This group of noble sons had been here for two months, and not a single meal in the kitchen had meat.

Resources were tight in the camp, and being able to eat steamed buns and porridge was already considered good.

In camps with even worse conditions, they would be lucky to have sweet potatoes every now and then, let alone meat.

Of course, they had eaten meat before, but it had to be in town.

During the day, they were on duty, and by the time evening came, they were too exhausted to go anywhere.

If they were on night duty, they were just as tired during the day, so even if they could go, it was a rare occasion.

Therefore, if Qin Fang could bring them meat for every meal, they would naturally be happy. However, they weren’t fools.

Everyone in the camp knew that Qin Fang had become a commander of a thousand through sheer force, though, of course, it wasn’t just brute force—he also had real skill.

Last year, when the barbarians kidnapped the young lord, Commander Qin used psychological tactics to rescue him, and this tale had been told and retold with admiration throughout the camp.

So, everyone acknowledged Qin Fang’s strength.

These noble sons weren’t simple-minded either.

They couldn’t even beat Han Zhen, so how could they possibly defeat Qin Fang?

The idea of eating meat for every meal was just nonsense.

If Yang Haiyan knew about this, she might have said that it was normal for them not to be able to beat Han Zhen, but maybe with some luck, they could defeat Qin Fang.

Han Zhen was naturally skilled, but one couldn’t overlook the main character’s luck.

Otherwise, when the barbarians kidnapped the Little Master and fled the county, they had three routes to choose from—why did they just so happen to run into Han Zhen’s guarded path?

It was practically suicide!

Qin Fang said, “A true man’s word is his bond. I said if you can beat me, I’ll treat you to a month of meat. Do you think I’m bluffing?”

One of the noble sons said, “Commander Qin, your word is your bond, but you can’t be like this. We all know you’re skilled, and none of us can be your match. So, your promise of a month’s worth of meat—isn’t that just an empty promise?”

Qin Fang narrowed his eyes. “What do you suggest? You all want to fight me three-on-one?”

This noble son, named Lin Feng, had indeed meant that, but now that Qin Fang had asked outright, he couldn’t shamelessly admit it.

Qin Fang let out a cold laugh. “I’ll let you come at me one by one. If any one of the three of you beats me, I’ll treat all three of you. In fact, I had already planned on giving you a chance to fight in turns.”

Wei Wu’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

Qin Fang replied, “Really. You go first.” He pointed at Lin Feng, who had spoken earlier.

Over a thousand men stepped back, forming a circle, leaving Qin Fang and Lin Feng in the center.

Not every noble son from the capital had trained in martial arts.

The noble families of the capital valued literature over martial prowess, so it was rare for them to allow their children to pursue martial paths.

Still, some had trained for fitness, though it wasn’t their specialty.

Their practice of martial arts was purely for health and fitness, unlike Qin Fang, who fought for his life.

For Qin Fang, martial arts were a matter of survival.

Only with strong skills could he ensure his longevity.

If his skills were poor, he could be killed on the battlefield at any moment.

Lin Feng stepped into the circle, aware that he was no match for Qin Fang.

So, he said to his two companions, “I’ll tire Captain Qin out first. Then the rest is up to you.” His plan was to wear down Qin Fang’s stamina, which he believed he could manage.

But in reality, he was wrong.

When they had sparred with Han Zhen, they had indeed managed to tire him out.

But Han Zhen and Qin Fang were different types.

Han Zhen’s strength lay in his agility, while Qin Fang, with his tall and imposing build, wasn’t as quick as Han Zhen but was far stronger.

Lin Feng’s plan to exhaust Qin Fang was much harder to achieve.

For instance, when Lin Feng charged at him, Qin Fang didn’t even bother to dodge.

He just used his body to collide with Lin Feng, knocking him back several steps.

His bones ached faintly.

The strength of Captain Qin was immense, and his body—was it made of iron?

Lin Feng steadied himself.

Wei Wu shouted, “Lin Feng, can you do it or not?”

No man could stand being questioned like that.

Lin Feng yelled back, “Shut up and watch!”

So, Wei Wu watched as Lin Feng was knocked back again and again.

This duel was starting to resemble a wrestling match.

Lin Feng knew that relying on brute force wouldn’t work, so he decided to use finesse.

When he fought Han Zhen, he had tried to rely on finesse, but it didn’t work out.

That’s why he initially tried brute force again, only to realize once more that it was the wrong approach.

Lin Feng didn’t want to get too close to Qin Fang’s body.

He started running quickly, planning to launch a surprise attack from behind.

However, just as Lin Feng approached, Qin Fang dodged and kicked him away.

Lin Feng lay on the ground, his chest throbbing with pain.

Fortunately, Qin Fang didn’t kick him in the lower part of his body; otherwise, his manhood might have been shattered.

Lin Feng stayed down, not wanting to get up.

Yang Baifu commented, “It seems Captain Qin body has become even stronger than before.”

Han Zhen nodded. “Indeed.”

Qin Fang thought to himself that his wife frequently made him soak in medicinal baths, and those weren’t just for nothing—those baths cost a lot of money.

The next Nobleson Young Master didn’t last more than ten moves and also “led by example” by falling quickly.

Among the three, Wei Wu had the best skills, but seeing the fate of his two companions, he knew he didn’t stand a chance.

So, he wasn’t here to win, just to spar.

However, Wei Wu was too optimistic.

He thought he came to spar, but who was sparring with whom wasn’t so clear anymore.

For example, when Wei Wu was knocked to the ground by Qin Fang, just as he was about to hit the ground, Qin Fang grabbed him and said, “Watch out, don’t chip your tooth.”

Another example, when Qin Fang threw Wei Wu over his shoulder, just as he was about to hit the ground, Qin Fang caught him by the waist. “Your strength is too weak, and your stance is unstable.”

Wei Wu was miserable. Why couldn’t Captain Qin just let him fall?

Couldn’t he even admit defeat?

Eighteen-year-old Wei Wu felt utterly defeated.

Lu Zhen remarked, “Why do I feel like our Captain is intentionally tormenting Wei Wu?”

Centurion Yang replied, “I think so too.”

Han Zhen thought to himself, it’s not just you two, everyone thinks that.

So, Han Zhen called over a soldier and asked, “Did Wei Wu do something to offend Captain Qin?”

The soldier, who had been gossiping earlier, answered truthfully, “Earlier, Wei Wu was telling everyone that Captain Qin was a rough man, unworthy of Madam Qin.”

Han Zhen was speechless. “Is this kid asking for trouble?”

Wei Wu felt like his body was being torn apart; he was in pain all over.

He began begging for mercy, ” Captain Qin, I can’t beat you. I admit defeat.”

Qin Fang coldly responded, “A real man doesn’t admit defeat so easily, and soldiers of Qi country must never admit defeat easily. On the battlefield, admitting defeat is desertion.”

Wei Wu thought to himself that he didn’t even want to admit he was a man anymore.

Qin Fang commanded, “Continue.”

Wei Wu gasped, “Captain Qin, you handled Lin Feng and the others so swiftly, but you keep dragging this out with me. Did I do something to offend you? If so, please forgive me for Madam Qin’s sake.”

Mentioning Madam Qin only made things worse.

Qin Fang’s eyes grew even colder. “On the battlefield, do you think you can beg for mercy by bringing up a woman? And this is the military camp, not a place for idle chatter about women. As a man, shouldn’t you focus on manly duties instead of gossiping like some market woman? Even the old ladies in the brothels aren’t as gossipy as you.”

Wei Wu was at a loss for words.

Qin Fang narrowed his eyes and grabbed Wei Wu by the collar. “And furthermore, what does Yan Yan have to do with you? Are you trying to ruin her reputation by dragging her name into this? Insulting a man is one thing, but insulting his wife is another.”

Wei Wu was startled.

The flames in Qin Fang’s eyes were fierce, and there was even a hint of murderous intent.

He quickly cried out, “Wait! Captain Qin, you’ve misunderstood! I didn’t mean to tarnish her reputation or insult her in any way. She’s…she’s my sworn sister!”

Suddenly inspired, Wei Wu exclaimed, “Brother-in-law! Please show mercy! She truly is my sworn sister; we both come from the capital. You have to believe me!”

If Yang Haiyan were still just a maid from the Yang family, he wouldn’t have acknowledged her as his sworn sister.

Even though he had felt guilty about Miss Yang in the past, given the status difference, he wouldn’t have stooped to recognize her as a sister.

But things were different now.

Yang Haiyan’s servant status had been revoked by the imperial court, and she was now a respectable citizen with imperial protection, not to mention the wife of a Captain.

Acknowledging her as a sworn sister could only benefit him, so Wei Wu earnestly continued, “Brother-in-law! Haiyan really is my sister, please let go!”

Qin Fang frowned and looked deeply at Wei Wu. “Explain this.”

He loosened his grip a little.

Whatever Wei Wu’s intentions were, as long as he claimed to be her sworn brother, it might protect Yan Yan’s reputation for now.

Wei Wu then earnestly lied, “Haiyan used to be a maid to Miss Yang from the Yang family. I was once engaged to Miss Yang. Since Haiyan was favored by Miss Yang, I wanted her to speak well of me in front of her, so I recognized her as my sworn sister, thinking that after I married Miss Yang, I could find her a good match. If you don’t believe me, you can inquire in the capital. Everyone knows I was engaged to Miss Yang.”

Though the Yang family had fallen from grace due to their involvement in the imperial succession dispute, this engagement was a well-known fact.

There was nothing to hide.

Besides, after learning the truth about his engagement being a political move by his father, Wei Wu had felt guilty towards Miss Yang.

Meeting Yang Haiyan again brought out his desire to make amends for that guilt by helping her, in hopes of finding some peace for himself.

Lin Feng chimed in, “I can vouch for this. Although I’m not sure whether he truly made Yang Haiyan his sworn sister, the engagement between Wei Wu and Miss Yang is indeed true.”

Besides, Lin Feng thought, having a Captain leader as a brother-in-law wouldn’t be a bad thing in a place where meat was scarce.

At least they wouldn’t have to go into town to buy snacks anymore; Captain Qin could bring them back without worrying about any gossip.

Qin Fang seemed to believe it to some extent, knowing that Yang Haiyan had come from the Yang family.

Since she was literate, skilled in embroidery, and well-educated, it was clear she had been highly valued by Miss Yang.

Therefore, it made sense that Wei Wu, wanting to please his fiancée, would recognize her trusted maid as his sworn sister.

While this arrangement sounded odd, it wasn’t entirely unbelievable.