Becoming a Martial Master: Starting as a Swordsmith

Shen Chu dragged the injured, black-faced leader as they ran.

The two walked through dense forests and climbed over earthen slopes, finally stopping in a secluded mountain hollow.

The area is surrounded by dense shrubs and rocks of varying heights, and the moonlight is mostly blocked by the tree canopy, with only a few scattered rays falling on the ground.

After confirming that there were no pursuers behind them, Shen Chu released the black-faced leader and led him to sit down on a flat rock.

The dark-faced leader gasped for breath, glancing down at the deep, bone-revealing wound on his arm, then looking up at Shen Chu with eyes full of gratitude and a touch of emotion in his voice:

"Good brother! I didn't misjudge you! You actually dared to turn back and save me in that situation! I'll remember this kindness! Once things are settled here, I'll definitely report to the banner chief and get you promoted! At that time, forget about being a squad leader, even a platoon leader will be within reach!"

Shen Chu sat down opposite him, revealing a loyal expression, and chuckled:

"Thank you for your guidance, Chief! However... Chief, I really want to advance, I really want to advance! Do you think it would be possible to promote me right now? There's no need to wait until we get back."

Upon hearing this, the dark-faced leader paused slightly, a barely perceptible hint of wariness flashing in his eyes.

He remained silent for a moment, seemingly weighing something.

Finally, he nodded, took out a black token from his waist, drew a few lines on it with his finger, and handed it to Shen Chu:

"Good! Since you have this ambition, I'm promoting you to squad leader now! From now on, you can command a ten-man squad and report directly to me!"

Shen Chu accepted the token with both hands and respectfully expressed her gratitude.

At the same time, his system panel flashed with light:

[A follower (corps leader) is promoted to a follower (platoon leader)]

[Skill Enhancement: The effect of the "Fragrance Takes All Beings" skill is slightly improved, increasing absorption efficiency; the effect of the "Conceal Breath" skill is improved, allowing for a low degree of concealment while moving.]

[Unlocked new permissions: Access to view lower-level Red Lotus Cult communication markers]

It's exactly what I expected!

Get promoted and become stronger!

Feeling the subtle changes within her body, Shen Chu was overjoyed, but remained outwardly calm as she put the token into her pocket.

Seeing that he had accepted the token and remained silent, the black-faced leader assumed that he was satisfied and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He leaned against the rock and prepared to treat the wound on his arm.

However, Shen Chu had no intention of giving up.

He paused for a moment, then spoke again, his tone sincere and earnest: "Chief, I have another request."

The dark-faced leader paused in his actions and looked up at him:

"you say."

Shen Chu said solemnly:

"Chief, I come from humble beginnings, but I've always known one principle: the most important thing in life is 'progress.' I don't want to spend my whole life as a mere squad leader; I want to do more for the Holy Church and shoulder greater responsibilities. I've heard that there are even higher positions within our Holy Church. I dare not hope to rise to the top in one step, but I beg you, Chief, to give me another chance so that I can advance further and dedicate myself to the Holy Church until my dying breath!"

He spoke with great passion and piercing eyes, like a fervent and devoted believer pledging his loyalty to his leader.

The dark-faced leader listened, stunned, his lips twitching slightly.

He remained silent for a long while before saying, somewhat annoyed:

"Do you think promotions are as easy as eating and drinking? You can't just promote someone whenever you want! Squad leader is already the highest position I can decide! Anything above that requires the banner lord's personal appointment; I can't make that decision myself!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Chu nodded thoughtfully and said calmly, "Oh... so, Chief, you can't promote me anymore, is that right?"

Shen Chu's tone was completely different from before when she said this.

The black-faced leader's heart skipped a beat, and a strong sense of crisis surged up instantly.

Something's off about this person!

Without saying a word, he suddenly drew the long sword from his waist and slashed at Shen Chu's throat!

However, he stopped halfway through swinging his knife.

It wasn't that he wanted to stop, but his arm, along with the knife, flew out!

Shen Chu had anticipated this move, and after the black-faced leader fought a great battle with Xu Zhibao and then made a long-distance raid, he was already exhausted, and his long sword was showing signs of weakness!

A flash of silver light appeared, and the black-faced leader's right arm was severed at the shoulder. Blood gushed out like a fountain, staining the nearby rocks crimson.

The severed arm tumbled a few times in the air before landing on the ground with a thud.

The black-faced leader was stunned. He turned to look at his empty right shoulder, then looked up at the blood-dripping long knife in Shen Chu's hand. He remained stunned for two full breaths before feeling the excruciating pain.

"ah!!!"

He let out a piercing scream and tumbled off the rock.

He clutched the wound on his severed arm tightly with his left hand, and blood gushed out from between his fingers, instantly staining half of his body red.

He gritted his teeth, enduring the excruciating pain, and looked up at Shen Chu, his eyes filled with shock and fear:

"Who...who are you?! What do you want?!"

Shen Chu flicked the blood off the knife, looked down at him, and sighed softly.

The sigh carried a hint of regret and helplessness, as if a painstakingly caring teacher were looking at a disappointing student.

"I just want to improve," he said slowly. "Why is the chief treating me like this?"

Upon hearing this, the black-faced leader's pupils suddenly contracted.

He stared at Shen Chu's face, hidden behind a gray mask, and a terrifying thought suddenly flashed through his mind. He blurted out:

"You...you're not one of those lunatics who cultivate the Yuan Gui Dao, are you?!"

Shen Chu was slightly taken aback.

The Path of Deception?

What is that?

He had never heard of that word before.

But he neither denied nor admitted it; he simply stood there silently, letting the dark-faced leader fill in the blanks in his mind.

His silence was undoubtedly seen as tacit agreement by the black-faced leader.

The black-faced leader's face turned deathly pale instantly, a fear that came from the depths of his being.

He braced himself against the ground with his left hand, inching backward as he said in a trembling voice:

"Brother...brother, no, elder brother! We're all brothers of the Holy Church. It was wrong of me to lay a hand on you just now! It was only right that my hand was cut off! I've already promoted you to the highest position I can. Don't worry, as soon as I get back, I'll report to the flag lord and ask for your commendation, so you can be promoted to my position! Trust me!"

Shen Chu did not answer, but slowly took a step closer.

The dark-faced leader trembled with fear and quickly said, "What else do you want? Just name it! As long as it's within my power, I'll grant it!"

Shen Chu stopped and looked down at him.