Grinding to Martial Emperor from the Border Army

Even with their considerable cultivation, fatigue was inevitable after so many days on the road.

Thus, many people were resting in their rooms at the inn.

Lu Yuan hadn’t gone out either. Knowing the Charm Demon Sect was targeting him, he had simply remained in his room to cultivate.

Right now, every little bit of strength counted.

In the blink of an eye, the next day arrived.

After everyone packed their things, they set out once more.

For the rest of the journey, Lu Yuan remained extremely cautious, but things were surprisingly peaceful.

It almost made him think the Charm Demon Sect had given up on targeting him.

「Another month and a half later.」

Winter descended once more. Lu Yuan and his group had officially entered the territory of the Northern Border. The weather turned cold, and everyone had changed into padded winter clothes. However, they were now approaching Icefield Pass.

The Northern Border was vast and sparsely populated. As they neared Sai City, they couldn’t find any lodging, so they had no choice but to set up camp.

They lit a bonfire, planning to make do for the night before heading directly back to Icefield Pass the next day.

Now, the remaining journey was less than a hundred li.

They could easily make it back in a day.

The Lu matriarch, being used to the southern weather, found it hard to acclimate to the Northern Lands and had been feeling unwell the past few days. After a small meal, An Niang helped her into the carriage to rest.

Lu Yuan, meanwhile, sat around the bonfire with Zhou Xiong and his men, eating meat and drinking wine.

A leg of lamb roasted over the fire, SIZZLING as the fat dripped.

Zhou Xiong said quietly, "Sir, our men are already posted in the surrounding area. If the Charm Demon Sect dares to show up, we’ll make sure none of them leave alive."

Lu Yuan nodded.

But then Zhou Xiong added, "Still, Sir... do you really think they’ll come? We’ve come this far, and we’ll reach Icefield Pass tomorrow."

"It’s better to be cautious. I have a feeling they won’t give up so easily. They might be waiting for the moment we let our guard down to strike. And logically, people are most complacent the closer they get to their destination.

Of course, it would be best if they don’t come at all," Lu Yuan said calmly, cutting a slice of meat with his dagger.

"You’re right, Sir. My thinking was too simplistic," Zhou Xiong said quickly. He couldn’t help but marvel internally. No wonder Lu Yuan had achieved so much at such a young age.

’His strategic mind is on another level compared to mine.’

Even as they spoke...

Sure enough, a large group of black-clad figures was approaching the camp. They blended in with the darkness, each carrying a gleaming long saber.

There were about two or three hundred of them.

Their leader was a woman—none other than Hua Niang of the Wanhua Courtyard.

She had an excellent figure, one that even the black robes couldn’t conceal. But right now, her gaze was ice-cold.

Standing in the distance and watching Lu Yuan’s group, her once-seductive eyes were now as if they had been quenched in ice.

The Charm Demon Sect’s losses in the Northern Border this time could only be described as catastrophic, and Lu Yuan was the source of it all.

While not many of their members had been captured, all their silver and the businesses they had painstakingly built were gone.

Because of this, she had even been recalled to the sect to face harsh punishment.

She hated Lu Yuan to the very marrow of her bones.

Throughout their journey, she hadn’t launched a rash attack. Instead, she had been waiting—waiting for the perfect moment when her prey let down their guard before making her move.

To ensure a single, killing blow.

A figure beside her asked quietly, "Steward, we’re too close to Icefield Pass. Isn’t this a little risky?"

"It doesn’t matter. It’s precisely because we’re so close that Lu Yuan’s guard will be at its lowest. Besides, according to our intel, his cultivation is merely at the Organ Refining stage.

With my True Essence Realm cultivation, I can subdue him in an instant. The Border Army soldiers may be elite, but once they’re leaderless, they’ll be no match for us. We outnumber them two or three to one.

We can finish them off quickly."

Hua Niang said with considerable confidence.

The person beside her nodded.

Hatred flashed in their eyes. If it weren’t for Lu Yuan, they wouldn’t have spent all this time hiding and running like fugitives.

Forced to live such a harsh life.

Many times, they were even forced to sleep in the wild.

Hong Cheng had given his subordinates a direct order: capture them at all costs.

This had caused the members of the Charm Demon Sect in the Northern Border to be hunted like rats, reviled by all.

Seemingly sensing the murderous intent from those around her, Hua Niang spoke softly.

"Wait. There’s no rush. We’ll make our move after midnight. It’s only just gotten dark," Hua Niang said softly.

Her talent was exceptional. She had reached her current realm at a young age and become a Steward of the sect. Coming to the Northern Border, she had single-handedly built up their massive operation—a great achievement in itself. Had she succeeded, she would have been promoted upon her return.

But now, things had come to this.

Lu Yuan had to die.

And just as the Charm Demon Sect was preparing to ambush Lu Yuan...

...meanwhile, in the city of Yanzhou Prefecture, Hong Cheng’s expression was grim.

He sat in the main hall, with a group of Garrison Generals and Captains seated below him. The flickering lamplight cast shadows on Hong Cheng’s ashen face.

None of the subordinate commanders dared to speak.

Even his adopted son, Hong Zheng, stood with his hands clasped.

A cautious look was in his eyes.

CRASH! Hong Cheng threw the teacup in his hand directly onto the floor.

Then, he fixed them with an icy glare. "Every single one of you is first in line when there’s a promotion to be had, but when it’s time to get things done, you’re all completely useless! I gave you all the information on the Charm Demon Sect, and you still let them escape! What the hell do I pay you for?!

And after searching for months, you still have nothing!

You useless pack of fools! How is it that Lu Yuan managed to handle everything perfectly and even hand you the intelligence on a silver platter? Huh?

But when it comes to you lot, it’s just one big mess!

Let me tell you something! The imperial court has given me an ultimatum: find that leader, Hua Niang, within ten days, or it’s my head on the chopping block.

And if I’m going down, you can be damn sure I’m taking you all with me.

You have seven days. If you can’t find her, you’re all stripped of your posts." This time, Hong Cheng was clearly furious.

He finished, his teeth grinding together as if they were made of steel.

He looked like he was about to eat someone alive.

Beads of sweat had formed on the foreheads of all the commanders present.

They hadn’t found a single trace in months; finding her in seven days was simply impossible.

But they didn’t doubt Hong Cheng’s threat for a second.

He might not have the authority to dismiss a high-ranking general like Zhou Ren, but he could certainly strip lower-level commanders like Captains and Garrison Generals of their ranks.

At this, a palpable tension filled the hall as every man’s heart clenched with fear.

Then, Hong Cheng continued, "Of course, I’m not just offering punishments. Whoever actually manages to find these remnants of the Charm Demon Sect will be credited with a great military achievement."

After reaching the rank of Captain, promotions were no longer based on a simple headcount of kills.

Instead, they were based on a system of merit tiers.

Third Class was the lowest, and First Class was the highest.

A "great military achievement" was typically a Third-Class Merit. Three of those were enough for a promotion to Garrison General.

So when they heard Hong Cheng’s offer, the eyes of several commanders lit up.

But their expressions soured just as quickly.

The achievement was great, but what good was it if you couldn’t earn it? The Charm Demon Sect members had vanished, and they had absolutely no leads.

At that very moment, back at the campfire, Lu Yuan finished a jar of wine and looked at Zhou Xiong. "Tell all the brothers not to sleep too soundly tonight. Be ready for a fight at a moment’s notice.

I have a bad feeling about this.

Once we’re back, everyone gets three days of leave."

"Yes, Sir," Zhou Xiong acknowledged at once.

He then turned and began quietly relaying the orders to the others.