Looting the life force of demons to forge a golden body Martial God
Chapter 198 - 186: The Choice, Leave or Stay

Chapter 198: Chapter 186: The Choice, Leave or Stay

Bu Jian strolled onto the platform, smiling down at the crowd below:

"Hello, everyone. I am Bu Jian, the head of Combat Academy.

"It is a pleasure to see so many excellent students willing to join the Combat Academy. I hope that all of you will come through these meaningful four years unscathed."

The audience was utterly silent, their hands raised to clap but frozen midway.

The warm atmosphere brought by Bu Jian’s enthusiastic words was ruined by the word "unscathed."

He looked at the crowd with a smile, pressed his hands down, and signaled for them to lower their hands, "I do not mean to spoil the scenery deliberately with this speech.

"As your teacher, however, it is my responsibility to remind you of the dangers you may face in the future."

With his hands clasped behind his back, he walked down from the platform, circling around the room of over a hundred people while observing them and speaking:

"Since you have chosen to join the Combat Academy, you must have your own awareness, but now, I want to emphasize again.

"Combat Academy doesn’t deal with logistics, production, or strategy; all the Longhua race supports us from behind.

"But everything comes at a cost!"

His words grew more metallic and resounding, almost making the audience’s hair stand on end:

"We must rely on our tough bodies and sharp swords in hand to forge the Human Race’s flesh and blood Great Wall, to form rows upon rows of war machines.

"We must fight in the front lines against the Demons, doing everything in our power to wound the enemy’s living forces.

"And in the end, even if it costs us our lives, we must take our enemies down to hell with us!"

His powerful shout reverberated through the classroom, jolting everyone.

Bu Jian returned to the platform, his expression already stern, looking down at the hundred-plus young faces below, he said in a cold voice:

"Returning wrapped in horsehide on the battlefield is the ultimate fate of a combat warrior.

"And lying eternally enshrouded with the Longhua flag is the greatest honor in a warrior’s life!

"Those who possess this awareness are the warriors that our Combat Academy needs!"

"..."

Seeing some students’ faces turn pale and their eyes beginning to dodge, Bu Jian’s voice softened a bit:

"Currently, the situation on the Demon Battlefield is very severe.

"Our Human Race is at a disadvantage, even being breached by the Demons several times, though we were fortunate to reclaim it.

"During this period, many warriors have sacrificed themselves on the battlefield.

"Perhaps some of your families have friends or relatives who have been so compromised.

"You should know that I am not lying."

Chu Feng’s expression became much more somber.

Bu Jian continued in a gentle voice: "Everyone present here is among the top talents of the entire Longhua. You are supposed to be the foundation and wealth of the Human Race.

"But heritage can’t be eaten like food, and wealth, if not spent to be converted into resources, is just a string of numbers.

"A future that hasn’t been realized is not a future.

"A martial artist who has not been tested by the fires of war is like attempting alchemy without fierce flames to temper the substance, definitely unable to obtain real gold.

"And in war, this cruelest of temperings, many people will die for various reasons in an instant, making all else void."

He clapped his hands, drawing everyone’s attention, and said softly: "Therefore, I can offer everyone here one last chance to choose.

"Those who no longer wish to join Combat Academy can completely leave and join other academies.

"I have already spoken with the leaders of other academies, and they will accept you unconditionally.

"At the same time, you can choose a new mentor, and your current mentor will also unconditionally let you go.

"This is a privilege that our Combat Academy has, earned through countless bloody battles!

"Today, all of you can enjoy this privilege, and no one will oppose."

Seeing no one in the classroom move, he laughed and said:

"Please rest assured, students. There is no test, and not a single trap, all is voluntary.

"For Combat Academy has a minimum casualty rate of at least ten percent each year, and in some severe years, it can even rise to thirty percent.

"In such situations, we combat warriors must be unwavering and unafraid of sacrifice.

"Any hesitation can lead to the loss of life and even jeopardize comrades, burdening you with infamy after death.

"And due to natural personality and various other reasons, not everyone is suited to be a warrior.

"Moreover, becoming a logistics martial artist or a tactical commander is not also a noble path to contributions for humanity?"

"The meaning of life should never be confined to just one choice.

"As long as you contribute to the survival of the Human Race and are willing to fight the Demons in various ways, you are a noble son of our race!"

"..."

Once Bu Jian had spoken these words, everyone’s hearts immediately found comfort, and cautious thoughts began popping up in their minds:

[I... am not fearful of death; this path is just not suitable for me...]

[I have parents at home waiting for me to take care of them, and since others are going, my absence won’t make a difference...]

[I am not afraid of dying, but I am afraid of pain...]

[I might as well not go myself... When I earn money, I will donate to the front lines!]

With these justifications at hand, many people naturally began to waver in their convictions.

A girl sitting cross-legged at the back of the classroom clenched her teeth and slowly stood up, her face flushed with shame; she covered her face and fled from the back of the classroom.

Upon hearing the sound, everyone immediately turned around, only to see the girl’s hastily fleeing figure.

Bu Jian ignored the girl’s choice, his expression unchanged, and he even turned his back.

With Bu Jian’s clear indication and the first one to take the lead, many people suddenly felt unsettled.

In just a short time, four or five individuals had run out of the classroom.

"..."

...

Chen Kai watched the disturbance in the classroom, his face filled with unease, and whispered lowly, "Big brother, comrades, should we..."

He looked at Chu Feng but found the latter’s smile was lazy yet firm, unchanging.

This calm demeanor settled his heart down, quieting the earlier restlessness.

Chu Feng said languidly, "I won’t go; my Talent is in battle, in the weapons I firmly grasp in my hands.

"Not in a narrow workshop sparking with fire, not in a bubbling Erlenmeyer flask, and not in a dazzlingly confusing sand table.

"The path of battle is one I must follow to the end."

His voice wasn’t loud and was meant only for Chen Kai and the other four to hear.

But now, he had become the most noticeable character in the classroom; his every action was being watched by many.

The moment his words were spoken, the clamor in the classroom slowly quieted down.

His elongated tone harbored an inexplicably calming power, which made many wavering bottoms slowly sit back down.

Bu Jian, turning his back to the crowd, also had a slight smile upon hearing these words.

This young man who had made a significant impression during the opening ceremony, how could he not recognize him; he even knew the related information by heart.

Upon walking in, he noticed Chu Feng, already vaguely the center of attention.

But he didn’t pay too much attention.

Yet, Chu Feng’s words had left a good impression on Bu Jian.

...

The atmosphere in the classroom no longer felt tense, but occasionally someone would still quietly stand up and swiftly leave the classroom.

The others remained silent, securing their own goals, quietly meditating, observing only themselves.

Those still hesitating looked around at everyone, hoping for an answer, but received no attention and couldn’t help feeling disappointed.

Even some people who had left the classroom, after hesitating for a long time, tiptoed back to their original seats and bowed their heads in silence.

...

About half an hour later, more than ten people had left the classroom, and afterwards, there were no further changes.

Bu Jian turned around, his lips curved in a smile, his voice gentle as he spoke, "The number of students willing to stay exceeds my expectations.

"For this, I’m extremely grateful to all of you for your full trust in the Combat Academy, in me, and in our professors.

"I, on behalf of the Combat Academy, solemnly promise you:

"We will do everything in our power to protect your lives while diligently training you to become the core combat power of the Human Race.

"Any demon or devil who wishes to harm you, the seedlings of the Human Race, will have to crush our bones first!

"Now, let’s start the class!"