Starting from the border troops, I've worked my way up to become a Martial Emperor.

Lu Yuan exchanged all the silver ingots and jewelry he had seized for silver notes, keeping only a few dozen taels of silver for pocket money.

Then he walked home.

As for the others, they all went off excitedly to collect their rewards.

Although this trip was dangerous, it brought them unprecedented gains: merit points and silver, all of which could be exchanged for supplies. Now, all they had to do was work hard to improve themselves.

Lu Yuan walked home and, upon returning to Binggu Lane, pushed open the door and entered the courtyard.

This journey took quite a while, even though it was already dark.

But you can still vaguely see that green plants are growing on the ground, and even the cycads in the yard are sprouting new buds.

Once inside, it wasn't as cold and damp as before; at least we no longer needed to light a fire or stove.

This is definitely a good thing for the people of Dayong.

We've finally made it through the harsh winter.

After throwing his bundle onto the kang (a heated brick bed) and removing his armor, Lu Yuan sat down and opened the system.

Name: Lu Yuan

Age: 17

[Cultivation Technique: Second-grade cultivation technique "Five Tigers Breaking the Formation Blade" (33091/30000 Perfection, Breakthrough required?)]

[Third-grade martial arts technique "Tiger Subduing Stance" for tendon training (10281/10000 Great Success, breakthrough possible?)]

[Second-Rank Kung Fu Technique: Iron Bones and Golden Bell Cover (4013/50000 Entry Stance)]

[First-grade formation "Soaring Cloud Crane Wing Formation" (31031/30000 Perfection) Additional effects: Borrowing wind, armor penetration, break through?]

[Unranked martial arts technique "Wolf-Chasing Arrow Technique" (63010/50000 entry level, should use 10,000 proficiency level to deduce the technique)]

"breakthrough."

As Lu Yuan's voice fell.

His body began to change dramatically. First, the Five Tigers Breaking Formation Saber technique brought a wealth of experience and insights into his mind. Then, his body also changed. His arms seemed to have more power and flexibility. Moves that he couldn't do in the past could now be easily performed.

[Technique: Second-grade technique "Five Tigers Breaking the Formation Saber" (3091/50000 entry stance)]

Then, it was as if the major tendons in his body had been tempered, and small snake-like protrusions appeared everywhere.

Its strength is also increasing, more than several times that of the past.

[Third-Rank Kung Fu Technique: Tiger Subduing Stance for Tendon Strengthening (281/30000 Perfected)]

In my mind, insights about the "Chongyun Crane Wing Formation" were flooding in.

[First-grade formation "Soaring Cloud Crane Wing Formation" (1031/50000 entry power) additional effects: Borrowing wind, armor penetration]

If Lu Yuan were to lead his troops into battle at this time, the strength of his subordinates would be increased fourfold.

Other attributes will also increase significantly.

It could be said that if he were to face that Silver Arm Iron Falcon now, it would be several times easier than last time.

Just as Lu Yuan had digested his understanding of the formation, his fingers also changed, becoming much more agile than before, and his eyesight even improved.

A completely new archery technique emerged in his mind.

[First-grade martial arts technique "Wind Chasing Arrow Technique" (3010/10000 Great Mastery)]

This upgrade has once again enhanced Lu Yuan's strength in all aspects.

As for the grade of the cultivation technique, he was already quite satisfied. After all, with the Zhang family's resources, all they could acquire was a third-grade cultivation technique.

As long as you continue to cultivate, these techniques will eventually reach a higher level.

"Today seems to be my birthday, but I forgot. I'm already seventeen without even realizing it."

Thinking about this, Lu Yuan decided he wasn't going to cook for himself today.

We're getting ready to go out for a bite to eat.

"Bang! Bang!"

Just then, there was a knock on the door outside the courtyard.

"They're here." Lu Yuan responded, walked out of the house and opened the courtyard gate, where he saw Zhou He standing outside with a happy expression.

"Why aren't you going home? What are you doing here so late at night?"

"You've been through a pile of dead bodies and finally made it back. What's the rush to go back? Let's go have a drink." Zhou He is not yet married, and his father manages some businesses in the Zhou family in Yanzhou City.

So now it's a case of one person being full while the whole family isn't hungry.

"Yes, sir, give me a chance." Old Huang had somehow poked his head out as well.

The messy hair was stained with blood.

This guy is living a very comfortable life now and doesn't even think about getting married. He changes wives every now and then, and I'm afraid he'll be having another wild time this time he's back.

"Alright, let's go then." Lu Yuan didn't stand on ceremony; it just so happened that it was his birthday today.

What he didn't expect was...

Wei Yong and Zhang He were also waiting at the alley entrance.

"Heh, you've got everyone here. Where to go? The offal restaurant?" Lu Yuan asked as they walked.

Old Huang immediately said, "Sir, given your current status, it's inappropriate for you to go there. Let's go to Chunfeng Tower today."

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow. Although he had never been there, he knew about Chunfeng Tower.

It was a brothel.

It's not very large within Icefield City, but it's not small either. Generally, it's only frequented by military personnel who have high spending power.

Ordinary garrison troops and city guards wouldn't even dare to dream of such a thing.

Unexpectedly, Lao Huang was quite generous.

"Okay, let's go then."

As he spoke, he walked forward.

A few moments later, the group arrived at a three-story building facing the street. The antique-style building was decorated with many red lanterns that swayed in the wind.

The entire building was illuminated brightly, and on the upper floor, scantily clad girls waved their handkerchiefs.

As Lu Yuan and his group entered, a fragrant aroma wafted towards them.

Then came a large number of female figures.

A woman in her early thirties, with a voluptuous figure and a mature and charming appearance, walked over. Her delicate collarbones shone brightly under the lights.

"Welcome, gentlemen. Shall we go to a private room on the second floor, or to the main hall on the first floor?" As he spoke, he leaned against him.

"Let's go to the second floor. Do you think the adults are sitting on the first floor?" Old Huang said first.

A pair of beady green eyes would occasionally dart across them.

His eyes were shining.

Although it was Lu Yuan's first time here, he was not intimidated. He followed the woman upstairs and arrived at a private room called Huayu Pavilion. In a short while, various wines and meats were served.

Moreover, groups of women also came in.

For a moment, the room was filled with the scent of cosmetics.

Apart from Lao Huang, the group consisted of young men. Lu Yuan remained relatively restrained, but the others had already revealed their true colors.

Although Lu Yuan disliked the women here, he wouldn't object to his subordinates having fun.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the room improved considerably.

Just then, outside Chunfeng Tower, a figure slowly walked inside.

If anyone recognized him, they would recognize him as the person who spoke to Helian Shang outside the Commandant's residence.

After entering, the person adopted a cold and unapproachable demeanor. They glanced at the woman standing cautiously at the door, and before she could get close, slowly asked, "Are there any guests on the second floor today?"

"Business has been slow lately, only Flower Language Pavilion has people here. Are you here to have some fun, sir?" As the madam of Spring Breeze Pavilion, she naturally had a good eye and knew that she couldn't afford to offend the person in front of her.

"Bang!" A bag was thrown onto the table, and its contents rolled out—gold ingots.

The other party said calmly, "I've booked the second floor today. Have all the girls come upstairs and wait outside the Flower Language Pavilion. I need to say a few words to my friend."

After speaking, the man went upstairs. He was the steward of the Huangsha City Commandant's Mansion and a distant relative of the Helian family, named Helian Black Fox.

The purpose of this visit is to recruit Lu Yuan and undermine the Zhou family.

As he climbed to the second floor, the chilling aura he had just exuded vanished instantly, replaced by a warm, spring-like smile.

After arriving lightly outside the Flower Language Pavilion, she said in a voice that could be heard from inside, "Lord Lu, I am Helian Heihu, the steward of the Huangsha City Commandery, requesting an audience."

The next moment, the private room fell silent.