Chapter Forty-Nine: I Will Shoulder My Father's Burden!

After spending the night under the open sky on a slab of bluestone, Hu Mo felt no fatigue at all. The silvery moonlight seemed ordinary, but Hu Mo discerned something mysterious within it. Bathed in its glow, he distinctly sensed the power of the Chaotic Water within him surging at several times its usual speed, continuously pouring into the Sacred Water King’s vessel. Though Hu Mo didn’t understand the reason, the benefits were obvious, and he eagerly welcomed them.

With the crow of the rooster, a ray of sunlight shot in from the distant east. Hu Mo immediately felt the Divine Wood King’s cauldron tremble with excitement; the power of Chaotic Fire began to rise at an accelerated rate. Hu Mo was now deeply aware of the terrifying potential of the Three Treasures. If only he hadn’t started so late, at this pace, it would take him just a few years to become a top master in this world.

Just a month ago, Hu Mo had been nothing but a useless weakling with only three levels of battle energy. Yet in less than a month, he had advanced to the third layer of the Ripple Technique. However, he still didn’t know exactly how his combat strength measured against the standards of this world; if he really was a Battle King now, it would surely shock many people.

Advancing dozens of levels in a month—even the so-called genius Situ Feng would cough up blood at the news, and those old veterans would be so overwhelmed with surprise and shame as to consider ending themselves.

He stretched lazily, hopped off the bluestone, and strode purposefully toward a certain place.

In the Hu Mansion’s training grounds, shadows darted swiftly, the clangor of metal striking stone and shouts of combat shaking the sound barrier until it trembled. The one hundred and eight members of the Heavenly Gang and Earth Fiends squads were all drenched in sweat. Hu Mo watched them from afar, counting heads, and a smile appeared on his lips—good, they were all here, none missing, none disappointing him.

Despite the distance, Hu Mo could see clearly. On the training field, the most intense fight was between Black Iron and Lin Nan.

Black Iron was a pure power-type warrior, his fierce, masculine fire-attribute battle energy granting him overwhelming strength. Lin Nan, on the other hand, was a pure water-attribute fighter. Though his strength was a level below Black Iron’s, the principle of the five elements ensured he could at least maintain an undefeated position, making their duel increasingly fierce.

Hu Mo made no move, merely concealed himself in a tree, observing the field.

Black Iron was usually honest and straightforward, warm and kind. But in battle, if provoked, the outcome was always catastrophic. Now, Black Iron had unleashed double his usual strength; each punch resounded with a sonic boom that snapped several small trees. The once smooth marble ground was now marked with terrifying cracks—if Hu Mo were hit, he’d surely suffer.

Lin Nan, however, showed no sign of tension. His hands moved ceaselessly, neutralizing every blow from Black Iron. The water energy transformed into cold air, suppressing Black Iron’s fiery power. Obviously, Lin Nan spent little effort while draining Black Iron’s reserves. If this continued, Black Iron was certain to lose.

Hu Mo’s attention suddenly sharpened—not on Black Iron’s blows nor his predicament, but on Lin Nan’s technique. Each palm strike was exquisitely executed, leveraging minimal force to redirect massive energy, a mastery only achievable through endless practice. His footwork was light as a wild goose, not as marvelous as the Ripple Wind Cloud, but still a refined skill in Hu Mo’s eyes.

This raised Hu Mo’s suspicions about Lin Nan. How could an ordinary civilian possess such remarkable combat techniques? Had such a talent been hidden away all this time? It made no sense.

Yet Hu Mo had no proof. If he acted against Lin Nan now, it would surely divide the Heavenly Gang and Earth Fiends squads. Killing one’s own on mere suspicion was a grave error in military training.

While Hu Mo pondered, the stalemate on the field suddenly broke. Lin Nan slipped, his body tilting back, and Black Iron’s punch landed squarely on his shoulder. Lin Nan cried out, flying like a severed kite. Black Iron, caught in a frenzy, didn’t stop, chasing after Lin Nan with another blow.

Hu Mo’s expression changed, and he shot forward like an arrow, arriving at Lin Nan’s side.

“Sorry, Black Iron!” Hu Mo apologized inwardly and kicked him aside. Even before his recent power boost, he could nearly cripple Black Iron; now, with his enhanced strength, his kick sent Black Iron flying.

With a thunderous crash, Black Iron’s massive form slammed into the wall, punching a hole through it. The crowd paused, then rushed to check on him, once again awed by Hu Mo’s kingly aura.

Hu Mo shook his hair proudly, instinctively hugging Lin Nan close as he floated gently to the ground.

Suddenly, he felt something strange at his fingertips. Glancing down, he met Lin Nan’s cold gaze. His hand was pressed against Lin Nan’s chest, the softness so real that Hu Mo was momentarily stunned.

Lin Nan’s expression shifted; he slid out of Hu Mo’s embrace with eel-like agility and landed deftly. Hu Mo, still distracted, dropped from midair, nearly breaking his tailbone.

“My poor backside, hope it’s not ruined,” Hu Mo muttered, rubbing it. He gently pinched his fingers, confirming the sensation had been real—Lin Nan’s chest was unusually large.

Could Lin Nan be a woman?

No, despite Lin Nan’s delicate, almost feminine features, the unmistakable Adam’s apple was there. The chest could be bound, the voice altered, but the Adam’s apple is not so easily disguised.

His understanding wrestled with reality, leaving him profoundly uncomfortable. Hu Mo felt tempted to strip Lin Nan to settle the matter, but if he did, Lin Nan would certainly fight him to the death.

After some time, Hu Mo was roused by the commotion of the crowd. The members of the Star Brigade gathered around him, anxiously helping him up. After all, Hu Mo had fallen from such a height; with his noble status, if he were injured, they’d all be in trouble.

Looking at their worried faces, Hu Mo laughed. “What, do you think I’m so fragile I’d get seriously hurt? You’re underestimating me! I saw everyone working hard here today, and it made me very happy. You haven’t let me down!”

His tone suddenly grew solemn. As he spoke, everyone, even the battered Black Iron, felt inspired; their eyes burned with intensity, focused on Hu Mo, making him uneasy—it was the same gaze he usually reserved for beautiful women.

“But that’s still not enough!” Hu Mo’s voice shifted, a faint smile on his face.

Their expressions remained unchanged, even expectant. They craved strength so desperately that, for honor and pride, they’d endure anything.

“Not enough! Of course it’s not enough! We can handle it!”

“Please, Young Master, push us hard! We swear to be loyal!”

“We want to be strong like you, not useless weaklings!”

They shouted in unison, and Hu Mo couldn’t help but feel a bit awkward at the second phrase. He imagined a giant “attack” written on his forehead, facing a crowd of fiercely submissive followers—a bizarre feeling.

Yet he still recalled the softness he’d felt earlier, and a wicked thought stirred in him. He promptly suppressed it.

“Damn, I really must be in heat lately—I need to find a beautiful woman, or my preferences might change. If you want to be submissive, I certainly don’t want to be dominant!” Hu Mo thought privately, raising his hand to quiet the crowd.

“Since you all have this resolve, I must speak from the heart—I’m proud of you. You’ve completed the second step!”

“From today, don’t call me ‘Young Master.’ I’m no longer a pampered son, but your commander!”

“My father, General Wei Long, is well-known to you; many of you served under him. It’s been years since his accident, and I’ve been lazy for years as well. But today, I take up his burden anew. I am your new commander! Understand?!”

Hu Mo shouted, his Three Treasures energies merging; at that moment, he seemed to fuse with heaven and earth, his overwhelming aura making everyone’s heart tremble. Many soldiers’ eyes brimmed with tears—they had waited for these words for so long.

“Yes—!”

“At your command—!”

“Loyalty unto death, Commander!”

The thunderous cries echoed through the training ground, driving everyone into a frenzy—except the still dazed Lin Nan.

“Ha, Brother Lin, you’re unhurt. I’m surprised—your chest muscles are really solid,” Hu Mo suddenly appeared beside Lin Nan, grinning.

Lin Nan’s expression changed, but before he could speak, Hu Mo shouted, “Starting tomorrow, all training triples! I’ll train with you!”

With that, Hu Mo’s smile returned. He exchanged a glance with Lin Nan and slowly walked away into the distance.