Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

[Mirror Lake County]

[Green Valley]

The sun, shrouded in a thin veil, lazily strolled in the sky. In the distance, under clouds resembling tufts of cotton, Qingmeng Mountain and Yunque Mountain exuded a cool verdant presence.

The provincial road leading from the Qingyin Mountain Pass to Green Valley Town was completely occupied by the marching columns of the Iron Peak County Military.

The long line of wagons carrying the wounded and supplies crawled slowly along the road, stretching endlessly in both directions.

Soldiers carrying weapons advanced through the fields on either side of the road. Although their steps seemed a bit weary, most of them wore expressions of ease and joy.

Occasionally, laughter and heckling erupted from the ranks, and even the military band boldly switched to playing more cheerful tunes.

The nightmare battle had concluded six days ago.

The initial fear and grief in the hearts of the participants had gradually dissipated, replaced by the relief of having survived and the joy of being victors—at least on the surface.

The villagers along the way also abandoned their threshing fields and ran to the roadside to join the excitement.

Had it been before the battle, the farmers would only have stayed far away, never daring to come out willingly.

However, the farmers in Green Valley had already learned from the previous Thunder Group County Military and Riverside County Military that "the war is over."

Due to the coalition forces' efficiency in capturing prisoners, there were no large groups of deserters causing chaos in the aftermath.

The farmers, not ravaged by disorderly soldiers, found their courage increased. Many squatted at the roadside, energetically promoting anything they had for barter.

It was well known that victorious soldiers would surely have their backpacks stuffed with various spoils and that ordinary soldiers never saved money.

Thus, wherever the Iron Peak County Military went, the area became lively.

The soldiers engaged in bartering with the hawking villagers, passing around fresh fruits, homemade wine, and cured meats among the ranks.

For such harmless little antics, the officers and military police chose to turn a blind eye.

The marching columns of the Iron Peak County Military radiated a joyful atmosphere, filled everywhere with laughter and cheer.

However, even within a victorious army, there were those who were unhappy.

Like Monkey.

Among the merry Iron Peak County Soldiers, only Monkey remained expressionless, looking out of place.

Another soldier from the same town but not the same village as Monkey approached, wanting to get acquainted with him.

However, no matter what flattering words the "fellow townsman" uttered, Monkey just kept his head down and continued walking. Seeing this, the soldier attempting to forge a connection could only leave him with a few dry congratulations before awkwardly departing.

Lu Xirong once again witnessed the whole scene, glanced at Monkey with concern, but remained silent in the end.

As if sensing the old soldier's gaze, Monkey took the initiative to speak.

Monkey shifted the tent-pole to his other shoulder, revealing his head, and forced an unnatural smile at Sergeant Lu Xirong: "Why don't you chastise me anymore?"

Lu Xirong sighed: "You're about to become an officer, soon it will be your turn to reprimand me, and it won't be my place to scold you anymore."

Somehow, the news had leaked out.

Hence, the Iron Peak County Military knew that Montaigne, the Civil Guard Officer, was establishing an officers' school, and everyone also knew that the officer academy would select cadets from among the rank-and-file soldiers.

Almost immediately, speculating who the lucky soldier would be to leapfrog into the ranks of officers became the sole topic throughout the army.

As the soldiers counted their combat achievements on their fingers, they enviously and jealously congratulated those comrades who were sure to be promoted—the world of soldiers was straightforward, their battlefield performance spoke for itself, everyone knew who was capable and who was not.

Before long, another rumor spread: a scrawny guy who joined after the Blood and Mud Battle from the first battalion was also on the cadet list, specifically recommended by Captain Peter Buniel.

Thus, the nickname "Monkey" spread throughout the army overnight, and many "fellow townsmen" came to congratulate Monkey.

"I know what you want to say." Monkey mimicked the old soldier's tone, pretending to joke: "You brat, what's with the attitude? You haven't even become an officer yet, and your tail is already wagging!"

Lu Xirong listened quietly, his weathered face showing no reaction.

"But so what? Frankly, I don't know them at all, and they don't know me; they never even thought about knowing me before. Now they suddenly come over, pretending like we're old pals, talking this and that, but they're all cursing me in their hearts, cursing my dumb luck."

Monkey spat, paused for a moment, then forced a smile to continue: "I know, well, aren't people just like this? Whenever they see someone rich and influential, they'll try to ingratiate themselves by any means, but when they pass by a poor guy, they can't wait to kick him far away. I also know, you don't want to see them resenting me…"

"But I just don't want to hear these people, who I don't even know, congratulate me with hollow words."

Monkey's voice grew quieter, and he moved the tent-pole back to its original side, using it to block the old soldier's view. He wiped his eyes, pretending to laugh nonchalantly: "Because these bastards only know how to say nice things, and not one of them offered to help me carry the tent-pole."

Lu Xirong listened silently to Monkey, then walked a bit further before speaking earnestly to him: "We survived only because we were very lucky."