Chapter 61: Thousand Men Commander
What Lu Yuan needed right now were Heart Refining Elixirs. Last time, he had only bought some common Heart Refining Pills. This time, he went directly for Purifying Heart Pills, which cost two thousand taels per bottle.
But Lu Yuan didn’t feel the pinch, buying five bottles without hesitation. He had earned this silver for the sole purpose of increasing his strength. ’As long as my cultivation level rises, I’ll never be short on silver.’
After spending ten thousand silver taels, his gaze fell upon a Seven-Colored Lotus Heart Fruit. It was unequivocally a Heavenly and Earthly Treasure for Heart Refining, priced at twenty-three thousand silver taels.
Although it was a bit expensive, Lu Yuan could now afford it.
By the time he and Zhou He walked out of the Merit Tower, Lu Yuan only had a little over two thousand silver taels left on him.
However, he now possessed five bottles of Purifying Heart Pills and a Seven-Colored Lotus Heart Fruit.
’Next, I just need to break through as quickly as possible.’
After parting ways with Zhou He to head home, Lu Yuan entered Ice Valley Lane. He glanced at the courtyard that had once belonged to Xiao Hua and her family. It had new owners now, a young couple.
A young man in his twenties was repairing the main gate. He saw Lu Yuan and gave a wide, friendly smile in greeting.
He nodded back before returning to his own home.
He heated water, took a bath, and changed into a fresh set of clothes. Then, he sat on his bed, popped a Purifying Heart Pill into his mouth, and entered a state of cultivation.
He pushed the Tiger Subduing Posture to its absolute limit.
The muscles on his sturdy frame hardened like rock. Moments later, his body was drenched, gleaming as if coated in a layer of oil.
A low humming sound emanated from within his body.
The night passed uneventfully. Around noon the next day, Lu Yuan got dressed and headed for the Defending General’s Mansion.
He wasn’t going just to freeload a meal. His main purpose was to inquire when the battle with the Northern Barbarians would begin and whether he would be dispatched to join the campaign.
He entered the General’s Mansion with practiced ease. As he stepped into the dining hall, he saw that Zhou Hongling, as expected, was already there.
She was wearing a peach-colored long dress, which made her already voluptuous figure appear even more mature.
It had to be said that in this dress, Zhou Hongling was an absolute stunner.
Her mature figure held a hint of a young maiden’s untouched purity, combined with a valiant air forged from years of cultivation and military experience—a spirit that would put any man to shame.
She would be the center of attention anywhere she went.
Upon seeing Lu Yuan, she pointed to the seat in front of her. "I had the kitchen make Seven-Heart Soup today. It’s excellent for nourishing the heart. Come and have a taste."
"Thank you, General."
"Go on, sit. It’s just the two of us, so there’s no need to be so formal," Zhou Hongling said with a gentle smile as she poured Lu Yuan a cup of wine.
He glanced at the jar; it was the very same one he had opened the last time they’d eaten together.
"Weren’t you clamoring to drink this last time we ate? Today, you can drink your fill. Consider it a celebration for your breakthrough."
Once the cup was full, Lu Yuan, who had just sat down, didn’t stand on ceremony. He raised his cup and downed it in one go.
Seeing how forthright he was, Zhou Hongling looked pleased. She took out a letter of appointment from the table. "From now on, you are an official Thousand Men Commander.
The appointment has been officially approved. I’m putting my Personal Guard under your command.
Use this time to get familiar with them."
"Yes, my lady." Lu Yuan quickly stood up.
"We’re all on the same side here, no need for such formalities with me. It’s been confirmed that we’re going to war with the Northern Barbarians. The grand army is expected to assemble at the border from all regions in about a month."
"The army will be led by the Marquis of Yundu. He’s a City Marquis—it will be my first time seeing such a high-profile figure. However, I hear he’s not difficult to get along with and treats his subordinates rather well."
"At that time, I will select three thousand men from the Three Passes to join the campaign. As an Army Centurion, you will have to go as well, so make your preparations in advance."
"Mm." Lu Yuan nodded immediately as he listened to Zhou Hongling.
She then took a medicine box from a cabinet behind her. "I can see your physical constitution is excellent, so you should be able to withstand more medicinal power than others. Here are ten bottles of Purifying Heart Pills. Take them.
If it’s not enough, ask me for more."
Lu Yuan licked his lips and accepted them without any pretense of refusal.
He had only bought five bottles himself. While that was enough for a while, it might not be enough to see him through to his breakthrough, given his powerful constitution.
Although his physical body was several times stronger than others at the same realm, his consumption of resources was also proportionally greater.
’With these ten bottles of elixirs, I should have just about enough to break through.’
Then, Zhou Hongling continued, "Although this campaign carries some risks, it is also a great opportunity for you. Countless military leaders in the court are just waiting for this war, ready to rake in military merits."
"The Northern Barbarians just went through a civil war over the Barbarian King’s succession. They will surely be no match for us this time."
"I am currently serving as the acting Captain of the Icefield Fortress. I hope that when you return, you will be capable enough to take on this position."
Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow.
’A Captain... If I can reach that rank, I’ll be a mid-level general in the Dayong army.’
’It might not sound like much, but for someone my age, it’s an incredible achievement.’
"Thank you for your guidance, my lady."
"Don’t mention guidance. And stop being so formal. You have rendered a great service to my Zhou Family, and the family has taken note of it.
Our expectations for you are very high. Keep up the good work."
Zhou Hongling said with a light chuckle.
Lu Yuan nodded. "I will definitely not disappoint the General’s expectations."
After they finished their meal, Lu Yuan went home.
Meanwhile, at the Zhang Family’s residence in Yunzhou, Zhang Hong was drinking with his younger brother, Zhang He. He laughed heartily and said,
"What a great day! Zhe was promoted to Thousand Men Commander, and I’ve finally broken through to the Innate realm! In a few days, I’ll go to the capital for an audience with His Majesty. When I return, I should be able to take over the position of Governor of Yunzhou."
"When that time comes, your position can be promoted as well."
"The family’s power will rise to a whole new level." Zhang Hong was clearly in high spirits today, his face flushed red from the wine.
Zhang He laughed. "Big Brother, with such momentous news, we should be throwing a grand celebration! What’s the fun in just the two of us drinking alone?"
"Ah, you. You’re a grown man, yet you still lack composure. The imperial court is preparing to attack the Northern Barbarians, and everyone is about to put their lives on the line. If I were to host a banquet at a time like this, what do you think the court would say?"
"Let’s wait until after we’ve won a great victory on the border. We can have Zhe come back then, and we’ll have a real celebration.
For him to have come this far, all our initial scheming was worth it."
After Zhang Hong finished speaking, Zhang He, who was sitting opposite him, nodded.
He was also pleasantly surprised that his own son had become a Thousand Men Commander.
However, he still said worriedly, "I just don’t know if he’ll be sent to the battlefield this time."
"That’s hard to say," Zhang Hong said softly. "However, I’ve already sent a letter to the Helian family. We should receive a response soon."
Zhang He nodded and asked no more questions.
Lu Yuan, however, was unaware of all this. After returning home, he spent the next period of time in constant cultivation. He also had Wei Yong begin teaching the Cloud-Piercing Crane Wing Array to the men.
’Whether I can earn merit this time all depends on this Military Array. After all, it’s the only way I’ll be able to contend with stronger opponents.’
As for himself, he didn’t let a single opportunity to cultivate slip by.
「A month passed in the blink of an eye.」
The imperial court’s grand army had assembled at the various fortress cities. Across the entire Northern Border, banners fluttered in the wind.
Endless rows of military tents stretched as far as the eye could see.
And on this day, Lu Yuan opened his eyes. He had made great gains during this time.
’Some of my Cultivation Techniques should be on the verge of a breakthrough.’ He then opened the system panel, ready to check on his gains.