I become stronger by sacrificing my lifespan, becoming invincible in the world.

Team leader!

He oversees two hundred people.

A true mid-level officer.

Resources, status, and the right to speak will all be completely different.

More importantly, with this achievement and strength, Chen Hong and the "Black Bird" behind him will have to think twice before trying to harm him again.

It's a big gamble.

Gambling your future with your life.

Lin Chen looked at the heavy patrol order on the table, then at Zhang Heng's bloodshot eyes, which burned with ambition.

A few breaths later.

He reached out and picked up the patrol order.

It feels cold and heavy to the touch.

"Your subordinate obeys."

Zhang Heng slapped him hard on the shoulder: "Good! I didn't misjudge you! Remember, be quick, be ruthless, but even more importantly, be steady! If you're not absolutely sure, it's better to keep waiting and keeping an eye on things!"

"Yes."

"Go. Make a list of what you need. Remember, this is top secret. No one except your ten brothers, especially Chen Hong's men!"

Lin Chen put away the patrol order, clasped his hands in salute, and turned to leave the barracks.

Stepping outside, a cold wind hits your face.

He gripped the token in his sleeve tightly, his eyes as cold as knives.

The Fierce Tiger Gang.

Lei Hu.

And deep within the Black Wind Forest, there may lie even greater secrets.

He was going to kill that poisonous snake anyway.

Now, with Zhang Heng's support, they have legitimate power and resources.

Just right.

He can unleash his full potential and make a big splash.

Back at Dingqi's barracks, Zhao Tiegu and the others surrounded him.

Lin Chen surveyed the crowd, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority:

"Starting today, we have a new mission."

"Target—Tiger Gang."

"The first step is to keep a close eye on them and find out their background."

"Everyone, get ready. Our first tough battle as 'Nightshade' may be just around the corner."

Once the task was accepted, we got right to it.

In the small courtyard of Dingqi's barracks, the door was bolted shut. Eleven men sat around the hearth, the firelight illuminating their solemn faces.

"The Fierce Tiger Gang isn't a bunch of haphazard fighters," Lin Chen said in a low voice. "They're organized, they have territory, they have informants. Forcing their way in would be suicide. What we need to do is become shadows, sneak up right under their noses, observe them closely, and remember everything."

He picked up a piece of charcoal and drew a simple circle on the ground.

"Reconnaissance is not about fighting. The core is: seeing, hearing, recording, and transmitting."

"Look, look at what? Look at the people—their numbers, equipment, morale, who looks like the leader. Look at the ground—the terrain, roads, sentries, entrances and exits, where there is cover, where are the blind spots. Look at the objects—vehicles, goods, weapons, is there anything unusual?"

"Listen, listen to what? Listen to the conversation—what they're saying, who's talking to whom, and what their tone is like. Listen to the sounds—footsteps, horses' hooves, carrying sounds, are there any unusual noises?"

"Remember, how? Remember in your mind, remember in your heart, and memorize silently if necessary. But never leave any written record or draw maps. All information must be firmly memorized, and you can retell it when you get back. I will organize it."

"Pass it on, how? Use the agreed-upon gestures, sounds, and symbols. In an emergency, survival comes first, information second."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone.

"From now on, we will split into two groups. Old Zhao will lead one group, and I will lead the other. Each group will have five people, and the remaining person will take turns to be responsible for on-site liaison and emergency response."

He looked at Zhao Tiegu: "Old Zhao, you have the most experience, you lead the first group. You choose the members."

Zhao Tiegu nodded, his gaze sweeping across everyone's faces: "Li the Cripple has good legs and sharp eyes, he'll follow me. Zhou Dahe and Wang Chuan are young and quick learners, they'll also follow me. And let's add one more... Wu Laosi, you have good hearing."

Those whose names were called straightened their backs.

"Second group, me, plus the remaining four." Lin Chen called out the remaining names. "We usually train and go on missions in groups. The two groups take turns carrying out reconnaissance missions, keeping the other group ready to provide support at any time."

Grouping complete.

"Next, we'll discuss specific reconnaissance techniques," Lin Chen began, simplifying the explanation based on his past life experience and his reflections over the past few days.

How to use terrain shadows to conceal one's figure.

How to control your breathing and footsteps to minimize noise.

How to distinguish between different footprints and tire tracks.

How to determine the enemy sentries' line of sight and their shift change patterns.

How to set up simple alarms and evacuation signals.

He explained in detail, and everyone listened even more attentively. These were genuine life-saving skills, and no one dared to be careless.

After explaining the theory, Lin Chen stood up.

"Talk is cheap. Let's practice right here in the camp."

He led the group to a relatively quiet open space behind the barracks, which was filled with miscellaneous items.

"Let's say this is the outskirts of one of the Tiger Gang's strongholds. We'll have two groups, taking turns playing the roles of 'guards' and 'scouts.' The guards are responsible for keeping watch, while the scouts are responsible for getting close to the designated location without being detected and gathering 'intelligence'—such as the different information represented by the stones I've placed there beforehand."

He defined the scope and set simple rules.

At first, I was very clumsy.

Those playing the role of scouts often have heavy footsteps and irregular breathing, making them easy to spot. Those playing the role of guards also frequently miss blind spots.

But no one laughed; there were only repeated attempts and adjustments.

Lin Chen kept correcting and demonstrating.

"Take light steps, but don't tiptoe; land on the outside of your forefoot first."

"Breathe slowly and deeply, don't hold your breath."

"Don't stare at one spot; use your peripheral vision to scan the surroundings."

"Use the sound of the wind to cover your voice."

Gradually, his movements began to look more natural and skillful.

The longer they lie in wait, the farther away they are detected.

A basic sense of cooperation and competition began to emerge between the two groups.

After practicing all afternoon, as dusk fell, the group dragged their weary bodies back to the barracks.

They were all drenched in sweat, but their eyes were brighter and more alert than in the morning.

After dinner, Lin Chen didn't let everyone rest.

"Tonight, continue practicing the nighttime exercises."

Night is the best cover, but also the most dangerous obstacle.

How to determine direction in the dark?

How can we utilize starlight and snow reflections?

How to locate sounds by sound?

How can you quickly hide or evacuate without emitting light in an emergency?

Several more hours of hard work and struggle ensued.

When training finally ended, everyone was exhausted and almost falling apart, but no one complained.

They all knew that the more they practiced, the greater their chance of survival on the battlefield.

Before going to sleep, Lin Chen called Zhao Tiegu aside.

"Old Zhao, you'll lead the first group out first thing tomorrow morning," he said in a low voice. "Target: a 30-mile radius northeast of Black Wind Forest. Focus your reconnaissance on the area where you found the tire tracks and bloodstains yesterday, and find out what's there. Remember, only look and listen, don't make contact. You must return within three days."

Zhao Tiegu nodded solemnly, "Don't worry. My old bones aren't that brittle."

"Take three days' worth of dry rations, water, and this." Lin Chen handed over a small leather bag containing several packets of hemostatic powder and detoxifying pills given by the Shi family. "Just in case."

"Okay." Zhao Tiegu put away the leather bag.