Chapter 572: It’s None of Your Business How I Do Things!
For the next little while, Lin Mu had Leng Feng meditate and cultivate at night, and during the day, he would take him around to various places. Following Lin Mu’s method, Leng Feng could distinctly feel a piercing pain in his eyes after each session.
When the members of the Divine Machine Camp saw Leng Feng with bloodshot, swollen eyes and looking completely listless, they were all shocked.
"Captain, what’s going on here? That kid Leng Feng isn’t being tortured, is he?" Monkey was shaken by the sight, thinking that perhaps Lin Mu, in his eagerness to win, was using inhuman methods to torment Leng Feng.
"Instructor Lin has his own methods. We shouldn’t talk too much. Just focus on our training," Jiaolong said. Although he was also worried about Leng Feng, he still trusted Lin Mu.
Indeed, two days later, when they saw Leng Feng, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. He had returned to normal and even seemed to have gained a bit of weight.
This was much better. Before, he looked as thin as a bamboo pole, as if a gust of wind could knock him over.
With this in mind, the soldiers of the Divine Machine Camp trained even harder, striving to stun Lin Mu in the upcoming competition. But whenever they were half-dead, drenched in sweat from exhaustion, only to see Lin Mu taking Leng Feng out to either sit on the reef or go out for a lavish meal, the members of the Divine Machine Camp could only look on with anger and helplessness.
There was no helping it. The Divine Machine Camp’s training regimen was incredibly harsh, and most people simply couldn’t endure it. When compared with Leng Feng’s leisurely days, the stark contrast created a sense of unfairness in everyone’s hearts.
"That kid Leng Feng is having it too easy. He either sleeps or wanders around during the day, and at night he just sits foolishly on the reef, staring at the moon. I’m so jealous," Monkey said, his face filled with envy.
"Sigh, if I’d known, I would have chosen to train with Teacher Lin. These past few days, Advisor Kong and the Captain have been pushing us like our lives depend on it!" Ma Biao started to complain.
"What are you all so jealous about?" Kong Ying pursed her lips and said, "I think that guy’s just given up, that’s why he’s acting this way. Besides, didn’t you see what Leng Feng looked like the other day? He’s just a young kid who can’t take much hardship. Even Teacher Lin couldn’t keep it up, let alone him."
Her tone no longer held much pointed criticism, only a trace of pity.
If only Lin Mu had listened to her and used scientific training methods like before, there wouldn’t even be a competition. Then they wouldn’t have to lose. Otherwise, it would be truly humiliating.
"Get up, get up! Continue training!" Jiaolong suddenly roared, forcing the Divine Machine Camp members to resume their drills.
He had figured it out. Although Lin Mu is personally powerful, he knows nothing about training. If we don’t pull our own weight, we’ll be the ones disgraced in the military grand competition.
Sigh... Lin, you’re really in for it this time. Kong Ying looked at Lin Mu and shook her head slightly. My grandfather and several bigwigs from the Military Department are coming to observe this competition. If Lin Mu loses in front of them, I wonder how he’ll save face.
「Ten days later.」
Kong Lin personally arrived. Following him were several people, each with a powerful presence that marked them as extraordinary individuals. Most importantly, among them was a man and a woman whose calm, composed demeanor radiated robust vitality. Even Jiaolong felt his gaze sharpen upon seeing them.
These two are formidable! I’m no match for them!
The man glanced indifferently at Jiaolong, his face showing a hint of disdain. The woman, dressed in a military uniform, wore a stern expression, her sharp gaze sweeping over the members of the Divine Machine Camp from time to time. The man’s surname was Xie, and the woman’s was Zou. Everyone noticed that even Kong Lin treated the woman with a degree of respect, indicating her significant background.
"Why don’t I see your instructor?" the woman asked coldly, her eyes scanning the men of the Divine Machine Camp.
"Uh..." Jiaolong was in an awkward position. Because... Instructor Lin had taken Leng Feng out to sea that morning, and they hadn’t returned yet.
"What’s going on with your Divine Machine Camp? Weren’t you assigned a new instructor? How dare he abandon his post during training! Does he have no sense of organization or discipline?" The woman raised her voice. "I want to see him in person in five minutes. Otherwise, your Southeast Military Region can forget about participating in the military grand competition this time."
Hearing her words, even Kong Lin’s expression changed. Losing the competition was one thing, but being disqualified from even participating would be an absolute disgrace. Since the military grand competition began, only one unit had ever had its eligibility revoked.
Then, it was disbanded. The original eight military regions became the current seven.
Kong Lin immediately realized the gravity of the situation. He pulled Jiaolong aside and demanded, "What on earth is going on? Where is your Instructor Lin?"
Jiaolong was panicking too. "Chief, I don’t know either! Instructor Lin this morning..."
"So we’re out just because you say so? Who do you think you are?"
The moment these words were spoken, the entire field fell silent. That tone, that attitude, that style of speaking—who else could it be but Lin Mu?
But... he actually dared to say something like that? Jiaolong had been momentarily relieved to hear Lin Mu’s voice, but now his face turned deathly pale. Oh, Teacher Lin, couldn’t you please watch your tone? These people clearly have powerful backgrounds. If you offend them and the Divine Machine Camp gets disqualified, who’s going to take responsibility?
As expected, upon hearing Lin Mu’s words, the woman surnamed Zou raised an eyebrow, her gaze growing even sharper. "You’re the instructor of the Divine Machine Camp? Dressed like that? What kind of example are you setting!"
As it turned out, Lin Mu was wearing a casual shirt, a pair of baggy shorts, and slippers. Most notably, he held a fishing rod in one hand and a bucket in the other, filled with his catch of the day.
He went fishing? Kong Ying’s mouth fell open in shock, her eyes filled with panic. It’s over. It’s all over! This Lin Mu... getting caught red-handed for dereliction of duty and he’s still so arrogant. He’s really asking for a death wish.
Lin Mu handed the fishing rod and bucket to Shi Potian and slowly walked over. "Then why don’t you tell me how I should dress?" he retorted.
"Insolent!" Before the woman surnamed Zou could reply, the man surnamed Xie spoke coldly, "This is the military, and the military has its discipline. You can’t even take a little criticism?"
"And who are you to criticize me?" Lin Mu said with a dismissive purse of his lips. "Remember, this is my turf. It’s not your place to teach me how to do my job."
"You..." The man’s face flushed with anger, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words.
"Instructor Lin, I’m begging you, for my sake, please stop causing trouble." Kong Lin pleaded as he pulled on Lin Mu’s arm. "These two were sent from above. They’re in charge of the military grand competition, so..."
"So they get to decide whether my Divine Machine Camp can compete?" Lin Mu raised his eyebrows.
"Yes," Kong Lin said with a wry smile. "I’d rather not have our Southeast Military Region get disqualified. If that happens, how will I ever show my face again?"
"Alright, I get it," Lin Mu said. "I’ll just have to win that face back for you, won’t I?"
"Easier said than done," the man surnamed Xie sneered. "If you want to participate in the military grand competition, you first need to see if you’re even qualified!"
"As it happens, I am."
Kong Lin tried to defuse the tension. "Instructor Lin, this is Xie—"
"Not interested," Lin Mu cut him off, turning to Jiaolong. "Tell everyone to get ready. The competition is about to start."