3 days later.
The leader who turned Xinfeng village into smity and made them produce weapons came to visit.
Tong knelt in front of him .
"You want to become a guard to escort supplies "said leader with scrutinizing gaze.
Tong hit his head on floor 3 times .
Thud!
"Yes ,I am strong .I used to be hunter.me working as a Hammering assistant is waste .Beside the guards who brought supplies days ago were injured while bringing supplies .I can be perfect replacement for them .I know all the ways inside forest .I can also avoid beast residing areas "
The leader thought for a while .
"You can indeed be a good replacement.But if you have others thoughts you can forget about it "leader said with warning.
"I have no such thoughts.my brother & mother is here .I won't leave them behind .I just want to provide better food for them . Please give me a chance "Tong hit his head on floor again .
Leader looked at guard chief .which immediately gave him necessary details about Tong .
"Than you can join other guards from tomorrow to bring supplies "leader nodded & left .
Ting saw all these play out .He couldn't make sense of what his brother wanted to do .
Today they ate better food than other labours .
At night Tong told Ting to take care of their mother .And wait for him to comeback .
Next day Together with 20 labours and 10 guards He left the production base .
******
5 days later .
The carts full of supplies were brought by Tong and others .There woods,iron ,copper and other materials necessary for weapon making .
Some labourers cried upon return because
only 12 labours came back alive .2 guards injured.Apparently they had encountered a raging beast .8 labours were used as distraction to escape from beast.
But the leader was happy to see All guards coming back alive .Even the supplies were fine .They didn't lost it .This was the only time they hadn't lost any guard lives and some of the supplies .
He decided to celebrate the safe return with other guards .
On one side Guards celebrated .
on other side villagers cum labours cried for their loss .The world was truly fucked up .
Late at night .
There was a deep cry .
"Gahhhhh"
As a Tier 6 Rock skinned panther charged at the production base .
Destroying everything in his way . Numerous guards died to stop it .But the beast was unstoppable.Before long The guards started to scammper out of fear to save their lives .
Tong hide Ting and mother in a scrap dump hole .After that he returned to one of the wood carrying cart .After throwing the logs aside .
Tong picked up a cub panther hidden inside the cart .
Carrying it he started to look for his Target .
/
/
/
The leader with two headed snake patterned was commanding the guards to stop the beast .His expression panicked and pale .He was afraid .He couldn't decide whether to charge or escape for his life .
Good thing was Rock panther was already injured after many attacks from guards so there was chance .if they all 10 of them charged against the Rocky panther .They might just win .After winning The benefits the corpse of this beast will bring them .Will easily recover their all lose .Their greed wouldn't let them give up .
The beast picked up some scent and started to fight more ferociously .Even 10 of them struggled against the beast .but finally managed to gravely injured the beast .The beast lost it one leg and was unable to move .
Just when The ten of them wanted to rejoice .
A small cub was thrown at the leader .
Seeing the cub .Rage flashed through beast's eyes .As it charged again with newfound anger & strength.
Seeing the cup .gears ran in leader's mind .If he still didn't understand someone schemed and brought this beast cub here intentionally to bring the mother panther in order to destroy the base .He would be worst than beast .
He looked at the direction cub was thrown from .Only to see Tong 's smiling face .
"Youuuuu...."Before he could complete his words .Beast attacked him .
After an intense fight .The beast finally died struggling.Out of group of 10 only 3 remained alive .That too gravely injured .
Tong looked at the 3 unmoving but breathing nobles .After a minor struggle He decided to leave somewhere far with his family .
He wasn't sure if could kill those 3 people even if they were gravely injured .What if they still had enough strength to kill him .He couldn't risk it .Besides there were still guards in the surroundings .if they came back seeing the dead beast .They won't be able to escape .
He returned to the scrap dump .Just when they were ready to escape on a cart .
The sounds of hooves and marching sounded.
It didn't take them long to see guards wearing Armor .Riding on trained horses coming from every direction.
Maybe they had already surrounded this base .And now they are just tightening and shrinking the circle .
Turns out He wasn't smart enough .There was no escape not now not before .
Tong regretted.who knows what will happen now .
"Mother ,brother I am sorry "
As the marching cavalry came closer & closer .Tong saw they were different from the guards guarding this place .Even the Armor and their symbols were different.
When Tong saw their raised flag He remembered them . This is the same people,same cavalry men who burned their village .Hatred rose in Tong's heart .
All the escaped guards were killed by newcoming cavalrymen .Those who were alive were gathered infront of the cavalry men .
A man who looked like the leader of these cavalry men gazed at the labourers.His eyes mercilessly roamed on every villager .
The labourers didn't for a moment thought they were saved instead .Instead they had terrified expression as though they were about to enter another round for suffering .Just that people giving suffering this had changed .
A soldier from side carrying the dead cub .
"General it looks like .The beast attacked this place for its cub ".
General took a look.
"Well that's the case it seems .someone intentionally destroyed this base .well it eased our work on taking over this place ."The general smiled meaningfully.
"So who among you did it ."
Seeing No one responding.
The armymen shouted in heavy voices .
"Speak who did it "
"Did you do it "
"Or you "
Finally feeling pressure.someone said .
"We don't know "
A soldier said thoughtfully .
"General I don't think someone from them can do it .They are just weaklings .They have not the courage nor the strength to do it "
"Nah you are mistaken .The culprit is among them I am sure .This cub you founded near the base leader right ? .I am sure the culprit didn't wanted to leave the leader unscathed.Thats why he witnessed the whole fight and wasn't able to escape before we encircled this place ."said general with a deep glint .
"Don't worry I won't kill you .infact whoever you are you have earned merit come out and received your reward "general .
However no one responded .
"In that case ."The general realeased a crushing pressure.The bones of villagers grinded against each other .All of them first knelt and couldn't hold on longer and laid flat on the ground .
Only Tong struggled to stood against the crushing pressure .Still trying to protect the mother & little brother .But even he won't be able to bear long .But In seconds the pressure disappeared.
"It must be you right A kid .you are little strong , courageous,and rebellious.Haha to think it's a kid .How much older are you .
12?,14, or it 16?."
Tong looked at the general eye to eye .
"I don't care .what you do to me .But please don't harm my family "
"Huh .kid why that hateful gaze .We are not with those people . Besides didn't I said .I would reward you "General .
"You are not here to save us from bad people right ?.You are not good people either .we are just going to enter another den of demon right .where you will make use of us .exploit us ,Dispose us when we won't be of use . Besides you burned my village year ago . I won't forget it "Tong .
"My army burned your village? .which village?" . Suddenly he burst into laughter "Haha my army burned and plundered lot of villages.And committed lot of misdeeds to villagers last year .The Number is uncountable.which one was yours it's hard to remember.But nevermind forget it.I am impressed by you and want to give you reward .Forget the past and embarrass the present .what do you want ?."General.
Tong didn't wanted to say anything.But he met pitiful gazes of villagers .who were abused and used in smity for long time .Than he gazed at his family .He had no choice but to calm down and think .
"Don't harm my family and these villagers if possible ."Tong said in normal voice .
"Your family is one thing . They will be safe .but for villagers I can't set them free .but I give you my word .I will not harm them in anyway .But I can't say about my whole army .You see my army can be uncontrollable and unruly .And for their amusement they can do anything behind my back .My little strength can't have full control on them .How about ask something else?"General .
"I....I don't know what to ask "Tong had little experience.He couldn't understand the meaningful gaze of general.
"If you can't decide .How about this .you can become my adopted son .Not only can you keep on eye on my soldiers .But also if you are capable .You can even become the leader of your own army in future "general.
Tong couldn't make up his decision.Intead Ting replied .
"We....we accept "
"Ting ?"
" Brother Think about Mother please .Also about sister .maybe one day we can rescue her "replied Ting.
"I accept "Tong
"It looks like in some matters your little brother is brighter than you "General laughed .Come my Childrens.
*********
2 years later .
A soldier brought a letter inside army camp .Inside Tong and Ting were practicing the sword moves .Their adopted father cum general had provided them with better skill books .After they came here in army camps of si kingdom .
"Captain another letter came from higher ups "soldier.
"Is it same "Asked Tong
"Yes .Higher ups have ordered you use any method to strike at the opponent army .
whether it's burn village ,abduct women's or children's ,In short as long as you can use spread fear & terror in opponent Kingdoms army .To make them lose motivation.any inhumane act is possible ."Replied soldier reading letter .
"Burn it .To strike fear at opponent Kingdoms heart .our army needs to be strong and to not use inhumane, improper methods .we are not devils but humans "Tong
"But Captain our enemies armies are doing the same .Which area they had gone through has been been burned to smitherens And....."
"Enough .This topic is not up for discussion"Tong .
"But Captain higher ups have repeatedly sent these letters .And you have repeatedly disobeyed their orders .I am afraid sooner they will replace you with someone else "
"They won't be able to replace me as long as I continue to win .Besides what they want is win .And rest of whatever that devilish nonsense.it is their evil nature . Some of these higher ups just think of us armymen as slave gathers .They want slaves to sell and buy and for their use and pleasures .I never gonna follow their order "Tong
"Captain,what does it matter .These slaves will be from other kingdoms"soldier
"Shut up,humans from other kingdoms are human too .No more nonsense go outside "Tong .
"Yes ".soldier left the camp .
Clink!
Clank!
Shu!
Shortly after . General biao entered the camp .
They stopped their practicing and bowed .
"Why are you practicing inside the camp .it's not a place where you can use sword moves "
Said General with displeasure .
"We just wanted to practice some time together alone .far from prying eyes "replied Tong
"Adopted father .were you scolded by higher ups again"Asked Ting .
"Yess"General biao
"They complained again that out of 4war fronts.Only This front isn't listening to them .Nor we follow their order .Nor we have applied any strategy or schemes given to us .They have warned me change some people if they don't listen me .In similar manner .They have also warned me They will demote me turn into lowest soldier .if I don't listen to them "General exhaled a breath .
"Heh .are those strategy even usable .They are nothing but gibberish conjured by people living in safe environment.Moreover we are not with demonic thinking like them .Atleast I will never apply those inhuman strategies in real "Tong
"Forget it .Ting go check up on your mother "General.
After Ting left the camp .
"Kid,you have always wanted to be a cultivatior right ?.There is opportunity.Higher ups have promised a rare body restructuring elixir to whichever front gains complete victory against the opponent Kingdom first in a year's time .Any methods can be used ."
"But "Tong
"Kid , don't worry with me here .As long as we gain complete victory .This elixir will belong to you and nobody else on this front.Your body has good foundation all you need is something to stimulate your body awakening.This elixir will do the trick and you will step onto cultivation path ."
"Believe me you have better future prospects than me .All you need is a grand victory to prove yourself "
"I agree "