The Legend of the Dragon King

Tang Wulin answered, “In the Blood God Battalion.”

Long Yuxue spoke, “Are you busy now? There’s a business deal for you. The Iron Blood Battalion’s commander wishes to seek your help in forging.”

‘Iron Blood Battalion’s commander? Isn’t that Jiang Wuyue’s superior officer?’ Tang Wulin had heard of him before. He, too, was a legendary figure in the Blood God Army. He led his men to engage in hundreds of battles, both big and small. He was an eight-ring Title Douluo and a two-word battle armor master with an exceptional fighting capability.

He was a distinguished figure for his meritorious military service! It was said that he would be promoted to a deputy regimental commander soon.

“Sure. I’m heading over now,” said Tang Wulin.

Long Yuxue reminded him, “Commander Ma has a rather fiery temper so be careful with your choice of words. Moreover, he had spent most of his merits on pecuniary aid to his subordinates. He mentioned that he wished to get a discount from you. Please discuss with him to see if it’s doable.”

Tang Wulin spoke, “Sure, I’ll see what I can do.”

Long Yuxue reminded him once again, “Commander Ma has a very high position in the Blood Division. If you can, do offer him a cheaper price. It’ll be good for your future development in the army. Wuyue told Commander Ma about you earlier and he’s been trying to get you to his side. He said that as long as you’re willing to join him, he would figure out a way to promote you to major general. He admires you quite a lot for he has watched the recording of your performance during the abyssal tide.”

“Oh.” Tang Wulin darted a look at his epaulets and hesitated for a moment. He was wondering if he should remove it before he went over to meet them.

Long Yuxue spoke, “Alright. Come over soon, we’ll discuss more when you’re here.”

In the forging workshop.

Ever since Tang Wulin changed to the larger forging workshop, he had more space to express himself during the forging process. Moreover, he had recently purchased many rare metals in preparation for constructing a black mecha in the future.

Ling Wuyue provided him many suggestions especially in advising him not to rush in building the mecha, to spend more time in learning the specialties of the mecha while seeking for the mecha type most suited to himself before embarking on its construction. After all, the construction of a black mecha required a large number of resources. Any mistake would result in a great loss if one had to start all over again.

Other than Tang Wulin, Long Yuxue was also given a set of keys to the forging workshop. Thus, she went over to the workshop without having to wait for Tang Wulin.

The workshop was linked to the warehouse. Long Yuxue smiled upon seeing the numerous rare metals that were stored there. She muttered to herself, “The guy is truly a hoarder.”

“Who’s a hoarder?” Meanwhile, a strong but sincere voice was heard.

Long Yuxue did not shut the door when she entered earlier. A strong man as tough as an iron tower walked into the room.

The man had a robust figure and appeared to be even bigger than Jiang Wuyue with a big bald head. The set of military uniform on him appeared puffed up. He stood over there like a mountain. He was a colonel commandant with four stars and two stripes adorning his epaulets. He was smiling, but his face was fierce-looking with a toughness which was reflected on his face.

“Commander Ma.” Long Yuxue immediately stood at attention and saluted upon seeing him.

Ma Shan chuckled. “Little girl, there’s no one else here, so there’s no need to salute.”

Long Yuxue spoke smilingly, “You came so soon! I’ve just informed Tang Wulin, so he’ll be here in a short while.”

Ma Shan rubbed his big bald head and said, “I’m an impatient man, and I don’t like waiting. Here I am. Yuxue, is a twenty-year-old Saint Craftsman reliable?”

Long Yuxue spoke with a smile on her face, “He’s definitely reliable. I’ve seen him performing soul forging myself. He’s especially impressive and definitely the youngest Saint Craftsman on the entire continent. You don’t have to worry.”

Ma Shan spoke, “Please put in a word for me, so the boy will give me a good price. Or else, I’ll beat him up. It’s easier for him to earn merits than us. Look, he has a lot of good materials here. These are all expensive rare metals. On the other hand, the merits of our combat unit is accumulated little by little. It’s not easy.”

Long Yuxue’s expression changed slightly, as she was aware that Ma Shan had such a temper. He was exceedingly brave when he was fighting. At the same time, his courage gave him a forceful personality. As such, he was a little arrogant that, at times, even the Blood Division’s division commander could not restrain him. Apart from the few Blood Gods from the Blood God Battalion, he only served the regimental commander Zhang Huanyun in the army. He was promoted to his current post by Zhang Huanyun’s sole effort.

“Commander Ma, soul forging is cumbersome and tiring. I’ve talked to Tang Wulin about giving you a discount,” said Long Yuxue with a forced chuckle.

“Hmm. Why is the boy not here yet? How long do I have to wait still?” said Ma Shan impatiently.

Meanwhile, the sound of footsteps was heard outside. Ma Shan and Long Yuxue turned around at the same time to find Tang Wulin, dressed in military attire, walking into the room.

Even as a man, Ma Shan’s vision brightened at once upon seeing Tang Wulin. Tang Wulin was cladded in a set of immaculate, pure white military uniform. He had a tall figure with a bright, handsome face in addition to his dazzling eyes. Ma Shan could not help complimenting Tang Wulin in his heart. ‘What a handsome young man.’

However, his expression changed in the next moment. He saw the epaulets on Tang Wulin’s shoulders which surprised him.

Long Yuxue advanced with swift strides and exchanged glances with Tang Wulin. “Wulin, come here quick. Let me introduce you to Commander Ma, Iron Blood Battalion’s commander. He is our army’s distinguished general, our number one commander in close combat.”

She had yet to notice the change in Tang Wulin’s military rank. She hastily came over due to her concern for Ma Shan’s temper.

Tang Wulin took a few steps forward and spoke with a smile on his face, “Hello, Commander Ma.” He did not salute Ma Shan for there was never a rule which stated that a lower rank officer must salute a higher rank officer.

Ma Shan’s expression appeared slightly gloomy. “Boy, you’ve just violated a military regulation. Do you know that? This is serious. Remove your epaulets immediately.”

“Huh?” Long Yuxue was startled upon seeing Ma Shan losing his temper all of a sudden. She raised her head and looked toward Tang Wulin’s shoulders. She was short, so she did not notice it earlier. On the other hand, Ma Shan was taller than Tang Wulin so he had a good view of his shoulders.

“Major, major general?” Long Yuxue was dumbstruck with amazement when she saw the epaulets on Tang Wulin’s shoulders. There was a clear distinction between ranks in the army. If anyone was daring enough to change his or her military rank, it would be a serious offense which would certainly result in severe punishment.

How could he be so confused? Why would he put on a major general’s rank for himself? Furthermore, he did it before Ma Shan which would land him in deep trouble this time.

“Wulin, are you in your right mind? Where did you get those epaulets? Did you take the wrong set of uniform?” Long Yuxue exchanged glances with Tang Wulin repeatedly as she was saying that.

Tang Wulin was stunned for a moment upon hearing Ma Shan’s rebuke, but he responded to the situation at hand. It was truly difficult for people to believe that he could be a major general at barely twenty years old. However, the evidence was right before their eyes. He could not just simply remove his military ranks, right?

“Commander Ma, I’ve just been promoted to major general earlier today. Also, I’m the Blood God Battalion’s ninth Blood God.” Tang Wulin did not flinch this time. His military rank was even a rank higher than Ma Shan’s.

He raised his hand to show his newly-exchanged Blood God Bracelet as he was speaking.

Ma Shan’s eyes widened. “Boy, you’re rather audacious! How dare you impersonate a Blood God. I wish to see the sort of talent you have which made you so bold. I’m going to take you down first, then charge you before a court-martial!”

He raised his hand to grab Tang Wulin as he was speaking.

Long Yuxue hastily used her body to block Ma Shan. She spoke anxiously, “Don’t be angry, Commander Ma. There must be a misunderstanding here. Wulin, what’s wrong with you? How can you simply talk like this? Have you injured yourself during cultivation which resulted in your confused state of mind?”

Let alone Ma Shan, even Long Yuxue found it hard to believe Tang Wulin as well.