After resting for three to four hours, Chen Shouyi couldn't lie down anymore.

He got up and walked out of the tent.

Not far away, the makeshift field hospital was faintly echoing with the painful moans of the wounded.

This place was barren, surrounded by mountains. Once, it would have been an ideal spot for a summer outing.

But now, it was enveloped in the smoke of war.

Since the mutations began, Jiangnan Province had not seen a day of peace.

War, death, happened every moment; peace had completely faded away, becoming a distant memory.

"Good day, Chief Consultant!" A young martial artist in his twenties quickly stood aside respectfully to greet Chen Shouyi upon seeing him on the road.

"Can't sleep?" Chen Shouyi glanced at the young martial artist, who wasn't much older than him, and asked.

The martial artist, surprised that Chen Shouyi would talk to him, stammered, "Yes... yes, the sound of the cannons is too loud, so I just stayed up, waiting to sleep when I'm tired in the evening."

"Are you from the Jiangnan Martial Arts Academy?" Chen Shouyi asked as he walked.

"Yes, I just graduated this year. Are you also from the Jiangnan Martial Arts Academy, Chief Consultant?" The young one quickly caught up, asking cautiously.

"No," Chen Shouyi shook his head slightly.

"Then are you a graduate of the Beijing Martial Arts Academy?" he asked.

The Beijing Martial Arts Academy is one of the top martial arts schools in Great Xia Country, comparable to international prestigious schools. Those who get in are all martial arts prodigies, and most can pass the martial arts assessment before graduation.

"Neither. I never attended a martial arts academy. I intended to, but plans couldn't keep up with changes. Before recruitment, I became a martial artist," Chen Shouyi sighed slightly, speaking with a hint of regret.

That was the college life he had long dreamed of.

A life without having gone to college is like not having had a girlfriend in middle school or not having a childhood, leaving regrets.

Unfortunately, he never spent a single day there and rushed into adult society before he even came of age.

After a long silence, Chen Shouyi couldn't help but turn his head to find the other looking constipated, his face red with restraint.

Sigh, young people just don't know how to talk.

Not like Xue Youcheng, who not only added to the atmosphere but also spoke well.

...

After showing off in front of the young martial artist, Chen Shouyi felt much better.

Indeed, showing off brings joy.

After wandering outside for a bit, Chen Shouyi returned to the tent, drew his sword, and slowly practiced his exertion technique.

He had barely begun when footsteps approached from outside.

"General Manager Chen, may I come in?"

"Come in," Chen Shouyi said, practicing his sword.

The tent flap lifted, and Bai Xiaoling, carrying a C-cup, walked in, quietly watching Chen Shouyi practice his sword.

In his state of inner tranquility refining himself, he had reached the stage of refining organs. Every move was fluid, his entire body moving with a grace akin to flowing mercury, full of a strong sense of beauty paired with an imposing killing intent.

Bai Xiaoling, standing by his side, still felt a chill on her back, her skin prickling with goosebumps.

Chen Shouyi stopped, a glimmer flashing as the sword slid into its scabbard: "What's the matter?"

"I just received a message that your bow has arrived, and you can pick it up from the provincial government at any time!"

Upon hearing this, a hint of delight flashed across his face, having waited a long time for it to finally arrive.

He quickly asked, "How many pounds?"

Chen Shouyi had long been dissatisfied with his bow, finding the 800-pound war bow far too light for him.

"It's 2000 pounds. Is that too heavy?" Bai Xiaoling asked with concern.

"A bit heavy, but it's fine," Chen Shouyi said, looking surprised.

Of course, it's too heavy!

Two thousand pounds, converted to kilograms, is 900 kilograms. With his near 1200-kilogram arm strength, even he couldn't draw such a heavy bow, given that it's a few fingers pulling the bowstring despite having the arm strength.

Enduring such pressure, his fingers would likely be torn off.

With his strength, what's most suitable for battle is around a 1500-pound bow, roughly half his arm strength.

However, he wasn't too concerned. Though his strength growth had slowed, it was only relatively speaking. He estimated it wouldn't be long before he could fully adapt to this bow.

"That's good! This bow was originally for the military, but it was returned later," Bai Xiaoling said.

Chen Shouyi nodded; he didn't need to think to realize this bow was meant for Lei Ruiyang or the late Xiao Changming, but after discovering it unsuitable, it was returned.

This martial master level bow was by no means cheap. More importantly, it was worth more than its price, and taking an unusable bow not only failed to provide combat power but made securing the next suitable bow challenging.

Military-trained martial masters, although like a son to them,

No matter what goes on in private, everything must appear fair on the surface.

A thought crossed Chen Shouyi's mind, and he curiously asked, "What's the origin of this bow?"

"I'm not entirely sure. I heard it's the relic of a martial master," Bai Xiaoling said.

Chen Shouyi's expression changed slightly, his heart sighing.

Someone capable of wielding such a strong bow undoubtedly possessed immense strength, far beyond the likes of Lei Ruiyang, yet even such a powerful figure sacrificed himself.

...

As manpower and resources rapidly mobilized in this direction,

One truck after another loaded with cement and sand queued to drive to the embankment, followed by a large number of cement mixers mixing and spraying on-site.

The speed of sealing the spatial passage was significantly accelerated.

By nine o'clock in the evening, the bottom of the reservoir was already covered in cement.

Though occasionally interdimensional creatures would crawl out of the still-soft cement, they could hardly stir trouble.

The next day, the cement began to harden preliminarily.

All martial artists and part of the soldiers began to withdraw, but a substantial number of soldiers remained stationed here to respond to any potential emergencies.

...

"I heard the military lost two martial artists!" Qin Liuyuan said, riding a bicycle along the road.

"How many civilian martial artists did we lose?" Chen Shouyi asked.

"Four, I think, all killed by that flying monster!" Qin Liuyuan said, then lowered his voice, "General Manager Chen, there's something I'd like to say, but I'm not sure if I should."

"What do you want to say?" Chen Shouyi asked, feeling a bit puzzled.

"I think civilian martial artists shouldn't remain so disunited any longer. Before, we had no conditions and were leaderless, but now it's different. Perhaps you haven't noticed, but you've become a symbol for civilian martial artists.

As long as you stand up, followers are sure to gather, and by then, everyone will have to consider our stance.

Why did Cui Ziweng get killed as a warning? It's because civilian martial artists were not united at all. If we formed a cohesive force, who would dare underestimate us? Even the military would have to think twice before acting against us."

Chen Shouyi glanced at Qin Liuyuan.

Slightly surprised, yet somewhat understanding.

No wonder, seeing him yesterday was like he was surrounded by a crowd, warmly socializing with martial artists.

He likely had this idea for a while.

When did it start?

ps: Took care of my kid today, sorry, only one chapter.

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