On this afternoon, the bustling workshop entrance in the Southern City became noisy as the surging crowd suddenly parted to both sides, making way from a distance.
Following that, a white horse with a mane flowing like clouds came charging through!
Atop it, an Armored Soldier clad in black armor with a red Command Flag inserted behind, one hand holding the horse’s reins, the other hand raised up holding a scroll of orders, galloping through the streets and alleys, shouting at the top of his voice.
"By the order of the Ninth Mountain’s Colonel, today, as the group of demons causes chaos and the world is in turmoil, the Ninth Mountain is recruiting troops to slay demons and eradicate evil spirits, to expand our territory with flying hooves and billowing whips, calling forth the wise from all around the world!"
His booming voice echoed through the streets and alleys.
Behind him, there was a squadron of similarly armored soldiers. At every street intersection they reached, one soldier would break away from the formation and dash down the alleys, passing on the command.
Until the leading Armored Soldier galloped his horse to the South Gate Market, dismounted with a leap, and affixed the document in his hand to the city wall.
There, soldiers under orders from the garrison had swiftly formed a circle with their spears, and banners were fluttering in the air, setting up a small-sized martial arts arena.
Within the hundred-zhang radius of the martial arts arena, there was a thousand-jin copper cauldron, a two-person tall shiny black stone, and a burly Great Han in green armor, authoritative with a gold-backed saber, sitting on a large chair, his gaze sweeping around.
The crowd quickly gathered under the city wall of the Southern Market Entrance; their eyes filled with excitement and astonishment, their voices a noisy uproar, and a torrent of people rushing forward.
"The Ninth Mountain, it’s that General recruiting troops. Heavenly Bodhisattva, this is a golden opportunity to achieve glory and make one’s mark," someone shouted excitedly.
Others whispered among themselves, envious.
"Yesterday that Important person generously rewarded the Ninth Mountain Soldiers. The kid from the Wang family in the alley next door—we heard that even the Official from the Southern City government office personally visited his home to read out the commendation document, promoting the boy to Small flag officer and bestowing a lot of money, provisions, and elixirs. It’s truly remarkable; what a way to honor the family!"
"Pffft, what’s that in comparison? Remember the big commotion in the Northern City a few days back? It was the day when the Mountain-cutting Army of the Ninth Mountain returned. Haven’t you heard? Someone mistreated the widows and orphans of the Ninth Mountain’s fallen soldiers. Ho boy, just don’t mention it. I heard that the Great General himself showed up in person and killed many people."
While saying this, the person deliberately lowered their voice, "I’ve heard that many powerful and high-profile Important people were captured by the Great General. He even killed a formidable person of renown. These Important people are not someone we commoners could ever afford to provoke. But this Great General, heh, he’s willing to avenge his own subordinates, to say the word and just execute those Important people. Now, isn’t that impressive?"
"That’s exactly what we need! If I could join the Ninth Mountain Army, that would really be an honor for my ancestors! Enough talk, I’m going to call my boy to try. He’s been at the martial arts school for years without much to show for it; it’s time for him to make his old man proud."
In the bustling throng of people, mostly the commoners from the markets and alleys, the noise was deafening, filling the air.
The prestige of the Ninth Mountain had already spread among the people following the grand battle at Weiyuan Pass. Moreover, with the Ninth Mountain Soldiers returning to the city after recent days, the General himself took the field, beheading those who wronged the families of the fallen soldiers and generously rewarding the surviving warriors. All of this was witnessed by the people.
Now, in the eyes of many citizens, to be able to join the Ninth Mountain meant to bring glory to their forefathers.
For a moment, among the sea of people, pairs of eyes stirred restlessly, eager to try.
At that point, the Orderly Officer who had posted the document stepped into the center of the arena surrounded by troops and exclaimed loudly:
"The Ninth Mountain is recruiting troops and will reward the wise! Now, as the Devil Race fiercely invades, our frontlines are drenched in the bloodied struggle, with thousands from the Worldly society bravely joining the battlefield!"
Saying this, the Armored Soldier bowed in a saluting gesture towards a higher direction.
"The Nine Colonels once said, the world’s fortune and calamity is everyone’s responsibility. Today, regardless of your status and origin, it all depends on your abilities if you can become brothers-in-arms and if you have what it takes."
"Those who can lift the cauldron will be admitted into the Ninth Mountain!"
"For those who can light up the Black Stone with Qi Refinement, you’ll be appointed a Small flag officer, leading ten men"
"Those who can withstand three bouts from the Guard Military Officer will be appointed General’s Flag, leading fifty men"
"And for those who succeed, you will be appointed as a deputy Leading Military Officer, holding the rank of Thousand Households!"
As his voice fell, the atmosphere surged to its peak, and immediately there were shouts from the crowd.
From the crowd, some stepped forth, some leaped over the heads of others, and some elegantly glided up, breaking through the air.
In no time, more than a dozen figures appeared and stepped into the martial arts arena.
Some went straight for the cauldron.
Others headed for the black pillar stone.
And some, confident in their own strength, leaped onto the martial arena surrounded by fluttering flags, approaching the Green Armored Military Officer on the large chair with a salute, "Please, instruct me!"
The Military Officer rose from his seat, landed on the martial arts stage with a thump, and subsequently, beams of milky white light, as thick as arms, shot out of the surrounding flags, forming a protective dome tens of zhang above in the air.
Then, on the martial arts stage, figures turned into afterimages as they moved.
Soon the whole arena bustled with action.
Some clenched their teeth and managed to lift the thousand-jin cauldron, with Armored Soldiers recording the feat, counting their breaths. Those who could endure for three breaths were immediately hailed by a loud shout; they passed, their expressions ecstatic with joy. Lifting such weight, typically signified reaching the final stage of the Body Refinement in the First Realm, Bone Forging Realm.