Colonel Sheng

The night was lively in Anning City, with residents celebrating their victory.

Yichun Tower had also reopened for business, and many people gathered there to drink and enjoy themselves.

"With lofty ambitions, I'll feast on the flesh of barbarians when hungry, and laughingly drink Xiongnu blood when thirsty! That Battalion Commander Sheng is truly full of heroic spirit, brave in battle, and his literary talent is also outstanding."

"Indeed, this verse has such spirit and heroism! To laughingly drink Xiongnu blood, what incredible mettle!"

"Let me tell you all, that Battalion Commander Sheng is my neighbor. He used to be a scholar."

"Please, tell us more, brother!"

"As long as the valiant generals of Longcheng are here, the barbarian cavalry will not cross Anshan. This single verse perfectly embodies the determination and resolve of the Anning Army; it's their true reflection."

Inside Yichun Tower, the vast majority of people were discussing the day's great battle and the two verses composed by Sheng Huai'an.

Sheng Huai'an's fame was also spreading throughout Anning City.

Wang Xuan looked at Yang Ye, clad in golden armor, and sighed, "Brother Yang, if you had focused solely on martial arts and weren't burdened by the military, you would probably have broken through to Grandmaster by now. Do you have any regrets about your choice?"

"I've never regretted it. You know, I'm from the borderlands, I grew up here. Having learned these martial arts, it's only natural that I defend the border and protect the peace of the local populace," Yang Ye said with firm eyes.

"Just like you, Brother Wang, who grew up in the Jianghu, yearning for the swift justice and free-spirited life of the martial world."

"It's a pity I don't have your talent. Otherwise, I would have broken through to Grandmaster long ago and founded my own school," Wang Xuan said.

"You, a dignified Grandmaster expert, wanting to found a school – countless people would be clamoring to learn from you," Yang Ye said with a smile.

"Alright, our transaction is complete. It's time to settle your payment, isn't it?" Wang Xuan said with a smile.

"I really don't understand why you want a spear technique, you're a fist cultivator." Yang Ye handed the Overlord Spear Technique to Wang Xuan.

Yang Ye had invited Wang Xuan to help defend Anning Pass, and the reward was the Overlord Spear Technique.

"You don't understand. There's not much difference between spear techniques and fist techniques. I want to study your spear technique and see if I can achieve a breakthrough," Wang Xuan replied.

The two met by chance when they were young, traveled the Jianghu together, and under fortunate circumstances, they received their inheritances.

Yang Ye received the Overlord Spear Technique, and Wang Xuan received the Thunderclap Fist Technique.

"Then I wish you success," Yang Ye said with a smile.

"Alright, I've got my reward. Goodbye. I hope when we meet again, you're still alive," Wang Xuan bid farewell and left, his departure as carefree as ever.

At night, Sheng Huai'an sat cross-legged on his bed.

He had gained a significant amount of Slaughter Value from killing countless enemies during the day.

Name: Sheng Huai'an

Race: Human

Realm: Houtian Limit (+)

Cultivation Methods: [Great Sun Heart Sutra (Minor Accomplishment)][Ferocious Ox Strength (Minor Accomplishment)](+)[Blood Fiend Saber Technique (Great Accomplishment)](Deduction)[Overlord Spear Technique (Minor Accomplishment)]

Strength: 35,000 Jin

Talent: Sharpshooter

Slaughter Value: 8200

Adding to his previous Slaughter Value, he had now surpassed the 8,000 mark.

He had gained 4,000 Slaughter Value from killing numerous enemies during the day, a truly bountiful harvest.

Looking at so much Slaughter Value, Sheng Huai'an ultimately decided not to use it to upgrade his cultivation.

He would save it for now and improve his cultivation later when it felt natural.

Breaking through to the Xiantian realm consecutively now would be too conspicuous.

A Xiantian Martial Practitioner at seventeen years old – there wouldn't be many like him in the entire Great Wei.

Not to mention, he hadn't even been practicing martial arts for a full month. If someone with ulterior motives noticed, it could lead to great trouble.

With the war over, Anning Pass gradually returned to normal.

The Xiongnu army had retreated, and the oppressive feeling of war had dissipated.

However, the Anning Army did not relax. Although the war had temporarily ended, they still had to apply for pensions for the fallen soldiers from the court.

They also needed to recruit new soldiers, train the army, and restore their border defense strength.

After all, the Xiongnu army could attack again at any time, continuing to pressure the pass.

On this day, Sheng Huai'an was promoted to Colonel.

Despite his promotion to Colonel, he still only commanded the more than three hundred cavalrymen who had returned alive from the grasslands with him.

"Colonel, congratulations!" Guo Xiaoping said, offering his congratulations.

"Indeed, you're a Colonel now. It seems you won't be far from becoming a General," Wang Wu said with a smile, genuinely happy for Sheng Huai'an.

"Colonel, congratulations!"

Tang Yunshan, Hai Dahe, and others under his command congratulated Sheng Huai'an.

Guo Xiaoping and Hu Bing had sufficient cultivation and military merits, but there were only a limited number of vacant Colonel positions in the Anning Army, so it wasn't their turn.

Even Sheng Huai'an, a Colonel, didn't seem to be officially on the roster.

Originally, the Anning Army had a quota of fifty thousand soldiers, with twenty-five Colonel positions.

However, the Anning Army only had the strength to form thirty thousand troops, thus only fifteen Colonel positions were available.

Sheng Huai'an was not among these fifteen Colonels, and their camp, with only these three hundred remnants, had not yet begun to be formed.

It was essentially giving him a title and position first.

"Colonel, you've been promoted today, and our camp has the day off. How about we go to Yichun Tower? My treat, we'll go for drinks," Guo Xiaoping said loudly.

"Right, Colonel Sheng, you've been promoted, you should treat us to some fun, shouldn't you?" Wang Wu said with a smile.

"No, you scoundrel, you promised to treat me to drinks after the war ended, how come you're asking me to treat you now?" Sheng Huai'an looked at Wang Wu speechlessly.

"That won't do. You're a Colonel now, you should be treating us. Brothers, don't you agree!" Wang Wu shouted loudly.

"Exactly!"

The soldiers under his command were boisterous and very happy.

"Alright, then it's Yichun Tower tonight, my treat," Sheng Huai'an agreed immediately, not wanting to dampen the mood.

"Brother Guo, I'll treat tonight, you can treat the brothers next time," Sheng Huai'an said to Guo Xiaoping again.

"Sure, no problem!" Guo Xiaoping replied, completely agreeing.

In the evening, their camp changed into casual clothes and headed to Yichun Tower.

Seeing over three hundred people arriving in a grand procession, the madam of Yichun Tower thought someone was coming to attack her establishment and was terrified, her face turning as pale as a ghost.

"Madam, make sure all these brothers are taken care of, or I'll hold you personally responsible," Guo Xiaoping said.

When the madam recognized Guo Xiaoping, Hu Bing, and the others, she breathed a sigh of relief. So they were from the military.

"Quickly, officers, please come in. Girls, come and serve our guests quickly." The madam's face broke into a smile.

She couldn't afford to offend so many military men, nor could she afford to offend the people behind them.

After all, this was Anning Pass, the territory of the Anning Army.

"Call your top courtesan, Miss Hua Yueru, to accompany our Colonel," Guo Xiaoping added.

"Yes, yes, I'll go invite Miss Hua right away." Upon hearing that there was another Colonel, the madam dared not refuse.

As Sheng Huai'an and his entourage entered Yichun Tower in a grand procession, many people cast their gazes their way.

"Who are those people?"

"They look like they're from the Anning Army."

"I know, I know! The young leader among them is that Sheng Battalion Commander who wrote the lines 'With lofty ambitions, I shall feast on the flesh of the barbarians, and with a hearty laugh, I shall drink the blood of the Xiongnu.'" Someone recognized Sheng Huai'an.

"I was there that day when we went out to fight the enemy and saw Battalion Commander Sheng display his might. I also heard him compose poetry on the spot."

"No, didn't you hear just now? Battalion Commander Sheng has been promoted to Colonel Sheng."

"He's so young!"

"Such a young Colonel who can also compose poetry, he's truly accomplished in both civil and military arts."

"And he's also very handsome. At first glance, I thought he was a young master from a wealthy family."

People were discussing animatedly as they saw Sheng Huai'an and his group.

Upon entering Yichun Tower, Sheng Huai'an and his group went directly to the second floor. The more than three hundred people filled the entire second floor of Yichun Tower.

The third floor was where the courtesans of Yichun Tower had their rooms, for guests to stay overnight. (Those who know, know.)

The first floor had a stage, and many wine tables were arranged around it.

Yichun Tower had only three floors, which was not small in Anning Pass.

Of course, it couldn't compare to the prefectural cities or Luojing.

On the stage, dancers in revealing attire were performing, accompanied by the sounds of flutes, strings, and other instruments.

After Sheng Huai'an and his group sat down, the waiters of Yichun Tower quickly brought wine.

Good wine and good food were served.

The madam of Yichun Tower also arranged for the courtesans to accompany them for drinks, three per table.

One per person was not realistic, as Yichun Tower didn't have over three hundred courtesans.

Then, Hua Yueru, the top courtesan of Yichun Tower, wearing a light, sheer gauze dress, with a graceful posture, walked over. Her appearance was indeed quite attractive.

Her skin was fair, her face was oval-shaped, and she possessed considerable charm, no wonder Guo Xiaoping and the others couldn't forget her.

"Greetings, my lords."

Hua Yueru walked over, bowed, and then sat down next to Sheng Huai'an, pouring wine for him and the others.

Sheng Huai'an raised his wine cup. "Brothers, for our first toast, let's honor our fallen comrades."

The soldiers raised their cups one after another.

"To our brothers in arms!"

The crowd roared, and the killing intent inadvertently released caused the accompanying maidens to tremble in fear.

"What are you doing? You bunch of brutes, don't scare the girls," Sheng Huai'an said, rubbing his temples.

His subordinates quickly reined in their imposing aura, no longer so stern.

"Drink! We're not going home until we're drunk," Sheng Huai'an declared loudly.

"Not going home till we're drunk!"

Only then did everyone begin to drink.

After a few cups of wine, everyone loosened up and started playing drinking games with the maidens.

"Miss Yueru, you must take good care of our Colonel Sheng. It's his first time here," Wang Wu said with a smile to Hua Yueru.

"It is my honor to meet Colonel Sheng. Colonel Sheng, I'll toast you," Hua Yueru said, leaning against Sheng Huai'an without any reserve.