A lowly soldier becomes king, I slaughter my way through the late Tang Dynasty!

"So you're Li Rui, the first spearhead personally selected by the commander?"

"Yes."

"Hmph, do you know who I am?"

"Yes, Commander of the Trapped Camp."

"How dare you! Since you know this, why don't you worship?"

Inside the cramped tent, a burly man glared at Li Rui, his face contorted with bulging muscles as he breathed heavily.

The two bodyguards on either side hurriedly lowered their heads, afraid of being blamed, while glaring at Li Rui through gritted teeth, blaming him for being too arrogant and angering the commander.

However, Li Rui still stood up straight.

"Personally appointed by the commander-in-chief, one must be at the forefront of the battle and need not bow to anyone else but the commander-in-chief."

The burly commander suddenly stood up, as if a door panel had risen, making the tent space even smaller.

"What an arrogant spearhead! Today, your Grandpa Niu from Ruzhou will teach you what the rules of the military are!"

After saying that, this old man from Ruzhou rolled up his sleeves and got into a fighting stance!

Two guards quickly left the tent, lowered the curtain, and stood guard on either side of the entrance.

Seeing this, Li Rui thought for a moment and immediately understood.

This Commander Niu needs to establish his authority.

However, he was unwilling to publicly defeat the commander-in-chief's personally chosen vanguard, thus damaging the commander-in-chief's reputation.

That's why he deliberately wanted to see me, then picked a fight and got angry, ordering his personal guards to close the curtains and have a one-on-one fight in the tent.

It seems that this burly old man is not as rough as he appears; on the contrary, he is a thoughtful person.

Li Rui smiled calmly, removed his armor, and rolled up his sleeves.

"If Commander Niu is in such a good mood, Li Rui will gladly accompany him."

Niu Ben met Li Rui's gaze and was suddenly startled.

That kid!

Did you see through his plan?

He is indeed clever, but he still needs to establish the necessary authority!

This young man petitioned in public and was personally selected by the commander as the first vanguard, making him the most prominent figure.

If we don't suppress him and make him submit, what if he goes on the battlefield and doesn't listen to orders?

"Hmph, what a load of rubbish! He talks like a scholar, but he has no manly spirit whatsoever!"

Niu Ben bent over, stretched his hands forward, and grasped them loosely in front of his chest.

This is the starting stance for a wrestling match, similar to wrestling in later generations.

Li Rui tried to imitate him, striking a pose, but his attempt at copying was so simplistic that an expert could immediately tell he was a novice.

Niu Ben smiled to himself, confident that victory was assured!

Having served in the army for eight years, he was the number one fighter from the day he entered the camp!

Dealing with Li Rui alone is almost like bullying a newcomer.

"drink!"

Niu Ben charged forward and instantly arrived in front of Li Rui.

The large, fan-like hands gripped Li Rui's upper arm like iron clamps.

Then he exerted force suddenly, as if to push Li Rui down in one fell swoop!

Li Rui's body trembled!

But he reacted quickly, bracing his hands against Niu Ben's arms and exerting force!

In terms of pure strength, Li Rui was no match for Niu Ben yesterday.

Although he was tall, he was not very muscular; his physique was merely well-proportioned.

Niu Ben, on the other hand, is practically a human tank; if they collide like that, Li Rui is bound to lose.

But after last night, everything changed.

[Strength permanently increased by 50%]

This amplification attribute is insane!

"Um!?"

The moment Niu Ben sensed Li Rui exerting force, he suddenly raised his head, his bull eyes wide open!

On his bear-like arms, which were thicker than an average person's thigh, veins bulged, muscles were taut, and skin was red.

All my strength is here!

As a result, Li Rui didn't even shake it, and it simply wouldn't budge!

in contrast.

Li Rui seems to still have some strength left!

Niu Ben was utterly astonished, staring at Li Rui in disbelief.

This kid is so skinny, like a scholar. Where does he get such strength?

No, no, that's not right.

It must be because I slept with a woman last night that I feel a bit weak today!

Niu Ben found himself an excuse, then readjusted his breathing and exerted all his strength again!

"Um!!!"

He squeezed out a constipated-like sound from his throat, and his fierce face turned as red as Guan Yu's.

Li Rui was not at ease either.

This old man from Ruzhou, worthy of being the commander of the Trapped Camp, possesses strength that is absolutely unmatched in the entire army.

The two men butted against each other like bulls fighting for territory.

For the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, neither side could gain the upper hand!

Outside the curtain, two guards scratched their heads, looking completely bewildered.

"Not finished yet?"

"I don't know, Li Rui didn't even scream."

"Could it be that a fight didn't break out?"

"Wait a little longer."

In their eyes, their chief ox was incredibly strong, a giant spirit descended from heaven.

Beating up Li Rui is a very simple thing, isn't it?

at the same time.

Niu Ben was nearly exhausted, but he tried his best to keep it a secret from Li Rui.

Li Rui blushed as well, feeling slightly agitated.

Niu Ben's two nostrils really do look like a cow's; he's panting, and you can even see white vapor coming from them.

Something's wrong! Something's really wrong with this dog!

Niu Ben cursed inwardly!

"Everyone says I'm born with superhuman strength, but Li Rui is the real superhuman! This is truly bizarre!"

If this continues, he'll lose in no time.

suddenly!

Niu Ben suddenly realized that this was a horn fight!

It's not just a simple contest of strength!

There are techniques to fighting!

Why should I, the number one fighter in eight years, foolishly try to outmuscle myself with this greenhorn Li Rui?

Damn, I'm hooked!

Niu Ben was annoyed and immediately changed his strategy.

He suddenly stopped exerting force, pretending to be exhausted, and was pushed backward by Li Rui.

Just as Li Rui lost his balance, Niu Ben quickly bent down and twisted his waist, releasing Li Rui's arm and grabbing his left leg.

Then he used all his remaining strength at once!

Logically speaking, this move should have been enough to bring down Li Rui, and the outcome should have been decided.

However, this turn of events...

It still won't budge!

Niu Ben's expression changed drastically; he thought, "It's over!"

This kid's physical abilities are truly freakish!

But the next second, Li Rui's leg actually lifted up on its own.

Niu Ben naturally didn't let this opportunity pass. With a powerful jerk, he flipped Li Rui over, sending him crashing to the ground on his back.

Niu Ben won, but he wasn't happy at all; instead, he glared at Niu Ben and said...

"What do you mean? You deliberately lifted your leg to let me win?"

Li Rui sat up, dusted himself off, and laughed.

"Not at all. Commander Niu is highly skilled, so my defeat is to be expected."

Niu Ben stared at him, then burst into laughter after a moment.

"Hahaha! Brother Li, I, Old Niu, have figured it out. You really are a scholar-soldier!"

Niu Ben knew perfectly well that Li Rui had deliberately lost to give him face as the commander-in-chief.

Who wouldn't be happy to have such a fierce general under their command who also understands human relationships?

Although Li Rui deliberately lost, he proved that he was not someone to be trifled with, and at the same time, he made friends with his superior, Niu Ben.

The two looked at each other and then burst into laughter.

Win-win, win-win.

"Guards! Bring me that jar of fine wine the general bestowed upon me. Brother Li and I hit it off immediately; let's drink to our hearts' content!"

Upon hearing this, the guards at the gate were immediately dumbfounded!

Eight years have passed. When have we ever seen our commander-in-chief look like this?

This is hardly what you call instant connection.

They were clearly beaten into submission!

In an instant, the way the two bodyguards looked at Li Rui changed!

This person... is no ordinary person!

If Grandpa Niu is the reincarnation of the Giant Spirit God, then who is this Li Fengshi, the reincarnation of?

The atmosphere inside the tent was lively. Although there weren't many snacks to go with the drinks, neither Li Rui nor Niu Ben were pretentious.

Over the wine, it really felt like we'd known each other forever.

After drinking three bowls of wine, Niu Ben squeezed Li Rui's arm and exclaimed in amazement.

"Brother Li, you don't look particularly robust. How did you train to be so strong? Are you perhaps born with superhuman strength?"

Li Rui laughed.

"It was a gift when I got married."

Niu Ben shook his head repeatedly.

"My dear brother, stop joking. Once you get married, all your energy will be spent on women. You'll only become weaker, not stronger."

Li Rui, feeling helpless, put down his wine glass, his expression full of sincerity.

"Brother Niu, this is truly a free gift with the marriage."

Niu Ben was speechless, assuming that Li Rui was deliberately covering up the truth, and gave up asking further questions.

At that moment, soldiers rushed over.

"Is Li Fengyi there? Your wife's gotten into trouble!"

"What trouble? Tell me in detail."

"Li Feng, do you remember your previous position as squad leader before you joined the Trapped Camp?"

Li Rui frowned slightly. How could he not remember?

That scarred-face man was the one who got him into the Trapped Camp as a suicide soldier.

The soldier continued.

"Your wife tried to run away, but that scarred man caught her and said he'd interrogate her severely."

Upon hearing this, Li Rui suddenly stood up!

Niu Ben frowned as well, saying that it was supposed to be a severe interrogation, but a group of men were interrogating a woman.

Who knows what despicable things they might do!

Just as Niu Ben was about to speak but hesitated.

Li Rui had already dashed out of the tent in one stride!