Volume 1, Chapter 36: Only Those in the Bone Refining Realm Are Worthy of Touching Me!-Soldado da Fronteira: Quanto Mais Esposas, Mais Forte Fico(Tang Sanjia)

Could these two really be at each other's throats?

Zhang Muyang paced back and forth in front of the barracks, his heart racing with anxiety. The barracks remained eerily silent, not a single sound of an argument to be heard; the more quiet it was, the more uneasy he felt. One was the daughter of a military general with a temper as sharp as a drawn blade, and the other was a frail girl who had just lost her family, looking as though she needed protecting. Surely, Su Ying’s temper would have Bai Zhi in tears by now?

"No, I have to go in and see."

Gritting his teeth, Zhang Muyang suddenly pushed open the barracks door. The scene before him left him stunned.

Su Ying was sitting cross-legged on the large heated brick bed, a smile on her face, looking completely relaxed. Bai Zhi stood before her, holding a delicate porcelain box. With her fingertips, she dipped into the dark ointment and carefully applied it to Su Ying’s cheeks. They looked so harmonious as Bai Zhi said softly, "It needs to be a bit darker here to look like the cheekbones of a Da Liang native."

"Mm," Su Ying agreed obediently, laughing, "Your craftsmanship is far better than the military artists."

"My father taught me; he said those who practice medicine must understand disguise to avoid being identified by enemies."

The two chatted and laughed, showing no trace of the hostility he had feared. They looked more like sisters who had known each other for years.

*Could it be... they reached an agreement?*

A surge of wild joy welled up in Zhang Muyang’s heart. Did this mean he could consummate the marriage tonight and boost his physique? He suppressed the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth and feigned a stern expression. "What is this..."

"We've reached an agreement," Su Ying said with a beaming smile.

"Really?" Zhang Muyang’s eyes lit up.

"Yes." Bai Zhi nodded as well.

Zhang Muyang rubbed his hands together, grinning like a cat that had stolen a fish. "That’s wonderful! Since you’ve agreed, which one of you is coming to the bridal chamber with me tonight?"

What?

Bai Zhi’s face flushed instantly, and she stammered in embarrassment, "Brother Muyang, you... what are you saying?"

"Didn't you say you reached an agreement?"

"Heh, we agreed to be sisters!" Su Ying winked mischievously. "Who told you anything about a bridal chamber?"

*Huh?* Trying to play him for a fool? Zhang Muyang rubbed his nose and turned his gaze toward Su Ying; surely, there had to be some hope.

Su Ying raised an eyebrow. "Husband, your cultivation is still too low. You’re only at the early stage of the Flesh-Refining Realm; you can’t even withstand three of my moves, and you want to enter the bridal chamber?"

"Then what do you want?"

"When you break through to the Bone-Refining Realm and can beat me, you won’t even need to ask. I will naturally..." She didn't finish the sentence, but the provocation in her eyes was crystal clear.

*Bone-Refining Realm?* He was only at the early stage of the Flesh-Refining Realm; there were still two major realms between him and that goal.

*Heh heh...*

***

*I wonder if going to a brothel would work?*

If sleeping with one woman could improve his physique, he wouldn't even need many—he could find ten, a hundred... That would be absolutely heaven-defying!

As soon as this thought emerged, it grew like wild grass. He was deep in his reverie when a cough from Su Ying interrupted him.

"What are you thinking about? Your face is all red." Su Ying cast him a sidelong glance. "Are you plotting something devious?"

*How could I?* Zhang Muyang’s face heated up, and he quickly changed the subject. "What do you both think about General Xiao Lie’s situation?"

The poison had been administered, waiting to take effect. Xiao Lie was the General of the Border-Pacifying Army, a powerhouse in the Blood-Refining Realm; it was impossible for an ordinary person to poison him. Now, they had to find a way into Zhenbei Pass to investigate and perhaps uncover the culprit.

One was skilled in medicine and poison; the other understood the Northern Yan language and was a Bone-Refining warrior. The two of them were a perfect match! The real challenge was how to sneak in. Zhenbei Pass was heavily guarded; they couldn't even enter the city, let alone get near Xiao Lie's camp.

Bai Zhi didn't care about that and asked, "Brother Muyang, you should worry more about yourself. You are currently 'Zhang Mu'; if you walk out like this, your cover will be blown instantly."

"Then what should I do?"

"I’ll help you with a simple disguise."

"Alright."

Less than an hour later, Zhang Muyang looked into a bronze mirror and almost didn't recognize himself. His face now featured coarse stubble, and his eyes held the rugged, fierce look of a Northerner. He looked like a completely different person!

Bai Zhi smiled. "Well, are you satisfied?"

"Haha, more than satisfied."

"Tell me, which version of me do you prefer? The current one, or the previous one? I..."

*Woo-woo—*

Suddenly, a sharp, urgent horn blast echoed outside the barracks. It was a signal of extreme emergency! Zhang Muyang and Su Ying exchanged a look and rushed out of the barracks simultaneously.

A dense crowd had gathered on the parade ground. The soldiers of the Border-Pacifying Army were in full armor, weapons in hand, their faces filled with confusion.

"What’s going on? Did the Blood Wolf Cavalry attack again?"

"That can't be right, didn't they just get pushed back?"

"If they come again, our numbers won't be enough to hold them..."

The murmurs spread, and a heavy weight settled on everyone's heart. Zhang Muyang gripped his Hanling Saber, his eyes fixed on the pass. Had the Northern Yan people played another trick?

"Quiet! Quiet!"

Wu Kexiong strode onto the high platform in the center of the parade ground and shouted, "Everyone, don't panic! It is not an enemy attack; the special envoy from Zhenbei Pass has arrived!"

The crowd fell silent, all eyes fixed on the platform. Soon, a middle-aged man in brocade robes entered with his honor guard. He held a bright yellow scroll, his voice booming: "By order of General Xiao, I declare this victory! The Northern Yan iron cavalry failed to take Zhenbei Pass after a long siege and withdrew their forces at dawn today!"

A thunderous cheer erupted from the parade ground! Soldiers hugged each other, some even shedding tears of relief. The tension and exhaustion of the past few days vanished in an instant. Zhang Muyang let out a quiet sigh of relief, though he felt an underlying sense of unease. Why had the Northern Yan forces withdrawn so easily? Could it be related to Xiao Lie’s poisoning? That didn't make sense; they should have attacked even more ferociously!

The envoy smiled and continued reading: "Wu Kexiong, commander of the Hufeng Pass camp, led his troops to hold the pass at all costs, slaying over two thousand Blood Wolf Cavalry—a distinguished achievement! Wu Kexiong is hereby promoted to Lieutenant General, all officers and soldiers under his command are promoted by one rank, and the entire unit is to be transferred to Zhenbei Pass immediately!"

"The General is mighty!"

The cheers erupted again, louder than before. Wu Kexiong was flushed with excitement, cupping his fists and shouting, "This subordinate thanks General Xiao for his cultivation!"

The envoy smiled. "Alright, prepare yourselves. Break camp at dawn tomorrow and head to Zhenbei Pass."

"This subordinate obeys!"

Wu Kexiong agreed, then shouted to the soldiers on the field, "Brothers! Extra rations tonight! There will be plenty of wine and meat!"

"Yes!"

The soldiers' roars seemed to make the very earth tremble. Zhang Muyang looked at the excited crowd, then at Su Ying and Bai Zhi nearby, his brows knitting together. A transfer to Zhenbei Pass was indeed a perfect opportunity to sneak in, but he felt that a greater storm was hidden beneath this calm.

Descending from the platform, Zhang Muyang approached Wu Kexiong and whispered, "Commander, if we leave... what happens to Hufeng Pass?"

Wu Kexiong looked at him warily. "Who are you? Is this something you should be asking?"

"Heh, it’s me, Zhang Mu!"

"Ah? You brat... don't worry about that, General Xiao has his own arrangements." Wu Kexiong patted Zhang Muyang on the shoulder, laughing as he scolded him, "Our armor is top-notch; Wei Wentong's black iron armor is yours now. This is your centurion token, keep it safe!"

[Ding!]

[Host promoted to Centurion, Physique +1. Current Physique: 4.0 -> 5.0]

[Strength: +50%]

[Flesh-Refining Realm, Middle Stage, Strength (1,500 jin, equivalent to early Bone-Refining Realm)]

*Haha!*

Su Ying, let’s see where you can run now!

Zhang Muyang stared at Su Ying, a wicked smile curling his lips. Su Ying suddenly felt a chill down her spine... Why did this guy look so sinister? *Hmph, as if you could actually beat me!*