The entire scene fell into a dead silence, and all the soldiers watching were dumbfounded, speechless with shock.

They looked at Li Xuancang, no longer daring to treat him as a newcomer.

Zhou Xing and his companions stood tall and proud, faces full of pride, sharing in the glory.

"Ah!"

Zhou Mang, who had fallen to the ground, was furious and humiliated, his eyes bloodshot.

The mocking and shocked gazes around him felt like needles on his back.

He had been stationed at the border for five years, always domineering among the 5-Man Leaders, never having suffered such humiliation.

Today, he was knocked to the ground by a rookie who had just climbed up from being a conscript, utterly losing face. From now on, he could never hold his head high in this lakeside military camp.

The overwhelming anger and humiliation instantly shattered his rationality.

"Ah—I’ll kill you!"

Zhou Mang, looking like a madman, got up from the ground, his eyes blood-red.

With a clatter, he drew the sword from his waist, the blade flashing coldly, and charged at Li Xuancang recklessly.

The sword's momentum was violent, filled with fierce malice, aimed straight at Li Xuancang's heart, intending to kill.

He had lost his mind, wanting only to kill the young man who had disgraced him, to vent his hatred.

"Watch out."

The onlookers were stunned by this sudden counterattack; no one expected Zhou Mang to dare to disregard military discipline and attack with a weapon in public.

Li Xuancang's face turned cold, a murderous intent surfacing, wanting to kill Zhou Mang on the spot.

"Outrageous!"

Suddenly, an angry shout exploded, sweeping across the scene.

The shout was so powerful it made everyone's eardrums ache and hearts pound. Everyone turned to look.

Zhao Changlin, clad in fine black armor and with a burly figure, strode into the training ground.

A faint aura of killing intent surrounded him, his gaze sharp as a knife. Just standing there, he made the atmosphere tense.

Zhao Changlin commanded a hundred regular border soldiers and was a powerful leader in the lakeside military camp, second only to the Camp Commander.

He was in charge of military discipline, training, and military merit, wielding great authority that no one dared to defy.

Zhou Mang's action of swinging the sword froze in mid-air, cold sweat soaking his clothes, his anger instantly extinguished by fear.

His hand holding the sword trembled, unable to advance even half an inch.

Fighting in public, wielding a weapon with intent to kill, defying military discipline, challenging a superior...

Each was a serious military offense, punishable by severe flogging or even execution on the spot to uphold military law.

Zhao Changlin walked over, his cold gaze sweeping over Zhou Mang, full of sternness and disgust.

"Zhou Mang, as a 5-Man Leader in the army, stationed at the border for years, you know the strictness of military discipline. How dare you openly fight and attack a colleague with a weapon in the training ground? Who gave you the courage?"

The harsh reprimand, each word like a knife, struck Zhou Mang head-on.

Terrified, Zhou Mang's legs gave way, and he knelt on the ground, his sword clattering to the ground, trembling all over, not daring to lift his head.

"My lord, I know I was wrong. I lost my mind in a moment of anger..."

Zhou Mang knew he couldn't confront Zhao Changlin and hurriedly knelt to plead.

Zhao Changlin sneered, his tone growing more severe.

"The military camp is a place of killing, and military discipline is paramount. Li Xuancang's promotion to 5-Man Leader was based on strength and battle merit, personally appointed by me. Do you have any objections?"

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Everyone in the camp knew that Li Xuancang was promoted by Zhao Changlin himself. Zhou Mang daring to question his promotion was like slapping Zhao Changlin in the face.

Facing Zhao Changlin's questioning, Zhou Mang dared not utter a word in response.

He knew that saying more would only make things worse, so he could only admit guilt and accept punishment, hoping Zhao Changlin would be lenient.

"You were jealous, provoking him in public first, and after being defeated, you didn't repent but attacked with a weapon, violating military law."

Zhao Changlin was determined to deal with Zhou Mang, using him to establish authority.

"You've been bullying new soldiers, seizing military merit resources, and I've heard about it. Today, you went even further, disregarding military law. What use is there in keeping you?"

Zhao Changlin listed Zhou Mang's offenses, terrifying him to the point of repeatedly kowtowing for mercy.

"My lord, spare my life. I won't dare again. Please have mercy!"

He knew that this Hundred-Man Commander was ruthless and would kill without hesitation.

Zhao Changlin coldly looked at the collapsed Zhou Mang and sternly pronounced judgment.

"Considering your years of service at the border, you are spared the death penalty this time, but you will be severely punished with twenty military canes and have your salary docked for three months."

"If there's a next time, violating military discipline, you will be executed without mercy."

Twenty military canes were enough to leave him bedridden for half a month.

Three months' salary was also a significant resource, making this punishment severe.

Zhou Mang's face was ashen, filled with regret, but he dared not utter a word of rebuttal, only tremblingly responding, "I accept the punishment."

With a wave of Zhao Changlin's hand, two personal guards stepped forward and dragged the limp Zhou Mang away.

After dealing with Zhou Mang, Zhao Changlin turned to Lin Yan, his stern gaze softening slightly, with a hint of approval.

"You did well, worthy of my promotion."

Li Xuancang's performance surprised even Zhao Changlin.

When he saved Li Xuancang, it was just a casual act.

Appointing him as a 5-Man Leader was due to a vacancy in the camp.

Li Xuancang had the courage to fight Demon Hounds and the strength to seriously wound them, making him suitable for the position.

Unexpectedly, in a short time, Li Xuancang made another remarkable achievement, returning after slaying a Blackspine Demon Wolf, earning Zhao Changlin's admiration.

"In a chaotic military camp, strength is respected, but military discipline cannot be abolished."

"Train diligently, accumulate military merit, and as long as you bravely kill enemies and guard the border, I will not treat you unfairly."

For the first time, Zhao Changlin took Li Xuancang seriously, wanting to recruit him.

Where there are people, there are rivalries, and the military camp is no exception.

The lakeside camp had five hundred combat soldiers and five Hundred-Man Commanders, with Zhao Changlin being one of them. He also needed his own faction for support.

Li Xuancang, who rose step by step from a conscript, with a clear background and potential, was worth recruiting.

Seeing Li Xuancang valued by Zhao Changlin, others were envious, wishing to take his place.

Li Xuancang, however, did not show excessive excitement, saluting respectfully.

"I will remember your teachings, my lord."

Zhao Changlin nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping across the scene, his voice cold, once again intimidating everyone.

"If anyone dares to openly fight or violate military discipline again, Zhou Mang will be their fate."

With that, he turned and left the training ground.

The entire scene was silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone's gaze towards Li Xuancang changed, some with admiration, some with jealousy, some with resentment...

Li Xuancang's own strength was formidable, and with Zhao Changlin's favor, his future was limitless.

From now on, no one dared to provoke him lightly.