Chapter 62: Ambition!

"Uncle, let me tell you, I'm going to become a mighty warrior like that someday! When that happens, whoever dares to mess with me, I'll punch his dog head right off! My word is my bond, I, Zhao Ergou, mean what I say!" Zhao Ergou clenched his fists and spoke with boundless arrogance, his confidence practically overflowing.

"Haha, well said, kid! You've got ambition! Uncle supports you in spirit!" The squad leader laughed heartily and patted Zhao Ergou's shoulder. Although he figured the kid was just bragging, he didn't want to dampen his enthusiasm.

After all, youth is the time for dreams.

"By the way, I heard you're taking troops out to run wild in the grasslands again in a couple of days?" The squad leader suddenly changed the subject, his gaze carrying a hint of probing curiosity.

"Uh... Uncle, how did you know?" Zhao Ergou looked bewildered. Not many people knew about this; besides General Yang and the five major officers, only those selected were aware of it.

Logically speaking, this should be kept strictly confidential. After all, there might still be Rongdi spies in the city. If word got out, it would spell serious trouble—this was a capital offense!

"General Yang came to see me personally, wanting me to go along, but I turned him down," the squad leader said indifferently, as if mentioning something completely trivial.

"I see..." Zhao Ergou nodded thoughtfully, though his mind was in a turmoil. Uncle actually turned down General Yang's invitation?

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

On second thought, though, it might be better if Uncle didn't go, as it would give him more freedom to perform on the battlefield.

"Alright, stop standing around like a post, kid. Go wash up. Look at you, covered in grime like a mud monkey! Anyone passing by would think you fell into a cesspit. Come see me after dinner, I have something to say to you." With that, the squad leader turned and walked away, leaving Zhao Ergou standing there in the wind, completely disheveled.

Zhao Ergou trotted back happily, feeling quite pleased with himself. He had slain quite a few enemies today, so his kill count must have gone up again, bringing him one step closer to his goal of becoming stronger!

When Luo Datong, Tu Dakang, and the others saw Zhao Ergou return safe and sound, they finally let out sighs of relief, immediately crowding around and firing off questions all at once.

This platoon leader of theirs was simply a war maniac; if he didn't fight for a single day, his whole body would itch all over. Yet his strength was terrifyingly formidable, and he managed to survive every single time—he was simply a monster!

"Platoon Leader, you actually made it back alive! I thought for sure you were going to buy the farm out there today. You have no idea how our hearts were in our throats watching from below, terrified that something might happen to you!" Tu Dakang said with lingering fear, his face still pale.

"What? Are you wishing I were dead so you could take my place and become platoon leader?" Zhao Ergou narrowed his eyes, casting a dangerous glare at Tu Dakang while a playful smirk played at the corners of his mouth.

This punk actually dared to covet his position; he must be tired of living!

"No, no, that's not what I meant, Platoon Leader!"

Tu Dakang shuddered under Zhao Ergou's dangerous gaze and hurriedly waved his hands in defense.

That look in his eyes was like a wolf starved for three whole days on the grasslands—green and glowing, as if it would rip him to shreds and swallow him whole in the next second.

"Not what you meant? You dare say you don't want to be platoon leader?"

Zhao Ergou stared fixedly at Tu Dakang, pressing forward step by step, the corners of his mouth curling into an arrogant arc. "What, you want my seat? You're still too wet behind the ears!"

Tu Dakang swallowed hard, a fine layer of sweat beading on his forehead.

All his little schemes had been seen right through by the platoon leader. Now he couldn't wash himself clean even if he jumped into the Yellow River.

A soldier who doesn't want to be a general is not a good soldier.

A general who doesn't want to be emperor is not a good general.

How could he possibly not want to be platoon leader?

He dreamed about it! Every night when he went to sleep, he dreamed of sitting in the platoon leader's seat, majestic and imposing, issuing commands to all.

"Um..." Tu Dakang stammered, wanting to admit it yet not daring to. If he admitted it, he feared for his little life.

If he denied it, it would sound too fake.

Right now, he was riding a tiger and found it hard to dismount; he was caught in a terrible dilemma.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration hit him, and he shook his head vigorously.

"Platoon Leader, you've misunderstood me. Am I that kind of person? I, Tu Dakang, will forever be your loyal soldier, ready to go through fire and water for you without a moment's hesitation!"

Tu Dakang patted his chest and swore solemnly. His expression was as sincere as sincerity could get—purer than true gold!

"Really?" Zhao Ergou raised an eyebrow, a flicker of amusement flashing in his eyes.

"Purer than true gold!" Tu Dakang said with absolute finality, his gaze steady and unwavering.

"Hahahaha!"

Zhao Ergou suddenly burst out laughing, threw an arm around Tu Dakang's shoulder, and said with grand heroism, "Good lad, you've got ambition! I love soldiers with ambition! But if you want to be platoon leader, you still need more training! The day you can beat me in a fight, I'll hand this platoon leader's seat right over to you!"

Tu Dakang was left slightly dazed by Zhao Ergou's sudden warmth, but a surge of hot blood rushed through his heart.

"Alright, stop standing there in a daze. I had a great time killing today and I reek all over. Go get some hot water ready, I need a proper scrub!" Zhao Ergou patted Tu Dakang's shoulder and strode toward his tent.

"Platoon Leader, seriously, you don't pay enough attention to your own safety. You just came back from the grasslands and then went straight up the city walls to kill the enemy. What would we do if something happened to you?" Luo Datong sidled up at that moment, his tone filled with concern and worry, playing the exact part of a loyal subordinate.

Watching Luo Datong's sycophantic display, Tu Dakang felt a wave of nausea turn his stomach over, almost making him vomit.

What a bootlicker!

A real man—how could he be willing to live under someone else's thumb forever?!

He, Tu Dakang, would step on this Luo Datong sooner or later!

"Yes, Platoon Leader, I'll go arrange the hot water right away." Luo Datong nodded eagerly and scurried off to prepare it like an excited puppy.

He even remembered to look back at Tu Dakang, casting a provocative glance.

*Puny fool, still trying to fight me for the platoon leader's position? Go drink foot-washing water instead.* That look seemed to say: *You trash, do you even deserve to compete with me?*

Covered in blood and radiating a murderous aura, Zhao Ergou strode into his tent. The stench of carnage could be smelled from afar—he smelled worse than a butcher!

His subordinates looked at him and felt the killing intent rolling off him grow even heavier, instinctively shrinking back a little.

Before long, the hot water was ready, steaming and billowing with white vapor.

Zhao Ergou stripped off his blood-stained armor, plunged straight into the hot water, and let out a grunt of pure satisfaction.