Ling Weifeng saw that Qin Shuang remained silent and assumed he was still angry. He took a small ceramic bottle from his robes. "This is a secret medicinal pill of the Tianshan Sect, made from Tianshan Snow Lotus. It's called the Jade Spirit Pill. It can heal injuries and detoxify poison, as well as increase one's cultivation. Take it and check everyone's injuries to see whether it will be useful!"
"How could I accept this?" Qin Shuang had served in the Dragon Guard's Yu Unit Divine Division for many years. Its commander, Military Sima Yang Yuncong, was the Tianshan Sect's senior disciple and Ling Weifeng's senior brother. Given Qin Shuang's relationship with Yang Yuncong, he naturally knew how precious the Jade Spirit Pill was. Thus, although he said he felt embarrassed, he had already taken the bottle and tucked it into his robes. "Uncle Ling is our savior, after all. There's no need to be so polite!"
After Qin Shuang exchanged a few pleasantries with Ling Weifeng, he saw that the battle was over and the Dragon Guard had already begun clearing the battlefield. He hurried over to check on his squad.
Qin Shuang had personally experienced the battle and understood how brutal it had been, so he had mentally prepared himself for heavy losses.
To his surprise, however, although everyone had been injured, most were not in life-threatening condition. Only Li Panggui and Jin Dashuai had unfortunately died.
Li Panggui had died protecting Li Fu Sheng. Jin Dashuai had already suffered severe injuries when the Imperial Guards ambushed them earlier, and he had been unable to survive this time.
By this point in the mission, eight members of Qin Shuang's squad—Li Panggui, Jin Dashuai, Chen Bu Ding, Feng Bu Ba, Kang Tong, Lan Kun, Zhang Yan, and Hao Hao—had died in the line of duty. Destroy Ghost God had suffered severe injuries and lost his eyesight, with no idea whether he would ever recover. Qu Xiu had been killed for violating discipline. Altogether, they had lost an entire squad.
It was more than a month later when everyone returned to Chaoge City. With the Dragon Guard from each prefecture and commandery providing assistance along the way, Qin Shuang and the others made the journey smoothly and encountered no more foolish people trying to ambush them.
When Qin Shuang stepped into the familiar main hall of the Dragon Guard Yamen's Yu Unit Divine Division, he fell into a daze. He could not help sighing inwardly. It really was more comfortable handling cases and arresting people back then.
Military Sima Yang Yuncong was still wearing that black brocade martial uniform with red patterns. He looked at Qin Shuang with satisfaction. "You rascal, it was just a mission to find someone, yet you made such a huge commotion. You destroyed Peerless City, hacked down Imperial Guards, captured Xixia and Northern Yuan spies, lured and killed martial artists from Taiqing and the two prefectures... I really don't know whether I should criticize you or praise you."
Before he could finish, Yang Yuncong began laughing himself.
"Uncle Yang, don't laugh. Do you know how badly my squad suffered this time?" Qin Shuang sighed.
Yang Yuncong's laughter stopped. He became serious. "I've already read your report. I know you went through tremendous hardship and repeatedly faced mortal danger. I also have to admit that I failed to consider things carefully. I knew there were only three Innate Realm experts in your squad, yet I didn't arrange reinforcements or support in time."
"How can you blame yourself, Uncle Yang? You're in Chaoge City. How could you have looked after us from so far away? Besides, many things happened suddenly, and no one could have predicted them in advance." Qin Shuang was not unreasonable. "Still, the rewards and compensation from above must be properly given. We can't chill the brothers' hearts!"
"Rest assured. I naturally won't be stingy about recording merits and granting rewards to those of you who survived. As for those who sacrificed themselves, I'll ensure their full death benefits are paid to their families. The Dragon Guard will never mistreat its own people!" Yang Yuncong said firmly.
Qin Shuang nodded. "Then I'll thank you on everyone's behalf, Uncle Yang!"
"Not bad, lad. You put your subordinates first when handling matters. You have what it takes to lead!" Yang Yuncong nodded with satisfaction. "I've truthfully reported your achievements to the Fire Division of the Mysterious Unit. Aside from that, what other reward do you want?"
"After this mission, I deeply realized how important strength is. Right now, I urgently want to improve my cultivation," Qin Shuang answered honestly.
"Good. The fact that you've reached this understanding means this mission wasn't a waste. But on the Martial Way, patience and accumulation matter most. Remember to avoid impatience and arrogance. As long as you persist in training day after day, with your aptitude, improving your strength will happen naturally." Yang Yuncong nodded as he admonished Qin Shuang, afraid that temporary restlessness would make him lose patience and destroy the most important foundation of martial arts training.
Of course, Yang Yuncong was not merely paying lip service. He also supported Qin Shuang with concrete action.
He took out a brocade box the size of a palm and handed it to Qin Shuang. "These are Lesser Restoration Pills from the Shaolin Temple. Martial artists below the Innate Realm can take them to strengthen their original yang, reinforce their tendons and bones, warm their dantian, and nourish their spirit. They're sacred medicines for consolidating one's foundation and nurturing one's vitality."
Qin Shuang happily accepted the box. When he opened it, he saw ten small red pills inside. He could not help marveling at Yang Yuncong's generosity, but although he was thinking that inwardly, he put on a troubled expression. "Uncle Yang, there are only ten pills. How am I supposed to divide them when I get back?"
"What do you mean, 'only ten'? Do you know how precious these Lesser Restoration Pills are?" Yang Yuncong was so angry that he nearly exploded.
"This isn't about whether they're precious. It's about fearing unequal distribution rather than scarcity. I have so many people in my squad. How am I supposed to divide them?"
"Then what do you want?"
"How about giving me three more boxes, so I can make it an even forty?" Qin Shuang asked tentatively.
"Get lost!" Yang Yuncong kicked at him angrily. "Do you think these Lesser Restoration Pills are vegetables you can buy whenever you want at the market? Three more boxes? I'll give you three kicks!"
"Hey, let's talk like civilized people. No hands, no feet!" Qin Shuang hopped aside and shamelessly said, "Uncle Yang, you praised me for considering my subordinates earlier. Why are you blaming me now?"
"Is that the same thing?" Yang Yuncong found that he was actually having trouble arguing with Qin Shuang.
"Uncle Yang, just tell me what else you can give me!" Qin Shuang refused to let up.
"Sigh. I have four Lesser Restoration Pills left. I have to keep one for Lanzhu, but I'll give you the other three." Yang Yuncong had no choice but to yield.
Qin Shuang knew that the Lanzhu Yang Yuncong mentioned was his daughter, Yi Lanzhu. He was deeply moved that Yang Yuncong was willing to give him so many Lesser Restoration Pills. "Thank you, Uncle Yang!"
"By the way, I'll give you an advance hint. You successfully brought Ni Pusa back this time, and the higher-ups are very pleased. They're preparing to promote you to Garrison General. You can appoint the two Squad Leaders yourself. I'll arrange forty men for you, and you'll still recruit one squad yourself!" Yang Yuncong clicked his tongue in amazement. "An eighteen-year-old Garrison General! I won't say there will never be another, but you're certainly the first. Well done, lad. You've brought honor to our two hundred and sixteen hereditary families!"
"Ah, I'm becoming a Garrison General already?" Qin Shuang was stunned by Yang Yuncong's words. His mother, Qin Hongmian, was only a Garrison General herself. Did that mean he would now be on equal footing with her? He had only been promoted to Squad Leader a few months ago!
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