4: Chapter 0004 The Scholar Has Gone Mad

Stone Fortress Army Camp.

Due to the large number of generals who died in battle, there was now only one Garrison Commander, one Commander, and two Deputy Commanders remaining.

As the Deputy Commander of the Second Battalion, Vice Commander Chen Zhou was considered one of the top figures in the city in terms of status!

When Lin Xiao entered the tent, Vice Commander Chen Zhou and several of his confidants were drinking and watching two songstresses dance.

Even though the barbarians could arrive at any moment, Vice Commander Chen Zhou and several of his subordinates had already given up on resisting.

Since they couldn't escape death either way, they might as well get drunk while they could!

"Commander Chen, Lin Xiao is here."

Lin Xiao stepped forward and cupped his hands in a salute: "Greetings, Commander Chen."

[Chen Zhou, 25 years old, Stone Fortress Garrison Deputy Commander, Aptitude: Mortal Grade]

[Cultivation Method: Border Army Spear Technique (8 years of cultivation), Mortal Grade]

Seeing these attributes, Lin Xiao had a plan in mind.

"So it's you, the one they call Scholar Lin."

Vice Commander Chen Zhou held a wine cup, his face full of arrogance. "Was it you who killed Chen Hu? I'll give you only one chance—tell the truth!"

Lin Xiao had long known the other party would ask this, and he immediately pulled out the prepared Blood-Drinking Saber.

"Please take a look, Commander!"

Vice Commander Chen Zhou's eyes lit up. Although he wasn't some martial arts master, as a minor military officer, he naturally had some discernment!

"Is this a yellow grade long saber?"

Weapons of a superior grade, like cultivation methods, were generally only affordable for generals.

In the entire Shibao Border Army, only the Garrison Commander held a yellow grade sword.

Anything of mystic grade or above was generally only possessed by legitimate nobles.

Therefore, Vice Commander Chen Zhou's gaze instantly became fervent!

"Commander has a good eye!"

Lin Xiao smiled bitterly. "This is actually a relic from my late father. Chen Hu snatched it from me, wanting to sell it for money."

"As a son, no matter how weak I am, I cannot stand by and watch my father's relic be stolen."

Yao Gang, who was standing nearby, was a bit puzzled. Didn't Lin Xiao's father write letters for others for a living? How did he have a saber?

"A yellow grade long saber is indeed worth quite a bit of money—at least several hundred taels of silver. No wonder my cousin was tempted."

Vice Commander Chen Zhou's tone shifted. "However, even if your actions were understandable, you still killed someone and violated military regulations."

Lin Xiao hurriedly held up the long saber and took two steps forward.

"Commander Chen, I have always admired your bravery and skill in battle. I am willing to offer this saber; please show mercy!!"

The corners of Vice Commander Chen Zhou's mouth could not suppress a smile.

This kid is truly too stupid!

A saber of this grade not only makes killing enemies easy, but more importantly, it can be exchanged for a lot of money!

Holding it was equivalent to carrying several hundred taels of silver. He could find any place and live a decent life.

Vice Commander Chen Zhou had already planned that once Stone Fortress could no longer be held, he would slip away with a few confidants.

He had been worried before that after becoming a deserter, he would have no way to make money and even survival would be an issue.

Now, the money problem was solved!

This scholar actually foolishly stayed at home, waiting for him to send people to arrest him?

But he had to be grateful for meeting a fool; otherwise, how could he see a glimmer of hope for survival?

With a glance from him, a confidant soldier nearby stood up with a grin and walked toward Lin Xiao.

"Kid, at least you're sensible!"

Just as that confidant was about to take the saber from Lin Xiao's hand...

Lin Xiao's gaze instantly became sharp, and the Blood-Drinking Saber unsheathed with a roar!

*Clang!!*

How could these ordinary soldiers withstand nine years of cultivation, especially after drinking?

A head flew up, and a line of blood sprayed wildly!

[Ding! Kill +1, Cultivation +1]

The songstresses shrieked and screamed, completely terrified!

Vice Commander Chen Zhou was, after all, a veteran of many battles and had been on guard. Seeing this, his eyes bulged with rage, and he quickly stood up, drawing his own sidearm.

"You bastard! You're looking for death!!"

Vice Commander Chen Zhou vaulted over the low table, just as he was about to strike at Lin Xiao...

"Blood Splatters Seven Feet!"

Lin Xiao delivered a vertical slash, carving out a blood-colored ribbon of saber qi!

The saber qi struck through the air, its momentum like a rainbow!

A strike with ten years of cultivation!

Lin Xiao had stepped forward to offer the saber just now specifically to ensure he was within sufficient range to activate the skill!

Before Vice Commander Chen Zhou could react, his body felt as if it had been struck by lightning, and his face was split right down the middle!

*Thud!*

Vice Commander Chen Zhou collapsed to his knees, falling into a pool of blood on the spot.

[Ding! Kill +1, Cultivation +1]

Lin Xiao felt a bit depressed; killing a Deputy Commander was no different from killing a common soldier.

Well, I guess everyone is equal now!

"Mur... Murder!!"

The remaining two confidants, seeing that even Vice Commander Chen Zhou had been killed, hurriedly tried to flee.

"Where do you think you're going!!?"

The dark-faced man suddenly blocked the doorway and knocked one down with a single punch!

Yao Gang?

"Scholar Lin! Don't let them escape!!"

Lin Xiao felt a bit touched—what a good brother!

Although he didn't need the help, he still had to appreciate the sentiment!

He stepped up with two swift slashes, and two more heads were severed.

It's all cultivation!

[Cultivation Method: Blood Fiend Saber Technique (13 years of cultivation) yellow grade (Evolvable)]

Lin Xiao felt invigorated; if he killed a few more, it would be as if he'd started practicing the saber from the womb!

At the same time, the notification sound rang out again!

[Ding! Obtained achievement "One Against Ten": Kill ten people. (yellow grade) Prestige +10]

As a result, his total prestige reached 80 points!

"Scholar Lin, why is your saber technique so powerful? I almost don't recognize you anymore!"

Yao Gang was a bit dazed and scratched his head.

"You don't recognize me, yet you still helped me? Do you know how serious the crime of killing fellow soldiers is?" Lin Xiao said with a faint smile.

"Who gives a damn! At worst, we die. Killing them is more satisfying than killing barbarians! A bunch of parasites!!"

Lin Xiao patted Yao Gang's shoulder. "Don't worry, I have a way. We won't die!"

Yao Gang looked puzzled. "What do you want to do?"

Lin Xiao took Vice Commander Chen Zhou's head with a single stroke.

"Let's go find the general. We're going to turn ourselves in!"

"Huh?!"

Yao Gang was dumbstruck, thinking he had misheard.

But Lin Xiao didn't say much more. He walked out openly, carrying Vice Commander Chen Zhou's head, toward the General's main tent.

A group of surviving border soldiers saw this scene and looked as if they'd seen a ghost!

"Isn't that Deputy Commander Chen? How did he get decapitated!?"

"Holy crap! Isn't that Scholar Lin? Has he gone mad!?"

Amidst the discussions, Lin Xiao arrived before the main tent.

"Your humble servant Lin Xiao has slain Deputy Commander Chen Zhou and several of his subordinates. I have come specifically to confess my crime to General Zhao!!"