The Ironblood Regiment's commander had endured hundreds of battles, always charging at the front lines. His combat prowess was exceptional—an eight-ring Soul Douluo and a two-word Battle Armor Master.
His war record was stellar. Rumor had it he was slated to be promoted to Deputy Corps Commander in the near future.
"Alright, I'll head over now."
Long Yuxue reminded him, "Commander Ma has a bit of a fiery temper. Be careful with your words. He's spent a lot of his merits supporting his subordinates. He even asked me to see if you'd give him a discount. Talk to him yourself and see what you think."
"Got it. I'll decide once I see him."
At the Forging Workshop
Ever since moving to the larger forging workshop, Gu You found the extra space incredibly convenient for his craft. He had also recently purchased a stockpile of rare metals, preparing to forge his own black-grade Battle Armor.
Later, with the first-place prize from the Mecha Tournament, he planned to directly upgrade it into a divine red mecha.
The workshop was connected to the warehouse. Seeing the piles of rare metals, Long Yuxue couldn't help but smile and mutter to herself, "He really is a hoarder."
"Who's a hoarder?" A deep voice rang out suddenly.
Long Yuxue hadn't closed the door after entering. A burly man, built like a tower, strode in.
This man was massive—broader than even Jiang Wuyue. His shaved head gleamed, and his military uniform bulged over his muscles. Just standing there, he was like a mountain. On his shoulder: a colonel's insignia with two bars and four stars. Despite the smile on his face, his square features were lined with hardened flesh, exuding a brutal, intimidating aura.
"Commander Ma." Long Yuxue immediately stood at attention and saluted.
Ma Shan chuckled. "You little brat, there's no one else here. No need for the formality."
"You got here fast. I just informed him, and he'll be here soon," Long Yuxue said with a smile.
Ma Shan rubbed his shiny head. "I'm not the patient type. Had to come right away. So tell me, Yuxue—this guy's a Divine Blacksmith. Is he reliable?"
She hesitated slightly but replied confidently, "Reliable! Absolutely. I saw him soul-forge with my own eyes."
Ma Shan nodded. "Then he better cut me a deal—or I'll give him a good beating. Guys like him earn merit points way too easily. Look at this—so many rare metals, all top-grade. We in the combat units have to earn our points bit by bit. It's not easy."
Long Yuxue's face shifted slightly, but she said nothing. She understood Ma Shan's personality—ferocious in battle and equally domineering off the field. Even the Blood Division commander had trouble reigning him in. In the entire corps, only the Blood Gods and the Corps Commander, Zhang Huanyun—who had trained him personally—could truly keep him in check.
"Commander Ma, soul forging is exhausting. I've already spoken to Gu You. He should give you some discount," she said with effort.
"Hmm. What's taking him so long? I'm not waiting all day," Ma Shan grumbled.
Just then, footsteps echoed outside. Both Ma Shan and Long Yuxue turned to see Gu You walking in, dressed in a pristine military uniform.
Even as a man, Ma Shan was momentarily stunned. Gu You's sharp features, radiant eyes, tall frame, and polished white uniform gave him an aura impossible to ignore.
But in the next moment, Ma Shan's expression darkened.
He had seen the insignia on Gu You's shoulders.
Gu You stepped forward with a polite smile. "Hello, Commander Ma." He didn't salute—there was no military regulation requiring subordinates to salute higher-ranked officers when they themselves outranked them.
Ma Shan's face turned cold. "Kid, do you know you've violated military regulations? This is serious. Remove your insignia immediately."
"Huh?" Long Yuxue flinched at Ma Shan's sudden outburst. She looked up at Gu You's shoulder. Being shorter, she hadn't noticed earlier.
"A... a major general?" she gasped, eyes wide with shock.
Gu You was briefly stunned by Ma Shan's rebuke, but quickly understood. 'Of course. I'm barely over twenty and already wearing a major general's stars. No wonder this looks absurd to someone else.'
But facts were facts—he couldn't just tear off his official rank.
"Commander Ma, I was just promoted to major general today. I've been appointed as the ninth Blood God of the Blood God Battalion."
As he spoke, he raised his hand and revealed the Blood God ring he had just received.
Ma Shan's eyes widened. "Kid, you've got guts—impersonating a Blood God? I'll deal with you myself, then send you to the military court!"
As he spoke, he raised his hand, aiming to grab Gu You.
Long Yuxue quickly stepped between them. "Please, Commander Ma! This must be some misunderstanding!"
"Yuxue, step aside," Ma Shan growled.
"The Blood God Corps is strict about ranks. Especially promotions. If this is fake, he's going down."
"Commander Ma, are you doubting the corps itself?" Gu You's voice was steady, but there was a sharpness in his tone. His impression of Ma Shan on this first meeting was far from pleasant.
Ma Shan brushed Long Yuxue aside and coldly snapped, "You can explain yourself at the military court." His hand reached toward Gu You's shoulder, ready to rip off the stars.
He'd been fighting in the Blood God Corps for twenty years without earning a general's rank. Yet some rookie kid was promoted ahead of him? The sheer unfairness made his blood boil.
Gu You's brow furrowed slightly. He lifted his left hand, gently steadying Long Yuxue by the waist and then raising his arm to block Ma Shan's.
Though Ma Shan was over 2.2 meters tall and built like a bear, he wasn't trying to cause real harm in the military compound. He held back his strength.
But the moment their arms touched, Ma Shan's expression changed. Gu You's arm felt like it was forged of iron—unmovable.
Ma Shan's muscles rippled as he pushed harder, veins bulging on his arms.
Gu You's left arm held firm, not yielding an inch. His voice was calm but firm.
"Commander Ma, this is insubordination."
"Insubordination? You little punk, you've really got nerve!"
(End of Chapter)
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