83: Battle of Hundred Generals

"My Lord, most of the newcomers this time are of High-Level Soldier strength. Only about two thousand are Mid-Level Soldiers, and approximately a hundred possess Special-Level Soldier strength. The quality is quite good," Pan Feng said with a smile, very satisfied with the quality of this batch of recruits, especially Ma Baoguo, who he considered the best!

"Good, what part of the martial arts demonstration are we at?" Lin Yue asked. Aside from the sparring between Ma Baoguo and Wu De, most of the other Soldiers' duels were just two people swinging at each other, not very exciting. So, he had come to the training ground early to practice archery, not wasting a single moment.

Compared to reality, games can provide people with greater motivation.

In reality, you don't get much feedback during your efforts, which leads some people to give up, feeling their efforts are in vain.

But in games, it's different; as long as you put in the effort, there will be feedback.

Just like now, after many days of practice, Lin Yue's Martial Power has increased by another point!

After receiving this feedback, he didn't want to stop for a moment!

【name: Lin Yue

Title: Pioneer

Identity: Military General (Great Qin)

Peerage: Baron

Official Position: Commandant

Cultivation Method: "Killing God Art" (Second Layer 24%)

Martial Power: 54

Intelligence: 31

Command: 21

Politics: 22

Charm: 99

Reputation: 2315 (Slightly Famous)

Talent: Amiability

Skill: Art of Recognizing People】

With a Martial Power of 54, even after gaining a point, he was still far from being a Mid-Level Military General. However, with the xuan yuan pill and the Jade Archer's Ring's bonuses, he clearly felt his Martial Power growing much faster than before!

Moreover, his archery skill had already broken through to the 'Initial Glimpse' stage! Although he was still very poor, he would no longer miss a target at ten meters as he did before.

"We're at the final stage of the Centurion competition," Pan Feng said.

"Alright then, let's go take a look!" Lin Yue said after hearing this, putting away his longbow and walking with Pan Feng towards the sparring arena.

As they entered the sparring arena, they could hear the enthusiastic shouts of the Soldiers!

At this time, the previous open ground had shifted to the stage. Three stages were set up in a 'pin' character formation, with a total of 12 people on them!

On the stage, it was still two-on-two duels, but unlike before, this time it was a newcomer against an old veteran Soldier. The loser would serve as a Squad Leader, while the winner would become a Centurion, managing a hundred people!

Li Mu saw Lin Yue appear and said, "The Centurion competition begins!"

Then six people stepped down, and six remained on the three stages, preparing to duel.

Below the stage, the shouts of the many Soldiers grew louder and louder, erupting into a thunderous roar of cheers!

The six people on stage began to fight!

"My Lord, the six people on stage are all of Special-Level Military General strength," Pan Feng said.

"How many of the final six Centurions do you think will be veteran Soldiers from the White Horse Righteous Cavalry?" Lin Yue asked.

Pan Feng had watched the entire competition and had a rough estimate of everyone's strength. After thinking for a moment, he said to Lin Yue:

"This humble general believes that three to four old veterans should win.

Actually, fighting on the stage is a bit unfair to the old veterans, because they usually practice more mounted combat.

As for the newcomers, some are infantry who have experienced dozens of battles, while others came admiring the Great Wall Legion's prestige. Most are good commoners with some martial arts foundation from their villages, who have always practiced foot combat.

But because they are not proficient in horsemanship, although it's unfair, there's no better solution."

Lin Yue nodded. It was like the imperial examination; although not the best selection method, it was a relatively fair one for that era. He was powerless to change this.

"My Lord, look, This humble general spoke with that newcomer before. He's a good commoner who has studied martial arts with his father since childhood. His physique is very well-honed. He should be able to win."

Lin Yue followed Pan Feng's gaze and saw the young man fighting steadily, exchanging blows with the veteran Soldier opposite him. His moves were exquisite, clearly indicating he was a trained martial artist.

"He's a good prospect. What's his name?" Lin Yue asked.

"His name is Yuan Hong. This humble general believes he will reach the Half-Step Military General realm soon. This humble general would like to transfer him under my Command, My Lord, what do you think?" Pan Feng asked with a smile.

"Granted!" Lin Yue said with a smile.

Indeed, as Pan Feng expected, Yuan Hong, while fighting steadily, found an opening in his opponent's defense and defeated him with a single move, knocking him to the ground!

"Yuan Hong, wins!" Li Mu leaped onto the stage, raised Yuan Hong's hand, and shouted!

"I won! I won!" Some newcomers shouted loudly below the stage, while the veteran Soldiers nearby looked somewhat dejected and low-spirited.

Then Xing Daorong swaggered over and called everyone to him, distributing copper coins.

"Is A Rong running a betting pool?" Lin Yue asked.

"Yes," Pan Feng said softly, cursing Xing Daorong inwardly for being so blatant with his betting pool, as if he feared not displeasing My Lord.

Lin Yue didn't say anything after hearing this. It was inevitable to have some bad habits in the boring Military Camp. As long as the amount wasn't large, Lin Yue didn't want to interfere too much. This was also a way for officers and Soldiers to bond.

Moreover, such opportunities were rare. Once or twice, he wouldn't play the villain.

"Today is an exception, but it will be strictly forbidden in the future. If caught once, twenty strokes of the staff!" Lin Yue said.

"Understood!" Pan Feng replied, then softly explained to Lin Yue, "A Rong doesn't usually do this. Today, there was a need for a reputable bookie, and A Rong thought he could earn a little, so he agreed."

"He's short on money? Didn't I give him fifty taels of silver before? Did he spend it all or save it for Xia Lian?" Lin Yue asked curiously.

"He spent it all..." Pan Feng said with a look of regret.

"How did he spend it all?" Lin Yue asked. This wasn't a small sum, how could it be spent so quickly?

"Um... when we were choosing gifts, um, A Rong bought a Yellow-tier quality precious saber, which cost forty-five taels of silver," Pan Feng stammered, then, before Lin Yue could speak, he explained, "I tried to dissuade him, but A Rong didn't listen!"

"He gave the precious saber to... Xia Lian?" Lin Yue exclaimed.

"Yes, A Rong said there were many men in the village, so he told Xia Lian to keep it for self-defense and to chop anyone who got close to her!"

"Uh... alright," Lin Yue was speechless for a moment. A Rong's love was truly profound!

"Chen Wang, wins!"

"Zhang Tian, wins!" Li Mu shouted.

The matches on stage ended, and another six people came up.

"My Lord, that's Dong Yun, an old veteran of the White Horse Righteous Cavalry.

He participated in all wars after the establishment of the White Horse Righteous Cavalry, accumulating seventeen enemy kills, including seven kills in the Juqu Tribe battle," Pan Feng introduced.

"You want him transferred to you too, don't you?" Lin Yue said with a smile.

"Hehe," Pan Feng said with an embarrassed laugh.

"You can talk to Li Mu and A Rong about it yourself!" Lin Yue said. He had already transferred Yuan Hong to Pan Feng and couldn't be biased again.

"Alright," Pan Feng knew he was being a bit greedy, but he couldn't resist his fondness for excellent Soldiers.

"Dong Yun, wins!"

"Zhuang Xuan, wins!"

"Ling Zhuo, wins!"

The Centurion competition ended. Among the six Centurions, only Yuan Hong and Zhuang Xuan were newcomers.

Among the twelve Squad Leaders, five were newcomers; among the sixty Squad Leaders, forty-one were newcomers; among the one hundred twenty Squad Leaders, seventy-two were newcomers!

Ultimately, Yuan Hong and Ling Zhuo, two Centurions, were transferred under Pan Feng's Command;

Zhuang Xuan and Dong Yun were transferred under Li Mu's Command;

Zhang Tian and Chen Wang were transferred under Xing Daorong's Command!

Afterward, everyone divided into their respective teams, received their weapons, equipment, and warhorses, and then dispersed.