Shen Chengfeng did not show any signs of stopping or slowing down. Having gained momentum, he continued striking while the iron was still hot. His fist was like a ball of flames, instantly destroying everything that was in its path.
Xiao Yu had no choice but to switch from offense to defense. Unfortunately for him, he had underestimated Shen Chengfeng's ferocity. Shen Chengfeng did not seem to care about who Xiao Yu was. It was apparent that his every move was meant to be lethal.
"Alright, alright. Stop fighting," Xiao Jing stood between the two of them again. She had initially planned to catch Shen Chengfeng's fist, but given how frail and weak her arms were, the moment she came into contact with his fist, she was flung two meters away.
Xiao Jing was thrown against the wall with a crash and almost vomited blood on the spot.
Xiao Yu's brows furrowed. "Seems like General Shen is keen to have a proper sparring match with me."
Shen Chengfeng could not help but frown when he saw the petite body flung aside by his fist. He subconsciously loosened his clenched fists.
He had planned to throw Xiao Yu onto the ground. After all, when two tigers got into a fight, one of them was bound to be injured. Given the situation, if he weren't ruthless enough, Xiao Jing would have to leave with Xiao Yu.
Xiao Yu removed his coat to reveal a short-sleeved dark green t-shirt, as well as the terrifying wound inflicted by Shen Chengfeng on his arm.
Sensing danger to his lower right, Shen Chengfeng lifted his hand to dodge the attack. A cut instantly appeared on his palm, and bright red blood gushed from it.
Xiao Yu's face remained expressionless, as he continued to go on the offense, with no regard for who Shen Chengfeng was. While going after him, he said, "The military specially developed this weapon. Although it is not a perfect match for your ability to destroy, at least it will not immediately become a pile of scrap metal, like a conventional weapon would."
Shen Chengfeng studied the wound on his hand. It was not the first time that he had seen a weapon like that one. Its sharpness and hardness were unparalleled. It was easily one of the best weapons the military possessed. Of course, other than its ability to wound him in a sneak attack, he did not find it to be a threat.
Xiao Jing was dumbfounded. That was enough to make him bleed?
Xiao Yu did not dare to get too close to Shen Chengfeng. He was worried that he would sneak up behind him. After all, his opponent was no mere mortal. The moment he came into contact with his skin, death or severe injury was certain.
"Clink!" A water glass fell and shattered, its fragments scattered all over the floor.
The two of them immediately stopped fighting.
Xiao Yu glanced in Xiao Jing's direction, his brows furrowing at the sight of broken glass next to her feet.
Xiao Jing took a deep breath, her eyes skirting over the two of them, who had both looked over in her direction. "That's enough, please stop and listen to me now," she said.
Looking at the debris on the floor, Shen Chengfeng casually wiped away the blood in his hands, and said to Xiao Jing, "You have failed logistics for this month."
"That's all thanks to you, godd*mnit!"
Ignoring Xiao Jing's widened eyes, Shen Chengfeng put on his gloves once again, and said, "You may now speak."
Xiao Jing turned around and stared fixedly at Xiao Yu. She spoke firmly, "First Brother, I understand your kind intentions, but I am now an adult and have the right to decide how to lead my life. My abilities may be limited, but if I am capable of taking a single step, I am capable of taking a thousand steps. The wise are not confused, and the brave are not afraid. I believe that if at first I don't succeed, I ought to try harder. I will try as many times as it takes to succeed."
"Do you think you're good enough to remain in Steel Eagle? I don't think General Shen would make an exception just because you are a member of the Xiao family," Xiao Yu said solemnly.
"I never thought of relying on connections to get into Steel Eagle."
Xiao Yu gave her a once over, then glanced at Shen Chengfeng, who was still around. His pupils constricted at the sight of him.
"First Brother."
"Mm."
"I hope that when I return to the Xiao family, I will be able to walk in with my head held high. I don't want to have to return sneakily through the back door, after having spent the last five years bumming around. I have my pride. Please grant me this opportunity. Don't worry. I won't tell anyone that I'm a member of the Xiao family."
Xiao Yu was silent for a moment. He had not realized just how much the little bean sprout before him had grown over the years. Although she still looked malnourished, she was determined and possessed the strength of character like many of her Xiao ancestors.
"Alright, I promise you," said Xiao Yu, after giving it some thought. After putting on his military uniform, he took another look at the motionless Shen Chengfeng before leaving. Why had this man of 1.87 meters fought with him over Xiao Jing? Was he aware of something?
Shen Chengfeng ignored the purposeful look that Xiao Yu was giving him, and closed the door behind him, leaving Xiao Yu on the other side of the door.
Like a deflated ball, Xiao Jing fell to the floor in a heap. She couldn't care less about the mess around her. All she wanted now was to be able to sleep till the end of time.
Shen Chengfeng walked up to Xiao Jing and stood before her. Crouching down, he then set his intense gaze upon the pale and tired face in front of him. "This is the first time I have seen Xiao Yu so concerned about somebody. I suddenly feel that it may not be a bad idea for you to remain in Steel Eagle."
Xiao Jing raised her head to look at the face that was inches away from her, her expression as if she had just seen a ghost. She could sense that intentions were hiding behind his eyes and that there was some motivation for keeping her. She knew that there was no way someone as incompetent as her would be able to remain in Steel Eagle, but this person had kept her on multiple occasions. After what he had said today, she couldn't help but recall what Xiao Ye had previously said about him.
Was he targeting her eldest brother?
The fellow who was just as cold and ruthless as him?
"Have a good rest. Your training starts at five tomorrow. I need to remind you, though, that logistics is also one of the criteria. It looks like you won't have much time for rest tonight," said Shen Chengfeng, as he stood up and walked straight out of the room.
Xiao Jing's mouth twitched. What was the twinge she felt in her chest? Why had she not left with Xiao Yu? Why had she chosen to stay behind to get tortured by the devil incarnate? She was asking for it, wasn't she?
"Thump, thump, thump." The sound of footsteps came from the corridor.
Xiao Jing instinctively looked up upon hearing the sounds outside the door.
Someone was leaning against the wall.
Glaring at the figure seated on the floor with some resentment in his eyes, Mu Xichi snorted coldly, his arms crossed across his chest. "Go to bed only after you have finished cleaning up. I will conduct a check personally, first thing in the morning. If I so much as find a trace of dust on the desk, you will get ten points deducted."