Chapter 22: Huge Gains
"Squad Leader Lu, we’ve tallied the numbers. You killed twenty-one regular Scouts, eight of whom were at the Entry Level. In total, that’s fifty-three taels of silver and twenty-nine Merit Points."
The Quartermaster looked up, his face filled with amazement.
Then he continued, "You killed twenty-eight Iron Kites. Each Iron Kite head is worth ten taels, for a total of two hundred and eighty taels of silver. Each one is also worth five Merit Points, for a total of one hundred and forty points.
"As for the warhorses, each is valued at thirty taels. Twenty-eight fine steeds of the Northern Barbarians are worth eight hundred and forty taels. Including the weapons and armor, how about a total of one thousand two hundred taels?"
On this single expedition, Lu Yuan alone had earned so much silver. After this battle, his personal wealth had skyrocketed. Most importantly, his Merit Points had broken past one hundred.
This meant he could be promoted to Centurion.
This position was very important to the current Lu Yuan. Becoming a Centurion meant he would have more energy and time for cultivation. It also meant he could lead more troops when he went out.
For him, this was undoubtedly a good thing.
An uproar instantly swept through the crowd. Lu Yuan was now well and truly famous. To single-handedly kill more than twenty Iron Kites—his combat prowess was terrifying.
"I heard that ’Fledgling Tiger’ only killed seven or eight Iron Kites and returned wounded. Lu Yuan really made a name for himself this time."
"Isn’t that the truth? Now that his strength has improved, I’m afraid the Northern Border is about to have a Renowned General."
...
Murmurs of discussion rose from the surroundings.
"Make way, make way."
Just then, someone pushed through the crowd, and several figures squeezed their way forward.
It was none other than Zhou Hongling. Though a woman, she stood out in the crowd like a crane among chickens; only a few others could match her height.
Arriving at the desk, she looked over the nameplates and carefully examined the heads before turning to ask, "They are indeed Iron Kites. Who killed them?"
Zhou Ming, who was beside her, also looked over with an urgent gaze.
’To be able to kill so many Iron Kites, his talent and strength must be first-rate.’
In that moment, everyone’s gaze fell upon Lu Yuan.
He, in turn, bowed with his fists clasped and said, "Ma’am, I and my brothers did it."
"Lu Yuan!"
Zhou Hongling’s voice couldn’t help but rise.
Then, somewhat disbelievingly, she asked, "Was it just you and your own men?"
"Yes, Ma’am. We originally set out to deal with a squad of Northern Barbarian Scouts but ran into this unit of Iron Kites instead. Of a whole squad of brothers, we’re the only ones who survived," Lu Yuan said in a low voice.
Only then did Zhou Hongling begin to study him carefully. Although he was only sixteen, his body had already filled out. He was no shorter than her and looked even more imposing in his armor.
His features were bright and strong, and he exuded a heroic aura.
Zhou Ming looked over as well, equally surprised. ’So this is the Lu Yuan my niece mentioned?’
After scrutinizing him for a moment, he said, "You’re only in the Body Tempering Realm, aren’t you? How could you possibly have killed so many?"
"Sir, every person’s combat strength is different. Moreover, I have studied Military Arrays a little."
Lu Yuan said softly. He didn’t recognize this man, but since he could stand alongside Zhou Hongling, he was clearly an important figure.
Zhou Ming fell into deep thought, a hint of fervor appearing in his eyes as he looked at Lu Yuan.
"The fact that you could kill so many people is proof enough. We aren’t questioning you, just a little curious. You just got back today, so collect your reward and get some good rest. Come to the Captain’s Mansion tomorrow morning," Zhou Hongling said, the corners of her mouth turning up after sizing Lu Yuan up for a moment.
’Finally, one of my own subordinates has made me proud.’
After clasping his fists in acknowledgment, Lu Yuan took the silver he had just exchanged and went with Wei Yong and the others to the Military Preparation Warehouse.
Inside were many Cultivation Resources, all of which he currently lacked.
"You’ve all earned a good amount of silver now. Go pick out some Elixirs. If you can reach the Entry Level, it will be a great benefit to your future advancement."
Lu Yuan said to Zhang Gun and the others while looking at the Cultivation Resources displayed on the table.
"Aye, whatever the boss says," Zhang Gun replied, then began to choose carefully.
Lu Yuan, meanwhile, fixed his gaze on a bottle of Elixirs: Tiger Soul Pills.
They were considered the best Elixirs in the Military Preparation Warehouse for those in the Body Tempering Realm. A bottle contained only three pills, but their effects were exceptionally good.
A bottle cost fifty Merit Points, or one hundred taels if purchased with silver.
After a quick glance, Lu Yuan didn’t hesitate and directly used his Merit Points to buy two bottles. They were not only good for the Tiger Subduing Posture but also had excellent effects on the Golden Bell Shield.
They were specifically made for Body Refining experts.
’After I use these up, I should be able to make a breakthrough.’
After exchanging for the Elixirs, he said a quick farewell to Wei Yong and the others, who were still picking out their Cultivation Resources, and left.
He was carrying too many things; it was best to put them away as soon as possible.
Along the way, many people stared at him. Lu Yuan was thoroughly famous this time; within half a day, there was no one in Icefield City who hadn’t heard of him.
Although they knew his satchel was bulging with silver, no one dared to get any ideas. Leaving aside his status as a Squad Leader in the City Guard Army, his demonstrated strength alone was enough to deter anyone from having malicious thoughts.
After returning to his alley and opening the door, he entered his house.
Lu Yuan casually tossed his things on the floor and started a fire. He had been gone for two days, and without the stove, the house had become terribly cold.
It was not yet summer.
In a place like the Northern Border, things only got better in the summer.
CREAK.
Just as he had lit the stove, taken off his armor and dirty clothes, and changed into a new set, the door was pushed open.
It was Xiao Hua. Seeing Lu Yuan, her eyes first lit up, and then she said, "Yuan is back."
"Just got back. The room is too messy, but have a seat. The hot water will be ready in a moment," Lu Yuan said with a cheerful laugh.
Xiao Hua didn’t stay standing, however. Instead, she began to heat the kang in Lu Yuan’s room.
Once the whole room was warm again, she gathered up the armor and dirty clothes and headed toward her own house. "I’ll wash these for you. They should be dry by tomorrow."
"In that case, I won’t be polite," Lu Yuan said with a grin.
Xiao Hua rolled her eyes at him and walked out the door.
Lu Yuan, for his part, boiled the water and prepared to take a proper bath. The past two days of fierce battle had left him not only exhausted but also thoroughly filthy.
Next door, as soon as Xiao Hua got back inside, she noticed something was wrong. She hadn’t looked closely on her way over, but after spreading them out, she saw that Lu Yuan’s armor and clothes were covered in tears and cuts.
Moreover, they were soaked in blood.
"Ah! Yuan is hurt!"
Her mother, also noticing the armor and clothes, said worriedly, "He took more than one blow from a blunt weapon. I’m afraid his injuries aren’t light. That boy pushes himself too hard."
Then, she glanced at Xiao Hua, whose eyes were welling up with tears, and pondered for a moment before saying, "Have him come over tomorrow. I need to have a good talk with him. His life is his own; how can he be so reckless?"
Her expression was serious as she spoke.
Xiao Hua didn’t say anything, just nodded, and then began to prepare a wooden bucket to wash the clothes.
At that very moment, just after Wei Yong and the others had finished picking their Elixirs, they were stopped by men from the Captain’s Mansion and summoned before Zhou Hongling.
A moment later, they were separated into different rooms and questioned by different people about the details of the battle.
It wasn’t that Zhou Hongling suspected anything.
It was just that what Lu Yuan had accomplished this time was too extraordinary. She wanted to know the specific details.