are overdoing it. I don’t think it’s necessary to go through that much trouble at all. I have an even more simple method.”
Butcher suppressed his anger with a little curiosity. “What do you want to do?”
“It’s very simple actually, but I’m afraid I will need drill instructors to help me wipe my ass after that.”
“Stop rambling and quickly get to the point.” Butcher impatiently waved his arm, shaking Qin Fen’s arm away.
“I am thinking.” Qin Fen waved his arm, indicating the drill instructors to sit down. “In the final analysis, this matter is still my business. In the past, my brother told me that I should finish my own things myself. Isn’t this a contest for the spot? I can look for him and have a spar with him. If he wins, the spot belongs to him. If I win, the spot belongs to me.”
Butcher sneered disdainfully. “You are so stupid and naive. If he wanted to compete with you, why would they go asking their connections?”
Qin Fen shrugged his shoulders indifferently. “He better agree to compete with me. If he disagrees, I’ll make an excuse to fight him. At that time, I will start with a heavy hand, put him into the hospital directly. I will injure him so heavily that he won’t be able to get out of the bed before the end of the new recruit competition. No way in hell.”
Butcher’s eyes sparkled from the joy of appreciation. This matter was a much better way to relieve his anger than to ask his connections!
Squad Leader Hao, too, slowly applauded as the claps rang to no end.
Gale Riley, leaning his back against the wall, calmly said, “Actually, there is an even more simple way. At night, trick that man to come out and injure him heavily without even letting gods and ghosts know about it. It’s even better.”
“Drill Instructor.” Qin Fen constantly shook his head with a smile. “This time, if we injure him with a sneak attack, anyone who knows about the matter of spot can guess it was I who did it. Rather than doing it secretly, it’s better to do it in a bright and candid manner, and get rid of them in a way where they can’t get on the stage.”
“Qin Fen is right.” Phoenix heartily said. “Qin Fen’s kicks and punches are filled with his way and confidence. If we let him come in contact with too much sneaky stuff, it would instead affect his mood, and thereby, affect his kicks and punches. Then, obstacles will appear in his path of martial dao.”
“That’s it.” Squad Leader Hao stopped applauding. “I will call my connections first, let them know that there is no need to rush to change the spot first, ask them to drag it a bit. What do you think?”
“Good!” Butcher shouted, venting off his anger, “Drag the matter a bit first, let her suffer.”
“Butcher!”
A roar suddenly came from outside the door as the Cook’s familiar silhouette appeared at the entrance in the next moment.
“You are all here!?” Cook, carrying a chopper knife in one hand and an iron pot in the other, entered the room. Followed behind was Enzo Rota with a similar cold look on his face.
With Qin Fen’s spot being likely to be taken away, it would be strange if his face was bright and sunny.
“Is it about Qin Fen?” Squad Leader Hao broke into laughter. “It’s almost fixed. Don’t worry about it for now. Since it’s Qin Fen’s business, let him handle it himself.”
Enzo Rota’s cold eyes sparkled with a bright gleam. “Going out?”
“Yes.” Facing this friend who knew himself very well, Qin Fen nodded. “Are you interested in watching some fun?”
A rare smile appeared on the usual grim face of Enzo Rota. “Yes.”
“Squad Leader.” Qin Fen turned his head. “What is the name of the man who wants to take my quota? Where is he now?”
