Volume One: The Lonely Beta Test Chapter Twenty-One: The Team Is Assembled

The next day, the eastern horizon was barely tinged with pale light.

Lin Feng, accompanied by Lin Zhen and Zhang Meng, walked along the road to the Lin family farm. The previous evening, Zhang Meng had returned to the Lin household at dusk, delivering a brief report to Lin Feng and Lin Zhen about selecting able-bodied men for the farm. Though it was late when he arrived, Zhang Meng was brimming with excitement, showing no signs of fatigue. In his own words, if it weren’t for the need to report back, he wouldn’t have returned at all. Hence, before dawn, he urged Lin Feng and the others to set out early.

Since Lin Feng had awakened from his ordeal at sea, four days had passed, and this was his first time leaving the Lin family compound. If one discounted his days in unconsciousness, it was also his first time outdoors in this world.

He had long wished to venture out and explore, but various affairs had kept him occupied for three days. Now, walking along the rural dirt road, he breathed in the fresh air. Dew sparkled on the verdant grass flanking the path, insects occasionally chirped, and the scent of new grass filled the air. Each breath seemed to cleanse his heart and mind, bringing a sense of clarity and refreshment.

Though the light was not yet full, all around him stretched layers of green, deep and pale. It was a stark contrast to the world he once knew, with its polluted air, towering buildings, and ceaseless machinery. Lin Feng couldn't help but slow his pace, savoring the beauty shrouded in morning mist.

Lin Zhen and Zhang Meng, thinking Lin Feng was deep in thought, didn't hurry him along. After nearly half an hour and more than five li of walking, the fiery sun began to peek above the hills. Before them lay a vast expanse of emerald rice fields. In front of a row of thatched huts, on a drying ground, a burly man led over a hundred men in drills. Their shouted slogans echoed unceasingly.

Zhang Meng’s eyes gleamed at Han Dang’s commanding presence. "Ha! Our fifth brother really knows how to train troops. Those men were fishermen and farmers just yesterday—scattered like sand. After just an afternoon under his instruction, they already have the bearing of an army!"

Lin Zhen stroked his beard, watching Han Dang’s powerful drill from afar, nodding with excitement. "Indeed, excellent! Feng’er, your fifth brother will surely become a great general one day!"

As he spoke, Lin Zhen could not help but be impressed by Lin Feng’s ability to recognize talent. Han Dang was the first name on the list Lin Feng had given him, and his abilities were already evident. Lin Zhen unconsciously touched the list he carried over his heart—a few thin sheets, yet they felt as heavy as a mountain, their value far beyond his comprehension.

"That is only a matter of time," Lin Feng replied calmly. For a devotee of the Three Kingdoms, he knew the capabilities of every famous general well. As one of the founding elders of Eastern Wu, Han Dang found training these hundred men a trivial task. It surprised Lin Feng not at all, though he wondered: Han Dang had never experienced army life nor studied military tactics, so how could he possess such innate skill?

He puzzled over it, yet whatever the reason, it was no bad thing. Turning back to Lin Zhen, Lin Feng continued, "Uncle, I must trouble you greatly with our search for people."

"Feng’er, don’t be so formal. Once we rescue your elder brother, I’ll devote myself fully to this task. Rest assured."

"Second brother, if you’re going to handle important matters, I want to go with you! Everyone has a job, and I’m the only one idle—it’s unbearable!" Zhang Meng chimed in eagerly.

"Thank you, third brother. But perhaps Feng’er has more important tasks for you. You should ask him," Lin Zhen said, giving Lin Feng a meaningful glance. If he brought "Zhang the Big Mouth" along, the daily troubles would be enough to drive him mad, leaving no energy for their search.

Lin Feng caught the signal and smiled, "Uncle Meng, I do have a crucial task for you. But I’m worried you might not endure the hardship..."

"Hmph! Feng’er, you underestimate your Uncle Meng. I’m big and tough—do I look like someone who can’t handle hardship, second brother?"

Without hesitation, Lin Zhen nodded, "Of course!"

---

With Lin Zhen’s affirmation, Zhang Meng boasted, "Ha, Feng’er, you heard your second uncle!"

"Did I?" Lin Feng replied, miming a drinking gesture before walking toward the drying ground. Lin Zhen chuckled and followed.

"Eh...what’s this?" Zhang Meng pondered, mimicking Lin Feng’s gesture. "Second brother, what does this mean?"

Receiving no answer, he looked up and saw the two had already walked away. "You’re all just making fun of me," he grumbled.

Then he noticed Lin Feng carrying a wineskin, instinctively reaching for his own belt. Suddenly, "Zhang the Big Mouth" shouted, "My wine...!"

Lin Feng and Lin Zhen, hearing Zhang Meng’s cry, exchanged a smile and quickened their pace. Zhang Meng hurried after them. Soon, the pair reached the drying ground.

Han Dang saw them approach, signaled for the drill to halt, and strode quickly to Lin Feng, kneeling in respect. "Greetings, Immortal! Second brother!"

The rest of the men knelt in unison. "Greetings, Immortal! Second Master Lin!"

Their voices boomed, full of military vigor. Lin Feng and Lin Zhen were both taken aback by the display.

"Uncle Han, please rise!" Lin Feng helped Han Dang to his feet and addressed the kneeling men, "Brothers, please stand!"

With two heavy sounds, the hundred men rose and stood at attention, perfectly aligned.

"Excellent, excellent, excellent!" Lin Feng exclaimed, his eyes shining as he observed their solemn faces, unmoving. It was as if he were seeing a beauty. This was his first army—though small, he had finally gathered his forces.

He felt the moment was significant, and as their leader, he ought to deliver a founding speech. But as a man of science, his mind spun and failed to produce any stirring words.

"Brothers, do you know why we have gathered?" Lin Feng handed Zhang Meng’s wineskin to Han Dang, climbed atop a haystack, and called out.

The men glanced at each other, none answering.

"To deal with those evil bandits and rescue the elder brother!" Zhang Meng, just arrived and breathless, shouted.

"Right, Zhang Master is correct," the men echoed.

"Indeed. But I ask you—after accomplishing this, what do we do next?" Lin Feng pressed.

"Then we celebrate with meat and wine!" Zhang Meng was first to reply.

"Right, with the bandits gone and Master Lin rescued, naturally we celebrate!" a burly man answered.

Lin Feng scanned the crowd—most nodded in agreement, only a few seemed deep in thought.

"If that’s what most of you believe, then I declare: disperse! Go back to your business." Lin Feng spoke, appearing disappointed.

At once, Han Dang knelt. "Immortal, this cannot be!"

"Why not?" Zhang Meng demanded.

---

Except for Lin Zhen, the others looked at each other, unsure what had offended the Immortal or what mistake they’d made.

Why, when all seemed well, were they told to disperse?

"Why?" Lin Feng repeated, then paused. "Have you forgotten what we discussed in the Lin family compound that night? Have you forgotten the pirates whose hands are stained with our blood on the ocean? Have you forgotten the fertile lands seized by barbaric foreign tribes?"

Lin Feng nearly roared these questions in anger.

The men, confronted by his relentless questioning, felt their buried hatred for their country’s enemies rekindled. Memories of past sufferings flooded back; faces twisted in fury, eyes bloodshot, teeth grinding audibly.

Seeing this, Lin Feng pressed on, "Have you forgotten the pride due to those with the blood of the Divine Dragon, the honor of being sons of China, the iron integrity expected of men of the Han? Or are you content to be bullied by outsiders, meekly waiting to be slaughtered like lambs? Answer me!"

"No, we have not!" the men answered in unison, then all knelt together. "Let the Immortal judge!"

"I know you have not forgotten, but what have you done these years?"