Dream of the Red Chamber: From a Border Ruffian to a Capital Tyrant

Yanmen Pass, a small courtyard and training ground.

The sun was blazing overhead, and waves of heat were rolling in.

The guards were engaged in their daily training with great enthusiasm. Sweat streamed down their bronze skin, and every muscle was bursting with amazing power between extreme tension and relaxation.

However, just as Jia Lang walked steadily and powerfully toward the weapon rack in the corner with steps that seemed to contain some kind of rhythm of heaven and earth, everyone's movements seemed to be paused, coming to an abrupt halt.

Dozens of fervent and worshipful gazes were fixed on that godlike figure.

They had seen generals drill many times before, but each time it felt like a heavy hammer blow to their hearts, bringing a completely new visual impact and a soul-stirring shock.

It was a suppression originating from the level of life itself, a domineering aura belonging to an absolute powerhouse, like a giant magnet, drawing their souls towards it.

The weapon on the rack was no longer just a weapon to the guards; it was a totem, a totem symbolizing the "inhuman."

This iron hammer was a killing machine that Jia Lang commissioned the city's most skilled blacksmith to create using his private treasury. The blacksmith had poured his heart and soul into crafting it.

The gun is twelve feet long and weighs a terrifying eighty-eight kilograms!

The hammer is jet black, forged from a mixture of deep-sea silver iron and obsidian through repeated folding and forging. Within that deep black, a chilling dark red glow faintly shines through.

Under the scorching sun, the heavy hammer seemed to come alive, radiating a mysterious and eerie black-red aura, like a lurking ferocious beast greedily devouring the surrounding light and heat, exuding a chilling killing intent that sent shivers down one's spine.

Legend has it that this weapon incorporates a piece of mysterious iron that fell from the sky, making it indestructible.

Looking at the hammerhead, it was not made of ordinary steel, but from the core of a meteorite from an extremely cold region, forged through countless hammerings.

Its sturdiness is simply unbelievable.

When there is no war, this hammer sits on the shelf like a black dragon.

It wasn't that some of the guards didn't believe in the superstition; a strong captain once tried to pick up the spear, wanting to imitate the general's elegant and unrestrained style, like a hundred flowers blooming and a hand wielded with effortless skill.

The results of it?

Even if they could barely lift it, the terrifying weight would instantly crush their wrists, making it impossible for them to swing it like the wind or even hold on for a few breaths. Their arms would ache and feel numb, as if filled with lead, making it impossible for them to move with ease and grace like a general.

It wasn't until that moment that these self-important elites truly understood what kind of earth-shattering power was hidden in their general's seemingly ordinary body!

That's a power that no human could possess; it's divine power!

Just as the guards were filled with emotion and reminiscing about the past, Jia Lang had already walked to the shelf.

He remained expressionless, his breathing not even faltering, and simply extended his large, fan-like hand, lifting it gently.

"rise!"

The 88-pound hammer that would deter countless strong men was as light as a feather in his hands. He held it firmly in one hand, and the shaft even spun around casually between his fingertips.

"It's still too light..."

Jia Lang weighed the item in one hand, frowned slightly, and muttered to himself, his tone carrying a hint of dissatisfaction and regret.

This is the third weapon he has changed.

As the power of his body increased dramatically, the divine weapon he was once so proud of now looked more and more like a child's toy stick.

"In this vast world, is there truly no weapon that would allow me to fight with all my might?"

A hint of loneliness flashed in Jia Lang's eyes; it was the loneliness of being at the top.

But the next second, that sense of loneliness was replaced by a ferocious fighting spirit!

"Fine! I'll use you to warm up my hands first!"

With a low shout, Jia Lang moved!

There are no fancy starting moves, just the simplest sweep and smash!

However, this simple action, amplified by absolute power, triggered a terrifying phenomenon!

"Buzz—!"

The air seemed to be torn apart instantly, emitting a piercing shriek.

As the hammer was swung, the originally still airflow was forcibly stirred up, forming small whirlwinds visible to the naked eye centered on Jia Lang.

Jia Lang's figure was completely swallowed up by the swirling dust, and his heavy black and red iron hammer seemed to transform into a black dragon emerging from the sea, rolling and roaring in the storm.

"roar!"

Faintly, everyone seemed to hear the sounds of dragons and tigers, which was proof that the weapons had reached their peak in piercing the air!

The weapon racks around were blown about by the strong wind, creaking and groaning as if they were about to be uprooted at any moment.

The guards were forced to squint and strain their eyes to see the situation clearly, but all they could see was a black storm raging.

The deafening roar was like the bugle call of a thousand troops charging on the battlefield, making their blood boil, their hearts pound like drums, and they wished they could bow down in worship!

A quarter of an hour, a quarter of an hour...

This martial arts demonstration, which was unique to Jia Lang, lasted for the entire time it takes for an incense stick to burn!

Just when everyone thought the storm would never end, the wildly dancing figure in the arena suddenly froze, and then a roar that seemed to come from the ancient wilderness resounded throughout the courtyard:

"Break!!"

Accompanying this roar was a deafening explosion—

"boom!!!"

The sound was not like the clang of metal, but rather like a thunderbolt crashing down from the heavens, causing the entire courtyard to tremble violently!

As the smoke cleared, everyone stared in shock, and then they all gasped in unison, their eyes nearly popping out of their sockets!

In the very center of the training ground, the once neatly laid bluestone slabs had completely disappeared.

Instead, there was a huge, deep pit with a diameter of about ten feet!

Centered on the point where the heavy hammer struck, countless dense cracks spread wildly outwards like a spider web, and the deepest stone slab was actually shattered into dust!

This is hardly martial arts training.

This is clearly a meteorite that fell from the sky!

If this hammer were to strike a person, no matter what kind of heavily armored cavalryman or Hunnic warrior, they would probably be instantly turned into a pile of minced meat, leaving not even a trace of bone!

Dead silence.

The training ground was deathly silent, save for the mournful sound of the wind blowing through the deep pit.

"General, you are mighty!!"

After a brief moment of stunned silence, one of the guards, his voice trembling, knelt down with a fanatical expression and shouted loudly.

"General, you are mighty!!"

"General, you are mighty!!"

The remaining guards seemed to awaken from a dream, and they all knelt down, their shouts reaching the heavens.

However, faced with this blow that could shatter stone and split rocks, and with his guards worshipping him as if he were a god, Jia Lang simply shook his head slowly.

He sheathed his weapon and stood on the ground, the hammer's tail scraping against the ground with a piercing screeching sound.

Jia Lang's eyes were calm as still water, showing little joy, but rather a deep sense of solemnity.

Looking at the mess on the ground and the deep pit, Jia Lang felt no emotion.

This blow, though powerful, was not his limit.

The reason I'm showing this off without reservation today is not to show off, but because—

He thought of the 100,000 Xiongnu cavalry beyond the Great Wall, and the impending bloodshed and carnage.

While practicing martial arts just now, the murderous intent and frustration I felt towards the barbarians were hard to dispel.

"Pack up."

Jia Lang casually tossed the heavy iron hammer back onto the weapon rack. The heavy hammer struck the rack, causing the solid wood frame to sag slightly.

He turned around, his back to the devastated training ground, and looked towards the direction beyond the pass, his gaze deep and cold.

"The Xiongnu barbarians..."