Fire Hammer Squad

Zhang Zehu laughed in fury, never expecting Luo Feng, a newcomer, to disrespect him so openly. “Fifty million, and not a single cent less?” Zhang Zehu’s eyes blazed with a predatory glint, as if he wanted to devour Luo Feng. Luo Feng, however, remained unfazed. He had read numerous posts on the ‘Extreme Martial Arts Dojo’ forum, knowing that during negotiations, the biggest taboo was for one party to back down; whoever yielded was seen as inferior. Moreover, Luo Feng was in the right. Logically, between two individuals of equal standing, the offending party should apologize. But Zhang Zehu had arrived with an arrogant swagger, clearly trying to bully Luo Feng because he was a newcomer. Unfortunately... Luo Feng wasn’t buying it. “Alright, listen to me,” Wu Tong, the head of the Extreme Martial Arts Dojo, interjected. “Luo Feng, and you, ‘Mountain Opener’ Zhang Zehu, both take a step back. How about thirty million Huaxia coins? Zhang Zehu, that’s not a huge sum for you. Pay it, and this matter is settled. Luo Feng, you have no objections, right?” Luo Feng nodded. “As Uncle Wu says.” “Mountain Opener, what about you?” Wu Tong looked at Zhang Zehu. All eyes in the conference room were on Zhang Zehu. Infuriated, he shot to his feet, laughing in rage. “Make me bow to this little brat? Dream on! Lao Li, brothers, let’s go!” “If you don’t agree to a private settlement, then you’ll have to prepare a hundred million to save your nephew,” Wu Tong said with a faint smile. “I’d rather give the nation a hundred million than settle for thirty million privately!” Zhang Zehu sneered, looking at Luo Feng, letting out two derisive laughs. “Kid, being a Warrior isn’t easy! Once you leave the Base City, you’ll realize how terrifying monsters are, and how suddenly dangers can strike. It’s nothing like the monster towns in the Military Region, where monsters are bred and their wildness is at its weakest. I hope you don’t die too soon, or how will you ever compete with me? Oh, and a reminder: I’m not far from the Battle-General rank. How long will it take you to reach it? And will you even live that long?” Luo Feng smiled faintly. “Thank you for your concern, Mr. Zhang Zehu. But perhaps you should focus on how to prepare a hundred million for the nation to save your nephew.” “Hmph.” Zhang Zehu’s face darkened. “Let’s go!” “A hundred million, oh, a hundred million!” Chen Gu, the ‘Cannon,’ deliberately let out two mocking cries from the side. Zhang Zehu and his group left without another word. Seeing them leave, the group from the Extreme Martial Arts Dojo in the conference room erupted in chatter. “Zhang Zehu’s temper is indeed as notorious as the rumors say. Even though his nephew was in the wrong, he refused to back down,” Wu Tong said, shaking his head with a smile. “He’d rather pay a hundred million than settle for thirty!” Martial Arts Halls have contribution points, and so does the nation! Those who contribute to the nation are awarded contribution points based on the magnitude of their deeds. Reaching 10,000 points makes one a One-Star Tier. 100,000 points makes one a Two-Star Tier... This system mirrors that of the Martial Arts Halls. Dong Nanbiao, who single-handedly slew a tiger-headed monster-dragon by the Yangtze River, saving hundreds of thousands of people before heroically sacrificing himself, was posthumously awarded the Four-Star Tier hero status. One can donate to a Martial Arts Hall for contribution points, and similarly, one can donate to the nation for contribution points. Ten thousand Huaxia coins earn one contribution point. A hundred million Huaxia coins is ten thousand contribution points, which is a One-Star Tier! If Zhang Zehu refused to settle with Luo Feng, his only option was to donate a hundred million to the nation for his nephew, ensuring Zhang Haobai reached One-Star Tier national contribution points. As a One-Star Tier citizen, Zhang Haobai held special privileges. He wouldn’t be sentenced to years in prison over this minor conflict with Luo Feng. “Even if he gives the nation a hundred million to make his nephew a One-Star Tier citizen, a One-Star Tier citizen who dares to mess with a Warrior will still be detained for three to five months and suffer some consequences, even if not formally sentenced!” Chen Gu, the ‘Cannon,’ shook his head. “Who can blame him for not wanting to back down?” “He’s rich, so he doesn’t care.” The Warriors of the Extreme Martial Arts Dojo laughed heartily. “Luo Feng,” Wu Tong, the head of the Dojo, said with a smile. “As Supervisor Zhuge instructed, we’re arranging for you to join a Battle-General Warrior Squad. This way, you’ll gain experience more easily outside the Base City, and your safety will be better guaranteed! I’ve also discussed it for you, and we’re preparing for you to join the ‘Fire Hammer Squad’.” “Fire Hammer Squad?” Luo Feng nodded slightly. Supervisor Zhuge truly valued him, arranging for him to join a Battle-General Warrior Squad right from the start. Squads that leave the Base City to hunt monsters in the wilderness vary in strength. Generally, a squad with one Battle-General Warrior is considered a Battle-General Warrior Squad. “Luo Feng!” Chen Gu, the ‘Cannon,’ clapped Luo Feng on the shoulder, laughing heartily. “I’m the vice-captain of the Fire Hammer Squad! You’ll be with me from now on, and I’ll look out for you. But Luo Feng, I have to be blunt: our Fire Hammer Squad will give you opportunities to gain experience and adapt to fighting monsters, but you must also work hard yourself. You can’t always rely on other squad members for help. If you still can’t adapt after your first mission... we’ll have no choice but to kick you out of the squad.” “Brother Chen, I understand,” Luo Feng said, nodding with a smile. Warrior Squads operate on the brink of life and death; a liability within the squad would indeed have a significant impact. “I’m relieved you understand. Also...” Chen Gu, the ‘Cannon,’ chuckled, “Have you bought your weapons and equipment yet?” “Not yet. I plan to buy good quality weapons and equipment, but the better ones only get a half-price discount if you have One-Star Tier contribution points,” Luo Feng said, shaking his head helplessly. Chen Gu, the ‘Cannon,’ immediately burst out laughing. “That’s simple! Tell me what weapons and equipment you want, and I’ll buy them for you! Your contribution points aren’t enough, but mine are! I’m not far from Two-Star Tier contribution points myself. I can buy them at half price, and then you can just transfer the payment to my account, right?” “Indeed,” Wu Tong, the head of the Dojo, nodded from beside them. “It’s fine to have others help you buy general equipment like cold weapons and firearms. However, various secret techniques and the like cannot be purchased by others on your behalf.” Luo Feng nodded. He knew this. For example, if he purchased the ‘Ninefold Thunderblade,’ the combined information database of the Extreme Martial Arts Dojo, the Underground Alliance, and the Thunder Dojo would record: “Luo Feng purchased the first three stages of the Ninefold Thunderblade.” Then, Luo Feng could use the Ninefold Thunderblade without issue. However, if Yang Wu, who hadn’t purchased this secret technique, were to use the ‘Ninefold Thunderblade’ and be discovered, he would be arrested. This would be considered unauthorized copying and dissemination of the ‘Ninefold Thunderblade’ secret technique, infringing upon Lei Shen’s ownership rights. No purchase, no right to cultivate! If someone else bought it on your behalf, only their purchase information would be in the database, not yours. Even if you had it, you wouldn’t dare cultivate it. Weapons and other equipment, however, didn’t have such ‘copyright’ restrictions. “Luo Feng, write down all the weapons and equipment you want to buy, and I’ll get them for you later,” Chen Gu said. “Okay.” Luo Feng nodded and immediately went to find paper and a pen to write it down. The standard Series 5 equipment: a full set of Combat Armor at half price for 9 million, a Blood Shadow Battleblade Series 2 at half price for 3 million, a Series 5 shield for 1.5 million, and 10 Series 6 throwing knives for 1.5 million. The total came to 15 million. With a backpack, communication watch, and other small tools, Luo Feng’s gear was complete. On the second floor of Luo Feng’s home, in the Training Hall. The morning sun streamed through the window, illuminating the entire Training Hall. Luo Feng, dressed in loose training clothes, sat barefoot and cross-legged in the empty hall, which spanned over a hundred square meters. He was alone, seated in the center, with a secret technique manual placed before him— The ‘Ninefold Thunderblade.’ “I’ve heard the ‘Ninefold Thunderblade’ is incredibly difficult to cultivate. I wonder just how hard it is,” Luo Feng murmured, opening the manual to begin reading.