Morning came harsh and cold.
There was no sun — only gray skies and the sharp bite of wind as it howled through the forest. The kind of weather that made even wolves stay in their dens.
But Lü Bu and Tian were already training.
Because weakness didn't wait for better weather.
Tian grunted as he stumbled forward, sweat soaking through his shirt.
His grip on the wooden pole was tighter now. His swings had rhythm, even if they still lacked power. But his feet? Still sloppy. His stance? Too open.
Lü Bu crossed his arms and watched silently.
Then, without a word, struck Tian's shoulder with a stick.
"Too wide. Again."
Tian bit back a curse and adjusted.
Again and again. For hours.
System Notification
— Training Progress: Tian — 12%
— Loyalty increased: 28/100
— New Trait Observed: Stubborn Spirit
Lü Bu gave no smile, no praise.
Not yet.
Because what he was building wasn't just a fighter.
It was the first brick in a wall that would one day shake kingdoms.
Later, as Tian collapsed beside the river, chest heaving, he groaned, "This is worse than dying."
Lü Bu sat beside him, tossing him a boiled root.
"No," he said quietly. "This is how you stop dying."
Tian looked at him with half-lidded eyes.
"You really think we can become soldiers? Just the two of us?"
"Not soldiers," Lü Bu replied.
"Warriors."
"A new kind. Unbreakable. Not just trained — forged."
"And you're the first."
System Alert
— Commander's Aura: Now Active (Range: 3 meters)
— Nearby recruits gain +5% stamina recovery and +3% focus during training.
Unit Designation Created: The Iron Core
— Unit Count: [1/100]
— Formation Status: Incomplete
— Morale: Steady
That night, Lü Bu carved a mark into a flat stone — a small, simple symbol. A shield. Unfinished.
He handed it to Tian.
"This is the start of your unit sigil," he said.
"When the Iron Core is ready, you'll carry this into battle."
Tian stared at it like it was a piece of gold.
Not because it was beautiful — but because it meant something.
He had never belonged to anything. Never had anyone believe in him.
But now he did.
And he would not let that belief go to waste.
"Thank you," he whispered.
"I won't let you down."
Lü Bu looked into the flames.
"You will. At first."
"But one day… the world will tremble when they hear your name."