C16 Change

Before long, the bandits began circling the mountain stronghold. The path was gentle and easy to run on.

Each of them coveted the prize of ten taels of silver, thinking ten laps were a mere trifle.

Lee Fei, Black Dog, and Zhao Ruyu stood at the starting line, watching the runners.

The stronghold wasn't large, and an average person could easily run two or three laps around it with energy to spare.

However, after five laps, some began to falter, gasping for breath and falling behind, while others, drenched in sweat, removed their upper garments, pushing themselves to continue.

Suddenly, with a burst of speed, Black Bear sprinted past Lee Fei, his stamina setting him ahead as he completed his sixth lap.

Shortly after, another figure approached swiftly. This one was agile, maintaining a steady pace just behind Black Bear.

Lee Fei turned to Black Dog and inquired, "Do you know who that is?"

Black Dog quickly replied, "Yes, that's Yun Yan. He's got legs like a sprinter. Whenever we raid, he's at the forefront, and he's always the first to vanish at the sign of danger."

Lee Fei nodded, "Interesting fellow."

Zhao Ruyu chimed in, "Little White Dragon, who do you reckon will finish first?"

After pondering for a moment, Lee Fei responded, "I'd bet on Yun Yan. He seems to be holding back, probably planning to overtake Black Bear in the final stretch."

Zhao Ruyu agreed, "Sister, I was thinking the same. We're really on the same wavelength."

Black Dog, eager to please, complimented, "You two are an unbeatable pair. With your leadership, White Dragon Fort is sure to be unrivaled."

Lee Fei and Zhao Ruyu exchanged a knowing smile and remained silent.

By the seventh lap, most were spent, collapsing on the ground, too exhausted to continue.

Now, with just one lap to go, it was a race between Black Bear and Yun Yan. Whoever reached Lee Fei first would claim the victory.

Watching Lee Fei approach, the black bear's heart swelled with joy, as if he saw ten taels of silver beckoning to him.

Suddenly, Yun Yan, who had been trailing behind the black bear, burst forward with explosive speed, shooting ahead like an arrow released from a bow, and quickly outpaced the black bear.

Yun Yan reached Lee Fei first, extended her hand, and laughed heartily, "Head Honcho, I'm the first."

"You scoundrel, you dare claim victory?" the black bear charged over, seized Yun Yan by the collar, hoisted her up, and bellowed, "Let's have another race. I want to see how you can beat me."

Yun Yan protested, "It's clear I won. Why should we race again? I refuse."

Black Dog intervened with a cold tone, "Black Bear, release her at once. The Head Honcho is present; how dare you behave so rudely!"

With a grunt, the black bear unwillingly let go and turned to Lee Fei, bowing his fists, "Head Honcho, this kid played dirty. I don't accept it."

"Winning is winning, losing is losing," Lee Fei replied, shaking his head. "Carrying on like a cricket that won't stop chirping isn't the act of a hero. If you can't accept the loss, we'll have another contest tomorrow."

The black bear, face grim, declared loudly, "Fine, tomorrow I will win for sure."

For him, it was no longer about the money; it was about reclaiming his honor.

True to his word, Lee Fei handed the ten taels of silver to Yun Yan.

Grinning from ear to ear, Yun Yan accepted the silver, bowing with a fist, "Thank you for the reward, Head Honcho. I aim to be first again tomorrow."

Hearing this, the black bear's scowl deepened.

Once everyone had taken a short rest, Lee Fei called them together again. They were still reeling from the exertion, barely able to stand straight.

With a stern look, Lee Fei addressed the group, "Take a good look at yourselves. Just running ten laps has left you this winded. If you encounter the army in the future and can't defeat them, without the strength to even flee, you'll end up lying on the ground like dead pigs, waiting for death."

The black dog offered his flattery, "Head Honcho is absolutely correct. The Head Honcho has gone to great lengths for our well-being. We must live up to Head Honcho's expectations."

No sooner had he spoken than a wave of shame washed over the faces of those present, quickly followed by a sense of gratitude. They soon began to share their thoughts.

"I agree with the black dog. From now on, I'll heed the Head Honcho's words."

"Head Honcho, just tell us what to do next. We're all ears."

Lee Fei gestured with his hand and declared, "Alright, since you all trust me, here's my plan. Before lunch, each of you is to complete seventy push-ups, seventy sit-ups, and seventy squats."

After outlining the regimen, Lee Fei demonstrated each exercise on the field. He then organized the group into five teams, with ten members each, except for the fifth team, which had only four.

The first team to finish could go eat. If even one person in a team was lagging, the whole team had to wait until that person was done before they could have their meal.

Zhao Ruyu inquired, "Why this method? If someone can't finish, won't they be resented by the rest?"

Lee Fei explained, "It's all about fostering a sense of camaraderie. They'll share the hardships and the good times. If someone can't show that much compassion, then they don't belong here in the fort."

Zhao Ruyu chuckled, "What exactly goes on in that head of yours? You're becoming more and more enigmatic."

Lee Fei caught the smile on her face and noticed her fidgeting hands, likely about to stir up mischief. He quickly stepped back.

Zhao Ruyu's lips twitched into a smirk, her gaze icy as she mused, 'One day, I'll get inside that head of yours.'

Their mornings were dedicated to physical conditioning, while the afternoons focused on practicing coordinated maneuvers to bolster discipline. Post-lunch, they honed their skills with the long sword, working on basic chopping motions to build endurance and weapon handling.

In the days that followed, everyone was pushed to their limits, yet no one shirked their duties.

The daily highlight remained the fierce rivalry between Hei Xiong and Yun Yan, who raced each other with relentless determination, though Hei Xiong had yet to claim a single victory.

Afterward, Lee Fei appointed Hei Xiong as the captain of the first squad and Yun Yan as the captain of the second squad, while the leadership positions for the third and fourth squads remained vacant. The fifth squad, having fewer than ten members, was temporarily managed by Hei Xiong.

Lee Fei was true to his word, ensuring everyone was provided with three meals a day, and squads that excelled received an additional serving of meat.

Moreover, Lee Fei didn't set himself apart; he shared the same pot of food and the same water barrel with everyone else.

Everyone genuinely respected him, feeling that Lee Fei was far superior to Heilong in fairness and clarity of rewards and punishments.

Daniu also lived up to Lee Fei's expectations, leading the logistics team to tidy up the mountain stronghold until it was in proper order.

With Lee Fei's direction, they constructed two latrines within the stronghold. Previously, everyone was accustomed to the laxity of the outdoors, but with the new rules and atmosphere, such habits were no longer acceptable.

Additionally, the stronghold was equipped with a makeshift lift gate. Though it wasn't particularly robust, it was an improvement over having none at all.

Lee Fei kept busy, not only practicing Dark Magic but also beginning to train with the codex of fists.

The Heavenly Breath Fist was straightforward, consisting of just thirty-six moves that required synchronization with twelve different breathing techniques. Each gesture and posture shifted in harmony with the breathing patterns.

This fist technique harbored no intent to kill nor any tactics for defeating an opponent; instead, it was designed to enhance the body's internal energy and vitality, nurturing the spirit with a focus on health and strengthening the physique.

The codex's final page listed ten medicinal recipes, all intended to replenish internal energy and vitality. Lee Fei, having no immediate need for them, set them aside for the time being.

Heilong, a bandit chief, was accustomed to a life of constant battle, living day to day without thought for the future, and thus had no interest in a codex of fists focused on health. He had carelessly discarded it in a corner.

Lee Fei, on the other hand, found it quite suitable. His primary strength lay in magic, so a fist technique aimed at fortifying his body was highly appropriate for him.

Five days later, on a crisp morning, everyone had just completed ten laps and was gathering to dine with Lee Fei when a lookout bandit came running over.

His nickname was Little Loach, and his face was etched with panic as he exclaimed, "Head Honcho, we've got trouble! There's a group ascending the mountain, and they don't seem to have good intentions."

Upon hearing this, Lee Fei set down his chopsticks and inquired calmly, "Don't panic. Are they the imperial troops?"

Little Loach shook his head. "No, they're not."

Lee Fei squinted thoughtfully and remarked, "Now that's intriguing. Let's hold off on dinner and go see who these unexpected guests might be."