The training ground of the Blue Orchid Mercenary Group saw the addition of a slender figure from the early morning of the next day.
"Quick! Your punch needs to be faster, only by striking the enemy first can you save your own life!"
Randall held a stick in his hand, personally instructing Arthur, who would receive a hit whenever his movements were slightly delayed.
"Deathly Resolve Seventy-Two, employing punching, kicking, elbowing, and kneeing to attack the human body's vital points such as the ears, temples, throat, heart, back of the head, cervical spine, spine, and the area behind the heart. The movements must be quick, accurate, and ruthless, each strike must unleash the full power of the body, killing the enemy in one hit, leaving no chance for a counterattack," Randall explained the essence of the martial technique to Arthur.
"Why are there such ruthless martial techniques?" Arthur couldn't help but stop and turn his head to ask.
"This is a set of martial techniques originating from the special forces of the army. The special forces do not take action lightly, but when they do, it's a matter of life and death. If you don't kill the enemy at the first opportunity, you'll be the one to die."
"Does that mean any technique that can kill the enemy can be used?"
"There's no fixed method to killing. Deathly Resolve Seventy-Two is one of the fastest and most effective killing methods summarized from countless life-and-death battles, but it's just an introductory method. Once you reach the level of a war-grade warrior, every move and style can kill the enemy."
"I still prefer the orcs' way of attacking," Arthur suddenly scratched his head and said.
"You'd better forget everything you learned from the orc camps. Those pouncing and biting techniques of orc martial arts seem fierce but still leave room for the enemy to counterattack. When we fought with orc warriors, equal-level combat would result in minor injuries for us in exchange for their death, and we could even fight to the death with orcs in a challenge above our level."
"So, Uncle, you were a warrior back then, and so were Captain Keynes and Tony?" Arthur's eyes suddenly lit up. He had long sensed something different about the mercenary group; the Blue Orchid mercenaries didn't exhibit the common laissez-faire and casual attitude of mercenaries. Their combat style and daily training bore strong military traces.
Randall's expression froze for a moment, seemingly lost in memories.
Arthur curiously looked at Randall, wondering what kind of story was hidden.
Arthur's curiosity was met with Randall's roar, accompanied by the stick landing on him again, "These are not things you should be concerned with, kid. Practice the side punch a hundred more times!"
...
From the sunrise in the early morning to the red and blue moonlight below, day after day, Randall was like a demon lingering beside Arthur, his roars and stick appearing beside him whenever he slackened slightly.
It was under such relentless torment that Arthur finally understood why the mercenaries were afraid to provoke Randall. It wasn't just because of his temper.
Leaning against the corner door of the training ground, Keynes watched Arthur sweating profusely under the scorching sun, "You're using the methods we used to train new recruits back in the day. Aren't you afraid of ruining this kid?"
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"Don't worry, this kid has stronger resilience than any soldier I've trained before," Randall said, emerging like a ghost from beside Keynes.
"We have to acknowledge that people have different talents. Some are born to be painters or musicians, while Arthur here is naturally a warrior!" Keynes's eyes sparkled as if he had discovered a treasure.
"How do you plan to deal with the Bloodthorn Mercenary Group?" Randall suddenly changed the subject.
Keynes's eyes shifted, and he said ominously, "Last time, Trist compensated with a sword and lost face, but we didn't officially go to war. Do you think we can start a war this time? Since they want to play dirty, we'll play dirty with them!"
"What's your plan?"
"I haven't thought of it yet, but maybe Tony and Arthur can do it?"
"Arthur? Are you joking?" Randall looked at Keynes in surprise.
Keynes smirked, "Don't you remember what happened at the Nightingale Bar? I always feel Tony and Arthur are a perfect match."
"Last time Trist was careless. Otherwise, any mercenary could have killed Arthur. You don't plan to send the kid to his death, do you?"
"One cannot grow into an excellent warrior without experiencing some hardships!" Keynes seemed to speak casually, "But merely mastering Deathly Resolve is far from enough. Cultivating fighting spirit is the key to determining the ultimate height of a warrior!"
Randall instantly understood Keynes's implication, his expression changing dramatically, "I disagree! That fighting spirit technique is incomplete; so far, no one has successfully entered the Gate of War Generals."
"Just because no one has succeeded doesn't mean Arthur can't. Didn't you just say his resilience is stronger than any soldier you've trained? Don't you want to see its true power in your lifetime? Arthur might be our last hope," Keynes said meaningfully.
Randall fell silent.
...
"If you've decided to become a mercenary, you must not only learn martial techniques but also cultivate fighting spirit. Martial techniques are the form, and fighting spirit is the foundation. Only the combination of the two constitutes a true warrior!"
Arthur's instructor had now changed to Keynes, who looked at Arthur with a gaze full of expectation. In the orc camps, Arthur had witnessed the power of orcs with fighting spirit. But the orcs would never easily teach their fighting techniques to a human slave.
Keynes continued, "The fighting spirit techniques of the Belrand Continent are divided into four tiers: Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, and Yellow, each divided into upper, middle, and lower grades. It is said that above these, there exists divine techniques. Most fighting spirits are white, but if your opponent's fighting spirit is of another color, you must be cautious, for the more vivid the color, the stronger the power."
"What level is Leon's fighting spirit?" Arthur couldn't help but interrupt.
"That little lion? That's the mid-tier heavenly fighting spirit 'Crimson Sunflow,' and it's the golden lion family's secret technique."
"Oh." Arthur nodded lightly, feeling a sense of desolation in his heart.
"As for the fighting spirit you will learn next, you have two choices: one is the military technique 'Unified Soldier Essence' that complements Deathly Resolve, and the other is a nameless technique we stumbled upon during an adventure, which we've named 'Refinement of Spirit in Danyang'"
"What are their levels?" Arthur asked eagerly.
"'Unified Soldier Essence' is an upper-level mysterious technique, while the level of 'Refinement of Spirit in Danyang' is definitely above that of 'Unified Soldier Essence'. Its exact level is uncertain, but if complete, it would definitely be classified as a heavenly technique."
"Then I'll learn 'Refinement of Spirit in Danyang'!"
Keynes looked at Arthur solemnly, "Kid, don't rush your decision. 'Unified Soldier Essence', although only a mysterious technique, has been passed down and practiced by our human armies for nearly a thousand years. Its practice may be slow, but gradual progress can lead directly to the war academy. On the other hand, no one has yet broken through the Gate of War Generals by cultivating 'Refinement of Spirit in Danyang', and the cultivation process is extremely painful, not something ordinary people can endure. The name 'Refinement of Spirit in Danyang' itself comes from the intense pain during cultivation, as if being scorched by the sun, incredibly agonizing!"
"I want to learn 'Refinement of Spirit in Danyang'!" Arthur repeated without hesitation, "Compared to the helplessness faced with death, what is a bit more pain?"
Keynes suddenly turned his head away, showing a meaningful smile to Randall standing in the corner...