Chapter 65: Exclusive Privilege
The personal guard had to shout several times before a bunch of people finally crawled out of the earthen huts. They shuffled slowly over to Wei Yuan and huddled together before him.
“Stand in straight lines, you lot! And you, what are you hiding in the back for? Step forward so that the upper immortal can see you clearly! Looking for a beating, are you?”
In fact, Wei Yuan’s heart was already sinking when the soldiers were crawling out of their earthen huts. Less than forty of them were standing in front of him. The old were really old, and the young were really young. Even the handful of people who were in the prime of their life were emaciated, their eyes devoid of any spark of vigor or spirit. Their attire was unkempt, their belts were hanging loosely around their waists, and only a handful of them carried weapons on their person. It wasn’t even the standard-issue Western Jin straight saber. It was some sort of knife that looked like it was carved out of a bull’s horn.
One look was all Wei Yuan needed to see through everyone’s cultivations. Only a couple people were barely halfway in the flesh-tempering stage, and the cultivation method they were using was mediocre to say the least. As for the effects, it was better than nothing.
“You call them auxiliary soldiers?” Wei Yuan asked darkly.
“Yes? Everyone is accounted for.”
Noticing the disgruntled look on his face, the personal guard finally added, “It’s been over half a year since the war began. The strong and healthy ones have been mobilized a long time ago. Naturally, the only ones left in our little camp are the misfits.”
Wei Yuan pointed out, “If that is true, then where are my sectmates getting their soldiers from?”
The personal guard replied, “They paid, didn't they? With this money, we can temporarily loan back the soldiers that were originally assigned to other posts. Since it's a loan, it's only natural to give the original owners some benefits. It would only be fair, don't you agree?”