Chapter 24: Arrangements
[Name: Lu Yuan]
[Age: 16]
[Cultivation Techniques: "Breaking Blade Eight Techniques" (34,191/50,000, Entering the Stance)]
["Tiger Subduing Posture" Body Tempering (28,412/30,000, Perfection)]
["Golden Bell Shield" (10,231/50,000, Entering the Stance)]
["Wolf-Chasing Arrow Skill" (9,428/10,000, Great Success)]
["Arrowhead Array" (43,618/50,000, Entering the Stance)]
A smile touched Lu Yuan’s lips as he looked over his stats. ’The Tiger Subduing Posture is just one step away from a breakthrough.’
’My Wolf-Chasing Arrow Skill and Arrowhead Array are also about to advance.’
HUFF.
After letting out a long, turbid breath, Lu Yuan took a few bites of dry rations. He then got up and prepared to head to the Captain’s Mansion. Zhou Hongling had told him yesterday to come over, so she likely had arrangements for him.
He also planned to buy a few things, like a new bow and arrows. While he had the Iron-Clad Bow, it was starting to feel inadequate for his level of Arrow Skill.
The Military Preparation Warehouse housed plenty of good equipment. Now that he had the silver, it was time to get properly outfitted.
He left his quarters and walked straight toward the Captain’s Mansion.
Many people he passed along the way greeted him.
"Heading out, Squad Leader Lu?"
"Morning, Squad Leader Lu."
Most of the people on the streets served in the army, and Lu Yuan had recently become famous within its ranks.
So, naturally, quite a few people recognized him as he walked down the street.
As soon as he arrived at the gate of the Captain’s Mansion, the Guard on duty glanced at him and said with a grin, "Squad Leader Lu, you’re here. The Lord Captain said you can go straight in when you arrive."
Clearly, Lu Yuan had become a hot commodity in Sai City. It was always like this in the army: as long as you were strong, you earned respect. Sometimes, it had little to do with your actual rank.
Lu Yuan nodded and headed inside. Once in the courtyard, a servant led him toward Zhou Hongling’s personal courtyard.
Upon reaching the central courtyard, the servant beside him said to Lu Yuan, "The Lord Captain is inside. You may go in."
Lu Yuan nodded and entered.
Just inside, he saw Zhou Hongling having breakfast in the open-air living room, a spread of exquisite dishes on the table.
Lu Yuan, who had rushed over after a hasty meal, found his mouth watering.
Hearing footsteps, Zhou Hongling looked up and saw it was Lu Yuan. She smiled and put down her chopsticks. "Sit. Eat with me."
People in the military rarely stood on ceremony. As long as you were capable, people would naturally support you.
Unlike his first visit, Zhou Hongling’s attitude toward Lu Yuan had changed significantly.
After a moment’s hesitation, Lu Yuan sat down.
He didn’t stand on ceremony either. A maidservant brought him a bowl, and he began to eat heartily. He had only eaten some dry rations that morning and was far from full.
"You’ve reached Great Success in Body Tempering, haven’t you?" Zhou Hongling asked softly.
Today, she wore a long black dress, still draped in her white bearskin Great Cloak. Her hair was casually tied up, but her skin was truly fine, so fair it was almost translucent.
Combined with her voluptuous figure, she was a mixture of maturity and youthfulness, breathtakingly beautiful.
But Lu Yuan didn’t dare to have any other thoughts.
’A woman who could rise this far in the army is definitely not as simple as she appears on the surface.’
"Reporting to the Lord Captain, it has reached Perfection," Lu Yuan said, quickly standing up. He figured it was fine to tell Zhou Hongling, since he was about to break through anyway.
Sure enough, her eyes lit up the moment she heard his words.
Body Tempering at the Perfection realm—this was not something an ordinary person could achieve.
Even the top disciples from the great Military Families were only at this level.
A talent like this could be considered top-tier.
One had to understand that those disciples from Military Families used Elixirs and special Cultivation Techniques to suppress their breakthroughs and reach their absolute limits. Lu Yuan had none of that, which made his achievement all the more precious.
"Good. Perfection is good. You’re still young, so don’t rush to break through. The most important thing now is to solidify your foundation." Zhou Hongling felt lucky to have found such a gem.
Then she waved her hand. "Sit down and talk. No need to stand. The army doesn’t have so many rules."
Lu Yuan took her advice and immediately sat down, continuing to eat heartily. Many of the things on the table were things he had never seen before. They had clearly been stewed with precious medicinal herbs and would be of great benefit to his cultivation.
As soon as he finished eating the knuckle of some unknown animal, beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
Zhou Hongling continued with a smile, "You’ve earned a great deal of military merit this time, and your combat prowess meets the requirements for promotion to Centurion. However, I can’t promote you just yet because you haven’t broken through to the next realm. This is a rigid regulation from the imperial court, and my hands are tied."
"But don’t rush your breakthrough just for a promotion. Building a solid foundation is the most important thing. Time spent sharpening the axe is never wasted, after all."
"Although I can’t promote you to Centurion, I’ve decided to raise your compensation and benefits to that level. Furthermore, I’ll assign you ten more men to command, all of them experts at the Entry Level."
"If you need to leave the city, you can pick anyone you want from your Hundred Households Office to form a full company of one hundred men."
"You won’t have any fixed duties. You’ll be free to take on any missions from the Merit Tower. What do you think?"
This was an extremely generous reward. Although his official rank was still Squad Leader, within Sai City, he was effectively a Centurion.
Most importantly, he had no fixed responsibilities. The message was clear: all he needed to do was focus on his cultivation, take occasional trips outside the city, and accumulate military merit.
This just went to show that in the army, if you had strength, everyone would support you.
That fact was on full display at this very moment.
Lu Yuan immediately stood up. "Thank you, Lord Captain."
"I told you not to stand. Always in such a hurry. Sit down and keep eating. I have something else to tell you," Zhou Hongling said softly.
"Please speak, Lord Captain."
"It’s like this. Since you annihilated that unit of Iron Kites, you’ve become quite famous. Many people might try to recruit you as their disciple. I was wondering what your thoughts are on that?"
"I only know that I was promoted by you, Lord Captain. I don’t know anyone else," Lu Yuan stated unequivocally.
Zhou Hongling was clearly very satisfied with this answer, and her smile deepened. "Mm, that’s good. Don’t worry. If you want to take a master in the future, I will find a suitable one for you. In short, I will absolutely not treat you unfairly."
"Thank you, Lord Captain." This time, Lu Yuan didn’t stand up, instead continuing to focus on the food on the table.
Zhou Hongling nodded repeatedly. ’It’s good that he’s not being overly formal with me.’
But just then, a figure hurried in. It was Zhou Ming. As soon as he entered the courtyard, his face lit up with joy.
He strode over, ignoring his niece, and spoke directly to Lu Yuan. "You must be Lu Yuan. What a spirited young man.
"Is your Military Array at Great Success, or Perfection?"
"How about you give me a demonstration?"
This high-ranking member of the Zhou Family was all smiles as he faced Lu Yuan.
Zhou Hongling, on the other hand, looked wary.
Still, she said to Lu Yuan, "This is my third uncle, the Left General under the State General of Yan Province."
"Greetings, General. My Military Array has already reached Entering the Stance."
Lu Yuan replied quickly, not hiding his skill level.