23: Chapter 23 Are they giving me a hard time?

A great battle was imminent.

The Mad Dog Camp no longer clamored; it had quieted down.

In the encampment, chaotic footsteps erupted everywhere as soldiers rushed in unison to their respective barracks, beginning to don their armor and check their weapons.

The entire Mad Dog Camp was completely buzzing with activity.

Scarface, beneath Su Bai's feet, had already passed out from the pain, and no one spared him another glance.

Amidst this chaos, a figure quietly approached Su Bai.

It was the blood-soaked messenger from earlier.

He lowered his voice and whispered to Su Bai, "Squad Leader Su, be careful. I just came from the Generals Mansion and heard some rumors."

Su Bai turned his head to look at him.

The messenger glanced quickly around and continued, "Someone has slandered you to General General Qin Bei. They claimed that as a Loose Cultivator of unknown origin, your desperate attempt to join the New Recruit Camp was for ulterior motives, and that you are very likely a spy for the Yao Race."

After finishing, he dared not stay any longer. He gave Su Bai a look that meant 'take care of yourself,' then turned and disappeared into the crowd.

Su Bai stood where he was, the warmth in his eyes fading bit by bit.

A spy?

What a heavy accusation to pin on someone.

He had only arrived at the New Recruit Camp on this first day, not even formally registered yet, and already someone was impatient to see him dead.

The water in this military camp was much deeper than he had imagined.

However, having just arrived on the first day, who could he have offended?

"Su Bai!"

A vigorous roar interrupted Su Bai's thoughts.

The crowd automatically parted to form a path as a middle-aged general clad in black armor, surrounded by his personal guards, strode over.

He carried a long saber at his waist and glared at Su Bai with eyes as sharp as a hawk's.

It was the general in charge of the New Recruit Camp, General Qin Bei.

Beside him, the adjutant Chang Feng looked at Su Bai with sinister eyes, saying nothing, giving off a cold impression.

The hooligans of the Mad Dog Camp saw General Qin Bei, stopped what they were doing, and saluted solemnly.

"General!"

General Qin Bei waved his hand casually, his gaze shooting straight at Su Bai.

After looking Su Bai up and down, he spoke in a grim tone:

"Very good. I heard your skills are not bad; you are a promising talent."

"Since you are a promising talent, you should contribute to Cloud Province City. Now, I will give you a chance to prove yourself."

General Qin Bei raised his hand and pointed to the north.

There, Demonic Qi soared to the heavens, and black clouds pressed down upon the city.

"The Demon army of three hundred thousand has already set up camp at Black Wind Pass, a hundred miles away. The military situation is urgent; we must ascertain their true strength, troop deployment, and whether there is a Yao King overseeing them."

He stared at Su Bai and said, word for word, "Su Bai, take your men, leave the city tomorrow, infiltrate the camp of the Yao Race, and bring this intelligence back to me."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire scene fell silent.

Even the hooligans within the Mad Dog Camp couldn't help but gasp in cold air.

Infiltrate the camp of a three hundred thousand-strong Demon army?

What kind of concept was that?

How was this mission any different from throwing one's life away?

Ma Lie and the others turned pale.

If not for General Qin Bei's presence, they probably would have cried out.

Su Bai's expression finally changed.

His pupils constricted slightly, his heart feeling as if it were being squeezed by an invisible hand.

Throwing his life away?

No, this was an attempt to break his spirit.

If he didn't go, it would be defying military orders, and General Qin Bei could execute him on the spot for treason.

If he went, it would be a near-death experience.

Or perhaps, certain death.

No matter how he chose, it seemed to be a dead end.

Seeing Su Bai silent, the adjutant Chang Feng, who was beside General Qin Bei, immediately stepped forward and rebuked him sternly:

"Insolent! Su Bai, what is that expression?!"

"You have only been in the camp for one day, do you intend to defy military orders already? Or is it that you simply dare not go? Or… are you guilty because you don't dare to face the Yao Race?!"

Chang Feng's voice was sharp and piercing.

As his words fell, almost everyone's gaze landed on Su Bai.

Words intended to break his spirit, one after another.

Su Bai slowly raised his head, meeting General Qin Bei's eyes.

He knew that he had to cross this hurdle today, whether he wanted to or not.

He did not doubt that if he dared to say the word "no," the saber at Chang Feng's waist would be drawn in the next second.

After a moment of thought, Su Bai looked at General Qin Bei and said slowly:

"General, your subordinate… obeys."

He said these four words with unusual calmness.

So calm that even General Qin Bei raised an eyebrow slightly.

Chang Feng wanted to say something more, but was stopped by General Qin Bei.

"Very good."

General Qin Bei showed a look of satisfaction and evaluated Su Bai, saying, "You have courage. I truly did not misjudge you."

"However, although military matters are urgent, I am not unreasonable."

"It is late today, and you are tired from your journey. So, I will give you a day off to go home, rest well, and say goodbye to your families. Report back to the camp tomorrow morning to collect your equipment."

The gazes of the hooligans around them had changed from awe to pity.

Offending the general truly had no good outcome.

Just then, a trembling voice rang out.

"General! I… I will go too!"

Ma Lie gritted his teeth, stood out from the crowd, and looked at General Qin Bei, saying with difficulty:

"Wherever the Squad Leader goes, I go!"

"And me!"

"Damn it, if we die, we die! It's just one worthless life; eighteen years later, I'll be a hero again!"

"Count me in! I'm with Squad Leader Su, let's do it!"

The remaining eight people, after experiencing fear, actually stood out one after another, all sticking out their necks, standing behind Su Bai.

When the people from the Mad Dog Camp were giving them a hard time earlier, it was Su Bai who stood up for them.

Now that Su Bai was being targeted, they could not act like cowards.

Su Bai looked back at them, a warm current passing through his heart.

He didn't speak, just nodded gently at this group of men.

General Qin Bei watched this dramatic scene, a flash of surprise appearing in his eyes, followed by a cold tone:

"Good, very good! You all have guts! Then go back and prepare. Tomorrow morning, I will personally see you off!"

After finishing, he didn't glance at Su Bai again, turned around, and walked away with his personal guards.

…

When Su Bai returned to his small courtyard, it was already dusk.

An oil lamp was lit in the courtyard.

He pushed open the courtyard gate and immediately saw two slender figures busy under the lamp.

Lin Weiwei was crouching on the ground, struggling to wash a large basin of clothes, while Lin Chanchan was on the side, standing on tiptoes to hang them up.

Hearing the sound of the door opening, both of them turned their heads at the same time.

When they saw clearly that it was Su Bai standing at the doorway, they were both stunned.

"Su… Su Bai brother?"

Lin Chanchan rubbed her eyes, thinking she had misseen, and said with some surprise.

Lin Weiwei was even more frozen, the clothes in her hands falling into the basin, splashing water everywhere.

She looked at Su Bai, her whole body trembling as she said:

"You… how did you come back?"