Chapter 369: Chapter 317: You Have to Call Me Boss
After leaving the Xiao Mansion, Xiao Mo went to the Ministry of War to report for duty.
The Ministry of War inquired about Xiao Mo’s background and his cultivation Realm.
When the official in charge of registration learned that Xiao Mo had already reached the Early-stage Cave Mansion Realm, he couldn’t help but look up, his eyes filled with surprise.
In the end, the Ministry of War gave Xiao Mo a token and instructed him to proceed to the Iron Tiger Army barracks at the Imperial Capital’s North Gate.
Before long, Xiao Mo arrived at his destination.
Xiao Mo looked up and saw two thirty-foot-long stone slabs and a wooden plank hanging high above them.
Carved on the stones were two lines—
"If you seek riches and rank, go elsewhere."
"If you fear death and cling to life, do not enter."
On the plank were three large, powerful words written in the hand of the Sovereign of Qin—Iron Tiger Army.
Xiao Mo averted his gaze and strode inside.
To Xiao Mo, it looked less like a military camp and more like a giant, fortified village.
The grounds were filled with rows of wooden huts.
One man, bare to the waist, sprinted across the training grounds while shouldering a thousand-jin log of Mountain Iron Wood.
Another had his limbs weighted down with Profound Iron as he punched a wooden dummy.
Yet another was locked in a massive iron cage, fighting a Fierce Beast head-on.
The entire Iron Tiger Army camp was saturated with the frenzied Blood Qi of Martial Dao Cultivators.
The Blood Qi was so intense that any stray ghosts or wandering spirits would be instantly obliterated by it, even if they only stood outside the gates.
Xiao Mo entered a wooden hut named "Tiger Cub" and handed over the token from the Ministry of War.
The Iron Tiger Army Deacon there released a carrier pigeon, then told Xiao Mo to just wait patiently.
Soon after, a powerfully built man with solid muscles walked into the hut and announced in a booming voice:
"So you’re the new kid, Xiao Mo? The illegitimate son of Prince Zhenbei?"
"That’s right," Xiao Mo replied.
The brawny man scratched his head and muttered under his breath, "What’s the deal? Why’d they send me such a weakling? He looks like a stiff breeze could knock him over. Just like some pretty-boy scholar."
Xiao Mo: "..."
"Whatever." As if accepting his fate, the brawny man scratched his head again and looked at Xiao Mo seriously. "Kid, starting today, I’m your Tutor. My surname is Chang, and my given name is Xin. You can just call me Master Chang. Got it?"
"Got it, Master Chang," Xiao Mo said with a nod.
"Alright, let’s go. I’ll take you to your living quarters." Master Chang turned and walked out of the hut, with Xiao Mo following right behind him.
"You’ve probably heard about our Iron Tiger Army. To sum it up in one sentence: if the training doesn’t kill you, we train you to death! If you end up dying under my training, you can only blame yourself for being too pathetic. Got it?"
Chang Xin said as he led Xiao Mo onward.
"Understood, Master Chang."
Chang Xin continued to tell Xiao Mo about life in the Iron Tiger Army:
"You may have reached the Cave Mansion Realm at a young age, but don’t get arrogant. I’ve seen more than my fair share of so-called geniuses.
Kid, remember one thing.
Only the living get to be called geniuses.
The dead ones? They’re all just idiots.
And another thing. In the Iron Tiger Army, the most important thing is discipline! Disobeying an order is an extremely serious offense!
Everyone in the Iron Tiger Army comes from all over the Qin Kingdom. We’re not short on the legitimate sons of princes and generals. You’re Prince Zhenbei’s son. Even if you’re illegitimate, you’re still a young master. You may not have been draped in silks and fed jade, but you never had to worry about your next meal.
But so what?
In the Iron Tiger Army, everyone is equal. There’s no high or low status. The only thing that matters is how hard your fists are.
Do you understand?"
"Crystal clear."
"Good."
Chang Xin was very satisfied with Xiao Mo’s attitude.
"We’re here. This is where you’ll be living. You’ll be sharing it with nine other guys, all of whom are new recruits from the past couple of weeks.
Training starts tomorrow at the sound of the horn. Go get your bunk sorted out."
Finally, Xiao Mo stopped in front of a wooden hut labeled "Earthly Branch Twelve."
Chang Xin didn’t say anything else. He just tossed Xiao Mo a Storage Pouch containing an Iron Tiger Army uniform, bedding, and some Spirit Flowers and Herbs before turning and walking away.
Xiao Mo entered the wooden hut and found he was the only one inside.
’The others must still be training and haven’t returned yet.’
Xiao Mo placed his clothes in the cabinet at the head of his bunk, then laid out his bedding.
Just as Xiao Mo finished, a horn blew. ’It must be time for lunch. Everyone can take a short break.’
A moment later, the door to the hut swung open.
Nine men, each carrying a mess tin, walked inside.
Xiao Mo sized up his nine new bunkmates.
Most of them looked normal enough.
However, the man leading them, who had a scar across his face, looked like he wasn’t to be messed with.
Xiao Mo guessed he was three or four years older than him.
The others all hung back half a step behind him, giving him the distinct air of being their leader.
When the nine of them saw Xiao Mo, they were also taken aback for a moment.
"Hey, pretty boy. You new here?" the scar-faced man asked, eyeing Xiao Mo.
"I am," Xiao Mo replied.
"Since you’re new, you need to learn the rules. In this hut, what I say goes. You’re to call me Boss.
Also, since you’re the last one to arrive, you’re responsible for washing all nine of our boots. You hear me?"
"Heh." Xiao Mo chuckled.
"Motherfucker, what the hell are you laughing at? I asked if you heard me! Answer!" the scar-faced man roared, spitting on the floor.
But before the words were even out of his mouth, Xiao Mo’s fist was already in his face.
The man’s pupils shrank, and he tried to block.
But Xiao Mo’s punch was too fast. It sent him flying a good twenty feet.
As the scar-faced man struggled to get back up, Xiao Mo planted a foot on his chest.
The weight of Xiao Mo’s Fist Gang pressed down on the man like a mountain, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
The other men were utterly stunned.
They never expected this young, seemingly frail boy to be a lion in disguise. Their boss hadn’t even had a chance to retaliate.
"Starting today, I’m the boss of Earthly Branch Twelve. You’ll be washing all my clothes and boots. Got it?" Xiao Mo said coldly.
"You brat!"
"I’m asking you a question. Answer!"
The scar-faced man wanted to resist.
But when Xiao Mo applied a bit more pressure, the man felt as if his bones were about to snap.
"I heard you, Boss! I heard you!" the scar-faced man begged for mercy.
That single punch and the weight of Xiao Mo’s foot had completely crushed any will to resist.
"Hey, what are you all doing in here?"
Just then, Chang Xin walked into the hut, just in time to see Xiao Mo with his foot planted firmly on Zhao Wei’s chest.
"Nothing. Just a friendly spar," Xiao Mo said, lifting his foot.
"Right, right, we were just sparring," the scar-faced man named Zhao Wei added, nodding frantically.
"Sparring? Do you take me for an idiot? If you have a score to settle, do it in the fighting arena! Now, all of you, run ten laps around the camp! If I catch you brawling in private again, I’ll punish you severely!"
"Yes, sir..."
Xiao Mo and the others replied in unison, then filed out of the hut to begin their laps around the camp.
Chang Xin watched Xiao Mo take the lead and couldn’t help but rub his chin.
’This kid looks so mild-mannered, but it turns out he’s a lion too. Interesting.’
