Chapter 90: Arrangement
After taking an Elixir, Lu Yuan clearly felt a surge of energy rush through his limbs and organs. It finally concentrated in his kidneys, making his whole body feel wonderfully refreshed, though a current of hot air also coursed through him.
’His mind couldn’t help but fill with all sorts of images.’
This feeling became especially prominent after he reached Great Success in Kidney Refining.
It only subsided after the Elixir’s effects were fully absorbed. Then, Lu Yuan popped another Elixir into his mouth.
His physical fortitude had, by this point, become extremely resilient.
Others could only take one Elixir every three days, but he had no problem consuming several in a single day.
Only after digesting both Elixirs did Lu Yuan check his cultivation progress.
[Third-Grade Cultivation Skill: Tiger Subduing Posture - Kidney Refining, (4000/10000 Great Success)]
Two Elixirs had given him four thousand Skill Level points.
Ten bottles contained one hundred Elixirs. To reach complete Perfection, he was still a ways off.
However, Lu Yuan wasn’t concerned. Now that he was a Captain, there were plenty of ways to earn silver.
Besides his monthly pay silver of about eight hundred taels, there were also the "tributes" from within the city.
Moreover, he could also dispatch trusted men to manage some businesses.
In short, as a Captain in charge of a part of Sai City, he now had the standing to trade interests with others in this border region.
Besides, he was planning to check out the Baihua Courtyard tonight. If he could confirm its connection to the Charm Demon Sect, he would eradicate it directly.
’When that happens, won’t all the gold and silver inside be mine?’
At this thought, a ruthless glint flashed in Lu Yuan’s eyes.
After his experience on the battlefield Beyond the Passes, he now realized that his strength was still too weak. He was still someone who could be casually cast aside.
Even becoming a Border Marquis wouldn’t change that.
Therefore, he had to build his own network of connections while also striving to increase his strength.
He needed to accumulate more trump cards and command ever-stronger forces.
Just as Lu Yuan was about to get up, a message suddenly popped up in his mind.
[Cultivation Technique: Third-Grade Cultivation Skill "Wind and Thunder General-Slaying Saber Technique" (30241/30000 Perfection). Do you wish to break through?]
"Break through."
He didn’t hesitate and answered immediately.
The next moment, his palms and arms began to transform. When he circulated the Cultivation Technique, the faint sound of wind and thunder echoed around his body.
He made a subconscious movement, and not only was it faster, but it was also fiercer.
His attack power had increased by more than thirty percent.
[Cultivation Technique: Third-Grade Cultivation Skill "Wind and Thunder General-Slaying Saber Technique" (241/50000 Entering the Stance)]
Looking at the numbers on the panel, the corners of Lu Yuan’s mouth curled up.
Then, he finally got up and pushed the door open.
This round of cultivation had taken some time. The sky was already growing dark.
After striding to the front hall, he found Zhou Xiong leading a group of men on guard duty.
He was clad in iron armor with a long saber hanging at his waist.
His powerful frame exuded a fierce and valiant aura.
Lu Yuan noticed that after going to the battlefield, the men who returned were different from before.
"Lord Captain!"
Zhou Xiong quickly bowed, his attitude exceptionally respectful.
’Still,’ he couldn’t help but marvel inwardly, ’I remember when I first met Lu Yuan, he was just an ordinary Garrison Soldier.’
’Who would have thought that in such a short time, he’s already a Captain.’
"No need for formalities. How many Personal Guards are in the residence right now?"
"Reporting to the Lord Captain, there are thirty men on duty. The rest are off duty," Zhou Xiong replied quickly. The guards at the residence worked in three shifts.
As the Captain’s Personal Guard, they were all handpicked, battle-hardened soldiers from the army, and their armor was Half Armor.
They were considered one of the most elite forces in the City Guard Army.
Lu Yuan nodded, called Zhou Xiong aside, and said in a low voice, "Do you know of the Baihua Courtyard? Have you ever been there?"
"I’ve certainly heard of the Baihua Courtyard, but I’ve never been. It’s been open less than a year, I hear, but it’s very popular. Are you looking to go?" Zhou Xiong gave him a knowing look.
A helpless expression appeared on Lu Yuan’s face.
’This guy doesn’t think about much else, but his mind sure is active when it comes to things like this.’
"Notify all the Personal Guards. Also, mobilize Zhou He’s men. Bring thirty Siege Crossbows and surround the Baihua Building. Don’t alert anyone else.
Move on my signal."
"Lord Captain, what are you...?"
"I suspect the Baihua Courtyard is connected to the Charm Demon Sect." He still trusted Zhou Xiong quite a bit. After all, he had been with Zhou Hongling for a long time, and he’d never been to the Baihua Building, so he should be reliable.
"Then I’ll go inform the Thousand Men Commander of the City Guard Army garrison and have them assist." Zhou Xiong had naturally heard of the Charm Demon Sect. After Zhou Hongling returned this time, she had mentioned investigating them.
But Lu Yuan shook his head. "According to Lord Zhou, the Charm Demon Sect is adept at winning over local officials. They’ve been here for a year now, and no one even knows they exist.
It wasn’t until we left on the expedition that they let their guard down and revealed a few clues, which drew attention to them. This means some officials are already secretly helping to hide them, perhaps even protecting them.
So, we have to be cautious. The Thousand Men Commander, Wang Sen, didn’t go on the expedition with us, so I don’t quite trust him.
If word gets out ahead of time, wouldn’t it be a wasted trip? We’d just be alerting the enemy. It’s not appropriate for more people to know about this."
"Yes, Lord Captain." At this point, Zhou Xiong was completely convinced. This Lord Captain of his looked young, but his mind was incredibly meticulous.
’No wonder he was able to get this far at such a young age.’
"Good. Remember to keep this secret. Don’t tell anyone. If someone asks, just say we’re preparing for a city defense drill."
"As you command!" Zhou Xiong said quickly.
Lu Yuan nodded, then motioned for him to leave.
’More than two hundred men should be enough. Add in those thirty Siege Crossbows, which are said to be difficult for even True Essence or Gang Qi Realm experts to withstand, and I refuse to believe anyone in the Baihua Courtyard can escape.’
Moreover, once their identities were confirmed and a fight broke out, he could mobilize even more people. Even those officials who had been secretly won over would have to appear by his side and join him in exterminating the Baihua Courtyard.
Otherwise, a single charge of insubordination would be enough to have them killed without a proper burial.
This battle wasn’t just about striking the Charm Demon Sect. Lu Yuan also intended to purge the dissenters under his command. The three thousand men of the City Guard Army could only listen to his orders.
Feigning compliance while acting in defiance would absolutely not be tolerated.
Just then, Zhou He walked over with a lecherous grin on his face. Clearly, Zhou Xiong hadn’t told him the real reason for their trip to the Baihua Courtyard. The rascal still thought they were going to a brothel.
He had even dressed up for the occasion. Looking at Lu Yuan, he said, "Lord Captain, shouldn’t we be going?"
"Alright, it’s about time. Let’s head out." As he spoke, Lu Yuan led Zhou He and started walking toward the Baihua Courtyard.
Meanwhile, on the third floor of the Baihua Courtyard, Sun Qian, the Patriarch of the Sun Family, and Wang Sen, the Thousand Men Commander, were drinking. A bewitching woman accompanied them.
She was all smiles, but her tone was worried. "My lords, I hear this new Lord Captain of ours is not someone to be trifled with. He won’t find his way here, will he? If he does, we won’t be able to do business anymore."
Clearly, both Wang Sen and Sun Qian knew she was part of the Charm Demon Sect.
"Relax," Wang Sen said, taking a drink. "Although our new Lord Captain is tough, and his military merits were earned through real killing, he’s still young. Besides, Sai City isn’t a battlefield. I’ll bring him over for some ’fun’ another day, and you can get to know him. If he ends up protecting you,
then no one in this Sai City will dare to touch you."
Then he turned to look at Sun Qian, a cold glint appearing unconsciously in his eyes, though his smile remained wide. "Weren’t you the one who dragged me into this in the first place, Patriarch Sun?
As the old saying goes, ’Even heroes have a weakness for beautiful women.’ And this place of yours is a nest of beauties. What man could possibly resist?"
Sun Qian gave an awkward laugh and didn’t reply.
All three of his sons had died outside the city. He himself was old and frail, with underage grandsons at home. If he didn’t take advantage of his remaining health to earn more silver,
the Sun Family would be completely finished once he died.
So, when the owner of the Baihua Building before him had people deliver chests of gold, silver, and treasures to his home, Sun Qian had thrown his lot in completely with the Baihua Building.
Although he didn’t respond to Wang Sen, he turned to the owner, Meiniang, and said, "Don’t you worry. Even if we can’t drag Lu Yuan into this, it’s fine. Back then, Zhou Hongling couldn’t do anything to me.
It’ll be the same now that Lu Yuan is here. Protecting your brothel won’t be a problem."
This Imperial Censor at the Border clearly didn’t think much of Lu Yuan.
He was from a powerful local family, with many relatives serving in the army and holding posts in the Government Office.
He refused to believe anyone would dare to disrespect him so easily.
’Didn’t even Zhou Hongling have to back down and keep her distance from me back then?’
’The affairs of officialdom are nothing like fighting in the army.’
’There are far more intricacies and schemes involved here.’