Chapter 34: Advancing by Leaps and Bounds
[Name: Lu Yuan]
[Age: 16]
[Cultivation Technique: Five Tigers Array-Breaking Saber (12035/10000 Great Success, breakthrough?)]
[Tiger Subduing Posture: Bone Forging (13291/10000 Great Success, breakthrough?)]
[Iron Bone Golden Bell Shield (11308/10000 Great Success, breakthrough?)]
[Wolf-Chasing Arrow Skill (49109/50000 Entering the Stance)]
[Cloud-Rushing Crane Wing Array (12510/10000 Great Success, breakthrough?)]
Lu Yuan reviewed the status panel above, a clear picture forming in his mind.
’Once I break through and leave the city, I should be able to handle anyone in the Muscle Refining Realm with ease.’
He wasn’t sure about the Organ Refining Realm above that, mainly because he had never encountered an expert of that caliber.
It was said that several of the city’s Thousand Men Commanders had reached this realm. There was even a Thousand Men Commander in the Blood Movement Realm under the Captain, whose vital energy and blood were incredibly vigorous.
With his power alone, he dared to charge a thousand-strong unit of Armored Cavalry.
Even among those in the same realm, he was considered exceptionally courageous.
If he ever got the chance, Lu Yuan wanted to witness that power for himself.
Lu Yuan decided not to break through just yet. After all, he still had to see Zhou Hongling. It wouldn’t be too late to do it after he got back.
CLACK! CLACK!
The crisp sound of footsteps echoed.
Lu Yuan looked up and saw that the Guard who had gone to announce them had returned. The guard said to the two of them, "Lord Captain will see you now."
Zhou He quickly took the lead, pulling Lu Yuan inside.
After crossing the front courtyard’s training ground, they arrived outside Zhou Hongling’s study.
Zhou He showed no intention of entering. Instead, he said to Lu Yuan, "You go in. I’ll wait out here."
The latter nodded, approached the study door, and announced, "Lu Yuan, here to see you, Lord Captain."
"Come in," a woman’s clear voice called from inside.
After entering, Lu Yuan saw Zhou Hongling putting down a book. It looked like a Secret Manual on Military Arrays.
"You’re looking well. I haven’t heard about you leaving the city recently, why is that?"
Zhou Hongling said with a chuckle.
She was wearing a crimson long dress today. When she was in the mansion, she usually dressed more casually.
As a Martial Artist with a particularly full figure, she was quite resistant to the cold, so her clothes were rather thin.
Even while sitting, the magnificent waves of her upper body could not be concealed.
Especially with her ivory-like skin.
It created a truly unique kind of beauty.
However, Lu Yuan didn’t raise his head to look closely. Instead, he reported, "Lord Captain, my men have been familiarizing themselves with the Military Array, so we haven’t left the city."
"Mm, I’ve heard about that. You know about the group of elite Northern Barbarian scouts that appeared outside the city recently, right? I’ll be honest with you, there’s no one in Icefield City better suited for this than you.
Leave the city tomorrow and bring back their heads. In addition to the court’s reward, I will personally grant you permission to enter the Military Preparation Warehouse and choose any one Cultivation Resource you want.
The merit points will be deducted from my account."
Hearing this, Lu Yuan’s brow twitched.
’I was just worrying about finding a Divine Containment Spirit Medicine for my Bone Forging. I saw one in the Military Preparation Warehouse before; it costs a full three thousand merit points and can’t be bought with silver.’
With his current merit points, it would take him a very long time to get it. This was definitely an opportunity.
"Yes, Lord Captain." Lu Yuan didn’t hesitate and immediately accepted.
Seeing him agree, the corners of Zhou Hongling’s mouth lifted. She then took out a box. "You’re already at the Bone Forging Realm, aren’t you? This box contains five bottles of Black Jade Bone Tempering Pills. After you use them all, you should be about ready to break through.
I can see that your constitution is different from an ordinary person’s. You should be able to absorb them faster. You can continue to cultivate even after leaving the city. I hope that the next time I see you, you will have reached the Muscle Refining Realm.
When that time comes, you will be a formal Centurion under my command."
Now, when Zhou Hongling spoke to Lu Yuan, she was clearly much more polite than before.
"Thank you, Lord Captain."
Lu Yuan wasn’t one for pleasantries; he stepped forward and took the box.
Zhou Hongling was very satisfied with his action. It was good that he wasn’t overly formal with her.
Then, as if remembering something, she asked, "Do you need me to select some subordinates for you?"
Clearly, she was a little worried about Lu Yuan leaving the city with only Garrison Soldiers.
"No need. The men under my command are already familiar with the Military Array. It’s too late to switch them out now."
Zhou Hongling nodded, then said with a warm smile, "Alright, as long as you’re confident. I won’t keep you any longer. As for who to take with you out of the city, I imagine you already have a plan.
When you return, I’ll treat you to a drink. A strong one!"
As she spoke the last words, her expression turned somewhat solemn.
During times without large-scale wars, these Border Cities held an assessment every three years. Between Icefield Pass, Yellow Sand Pass, and Wohu Pass, whichever garrison Captain had the highest rating would likely be promoted.
This was Zhou Hongling’s third year in her post. In the first two years, her rating had no significant advantage over the other two Border Cities; in fact, she was slightly behind.
It was only after Lu Yuan’s last victory against the Iron Kites that she had managed to catch up to the other two Border Cities, and even showed signs of surpassing them.
Therefore, this operation against the Manyan Tribe’s elite scouts was extremely important for the Captains of all three Border Cities.
Whoever could annihilate this elite unit would be practically guaranteed a promotion.
At that point, they would become the person in charge of the Three Great Border Cities, commanding the troops of all three and officially entering the ranks of generals.
Thus, this opportunity was incredibly important to Zhou Hongling.
As long as Lu Yuan could eliminate this Elite Cavalry of the Manyan Tribe, her promotion would be secured.
That was why she was willing to invest so heavily, though she also genuinely intended to cultivate Lu Yuan’s talent.
After all, even if she didn’t give him these resources,
Lu Yuan would still do what needed to be done.
"Yes, Lord Captain!"
Lu Yuan acknowledged the order and withdrew.
Once outside, he let out a long breath.
’Success or failure hinges on this one move. If I can win this battle...’
’Leaving aside the Cultivation Resources...’
’Once Zhou Hongling gets her promotion, she’ll be my most solid backer. At the very least, within the Three Great Border Cities, my own status will rise with her.’
After all, once this was done, he would be considered completely one of her people.
"How did it go? She’s sending you out of the city, right?" Zhou He asked, stepping forward and grabbing Lu Yuan’s arm as he came out.
"Yeah. She wants me to leave tomorrow. The forces from the other two Border Cities are already out there," the latter nodded.
"Are you confident?" Zhou He asked, rubbing his hands together as he pulled Lu Yuan out of the study’s courtyard.
Seeing his friend’s expression, Lu Yuan didn’t hide anything. "It should be manageable. It just depends on whether we can find them."
"Heh, what’s there to even say then? How about you take me with you tomorrow?"
"You want to come too?" Lu Yuan was a little surprised.
"Who wouldn’t want a chance to earn military merit? Besides, it’s much safer following you.
Don’t worry, I won’t hold you back. I can watch over the supplies, and when we actually face the enemy, I can fight too. Your brother here is at the Bone Forging Realm now." Zhou He thumped his chest, which rang out with a THUD! THUD!
Lu Yuan glanced at him, then nodded. "Alright, then let’s go together."
"Great! I’ll go prepare the provisions right away. Let me tell you, for a mission like yours, the higher-ups will allow a dedicated logistics team to follow. It’s just that most people don’t know, and no one bothers to mention it. The squad I lead, we have three horses per man. We’ll handle your logistics. It’ll absolutely be worth your while."
Zhou He said with a hearty laugh.
Lu Yuan hadn’t expected that. It was perfect, though, as he really couldn’t stand eating dry rations anymore.
Besides, having someone else manage logistics would indeed take a lot of pressure off him.
After they made their arrangements, the two of them left the Captain’s Mansion and went their separate ways. Lu Yuan headed straight home.
He couldn’t wait to break through.