Squad Leader

[Name: Lu Yuan]

[Age: 16]

[Cultivation Technique: Blade-Breaking Eight Styles (2013/10000 Mastery)]

[Tiger-Subduing Stance (70/100 Entry)]

A single battle, and the bonus to my blade technique actually reached one thousand. It seems combat really is the best way to improve.

Lu Yuan thought to himself. After scanning outside to ensure no one was coming to cause trouble, he lay down on his bed and went to sleep.

The night passed without incident. He woke up early the next morning and prepared some food.

A bowl of steamed egg custard and two coarse rice buns.

It wasn't exactly a feast, but in these times, it was considered quite decent.

After eating and washing the bowls and chopsticks, movement could be heard outside.

"A-Yuan, A-Yuan."

As the shout rang out, a slightly hunched figure appeared in the room.

"Hah, your room is still the warmest. You're really living it up, burning this much charcoal," Old Huang said with a grin.

In the Northern Frontier, charcoal was a hard currency and certainly not cheap.

Most families couldn't bear to use it; burning a bit of firewood was considered a luxury.

"Hey, I can't bring myself to suffer. What happened to your face?"

Lu Yuan placed the bowls and chopsticks into the cabinet. As he turned, he saw Old Huang's face covered in bloody scratches and a few slap marks.

"It's nothing, nothing. I accidentally provoked two cats in heat yesterday, and they scratched me up." Old Huang waved his hand, looking unbothered.

Seeing him say this, Lu Yuan didn't press for details, simply asking, "Did you come over for something today?"

"There is something. Someone died last night right here in Ice Valley Lane. You must know about it. The higher-ups aren't letting the news spread, so I won't go into specifics, and they don't want us asking around. I came by because the North City Defense Bureau wants us to go there.

I reckon they're going to appoint a new Squad Leader," Old Huang said with a hint of envy.

Although a Squad Leader wasn't a high-ranking official, guarding the city gates came with some perks, and the salary of two taels of silver a month was no small sum.

Most importantly, one would officially become a professional soldier, eligible to receive cultivation techniques from the City Defense Bureau.

From then on, their life would be completely different from that of an ordinary Garrison Soldier.

"Let's go, then." Lu Yuan nodded, stood up, and walked out of the courtyard. After locking the door, he headed toward the City Defense Bureau with Old Huang.

As soon as they stepped out, weeping could be heard from the streets.

White mourning silk hung outside the courtyards on both sides of the road.

Old Huang tucked his hands into his sleeves, hunched his back, and sighed, "I heard dozens of people died last night. A squad of City Guards was slaughtered right here. These Northern Barbarians never stop causing trouble."

The North City Defense Bureau was not far from Ice Valley Lane. It was a large, four-courtyard compound with green tiles, blue bricks, and vermilion gates.

Two soldiers armed with blades stood guard outside.

Inside, dozens of people were already standing around, chatting with one another.

Lu Yuan and Old Huang didn't join the crowd; they stood in a corner.

One was a newcomer, and the other was getting on in years and near the end of his service; nobody cared to pay them any mind.

"Old Huang, I left in a hurry and forgot my tobacco. Go back and get it for me," a middle-aged Garrison Soldier said as he walked over to them.

"Wei Yong, the Centurion is about to come out. If I'm not here, won't that cause trouble? I'll get it for you after we're done here," Old Huang said with a fawning smile.

He was old and had no family, so it was inevitable that he would be bullied in this place.

"Heh, Old Huang, why are you getting less sensible as you age? Brother Wei told you to go, so just go. You probably don't know this yet, but Brother Wei reached the entry level a couple of days ago. He's a lock for the Squad Leader position this time. Be smart and hurry up.

Don't go looking for trouble."

A young man standing to the side with his arms crossed said with a sidelong glance.

His name was Zhang Gun. He was in the same squad as Lu Yuan and the others. He was young, strong, and had been hanging around Ice Plain City for quite a while; he was the best at sucking up to people.

Wei Yong stood where he was without a word, but his expression had already darkened.

Old Huang hesitated. If he went, the Centurion would likely be out to give a lecture any moment.

But if he didn't go, Zhang Gun was right—Wei Yong would probably make things difficult for him later.

He had experienced this kind of thing before; he had even done the same to others when he was younger. Now that he was old and being picked on, he had no complaints.

He was just caught in a dilemma.

Just as he was about to speak, Lu Yuan frowned, unable to watch any longer. "Old Huang is talking to me. Find someone else to go."

"Who do you think you are..."

Zhang Gun hadn't finished his sentence.

A man walked out from the central courtyard wearing polished leather armor with metal plates inlaid on the chest; he was a Squad Leader of the City Guard.

He was slightly older than Lu Yuan.

The difference between the City Guard and the Garrison Soldiers was that the former were full-time professionals while the latter were only semi-professional. The status of the City Guard was also higher; they were not under the jurisdiction of local centurions but reported directly to the City Defense Bureau.

Wei Yong was a formal member of the City Guard, and his own strength was quite decent, which was why many Garrison Soldiers were willing to follow his lead.

"Who is Lu Yuan? Come with me."

As soon as the Squad Leader stepped out, he raised his voice and shouted.

Lu Yuan glanced at Zhang Gun without a word, gave a brief acknowledgment, and walked toward the central courtyard, where he was led into a room.

The person inside was none other than Zhou Xiong, whom he had seen the previous night.

He looked up at Lu Yuan, pointed to a chair below, and said, "Sit down and talk."

The latter did not stand on ceremony and sat down.

"Your strength was impressive yesterday. Has your saber technique reached Great Success?"

"Yes."

Lu Yuan nodded.

"Not bad. It's been a long time since we've seen a young man like you. I checked the files yesterday; your squad's previous Squad Leader was killed by the barbarians."

"You will take over as the new Squad Leader. Go collect your armor and weapons in a moment, and choose a cultivation technique."

"Many thanks, sir." Lu Yuan had not expected to be promoted to Squad Leader, especially since he hadn't been here for very long.

Zhou Xiong smiled and said, "No need to thank me. You earned this yourself. You killed four experts who had entered the realm; it would be strange if I didn't promote you."

"Remember, as long as you are strong enough, the Northern Frontier never lacks opportunity."

As he spoke, he tossed a waist medallion into Lu Yuan's hand.

He then pointed to the Squad Leader who had brought Lu Yuan in and said, "This is my nephew, Zhou He. You two should get to know each other."

It was clear that Zhou Xiong was trying to win Lu Yuan over to his side.

After all, a Centurion only had ten Squad Leaders under his command, especially in a place like the Northern Frontier where war could break out at any moment.

The relationship between superiors and subordinates was relatively harmonious.

Most importantly, Lu Yuan possessed good strength and was worth cultivating.

"Yes, sir."

"Let's go, brother. Don't be a stranger. I'll take you to collect your gear and choose your technique, then I'll announce your promotion."

Having heard his uncle's words, Zhou He stopped acting so serious and broke into a smile.

He pulled Lu Yuan along as they walked outside.

The room next door was where the equipment was stored. After opening the door, pieces of brand-new armor appeared before him.

"This set is good. I wouldn't recommend it to just anyone, so you're buying me a drink at noon." Zhou He pulled out a set of armor and handed it to Lu Yuan.

The other man felt his hands sink under the weight.

"It's made of rhino hide with a layer of refined steel plates on the chest. It's not quite as good as Black Iron Heavy Armor, but it's still high-quality gear. It's hard for anyone at the same level to pierce through."

Lu Yuan examined the armor in his hands. The exterior was coated with black metallic paint, and there was a Heart-Protecting Mirror on each side of the chest.

It looked quite imposing.

One had to admit, the equipment of the Great Yong was still very good.

"Put it on and see if it fits. If it doesn't, we'll swap it." Zhou He didn't stand on ceremony; he stepped up and began to help Lu Yuan strip off his outer clothes to put on the armor.

A moment later, a formidable youth clad in armor stood inside the equipment room.

On the rhino hide armor, every scale was inlaid with copper studs. A belt with a copper buckle was wrapped around his waist, and there was a Heart-Protecting Mirror on both the left and right sides of his chest.

Lu Yuan already had a broad frame, and now he looked even more robust.

"Wear it from now on. Wearing armor in the city is a symbol of status and will save you a lot of trouble," Zhou He said with a grin.

He patted Lu Yuan on the shoulder, looking very satisfied.

He then led him over to a bookshelf: "Now that you've been promoted to Squad Leader, you've officially transitioned into the City Guard. You can lead ten City Guards and ten rotating Garrison Soldiers. Go ahead and pick a cultivation technique."

"This is a rare opportunity. In the future, you'll have to exchange military merits for any techniques you want."

Lu Yuan did not stand on ceremony; he walked forward and began searching for a technique that suited him.