Chapter 20: One Arrow Determines the Fate of the Universe (4)

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  These few months of cultivation, Zhou Weiqing's Heavenly Power had truly reached the level of fourfold Heavenly Essence, but wanting to impact the Surge Spring Hole was still far from enough. He had tried a few days ago, but his Heavenly Power hadn't even reached his knee before it was insufficient. To impact the Surge Spring Hole, he needed to first rush his Heavenly Power to the Foot Three Li Hole, then accelerate through the Foot Three Li Hole and rush to the Three Yin Intersection, and only after accelerating again could he impact the Surge Spring Hole. Clearly, this required a process of accumulating Heavenly Power.

  The Fifth Brigade, Division Headquarters.

  "What? You want to resign as the commander of the 3rd battalion? Lord Subofficer, you're not joking, are you?" The fifth regimental commander, Takashi Kō, looked at Uemura Iku in surprise with a resolute expression.

  "Colonel, I'm not joking. I've discovered that I don't have the ability to command a battalion. In terms of commanding an army, I still have huge shortcomings and can't just sit in a high position because I'm a Tianzhu Master. It's unfair to the officers and soldiers of the three battalions. Commanding an army is a profound subject, and I've asked myself if I'm capable enough. If I continue to command the three battalions, it's hard to guarantee that big problems won't arise. For the sake of the officers and soldiers of the three battalions, please grant my request. I'm willing to stay in the army camp as a soldier and directly participate in the war, rather than being an incompetent battalion commander."

  At this time, there were only three people in the Fifth Legion's headquarters. In addition to Shangguan Bing'er and the Legion Commander, who both held the title of Viscount, there was also Qian Zhantian, the Deputy Legion Commander and commander of the First Battalion. The two of them looked at each other, both feeling a great headache.

  Gao Shengdao said, "Shangguan Zijun, you just killed six of the enemy's Yu Zhu masters and captured two alive. I was about to report back to the military department to request rewards for you. What are you doing now? You can slowly train in commanding troops."

  Shangguan Bing'er shook her head vigorously, "This is all Captain Xiao's credit. If he hadn't commanded properly, it wouldn't just be me who would have been killed by the enemy. I'm afraid our army's losses would also have been greater. I cannot use the blood of the three battalions' soldiers to hone my own command abilities. Please grant my request."

  Qian Zhantian, who was beside him, said: "Commander Shangguan, you also know that the transfer of regimental commanders is not something we can decide. Let's do it this way, your resignation will be reported to the military department and everything will be decided by the military department."

  Shangguan Bing'er said: "Then please order the Brigade Commander, our three battalions will temporarily be acting under Xiao's command, and I will no longer participate in the command of the three battalions."

  Gao Sheng saw her determination and reluctantly said: "Alright, let's go with Shangguan Zhen's idea."

  "Thanks, Captain." Shangguan Bing'er saluted and retreated.

  Gao Sheng looked at Qian Zhantian, and the two of them stared at each other. Qian Zhantian said in a low voice, "This girl is gentle on the outside but firm on the inside. However, it's indeed a bit rash for the military department to let her take up the post of camp commander, after all, she hasn't received proper training from a military academy."

  "This is the Marshal's intention. In fact, the Marshal was planning to let her experience the atmosphere of war on the front line and undergo slow training after going through it personally. However, she really isn't suitable for continuing to stay in the military camp anymore. Today's sneak attack was obviously a plot by Kresi, what if something happened to her while she was with us? How would I explain it to the Marshal? I'll write a report to the Military Department and have Flying Eagle deliver it back, I believe there will be a response within ten days. Old Qian, are you mobilizing the people of the First Battalion? Station them next to the Third Battalion and strengthen our defenses, we must ensure the safety of Upper Officer Subei."

  "I understand. I truly hope that Young Master will grow up soon, but unfortunately, she is a girl. I don't know if she can take over the Marshal's heavy responsibilities in the future."

  ……

  "Xiao Pang, are you there?" Zhou Weiqing was cultivating in his tent when he suddenly heard the voice of Shangguan Bing'er outside.

  "I'm here." Finishing his cultivation, Zhou Weiqing jumped off the bed. The tent flap opened and Dugu Bo walked in from outside. Zhou Weiqing immediately discovered that her emotions were somewhat off. Her eyes were filled with a desolate feeling, and she seemed to be in a daze. Moreover, this was also the first time she directly called his name.

  "Bing'er, what's wrong?" Zhou Weiqing pulled over a chair and gestured for her to sit down.

  Shangguan Bing'er suddenly looked up at him, "Am I very foolish? I couldn't command the soldiers well. I..."

  Seeing her suddenly agitated emotions, Zhou Weiqing was startled, "Ice, why are you saying this? Today's matter can't be blamed on you, besides, we also inflicted great damage on the opponent."

  Shangguan Bing'er shook her head and said, "I'm not a qualified commander, Xiaopang, you know? In fact, I have no idea how to command an army or deploy troops. Before, I always thought that as a Tianzhu master, even if my commanding ability was lacking, I could make up for it with my own strength. Today, I suddenly realized how foolish my thinking was - being a Tianzhu master and a military commander are two completely different concepts. No wonder Captain Xiao has never obeyed me, he's right, compared to me, he's more suitable for this position as battalion commander. I've already submitted my resignation to the regimental commander, it won't be long before the order comes down."

  Zhou Weiqing patted his own shoulder, "May I lean on you for a bit?"

  Shangguan Bing'er was taken aback, looking at Zhou Weiqing's concerned gaze, hesitating for a moment before finally walking forward, gently leaning her head on his shoulder, but keeping the rest of her body at a slight distance from him.

  Zhou Weiqing's heart was filled with pity, and he raised his hand to hold him, but was stopped by Shangguan Xue'er's somewhat urgent "Don't move."

  Zhou Weiqing immediately stopped in his tracks, "Alright, I won't move."

  She leaned lightly on his shoulder, slowly closed her eyes and whispered: "Xiao Pang, do you know? Actually I'm very tired, my heart has always been very, very tired."

  "I understand. You're only sixteen, yet you're the empire's sole Tianzhu master aside from Commander Zhou. There's too much responsibility and expectation on your shoulders. You need to constantly cultivate to improve your strength while adapting to everything in the military; it's all too exhausting for you."

  "I'm not afraid of hardship, Little Fatty, do you know that? I really am not afraid of hardship. No matter how bitter or tired I am, I can persist. But today, there were still so many soldiers dying in front of me, more than 70 lives lost, and the most seriously injured ones might be lucky to have half of them stay in the army. Almost a hundred lives were lost because of me... In the past, they never let me go onto the battlefield, and before today, as a battalion commander, I had not achieved anything. Today was my first time killing someone, and also the first time seeing so many people die in front of me, it's really hard for me to bear, really hard. I don't want to be a battalion commander anymore, otherwise, one day, there will be even more soldiers dying because of my poor command. I really don't want to see them die one by one in front of me."

  Zhou Weiqing's heart skipped a beat, he really hadn't expected that today would be the first time Ouyang Xue'er would take someone's life. No wonder her reaction was so intense. Seeing so many people die to protect her, her heart couldn't bear it. Feeling her body tremble slightly, Zhou Weiqing said in a low voice: "Xue'er, let me bear all of this for you."

  Shangguan Bing'er's body stiffened, and she completely understood what he meant. With his talent, if he publicly revealed his identity as a Tianzhu Master, then without a doubt, all the pressure on her would shift to him. If one were to say that up until now, Shangguan Bing'er's attitude towards Zhou Weiqing had been extremely conflicted, with resentment occupying most of it. Then in that instant when he said those words, all the resentment seemed to disappear. At a time when she needed comfort and was at her weakest, Zhou Weiqing's calm and composed words moved her heart for the first time because of him. Previously, even when his arrow had saved her life, she hadn't felt this way, but now, she truly felt that this man's shoulder was one she could rely on.

  The hands that had been hanging down at her sides quietly lifted up and gently wrapped around Zhou Weiqing's back, the inch of distance between them disappearing as she finally willingly hugged him.

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  This is the second update for today, and there will be two more updates at 12 midnight, completing all four updates for today. At that time, a "request for precision" conference will also be held simultaneously, and book friends are welcome to participate. Also, please don't forget to cast your recommendation votes for Xiaosan.