An Easy Win

The reason Zhou Shan appointed Jaxon as the temporary squad leader instead of the burly man was threefold.

Firstly, Zhou Shan noticed that Jaxon's equipment was extraordinary. While he couldn't discern the specifics of every item, he recognized that the longsword, the armor, and the chainmail were no ordinary items. At least, as a brigade commander, he himself did not have the privilege to wear such gear. However, Jaxon, a man from the countryside, possessed them. This indicated that Jaxon was not an ordinary person, whether it was because of his own background or the influential people behind him. In any case, Jaxon was different from the other villagers.

Secondly, Zhou Shan felt that Jaxon's presence was unlike that of an ordinary person. His breathing seemed rhythmic and steady, exuding a calmness that allowed him to maintain peak condition. This was something Zhou Shan did not observe in others.

Lastly, there was an inexplicable sense of familiarity and trust that Zhou Shan felt towards Jaxon. For some reason, he found Jaxon more likable and trustworthy than others. It was as if Jaxon was simply more pleasing to the eye.

Because of these reasons, Zhou Shan chose Jaxon as the temporary squad leader over the burly man, who appeared stronger than Jaxon.

"I've taken off my helmet, armor, chainmail, and longsword," Jaxon said indifferently to the burly man.

"Even with those, you're no match for me!" the burly man retorted.

However, despite his bravado, the burly man felt a sense of relief internally. Although he was not as discerning as Zhou Shan, he knew that Jaxon's equipment was far from ordinary. If Jaxon had kept all those items on, the burly man might have found it very difficult to defeat him.

"Is that so? Don't just talk big, come and try," Jaxon said.

In reality, Jaxon had not removed all his gear. He still had his wrist guards and trousers on. Not only did the burly man fail to notice their significance, but even Zhou Shan did not think they could make a difference. Besides, it would be unreasonable to ask Jaxon to strip down to his underwear for a fight.

Jaxon's trousers and wrist guards appeared quite ordinary. Wu Chunli, the young girl who had given them to him, did not seem to favor flashy items. As a result, Zhou Shan did not recognize their special qualities. They looked no different from regular trousers and wrist guards.

Of course, no one could discern the uniqueness of the Flowing Cloud Boots either, and no one would demand that Jaxon fight barefoot.

"I'm coming, watch out!" The burly man, to his credit, was an honorable man. He did not sneak attack Jaxon but warned him before launching his assault. Surprisingly, this gesture made Jaxon, who had kept two pieces of equipment, feel a twinge of guilt.

However, for the sake of securing the position of squad leader and protecting his secrets, Jaxon believed it was better to be cautious. He couldn't afford to be careless and lose, which would have been quite entertaining for the others to watch.

The burly man indeed had some skills. His charge was fierce and forceful, with steady steps that made him seem as imposing as Mount Tai. Most people would have been intimidated by his momentum even before the fight began.

But Jaxon was clearly no ordinary person. He had faced ferocious beasts, magical creatures, and even bandits. He had seen his fair share of dangerous situations. Faced with the burly man's attack, Jaxon remained calm.

Jaxon did not choose to dodge. Although he believed that with his agility, he could easily evade the burly man's attacks, ensuring that the man wouldn't even be able to touch the hem of his clothes, let alone hurt him.

However, this match was not just about winning; it was about establishing authority. Jaxon needed to win convincingly and convincingly enough to earn the respect and admiration of his squad.

Seeing that Jaxon did not dodge, the burly man sneered inwardly, thinking Jaxon was overly confident. He was more than happy to teach Jaxon a lesson.

The burly man's fist, carrying a gust of wind, swung towards Jaxon's chest. The onlookers seemed to sense the power behind the punch, and some couldn't help but gasp in shock, expecting to see Jaxon knocked to the ground in the next moment.

However, the outcome was a disappointment to them. But more than disappointment, it was astonishment.

As the fist neared Jaxon's chest, Jaxon extended his right hand. It seemed slow, but it was actually faster than the punch, effortlessly blocking the burly man's fierce attack.

"Bang!"

The burly man's fist collided with Jaxon's palm. To everyone's surprise, it was the burly man who was knocked back, not the seemingly frail Jaxon. The burly man stumbled backward, retreating more than five meters before he could barely steady himself. He looked at Jaxon with a mixture of shock and even a hint of fear. Those close enough could see the man's arm trembling uncontrollably, and his facial muscles quivering.

What terrifying strength!

"Again!" Jaxon taunted the burly man with a beckoning gesture.

"Ah!" Despite his fear of Jaxon's formidable strength, the burly man was provoked by Jaxon's challenge. He roared and charged at Jaxon again, his momentum even more intense than before. He looked like a ferocious tiger descending from the mountains, exuding an overwhelming aura.

Jaxon stood his ground, still calm and unflinching. As the burly man swung his fist again, Jaxon's right hand shot out once more. This time, instead of just blocking the attack, he grabbed the man's wrist. He then took a step forward, his left hand turned into a palm supporting the man's abdomen. With a loud shout, to the astonishment of the onlookers, Jaxon lifted the burly man off his feet.

The burly man's feet left the ground, and he panicked, struggling desperately to break free from Jaxon's grip. But no matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't escape. Jaxon held him aloft, spun around once, and then hurled him away. The burly man screamed as he flew through the air for more than ten meters before crashing to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

The entire scene was met with complete silence. Even the burly man made no sound, having been knocked unconscious upon impact. The onlookers stared at Jaxon in shock and awe, puzzled by how someone who appeared so thin could possess such terrifying strength.

That was a man weighing nearly two hundred pounds, yet Jaxon had lifted him with ease and thrown him so far. Such strength was simply terrifying.

"Is there anyone else who wants to challenge me?" Jaxon lightly clapped his hands, looking at the other members of his squad with a calm expression, as if what he had just done was nothing remarkable.

"My intuition was right, wasn't it?" Zhou Shan said indifferently from a distance, a hint of pride in his voice.

My intuition is pretty spot-on.