Starting as a centurion, he fought his way through the chaos of the world.

Chapter 97 Getting Started
Lu Mingcai entered the secret room.

He sat down. The points he had were enough to exchange for quite a few Earth Spirit Fruits.

This time, he's going all in; he has to get into the field.

At that time, even if facing a Qi Refining Realm expert, at least we will have the strength to fight.

Then, a fruit appeared in his hand, bright red and emitting a fragrance.

When you put it in your mouth, it instantly turns into a sweet liquid and enters your oral cavity.

Then, Lu Ming began to sense the activity of the earth's veins once again.

Unbeknownst to them, their bodies were enveloped in a layer of earthy yellow energy.

He didn't hesitate.

One fruit at a time, I put them into my mouth.

The energy covering his body was also getting stronger and stronger.

I don’t know how long it took.

"Buzz!"

A ripple-like energy spread out.

At this moment, his perception was incredibly clear when he was exploring the earth's veins.

You can even see the patterns on the rocks underground.

The palm slowly emerged.

Then, a yellowish-brown stream of energy, as thick as an adult's calf, coiled around his body like a giant python.

As Lu Ming made hand seals.

The yellowish-brown air currents transformed into a python.

Its scales were clearly visible, and its pair of golden eyes shone with a chilling light.

As it circled around Lu Ming, it appeared somewhat ferocious.

This snake is called the Xu Earth Kui Python. If Lu Ming breaks through to the ninth level of Earth Master and reaches an even higher level...

This protective python has transformed into the Earth Dragon of the Dog.

It not only has protective effects, but is also the most basic killing technique of a geomancer.

It manifests itself when facing an enemy, and its attack power is extremely terrifying.

After Lu Ming stood up, the Xu Tu Kui Python also disappeared from the spot.

"Tap!"

The sound of crisp footsteps echoed in the secret room.

When he opened the door.

Then we saw that it was already getting dark.

The bright moon hangs high in the sky.

The sunlight reflected on the ground, filtering through the leaves and falling into the air.

It turned into clusters of light.

Li Xirou sat under the tree, wearing a long red dress today.

The hem of the skirt was trimmed with gold thread.

Her curvaceous figure is even more alluring under the light.

A jade hairpin is inserted diagonally in her black hair.

It emits a bright green luster.

For a moment, Lu Ming was stunned and stood there.

"Husband, have you finished your cultivation?"

Lu Ming nodded. "How long have I been in seclusion?"

"It's already past midnight," Li Xirou whispered.

Then, he quickly straightened his clothes and said, "I'll go get you some food."

"No need, I'm not hungry today," Lu Ming said, pulling his wife into the house.

The longing that had been building up for so many days finally erupted at this moment.

Meanwhile, on the other side, in a beautiful mountain in a remote region.

The mountaintop was shrouded in mist.

Cranes flitted among them, bathed in the glow of the setting sun.

The mountain stream gurgles and babbles.

Pavilions and stone towers could be vaguely seen in the mist.

It exudes an ethereal aura.

A figure stepped out of the main hall, gazing intently at the sky.

His full head of white hair was loose, and his long white eyebrows, like scattered starlight, hung down to the ground.

"The planet of the Emperor's Land has moved. After so many years, a new geomancer has emerged?"

There was a hint of disbelief in the old man's voice.

My gaze was fixed on a star in the sky, emitting an earthy yellow halo.

Such a scene is also happening in other sects.

Clearly, they were all affected by the strange phenomena that occurred.

At this moment, Lu Ming had no idea how much attention the appearance of a geomancer would attract.

One night passed.

He walked out of the house feeling refreshed.

Li Xirou is still fast asleep due to exhaustion.

Even if the other party's cultivation has now reached the True Essence level.

However, he still couldn't withstand Lu Ming's constitution.

He glanced back at his wife, then closed the door and walked towards the front yard.

His steps were very steady.

The soldiers had already begun their drills.

Lu Ming could tell that it was the "Devouring Heaven One-Word Long Serpent Formation".

However, he also spotted a figure to the side of the soldier—it was Bai Yan.

After noticing Lu Ming come out, she hurried over.

"General, dozens of scouts have been dispatched. We should have news in a few days, and the report has already been sent out."

Bai Yan has now fully embraced the role of Lu Ming's strategist.

Sometimes, I can't help but offer advice and suggestions to the other party.

He paused for a moment and then continued, "There is one more thing. The Zhelong Prefecture has calmed down now, but those rebels who were scattered by the general are still causing trouble in various places. If we want to restore order, we still need to send people to wipe them out."

"Okay, notify the captains of each battalion to each lead two thousand men to suppress the bandits. Tell them there is only one position to guard, and whoever has the most military merits gets to guard it!" Lu Ming pointed to the front hall.

He walked over, with Bai Yan following closely behind. "I'll inform them after I go out."

After entering the front hall and taking a seat, Bai Yan took a sip of the tea served by a maid.

"Yes, this matter needs to be addressed promptly. There is another matter, namely the officials of Zhelong Prefecture. You will be in charge of appointing the prefect and his subordinates. I have already spoken with Prime Minister Li, and he will recommend you as the Prefect of Yunzhou after he returns."

Responsible for the administrative affairs of Yunzhou.

Lu Ming picked up the teacup and looked up at Bai Yan.

This guy is really stubborn; he's worried the other person might back down.

"Since the general has spoken, I naturally cannot refuse," Bai Yan said with a wry smile.

He has really learned a lot from Lu Ming recently.

The two were both teacher and friend.

Bai Yan has always held Lu Ming in high regard.

Just then, Zhang Meng walked in, carrying a rice bowl containing large pieces of meat bones and steamed buns.

My mouth is full of oil after eating.

Upon seeing him, Lu Ming said, "Starting today, you will be in charge of recruiting new soldiers. You can choose any of the three prefectures. The number of recruits will be around 30,000, and each person will receive three taels of silver per month."

"Is Your Excellency recruiting soldiers for the Hidden Dragon Manor?"

"Yes, there are no soldiers in Zhelong Prefecture yet. The Imperial Guards are the only ones guarding it. They said they'd only give us three months. If we don't send anyone to garrison it, we'll just leave."

Lu Ming frowned as he spoke.

With 30,000 people, that's nearly 100,000 taels of silver every month.

However, the imperial court always had to allocate some funds.

With the money I already had, I wasn't under too much pressure.

"I'll go after I've eaten," Zhang Meng said quickly.

Then, as if remembering something, he said, "My lord, this is a letter from the garrison commander of Yunmeng Prefecture."

Lu Ming raised an eyebrow and took it.

The first part of the text was a self-congratulatory message, followed by a declaration of loyalty.

Wu Han was also straightforward, saying that Lu Ming had saved his life and that he would follow Lu Ming's lead from now on.

Finally, he complained that his army hadn't received pay for a year, and that his brothers had been fighting the rebels on empty stomachs for some time.

Lu Ming was already on his way when he received the letter.

After reading the letter, he couldn't help but smile bitterly, "Everyone says that the garrison commander of Yunmeng Prefecture is a straightforward person, and it's true. He came to ask for money as soon as I took office, and he asked for a year's worth. It's already on its way, and I can't stop him."

"Hehe, I've heard of him before. His soldiers are indeed fierce and brave, said to be no worse than the border troops. Moreover, they are all as fiery as him. If it weren't for his straightforwardness, he would have been the governor of Yunzhou."

It would probably have been his long ago.

Bai Yan said with a smile.

Lu Ming couldn't help but smile. "Take it or leave it. Not only give him money, but also provide his soldiers with pills. If you don't pay now, who will listen to you in the future?"

He said with a smile.

At the same time, he glanced at Bai Yan.

The other party showed no surprise and nodded, saying, "The general's words make sense."

They seemed to quite agree.

He naturally understood what Lu Ming meant: since all the soldiers were paid by Lu Ming, they had to listen to him. In fact, this was a veiled way of explaining his thoughts to Bai Yan.

Get the other party to make a statement.

After all, military generals were fine; Lu Ming knew they would definitely follow him.

But Bai Yan hadn't given a clear answer, which made him somewhat uneasy.

There are some confidential matters that cannot be discussed with him.

Unexpectedly, Bai Yan chose to support Lu Ming without hesitation.

That was something he hadn't expected.

Although the latter did not intend to rebel.

However, under the current circumstances, we must make various preparations.

In short, as long as the people under your command listen to you.

Then you'll have confidence in front of everyone.

The three prefectures combined could field an army of 100,000, if all of them were trained into elite troops.

Then he will surely have a place in this world.

As for Zhang Meng, who was standing to the side, he actually understood as well. He rolled up his sleeves and said, "Everyone knows that we are now eating and drinking the general's food and drinks. Even the cultivation techniques we use are given to us by the master."

"I don't know about other places, but in Hongdu Prefecture, we only recognize the General."

He went from a poorly clothed old soldier in a centurion's garrison to a powerful and influential commander of a thousand men in the garrison.

Even the captains of the various battalions greeted him with smiles.

Zhang Meng knew in his heart that all of this was given to him by Lu Ming.

Not only him, but even his son was forced to join the army and serve Lu Ming.

"Alright, I know you're loyal. Just say these things here, don't go around spreading them. The Imperial Guards of the Great Yu haven't all died out yet, and Prime Minister Li is in the central government. Don't make things difficult for him. After you finish eating, go out and recruit new soldiers."

Bai Yan's expression turned serious at this moment.

Zhang Meng then grinned.

"I'm only saying this in front of the adults and you. Once we're outside, who dares to say anything out of line? I'll kick them out!" After saying that, she ran out.

Then, Lu Ming looked at Bai Yan and continued, "Then I'll leave the matter of the Zhelong Prefecture officials to you. Please handle it as soon as possible."

"Yes, my lord!"

The latter responded and then withdrew.

After Bai Yan left.

"call!"

Lu Ming also let out a long sigh of relief.

Then, they walked outside.

Seeing the three thousand warriors arrayed in battle formation, their bodies shimmering with a faint white light and the beginnings of a giant python, he nodded in satisfaction.

These soldiers are all quite strong, and with a little training...

Once you've mastered the formation, it will become one of your trump cards.

Then he went out the door and headed towards the Baili family's house.

The medicinal materials needed for an army of nearly 100,000 are not something that ordinary medicinal herb merchants can provide.

Only a family with such a long history might have the means to do so.

So, he decided to visit Baili's family.

As for silver, he still had some left.

These things are useless if you can't eat or drink them; the right way is to spend them and turn them into real power.

(End of this chapter)