Jian Zhi declared his plan to eradicate the corruption from the district. “Go and rest, everyone. Starting tomorrow, we begin training.”

  Captain Zhào returned to his room, but before entering, he lingered, wanting to learn more about the enigmatic figure he had allied with. He noticed Mei Lin nearby and approached her.

  “Excuse me—you must be Mei Lin, correct? May I ask you more about the General?”

  Hearing his interest in her leader, Mei Lin nodded. “Let’s sit. I’ll tell you what I know.”

  They sat together, and Mei Lin began:

  “He came to our village about a month ago. There’s a unique, unnameable aura about him. At first, we watched him out of curiosity. But after witnessing his actions—how he brought peace and safety back to our people—we knew we could trust him. He is indeed from Devil’s Mountain. They say he conquered it. He’s hunted its most dangerous beasts and even built a throne in his cave. We don’t know his full story yet, but his sense of justice is absolute. He would never betray those he protects.”

  Her words painted a clearer picture in Captain Zhào’s mind.

  “So, he is the mysterious one who tamed the mountain?”

  Mei Lin nodded warmly. “As far as we know, yes. And we’ve never felt safer than when we are with him.”

  Captain Zhào replied, “He doesn’t seem like a threat.”

  Mei Lin answered without hesitation, “He never was.”

  Seeing the deep trust these women and villagers placed in Jian Zhi, Captain Zhào nodded in agreement.

  “May I see his armor and weapons? They look unlike any I’ve ever seen.”

  Mei Lin studied him a moment, then said, “If you promise not to take them, I’ll show you. We’re all allowed to look—even touch them—but wearing or wielding them is another matter.”

  “Why is that?” “Come.You’ll understand.”

  She led him to Jian Zhi’s chamber. Inside, his gear lay arranged with care—the crimson-and-cyan armor, and resting beside it, The Punisher (惩处者 - Chéngchǔ Zhě).

  Captain Zhào reached for the blade, but try as he might, he could not lift it. “What kind of metal is this? How does he carry this at his waist? Why it is so heavy? And this armor—it glows cyan now, but it was crimson in daylight. Is this magic?”

  “It is not magic.”

  Jian Zhi’s voice came from the doorway, calm and penetrating. Both turned, startled.

  “It is the result of experimentation. Forged from Dragon Scale metal, iron, and copper. A rarity found only in this mountain.”

  Mei Lin relaxed when she saw it was him. “Captain Zhào, you’ve seen what you wished to see. It’s time to rest. We train at dawn.”

  Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

  She gently guided Zhào out, bidding Jian Zhi, “Good night, General.”

  Morning broke over the safehouse. Captain Zhào awoke, glanced into a mirror, and gasped. “AHH! What is this?!”

  A dark bruise marked his forehead where Jian Zhi’s knee had struck him. He stormed out to confront him.

  “You! What did you do to my forehead? Why is it bruised?”

  Jian Zhi regarded him coolly. “You were struck by my knee. Apply a herbal bandage for a week. It will heal.”

  Frustrated but conceding, Captain Zhào sighed. “Fine.”

  The women nearby giggled among themselves.

  Jian Zhi gathered everyone. “For the next three weeks, we train in the mountains—archery, close-quarters combat, and endurance. And you, Captain Zhào—you will learn my martial arts alongside them. Consider it the first gift of our alliance.”

  The women hurried to pack supplies, and soon they were all trekking toward the mountain, Captain Zhào among them.

  Along the way, Jian Zhi explained, “We’ll sustain ourselves with produce from my farm near the waterfall. We train there.”

  Whispers of excitement passed among the women. Captain Zhào wondered what kind of farm lay hidden in these treacherous slopes.

  After thirty-nine minutes of walking, they arrived at a breathe taking waterfall, hidden deep within the mountain—a place none but Jian Zhi had ever seen. Its beauty left them speechless: lush greenery, crystal blue waters, a true hidden gem.

  Jian Zhi led them to his hidden garden. But this was no ordinary farm—every vegetable and fruit grew twenty times larger than normal.

  Lian, one of the women, stared in awe. “General, what is this? Why is everything so enormous?”

  “The waterfall is known as The Flow of Magic (灵流瀑布 - Líng Liú Pùbù). Its waters pass over a vein of Dragon Scale metal, enriching it with intense nutrients. It accelerates growth and size. We will bring this harvest back to the village. It will feed everyone for months.”

  The group was amazed not only by the mountain’s miracles but by Jian Zhi’s foresight and leadership.

  Jian Zhi laid out the training plan. “All of you—except Captain Zhào—will train underwater today.”

  A woman named Ying asked, “Underwater? Won’t we drown?”

  “You will stand submerged to your shoulders. Water resistance will strengthen your movements and discipline your form. To fight well in air, you must first learn to move through water.”

  Convinced, the women began practicing the Devil’s Way beneath the waterfall’s pool, their movements slowed but purposeful.

  Jian Zhi then brought Captain Zhào to a secluded spot. He presented him with a sleek, lightweight blade. “This is Soul Scratcher (挠魂刀 - Náo Hún Dāo). I crafted it after The Punisher. It is light, fast, and sings when swung. It was not for me—I prefer silent strikes—but perhaps it will suit you.”

  Grateful, Captain Zhào accepted the blade. As he practiced, each swing produced a rhythmic, almost musical sound that resonated deeply with him. He vowed to master its unique song.

  While the others trained, Jian Zhi ventured into the Giant Tree Forest (巨木林 - Jù Mù Lín), where massive trees towered like pillars. Here, he harvested timber and devised a sturdy wooden sled, strong enough to be pulled by the Mountain Elephants (山象 - Shān Xiàng)—magnificent, gentle giants native to the deepest parts of the mountain, with broad backs and immense strength, loyal to Jian Zhi since he once saved a calf from bandit's brutal trap on it and trying to kill it.

  By evening, the sled was ready, laden with gigantic fruits, vegetables, and rice.

  Lian gazed in wonder. “General, what is this? And are those… elephants?”

  Jian Zhi nodded. “They will help us bring food to the village. Everyone, climb on the sled. ”The curious women touched the trunks of the elephants and gave them some of the fruits to eat. their giant yet gentle souls accepted their kindness and ate them and led them ride on their backs.

  Lian and Ying climbed up first and rode them and following their lead everyone took their chances. On the way to the village.

  And so they descended the mountain—tired but fulfilled, strengthened by training, and hopeful under the Crimson General’s watch. The harvest had truly begun.

  FOLLOW button so you get the notification when the next chapter drops. It really helps the novel grow and keeps me motivated to write !