Chapter 83: Receiving the Post of Captain
[Name: Lu Yuan]
[Age: 17]
[Cultivation Technique: Third-Grade Cultivation Skill, Wind and Thunder General-Slaying Saber Technique (29,153/30,000 to Perfection)]
[Third-Grade Cultivation Skill, Tiger Subduing Posture, Refining the Liver (25,813/30,000 to Perfection)]
[Third-Grade Cultivation Skill, Mixed Element Golden Bell Shield (39,102/30,000 to Perfection, Ready to Break Through?)]
[Second-grade Array, One-Character Long Snake Formation (28,103/30,000 to Perfection). Additional Effects: Defense Enhancement, Chasing Kill].
[Second-Grade Cultivation Skill, Torrential Rain Arrow Skill (28,710/30,000 to Great Success, Perfection)]
Looking at the data before him, Lu Yuan was gratified. His efforts over the past several days of campaigning had not been in vain. Almost all his skills were on the verge of a breakthrough, and it wouldn’t be long before he could advance them officially.
His Mixed Element Golden Bell Shield, in particular, was already ready to Enter the Stance.
Once it did, the Mixed Element Qi within his organs would become even more robust.
Without further ado, he immediately commanded, "Break through."
As soon as he spoke...
"HUMMM!"
A tremor ran across the surface of Lu Yuan’s skin.
It revealed a brilliant golden sheen.
Faint talismans materialized, flickering in and out of sight.
The Mixed Element Qi cultivated within his body began to refine itself further, nourishing his internal organs.
Lu Yuan could clearly feel that although he was still in the Liver Refining Realm, his other organs, which he hadn’t deliberately trained, were probably about to reach the stage of Great Success as well.
His cultivation speed would only increase from now on.
[Third-Grade Cultivation Skill, Mixed Element Golden Bell Shield (9,102/50,000 in Entering the Stance)]
He had finally Entered the Stance.
This Golden Bell Shield played an enormous role in bolstering Lu Yuan’s strength.
Especially during the recent battle amidst an army of thousands; if not for this Cultivation Technique, he might not have made it back so easily.
He might have even died on the battlefield.
Unfortunately, graded Cultivation Techniques were all controlled by the Noble Families and simply couldn’t be purchased. The highest-grade techniques that could be exchanged for military merit were only Second Grade.
Otherwise, he could have integrated an even stronger Body Refining Skill.
As it was, he could only improve step by step. But this was already very good.
At the very least, he had a path upward.
Many of those from humble beginnings who wished to reach the peak had to rely on their own exceptional talent. To obtain a powerful Cultivation Technique, one needed to, at a minimum, hold dominion over a region, just like the Zhou Family.
As his cultivation fully broke through, there was no need for a bath. Dead skin sloughed off his body, replaced by new flesh.
It was taut and firm.
Lu Yuan got up, dressed, and pushed the door open to walk out into the courtyard.
He found Zhou Hongling already waiting for him in the pavilion. She had also clearly just bathed. Her hair was a little damp, and she wore a peach-colored long dress. Beneath its hem, her legs were revealed, long and shapely.
Seeing Lu Yuan emerge, she pursed her lips into a smile. "You’re finally out. If you hadn’t opened the door soon, the Marquis was about to come looking for you himself."
"Then I would have been guilty of an offense," Lu Yuan said with a smile.
But Zhou Hongling shook her head. "You don’t understand the Marquis. He may seem cold on a daily basis, but he’s extremely good to those he cares about. He’s famous for being fiercely protective of his own.
"This time, he owes you a favor and is clearly treating you as one of his own juniors.
"Forget just knocking on your door; he might have just dragged you right out of the bathtub."
Lu Yuan gave a wry smile and said, "I had a minor breakthrough, so it took some time. Let’s hurry over then."
With that, he and Zhou Hongling headed towards the main hall.
By the time they arrived, the place was already bustling with activity. Inside the main hall, the Marquis of Jiuse sat at the head seat, surrounded by Zhou Ren, Helian Shang, and the others.
The food had already been served, but there were two empty seats, clearly saved for Lu Yuan and Zhou Hongling.
On the training grounds outside the main hall, dozens of tables had also been set up.
Nearly all the Warriors who had returned from the Wasteland and were able to stand had come.
When Lu Yuan appeared, all eyes turned to him.
Their gazes were filled with gratitude, as they all understood that if it weren’t for him, they would have long since died on the battlefield.
But these were not people to be underestimated.
Almost all who had survived to this point were Thousand Men Commanders and Centurions from the various Sai Cities, along with some elite soldiers.
Moreover, after returning, not only did these elites have military merits, but they also had this connection to the Marquis of Jiuse. It probably wouldn’t be long before they naturally became lower-ranking officers.
Such a large group of people felt indebted to Lu Yuan.
In the future, no matter which Sai City he went to, he could at least count on receiving some support.
On the border, this was considered a significant force.
As soon as Lu Yuan entered the main hall, he bowed to the Marquis of Jiuse. "My apologies for keeping you waiting, Marquis."
"Haha, we’re all family here, no need for such talk. Quick, sit down and eat." The Marquis of Jiuse, having swept away the gloom from the road, chuckled and patted the seat beside him.
It had been specially saved for Lu Yuan.
The other generals looked on with envy, but no one was jealous. After all, Lu Yuan deserved it.
After everyone had taken their seats...
The Marquis of Jiuse continued, "To everyone’s safe return this time, a toast!"
With that, he raised his cup and drained it in one gulp.
The others naturally followed suit.
Having returned from the jaws of death, everyone was in high spirits. In moments, their faces were flushed red from drinking.
Just then, the Marquis of Jiuse turned his head to look at Lu Yuan, patting his shoulder. "What realm has your cultivation reached now?"
"Reporting to the Marquis, I am already Refining the Liver," Lu Yuan quickly replied.
The Marquis of Jiuse pondered for a moment, then looked at Zhou Ren and said, "Icefield City doesn’t have a Captain yet, does it? I think Lu Yuan would be a good fit. Although his cultivation is a bit lacking, we can first give him the title of acting Icefield Captain. Once his strength increases, we can make the promotion official.
"A capable man should not be held back."
Hearing this, Zhou Ren immediately replied, "The Marquis is right. Lu Yuan’s military merits are more than sufficient. His strength is the only thing a bit lacking, but there’s no problem with him serving as acting Icefield Captain."
Acting Icefield Captain—that one word, "acting," meant that while it wasn’t an official Captain position, he could exercise the duties of a Captain. In other words, he would have all the authority a Captain should have. As long as his cultivation level rose, the "acting" part could be dropped, and he would directly become the Captain of the Icefield Fortress.
He would command three thousand City Guard Army soldiers and over ten thousand Garrison Soldiers.
His official rank would be on par with Zhang Zhe’s father.
For a lower-ranking officer, this was an enormous leap. There was a fundamental difference between a Thousand Men Commander and a Captain.
"Good. Then you submit the memorial, and I will sign it. Let’s get this matter settled as soon as possible." Among the nine fortress cities of the Northern Border, Hong City’s power was considerable.
Promoting a man through proper channels like this, no one could object.
However, one shouldn’t underestimate this process. It was rare in the army for someone to be appointed to an acting Captain’s position without having met the cultivation requirements.
Besides having powerful backing from above, one also had to be outstanding in their own right. Neither could be lacking.
Lu Yuan immediately stood up. "Thank you, Marquis. Thank you, Lord Zhou."
The Marquis waved his hand, gesturing for him not to be so formal.
Zhou Ren, however, said, "We’re all family, no need to be so restrained. People who become Captains at your age are few and far between. In a few days, have Hongling bring you to Yan Province to get acquainted with the family."
"Heh, what’s this about ’in a few days’? Come with me to Yan Province tomorrow and we’ll freeload a meal at the Zhou Family’s home," the Marquis of Jiuse said at once.
At this, Zhou Ming, who was sitting to the side, couldn’t help but think to himself: ’The fourth branch of the family is probably going to regret this bitterly. A seventeen-year-old Captain... When Hongling was this age, she had only just joined the army.
’Although she started as a Centurion, that just goes to show how much more outstanding Lu Yuan is.
’The Marquis wants to take him to our family home... he’s clearly aware that the Zhou Family has ideas about having Lu Yuan marry one of our women. He’s worried Lu Yuan will be bullied, so he’s going to back him up personally.
’With this, no one will dare to look down on him anymore.’
Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but reveal a wry smile.
Meanwhile, Zhou Ren nodded his head repeatedly.
He naturally didn’t dare to refuse.