"Chu Chen, these are the deputy commanders of the Zhenbei Camp!"
"Greetings, Third Young Master!"
The other middle-aged men immediately cupped their fists and saluted Chu Chen.
"Generals, there's no need for such formalities," Chu Chen said with a smile.
The deputy commanders of the Zhenbei Camp were influential enough in Yangzhou City to hold their own, and each of them exuded a strong aura of iron and blood.
"Brother Chu, your swordsmanship is exceptional. Can you demonstrate some sword techniques?" Chen Hu asked.
"Of course," Chu Chen nodded.
"Good!" Chen Hu became excited. "Listen up, from today onwards, Chu Chen is my sworn brother!
Anyone who dares to bully him is going against me, Chen Hu!"
After speaking, Chen Hu patted Chu Chen's shoulder and said earnestly, "Brother Chu, I know you've only recently arrived in Yangzhou City.
But you must understand that just idling around here means nothing. You need to strive for promotions and higher positions. Only then can you live a better life. Do you understand?"
"I understand. I will," Chu Chen nodded.
"That's good," Chen Hu breathed a sigh of relief and then turned to the middle-aged men.
"Brother Chu is my sworn brother, and I, Chen Hu, will protect him. You all must not cause him any trouble, or I won't recognize you as friends!"
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged men's faces twitched, and they said bitterly, "Second Master, how would we dare..."
"Get lost!" Chen Hu kicked one of them. "Don't treat me like an idiot! I'm warning you, if anyone dares to touch a single hair on Brother Chu, I'll kill him first!"
The middle-aged men looked bitter and dispersed without another word.
"Brother Chu, rest assured, with me around, no one in Yangzhou City will dare to bully you!"
Chen Hu grinned, then added, "Oh, right, you've just arrived in Yangzhou City, so you probably don't have a place to stay, right? I'll have someone prepare a courtyard for you."
"No need, I'm staying at an inn for now," Chu Chen said calmly.
"Heh heh, why be polite with me? You're my brother. Come, I'll take you on a tour of our Zhenbei Camp. While our troops might not be as numerous as those in Yangzhou City,
they are all elites, rigorously trained. I guarantee you'll be inspired." Chen Hu said with a smile, genuinely appreciating Chu Chen.
Led by Chen Hu, Chu Chen entered the Zhenbei Camp.
The garrison in Yangzhou City was built grandly and majestically, with rows of houses arranged in an orderly fashion and wide streets.
On both sides were various shops, tea houses, and gambling dens. At the end of the street stood an enormous palace, resplendent and magnificent, like an emperor's residence, exuding immense grandeur.
The Zhenbei Camp was the core of Yangzhou City's defense, comprising three thousand elite soldiers, all drawn from the cream of the Yangzhou army, possessing formidable strength.
"Brother Chu, since you're new here, do you have any needs?" Chen Hu asked eagerly.
"No need to trouble yourself. Staying at the inn is perfectly fine for now," Chu Chen replied calmly.
Chen Hu nodded and then said, "Brother Chu, don't misunderstand. This banquet is mainly to welcome your joining, and also to discuss the suppression of bandits.
Everyone has seen your contributions. If you can successfully eliminate the bandits, you will surely be promoted!"
Chu Chen nodded without speaking and followed Chen Hu to the training grounds of the Zhenbei Camp. This area was vast, with dense wooden stakes erected all around.
At this moment, the training grounds were filled with rows of sturdy soldiers, their weapons clashing, their killing intent soaring to the heavens.
Chen Hu pointed to the open space in the center of the training grounds and said, "Look over there, that's the sparring arena. I'll have someone arrange for a few experts to spar with you later."
"These men are all elites from our Zhenbei Camp!" Chen Hu declared. "If you can defeat them,
our Zhenbei Camp will recognize you as a new recruit. If you ever need anything, come to me, and I'll cover for you!"
As he spoke, Chen Hu suddenly showed a sly grin and whispered into Chu Chen's ear, "Brother Chu, these soldiers are all scions of noble families in Yangzhou City.
If you can defeat them all, you'll truly become famous!" Chu Chen was slightly taken aback and looked at Chen Hu with surprise.
"Brother Chu, don't think I'm bragging. Let me tell you, many people in Yangzhou City would be delighted if you did this!"
Chen Hu said with a chuckle.
Chu Chen couldn't help but smile. So that was the reason! No wonder he sensed a gunpowder-like atmosphere in the Zhenbei Camp; it was due to accumulated conflicts from internal skirmishes!
"In that case, I'll give it a try." Chu Chen's gaze swept across the central area of the training grounds.
More than a dozen burly men were already standing there, all with fierce expressions.
These men were clearly under Chen Hu's command and had practiced the most potent body-tempering techniques in Yangzhou City.
"What do you think, Brother Chu? I'm being generous, aren't I?" Chen Hu asked proudly.
"Indeed, you are quite generous," Chu Chen nodded, then walked to the center of the training grounds, surveyed the surroundings, and said sternly, "Who wants to spar with me? Hurry up."
As soon as he spoke, a wave of boisterous laughter erupted.
"Haha, this kid is actually running out here to die."
"I thought Chen Hu had recruited some master, but it turns out he's just a hothead."
"Heh heh, this fellow probably couldn't even kill a chicken, yet he dares to challenge the elites of the Zhenbei Camp? He's simply courting death!"
The soldiers burst into laughter, looking at Chu Chen as if he were a joke.
"Brother Chu, are you sure you want to challenge us?" a burly man grinned.
He was extremely muscular, his body bulging with muscles, his arms thick and powerful, filled with explosive, terrifying strength!
"Yes, I'm sure," Chu Chen replied calmly, then glanced at the others and continued, "Who among you is willing to spar with me?"
"I will. A mere youngster, I can crush his neck with one hand!" a robust young man stepped forward, snorting coldly.
"Chen Hu, this guy is Yang Wei. His father is the chief of the Yangzhou City Guard Department,"
Chen Hu whispered, then pointed to another person. "Over there is my teacher, Zhao Long!"
Chu Chen nodded, then strode towards Yang Wei.
Seeing Chu Chen approaching directly, Yang Wei's expression turned grim, and he sneered, "Brat, you've got guts. I can break your neck with one hand.
If you kneel and kowtow to me now, I might spare your life. Otherwise, today will be your death anniversary!"
Chu Chen's face was indifferent. He shook his head and said, "Too many weaklings. I'm not interested in playing with you."
*Boom!* Yang Wei was enraged and lunged forward instantly, smashing his right fist forward.
Chu Chen let out a contemptuous laugh, extended a palm, and with a dull thud, sent Yang Wei flying!