Strongest Soldier King

An old man becomes wily with age, and Luo Zheng's abnormal physique and gunshot wounds made the elder think of many things and worry a lot, so he had to be extra cautious. However, Luo Zheng was so hungry he was seeing stars, and had no energy to answer. Just then, the young lad came running excitedly, holding a clay bowl, from which a fragrant aroma wafted out. The scent made Luo Zheng's stomach growl involuntarily, and he couldn't help but smile awkwardly.

This detail didn't escape the elder's eyes. Seeing Luo Zheng still mindful of his dignity despite his condition, the elder secretly breathed a sigh of relief. A person who understands shame won't be too wicked, so he gestured for the young lad to bring it over. The lad agreed, helped Luo Zheng sit up, and with a grateful smile, Luo Zheng accepted the clay bowl, thanked him, and began drinking eagerly.

"Young man, don't overdo it, take it slow," the elder kindly advised.

Luo Zheng agreed but couldn't quite heed the advice. The rice boiled with meat, though he didn't know what kind, was mild and fragrant. Luo Zheng took several big gulps, accepting the wooden chopsticks handed by the lad, and smiled awkwardly before continuing to eat. In no time, a bowl of it was in his stomach, and still unsatisfied, he handed the clay bowl back to the lad. The elder laughed, having observed enough to conclude that Luo Zheng wasn't a bad person, muttered a few words in the local dialect, and the lad agreed before leaving.

After the lad left, the elder continued, "Now can you tell me?"

"Thank you, old man, for saving my life. It's not that I don't want to tell you, but my identity cannot be disclosed," Luo Zheng explained awkwardly. This old man was not simple; those eyes were too formidable, as though they could see through everything. He must be well-traveled and knowledgeable, and lying would be pointless, as it wouldn't escape his sharp eyes.

"Why?" The elder asked, puzzled.

"I can only tell you it's a national secret," Luo Zheng stated honestly.

Upon hearing this, the elder's expression turned serious. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Alright then, with your physique, you should be able to get on your feet in three days. By then, please leave on your own. Our village has been isolated from the world for thousands of years, and I don't want your appearance to disturb the peaceful life here."

"Understood, thank you," Luo Zheng replied.

"Your life was saved by that young lad who found you and carried you back. You were discovered in the river with nothing on you. I had your clothes removed and washed clean; I'll go fetch them for you," the elder said as he stood up and headed outside.

This time, Luo Zheng realized he was lying naked on the bed, fortunate to have a sheet covering him. His face reddened; seeing the lad burst in excitedly, carrying a clay bowl, Luo Zheng accepted it with gratitude and continued to eat. The lad, full of enthusiasm, spoke about something Luo Zheng couldn't understand, so he had no choice but to smile bitterly. After finishing, he felt much better and handed the clay bowl back to the lad.

At this moment, the elder came in, carrying Luo Zheng's clothes. Luo Zheng glanced over; his tight-fitting suit was still intact, and the belt was there too, to his relief. The tight-fitting suit was a national secret and must not be lost. The elder placed the items on the bed and said, "Judging by your belt, you clearly practice martial arts. There's some cash in the clothes pockets, but it's completely ruined by water, just had to be thrown away. Everything else is here, check if anything's missing."

"Nothing's missing," Luo Zheng said with gratitude, as long as the tight-fitting suit was there, other things weren't a concern. A wave of fatigue swept over him, and he couldn't help but yawn.

The elder nodded and said, "Your wounds are healing well. Even with such high fever, you survived, it's a miracle. Your vitality is the strongest I've ever seen. Also, the five gunshots on your back have been treated and scabbed over, so don't worry. Have a good rest, you'll feel better when you wake up." After speaking, the elder instructed the lad to do a few things and left.

The lad, seeing Luo Zheng didn't understand his words, lost interest and exited the room, closing the wooden door behind him. Luo Zheng was certain these people had no ill intentions, and used his family's traditional breathing skill to sleep peacefully.

Upon waking, the sun shone brightly outside, and Luo Zheng had no idea how long he had slept, feeling much more energetic, with most of his strength restored. Delighted, he moved his body slightly and found no major issues, so he dressed himself, wrapped the belt around his body again, and realized the shoes had been wiped and looked clean. Happily, he put on the shoes and walked out of the wooden house.

Outside, Luo Zheng discovered he was in a valley surrounded by lush trees. Many wooden houses were built within the woods and also scattered along the hillsides on both sides, forming a harmonious and orderly appearance. The lad was practicing archery not far away, using a hardened wooden bow and ordinary arrows with triangular iron tips. The target was a big tree, with many peers enjoying the scene nearby, occasionally joking around.

In the woods, smoke rose from numerous wooden houses, and there were wooden fences enclosing wild chickens, rabbits, and things like black mountain goats, likely hunted by the locals and kept when surplus. The valley exuded a harmonious atmosphere akin to a secluded paradise where chickens and dogs could be heard living peacefully.

Luo Zheng immediately took a liking to the place, though he knew it wasn't where he belonged. He had to leave as soon as possible to convey his survival to Lan Xue, avoiding any foolish action from her. Thinking of this, Luo Zheng's previously calm heart grew worried. A voice drifted from behind, "How is this place?" It was the old village chief.

"It's practically a paradise free from worldly strife, just a bit too impoverished. It's unfair to the children; they should receive a better education," Luo Zheng said with a smile.

"What difference does better education make? Ultimately, one lives surrounded by accolades and gains, so why bother? You can't take anything with you when you're born, nor when you die. Peace is a blessing, having no desires is truth. Throughout a lifetime, people go round in circles and end up back at the starting point. Even if they achieve great fame, they'll eventually turn into a pile of yellow earth; once dead, who remembers them?" the elder said flatly, with his muddled eyes flickering with the weariness of one who has seen through everything.

Luo Zheng was momentarily stunned and after a moment of thought, realized the truth in his words. He laughed, "What you say makes sense. It's a philosophical issue concerning thoughts on life, whether to live unremarkably or be a shooting star. There's no right or wrong, it just depends on what one's heart truly desires. How one chooses. Fleeting beauty is haunting yet splendid, but it did blossom. One should live without regrets towards heaven and earth, nor betray one's own conscience."

"Are you a soldier?" the old village chief suddenly asked.

"Why do you say that?" Luo Zheng asked, surprised.

"Your outlook on life has already revealed it to me. Only soldiers possess such philosophical thought, likening oneself to a fleeting flower. The intense vitality of a flower blooming for a brief moment. You soldiers fight for your country, igniting sparks of life on the iron and blood-filled battlefield. It's the same logic," the old village chief said with a smile, feeling at ease.