Grinding to Martial Emperor from the Border Army

"Tomorrow. I want to leave as soon as possible. I already told Zhou Xiong and the others on the way back from Beyond the Passes," Lu Yuan said softly.

Zhou Hongling nodded. "Alright. How long will you be gone, roughly?"

’To be honest, it wasn’t that she didn’t want to approve his leave. It was just that knowing he’d be gone for so long made her reluctant to let him go.’

"When I came here, I was a prisoner. I could only walk, and I was in shackles. I didn’t even have enough to eat. It took a full six months just to get here. Now I have a mount. If I travel without stopping, I should be able to make the round trip in about four months."

Lu Yuan estimated.

Though Zhou Hongling was reluctant, she didn’t want him to rush on the road. So she said, "Then take five months. By the time you return, it should be winter.

You should buy some winter clothes before you leave, so you don’t suffer on the way back. I’ll watch over the Captain’s Mansion for you."

’Actually, there was something else she left unsaid: now was the perfect time for him to leave. Soon, those nobles from the imperial court would descend upon the Northern Border like bloodthirsty wolves.’

’Lu Yuan’s departure would also let him avoid getting entangled with them.’

’And steer clear of trouble.’

"Thank you for your concern, General," Lu Yuan said quickly.

At the same time, he raised his cup and toasted Zhou Hongling.

After the meal, Lu Yuan didn’t linger at the General’s Mansion and returned directly to his own Captain’s Mansion.

He had already prepared the things he needed for his trip to Yunzhou some time ago.

So, he didn’t need to pack anything in particular. He could just grab his bag and leave tomorrow.

As for elixirs, he had bought some after he got back.

He had bought quite a few of the Blood Coagulation Pills needed for the Blood Movement Realm, as well as the Meridian Opening Pills required for the Meridian Passage Realm.

In any case, it was enough for his journey.

As for Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, he had only bought the Red Blood Ganoderma needed for the Blood Movement Realm. He hadn’t managed to buy what was needed for the Meridian Passage Realm because it was out of stock.

But he wasn’t in a hurry. It wouldn’t be too late to buy them when the time came.

After taking inventory of what he needed to bring, Lu Yuan went to sleep.

A quiet night passed.

The next morning, after waking, he grabbed his bundle, changed into a black brocade robe, and pushed open the door.

As soon as he stepped out, he saw Zhou He was already outside.

Lu Yuan looked at him and said, "I’ll get back from Yunzhou as quickly as I can. With the General in the city, there shouldn’t be too many issues. The main concern is Wu Han’s side, Beyond the Passes.

If anything comes up, the two of you should discuss it and handle it first.

You know where my Inner Treasury key is. Buy whatever you need directly. Don’t worry about the silver; it’s fine even if you spend it all.

As for the three thousand warhorses outside the city, pick a time to send them to Wu Han.

Also, tell him that many people will likely be contacting him soon, but he must maintain a good attitude and do his best not to make enemies of them."

"Mm, got it. Any other instructions?" Zhou He asked, uncharacteristically serious.

Lu Yuan thought for a moment. "No, that’s all. But you need to raise your cultivation level faster. You’re still at Tendon Refining, which is a bit slow. Your uncle is about to reach Organ Refining."

"You know he’s my uncle! I’m already fast, okay?" Zhou He said, speechless.

Lu Yuan shot him a glance and said no more, turning to walk outside.

Zhou He followed behind him.

’He had actually wanted to go to Yunzhou with Lu Yuan this time, but unfortunately, things had been busy on Wu Han’s side lately, and someone was indeed needed to consult with him.’

’So, he had no choice but to stay behind.’

When Lu Yuan arrived outside the mansion, he saw that Zhou Xiong was already waiting with his men. Wei Yong and Zhang Gun were among them; both were now at the Bone Forging Realm.

It shouldn’t be long before they could break through to Tendon Refining.

Among the hundred or so men under Lu Yuan, even the weakest were now at the Entry Level. And after the last distribution of elixirs, some should be advancing to the next stage very soon.

However, as his Personal Guard, while their cultivation level earned them corresponding benefits, it was difficult for them to obtain official positions with real power.

This was because not everyone had Lu Yuan’s dazzling combat record and talent, which could attract the attention of the higher-ups.

Another reason was that even if Lu Yuan told these Personal Guards to leave now, they probably wouldn’t go.

After all, following him not only meant they received silver, but more importantly, they were even given elixirs—something they had only dreamed of in the past.

"Greetings, Sir," Zhou Xiong said, hurrying forward when he saw Lu Yuan.

"Is everything ready?" Lu Yuan asked softly.

"Reporting to you, Sir, everything is ready. Three horses per man, so there will be absolutely no delays on the road," Zhou Xiong said with a grin, patting his horse’s back.

Lu Yuan could faintly see that the horses were also carrying cotton-padded clothes and dry rations, clear signs of thorough preparation.

"Then let’s set out." After speaking, Lu Yuan mounted Red Scale.

The others also mounted their horses one after another.

CREAK!

Just then, the gates of the General’s Mansion opened, and Zhou Hongling’s figure emerged.

Her gaze fell upon Lu Yuan, and she said coolly, "Be careful on the road."

Then she turned and walked off in another direction.

"Thank you for your concern, General." Lu Yuan clasped his fist from atop his horse.

Then his horsewhip cracked down hard on Red Scale’s back.

The warhorse let out a sharp neigh and galloped toward the city gates.

Zhou Xiong and his men followed close behind.

Only after they had gradually disappeared into the distance did Zhou Hongling turn back around.

She didn’t return to the General’s Mansion until Lu Yuan’s figure had vanished from sight.

The warhorses’ hooves clattered crisply on the stone-paved road.

After leaving the city gates, the group headed straight south.

A surge of emotion welled up in Lu Yuan’s heart.

’Although he had only spent a little over ten days with his mother in this life, the deep-seated memories in his mind and their shared bloodline still made him want to see her as soon as possible.’

’He had been away from Yunzhou for over half a year and had no idea how she was doing.’

At this thought, he couldn’t help but urge his mount to go even faster.

Zhou Xiong and the others could only struggle to keep up.

But not a single person complained of exhaustion.

After all, they had all followed Lu Yuan through the thick of it on the battlefield.

Never mind just hurrying on the road; they would dare to follow Lu Yuan and charge into even the most dangerous places.

What’s more, they all had elixirs now.

They could even cultivate at night along the way.

As for Lu Yuan, he certainly wouldn’t let go of the opportunity to cultivate either.

’The journey from the Northern Border to Yunzhou would take two months at the very fastest. How could he possibly waste that time?’

So, as soon as it got dark, the group would rest.

Every day, Lu Yuan tirelessly practiced his Cultivation Skill.

On this trip, he had also specially brought his Python Sinew Bow, specifically for practicing his archery.

And so, amidst these busy and fulfilling days, two months passed.

The weather had already turned to autumn, but Yunzhou was still like the height of summer.

On this day, outside Yunzhou City, a troop of soldiers clad in armor, with weapons at their waists and mounted on magnificent warhorses, galloped toward the state capital. The iron-blooded and valiant aura they exuded made all the passersby hastily step aside.

Some even stopped in their tracks, their eyes filled with awe.

"Tsk tsk, look at that armor, that presence! They must be from the Northern Border’s Border Army. How imposing!" someone exclaimed in amazement after watching the troop ride off toward the city gate.

"Isn’t that the truth? Among the Dayong Border Army, they say the ones from the Northern Border are the fiercest. I don’t know if it’s true, but that general in the lead must be a Captain, right? That’s a major figure! And the warhorse he’s riding is truly magnificent."

...

Lu Yuan had no idea so many people were talking about him.

After presenting his travel papers at the city gate, he led his troop straight toward the Zhang Family estate.

At this moment, he didn’t want to delay for another second.