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

Live-fire drills.

Lin Chen played the role of the enemy, and the group worked in pairs, using sign language to simulate concealment, movement, target discovery, and retreat within the limited space of the barracks.

At first, there were many mistakes, wrong gestures, and chaotic coordination. Lin Chen showed no mercy, making everyone start over when they made a mistake, until the movements were smooth and their minds were in sync.

"Third, traps and warnings." Lin Chen took out a few thin hemp ropes, some empty cans, and a few small stones. "When lying in ambush in the wild, relying solely on eyes and ears is not enough."

He demonstrated how to use thin rope to set up tripwires along a necessary path, connecting empty cans. He also showed how to use gravel to create hidden markings that only his own people could understand, indicating directions or issuing warnings.

"If you find any unusual traces, leave a mark. When retreating, set up simple tripwires or alarm devices behind you to delay your pursuers."

Everyone followed suit, tying knots and arranging stones.

"Fourth, and most importantly," Lin Chen looked at them, "if you get separated or trapped, remember three things: First, run to higher ground or open areas, don't go into dead ends. Second, use anything to create noise—fire, smoke, sound—to attract the attention of your companions or enemies—but assess the situation. Third, if you really can't escape..."

He paused, his eyes sharp as knives.

"Take one down with you. Don't hesitate, stab them in the vitals. Killing one is enough, killing two is a bonus."

The barracks were deathly silent, save for the crackling of firewood.

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines, but then a fierce energy surged up as well.

"Do you understand everything?" Lin Chen asked.

"Understood!" came the unanimous low growls.

"Alright, now, one last drill." Lin Chen walked to the door. "Let's assume this is the woods outside Blackstone Manor. You ten, split into two groups, take turns providing cover, sneak up to the tree opposite the courtyard, leave a mark, and then retreat. Old Zhao and I will be the guards."

Everyone immediately took action.

Li the Cripple led the first group out, using the shadows of the barracks to communicate via sign language and move silently. Zhou Dahe and Wang Chuan provided flank protection.

Zhao Tiegu and Lin Chen then simulated patrols, deliberately creating blind spots in their field of vision.

The first group successfully reached the target tree, and Zhou Dahe quickly used stones to mark the direction. Then they retreated under alternating cover.

The second group then departed, following the same procedure.

Although in the familiar barracks environment, everyone was fully focused, applying what they had just learned. Their movements were cleaner and more decisive than in any previous training session.

After the drill ended, Lin Chen looked at the sky.

It was nearly dusk.

"Rest for an hour, eat, and check your equipment. Sharpen your knives, tighten your bowstrings, and secure your leather armor. Each person should carry enough dry rations and water for two days, as well as the hemostatic powder and detoxifying pills I've distributed."

He paused.

"Tonight, there might be bloodshed, there might be deaths."

"If you're scared, you can still back out now. I don't blame you."

Nobody moved.

Ten pairs of eyes shone brightly in the dimming light.

Lin Chen nodded.

"Then let's get ready."

"At midnight, I will make the area north of Blackstone Village a river of blood."

The crowd dispersed, each going about their own preparations.

Lin Chen walked to the fire pit and slowly drew out the hundred-refined steel knife.

The blade reflected the flickering firelight; it was cold and sharp.

He ran his fingertips along the blade.

Tomorrow night, this knife will have to drink its fill of blood.

In the distance, the faint sound of a clapper used by night patrolmen could be heard.

Night is coming.

Wolf Valley.

The name doesn't do it justice. There are no wolves, only deathly silence.

The cliffs on both sides are as if cleaved by a knife and axe, enclosing a valley path no more than three or four zhang wide. The valley floor is full of jagged rocks and overgrown with withered yellow thorns. The moonlight is blocked by the high cliffs, and only the valley entrance and a small section in the middle can be illuminated by a pale light.

As midnight approached, the cold wind howled and whistled through the valley like a knife.

In the middle of the valley, in the shadows near the eastern cliff, a dozen or so horse-drawn carts covered with thick tarpaulins were piled up in the darkness. A dozen or so men in sturdy armor, swords in hand, stood silently guard beside the carts. Torches were stuck in the cracks of the rocks, casting dim light that illuminated their blank or fierce faces.

The leader was a burly man with one eye, holding a ghost-head knife, leaning against the wheel of the lead cart, his only remaining eye constantly scanning the valley entrance and the cliffs on both sides.

The Tiger Gang.

About thirty feet away from the convoy, in the shadows of a pile of rocks on the west side of the valley, Lin Chen slowly shifted his gaze from between two rocks.

Behind him, pressed against the cold stone, were ten members of "Night Shadow," including Zhao Tiegu and Li Quezi. Each of them was wrapped in a dark cloak, their faces smeared with soot, revealing only their eyes, and their breathing was extremely low.

On a more distant cliff, Zhang Heng led fifty elite patrolmen, who lay in wait, blending into the terrain as if they had become one with the rocks. Their crossbows were nocked, and armor-piercing arrows were loaded into their slots, awaiting only the signal.

"Twenty-three people, One-Eyed Dragon is the leader, around the seventh level of the Day after tomorrow realm. Twenty carriages, under the tarpaulins should be ore and... people." Lin Chen said in an almost inaudible whisper, his eyes sharp as an eagle's. "Remember, our mission is to keep a close watch, wait for the Gray Wolf tribe to appear, wait for Captain Zhang's signal. As soon as the signal sounds, immediately use bows and arrows to signal those with torches, create chaos, then press forward and cut off their escape route to the valley entrance."

"Understood," Zhao Tiegu replied softly.

"Remember, survival comes first," Lin Chen added. "When the fight breaks out, stick to pairs and don't separate. Prioritize shooting the horses; startling them will disrupt their formation. If you encounter a tough opponent, don't fight head-on; engage them and wait for the patrol battalion to surround you."

The crowd nodded silently, gripping their bows tightly.

Time passes little by little.

The Tiger Gang members in the valley were growing impatient, and low curses and complaints began to emanate from them. One-Eyed Dragon reprimanded them a few times.

Just then, a strange, short wolf howl came from the direction of the valley entrance.

Three long and two short.

One-Eyed Dragon perked up, straightened his body, and, pursing his lips, responded with two screeching sounds like night owls.

coming.

Lin Chen's eyes narrowed.

At the mouth of the valley, more than a dozen figures appeared indistinctly.

They were half a head taller than average, with a more robust build, and wore simple leather armor or simply animal hides. Their faces were blurry in the dim light, but one could see protruding fangs and eyes that gleamed with an eerie green light in the darkness.

The Grey Wolf Tribe, a demon clan.

The leading wolf demon was exceptionally burly, with a necklace of beast teeth around his neck and a thick bone club in his hand. Behind him followed ten demon warriors, and two others, tied with ropes and staggering ahead...humans?

No, they weren't ordinary people. The two men were dressed in tattered but identical gray short-sleeved shirts, their hands and feet were calloused, and their eyes were numb.

Were they miners? Or... "craftsmen" presented to the demon race by the Fierce Tiger Gang?

Lin Chen's mind raced.

The wolf demon leader walked up to the one-eyed dragon, and the two communicated in a mixture of broken human language and gestures.

"Are all the goods...?" The wolf demon's voice was hoarse and unpleasant.

"All set! Twenty men, ten strong laborers, and ten skilled workers. Ten baskets of refined ore, the usual." One-Eyed Dragon patted a carriage beside him, lifting a corner of the tarpaulin to reveal neatly stacked metal ingots with a dark purple luster.

The wolf demon leaned closer to examine it, then tapped it with his bone club and nodded. He waved his hand, and a demon warrior behind him stepped forward carrying a heavy leather bag, which crashed to the ground with a thud.