“According to the drill rules, you’re dead and can’t fight anymore. Leave the field.”
Iron Hammer laughed heartily, swinging his long sword toward the next target.
A Lan pounded the ground twice in frustration, reluctantly picking up her sword and exiting the battlefield.
With Iron Hammer and his guard team’s fierce assault, both sides gradually grew heated, and the combat drill finally started to resemble real combat.
The male soldiers had more combat experience and greater strength, while the female soldiers had a clear numerical advantage and Qing Mulanz’s leadership. For a time, both sides fought back and forth, evenly matched.
From time to time, one or two male or female soldiers, marked with pigment, would leave the battlefield.
The drill lasted a full half-hour, and in the end, the male soldiers secured victory through better tactical coordination.
But it was a pyrrhic victory. By the end, only five male soldiers remained defending the flag. The rest were judged dead or severely injured and had withdrawn.
Among them were Iron Hammer, who had charged the fiercest, and Zhang Liang, who was in command.
The female soldiers didn’t fare much better. Qing Mulanz had three white marks on her body and was limping as she walked.
Yet her face was full of excitement.
After resting for half a stick of incense, she clamoured for another round.
Once again, the male soldiers defended the flag while the female soldiers attacked.
The result was still a male victory, but this time, only four male soldiers remained at the end.
“Sir, that was exhilarating.”
Qing Mulanz wiped the sweat from her forehead. “I guarantee, within three days, the male soldiers won’t be able to beat us.”
“You outnumber the male soldiers by more than double. What’s there to be proud of?”
Jin Feng doused her enthusiasm with cold water. “Besides, the male soldiers are on the defensive, not only fighting but also guarding the flag, which puts them at a disadvantage. You’ll only be ready to graduate when the female soldiers can defend the flag with equal numbers.”
Qing Mulanz wasn’t fazed and grinned. “You eat a meal one bite at a time. As long as there’s progress, that’s enough.”
“Your attitude’s not bad.”
Jin Feng smiled. “You seem to be enjoying yourself. Are you still going to the county city tomorrow?”
“Of course I’m going. I can join the drills again when I get back.”
Qing Mulanz quickly replied. “I came here in a hurry and only brought two changes of clothes, which are nearly worn out. I need to buy a few more.”
Unlike Jin Feng, who often slacked off, Qing Mulanz trained with the female soldiers whenever she had time, so her clothes wore out quickly.
Regular female soldiers could patch their clothes, but as the Western Governor’s sister, would Qing Mulanz wear patched garments and disgrace her family?
“Alright, we leave early tomorrow. Don’t be late.”
Jin Feng called Zhou Jin over. “You all continue training. Xiao Jin and I are heading back.”
Zhou Jin had already learned the method for distilling alcohol, and now she was to start learning how to make penicillin.
Producing penicillin was far more complex than distilling alcohol. Though Jin Feng knew the principles and steps, it was his first time attempting it, and he couldn’t guarantee success on the first try.
He could only teach Zhou Jin while experimenting.
While Jin Feng and his apprentice worked in the lab, the household was bustling with activity.
In this era, travel was difficult, and with bandits rampant, most people, unless they joined the army, spent their lives within a few miles of their birthplace. A trip to the county seat was considered a long journey.
The county city wasn’t far from Xihe Bay in a straight line, but few in the entire village had been there.
Knowing Jin Feng was going to the county city, not only did Xiao E insist on going, but Guan Xiaorou and Runniang wanted to join as well.
Jin Feng knew it was a rare chance for them to travel, so he agreed.
They were now busy packing in the house.
That night, Guan Xiaorou was so excited she barely slept. The next morning, she got up early, dragged Jin Feng out of bed, and tried on her few outfits, asking which looked best.
Half-asleep and annoyed by the questions, Jin Feng pulled Guan Xiaorou onto the bed and thoroughly “sorted her out” until she finally settled down.
When Jin Feng emerged from the room, refreshed, Qing Mulanz arrived.
Behind her were A Mei and eight female soldiers in armour.
“Miss Mulanz, I’m bringing ten brothers. You don’t need to bring so many people, do you?”
Iron Hammer said. “We’ll protect you.”
“No need. We can protect ourselves.”
Qing Mulanz waved him off.
Iron Hammer wanted to say more, but Jin Feng stopped him with a look.
Qing Mulanz was the Western Governor’s sister. If anything happened to her on the road, who could bear the responsibility?
So, they not only brought over ten veterans but also had Iron Hammer carry a portable heavy crossbow.
After breakfast, as dawn broke, the convoy set out from the courtyard.
Guan Xiaorou, Tang Dongdong, Xiao E, and Runniang rode in a carriage, while Jin Feng, Qing Mulanz, and the others rode horses.
Zhang Liang, Liu Tie, and the headmen of the two villages were waiting at the village entrance.
“Village head, Third Grandpa, while I’m in the county city, I’m leaving the household to you.”
Jin Feng dismounted and addressed the three. “Especially the smelting workshop. Keep a close eye on it. Don’t let any outsiders sneak in.”
“Don’t worry, Feng. Our villages depend on your craft for a living. We won’t be careless.”
The village head assured him. “I’ll form the Tiger Hunting Team today to patrol the village. Except for the textile factory’s female workers, no outsider will set foot here.”
This was the advantage of a small community. Everyone knew each other, and a stranger in the village had nowhere to hide.
“Good,” Jin Feng said. “Is there anything you need me to bring back?”
“We have food, drink, and you even gave us cloth for clothes. We’re lacking nothing.”
Third Grandpa smiled. “But you all, with the world in chaos and bandits everywhere, be careful.”
“Iron Hammer, protect everyone. If anyone gets hurt, don’t bother coming back.”
Zhang Liang looked at Iron Hammer.
“Don’t worry, Liang. We’re armed to the teeth. If any bandits are foolish enough to cross us, they’re the ones in trouble.”
Iron Hammer patted his chest confidently. “I’ll bring back every single person unharmed. If anyone loses a hair, you can take my head.”
“Iron Hammer, that’s a big boast.”
Qing Mulanz rolled her eyes, plucking a few hairs from Xiao E’s head as she peeked out. “Xiao E’s lost a few hairs. Liang, go ahead and chop him.”
Xiao E: ?へ?
Iron Hammer: ⊙▽⊙
Zhang Liang: →_→
“Enough joking. Let’s go.”
Jin Feng saluted Zhang Liang and the others, then mounted his horse.
The convoy slowly moved onto the mountain path under their watchful eyes.
Unbeknownst to all, two figures on a desolate hillside two miles from the village entrance were also closely watching the convoy.
“Quick, inform the boss. Jin Feng and his group have left Xihe Bay!”
