The God of War Who Protects the Nation: Starting with Saving a Mother and Daughter in Distress

"The centurion wants to spar with Captain Qin?"

"My God, this is going to be interesting!"

The news spread like wildfire throughout the entire camp.

The soldiers crowded around, completely blocking the drill ground.

Wei Bo, Sun Qiang, and others also rushed over upon hearing the news, crowding at the front of the crowd.

"Chief, this..." Qin An hesitated.

Although he hadn't seen Luo Kai make a move many times, he could sense that the other party was incredibly strong.

It's not that I'm afraid of losing, but I wonder if it would be inappropriate to openly compete with my boss.

Luo Kai waved his hand: "It's alright, let's stop here. Just go all out and let me see what you're made of."

With a pointed spear, he said, "Stop dawdling and come on!"

Qin An took a deep breath, mounted his horse, and drew his iron spear.

The gun hummed, as if anticipating a fierce battle. He cupped his hands and said, "I apologize for my intrusion!"

Before he finished speaking, he spurred his warhorse and charged off like an arrow.

The iron spear whipped up a gust of wind, aiming straight for Luo Kai's face. This strike was both fast and fierce, a killing move he had learned from Cai Zhen, which ordinary enemies simply could not dodge.

"Good!" Luo Kai shouted in a low voice, and with a light flick of his long spear, he accurately struck the shaft of the spear.

"clang!"

With a loud bang, Qin An felt a tremendous force coming from the shaft of the spear, his arm went numb, and the iron spear almost slipped from his hand.

He was shocked; Luo Kai's seemingly casual flick contained such power!

"You're quite strong, but your technique is lacking," Luo Kai laughed, his long spear coiling around the shaft like a serpent, twisting it in one smooth motion.

Qin An felt the gun barrel being pulled by a clever force, and it involuntarily deviated from its direction.

He quickly changed his move, thrusting the tip of his spear towards Luo Kai's waist and abdomen.

Luo Kai's horsemanship was clearly quite good; he squeezed his legs together, and his warhorse reared up.

While dodging the shot, he swept his long spear horizontally, smashing towards Qin An with a whooshing sound.

Qin An reacted extremely quickly, suddenly ducking down as the long spear grazed his armor, sending sparks flying.

He seized the opportunity to turn around, and his iron spear thrust out like a storm, the shadows of the spear covering all of Luo Kai's vital points.

"Great marksmanship!" cheers erupted from the crowd.

Luo Kai remained calm and composed, wielding his long spear with impenetrable skill, deflecting all the spear shadows one by one.

His movements seemed slow, yet he always managed to deflect Qin An's attacks with the slightest precision, as if every move Qin An made was within his expectations.

The two exchanged blows, and in the blink of an eye, they had fought thirty rounds.

Dust billowed across the drill ground, and the sounds of clashing guns and spears were deafening.

Qin An grew increasingly alarmed as he fought. He had used every trick in the book, but he couldn't even touch the hem of Luo Kai's clothes.

The opponent was like a mountain, seemingly still, yet as stable as a rock, unmoved no matter how he attacked.

"stop!"

Qin An abruptly sheathed his spear, dismounted, sweat beading on his forehead, and breathed rapidly.

Looking at Luo Kai's composed demeanor, he smiled wryly and said, "This subordinate concedes defeat."

"Why did you give up so easily?"

"That's a really exciting match!"

A collective sigh of regret rose from the crowd.

Qin An shook his head and bowed deeply to Luo Kai: "The centurion's spear technique is exquisite and his experience is superb. I am far inferior to him. In just thirty rounds, the centurion held back the whole time. If this were on the battlefield, I would have been dead long ago."

Luo Kai sheathed his spear and nodded approvingly: "If you understand this, then you haven't lost."

He also dismounted and walked up to Qin An, saying in a deep voice, "You have a strong physique, and your strength and agility are all top-notch. You are a rare gem. However, although your marksmanship is excellent, it is too forceful and you do not know how to adapt. You also lack battlefield experience. If you encounter a strong enemy, you will easily suffer losses."

Qin An humbly accepted the instruction: "The centurion's advice is correct. My spear technique is learned from my daughter. Although it has rules, it lacks real combat experience, which is indeed a weakness."

"Your daughter can teach such marksmanship?" Luo Kai was somewhat surprised, then laughed, "It seems your wife is no ordinary woman either."

He patted Qin An on the shoulder and said, "Skills and experience can be acquired over time, but your talent is innate. Practice hard, and in time, surpassing me will not be difficult."

With that, he patted Qin An on the shoulder three times and turned to leave.

Qin An stood there, touching the shoulder that had been patted, lost in thought.

Wei Bo leaned closer and said with a smile, "The centurion thinks highly of you!"

Qin An smiled but didn't say anything.

He always felt that Luo Kai's three pats on his shoulder seemed to have a deeper meaning.

At midnight, the camp was completely silent, save for the occasional sound of footsteps from the night patrolling soldiers.

Qin An quietly got up and walked towards Luo Kai's central command tent by the moonlight.

He finally understood: Luo Kai patted him on the shoulder three times to tell him to come at midnight.

"Come in!" Luo Kai's voice came from inside the tent.

Qin An lifted the curtain and entered, seeing Luo Kai sitting at his desk reading a book.

In the candlelight, his profile was sharply defined, lacking the daytime majesty but possessing a more serene air.

"The centurion summoned me here late at night; what are your orders?"

Luo Kai opened the book and looked at him: "You were able to understand the meaning of my three points, so you're not stupid."

He gestured for Qin An to sit down. "I'm asking you, are you willing to spend your entire life in the logistics battalion?"

Qin An was taken aback, then shook his head: "I don't want to."

"Good!" A glint of light flashed in Luo Kai's eyes. "Although I, Luo Kai, come from a prominent family, I am born out of wedlock and have been ostracized within the family. If I were to follow the established path, I would at most become a half-general in this lifetime, but I am unwilling to accept that!"

Having come to this point, Luo Kai naturally had nothing to hide and directly stated his intentions.

His voice was deep, yet filled with ambition: "This logistics battalion is not my home. Sooner or later, I will be transferred to the front lines, earn a title through merit, and show those who look down on me what I'm made of!"

Qin An was shocked. He had never imagined that the seemingly calm Luo Kai would have such ambitions.

"Chief of a thousand..."

"You don't need to say anything more," Luo Kai interrupted him. "I can tell you're not one to be subservient. Would you be willing to come with me and take on some challenges?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Qin An rose, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "Your subordinate is willing to follow the commander, even unto death!"

Although he knew that the other party wanted to recruit him, Qin An did not resist at all.

He had joined the army and was able to become a cavalry captain in a short period of time, all thanks to the other party's patronage.

This kindness must be acknowledged no matter what.

More importantly, Qin An was also very clear in his heart that it was not enough to just have ability to stand out from the crowd.

In this world, one's background is still very important.

Trying to climb up on your own alone would be incredibly difficult.

Although Luo Kai was born out of wedlock, he was still from a prominent family.

It's much easier for him to climb up than for me.

Now that the other party is willing to recruit him, Qin An naturally will not refuse this opportunity to hitch a ride.

His statement made Luo Kai laugh heartily: "Good! With you saying that, I'm relieved."

He stood up and walked to Qin An's side. "But you're still too inexperienced. The cavalry squad is your foundation. You must quickly develop combat capabilities to escort supplies and accumulate more merits so that I can operate more effectively!"

"Understood!"

"Go, and remember, what we say tonight is known only to heaven, earth, you, and me."

Qin An nodded and turned to leave.

Stepping outside the tent, the moonlight bathed him, and he clenched his fists.

"The main battlefield... we'll have to face it sooner or later!"