Chapter 12: Bountiful Harvest
"These Scouts didn’t enter the village. They probably just robbed a small merchant caravan. They didn’t have many goods, but they had a lot of money," Zhou He said with a grin, very pleased with the ambush.
An Entry Level warrior was worth two merit points. He had killed two of them, plus some ordinary Scouts, for a total of six merit points. Add to that the valuables on their bodies, and his haul wasn’t small at all.
What surprised him most was Lu Yuan’s Sword Skill and command of the Military Array. This was the first time he’d seen the other man in action, and he had clashed head-on with a Northern Barbarian cavalryman’s Heavy Weapon, completely overpowering him. ’His Sword Skill must have reached Perfection.’ Thinking of this, Zhou He couldn’t help but draw a sharp breath.
’This guy’s talent is just insane.’
Then there was the Military Array. Judging by his proficiency, he had reached Minor Achievement in the Arrowhead Array. Zhou He had practiced Arrays for many years but had only reached the entry level. Even his own uncle had only reached Minor Achievement a short while ago.
For a military commander, besides one’s Cultivation Technique, the most important thing was mastery over Military Arrays.
The higher one’s proficiency in Military Arrays, the more effectively one could bring out the combat strength of their subordinates on the battlefield.
It was said that Renowned Generals could borrow the Power of Mountains and Rivers and that of their subordinates, achieving the might to slay enemies far above their own level.
Before this, he had been a little surprised why his uncle had told him to pay close attention to Lu Yuan. Now, it seemed the older generation’s judgment was truly sharp.
Meanwhile, Lu Yuan wasn’t overthinking things. His gains this time had been substantial.
To say nothing of the rest, the five Northern Barbarian warhorses alone were a huge haul. He wouldn’t have to borrow a horse from the Military Preparation Warehouse next time he went out.
Then there were the five sets of leather armor and weapons from the Barbarian Race. Although damaged, each set could be exchanged for some silver after being taken back. The Merit Tower would inspect them and assess the wear and tear.
After searching their bodies, he found some jewelry, which they had likely stolen, along with over twenty taels of broken silver. What pleased Lu Yuan the most was finding a Secret Manual called the "Wolf-Chasing Arrow Skill."
It wasn’t actually anything precious, just a collection of techniques for Northern Barbarian Warriors to practice their Arrow Skill.
It was available in the Dayong Military Preparation Warehouse, but he had only been given one chance to choose a Secret Manual.
In military combat, the bow and arrow were the best long-range weapons for killing enemies.
However, few people could truly master them, because as one’s cultivation grew stronger, it became difficult to kill enemies with arrows.
But Lu Yuan didn’t believe that. In his view, if you couldn’t kill an expert with an arrow, that was your own problem. ’Just think of Hou Yi shooting down the suns. Weren’t his opponents powerful? He still took down one sun with each arrow.’
There were no useless Cultivation Techniques, only useless people.
After pocketing the Secret Manual, he looked to Old Huang at his side. "How was your haul?"
"My skills are a bit lacking, so I didn’t get any kills," the man replied, scratching his head.
"Here, take this. Finding them this time was your contribution." After speaking, Lu Yuan tossed over a silver ingot he had just found, weighing about three taels.
Zhou He also turned and said, "That’s right, you were a big help. Here, take this from me too."
He then grabbed a handful of broken silver and placed it in Old Huang’s hand; it was probably two or three taels’ worth.
As for the others who hadn’t gotten anything, there was nothing to be done. They would just have to wait for next time.
However, they weren’t discouraged, especially Lu Yuan’s men. Zhang Gun, who had killed an ordinary Scout, was so happy his face was flushed red. In the past, killing horse bandits might have earned them some silver, but there was no merit in it. This was the real deal.
Besides, there was armor and warhorses. You could say this single outing was worth several of their previous hauls combined.
The Military Preparation Warehouse inside the Merit Tower perennially bought Northern Barbarian warhorses for fifteen taels of silver each.
"Alright, everyone get ready to leave. We’ll rest for the night at Ancient Well Village, and tomorrow we head back," Zhou He said with a cheerful laugh.
The group then packed up their things and headed for Ancient Well Village.
With Zhou He, a Bone Forging expert, present, no one had died, though several were injured.
Upon arriving at Ancient Well Village, the village chief warmly cleared out some houses for them, heated water, and found the village doctor to bandage the wounded.
As a Centurion, Lu Yuan got a room to himself.
As soon as he settled in to rest, he opened his system interface.
[Name: Lu Yuan]
[Age: 16]
[Cultivation Technique: "Breaking Blade Eight Techniques" (2012/30000 Perfection)]
["Tiger Subduing Posture" Body Tempering (271/1000 Minor Achievement)]
["Golden Bell Shield" (478/1000 Minor Achievement)]
["Arrowhead Array" (134/1000 Minor Achievement)]
Seeing the data, the corner of Lu Yuan’s mouth turned up. ’Combat really is the best way to increase my Skill Level.’
Furthermore, the effects of the Golden Bell Shield and the Tiger Subduing Posture were immense. The two complemented each other, and their growth rate was almost on par with taking Elixirs.
This trip outside the city seemed to have opened a new door for Lu Yuan.
’So this is just about trading blows with the Northern Barbarians? Anyone can do that.’
With that, he began to cultivate once more.
The night passed without incident. Early the next morning, the group headed back toward the city.
Arriving at the Merit Tower, Lu Yuan exchanged the heads he had taken for seventeen taels of silver and eight merit points. Then there were the five warhorses he had obtained.
He kept two of the best-quality horses for himself and exchanged the other three for forty-five taels of silver.
The five sets of leather armor netted him a total of fifty taels of silver.
Adding in the silver he had confiscated, he now had a total of over one hundred and twenty taels of silver. A single battle had completely filled his pockets.
At the very least, he could now afford to buy Elixirs.
He didn’t have enough merit points to exchange for them yet, but he could purchase them in the Military Preparation Warehouse.
After spending fifty taels of silver on a bottle of Body Tempering Pills, Lu Yuan said his farewells to Zhou He and had just stepped out of the Merit Tower’s courtyard when he was stopped by Wei Yong and the others.
"Sir, if it weren’t for you this time, I wouldn’t have earned so much silver," Zhang Gun said with a cheerful laugh. "I’d like to treat you to drinks. All you can eat at the Cow Offal Shop."
He had earned quite a bit this time as well.
With nearly thirty taels of silver in his pocket, he was ecstatic.
He was now thoroughly impressed with Lu Yuan.
Lu Yuan, however, looked toward Old Huang in the distance.
Zhang Gun was a smart man. He immediately hurried forward, grabbed Old Huang, and said, "Huang, come with us! I was in the wrong last time. Please give me a chance to apologize."
Wei Yong also chimed in with a laugh, "Huang, let’s go together. I’m sorry about last time. It’ll be fine once we talk it out."
Old Huang scratched his head, not really minding.
He nodded and said, "Alright, let’s have a drink together then."
Only after he agreed did Zhang Gun and the others turn to look expectantly at Lu Yuan.
"Let’s go. Someone’s offering to pay, so it’d be a waste not to go."
After he spoke, Wei Yong and Zhang Gun breathed a sigh of relief and headed toward the Cow Offal Shop.
On the way, Zhang Gun pulled a worried-looking Wei Yong aside and whispered, "Don’t worry, our Centurion wouldn’t be interested in Guo Xiu. Think about the kind of person he is; he wouldn’t look twice at a widow’s daughter.
Let’s be sharp today, make things right with Old Huang and the Centurion, and this whole thing will blow over.
Otherwise, it’ll get ugly if Old Huang brings it up with the Sir later on.
While the Centurion still doesn’t know about Widow Li making a scene with Old Huang, we should do what needs to be done. A man like him won’t sweat the small stuff with people like us."
Wei Yong nodded. "What you’re saying makes sense, but I’m bound to lose some face."
"What face do you have to speak of in front of the Centurion? Didn’t this trip outside the city make it clear? We’re not even in the same league as him. Just follow the Sir loyally, and that’s the only way we’ll have a future."
Zhang Gun patted the silver pouch at his waist.
At the same time, Zhou He entered his uncle’s room.
Zhou Xiong glanced at him and said coolly, "Is something the matter?"
"Uncle, I went out with Lu Yuan these past two days. His skills are truly impressive. He took a direct hit from an Entry Level Northern Barbarian’s Wolf-toothed Club and still managed to kill him in return.
His Sword Skill must be at the Perfection level, and I think his Arrowhead Array has also reached Minor Achievement. His talent is truly formidable."
After speaking, Zhou He picked up a cup of tea from the table and drained it in one gulp.
Zhou Xiong shot him a glance and said, "If that’s the case, then he is indeed a talent. It’s been a long time since the border has seen a young man with such aptitude. I will go see the Young Miss tomorrow.
We’ll see if Lu Yuan can be recruited into our Zhou Family.
The other things are one matter, but the Military Array is the most difficult. To reach Minor Achievement in such a short time... In my opinion, he is worth cultivating.
We can’t be slow and let another family snatch him away."
Zhou He nodded and left.
Meanwhile, Lu Yuan, surrounded by his men, arrived at the Cow Offal Shop.