Chapter 27: An Army of Iron and Blood

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Chu Nan paid no attention to the doubts around him. Instead, he walked straight to an open patch of ground and pointed toward the perimeter of the camp.

“Starting here, run thirty laps around the camp. Only then will today’s training be over. Anyone who cannot finish does not get to eat today.”

The moment those words left his mouth, the soldiers erupted.

They had already been dissatisfied with Chu Nan. Now they were even more convinced that he was simply making a mess of things.

“Thirty laps? What kind of joke is that? We are soldiers of the Great Wilderness, not beasts of burden!” A burly soldier stepped out from the crowd. Bare-chested, with muscles knotted across his frame, he glared fiercely at Chu Nan.

His name was Niu Dacheng, and he was notorious throughout the camp for being a troublemaker.

Not only did he routinely defy discipline, but he also frequently argued with his superiors, relying on his great strength.

Now he was the first to step forward, clearly intending to give Chu Nan a humiliating welcome.

“Young Master Chu, have you come to the wrong place? This is a military camp, not some wealthy young lord’s estate. The nonsense you’re talking about is utterly absurd!”

Niu Dacheng folded his arms across his chest and spoke with a mocking smile, his tone brimming with provocation.

His words drew laughter from many of the soldiers. Some even clapped and jeered.

“That’s right! Let Young Master Chu run thirty laps first. Then we’ll think about it!”

Chu Nan’s expression remained unchanged. He merely cast Niu Dacheng a faint glance. His eyes were as deep as an abyss, revealing not the slightest trace of emotion.

He tilted his head slightly and asked Liu Zhi, “Commander Liu, what is this man’s name?”

Liu Zhi hesitated before cupping his hands and replying, “Young Master Chu, his name is Niu Dacheng. He is a soldier from the Northern Camp.”

“Niu Dacheng, is it?”

Chu Nan’s gaze returned to him. His tone was neither harsh nor gentle, yet it carried an inexplicable pressure.

“It seems you have quite an objection.”

“Your humble servant does not have an objection,” Niu Dacheng replied in a rough voice, baring his teeth in a grin. “I simply think Young Master Chu’s order is ridiculous.”

“Thirty laps? We’ve been soldiers for years, and we’ve never heard of training like this! If you truly think it will work, why don’t you demonstrate it for us first?”

As he spoke, he slowly advanced toward Chu Nan, his sturdy body looming like a small mountain.

Chu Nan remained motionless. He did not even blink, though a cold smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

“Do you all think I am merely a wealthy young master who got into the army through connections? That I know nothing and can only give foolish orders?”

His voice was not loud, but everyone nearby heard every word clearly.

The crowd fell silent for a moment. Then someone snickered, clearly taking his words as an admission.

Niu Dacheng nodded without the slightest attempt to hide his agreement and grinned.

“Young Master Chu, you’re absolutely right. The men of the Northern Camp don’t fall for that sort of thing!”

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The moment he finished speaking, he suddenly took a step toward Chu Nan and raised his muscular arm, as though he intended to slap Chu Nan hard on the shoulder.

Before his hand could touch Chu Nan, however, a muffled thud rang out.

In the next instant, Niu Dacheng saw the world blur before him. His entire body was slammed heavily onto the ground.

Chu Nan was still standing exactly where he had been. He had just withdrawn his hand from Niu Dacheng’s wrist, his movement casual yet swift as lightning.

Clearly, he had used nothing more than a simple joint lock to bring down the ox-like man.

Had he faced a true martial artist, the lot of them would probably have been beaten flat on the ground.

“Ah!”

Niu Dacheng lay on the ground, sucking in sharp breaths through his teeth. Excruciating pain radiated from his wrist, as though his bones were about to be twisted apart.

He tried to struggle to his feet, only to discover that one of Chu Nan’s feet was planted firmly on his shoulder. The pressure was not great, yet it held him completely immobile.

“You are not qualified to throw your weight around in front of me.”

Chu Nan looked down at him coldly. His voice was calm and unhurried, yet filled with unquestionable authority.

Niu Dacheng’s face flushed crimson. He tried to break free but could do nothing.

“Have some courage, Young Master Chu! Let me go, and we’ll fight fair!”

“All right.”

To everyone’s surprise, Chu Nan actually lifted his foot and took a step back.

“Stand up.”

Niu Dacheng immediately scrambled to his feet and cracked his knuckles, a vicious glint flashing in his eyes.

As one of the camp’s most renowned fighters, he naturally refused to believe that a seemingly frail young master could defeat him.

With a low growl, he swung his fist and charged straight at Chu Nan.

Yet before his fist could even brush Chu Nan’s clothes, Chu Nan had already slipped to the side and delivered a swift, brutal elbow strike to Niu Dacheng’s waist.

Niu Dacheng let out a miserable cry and dropped straight to his knees, clutching his waist as he gasped for breath.

Chu Nan looked down at him coldly.

“This is the first time, and it will be the last. If you dare provoke me again, I will show no mercy.”

His voice was not loud, but every person present heard him clearly.

The surroundings fell utterly silent.

The soldiers who had worn expressions of disdain moments earlier now stared wide-eyed at the scene before them.

They had never imagined that this so-called wealthy young master would not only refuse to be intimidated by Niu Dacheng, but would also subdue him in the space of a few moves.

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Even Liu Zhi could not help frowning, a grave look appearing in his eyes.

He had seen Chu Nan’s movements clearly.

Those were not techniques an ordinary person could have mastered. They resembled some exceptionally sophisticated form of combat skill.

“Young Master Chu…” Liu Zhi cupped his hands, his tone considerably more respectful than before. “It seems I have underestimated you. This man offended you just now. I apologize to you on his behalf.”

“There is no need for an apology.”

Chu Nan waved a hand dismissively and said coldly, “However, Commander Liu, I hope you can keep your soldiers under control. If anything like this happens again, I will not be so courteous every time.”

Liu Zhi hurriedly lowered his head and agreed.

“Yes, Young Master Chu.”

Chu Nan turned and looked at the soldiers who were still standing in a daze. His voice suddenly rose.

“Now, does anyone else object? Anyone who does not want to run thirty laps may step forward, and we can have a proper discussion!”

No one dared make another sound.

Niu Dacheng’s miserable condition had already made them realize that this Young Master Chu was not the spoiled wastrel they had imagined. He truly possessed formidable skill.

Moreover, the fact that he had taken control of the situation in such a short time revealed a command of affairs far beyond anything they had expected.

“Since no one objects, then start running.”

Chu Nan’s voice was cold as he swept his knife-sharp gaze across the three thousand soldiers.

“Thirty laps. Assemble again once you finish.”

The soldiers looked at one another. In the end, they began moving reluctantly.

They formed a line and, with heavy steps, started running along the perimeter of the camp.

Before long, the drill ground echoed with the sound of synchronized footsteps.

Chu Nan stood at the center, his gaze tranquil.

He knew this was only the beginning, but the first step toward establishing his authority had been completed.

So long as he persevered, he was confident that he could transform these three thousand scattered and undisciplined men into a genuine iron-blooded army.