Chapter 4: Centurion
[Name: Lu Yuan]
[Age: 16]
[Cultivation Technique: "Breaking Blade Eight Techniques" (2,013/10,000 - Great Success)]
["Tiger Subduing Posture" (70/100 - Entry Level)]
’A single battle gave me a thousand points for my Sword Skill. It seems fighting really is the best way to improve.’
Lu Yuan thought to himself. After a quick glance outside to make sure no one was coming back to cause trouble, he lay down on his bed and went to sleep.
The night passed without event. After waking up early the next morning, he first made himself something to eat.
A steamed egg custard and two brown rice buns.
It wasn’t exactly a delicacy, but in these times, it was considered a decent meal.
After eating and washing the dishes, a noise came from outside.
"Yuan, Yuan."
As the shout rang out, a slightly stooped figure appeared inside the room.
"Heh, it’s still warmest in your room. But man, you’re burning a lot of charcoal," Old Huang said with a grin.
Here in the Northern Border, charcoal was a hard currency, and it wasn’t cheap.
Most families couldn’t bear to use it; burning a little firewood was already considered a luxury.
"Hey, you can’t make yourself suffer, right? What happened to your face?"
Lu Yuan put the dishes in the cabinet. As he turned around, he saw that Old Huang’s face was covered in bloody scratches and several red palm prints.
"It’s nothing, nothing. I accidentally pissed off two cats in heat yesterday, and they scratched me up." Old Huang waved his hand dismissively, not at all embarrassed.
Seeing him say this, Lu Yuan didn’t press for details and just continued, "You came here for something today?"
"I did. There was a death last night, right here in Ice Valley Lane. I’m sure you know about it. The higher-ups don’t want the news to spread, so I won’t go into specifics—they’ve forbidden any inquiries. The main reason I’m here is that the North City Defense Department has summoned us."
"I reckon they’re going to appoint a new Decurion," Old Huang said with a hint of envy.
Although a Decurion wasn’t a high-ranking officer, guarding the city gate came with some perks. Plus, two taels of silver a month was no small sum.
Most importantly, you would become a full-time soldier and could receive a Cultivation Technique from the City Defense Department.
From then on, your life would be completely different from that of the ordinary Garrison Soldiers.
"Let’s go, then." Lu Yuan nodded, got up, and walked out of the courtyard. After locking his door, he headed toward the City Defense Department with Old Huang.
As soon as they stepped out, they could hear the sound of weeping from the street.
White mourning silks hung outside the courtyards on both sides.
Old Huang tucked his hands into his sleeves, hunching over and sighing. "I heard dozens of people died last night. A whole squad of the City Guard Army was killed here. These Northern Barbarians just never give it a rest."
The North City Defense Department was not far from Ice Valley Lane. It was a large, four-courtyard compound with green tiles, blue bricks, and a vermilion main gate.
Two soldiers holding sabers stood guard outside.
Inside, dozens of people were standing around.
They were all discussing something amongst themselves.
Lu Yuan and Old Huang didn’t join the crowd, simply standing off to one corner.
One was a newcomer, and the other was old and nearing the end of his service. Normally, no one bothered with them.
"Old Huang, I left in a hurry and forgot my tobacco. Go home and get it for me," a middle-aged Garrison Soldier said, walking over just as the two had found their spot.
"Wei Yong, the Centurion is about to come out. Won’t I be in trouble if I’m not here? I’ll get it for you after this is over," Old Huang said, forcing a smile.
He was old and had no children, so it was inevitable that he would be bullied in a place like this.
"Heh, Old Huang, how come you’re getting more clueless in your old age? When Wei tells you to go, you go. You probably don’t know, do you? Wei reached the Entry Level a couple of days ago. It’s a sure thing he’ll be made a Decurion this time. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll hurry up."
"Don’t go looking for trouble."
A young man standing nearby said with a sidelong glance, his arms crossed.
His name was Zhang Gun. He was in the same squad as Lu Yuan, young and sturdy. He’d been getting by in Icefield City for a long time and was an expert at sucking up to people.
Wei Yong stood there without a word, but his expression had already darkened.
Old Huang hesitated. If he went, the Centurion would be out to address them any minute.
But if he didn’t go, what Zhang Gun said was true. Wei Yong would probably make things difficult for him later.
He had been through this kind of thing before. He’d even done it to others when he was young. Now that he was old and on the receiving end, he had no one to blame but himself.
He was just in a difficult spot.
Just as he was about to speak, Lu Yuan, unable to watch any longer, frowned and said, "Old Huang is talking to me. Get someone else to go."
"You little brat, who do you think—"
Zhang Gun didn’t get to finish his sentence.
Someone walked out from the central courtyard. He wore shiny leather armor with a patch on the chest—it was a Decurion of the City Guard Army.
He was slightly older than Lu Yuan.
The City Guard Army was different from the Garrison Soldiers. The former were full-time professionals, while the latter were semi-professionals. The City Guard Army also had a higher status; they weren’t under the jurisdiction of the local Hundred Households but reported directly to the City Defense Department.
Wei Yong was an official member of the City Guard Army, and his strength was considered decent, so many Garrison Soldiers were willing to follow his lead.
"Who is Lu Yuan? Come with me," the Decurion shouted as soon as he came out.
Lu Yuan shot a glance at Zhang Gun without a word. After acknowledging the summons, he walked toward the central courtyard and was led into a room.
The person inside was none other than Zhou Xiong, whom he had met last night.
He looked up at Lu Yuan and pointed to a chair below him. "Sit and talk."
Lu Yuan didn’t stand on ceremony and sat down.
"I saw your strength yesterday. Your Sword Skill has reached Great Success?"
"Yes."
Lu Yuan nodded.
"Good. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a young man like you. I was looking through the records yesterday. Your squad’s Decurion was killed by the barbarians."
"You will be the new Decurion. In a bit, go and collect your armor and weapon, and pick a Cultivation Technique."
"Thank you, Sir." Lu Yuan hadn’t expected to be made a Decurion, especially since he hadn’t been here for long.
Zhou Xiong smiled. "No need to thank me. You earned this yourself. Four Entry Level experts died at your hands. It’d be strange if I didn’t promote you."
"Remember this: as long as you’re strong enough, the Northern Border is never short on opportunities."
As he spoke, he tossed a waist token into Lu Yuan’s hands.
Then, he pointed to the side at the Decurion who had brought Lu Yuan in. "This is my nephew, Zhou He. You two should get to know each other."
Clearly, Zhou Xiong was trying to pull Lu Yuan into his own faction.
After all, a Centurion only had ten Decurions under him, especially in a place like the Northern Border where war could break out at any moment.
The relationship between superiors and subordinates was relatively harmonious here.
Most importantly, Lu Yuan’s strength was considerable, making him worth cultivating.
"Yes, Sir."
"Let’s go, brother. Don’t be a stranger. I’ll take you to get your equipment and Cultivation Technique. They’ll announce your promotion in a bit."
After hearing what his uncle said, Zhou He dropped his stern expression and broke into a smile.
He pulled Lu Yuan and headed outside.
The equipment storage was right next door. After opening the door, rows of brand-new armor appeared before him.
"This is a good set of armor. I wouldn’t recommend it if you weren’t one of us. Buy me a drink at noon," Zhou He said, taking out a set of armor and placing it in Lu Yuan’s hands.
Lu Yuan immediately felt the weight in his hands.
"It’s made of Rhino Hide, with a layer of Refined Steel forged onto the chest. It can’t compare to Profound Iron Armor, but it’s still good stuff. It’s hard for someone at the same level to break through it."
Lu Yuan examined the armor. It was coated in black metallic paint, with a Heart Protection Mirror on each side of the chest.
It looked quite imposing.
He had to admit, the equipment of the Dayong was excellent.
"Try it on. See if it fits. We can swap it if it doesn’t." Zhou He didn’t hold back, stepping forward and starting to strip off Lu Yuan’s clothes to help him put on the armor.
A moment later, an imposing, armored youth stood in the equipment depot.
On the Rhino Hide armor, every Armor Leaf was studded with copper nails. A bronze-plated belt was wrapped around his waist, and on his upper body, a Heart Protection Mirror sat on both the left and right sides.
Lu Yuan already had a broad frame, and now he looked even more robust.
"Just wear it from now on. Wearing armor in the city is a status symbol. It’ll save you a lot of trouble," Zhou He said with a grin.
He patted Lu Yuan’s shoulder, looking very satisfied.
Then, he pulled him over to a bookshelf. "Now that you’ve been promoted to Decurion, you’re officially part of the City Guard Army. You’ll get to lead ten City Guard soldiers, plus ten Rotating Garrison Soldiers. Go on, pick a Cultivation Technique."
"This is a rare opportunity. From now on, if you want another Cultivation Technique, you’ll have to exchange military merits for it."
Lu Yuan didn’t hesitate. He walked forward and began searching for a Cultivation Technique that suited him.