Chapter 43: War Fortress

Volume 1 “Year of Calamity”

With Xun Lili’s guidance, An Sheng mastered the ten most classic Muay Thai moves: Flying Headbutt, Spinning Back Elbow, Reverse Back Kick, Double Flying Kick, Double Elbow Smash, Rear Elbow Pull, Returning Elbow Strike, Low Horse Stance Break, Elbow Strike Counter Kick, and Flying Knee Strike. Following Xun Lili’s requirements, An Sheng repeated each move a thousand times daily. This was to help him internalize these techniques quickly, making them instinctive actions during combat.

An Sheng’s approach to teaching Xun Lili how to control her abilities was far more straightforward and brutal. In his memory, his own growth in strength came from endless battles – starting with Zombies, then ordinary Mutants, later Advanced Mutants like Pighead Three, and finally the Purifier Chen Mu whom he had recently devoured. Therefore, An Sheng believed that only combat could unlock one’s physical potential, which formed his core principle for becoming stronger. Based on this philosophy, An Sheng found Xun Lili a powerful and free sparring partner – Pighead Three.

Life at Yushan Fortress had allowed Pighead Three to live like an actual pig, sleeping and eating all day until his size expanded another round. Standing over five meters tall, he now resembled a moving small building. Xun Lili’s first reaction upon seeing Pighead Three was:

“An Sheng, are you trying to get me killed?” These were her exact words.

However, after repeated assurances from An Sheng, Xun Lili reluctantly accepted his suggestion and decided to brace herself for training sessions with the gigantic Pighead Three. Consequently, in the following days, the open space of Yushan Fortress’s Smelter frequently echoed with Xun Lili’s miserable screams and endless curses directed at An Sheng.

As deep autumn arrived, gentle breezes swept across the yellowing grassland like a cold beauty strumming an ancient zither. Orange-yellow leaves hung from trees like little yellow flowers; when floating in the air, they resembled dancing butterflies. The clear sky, free from summer’s oppression, seemed to make even the white clouds radiate joyful smiles.

In the blink of an eye, over two months had passed since Xun Lili arrived at Yushan Fortress. During this time, she witnessed firsthand how this aged military fortress transformed back into a massive war beast crouching in the mountains. For the fortress survivors, this beast was like a tame domestic dog, a trusted human companion; against enemies, it would bare its bloodthirsty maw and sharp fangs, grinding any invaders who dared violate their territory to dust.

Inside the fortress’s main keep, two emplacements now mounted Type 59 Anti-Aircraft Guns with their wheels removed, while more firing ports were equipped with heavy and light machine guns. All this was Nie Chong’s achievement. As an active-duty officer, he possessed his own unique theories about establishing fortress defense systems. From a professional perspective, Yushan Fortress had been completely upgraded into a solid war fortress capable of sustained light and heavy firepower output while withstanding attacks from high-yield artillery bombs.The transformation wasn’t limited to the fortress alone. The vehicles within the fortress also underwent modifications and upgrades. An Sheng and his team removed half of the high railings from the rear compartment of a truck, then welded the remaining Type 59 twin-barrel anti-aircraft gun along with its base onto it. They also added defensive barriers in the front section of the compartment, along with ammunition storage and a series of other facilities. When the vehicle’s modification was completed, everyone cheered for their masterpiece. Thus, a versatile civilian-modified combat vehicle capable of both offense and defense was born. This war machine would become a major asset for the fortress’s search team in future resource-gathering missions.

Construction, modification, and training were the sole tasks of Yushan Fortress over these two months. After this period, the entire fortress was filled with a strong military atmosphere. If strangers were to enter the fortress at this time, they would never mistake it for a civilian shelter but would instead believe that everyone here was a professional soldier dressed in civilian clothing.

During these two months, An Sheng’s Muay Thai skills advanced rapidly, thanks to the Mutant’s powerful physique and learning ability. In his normal state, he could now spar with Xun Lili, who had activated her Purifier ability, for fifty rounds without being overpowered. However, given the limitations of his ordinary state’s strength and speed, Xun Lili would gradually gain the upper hand after fifty exchanges. Xun Lili herself was also continuously growing stronger, especially after daily battles with Pighead Three. Her understanding of her own abilities had reached a masterful level. The two of them understood and supported each other, growing together in a relatively harmonious manner. Yet, the harmony between her and An Sheng stirred discontent among many women in the fortress, with Zhou Xiaoxiao being the most agitated.

The rumor of Zhou Xiaoxiao’s interest in An Sheng had spread like wildfire throughout the fortress, largely thanks to Butcher’s big mouth. If it weren’t for his habit of exaggerating and gossiping about An Sheng’s romantic experiences behind his back, Zhou Xiaoxiao’s crush on An Sheng wouldn’t have become common knowledge.

One version of the story went like this: An Sheng and Xun Lili had secretly established a romantic relationship, while Zhou Xiaoxiao had privately become close friends with Xun Lili. Zhou Xiaoxiao’s friendship with Xun Lili was allegedly a ploy to gain trust, gather intelligence about her relationship with An Sheng, and then find a way to surpass her and become An Sheng’s official girlfriend. It had the flavor of a mistress enduring hardships and scheming tirelessly to successfully usurp the position.

Such rumors were everywhere, causing An Sheng great distress. However, as time passed, he grew accustomed to them. He believed that as long as he stayed upright, he need not fear a crooked shadow, and he paid no mind to others’ baseless talk.

“Lili, did you know? I’ve become the mistress trying to climb the ranks now! Ugh, that damned butcher—I’ll find a chance to teach him a lesson!”

Zhou Xiaoxiao’s anger flared whenever she thought about the stories Butcher had fabricated. Why doesn’t he go perform crosstalk comedy! Spreading nonsense like a gossip all day, with so many versions of the tale. As these thoughts crossed her mind, she unconsciously applied more pressure while applying medicine to Xun Lili.”Xiaoxiao, that hurts!” Xun Lili exclaimed, finally snapping the indignant Zhou Xiaoxiao out of her anger. She immediately began rubbing the sore spot on Lili’s body while apologizing profusely.

“It’s fine now. You don’t really think there’s something going on between me and An Sheng, do you? Were you just taking the opportunity to get back at me?” Lili, lying prone on the army cot, turned her head to look at Xiaoxiao behind her, teasing her with a playful smirk.

“Don’t be ridiculous! Am I that kind of person? Sisters before misters!” Zhou Xiaoxiao didn’t want Lili to think she was seeking revenge and quickly explained. However, her flustered expression naturally provoked a fit of giggles from Lili.

“You’re such a nuisance! I’ll teach you a lesson—take this! Dragon Claw Grasp!” Zhou Xiaoxiao cried out playfully, extending her mischievous hands toward Lili’s chest. But she seemed to have forgotten that this young lady was actually a true martial arts expert. Consequently, just five seconds later, their scuffle ended with Xiaoxiao’s defeat, and both girls sat panting on the army cot, laughing uncontrollably.

After their laughter subsided, Zhou Xiaoxiao clung to Lili’s arm and complained wistfully, “Why is that blockhead An Sheng so uninterested in me? What’s wrong with me? I’m pretty, my figure is…”

When it came to her figure, Xiaoxiao glanced self-consciously at her flat chest and quickly changed her tune. “I’m pretty, I have a great personality—so why does he act so cold toward me?”

“Are you out of your mind? What’s so great about An Sheng that you’re so hung up on him? And those women in the Fortress—they all go gaga over him the moment they see him. I don’t see what’s so special about him!”

The behavior of the women in the Fortress was something Lili couldn’t understand at all. In her view, aside from being moderately good-looking, An Sheng was utterly worthless. Most importantly, he wasn’t even human—he was a Demon wearing human skin! She thought to herself, the women in the Fortress must have truly lost their minds.

“Easy for you to say! You’re with him every day, going everywhere together. I think you’re just taking it for granted! Hmph, I’m ignoring you.” Watching Lili and An Sheng train together day in and day out had long filled Xiaoxiao with envy and jealousy. It infuriated her that this woman didn’t appreciate her good fortune.

“Hey, why are you getting so worked up? Alright, alright, I’m sorry, Young Miss Zhou. How about I find an opportunity to sound him out for you?” Seeing that Xiaoxiao was genuinely upset, Lili immediately offered a condition she knew would cheer her up.

“Really? You mean it?”

Zhou Xiaoxiao was a little excited after all. Since Lili spent every day with An Sheng and had plenty of opportunities to talk to him, she could probably find out a lot.

“Would I lie to you? But now I seriously doubt the sincerity of your earlier statement—’Sisters before misters.’ Judging by your current behavior, that line seems pretty watered down.”

“My dear best friend, I admit I was wrong, okay? Hehe, come here, sweetie—let your big sister give you a kiss!” Once again, the two dissolved into playful banter and laughter.However, the An Sheng they were discussing had no idea that he had already been targeted by one—no, two of the most troublesome women. His mutated sixth sense was utterly useless when it came to matters of romantic feelings.