The Night of Killing
The night was as dark as ink, with barely a moon or star visible.
In the barren forest, branches swayed as if haunted by specters. Sparse shadows crept along the ground, inching forward over the yellow sand.
Luo Yu's face suddenly emerged, clad in military uniform with a sharp blade in hand.
On his first mission at the tender age of seventeen, his eyes should have still held traces of innocence, yet they displayed a sharpness that belied his years.
Five veterans and five recruits, led by the squad leader Wu Mazi. This mix of old and new was barely adequate. Meng Hu also accompanied Luo Yu, who had initially been reluctant but volunteered when he saw Luo Yu joining.
After crawling forward for a while, they stopped, their breathing becoming labored. For a campfire had appeared ahead, with faint voices carrying through the air.
Qiang soldiers!
The reconnaissance squad consisted of only three men, their three tall horses tethered to tree trunks, their scimitars resting nearby.
Though only three in number, the soldiers remained tense. The Qiang tribesmen were bloodthirsty savages, cruel and fierce, and every raid across the border resulted in numerous deaths.
From commoners to soldiers, everyone viewed the Qiang troops as terrifying beasts, to be feared like tigers.
Squad leader Wu Mazi, expressionless, turned to the recruits:
"You kill the Qiang soldiers, I'll provide cover."
The recruits panicked instantly. The veterans weren't going, but the recruits were?
"Go! Disobeying orders in battle is punishable by death!"
Under Wu Mazi's cold gaze, Luo Yu was the first to advance with his blade, the others hesitating before reluctantly following.
The veterans staying behind offered a warning:
"Sir, three Qiang soldiers are tough opponents. Shouldn't we help? These greenhorns might not be enough."
"No rush."
Wu Mazi's lips curled into a sneer: "Let them wear down the Qiang soldiers' strength first. Maybe these useless men will be of some use."
The forest's oppressive atmosphere grew even heavier.
The five recruits slowly approached the campfire, their legs visibly trembling with fear.
But Luo Yu remained calm, his steps light. With his mercenary memories, scouting enemy camps was second nature.
"Ouch!"
Before reaching the campfire, the recruit on the left tripped over a tree root, falling flat on his face.
Startled, the Qiang soldiers leaped to their feet with their blades, staring into the forest. But when they saw only trembling recruits, they laughed out loud:
"Hey, you cowardly turtles actually dared to leave the fort?"
"Just what we needed - some heads to liven things up."
"Charge!"
Though outnumbered, the Qiang soldiers attacked first. Except for Luo Yu and Meng Hu, the other three recruits screamed and turned to run. The Qiang soldiers weren't fools - they went for the easy targets first, quickly dispatching the three fleeing soldiers with their blades.
Three against two, the remaining Qiang soldiers cursed their luck!
Luo Yu and Meng Hu stood back to back, the Qiang soldiers brandishing their scimitars and taunting:
"Two bastards, kneel and beg for mercy and maybe we'll spare your lives. Go be slaves on the steppe, or you'll die a horrible death."
Though Meng Hu was muscular, the Qiang soldiers didn't take him seriously. As for the slender Luo Yu, they barely glanced at him.
"Tiger, can you handle one?"
"No problem."
Meng Hu nodded, then realized: "Brother Yu, you're taking on two?"
"Ha!"
Before Luo Yu could respond, the three Qiang soldiers lunged simultaneously.
The blades sliced through the air with a whistling sound. Luo Yu's body shifted slightly, the blade passing just by his shoulder, a cool breeze following. Without hesitation, his right leg snapped forward, a powerful kick sending the Qiang soldier flying several yards, landing unconscious.
Both the Qiang soldiers and Wu Mazi hiding in the forest were stunned. How could a single kick have such force?
"Brat, you're asking for death!"
The other Qiang soldier roared with rage, leaping forward with his scimitar raised.
Luo Yu's gaze was cold, his wrist flipping as his blade rose straight up, colliding with the scimitar in mid-air, sparks flying.
The force of the impact numbed the Qiang soldier's arm. As the blades crossed, Luo Yu pulled back, his blade slicing across the wrist.
"Thud!"
The sound of blade slicing flesh rang out as the Qiang soldier's right hand was cleanly severed, blood gushing forth, the scimitar clattering to the ground.
A single clean cut, followed by a piercing scream echoing through the night. Luo Yu didn't give him a chance to recover, kicking him in the chest, breaking bones and ending his life.
"Brother Yu, watch out!"
After killing two men, Luo Yu barely had time to catch his breath when he heard Meng Hu's warning. He could feel a chill coming from behind.
The remaining Qiang soldier, enraged by Luo Yu's quick kills, had abandoned Meng Hu and come after Luo Yu.
Luo Yu didn't even turn, just tilted his head slightly as a scimitar whizzed past his scalp. Then he grabbed the Qiang soldier's wrist and executed a powerful suplex, throwing the nearly two-hundred-pound body to the ground.
"Thud!"
The Qiang soldier, spitting blood and lying on the ground, looked at Luo Yu in shock and despair. How could such strength come from such a slender frame?
Luo Yu licked his dry lips, straightening the man's head with one hand while placing his blade at his throat, mocking:
"One-on-one, you want to die?"
"Thud!"
As the blade mercilessly cut his throat, Luo Yu felt no disgust or fear, only a strange sense of satisfaction.
Meng Hu's mouth hung open, his face a mask of shock.
Three kills in quick succession - this was a recruit?
"Clap clap clap~"
Wu Mazi clapped as he stepped into the circle, marveling:
"Luo Yu, eh? Impressive skills. Little brother, have you trained?"
The veterans exchanged glances, amazed. Three Qiang soldiers killed - such skill they hadn't seen in years.
"An old veteran in our village taught me a few moves. Hope I didn't embarrass myself."
Luo Yu laughed it off, but his eyes were cold. These veterans had watched them die without helping - he knew their thoughts.
Recruits? Cannon fodder.
"No wonder you volunteered. You had the confidence."
Wu Mazi's smile grew wider: "I have a proposal for you."
"Sir, please speak."
"We're just rough soldiers, risking our lives on the front lines for what? To earn military merit and get promoted."
Wu Mazi glanced at the three corpses with interest:
"The three Qiang heads are mine. Consider it a gesture of friendship. From now on, I'll protect you in the fort. No one will dare trouble you.
What do you say?"
Luo Yu's eyes narrowed. Three heads weren't a small amount of merit. Not just the reward, but promotion to squad leader.
"Why?"
Before Luo Yu could respond, Meng Hu burst out angrily:
"Three savages were killed by Brother Yu. You hid in the back, now you want to steal the credit?
That's not how things work!"
The big guy was always impulsive, even facing the deputy captain without fear.
Wu Mazi's eyes grew colder:
"Let me advise you - the army isn't about fairness."
"Scrape scrape scrape!"
The five veterans drew their blades simultaneously, forming a loose semi-circle around the two.
Luo Yu's heart sank, his face darkening. These men would kill their own comrades for credit?
Meng Hu was furious, drawing his scimitar and shouting:
"Brother, let's fight!"
The tension was palpable.
The fire flickered, casting shadows on their faces, the forest heavy with killing intent.
"Tiger, don't be rash."
Luo Yu held back the angry Meng Hu, a smile appearing on his face: "It's an honor to be friends with Sir Wu. How about we split the three heads' credit?"
Seeing Luo Yu backing down, Wu Mazi grew even more arrogant, tapping Luo Yu's chest with his blade:
"What are you, to bargain with me?"
"Thud!"
Wu Mazi's mocking smile hadn't faded when a flash of cold steel appeared - a short dagger had plunged into his throat, blood spraying.
Luo Yu gripped the dagger, staring coldly at the desperately frightened Wu Mazi:
"What did you say? I didn't hear clearly."