On the training grounds at the heart of the Shogunate's military camp on Narukami Island, two figures clashed relentlessly.
"Flame Slash!"
With a roar of inferno, a dazzling streak of red light shot forth.
"Not bad, not bad!"
A swing of the Shadow Naginata sent a purple beam tearing through the air.
Fire and lightning met, erupting in a thunderous explosion that echoed through the heavens, a small mushroom cloud blooming in its wake.
The Shogunate soldiers watching the fierce battle felt their own spirits ignite.
"Officer Ling Feng is so strong, actually able to contend with the General in martial arts."
"Isn't Lord Ling an official, not a warrior? Why is his strength so immense?"
"What do you know? This is called... this is called, forget it, I don't know what it's called either. Just call it awesome."
"I suddenly feel so weak. Lord Ling, a mere civil official, and us... tsk tsk tsk, comparing oneself to others can lead to death."
"I've decided, I'll set a small goal: to first catch up to Lord Ling in strength, after all, he can rival the General to some extent."
"I think you're dreaming while you're still awake... Lord Ling's strength is beyond the reach of ordinary people."
"Hmph, without ambition, how can one become stronger! Without a goal, how can one become stronger? Damn it! My hair is on fire."
"..."
In the center of the battlefield, Ling Feng panted heavily, his hand gripping the Blade of the God of War trembling slightly.
In contrast, Kage, on the other side, aside from a slightly more rapid breathing, was still at his peak.
Kage sheathed his naginata and cast a cold glance at the surrounding Shogunate soldiers.
"Still not training! Wasting time here?!"
Under Kage's sharp gaze, the Shogunate soldiers scattered like students facing their homeroom teacher, rushing back to their training.
"Are we done fighting?"
Ling Feng actually felt he could fight more. Fighting Kage meant no fear of death, allowing him to unleash his full power.
Although his cultivation had reached the peak of Core Formation, and his combat experience was ample, he hadn't fully tapped into his true fighting potential.
Sparring with Kage, a peer in martial arts, allowed him to master his own strength at the quickest pace.
"Good skills, cook."
Ling Feng's eyelids twitched violently.
So, in your eyes, I'm just a cook?
"Your martial arts are very good. Coincidentally, my adjutant has recently retired due to injury, so you will be my adjutant."
Ling Feng: ???
What the hell!
How did this happen out of the blue?
Indeed, birds of a feather flock together.
Ling Feng shook his head like a rattle drum, hastily refusing Kage's offer.
"No, no, no, I'm already your actual assistant."
"I agree."
Ling Feng stiffly turned his head to see Zhen walking over with a genuine smile.
"Ling, my strength is meager, I cannot offer Kage much help on the battlefield."
"I can feel that you are stronger than yesterday, which means your power is not yet fully unleashed."
"Therefore, could you please assist Kage to some extent?"
Ling Feng fell silent.
If he became Kage's adjutant, he would inevitably be sent to the front lines.
His current strength, during the era of the Seven Archons, would have been considered that of a master.
However, during the Demon God War, this strength wouldn't even be enough to contend with a mere follower of a Demon God.
"Please. If you can endure until the end of the Demon God War, I can grant you one wish, any wish at all."
Any wish at all?!
Hiss, this reward...
There was no reason to refuse.
After all, he had two lives. What was there to fear? If he couldn't win, couldn't he at least run away?
Moreover, with Kage handling the Demon God-level threats, he didn't need to worry about beings of that caliber.
However, he needed to break through to Golden Core as soon as possible. This would greatly increase his survival rate during the Demon God War.
After accepting Zhen's and Kage's request, Ling Feng began his first task as an adjutant.
Training the Shogunate army.
...
In the military camp.
Ling Feng, clad in a white battle robe, stood out among the Shogunate soldiers.
Every Shogunate soldier trained diligently.
This atmosphere pleased Ling Feng.
"All hands, assemble!"
Everyone knew Ling Feng's strength, so they quickly assembled.
Ling Feng scanned the entire formation; their spirit was high.
"Today, I will teach you military formations!"
That's right, Ling Feng's plan was to train the Shogunate army using ancient military training methods.
How did ancient armies achieve victory against a numerically superior foe?
The most crucial element was the military formation. Different formations yielded different effects.
The "Slithering Serpent Formation," the "Square Formation," and a series of other battle formations.
These formations might not be of much use against true masters.
However, in engagements between soldiers of equal strength, military formations could exert a tremendous effect.
"Military formations? What are military formations?"
The Shogunate soldiers looked bewildered.
Ling Feng's eyebrows twitched. They didn't even know what military formations were? Did they just rush into battle like a swarm of bees?
Fine, he had to teach them anyway.
"Military formations are battle formations that vary according to different situations."
"When engaging enemies of equal strength, using formations can greatly enhance your overall combat power."
"Next, I will explain five military formations to you. The first, and the most useful, is the Square Formation..."
Ling Feng then proceeded to give the Shogunate soldiers a lesson.
To make it easier for them to understand, Ling Feng specially set up a large blackboard.
After Ling Feng's explanation, many Shogunate soldiers began to understand.
However, when it came to practical drills, a common situation arose.
Brain: So simple, I get it!
Limbs: No, you don't.
Watching a group of people who verbally claimed to understand but descended into chaos when it came to forming up.
The result was that by the end of the day, they were all exhausted, and the formations were still not correctly arranged.
There were errors here and there.
Ling Feng could only sigh and shake his head.
Their performance reminded him of his own military training days.
Practicing the square formation, they had trained for a long time before achieving uniformity.
He finally understood how the drill instructor must have felt back then.
In short, the pressure was immense.
However, this was something that required practice. With more practice, they would improve.
But Ling Feng planned to undertake a breakthrough mission for the Core Formation stage, so he didn't immediately resume teaching them formations the next day.
Looking at the more orderly ranks on the field than the day before, Ling Feng nodded slightly.
The training was indeed having an effect.
"Next, I will teach you some simple techniques. These are suitable for when you are fighting individually."
"The Carefree Sword Technique and Military Body Combat."
After demonstrating to everyone, Ling Feng even found a relatively capable soldier from the army to act as a sparring partner.
The result was much the same as yesterday: the brain understood, but the body didn't.
Ling Feng felt like he was about to collapse.
Evening.
The Shogunate army assembled once more.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on Ling Feng, seemingly anticipating what he would teach next.
"Alright, what I taught you yesterday and today requires time to hone. Tell me, do you have the confidence to master it!"
"Yes." Everyone responded.
"No spirit! With this attitude, you want to kill enemies? Not an ounce of spirit! Tell me, do you have confidence!"
"Yes!!!"
"Very good, that's the spirit!"
"Today, I will teach you one final piece of advice. It will save your lives on the battlefield."
Upon hearing this, everyone became serious and listened intently.
"If you can't beat them on the battlefield, run! Don't foolishly throw your lives away! It's idiotic to fight when you can't win!"
"Remember this: don't be cannon fodder! Don't be cannon fodder!"
After Ling Feng's speech, the crowd began to murmur softly.
Then, one person raised his hand.
Seeing this, Ling Feng asked.
"Do you have a question?"
"Lord Ling, but the General... despises those who flee from the battlefield. If you run, you will be punished by military law."
Ling Feng chuckled and said loudly.
"What is considered fleeing from the battlefield? That refers to those who abandon their comrades and run away in fear!"
"If you can't win and run, that's a strategic retreat, not desertion."
"Fighting when you can't win is stupidity, like an imbecile. What use is it to die for nothing?!"
"Come back, rally your forces, and then charge back."
Hearing this, the soldiers felt that Ling Feng's words were indeed reasonable. The person who had stood up sat back down.
"Alright! For the next few days, I have business to attend to and will be away from the camp. You will train diligently. When I return, I will conduct an assessment. Whichever regiment comes in last..."
"The entire regiment will run around the city three laps! Understand?!"
"Understood!!!"
"Of course, I can tell you some news. Whichever regiment gets first place, I will give that regiment a special reward."
Ling Feng smiled slightly. Rewards and punishments would motivate people.
Indeed, soon, someone started making bold claims.
"Don't worry, Lord Ling, our First Regiment will definitely take first place!"
"Nonsense! First place should be ours, the Second Regiment!"
"You two are full of it, first place belongs to our Fourth Regiment!"
"..."
Hearing the heated exchanges below, Ling Feng chuckled inwardly. This was the effect he wanted.
"Alright! Disperse!"
With that, Ling Feng flew towards Tenshukaku. After two days, he had finally arranged everything.
Upon arriving at Tenshukaku, Ling Feng found his office once again piled high with scrolls.
Oh, for goodness sake!
Wait... where was Zhen?
Ling Feng scanned the area but didn't find Zhen in the office.
"Lord Ling, you're back."
Gōzan, who was tidying up the tea set, respectfully greeted Ling Feng as he entered.
Since Ling Feng had given Gōzan a healing pill to restore his eyesight, Gōzan appeared much more energetic than before.
"Gōzan, where is Zhen?"
"You mean Lady Narukami? She seems to have gone to visit friends with the General."
Damn it!
She left me with a mess and went off to play?
"Do you know where they are?"
"That, Lord Ling, I am merely a tea master. How would I know the whereabouts of the General and the others?"
"Alright, I'll go look for them myself."
Ling Feng said and left. He needed to inform Zhen and the others that he would be leaving for a day.
Soon, Ling Feng found Zhen and the others on the top floor of Tenshukaku.
Besides Zhen and Kage, there were others.
Itomiko, the white-fox-like Kitsune Saigu.
The masked Great Tengu, Sasa-yuri.
The Oni tribe's female warrior, Miyo Chiyo!
The five were playing Hanafuda. Looking at this warm scene, and recalling Kage's background story, Ling Feng couldn't help but sigh.
What cruel twists of fate.