Recruitment Turmoil

The eighty military canings in the Dragon Soaring Old Camp had beaten the skin and flesh off more than a hundred soldier-thugs, and had also earned Lu Chen his first fearsome reputation among the Capital City's troops.

The day after the punishment, several men whose injuries were lighter and whose cultivation was solid took the initiative to seek out Zhao Tieying, asking to register their names and willingly serve as soldiers of the Demon Suppression Army.

Lei Ba even dragged his wounded body to kneel outside the central command tent for half a day, limping all the while. He declared outright that he was willing to lay down his life in service, asking only that Lu Chen take him in.

Lu Chen personally inspected these men's injuries and cultivation, then had Gu Mingxuan secretly investigate their backgrounds.

After eliminating two men who were clearly informants for other factions, he temporarily organized the rest into the "Demon Suppression Army Vanguard Camp." Lei Ba was appointed acting squad leader, under Zhao Tieying's command.

They recuperated while taking part in repairing and reorganizing the camp. This was considered an initial taming of this band of thorns.

At the same time, the Ministry of War sent over the selection roster and transfer orders for the first five hundred meritorious soldiers from the Northern Frontier.

The Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Works also symbolically allocated some provisions, pay, and military equipment. Though not the full amount, it was enough to maintain the initial operations.

Prince Qi's Manor even dispatched a team of experienced craftsmen to assist in repairing the barracks and reinforcing the camp's defenses.

The framework of the Demon Suppression Army slowly began to take shape.

Yet beneath the calm surface, the undercurrents ran ever swifter.

That day, Lu Chen was in the