The morning after the near-discovery, the sergeant summoned him.
He arrived at the sergeant's tent with careful neutrality. The sergeant stood beside a pile of documents and a half-eaten bowl of millet. His face was hard, but not angry—more… thoughtful.
"Li Wei," the sergeant said, using the name he had given. "You handled the wall collapse well. The guards and overseers agree."
He bowed slightly. "Thank you, Sergeant."
"You're not a normal slave."
He froze for a heartbeat—but kept his eyes humble.
"I was a builder before this," he lied again softly.
The sergeant snorted. "Builders don't command men like soldiers."
His pulse thudded.
"Still," the sergeant continued, "you have a sharp mind. And I need sharp minds."
The sergeant stepped closer.
"Tell me honestly—can you read and write?"
Reading and writing were dangerous skills for a slave.
He hesitated.
"…Some," he said quietly.
A risk, but a calculated one.
The sergeant nodded. "Good. Then you will help me with inventory reports from now on."
His breath caught.
Inventory access meant knowledge:
Food stores. Weapon stores. Movement logs. Guard rotations. Supply schedules.
All the information required to plan… anything.
His mind raced.
Why give him this?
What did the sergeant want?
"Why me, Sergeant?" he asked carefully.
"Two reasons," the sergeant grunted. "First: because you've proven useful. Second: because I'm not blind. This camp is a mess, and if something goes wrong, I want competent hands near me—not idiots."
He nodded slowly.
"Do well, Li Wei, and I'll protect you. Fail, and I'll bury you myself."
"I understand."
"And one more thing," the sergeant said. "I'll be choosing a small group of laborers to handle special tasks. If you know any good men… recommend them."
His chest tightened.
This was the opening he needed.
If he played this well, he could bring his entire cell into positions of influence.
"I have a few candidates," he replied calmly.
"Good. Bring them tomorrow."
He bowed and left, maintaining his slave-like gait until he was out of sight.
Only then did he quicken his steps and make his way to the outcrop where Zhang and Hu waited.
Zhang straightened immediately. "Well?"
He sat down and exhaled slowly.
"The sergeant wants me to assist with inventory and supply logs," he said.
Hu's eyes widened. "That's… that's everything."
"It is," he said. "But it's also a trap if we aren't careful."
Zhang nodded. "What does he want in return?"
"Competence," he replied. "And loyalty."
"Loyalty?" Hu scoffed. "To him?"
"Yes," he said. "For now."
They understood immediately.
If they wanted to survive this camp…
If they wanted to grow stronger…
If they wanted to escape…
They needed to use the sergeant—not defy him.
"What's the plan?" Zhang asked.
He leaned forward.
"Tomorrow, I recommend you three—Zhang, Hu, and Chen—for special tasks. Ming will remain hidden. The boy stays far from sight."
Hu nodded. "Good."
Zhang smirked. "And after that?"
He looked at the Great Wall rising over the horizon.
"After that," he whispered, "we begin learning everything about this camp from the inside."
A new system notification appeared:
[Quest Unlocked: Rise of the Hidden Cell]
Objectives:
• Gain access to supply records
• Install loyal men in positions of value
• Expand influence quietly
• Remain undiscovered for 30 days
Reward:
• Recruit ×10
• Basic Weapons Stockpile
• Authority Level Increase
He exhaled.
This was it.
The turning point.
No longer only survival.
No longer hiding.
Now, the first step toward dominance.
Toward power.
Toward becoming a warlord of Qin.
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