Chapter Thirty-Three: Stay or Get Out

Hu Mo was feeling immensely proud. With a single shake of his tiger-like frame, the aura of domination he exuded was simply unstoppable! He had pondered these words for a long time; to deal with this group of unruly warriors, only the most direct humiliation would suffice.

The soldiers were stunned. Hu Mo's words struck directly at their souls, as if stripping them bare and whipping them relentlessly, sprinkling salt and rubbing chili into their wounds. The agony was self-evident.

Indeed, this was how they had lived all these years. Their strength had stagnated, leaving them in despair, and the prolonged peace meant their days were dull and monotonous. Drinking, gambling, and the occasional training—this was their daily existence. The comfort of their lives had gradually eroded the ambition and drive they once possessed. Like a boat sailing against the current, failing to advance meant falling behind, and many soldiers had been left behind, step by step.

They had intended to lay down their lives on the battlefield, but to their bitter disappointment, they were assigned to serve under Hu Mo, a notorious wastrel. For them, this was worse than death.

Yet what happened next was a rude awakening. They could hardly believe the reality before their eyes: this young man, who appeared to possess only the fourth level of Battle Qi, had so effortlessly defeated Black Iron, accomplishing the impossible under everyone's gaze.

Those words had swept away the last shreds of their dignity. In that instant, they realized Hu Mo was right—they truly were nothing but utter cowards.

Only then did Uncle Fu come to understand. Hu Mo’s methods won his heartfelt admiration. Not only had Hu Mo concealed such astonishing strength, he also possessed formidable leadership. Fu had already guessed Hu Mo’s next move, and a serene smile crept onto his face.

The cold severity on Hu Mo's face slowly faded, replaced by a genial, spring-like smile.

"Since you are cowards, you can hardly look down on me now. We are the same, aren't we?" Hu Mo said with a smiling gaze, placing a hand gently on Black Iron's shoulder.

Black Iron, dazed and listless, suddenly felt a change. He sensed a vibrant surge of wood-element battle energy flowing through his damaged meridians. Wherever it passed, his torn muscles and bones began to heal, and a tingling sensation brought comfort. Only now did he fully grasp that this young master was anything but simple.

Black Iron’s injuries gradually stabilized, and his muscles and bones began to recover. Had Hu Mo not intervened, Black Iron would have suffered lasting consequences, which Hu Mo was unwilling to see.

Not a single soldier uttered a word; their heads hung so low it seemed they might sink into the earth. They had lost all pride—cowards, nothing but cowards!

"Well, that's enough. I’ve said all I need to crush your spirits. Now, I offer you two choices: either go to the accounts office, take one hundred taels of silver, and return home to live in peace; or stay and follow me. I promise—if you obey me, you will never again be branded as cowards!" Hu Mo declared loudly, each word striking their hearts like a hammer. Over a hundred soldiers raised their heads simultaneously, their eyes fixed intently on Hu Mo.

Hu Mo stepped forward, his slender frame giving off an aura of unmatched power.

"A man should live as a hero, and die as a legendary soul! If you believe you can only ever be a coward, then leave—go as far as you can!" Hu Mo shouted, startling Cang Ling, who was resting atop the artificial mountain. She glanced at Hu Mo, her brows knitting in hesitation, as if she wanted to speak but refrained, slowly closing her eyes once more.

"No! No! We refuse to be cowards! We pledge to follow you, young master, and serve with unwavering loyalty!" Black Iron, whose wounds had just stabilized, suddenly roared, enduring the pain to climb up and kneel upright.

The remaining one hundred and seven soldiers were stunned for a moment, then all knelt, their cries echoing without pause.

"Swear to follow the young master—"

"Swear to serve the young master—"

"Ready to die a thousand times without regret—"

Uncle Fu smiled, quietly stepping back, and through a thin veil of light, slowly walked away.

"They nearly shattered the sound barrier. At last, these young men’s fighting spirit has returned. Haha, the young master truly is a dragon among men," Uncle Fu muttered, his figure vanishing.

Hu Mo felt ecstatic; in all his lifetimes, this was the most satisfying moment. If life were a game of chance, he had finally secured his first chips. How much he could win now depended on his own strength.

"Excellent! Very good! Since you have chosen this path, I hereby declare: you are now my first army, the Star Brigade of Hu Mo, the foremost wastrel of Flame City. Your code name is Star, divided into two squads: Bloodthirsty Skyguard and Soul-devouring Earthfiend."

"However, joining these squads won’t be easy. Tomorrow morning at the third quarter, all of you will assemble at the Hu Mansion's drill grounds for your first test. For now, you need not go to the Western Hill training grounds. When the time comes, I will lead you back to reclaim your honor. Understood?"

"Understood!" all the soldiers shouted in unison.

"Good, very good. One last reminder: everything you see, hear, and do from now on is the highest-level secret of the Hu Mansion. You know what that means. I hope for one hundred and eight true brothers, not traitors. If any betray us, all will be punished," Hu Mo’s tone grew icy, his gaze chilling their hearts like a bloodthirsty demon.

"Yes! As you command!"

The Star Brigade quickly withdrew from Hu Mo’s sight. Only then did he let out a long breath and sigh, "This is exhausting! For a rogue like me to handle such matters, it’s truly torture. But, it’s actually quite amusing."

Hu Mo glanced instinctively at the artificial mountain, noticing Cang Ling watching him. She hurriedly turned her head and resumed her casual observation of the scenery.

Hu Mo tossed his long hair and walked off, secretly chuckling, "Has my aura of domination intimidated that shape-shifting enchantress? Haha, marvelous!"

But before he could get far, a familiar voice suddenly called out from nearby, accompanied by an overwhelming stench—as if the latrines of the entire Hu Mansion had exploded.

"Young Master Hu, Young Master Hu, I’ve come to find you—" That sly, shrill voice could only belong to Huang Sheng.

From several hundred meters away, Hu Mo saw a yellow figure, as filthy-looking as excrement, racing toward him. Birds dropped from the sky, goldfish sank to the bottom, flower petals closed—if it were night, Hu Mo was sure even the moon would keep its distance.

"Damn, ‘fish sink, birds fall, moon hides, flowers blush’—but all suffocated by his stench. It seems his body odor is worse than ever; if it’s not treated soon, he might suffocate himself," Hu Mo held his breath and thought.

Huang Sheng’s speed was impressive; after suffocating every living creature in his path, he finally reached Hu Mo. Covered in sweat, he wiped his brow, and as the droplets hit the yellow earth, they sizzled—his sweat apparently had powerful corrosive properties.

Cang Ling’s face changed, vanishing so quickly that even Hu Mo was amazed. With her obsession for cleanliness, how could she endure such a smell?

"Alright, just stand there, don’t move—don’t you dare move," Hu Mo looked at him anxiously, afraid he might attempt a bear hug that would suffocate him instantly.

Huang Sheng stopped in his tracks, standing forlornly and muttering, "So even Young Master Hu despises me. I originally wanted to give you a hug…"

"Pah! Who’s despising whom? It’s your smell I fear, not you as a person. If you want a hug, wait until I rid you of your stench," Hu Mo replied irritably, feeling a strong urge to slap the fellow to death.

Huang Sheng sidled up to Hu Mo, nervously clutching his clothes, nearly driving Hu Mo to collapse.

"Young Master Hu, from now on I’m yours. Everything I have belongs to you," Huang Sheng said with a sly smile, pressing close like a pig unfazed by boiling water.

"Alright, alright, just stay there and don’t move. I can’t handle your rare beauty. Still, it’s good you’re here; otherwise, I would have sought you out myself. I can’t rest easy until your poison is cured," Hu Mo’s tone grew serious. Huang Sheng’s smile faded, his nose twitching as if he might burst into tears.

"Young Master Hu, I…"

"Enough, don’t disgust me. Nothing’s ready yet, so I can’t treat you now. Later I’ll write you a prescription—go and prepare," Hu Mo waved him off impatiently. Hearing this, Huang Sheng became so excited he danced about as if injected with stimulant.

Suddenly, Huang Sheng’s movements ceased. As if remembering something important, his smile faded.

"Young Master Hu, I didn’t come here for my health this time. I have something to tell you—something very important for you."