C6 Brother!

"I'm a soldier, but I'm also Doggie's brother!"

Lin Yan got to his feet, wiping the fresh blood from the corner of his mouth.

Battalion Commander Chen glared at Lin Yan, at a loss for words. Lin Yan's deep sense of loyalty was known to everyone in the camp, particularly to the brothers who had joined with him. He always shared the best of everything with them first. Today, if Doggie didn't make it out, Lin Yan would risk everything to charge in after him.

"Lin Yan, listen to me. This cave might house an ancient alien race, but it's definitely home to powerful warriors, far stronger than our district chief. Without any leads, charging in alone is futile. You won't find Doggie, and you'll likely lose your own life in the process!"

Battalion Commander Chen's tone had shifted from that of a commander to a soldier, to that of an elder imparting wisdom.

"No matter the risk, I have to go in for Doggie," Lin Yan said, his youthful face set with determination.

"Damn fool!" Battalion Commander Chen's slap sent Lin Yan crashing to the ground again.

"If you go in today, you're defying military orders, and I have the authority to behead you right here!"

"Commander..." Lao Ma and Monkey moved to intercede, but Battalion Commander Chen, with a sweep of his robe, turned to leave.

"Wait, Chen Yan, what are you doing? If the kid wants to go in, doesn't that align with the district chief's intentions?" Shen Zhong, the commander of the Ash Tiger Battalion, called out from a distance. He was a known rival of Lin Yan's Golden Eagle Battalion and seemed eager to kick them while they were down.

"The mighty Golden Eagle Battalion has lost a squad, and after nearly a day, no one has dared to investigate. It looks like they've been held back by your spineless commander," Shen Zhong taunted.

The Golden Eagle Battalion members glared at Shen Zhong, their eyes filled with resentment, yet they held their tongues.

"You're quick to claim credit but just as quick to cower when action is needed. Is this the mettle of your Bald Eagle Battalion?" Shen Zhong's guard jeered, emboldened by his commander's presence.

"Silence! Who asked for your praise? Even bald eagles are fierce when it comes to the kill. It's only the little sparrows that are cowardly," Shen Zhong mocked, inciting further anger among the Golden Eagle Battalion.

"What's the matter? Isn't that kid who was so eager to save his brother going to rescue him now?" Shen Zhong stepped up to Lin Yan, his sneer chilling.

"You've got potential, but lack the talent to unlock the Martial Pulse Stage. I hear you're training overtime every day, hoping to achieve it. But let's face it, trash will always be trash. You'll spend your life cowering under your commander's wing."

"Have you said enough?" Lin Yan rose to his feet, fixing his gaze on Shen Zhong.

"What, you want to take a swing at me?" Shen Zhong's sneer deepened, his contempt for Lin Yan clear. As a warrior of the Martial Pulse Stage with one pulse already open and the second soon to follow, he saw Lin Yan as nothing more than a helpless infant.

"Lin Yan! Stand down!"

Battalion Commander Chen swiftly stepped in front of Shen Zhong, shoving Lin Yan back to shield him.

"It's not your place to criticize our people in our own barracks."

A look of displeasure crossed Chen Yan's eyes as a warrior's aura began to emanate from him, causing the nearby soldiers to look on in mild astonishment.

Shen Zhong offered an awkward smile and clapped Chen Yan on the shoulder.

"We've been through a lot together, comrades. Is there really a need for this hostility? Since no one in your squad has the courage to enter that cave, it's not my place to instruct them. I just wanted to give them a little push. If my presence isn't needed, then I'll take my leave."

Shen Zhong shot a meaningful glance at his guard, who seemed to catch on immediately.

The guard positioned himself in front of Lin Yan and spat at his feet.

"Little sparrow, no matter how loud you chirp, you can't—"

Bang!

Before the guard could finish his taunt, Lin Yan's fist sent him flying. He hit the ground hard, kicking up dust and wailing in pain.

The area fell into stunned silence. No one had anticipated Lin Yan would dare to strike Shen Zhong's guard right in front of him.

A dangerous glint appeared in Shen Zhong's eyes, while Chen Yan was visibly shaken. Everyone, including Lao Ma and Monkey, held their breath.

"You... You dare to strike me?"

The guard clutched his belly, his face contorted in pain.

"And what if I did? You have no right to disrespect our commander, not even within these barracks. I won't hesitate to put you in your place!" Lin Yan retorted, sparing the guard only a brief glance before fixing his gaze on Shen Zhong.

"Commander Shen, does your Wildcat Battalion really think none of us dare to venture into this cave?"

"What, someone went in during daylight?"

Shen Zhong's eyes flickered to Chen Yan, barely concealing his murderous intent.

"Well then, I, Lin Yan, will go in right now to prove it!"

Lin Yan declared, pushing past the soldier blocking his path and striding toward the cave.

"Who else will join me?"

Lin Yan called out, his back to the crowd, his voice booming like thunder. Next to the towering Stone Mountain, his figure seemed minuscule. The gaping maw of the cave loomed closer, threatening to engulf him, yet Lin Yan showed no sign of faltering, marching on resolutely.

"I will!"

"I will!"

Monkey and Lao Ma's voices rang out as they weaved through the guards to catch up with Lin Yan.

"Anyone else?"

Lin Yan bellowed once more.

"Anyone else?"

Chen Yan echoed, his voice rising. The soldiers, who had just witnessed their commander preventing them from entering, were taken aback by his sudden change of heart.

"I will!"

"I will!"

"I will!"

Voices responded one after another, with six or seven more joining the pursuit of Lin Yan and his brothers.

Shen Zhong's gaze grew icy, his plan to intimidate the Golden Eagle Battalion backfiring. Not only had Lin Yan quashed the Grey Tiger Battalion's momentum, but he had also ignited the spirit of the Golden Eagle Battalion.

In the military, nothing is more formidable than a unit with its own spirit—their very soul. With that soul, they could face and potentially defeat any formidable foe. Today, the Golden Eagle Battalion had fully displayed their soul.

As Lin Yan's figure shrank in the distance, Chen Yan felt a pang in his heart. As a martial artist, he knew all too well the perils that lay ahead. Even he wasn't sure he could make it out alive.