Arba pondered for a moment and slowly said, "I have decided to seek help from our main lineage!"

"The main branch?"

The people inside the tent looked at each other in bewilderment.

The main branch of the barbarian tribes is said to have conquered the western lands, commanding a million fierce warriors and possessing immense strength.

"Chieftain, this...this might not be appropriate."

The lean leader hesitated before speaking.

“If we align ourselves with the main faction, we won’t be able to become kings and hegemons; at best, we’ll be their subordinates.”

“I know.” Arba’s eyes became deep and firm.

"But we are all of the same race. Our ancestors left us a command to carry forward our glory and conquer the land of China."

"But in the end, we can only eke out a living in this cramped place."

"Now that the main branch has risen to power, we should join them and restore the barbarian tribes!"

“But…” The lean leader was about to say something when he was interrupted by Arba.

"No buts! This is my final decision! Anyone who dares to disobey will face my wrath!"

Arba's tone left no room for doubt.

Seeing that the clan leader had made up his mind, the crowd said no more and expressed their obedience.

Arba stood up, walked outside the tent, and looked up at the starry sky.

The stars twinkled like scattered diamonds on a black curtain.

He took a deep breath, as if trying to inhale the vastness and freedom of the grassland into his lungs.

"Ancestors, bless our barbarian tribe and help us achieve our great cause of restoration soon!"

Arba prayed silently in his heart.

...

Shannan County, outside the city's drill ground.

Lu Yan was wearing a "special operations suit" that he designed himself.

Dressed in a black outfit, with sunflower seeds in his pocket, he stood on the high platform.

Looking at the more than one hundred people standing crookedly below, I almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

This is supposed to be elite troops? You could tell they were a concentration camp for the elderly, the sick, and the disabled!

"What the hell are you guys standing here for?"

"You can't even stand at attention properly, and you want to be a special forces soldier?"

"Back in my military training days, I could stand at attention so long that my drill instructors would question their existence!"

Lu Yan grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds and cracked them open with a loud popping sound, spitting everywhere.

The people below looked at each other, completely bewildered.

What is military posture? And what is an instructor?

"Qiao'er, bring me a megaphone!"

Lu Yan shouted at the top of his lungs.

Lu Fei handed him a simple megaphone made of bamboo tube and leather membrane with a helpless expression.

"Sir, from which book did you find this strange thing?"

Lu Yan took the megaphone, cleared his throat, and shouted to the people below:

"Listen up, all of you! If you want to be a special forces soldier, you have to be able to endure hardship, toil, and suffering!"

"If any delicate young lady can't stand it, she'd better get lost and stop making a fool of herself here!"

He paused, then added, "Of course, except for those who are good-looking."

A low chuckle came from the crowd.

Lu Yan began his grueling training.

Weighted cross-country running, rock climbing, swimming, hand-to-hand combat, shooting... various training programs for modern special forces.

He moved everything over there, calling it "all-round development."

These poor ancient soldiers had never seen anything like this before.

They all complained bitterly, yet dared not disobey Lu Yan's orders.

"That's too cruel! Lord Lu, this is simply unbearable for a human!"

Seeing the soldiers collapsed on the ground like piles of mud, Zhang Xun couldn't help but offer another word of advice.

Lu Yan spat out a sunflower seed shell and glanced at him sideways.

"This is nothing! If you want to become one of my soldiers, you'll have to undergo a complete transformation! Back in the day, I..."

"Sir, we all know how brave you were back then, so please don't say any more."

Han Sheng interrupted him with a mournful face.

I was afraid he would start boasting about his fictitious "glorious deeds" again.

Lu Yan pursed his lips and continued his "devil training".

"Everyone, listen up! Now start practicing the duck walk! Legs apart, half-squat, hands behind your back, walk like a duck!"

The soldiers looked at each other, wondering what kind of bizarre training method this was.

"What are you waiting for! If you want to be a special forces soldier, you have to be skilled in all kinds of martial arts! The duck walk can improve your flexibility, coordination, and... um... your resilience!"

Lu Yan was talking nonsense with a straight face.

Although the soldiers were full of doubts, they obediently did as instructed.

More than a hundred people were wobbling and waddling around the drill ground, a truly comical scene.

"Ouch! Who the hell stepped on my foot?!"

"You stepped on my foot! Ouch!"

"Don't push! Don't push! I'm going to fall!"

The drill ground was instantly thrown into chaos, with soldiers trampling each other and shouting and cursing.

Lu Yan stood on the high platform, looking at the chaotic scene below, and laughed so hard he almost fell over.

"Hahaha! This is hilarious! This duck walk is really effective! Not only can it exercise your body, it can also liven up the atmosphere!"

After laughing enough, Lu Yan began a new round of torment.

"Now, everyone, frog jump! Stand with your legs together, squat down, and then jump forward with all your might!"

"Remember, you must jump as high and as far as a toad!"

The soldiers were on the verge of tears and could only obediently begin toddler hopping.

"Croak!"

"Croak!"

"Croak!"

The sound of croaking filled the training ground; one might mistake it for a frog farm.

After several days of "grueling training," the soldiers complained bitterly.

However, his physical fitness has improved significantly.

More importantly, a special bond was formed between them.

"Brother, are you alright?"

A soldier helps up his comrade who he accidentally knocked down.

"It's alright, we're all brothers, minor bumps and bruises are inevitable."

The soldier who was helped up smiled gratefully.

Seeing this, Lu Yan nodded in satisfaction.

"Very good! It seems your team spirit is starting to awaken! Next up is an even more exciting training exercise—trust shooting!"

Lu Yan had a pile of simple eye masks made of hemp cloth brought over and distributed them to the soldiers.

"Put on your blindfolds! Then, take your muskets, aim at your comrades, and fire!"

"What? Sir, are you kidding me? This is a musket! What if it misfires?"

"A soldier asked in alarm."

"Don't worry, it's a blank. I just want to see if you dare to entrust your backs to your comrades!"

Lu Yan's eyes sharpened.

The soldiers hesitated. To ask them to blindfold themselves and shoot at their comrades required immense courage and trust.

"What? You're scared? Then get lost! I don't need cowards!"

Lu Yan's tone was full of provocation.

A burly soldier gritted his teeth, was the first to put on his blindfold, and raised his musket.

"Bang!" A gunshot rang out.

The empty package was launched, tracing an arc in the air.

"Ah!" a soldier screamed, instinctively covering his head.

"Coward! With this little bit of courage, you want to be a special forces soldier?"

Lu Yan mocked mercilessly.