Chapter 66: Military District Background

“How could that be? Is it really not heatstroke?” The tall, wealthy student was dumbfounded.

“Haha, Little Qin, you’re truly remarkable. I knew I wasn’t wrong about you. All right, everyone, resume your training. Miss Dongfang, you may rest for a while. And Qin Xuan, come with me.” The commander said with a smile, walking to the side. Qin Xuan was slightly confused, but smiled at Dongfang Qingwan, “Let’s go, take a break over there.”

Dongfang Qingwan nodded and followed Qin Xuan to the side. The tall, wealthy student watched Qin Xuan’s departing figure with a dark resentment in his heart: Wang Xiang will never let you have an easy life!

…

“Haha, Qin Xuan, right? You did well today, you truly opened my eyes.” They reached a shaded spot where Dongfang Qingwan sat down, while Qin Xuan remained standing, chatting with the commander.

“You’re the commander… How did you know my name is Qin Xuan?” Qin Xuan asked in confusion.

“That’s simple, my surname is Zhao,” the commander replied with a laugh.

“Zhao? Are you… from the Zhao family of Jinling? Do you know Senior Zhao Long?” Qin Xuan exclaimed in surprise.

“Indeed. I’m Zhao Jun, Zhao Long’s uncle. My nephew Zhao Long suffered a serious illness as a child, and it was your master who happened to pass by and saved him. That’s how he became an outer disciple of the Shushan Sword Sect…” Zhao Jun patted Qin Xuan’s shoulder, smiling as he continued, “I didn’t think much of it at first. But after seeing you today, I realize the Shushan Sword Sect is anything but ordinary. What exactly happened to the young lady just now?”

“Heh, her constitution is rather weak, lacking spiritual energy and her breathing was disordered. I just helped her regulate her breathing, nothing too technical,” Qin Xuan replied, a bit embarrassed.

“That’s cultivation jargon, I wouldn’t understand, haha. Actually, I’ve heard Zhao Long mention you before. You’re acting as Miss Dongfang’s bodyguard now, right?” Zhao Jun glanced at Dongfang Qingwan, then asked. As a member of the Zhao family, and given their close ties with the Dongfang family, he could easily recognize her.

Qin Xuan nodded, “That’s right.”

“I didn’t expect to be the one leading your military training this time. I heard you took the lead in smashing a Lexus and looked into it—turns out it was Li Shihao’s car. So you were the instigator, haha! Truly decisive.” Zhao Jun laughed heartily. The Zhao family had always been at odds with the Li family. Now that Li Shihao had suffered at Qin Xuan’s hands, it was certainly a cause for celebration in the Zhao household.

“If he hadn’t provoked me, I wouldn’t have bothered with him. But since he keeps causing trouble, I had no choice but to retaliate,” Qin Xuan said, feeling nothing amiss.

“Haha, well said. Li Shihao really suffered this time. Since you’re Zhao Long’s junior, calling me uncle isn’t a loss. If you ever encounter trouble in Jinling, feel free to call me directly. The Zhao family has considerable influence in the Jinling military district.” Zhao Jun gave Qin Xuan his personal phone number.

“A military district background—no wonder…” Qin Xuan memorized the number, understanding at last. No wonder the Zhao family’s strength exceeded that of both the Li and Su families combined; they possessed military connections. Clearly, the Zhao family wasn’t just a commercial clan—the Jinling three major business families were more complicated than he’d imagined.

“All right, you go back to training. We’ll chat more when there’s time,” Zhao Jun said.

“Wait, I have something else to say.” Qin Xuan did not leave, but frowned.

“Oh? What is it?” Zhao Jun asked, puzzled.

“Just now, you saw it too, Uncle Zhao. Qingwan suddenly fainted, and our platoon’s instructor Liu immediately called for medical staff. But more than ten minutes passed and not a single medic showed up. I suspect someone is playing tricks,” said Qin Xuan.

“Is that so?” Zhao Jun smiled, “Don’t worry, I noticed it as well. I’ll look into it later—anyone violating discipline will be severely punished.”

“Thank you, Uncle Zhao. Though it doesn’t concern me directly, it’s never good for such things to happen in the military,” Qin Xuan said before taking his leave.

After he left, Zhao Jun’s demeanor grew stern and he quickly made several phone calls.

…

After standing at attention for half a day, Qin Xuan watched as the overweight instructor who had earlier helped the tall, wealthy student was repeatedly reprimanded. First, Zhao Jun gave him a severe scolding, nearly making him cry on the spot. Then, Zhao Jun’s subordinates—the battalion commander, company commander, and platoon leader—each took turns lecturing him.

Even after the freshmen were dismissed at noon, that overweight instructor remained standing, enduring the sun’s harsh glare until he was nearly roasted. Freshmen had breaks during military training, even when standing at attention, but he had to stand unmoving for half a day, not daring to budge.

Qin Xuan knew his punishment would not end there. Violating military discipline could never be resolved by simply standing for half a day.

“Haha, kid, hurry up and call him brother-in-law!” After dismissal, a group of freshmen trudged toward the cafeteria, sighing and complaining. Only those from Qin Xuan’s group were cheerful, showing no signs of exhaustion from standing at attention.

Dongfang Wenhao cursed, “Call him brother-in-law? Over my dead body!”

“Come on, didn’t you say so yourself?” Zhou Xiaoyu protested loudly, “If your medical skills can’t match our boss’s, you should call him brother-in-law! Hurry up and do it!”

Dongfang Wenhao spat, “I said I’d call him brother, not brother-in-law!”

“Brother works too. Come on, let’s hear you call him brother?” The members of Business Class One all laughed.

Dongfang Wenhao thought to himself, as a man, a promise was a promise. So he stood before Qin Xuan, fixed his gaze, and softly said, “Brother.”

That “brother” was so quiet only Qin Xuan could hear—it was simply too embarrassing for Dongfang Wenhao.

“What? Did he call him? I didn’t hear anything!” Gao Tie exaggeratedly tilted his ear.

“All right, all right, let’s hurry to eat. Why so much nonsense? I have errands and won’t be joining you,” Qin Xuan urged them.

Dongfang Wenhao immediately felt a newfound respect for Qin Xuan. Being forced to call someone “brother” in public was hardly glorious, yet Qin Xuan didn’t make things difficult for him, which moved him greatly.

“Xiaoyu, keep an eye on Qingwan—don’t let her be bullied by anyone,” Qin Xuan instructed.

“Don’t worry, boss, leave it to us! Brothers, if anyone dares to mess with the beauty of Business Class One, what should we do?” Zhou Xiaoyu laughed.

“Beat him up!” The group shouted enthusiastically.

Dongfang Qingwan, walking with several girls, shook her head in resignation, unable to say anything to this crowd of boys…

Qin Xuan separated from the group and called Su Muqing. It was time to visit Jinshan’s Golden Light Temple and meet this so-called Master Golden Light. If Yang Ling’s soul could be restored, at least Su Muqing would finally see Li Shihao’s true character.

Waiting for Su Muqing at the school gate, Qin Xuan suddenly felt two gazes fixed on him.

He turned to look inside the gate, and saw Li Shihao and the Mediterranean, both staring intently as they walked toward him.