Chapter 27 - Follow Me In The Future

“Did you think that you’ve saved Du Weiming?”

Zhuang Yong paced within the tent slowly. “You know that Du Weiming got bribed, so I’m sure you also know that he must die, without a doubt. The person who bribed him will not allow him to live in order to get rid of any evidence that could be traced back to him. From the moment that he acceded to his request, the safety of both him and his parents has already been compromised.”

Shen Leng laughed cunningly, “General, since you already know about this so well, Du Weiming’s parents will surely escape death.”

Zhuang Yong scoffed. Indeed, he did not like Mu Xiaofeng’s way of doing things. He was a ruthless person who implicated the innocent; he might not have great prospects in the future. More importantly, Mu Xiaofeng had put the favorable conditions he was born into to waste. He was too narrow-minded.

“I had sent someone to Huaiyuan city, and have arranged to relocate his parents. You can say that I’ve done all I can for him.”

Zhuang Yong sat down. “Did you stop to think - if Du Weiming follows you, it’s akin to keeping a threat around you; like a dagger. A person who can be bought over once, can be bought over a second time.”

“All that he’s lacking right now is a dagger.”

Shen Leng moved his shoulder for a bit and felt that his injury was not that serious and did not have much of an impact. “General, is there anything else?”

“What do you want to do?”

“Continue taking part in the competition. I just won earlier, I can enter the next round.”

“You still want to continue fighting in your current condition?”

Shen Leng raised an eyebrow, “I remember our wager. I want to win it fair and square.”

Zhuang Yong looked at this fella and was stumped for words for a moment. He was shot in the shoulder by an arrow and yet he wanted to finish taking part in the competition!

“But I’m not taking part in the group competition tomorrow. There’s no significance in me winning against five people. It does not reflect team effort.”

Zhuang Yong was speechless.

Shen Leng put on his clothes and did a military salute before continuing with the competition. When he walked to the entrance, he turned his head around and asked, “Actually, I’m sure you also know that Mu Xiaofeng is not going to give up, right?”

Zhuang Yong was silent for a moment. He nodded. “Yes.”

Shen Leng laughed. “Mu Xiaofeng is nowhere near your level.”

Zhuang Yong laughed too, but he did not say anything.

Yesterday, when Shen Leng went to the restaurant, even though he did not see Mu Xiaofeng, he managed to guess Zhuang Yong’s intention. On the surface, Zhuang Yong must have tried to persuade Mu Xiaofeng to think of the big picture instead, but would use words to provoke him into taking action. Shen Leng was not an all-knowing god and hence he could not guess what Zhuang Yong said to him. After all, he did not know much about Zhuang Yong or Mu Xiaofeng. The three words, ‘His Majesty’s counselor’, was akin to a slap in the face to Mu Xiaofeng. It was also an attack on his father as well. How was it possible for him to suffer in silence?

As Shen Leng walked, he thought about how Mu Xiaofeng’s scheme was at least two notches below Zhuang Yong.

Zhuang Yong engaged in an approach, that made it seem as though he was advising Mu Xiaofeng, to egg Mu him into taking action. After that, he was able to expose Mu Xiaofeng’s secret plan for the most part; who passed the dagger to Du Weiming, who rigged the sequence, and who were the other people they were in contact with - the answers to these questions were revealed.

Why did Zhuang Yong not take any action before, and chose to only act now? Was it because he wanted to use Shen Leng as an opportunity?

Of course not. Affairs amongst officials were not this simple. Mr. Shen mentioned that nothing was more complicated than a human’s heart…Zhuang Yong knew that the news about Mu Xiaofeng’s promotion would reach them soon. Barring accidents, Mu Xiaofeng would have some authority and power within the Navy. The Navy was built with Zhuang Yong’s blood, sweat and tears. How could he be willing to pass on a portion of authority and power to someone else?”

By destroying his secret plan before Mu Xiaofeng got promoted in the Navy, even after he got promoted, was there anyone he could use?

As Shen Leng thought about these, it sent chills up his back. However, he switched to contemplating about why he was able to see through all these plans clearly instead.

When Shen Leng returned to the competition ground, he was greeted by cheers from the crowd. He walked up the arena and realized that they had switched the invigilator. Evidently, Zhuang Yong had already mobilized the entire Navy personnel. Mu Xiaofeng’s secret connections in the camp were about to get uprooted.

Was the assassin someone within the military?

Just as he was about to continue with the competition, Zhuang Yong went to barracks of the military doctors. After he entered, he saw Du Weiming laying on the bed. His face was very pale. It seemed as though he had lost half of his soul.

Zhuang Yong gestured, hinting to the military doctors to leave. Two of his soldiers guarded outside the door.

“You are very stupid.”

Those four words were Zhuang Yong’s first words to him.

Du Weiming struggled to get down from the bed. He fell to his knees and said, “General, please spare my life.”

“Spare your life?”

Zhuang Yong walked to the entrance and took a look outside. With his back facing Du Weiming, he said, “It’s inevitable for humans to err during their lifetime. Some mistakes can be forgiven, and some cannot. Hence, I don’t understand why Shen Leng wanted to save you. Since he would rather take an arrow for you than let you die, let me do him a favor…remember this, you owe him your life, and you owe me yours too. He will not kill you, and neither will I. Do you get my drift? In future, follow Shen Leng. However…you can always report to me if there’s anything.

After he finished saying his piece, Zhuang Yong left the barracks, leaving Du Weiming trembling as he was on his knees.

Why did Shen Leng save me?

In truth, after Zhuang Yong left the barracks, he did not think any further about Du Weiming - he was an ignoramus who was not worth mentioning. He kept pondering about why Shen Leng was willing to take the arrow for him. Was it truly because he wanted to make a trip to Changan? If that was the case, he did not have to continue taking part in the competition. He could have used his injury as a reason to recuperate. Taking a month to make a round trip should be more than enough.

But instead, he went back to take part in the competition. Why?

Zhuang Yong pondered as he walked. Shen Xiaosong said that Shen Leng had a bright future. If he was only good at martial arts and had a good physique, his future prospects would still be limited. But for a mere valiant individual within the military…bright future? That would mean that not only is he good at martial arts, he is intelligent as well.

Did he take the arrow for himself?

Zhuang Yong suddenly had this thought. Shen Leng intentionally took that arrow, for everyone in the military to see. Being shot by the arrow and not being shot would result in two different aftermaths…

Thinking about this, Zhuang Yong could not help but laugh. This little brat…was he returning a favor?

As for why he wanted to continue taking part in the competition…Zhuang Yong muttered to himself, “In that way, you’d feel as though you’ve earned your own ten-man squadron, instead of me giving it to you. Is that it? This is somewhat childish…”

However, despite Zhuang Yong’s thorough analysis, he had overlooked one thing. He was not simply being childish by completing the competition. More importantly, Shen Leng wanted to pick the right people amongst the new recruits. It was impossible for him to pick all ten people for his squadron. However, it should not be difficult for him to look for one or two skilled men.

In the arena, a muscular man, who was almost 2 meters tall, looked somewhat embarrassed. He spoke in a low muffled voice, “You’re hurt.”

Shen Leng nodded. “It’s ok.”

“It’s not ok with me. You’re hurt - if I win you, it’s shameful for me. Everyone is going to say that I bullied you.”

Actually, the muscular man was not that old - he had just turned eighteen. His name was Wang Kuohai, whose hometown was Ruyi town in Anyang. He came from a family of fishermen; he was a very simple and honest person. When he was seven, he liked to tackle sheep. When he was ten, he liked to tackle cows. When he was fifteen, there was nothing for him to tackle, so he would knock into trees. When he was eighteen, the hundred year old tree at the back of the village was knocked over by him. The head of the town was so furious that he wanted to beat him with a stick. He stood there and giggled instead. The head of the town looked at the tree, and looked back at his stick. Thereafter, he tossed it aside and left.

A month ago, initially, the government office of Ruyi town wanted to get him to uphold peace and security in the town. After all, he was a man with a huge physique. Standing there was enough to scare people away. His duty was to stand at the entrance of the market to maintain law and order. After working for a month, the government office paid him three months worth of pay and got him to go home. It was not because he did not perform his duty well, but because there were more than ten people working in the government office, and all of them ate less than him combined…

His family was worried too. Where could they find a place for Wang Kuohai? Thereafter, the neighbors advised the to get him to sign up for the Navy. The government office might not be able to afford to keep him, but the Navy could.

Wang Kuohai personally felt that fighting against an injured Shen Leng was akin to bullying. It was shameful for him, hence he did not want to go ahead with the fight. But at the same time, he did not want to concede defeat. He was in a deadlock for a moment.

Shen Leng asked, “Will you concede defeat?”

“I won’t.”

“So let’s fight.”

Shen Leng raised his eyebrow slightly. “Think of it another way - I am not injured, I am giving you a helping hand.”

Shen Leng was hurt on his left shoulder. Naturally, he could not use his left arm.

Wang Kuohai contemplated and realized that he had to fight. He simply had to go easier on him. Hence, he cupped his fist and attempted to grab Shen Leng by his clothes. His hand was as huge as a palm-leaf fan. If he grabbed Shen Leng, the latter might not be able to escape his clutches. He did not train in any martial arts, but naturally, nobody dared to go up against him either. Hence, his game plan was very simple - he wanted to simply grab Shen Leng and slam him onto the ground.

Shen Leng leaned to one side and dodged his huge hand. He wanted to see what this big man was capable of, hence he did not strike immediately. Once Wang Kuohai missed, his other hand came grabbing over. Shen Leng took a huge step back, and Wang Kuohai took a huge step forward. He alternated both hands in his attempt to grab him. It looked rather clumsy…

Shen Leng realized that Wang Kuohai was only well-endowed. If he kept him around, he would have to go through a lot of trouble. However, if he had someone like that within his squadron holding the fort, it sounded like a good idea to him.

Shen Leng’s figure flashed and he dodged Wang Kuohai’s hands. “There’s no point in fighting like this. Why don’t we make a wager?”

If Zhuang Yong heard this, he would definitely throw up blood. A wager?

“What…what wager?”

“If I win you without using my hands, you will follow me in the future.”

“Your injury must be too serious. Did you become stupid?”

Wang Kuohai spoke in a low muffled voice, “How are you going to win against me with no hands? Are you going to bite me? Let me tell you, you can’t do it.”

“Do you want to make a wager or not?”

“I don’t know…”

Shen Leng lamented. “Be a man, be more decisive!”

“Ok, let’s do it!”

Wang Kuohai was about to make his move but got stopped by Shen Leng. “You did not ask me what will happen if I lose.”

He scratched his head. “Hehe, I forgot. What will happen if you lose?”

Shen Leng pinched his chin. “I won’t lose.”

Wang Kuo Hai looked at Shen Leng. “Then why did you ask me to ask you…”

Shen Leng replied, “This will make me look more awesome.”

Wang Kuohai responded, “Then you better be careful. I’m about to make my move.”

After he finished his sentence, he attempted to grab him once more. As expected, Shen Leng kept both hands behind his back. After he dodged his attack, he kicked Wang Kuohai in his legs. As Wang Kuohai fell forward, Shen Leng kicked him once more. This time, Wang Kuohai reacted extremely fast and grabbed Shen Leng’s ankle before swinging him. After he made a full swing, Shen Leng thought about how fast the speed of the swing was, to the point his lips were vibrating.

Just as he was about to slam Shen Leng down, Shen Leng used both legs to wedge Wang Kuohai’s arms, before exerting his strength and turning his body in midair. Wang Kuohai could not withstand the power and flipped backwards, or else his arms would break. When he flipped backwards, at the same time, Shen Leng let go of his arms. After he landed onto the ground, his shoulders knocked against Wang Kuohai’s body, forcing the latter to retreat backwards continuously. Shen Leng used his recoiling inertia to catch up. He stepped on his body with his two legs; Wang Kuohai could no longer stabilize himself and fell off the arena.

Shen Leng squatted down at the side of the arena and looked down. “Brother, Wang Kuohai, right? Follow me in the future.”

Wang Kuohai had a stupid look on his face. However, he was honest and straightforward. “Alright, you’re very skilled.”

Shen Leng saiad, “You’re not too shabby yourself. Based on your martial arts skills, on a scale of one to ten, you’re at least a six.

Wang Kuohai was curious. “What about you?”

Shen Leng was somewhat put on the spot. “Me? I guess you can say I’m a ten. After all, I said it was on a scale from one to ten. I didn’t say more…”