Grinding to Martial Emperor from the Border Army

Seeing this, Zhang Hong didn’t press Wei Yong any further. Instead, a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes.

At the same time, he sighed internally. ’My nephew is quite the skilled commander.’

He then said in a deep voice, "I am your Captain’s uncle. Let me in."

Wei Yong said nothing, still not yielding an inch.

His meaning was perfectly clear: unless Lu Yuan gave the word, the only way in was over his dead body.

Zhang He, standing to the side, was about to erupt in anger.

’Since when does someone dare to block us in our own home?’

Just then, Lu Yuan heard the commotion outside. He walked out of the room and called to the guards, "Let them in."

As soon as he spoke, Wei Yong took a step back, making way for Zhang Hong.

Only then did the two brothers walk into the courtyard.

As they entered, Lu Yuan looked at his uncle and gave a slight bow. "Greetings, Lord State Governor."

He paid Zhang He no mind, as their official ranks were now the same.

’There’s no need to give him any face.’

For a moment, Zhang He’s face flushed crimson, but he couldn’t find the words to object. After all, Lu Yuan had just returned from taking the fall for his son; it was only natural for him to hold a grudge.

Zhang Hong forced a smile. "Yuan, we’re all family. There’s no need to be so formal."

"Lord State Governor, I have now changed my name to Lu Yuan," he said faintly. "My trip to the Northern Border has repaid the Zhang Family’s grace. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other."

Zhang He could no longer contain himself. He stared at Lu Yuan and snarled, "You dare betray your ancestors and your family!"

"The family abandoned me first," Lu Yuan replied coolly.

His single sentence left Zhang He speechless.

Nevertheless, his aura flared as he prepared to strike Lu Yuan.

"SHING!"

But in the next instant, Zhou Xiong drew the long saber from his waist, his gaze turning icy. "I am the Lord Captain’s Personal Guard Centurion and a descendant of the Zhou Family’s Generals. If anyone dares to lay a hand on my General, the men of Sai City will fight them to the death!"

Zhang He froze.

Zhang Hong closed his eyes for a moment before opening them to look at Lu Yuan again. "Are you truly set on leaving?"

"I’m afraid I’ll just be abandoned again," Lu Yuan said softly.

"What if I promise that won’t happen? From now on, the family will support you with all its resources. You might not know, but your cousin, Zhang Zhe, is about to become the Commandery Prince Consort. He also holds the rank of Captain, same as you.

"In the army, with you to assist him, the Prince Manor will surely help you as well. With that, how could our family not prosper? Stay. I will compensate you. I was inconsiderate in the past." For the sake of the family’s future, Zhang Hong finally softened his tone.

Even Zhang He’s expression eased considerably. He was no ordinary man, after all. When he heard Zhang Hong suggest that Lu Yuan would assist his son in the future, his eyes lit up.

In his eyes, while Zhang Zhe was capable on his own, wouldn’t he climb even higher with the help of another outstanding disciple from the family?

Clearly, in the hearts of the two brothers, Lu Yuan’s standing was still beneath Zhang Zhe’s.

After all, his cousin was to be a Commandery Prince Consort. That alone placed him among the ranks of nobility.

A cold sneer touched the corner of Lu Yuan’s mouth. "I won’t trouble you two to worry about me. I am used to walking my own path. This subordinate takes his leave."

Seeing that his mother and An Niang had finished packing, Lu Yuan ordered his men to carry the bags and started walking out of the residence.

He gave Zhang Hong no time to say another word.

The other man’s face was ashen, but he said nothing more.

Zhang He said, "Big Brother, don’t worry about it. He may be outstanding, but so what? With no connections above, Captain is as far as he’ll ever go."

Zhang Hong could only nod.

’It’s just a pity,’ he mused. ’If Lu Yuan had been willing to stay and assist Zhang Zhe, he could have gone much further.’

After pondering for a moment, he said, "It is a pity, but such things cannot be forced."

Then his tone shifted. "Are the men you were to prepare ready? This business with the Northern Border buffer zone concerns the family’s future. We cannot afford any carelessness. We must carve out a piece of territory there."

"They are all ready. The family’s experts will lead the team personally. However, I’ve heard many families are going, and there are numerous local powers as well. Gaining a foothold will be very difficult, I’m afraid," Zhang He said frankly.

The situation at the Northern Border was too complicated now; he didn’t dare make any firm promises.

Zhang Hong sighed. "Alas, let’s just do what we can for now."

Meanwhile, Lu Yuan paid no mind to any of this.

He had already led his mother out of the courtyard and helped her and An Niang into a prepared carriage.

He then led his troops toward an inn in Yunzhou.

It was already late in the day, so they would have to stay the night and depart in the morning.

Besides, many of his men were visiting Yunzhou for the first time. ’I should let them look around,’ he thought. ’After all, they’ve been through so much with me on this long journey.’

Therefore, after Lu Yuan rented out the entire inn and everyone had eaten their meal...

He looked at his men and said, "Each of you, go to Zhou Xiong and collect ten taels of silver. Take the afternoon to look around the city. Just be back before tomorrow morning."

"Thank you, Sir!"

...

In an instant, the entire hall erupted in cheers.

It was the first time any of them had been to Yunzhou, and they were all quite curious about the southern city and its customs.

So, the chance to go out and explore was, of course, the best possible news.

It was just that Lu Yuan hadn’t mentioned it during the journey, so they hadn’t dared to ask.

Now that he had not only given the order but also provided silver, how could they not be ecstatic?

Even Zhou Xiong’s face broke into a smile.

Lu Yuan pulled a silver note from his robes and pressed it into his hand. "Cash this in and distribute the silver to the men."

"Yes, Sir."

After acknowledging the order, Zhou Xiong led some men out.

Here inside Yunzhou City, Lu Yuan didn’t really need protection.

Lu Yuan helped his mother to her room and chatted with her for a while. Once she had fallen asleep, he returned to his own room.

With nothing else to do, he took out an Elixir and placed it in his mouth.

A moment later, a surging wave of Qi and Blood Power began to spread through him.

Lu Yuan could feel his strength steadily growing.

His entire body radiated an astonishing heat. His Qi and Blood Power was so dense it nearly enveloped the entire inn.

On his skin, crimson patterns throbbed.

His bulging muscles seemed forged from steel.

When the effects of the Elixir faded, he immediately took another.

He continued until he felt his body could absorb no more, then he opened his status panel.

In the past two months, Lu Yuan’s cultivation had increased significantly since he first set out.