Chapter Fifty-Two: I Want to Be a General

“I’ll take the position of general!”

Hearing Jiang An’s reply, Colonel Luo and Colonel Qin exchanged glances, secretly letting out a sigh of relief.

“Haha, then let me welcome Grandmaster Jiang into our ranks! No, from now on, we’ll have to call you General!”

“Congratulations!”

The two colonels stood and shook Jiang An's hand warmly.

Jiang An returned their smiles generously. Becoming a general was not a bad prospect; with the resources of the military and the National Defense Villa at his disposal, he could accelerate his plans.

“Although I’m joining the military, let’s make things clear: I have no problem with the other conditions, but isn’t it a bit abrupt to ask me to serve as the instructor for the special forces? I simply don’t have the time to train them,” Jiang An said honestly.

“About that, Grandmaster Jiang, you may not know—The Shenlong Squad of the Eastern Theater is the pride of our military district. Since the departure of our strongest member, Dragon, their combat strength has plummeted. In just a few months, the National Special Forces Competition will be held. If we end up at the bottom, our entire district would be humiliated and criticized by the central command. So we have no choice but to ask for your help. Of course, we know your time is precious. We’re not asking you to train them continuously—just to give them a foundation and leave behind some training methods. From then on, they’ll mostly rely on themselves,” Colonel Luo explained.

“If that’s the case, I can accept,” Jiang An considered and nodded.

Both sides were pleased. After a few more polite exchanges, they took their leave, agreeing to discuss further matters the next day.

The three parted ways, with the two colonels hurrying off to report to the commander. But as they rounded a corner, they found more than a dozen people waiting for them.

“What are you doing standing here so late instead of resting?” Colonel Luo asked, looking at the members of the Shenlong Squad.

“Colonel, we just want to know—did he agree?” As team leader, Mouse naturally spoke up.

“Agree to what? Oh—I see,” Colonel Luo smirked, but then his expression darkened. “Is this something you should be asking about? Get back and rest immediately! No discipline, no organization—how will you train properly tomorrow? Go!”

After scolding them, the two colonels strode away. Wen Wan, with her fiery temper, stamped her foot in frustration. “Colonel Luo is so unreasonable! Looks like he failed and now he’s venting on us. No, I’ll go talk to him myself!”

She was about to act when the others quickly pulled her back. Mouse patted his forehead. “Sis, really! Didn’t the colonel just tell us he agreed to be our instructor?”

“Brother, are you hearing things? When did Colonel Luo say that?” Wen Wan looked skeptical, which made the others burst out laughing. The more they laughed, the more confused she became.

“Wen Wan, Wen Wan, our parents really gave you the wrong name,” Mouse sighed toward the ceiling.

The next day.

“As I thought, it’s useless.” Jiang An shook his head, looking at the ancient body-forging technique Colonel Luo had brought. “This method is not only too aggressive and domineering, but the final part is missing. By my calculations, even if someone succeeded, the soldiers would soon lose their reason and become bloodthirsty madmen.”

“How could that be?” Colonel Luo’s expression darkened. They had spent so much effort on this, and now to hear it was unusable—no one would feel good about that.

“I’ll speak plainly: I can cure Commander Li’s sinister curse, I have a substitute formula for the so-called ‘Eight Gates Gold,’ and I possess a better body-forging method,” Jiang An offered the military a different path.

“I understand. Grandmaster Jiang, just name your terms,” Colonel Luo brightened, immediately seeing the opportunity.

“I need spirit stones—what you call divine stones. As many as you can provide!” Jiang An stated his demand directly; there was no reason not to use his leverage.

“That can be arranged. I recall a final batch remains in the military district’s treasury—not many, but there are still several hundred.”

Several hundred?

Just as he expected—even minor local powers had a few, so the Eastern Theater, spanning so many provinces, should have a considerable stockpile. If he could get ten thousand, he’d have a fifty percent chance of advancing to the Treasure Body Realm.

Since both sides knew Jiang An would never truly become a military man, their relationship was more akin to that of employer and contractor. Thus, such a transaction seemed perfectly reasonable—merits for goods, with no strings attached.

“Good. Since Colonel Luo is so straightforward, I ought to show some real skill. Please take me to see the commander.”

“Of course.”

The two moved swiftly and soon arrived at Commander Li’s quarters, where he was still recuperating from yesterday’s ordeal. Elder Qian and others were in the middle of a checkup when they entered.

“Grandmaster Jiang, you’re here! Please, have a seat.” Commander Li greeted him with respect.

Jiang An sat down as the commander continued, “We welcome talents like you, Grandmaster Jiang. I’m genuinely pleased. This morning, Chief Wang already took your file and my letter to the villa’s headquarters to file for your registration. I expect good news soon. Once that’s settled, I’ll make my report to central command. There shouldn’t be any issues.”

This was a gesture of reassurance. Jiang An nodded. “Thank you, Commander, for your trust. My visit today is to cure you of the sinister curse.”

“Truly?” Commander Li sat up, his breath quickening. That accursed thing had tormented him long enough—who wouldn’t want to be rid of it? But he soon frowned, “But the formula for the Eight Gates Gold isn’t complete yet, is it?”

“There’s no need for it. I have another method. If you trust me, I can begin the treatment right now,” Jiang An replied confidently.

“I certainly trust you, Grandmaster!” Seeing Jiang An’s calm demeanor, Commander Li gave his assent, lying back and saying, “Please proceed.”

“Very well. Please unbutton the commander’s shirt.”

A nurse did so efficiently, revealing a chest covered in scars and at its center, a sinister, blood-red flower.

Jiang An placed his hand directly over the mark, preparing to act. Elder Qian couldn’t help but warn, “Grandmaster Jiang! This curse is extremely vicious. One cannot use true qi to dispel it; not only will it fail, but it will contaminate your own energy and bring you harm!”

Ordinary qi was indeed powerless. But Jiang An wielded a higher form—true magical power. For such a mundane curse, it was child’s play. He replied, “Don’t worry. I’m different.”

With no further debate, he activated his inner cultivation. Pure energy flowed from his palm into the commander’s body, cleansing his blood. The onlookers saw Jiang An’s hand glow with golden light; suddenly, Commander Li’s face changed, his veins bulging like tangled vines beneath his skin—a terrifying sight. The others grew anxious, but seeing the commander grit his teeth and endure, they could only wait.

“Rise!” Jiang An suddenly shouted. The golden light from his hand blazed like the sun, and with a swift upward motion, he drew out a long, black-red wisp of sinister energy from the commander’s chest, as if pulling a venomous snake from the earth. Commander Li groaned in pain, but when he looked down, the cursed mark had vanished. His body felt as if it had been bathed in a hot spring—utterly refreshed.

With a pull of magical power, Jiang An forced the evil energy to coalesce into a slowly rotating blood-red flower in his palm—strangely beautiful, yet defiant, as if it possessed its own will, repeatedly dissolving into black mist in an attempt to escape, only to re-form again and again. The spectacle left everyone stunned and instinctively backing away, fearful of an outbreak.

“Please, everyone, step back,” Jiang An said.

Not minding the chance to show another feat, he waited for them to retreat, then blew gently. A fiery red ball of flame expanded in the air, enveloping the evil flower and burning it away to faint blue smoke, which drifted off, leaving only a trace of stench—a reminder to all present that what they had seen was real.

He spat fire from his mouth! Wasn’t he a martial arts grandmaster?

Even Commander Li was dumbfounded. This Grandmaster Jiang’s abilities were unfathomable; who knew what else he could do? Such a talent must be brought closer—yes, win him over at all costs.

“Grandmaster Jiang, you are truly a divine man!” Commander Li exclaimed from the heart.

“You flatter me, Commander,” Jiang An replied calmly, his face serene. “Now that you are cured, you should rest and recover. As for the cranial surgery, that is your own decision. I won’t intrude.”

“Thank you. Take care, Grandmaster Jiang!”

After taking his leave, Jiang An turned to Colonel Luo. “Let’s go see the Shenlong Squad. I need to assess their strength and qualities in detail.”