Chương 28: National Martial Hall

Yan Jitong, the chief of staff of the Eighth Army of the New Army, read out the last person's name in a tone devoid of any emotion.

Half the people in the square wore smug smiles as they were led by officers into the tall building at the back, a symbol of power and the future.

The remaining people stood there alone, like forgotten cargo.

Cang Lian stood among this group of people.

Just then, Chu Zhaoxue, who had been standing quietly to the side, slowly walked to the front of the stage.

Her crisp military uniform gleamed in the sunlight, but her eyes were colder than the winter air.

"You have nowhere to go. It seems you'll have to stay in my personal guard camp. Get in the carriage! I'll take you to my camp."

Her tone left no room for argument, as if she were issuing a command rather than seeking opinions.

The remaining nearly one hundred scions of prominent families looked at each other, filled with doubts, but under the pressure of that invisible aura, they could only silently climb onto the rows of military trucks that were already waiting nearby.

The military vehicle started up again, but instead of driving deep into the military camp, it turned around and headed towards the edge of Sheng Hai Zhong Jie.

The road became increasingly bumpy, and the surrounding scenery grew more and more desolate, from bustling streets to scattered villages, until finally, there was no trace of human life left.

Just when everyone thought the convoy would drive to some desolate wilderness, a huge fortress made of concrete appeared on the horizon without warning.

It stands like a crouching steel behemoth, silently entrenched in the wilderness, its walls riddled with observation posts and firing ports, exuding a cold and oppressive aura.

Cang Lian keenly sensed that the feeling here was completely different from the military camp filled with killing intent she had just been in.

If the military camp is a sharp knife, then this place is a bottomless sheath, where what is hidden is even more unknown and more dangerous.

The military vehicles drove into the fortress, stopped in the square, and then roared off one after another, leaving Cang Lian and the others completely behind.

There were no soldiers or drill formations as one might imagine.

There were only powerful martial artists and unheard-of training equipment—chains suspending boulders, dented steel training posts, and ice chambers radiating cold air…

Within the camp, the martial artists were scattered in twos and threes, each with a distinct aura.

Some are like sharp blades, their edge fully revealed; some are like venomous snakes, cold and ruthless; some appear gentle, yet are unfathomable.

At this moment, they all stopped what they were doing and turned their scrutinizing, curious, and even slightly mocking gazes toward Cang Lian and his group.

Some people even whistled loudly without any restraint, creating an eerie and oppressive atmosphere.

Chu Zhaoxue walked up to the high platform and glanced at the surprised and uncertain faces of the crowd.

"The military camp here is not what you imagine."

She spoke slowly, "An army is meant to fight on the battlefield, to charge into battle. But there are some things that the army cannot or should not solve. In those cases, we are the ones who need to step in."

"Our organization is called the 'National Martial Hall'."

"It is specifically designed to deal with demons, evil spirits, evil creatures, Western holy warriors, cults, wizards, poisoners... things that are outside the realm of common sense."

"Are there really demons in this world?" A timid young master from a noble family asked in a trembling voice.

Chu Zhaoxue's lips curled into a cold smile: "You are all pampered and your understanding of such things may only be limited to supernatural tales and hearsay. But I can tell you definitively that demons and monsters do exist. They have coexisted with humankind in this world since ancient times."

She clapped her hands gently.

Soon, four muscular martial artists, working together, carried out a huge iron cage.

"Clang!"

The iron cage was thrown to the ground with a loud bang.

Inside the cage, there was a hideous creature!

It resembles a human, yet its entire body is covered in bluish-black scales; it resembles a monkey, yet it has a distorted and pained human face.

Its limbs are long and powerful, and its claws are black and sharp, like eagle claws.

A face twisted and ferocious, mouth gaping open to reveal two long, yellowish fangs.

It looks thin, but every inch of its muscles are bulging and taut, full of explosive power, like a steel bar that could snap at any moment.

Upon seeing so many people watching, it immediately became agitated, letting out a series of sharp roars, and slammed into the iron cage!

"Bang!"

The iron cage, made of steel bars as thick as an arm, was violently shaken by the impact, emitting a sickening metallic twisting sound!

"What... what is this?!" The young noblemen who saw this for the first time were so frightened that they retreated one after another, their faces turning pale.

Those fangs, that fierce glint, that pure, savage aura from a wild beast—it was absolutely terrifying!

"This is a water ghost." Chu Zhaoxue's voice was as cold as ice.

"It wreaked havoc in the river east of Shenghai, dragging down more than a dozen living people in half a year. It was captured by our National Martial Hall a few days ago. This is a demon. It can understand human speech, has immense strength, and is ferocious and cunning."

The water ghost in the cage seemed to understand Chu Zhaoxue's words and became even more ferocious. It frantically scratched at the steel bars with its sharp claws, making a series of teeth-grinding "sizzling" sounds, and made low "hoarse" growls from its throat, like curses from hell.

"I never imagined... that demons truly exist in this world..."

Everyone gasped as they witnessed this bizarre and illogical scene, a chill running from their feet to the top of their heads.

The worldview they had built up over the years was shattered at this moment.

Chu Zhaoxue withdrew her gaze from the imprisoned water ghost, then swept it over the crowd again, her voice carrying a reassuring calmness: Throughout history, demons have generally evolved in two ways.

"The first type cultivates physical strength. They devour spiritual treasures of heaven and earth, and also prey on living beings, including human bones, flesh, and internal organs, to strengthen themselves. These kinds of demons retain the most primal bestial nature, are extremely ferocious, and are highly aggressive. The water ghost you just saw is the most typical type of it."

"The second method of evolution is more covert. They live in deep mountains and rivers, in dark and ancient abysses, absorbing the essence of heaven and earth to strengthen their spirit. Over time, they can speak human language and understand human nature. When they cultivate to a certain level, their appearance will gradually become more humanoid, forming what are called 'goat people' or 'monkey people'. These kinds of monsters have already acquired human physical characteristics to a certain extent.

When they wear clothes and blend into the crowd, they are extremely difficult to detect."

Her expression suddenly turned serious: "You must remember, if someone has a pointed face and monkey-like features, or obvious characteristics of some animal, then be careful. They might be demons. Some of these demons cultivate in seclusion deep in the mountains, while others... even mingle in bustling human cities. However, these kinds of demons generally won't harm people unless you provoke them."

His words sent chills down the spines of everyone present.

They looked at each other, seemingly thinking that their seemingly normal companions were all monsters.

"I've told you so much because I want you to understand the special nature of our National Martial Arts Hall. Throughout history, every ruling group has had similar institutions. For example, the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Imperial Secret Agents of the Hong Dynasty, and the legendary Tenglong Guard and the Dragon Guard... Our National Martial Arts Hall is a special force under the New Army, dedicated to slaying demons and eliminating villains."

Chu Zhaoxue paused, her gaze sharpening.

"You originally had three options. One was to become officers in the new army through a 'special donation' from your family. But clearly, your families are not willing to make this 'investment' for you."

"So now, you only have two choices left."

"First, you can just stay at my camp and wait to die. We'll provide food and lodging, but you can't leave even for a moment. I'll consider it on a case-by-case basis if there are special circumstances."

"Second!" Her voice suddenly rose, filled with allure, "Join the National Martial Hall, serve the new army, serve the nation!"

"Our National Martial Arts Hall has a clear system of rewards and punishments! Completing missions will earn you merit points!"

"These merit points are more than just money! They can be exchanged for everything you can imagine! Not only the most advanced Western weapons, but also the most cutting-edge enhancement potions that can make your strength and speed surpass the limits of ordinary people!"

"More importantly, you can also exchange them for secret medicines, divine weapons, and martial arts techniques that our country has passed down for thousands of years!"

Chu Zhaoxue's gaze swept across the crowd, and she said in a deep voice:

"Furthermore, you can use merit points to exchange for military ranks! These are real military ranks! They give you the power to command thousands of soldiers and truly control an army!"

She saw the glint in everyone's eyes, and so she dropped the bombshell.

"I can see that you are all neglected members of your respective families. Imagine if you commanded an army. Not only could your family become military gentry, but with your guns and thousands of soldiers under your command, you could even... slap your family in the face, turn the tables, and completely become the leader of your family!"

"A backlash family?" A suppressed gasp and commotion arose from the crowd. The idea was too shocking, yet too tempting.

"No, it's not about turning against the family." Chu Zhaoxue's voice was filled with seductive power.

"It's about taking back everything that rightfully belongs to you! Aren't you all of the family's bloodline? It's just that you've become better than everyone else, so that power, status, and wealth should naturally be yours!"

Upon hearing this, everyone was somewhat tempted, and their breathing began to quicken.

Just then, a calm voice rang out clearly, drowning out all the discussion.

"I'd like to ask, what level of cultivation techniques can I exchange for with merit points?"

It is a pale blue silk.

All eyes turned to him, and also to Chu Zhaoxue on the stage.

For the first time, Chu Zhaoxue's gaze truly focused on Cang Lian. She seemed to have developed a slight interest in this calm and incisive young man.

Her smile held a hint of approval.

"Our new army has conquered half the country, and the resources we control are beyond your imagination. Furthermore, our Martial Hall has collected countless martial arts manuals from throughout history, including many of the nation's most powerful martial arts techniques!"

"As long as you perform exceptionally well and demonstrate remarkable talent, our Martial Hall... would be very happy to mentor any one of you present!"

"What?! They have all the national martial arts techniques from every dynasty?!"

This time, the crowd really went wild!

That's a legendary skill, powerful enough to stabilize the country and bring peace!

At that moment, Canglian's breath suddenly stopped.

The "national martial arts" mentioned by Chu Zhaoxue was undoubtedly a fatal temptation for him!

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